Category Archives: Special events

Special Olympics Field Days postponed due to inclement weather

The Houston Independent School District Special Olympics Field Days planned this week (Tuesday, Nov. 13 through Nov. 15) at Butler Stadium will be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

HISD officials have closely monitored the weather forecast and determined that lower temperatures may impact the district’s Special Olympics event. As a result, Special Olympics Field Days will be rescheduled at a later date.

The event, which is held in partnership with Special Olympics Texas, gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests. The friendly competition includes basketball, tennis, soccer, and track and field for all ages, as well as flag football for high-schoolers.

New Parent University session scheduled for Nov. 15 

HISD will host its second Parent University workshop from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 at five locations throughout the district: Pin Oak Middle School, and Milby, Washington, Wisdom and Yates high schools.

The theme for the session will be “Pathways and Programs.” The workshop will begin with a dinner and resource fair and will include information on district programs, parent engagement, community resources, and how parents can become active partners in the successful education of their children.

Parents can look up locations and select the most convenient one to attend. Registration is available at HoustonISD.org/ParentUniversity.

Free dinner, interpretation services, and child care will be provided.

HISD Special Education Fall Parent Summit draws nearly 200 

Click here for photos, videos and more from the Special Education Fall Parent Summit.

The Houston Independent School District held its 2018 Special Education Fall Parent Summit on Saturday, October 27, providing nearly 200 parents and students with the opportunity to meet with Special Education professionals, attend learning sessions, and connect with resources available to them.

“I am pleased to have hosted another very successful Special Education summit with our HISD parents,” said Office of Special Education Services Assistant Superintendent Dr. S. Lachlin Verrett. “We are excited for the opportunity to support our students and families as well as hear their input about how we can better serve their needs.”

See photos, videos and more from the Special Education Fall Parent Summit

Continue reading →

Volunteers needed for Special Olympics Field Days on Nov. 13-15

Volunteers are needed for the sixth annual HISD Special Olympics Field Days scheduled for Nov. 13, 14, and 15 at the Joe Kelly Butler Fieldhouse (13755 Main St., 77085).

More than 1,000 volunteers are needed throughout the three days to help with setup and breakdown, athletic events, escorting students around the facility, serving lunches, and other tasks.

Elementary students participate in their Special Olympics Field Day on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Students in grades 6-8 will have their events on Wednesday, and high school students will participate on Thursday. Opening ceremonies begin daily at 9 a.m. with the Parade of Athletes, Torch Pass, and the Declaration of Games Open. Continue reading →

HISD to host first PreK-12 Writing Summit for teachers

HISD’s Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Development will host the district’s first PreK-12 Writing Summit for teachers on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Chavez High School (8501 Howard Dr. 77017).

The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature learning opportunities for teachers at all levels with topics such as reading/writing connections, writing across all contents, rubrics and anchor papers, small group instruction, discourse, writing conferences, writing portfolios, and much more.

All teachers who attend will receive a $10 voucher to purchase books from the Barnes & Noble pop-up bookstore that will be on site. Follow-up teacher development opportunities will be offered throughout the fall and spring during department chair/lead teacher meetings, as well as for parents at Parent University.

HISD to host Back to School Extravaganza

HISD’s Homeless Education Office will host a Back to School Extravaganza on Friday, Aug. 17 to help students get ready for the 2018-2019 school year.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delmar Stadium (2020 Mangum Road 77092).

Free assistance will be available for Medicaid applications, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) renewal and recertification, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Health screenings also will be available. Continue reading →

Fifth Annual Special Education Conference draws hundreds of parents, HISD staff 

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More than 900 parents and members of Team HISD filled Kingdom Builders’ Center on Tuesday to kick off the district’s Fifth Annual Special Education Conference.

The two-day conference, themed Engage, Restore and Support Every Student, focused on arming participants with new and effective instructional, compliance and behavioral strategies.

“We have come a long way from our very first conference with approximately 70 attendees,” Senior Manager of Special Education Services Kelli Charles said. “It is my hope that you leave here ready to give your absolute best to the students who needed it the most and ready to elevate HISD’s special education services.” Continue reading →

Program offers grads an opportunity to explore high-paying careers 

Are you a graduated senior interested in getting to work right away? Are you still trying to navigate your plans? HISD is offering an opportunity to explore high-paying careers in high-demand fields on Thursday, June 28 through BridgeYear.

Two sessions (morning and afternoon) will be offered to accommodate student schedules:

  • Session #1: 9 a.m. – noon
  • Session #2: 1 – 4 p.m.

Continue reading →

Nutrition Services provides good food with everlasting knowledge at ‘Camp Lit’

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Equipped with planters, soil, and seeds, HISD’s Nutrition Services workers had all hands-on deck as they taught nearly 9,000 elementary and middle school students various ways to dig into good nutrition.

The day’s festivities were a part of Camp Lit, a two-day festival designed to promote literacy throughout the district. Gathered in the parking lot of Delmar Fieldhouse, students participated in outdoor tailgate-themed literacy games hosted by various district departments, sponsors, and partners.  Continue reading →

Visual Arts Spring Showcase to feature variety of HISD student artwork 

The eighth annual Visual Arts Spring Showcase – the the largest display of student artwork ever exhibited at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center – will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at Hattie Mae White (4400 W. 18th St. 77092) with an evening reception for students, their families, and guests.

HISD art teachers are using this opportunity to showcase the amazing range of art created by their students. Paintings, sculpture, collage, photographs and more by students in grades pre-K through 12 are currently on display on all three floors of HMW through May 18. Continue reading →