Category Archives: Special events

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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Martin Luther King Jr. oratory competition earns national, local attention


The performances of several HISD elementary school students who delivered original Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired speeches last week garnered praise from both local and national media outlets. ABC’s Good Morning America described the students’ speeches as “profound” and “impressive.”

The students’ speeches focused on the question, “What would Dr. King say in his campaign speech if he were running for president this year?” as part of the 20thannual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition sponsored by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP.

Students from Cornelius, Pleasantville, Wainwright, and Whidby elementary schools were featured in news stories on the competition, thanking Dr. King for his service and legacy. Parts of their speeches also were highlighted on TV.

Cornelius fifth-grader Richard Espinoza-Garza, who won the competition, told ABC that Dr. King “meant we should all come together – all races, all cultures.”

Click the links below to view stories on HISD students participating in the oratory competition.

Superintendent honored by Houston’s new mayor

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Mayor Sylvester Turner, who assumed leadership of the Bayou City earlier this month, recognized HISD Superintendent of Schools Terry Grier with a proclamation on Jan. 12 for his dedicated service to Houston’s children.

“Dr. Terry Grier is widely recognized for his leadership in turning around failing schools,” read the proclamation, “and the City of Houston commends Dr. Terry Grier for his commitment to the academic advancement of Houston youth and extends best wishes for continued success.”

Students prepare for annual Martin Luther King Oratory Competition

Each year, students across the district show off their oratory skills in the annual Martin Luther King Oratory Competition at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ (500 Clay Street, 77002). This year’s theme, “What would Dr. King say in his campaign speech if he were running for president this year?” will be tackled by fourth- and fifth-graders from several HISD schools on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Now in its 20th year in Houston, the MLK Oratory competition, sponsored by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, encourages elementary school students to spread the work and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through self-written speeches that envision King’s message in today’s world. Students are judged based on delivery, stage presence and decorum, content interpretation, and memorization.

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‘Crack the Code’ STEM event set for January 9

The Innovative Curriculum department will hold its first ever invitational coding event for its TIF 4 STEM grant schools on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 9 a.m. to noon, called “Crack the Code.” Students, teachers, and chaperones from 18 of the grant’s middle schools and elementary schools will convene at Southmayd Elementary School, the host campus, for the day’s festivities.

Over 200 people are expected to participate in the day’s coding activities. A unique aspect of this event is that participants will learn, test, and refine their coding skills alongside each other, highlighting the ability of students and teachers to be co-constructors of STEM-based knowledge and skills.

The purpose of the invitational, is to serve as a “pilot” coding event for HISD. Any business entities, philanthropic organizations, or non-profits interested in helping to support the vision for a district-wide coding event in the future, should contact Annie Song in HISD’s Strategic Partnerships Office at 713-556-7218.

Current funding provided by the TIF 4 grant supports the TIF 4 STEM team, responsible for leading and preparing the day’s activities, busing to the event location, and recognitions for all participants.

Students get toy surprise from BBVA Compass Foundation, Rockets player James Harden

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More than 400 Crespo Elementary School students got an early start to the holiday season on Dec. 3 thanks to BBVA Compass Foundation’s Project Blue Elf initiative, which distributes toys to children in low- and moderate-income communities.

BBVA Compass brand ambassador James Harden and basketball legend Robert Horry helped the foundation surprise the students in kindergarten through second grade with toys. The foundation also led the students in a financial literacy activity focused on the importance of saving money.

The toy distribution at Crespo serves as the kick-off for the third year of the Project Blue Elf initiative, which is expected to reach nearly 5,000 students across the Houston-area.

Students collaborate with the Health Museum on STEM cells lesson plan

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Health professionals from Houston’s Health Museum visited the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and gave 20 ninth-graders a lesson on nutrition and physical fitness. The museum’s STEM Cells Sports Medicine Program exposes students to various disciplines within sports medicine.

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Money tops the list in annual ‘hot toys’ survey of elementary students

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It’s an annual tradition at HISD to check in with students at Longfellow Elementary School to find out which toys are the hottest picks this year. Every year for the past 16 years a team of fifth-graders polls their school-mates to determine exactly what kids would like to receive this holiday season.

Once again, students used the “Seven Habits of Happy Kids” that they learn through the Leader in Me program to help with the survey – for example, “put first things first” when planning their process and “be proactive” when putting together the basic lists of options for each age group. The goal is to point parents, relatives, and other adult gift-givers in the right direction before they do their holiday shopping. Continue reading →

‘Three Doctors’ inspire HISD students to support one another though hardships

Wheatley HS students at the "Three Doctors" event

Wheatley HS students at the “Three Doctors” event

Students from HISD’s Kashmere, Scarborough, and Wheatley high schools received a full dose of motivation on Nov. 6 from “Three Doctors” who made a pact to support each other while growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Newark, New Jersey, and achieved professional success as a result.

The students attended a presentation given by Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins at the Brown Convention Center as part of the White House initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” which aims to close the achievement and opportunity gaps for young men of color.

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