Category Archives: Special events

District saddles up, dusts off cowboy duds for ‘Go Texan Day’

Every year, HISD employees, students and their families dress up in western attire for Go Texan Day, the citywide celebration announcing the return of the  Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This year saw a splash of color and definitive Houston style during the annual festivities.

 Click the photo below to see what aspiring cowboys and cowgirls wore at the Hattie Mae White Building , then send your Go Texan Day photos to us at hisdphotos@yahoo.com . Or check out the western gear on our Facebook page.

[slideshow]

 

Parents bring questions to HISD’s STAAR info session

School Improvement Officer Anastasia Lindo speaks to parents about the STAAR test.

HISD parents attended an information session Thursday night, hearing directly from a panel of experts representing elementary, middle and high schools; curriculum; and special education. After viewing an overview presentation outlining the differences between TAKS and STAAR and the new requirements high schoolers will face, the session opened up to questions.

Presenters Anastasia Lindo and Richard Barajas, both school improvement officers, emphasized the importance of preparing for the new, more rigorous accountability test.

“STAAR does count,” Lindo said.  HISD will receive a raw score this year, and some students may be required to take summer school as a result of their performance.

Members of the audience asked questions about the new discussion around delaying the 15 percent requirement – which would affect this year’s ninth-graders. Barajas acknowledged there is growing support around an effort to postpone that requirement until next school year.

Questions were also submitted via email and the STAAR Q&A blog.

Several parents asked about provisions for students in special education. Assistant Superintendent Sowmya Kumar spoke to those concerns, emphasizing that accommodations are made on an individual basis. Kumar also emphasized the importance of students working toward the recommended graduation plan.

“Students who take anything but regular STAAR are working toward a minimum high school diploma,” Kumar said. That can limit a student’s choices in the future.

Kumar encouraged parents to contact HISD staff members directly with any questions: “We’ll be happy to talk to you directly.”

All HISD parents invited to attend STAAR info session this Thursday

Get the latest on STAAR – including new developments on when the “15 percent rule” will take effect

The STAAR test made headlines this week as state officials supported the delay of a controversial requirement surrounding end-of-course (EOC) exams. The rule, which requires that EOC exams count for 15 percent of a student’s final grade in a course, is to take effect this year for first-time ninth-graders.

In recent weeks, Texas lawmakers have voiced their support for delaying the 15 percent requirement until the 2012-2013 school year.

HISD and other Texas school districts are awaiting guidance from TEA regarding any potential changes to STAAR, including EOCs impacting final course grades. As testing dates approach, it’s important for parents to understand the latest changes and be familiar with the format of the test. Students will begin taking the STAAR test in late March.

All HISD parents are invited to attend an informational session this Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. STAAR experts will give an overview of the changes for elementary, middle and high school students. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters as well as a panel of district officials representing multiple areas, including special education.

Continue reading →

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to announce College Readiness Data

Superintendent Terry Grier on Tuesday will visit Westside High School to announce the latest data showing HISD’s progress toward preparing all students to succeed in college and for rewarding careers. The number of HISD students achieving success on college-level Advanced Placement exams has never been higher, and the number of students demonstrating their college readiness on the SAT exam is on a sharp upward trend.

Who:          HISD Superintendent Terry Grier and Westside HS Principal Michael McDonough
What:         Dr. Grier recognizes the progress HISD students are making toward college and career readiness.
When:        Tuesday, February 14, 2012; 10:30 a.m.
Where:      Westside High School, 14201 Briar Forest Drive

 

MLK oratory winners, three ‘living legends’ recognized in observance of Black History Month

Matthias McBride delivers his winning speech at Thursday's Board of Education meeting.

The HISD Board of Education opened its regular meeting with a performance from Pleasantville Elementary School student Matthias McBride, the winner of the 2012 Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. Matthias delivered his winning speech to those in attendance.

 Click here to watch his winning speech.

Also recognized were Donovan Williams from Cornelius Elementary (second place), and Samaya Watson from MacGregor Elementary (third place).

The HISD Board of Education also recognized three “living legends” in observance of Black History Month: Faye Bryant, Felix Cook, and Lawrence Marshall.

  • Faye Bryant is a native Houstonian and a graduate of Wheatley High School. She taught or served as a counselor at both Booker T. Washington and Bellaire high schools, and she was very involved in the district’s first Magnet programs as part of the district’s desegregation efforts. After serving in a number of administrative positions, including acting superintendent, she retired from HISD in 2002 with 42 years of service.
  • Felix Y. Cook was a teacher and administrator at HISD for 36 years, starting in the 1940s. He served as a teacher and coach at E. O. Smith Junior High and Phillis Wheatley High School and as the principal of Sharpstown High School. Cook also served for 12 years as a deputy superintendent. HISD named a school for him in 2006 on the site of the old James Sanderson Elementary School.
  • Lawrence Marshall joined the district as a teacher in 1955 and subsequently served as a principal, area superintendent, assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, and deputy superintendent before retiring in 1991. He was first elected to the Board of Education in 1997, and has served as assistant secretary, first vice president, and president. He was re-elected in 2009 and continues to represent District IX.

Thousands of canned goods collected at HISD schools during Souper Bowl of Caring

For the past three weeks, schools across HISD have been participating in activities related to the Souper Bowl of Caring, a national campaign that encourages people to collect food for the needy.

At Stevenson Middle School, for instance, students gathered over 2,300 canned goods and non-perishable food items for the Houston Food Bank, while cheerleaders and football players from Lamar High School competed in a friendly relay race dubbed the “Grocery Dash and Pass” at a local supermarket to raise awareness.

And students at West University Elementary School collected a whopping 28,000 pounds of food to help feed the hungry (read related article in the Houston Chronicle).

Schools stress tolerance, respect during districtwide Anti-Bullying Awareness Week

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/35911522 w=320&h=180]

Learn what staff at Jackson Middle School are doing to prevent bullying on their campus and to educate parents and students.

Campuses across Houston ISD are encouraging students, faculty and staff to create a safe, friendly and positive school environment as part of a districtwide Anti-bullying Awareness Week, February 6 – 10. Through a variety of student games and activities, schools will stress the importance of creating a culture of respect and trust, while providing a friendly campus where bullying is not tolerated. Subjects addressed include identifying bullying behavior, teasing and name calling, steps to stop bullying and examples of emotional and social bullying. For more information on ways to take part in Anti-Bullying Awareness week, contact your school principal.

STAAR info session planned for Feb. 16 at HISD administration building

Mark your calendars for upcoming STAAR events, starting with this info session:

Join HISD and the Council of PTAs for a STAAR info session
Thursday, Feb. 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center
Board Auditorium
4400 West 18th Street

DETAILS: Get the latest updates on the state’s new accountability test. Our panel of experts is ready to take all of your questions. Plus, we will present information on how the test will affect elementary, middle, and high school students, and explain how the district is implementing the new requirements (such as the 15 percent rule).

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS: If you have questions about STAAR, you can ask them in person or via email before the event: STAAR@houstonisd.org.

Other upcoming events:

STAAR programs on HISDTV:

Feb. 28 parent forum, in English (Program flier: STAAR_onTV)

March 6 parent forum, in Spanish (Program flier: STAAR_onTV (Spanish)