Category Archives: Special events

Celebrate the Year of the Monkey with HISD at Westside HS on Feb. 27

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Members of Team HISD will be formally observing the start of a new lunar year on Saturday, Feb. 27, during a celebration held at Westside High School (14201 Briar Forest Dr., 77077) in partnership with the Confucius Institute.

The free event will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. and the public is invited.

Entertainment will be provided by students from more than half a dozen HISD schools, including Kolter Elementary; Lanier and Revere Middle; Furr and Westside High; the Houston Academy for International Studies; the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts; Sharpstown International School; and the Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School (MCLIMS).

The Year of the Monkey began on Monday, Feb. 8. MCLIMS hosted its own campus celebration (photos above) on Feb. 20.

FAFSA Roadshow brings financial aid support directly to students

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The library at Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center was overflowing with college financial aid information on Tuesday, Feb. 16, during HISD’s first-ever FAFSA Roadshow. Created jointly by three district departments — College Readiness, EMERGE, and College Access — the roadshow will travel to all HISD high schools to promote education and provide assistance in applying for scholarships, grants, and other types of financial aid.

“The purpose of today is to assist students in completing their TASFA or FAFSA, which is required in order for them to have some type of funding to pay for college,” said College Access Coordinator Kimberly Williams-Dooley. “Our students are doing a great job. We were very intentional about making sure our students had their documents in order.”

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New multiservice center to provide HISD students quality access to food, healthcare

Kashmere High School will celebrate the opening of a campus-based multiservice center that provides health, education, counseling, and workforce development services to students and their families.

The Kashmere Success Center was launched in January by ProUnitas, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering communities by connecting social service organizations and resources to students and families with unmet needs. Continue reading →

Slideshow quiz tests knowledge of distinguished African-American HISD alumni

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How well do you know your distinguished alumni from HISD? Take our quiz and find out!

In honor of Black History Month this year, the district’s Communications team has put together a question-and-answer-style slideshow that highlights 24 different African-American graduates, along with the years they earned their high-school diplomas.

Among those featured are professional athletes, artists, elected officials, and more.

Black History Month runs from Feb. 1 through Feb. 29.

City issues proclamation in honor of Yates HS’s 90th anniversary

20160209_133200On Feb. 8, 1926, Jack Yates High School opened its doors as the second campus for children of color in the city of Houston. Ninety years later, Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a proclamation announcing Feb. 9, 2016, as “Jack Yates Senior High School Day.”

Since its opening, the school has been a launching pad for world-renowned artists, athletes, politicians, and other figures. The school was named after a formerly enslaved reverend, who became an influential leader in Houston’s Fourth Ward.

99-year-old Maxine Williams, Yates alumna

99-year-old Maxine Williams, Yates alumna

“A lot of good things came out of Yates,” said Carolyn Simples, president of the Fabulous Fifties Yates alumni group, whose crimson and gold attire brought a celebratory mood at City Hall. “And [they] are still coming out of Yates.”

One such product, 99-year-old alumna Maxine Williams, was present for the event. So, too, were 50 current Yates government students, hoping to witness the ceremony. They had the opportunity — through Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and the help of Yates alumni and city attorney Arva Howard — to see the proclamation process from beginning to end.

“To get our kids involved and understand how government works, and get them involved in the process…for me, personally, it’s kind of a highlight of the year,” said Yates Principal Kenneth Davis. “Having a historically black school that receives a proclamation — this is something they’ll always have and remember in the future. It’s part of their history as well.”

To see a sampling of Yates’ distinguished alumni, please visit the district’s Alumni channel.

African-American leaders forged lasting legacy of public service

Editor’s Note: Black History Month runs from Monday, Feb. 1, through Monday, Feb. 29, this year, and HISD is celebrating with a series of weekly stories recognizing distinguished African Americans who graduated from district high schools. This second article focuses on alumni who went on to have successful careers in politics or law. The first one spotlighted professional athletes, and others will feature artists, educators, and those with careers in radio, TV, and film.

Since its earliest days, Houston has been home to great leaders who, through their commitment to public service, have helped to shape our community and create opportunities for future generations.

African-Americans figure prominently in this group of civic and government officials, and HISD is proud to count many of them among our distinguished alumni, who have left a lasting legacy for citizens of Houston and students in HISD.

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HISD declares February ‘Digital Learning Month’

A scene from last year's Digital learning Expo

A scene from last year’s Digital learning Expo

Digital Learning Day was created to showcase schools’ best practices and promote a new educational venue for students that is fun and interactive. In honor of that event, which takes place on Feb. 17 this year, HISD is declaring February “Digital Learning Month.”

Principals and teachers have been invited to participate by trying out new digital tools and innovative instructional practices, then showing how their schools are leveraging digital learning by posting content to social media using the hashtag #hisddigital. Students are also welcome to join the conversation.

Selected students will demonstrate their projects during a Digital Learning Day Expo scheduled for Feb. 11, 2016, at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092). The expo will take place just before the Board of Education meeting, which starts at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Black History Month 2016: Spotlight on HISD’s distinguished alumni

Editor’s Note: Black History Month runs from Monday, Feb. 1, through Monday, Feb. 29, this year, and HISD is celebrating with a series of weekly stories recognizing distinguished African Americans who graduated from district high schools. This first article focuses on alumni who went on to have successful athletic careers. Others will spotlight artists, educators, legislators, and those with careers in radio, TV, and film.

HISD alumnus Moran Norris regularly gives back to the schools he attended, including Madison High School (pictured). Here, he is distributing backpacks to incoming freshmen during the fall 2015 orientation.

HISD alumnus Moran Norris regularly gives back to the schools he attended, including Madison High School (pictured). Here, he is distributing backpacks to incoming freshmen during the fall 2015 orientation.

From Wimbledon finalist and Olympic gold-medalist Zina Garrison (Sterling, Class of 1982) to National Basketball Association Rookie of the Year and Olympic bronze-medalist Chukwuemeka Noubuisi “Emeka” Okafor (Bellaire, 2001), HISD has produced dozens of African-American graduates who have gone on to enjoy impressive careers in professional sports.

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Sponsorship opportunities, tickets still available to 2016 State of the Schools luncheon

HISD’s State of the Schools luncheon is right around the corner, but it’s not too late to sponsor a table or purchase tickets for your organization.

This annual event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, in the fourth-floor ballroom of the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel (1600 Lamar, 77010). Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about HISD and how it is preparing its students for success in both higher education and high-paying, high-demand jobs in the global workforce.

The event also offers a great venue to meet to meet students and school leaders, as well as community partners and elected officials.

But act fast, because time is running out. Go here to purchase tickets or become a sponsor. You can also find details on how to purchase tickets are here (.pdf) and details on sponsorship opportunities here (.pdf).

Students ‘tackle’ hunger through Souper Bowl of Caring

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Students from dozens of HISD schools began gathering canned goods and other non-perishables this week to help fight hunger in Houston through the Souper Bowl of Caring. The annual food drive, which is designed to channel sports enthusiasts’ excitement about professional football into helping the less fortunate, kicked off on Jan. 20, and students have already started collecting donations.

“When I think of hunger, it’s always been in the context of a place far away, like a third-world country that is impoverished,” explained Carnegie Vanguard High School student Christine Huang. “The fact that Souper Bowl of Caring really focuses on the national and local levels is something I’ve never seen before.”

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