Category Archives: Summer programs

HISD to host kickoff celebration for ‘Camp Lit’ summer program

 The Houston Independent School District will welcome thousands of students to summer school with a series of pep rallies and tailgates.  This year, the focus of the “Camp Lit” summer program will be literacy.

The Summer Kickoff for elementary students will be held on Wednesday, June 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. A third session for middle school students will be held on Thursday, June 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. All events will take place at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum Road).  Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan will also deliver a motivational message to the students.

“This is the brainchild of our interim superintendent. The idea is to continue our focus on literacy but in a way that is exciting and engaging,” Officer for Special Populations Courtney Busby said. “We want our students to know that meeting their needs in the summer is our critical for their overall success. What better way to do that than with a celebration where all kids will leave with books to add to their personal libraries.”

Each student in attendance will take a book home, courtesy of Books Between Kids and the Astros Foundation.

There will be performances from HISD marching bands, drumlines, and cheerleading teams and the Delmar Fieldhouse parking lot will be transformed into a tailgate party with music provided by Radio One Houston. Every HISD department will decorate cars and have literacy-based games for students to play during the tailgate. Food will be provided by HISD Nutrition Services.

Summer school begins on June 6 and ends July 3.

Free summer meals to be offered at nearly 200 HISD schools 

The Houston Independent School District is formally kicking off its Summer Meal Program on June 6 at more than 190 area schools, where breakfast and lunch will be served for free to children ages 1 to 18.

Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school to participate in the program, and no paperwork, registration, or proof of income is required. Adults may purchase breakfast for $2.25 and lunch for $3.75.

Specific serving times vary by campus. Meals will be served at most campuses Mondays through Thursdays from June 6 to July 3, though some campuses are extending the program until later in July and others are serving meals on Fridays. A map detailing when and where meals are being served is online. Parents are encouraged to call the site before they go to confirm serving times.

All HISD meals are nutritionally balanced to ensure children receive the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy diet. Last summer, HISD Nutrition Services served more than 1.1 million free meals to Houston-area children.

If you have questions about the free summer meals program, contact HISD’s Nutrition Services department at 713-556-2979.

For information on where to find free meals after the program ends, contact the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department at 713-676-6832 or dial 2-1-1.

 

Summer reading program ‘block party’ encourages kids of all ages to read, earn prizes 

Summer is the perfect time for students to hone their reading skills, and thanks to a partnership with the Houston Public Library, they can have fun while doing just that.

HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s summer reading program for kids and teens called “Summer Block Party,” which kicks off June 1 and runs through Aug. 1.

Students can receive a free book and lanyard simply by registering. At each prize level, students earn another book and pins to decorate their lanyards and show off their success. They can earn pins by reaching their reading goals, attending library activities, and being an active member in their communities.  Continue reading →

HISD launches Summer Student Leadership Program for high school students and district alumni

HISD is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Summer Student Leadership Program, a six-week paid summer internship and leadership development program for HISD high school students and alumni currently enrolled in college.

In line with HISD’s mission to provide students with the tools to reach their full potential, the program addresses the need to expose students to fulfilling careers and skills employers demand in a rapidly-changing world. Participants will gain valuable employment experience and have the opportunity to test-drive career pathways before choosing a college major or entering the workforce. Continue reading →

What high-schoolers should be doing during summer break  

School has been out for more than a month, so high school students may be looking toward the new school year and how they need to prepare – whether it’s for the next year of high school or the first year of college, university, or a technical program.

Here are some ideas to maximize the summer break:  Continue reading →

Free ‘Camp Adventures’ offered for HISD elementary students  

The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Houston Area Urban League are sponsoring two summer Camp Adventures in July and August.

The first camp is July 10 through July 21 at Atherton Elementary School (2011 Solo).  The second camp will take place at Bastian Elementary School (5051 Bellfort) from July 24 through Aug. 4. Each camp registration deadline is open through the end of summer school for all HISD K-5 students. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 400 campers per each camp session. Continue reading →

Applications now open for City of Houston summer jobs 

The City of Houston has just announced that it has more than 450 summer jobs available for students between the ages of 16 and 21 years of age. It’s is a great opportunity to “learn and earn” while making $8 or more an hour.

Students can start applying today, and the final deadline is March 20.

The positions offer at least 32 hours a week from June 12 to Aug. 3.

City departments now hiring include:

  • Library Operations
  • Houston Police Department
  • Park Maintenance
  • Parks Community Centers
  • Houston Fire Department
  • Information Technology
  • Houston Health Department

For a complete list of departments and to apply, visit www.houstontx.gov/summerjobs.

Questions? Email SummerJobs@serhouston.org or call 713-773-6004 or 832-393-6148.

Volunteers help students fight the ‘Summer Slide’

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Music and reading merged Tuesday at Benbrook Elementary School in northwest Houston as volunteers from Target, the Houston Symphony and PricewaterhouseCoopers helped students take part in the 2016 Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Challenge Camps.

The camps, with the support of the Houston Area Urban League, aim to prevent the ‘Summer Slide,’ when students lose some of the academic gains made the previous school year. Activities include music lessons and exercises that combine math, science, reading and critical thinking.

Camps were also held at Kashmere Gardens and Atherton, and next week students at Highland Heights will participate.

5 fun ways to keep your child engaged this summer

The long stretch of hot days (and nights) in Houston have begun, and by now you probably have already heard your child utter two dreaded words: “I’m bored.” Don’t worry – we have you covered! See the list below for some ideas that will keep your child both entertained and prepared when the first day of school rolls around. You can also check out HISD’s summer page for more helpful information. Continue reading →

Codwell ES students benefit from summer partnership 

Tutors/mentors work with students, develop meaningful relationships

Camp counselors from Camp Fuge celebrated the end of their three-week program with a summer part at Codwell Elementary on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

Camp counselors from Camp Fuge celebrated the end of their three-week program with a summer party at Codwell Elementary on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

The heat and humidity wasn’t about to slow down students at Codwell Elementary. They had earned this party. As summer school was nearing its end, students gathered for an afternoon celebration with their new friends, a group of middle, high, and college students from Fuge Camp, who spent the past three weeks tutoring and mentoring them.

Kristy Love, principal at Codwell, said she was amazed how quickly bonds developed between her students and the camp counselors.

“We’re a ‘Leader in Me’ campus, and one of the principles we follow is, ‘Working together, and together is better,’” Love said. “It’s been crazy to see the benefits. These are kids who don’t have a lot of communication with people from other backgrounds. So it’s been great to see them develop these relationships.”   Continue reading →