Category Archives: Special events

23,000 Backpacks, 2,500 Uniforms: Back to School Fest, By the Numbers

HISD partnered with the City of Houston to host the Back to School Fest on August 11that Reliant Center. Here’s a look at the event and its impact:

  • More than 40,000 students and their families attended the event
  • 40 sponsors and 33 in-kind sponsors
  • An estimated 500 immunizations were administered to children
  • More than 500 individuals volunteered for this event
  • The event showcased 100 exhibitors
  • More than 23,000 backpacks with school supplies were distributed
  • 2,500 uniforms and 725 uniform vouchers were distributed
  • 52,049 pounds of food were distributed by the Houston Food Bank
  • 12 organizations/companies hosted school supply drives to support the Back To School Fest
  • 8,000 socks and underwear for children were distributed

Davis High School Graduate Wins Free Car at ‘Cool to Be Smart’ Celebration

Davis High School graduate Marisol Lara, who came by bus with her family amid the stormy weather, left the Second Annual Cool to Be Smart celebration on Sunday with a brand new Dodge Caliber donated by Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

“I can’t believe I won this car!  This is a dream come true for me and my entire family,” said Lara whose family does not own a car and uses public transportation on a daily basis.  “This car will help me get to school every day, and it will inspire my younger siblings to work hard to pursue their dreams too.”

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Preparations underway for the annual Back to School Fest

Back to School Fest, set for Saturday, August 11, looks to be a full morning of family fun. The festival, held at  Reliant Center, will offer games for children, health screenings, free immunizations, school uniforms, and school supplies. 

See photos of volunteers getting ready for this annual event:

Are You a Member of the Millionaire Club? What Are You Reading This Summer?

The first day of school in HISD is still more than a month away, but it’s not too late for students to participate in the Millionaire Club, the district’s annual summer reading initiative. Just finish five books by the time school starts and you could be eligible for incentives, recognition, and other prizes!

 Be sure to share your favorite selections with us in the comment section below, so that other students can enjoy them, too! Happy reading!

Photo gallery: Volunteers honored for service to children, schools

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The Houston Independent School District held its Volunteers in Public Schools breakfast and awards ceremony at the Kingdom Builders’ Center. The annual event honors exceptional volunteer contributions by individuals and organizations and was sponsored by the HISD Foundation and Randalls.

The Jean Davis Myers award, which is the highest honor, was presented to Urban Harvest and Pilar Hernandez, an Urban Harvest parent volunteer at Kolter Elementary.  The organization was recognized for its volunteer work in improving the quality of education in greater Houston. The organization’s district-wide outdoor learning environment initiative helps teachers create curriculum for outdoor classrooms.  The program also provides students hands-on learning in science, math, history, and other subjects.

A Special Lifetime Achievement award was presented to George W. Black for his service to HISD’s Volunteers in Public Schools for more than 25 years. Mr. Black, a retired Marine, oversees the student safety patrol and is a member of the Safety and Security Committee at Barrick Elementary.

Here is a list of the other honorees:

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Teachers of the Year will be announced during recognition ceremony

The Houston Independent School District will announce the 2011-2012 Teachers of the Year tonight during a Celebration of Excellence recognition ceremony. The winners will receive $5,000, a plaque, and a custom made ring from Herff Jones Graduation Center. The Principals of the Year and the Employees of the Month will also be recognized.  View live coverage of the event at houstonisd.org

Who:  HISD Board of Education Trustees, Superintendent Terry Grier,2011-2012 Principals of the Year, Employees

of the Month, Elementary Teacher of the Year Nominees for 2011-2012:

  • Ashley Moteil – Lyons Elementary School
  • Ana Lentz – Pilgrim Academy
  • Nanette Musters – Mark Twain Elementary School
  • Selene Rogers – Windsor Village Elementary School
  • Maria Godoy – Port Houston Elementary School
  • Lindsey MacLeod – Oak Forest Elementary School
  • Benjamin Glover – Gallegos Elementary School
  • Susan (Kim) O’Reilly – Roberts Elementary School
  • Alaster Gaines – Crawford-Sherman Elementary School
  • Cecily Stevens – The School at St. George Place
  • Martha Garcia – Herrera Elementary School
  • Ernie Bainbridge – Walnut Bend Elementary School

Secondary Teacher of the Year Nominees for 2011-2012:

  • Timothy Daponte – Reagan High School
  • Qian Zhang – DeBakey High School
  • Tarhonda Greer – Jones High School
  • Modesto Mendoza – Devry/CLC
  • Mildred Williams – Hope Academy
  • Margarita Castro – Madison High School
  • Darryl Tricksey – Fondren Middle School
  • Brian Gaston – Hogg Middle School
  • Neda Khan – Black Middle School
  • Camula Stanfield – Pershing Middle School

             

What: Team HISD Celebration of Excellence recognition ceremony honoring 2011-2012 Teachers of the Year, Principals of the Year, and Employees of the Month

When: Thursday, May 24 at 6:45 p.m.

 Where: Hilton Americas Hotel
                  Ballrooms of America
                  1600 Lamar Street

Furr High School hosts ‘Civility in the Park’

Students from Furr High School recently held Civility in the Park, an event to celebrate the new spirit of community that exists in their corner of the east side. The area that was once plagued with gang violence and crime has been transformed in recent yaers thanks to dedicated citizens.

Civility in the Park featured musical performances, face painting, dancing and food. See photos from the free event below.

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News around the district

Seniors from Houston Academy for International Studies met former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.

Every month, schools across the district hold special events and celebrations, or honor employees, students and alumni.  Here’s a snapshot of what happened at HISD during the months of April-May:

  • Sherman Elementary honored their Gifted and Talented students at the 3rd Annual GT Expo on May 3. More than ninety gifted and Talented students worked individually or in groups to prepare projects for viewing by parents and community members.
  • Seniors from the Houston Academy for International Studies attended the World Affairs Council luncheon with former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.  Two students, Benjamin Brooks and Juana Martinez, were specially chosen for a round table discussion with former Secretary Rice where they were allowed to ask questions ranging from her view on U.S. relations with Pakistan to recounting her own days as a high school student.  Ms. Rice signed a copy of her recent book, No Higher Honor, as a gift to the school.
  • Dallas Cowboys football player Lawrence Vickers (#47) visited Whidby Elementary to promote the importance of education through athletics. Mr. Vickers spoke about his own experiences, including the teacherw who helped him succeed and why staying in school is important.

How HISD students celebrated Cinco de Mayo (w/photos)

Students at dozens of HISD schools from across the district observed Cinco de Mayo with performances and celebrations during the week of May 5, in recognition of the day Mexico’s army defeated a much larger French force in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

See a photo gallery of the performances at several HISD schools below:

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