Category Archives: Uncategorized

Want to Foster International Relations? Host an Exchange Student!

Swiss foreign exchange student Stefan Burchard (third from L) poses with Trustee Anna Eastman's children: Abby, Ely and Daniel (from L).

If you’ve ever considered hosting a foreign exchange student for a year, this might be your chance.

But act quickly, as time is running out for dozens of hopeful students who want to come to Houston this fall to live and study.

More than 75 applicants are still waiting to be matched with host families before the Aug. 30 deadline. Twelve students are already here, including one junior from Switzerland matched with Board of Education President Anna Eastman.

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Graduation Day Finally Arrives for 36-Year-Old Sharpstown HS Alumna

Graduation day may have come about 17 years later than she originally intended, but come it finally did for Samiya Savannah and more than 430 other HISD students on Sat., Aug. 17.

Each August, the Houston Independent School District hosts a summer graduation ceremony for students who have completed their coursework and passed any state testing requirements over the summer months, and this year, Savannah was among them.

The freshly minted Sharpstown High School alumna, who just turned 36, was originally slated to graduate in 1996 but did not complete the TAAS/TAKS exit-level requirements until this year.

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Share Your Back-to-School Photos for a Chance to be on TV

From first day of school clothes to first time on campus, last year’s parents and eager students were willing to share with us some candid snapshots of their first week of school. We want to show how proud we are of all of our students, so we’re asking for your photos again for the kickoff of the 2013-2014 year. Share them with us and they may end up on TV. Continue reading →

61-Year-Old New Teacher Featured in Community eNews

A man who wanted to be a teacher since he was in middle school proves that it’s never too late to realize your dreams. The 61-year-old, who spent about 30 years managing fast-food restaurants, is a new teacher at Deady Middle School, and he’s featured in the Aug. 9 edition of community eNews.

Other stories highlighted in eNews include:

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Schools to be rated ‘Met Standard’ or ‘Improvement Required’ under new school rating system

School ratings are changing under a new accountability system that takes effect this year. The Texas Education Agency ratings will take into account a larger number of measures rather than being dependent on a single factor such as TAKS scores. Continue reading →

HISD, Houston Urban Debate League Host Summer Debate Camp

Houston ISD students had an opportunity to hone their public-speaking and debate skills at the sixth-annual Summer Debate Institute July 29–August 2, 2013, at Austin High School. Hosted by HISD and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL), 85 students from 17 Houston-area schools participated in the week-long camp.

“It’s been informative and really helpful in other aspects, because debate keeps you apprised of relevant topics,” said Joseph Collins, 12th grade camp participant. “It’s given me the ability to not only state my opinion but actually back it up and be able to do the research.”

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Jordan, Wheatley Students Cultivate ‘Friendships Beyond Borders’

HISD students pose in front of a statue of former South African President Paul Kruger in Pretoria, South Africa.

Almost a dozen students from HISD’s Jordan and Wheatley high schools forged new relationships with their contemporaries from around the globe last month when they traveled overseas as part of a program designed to cultivate “friendships across borders.”

The students briefly visited the Netherlands before heading to South Africa through the International Youth Friendship & Development Program, whose mission is to connect young people with their peers from other countries to build mutual respect and understanding, with the ultimate goal of someday achieving world peace.

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Alumnus Helping Students Become Published Authors Featured in Aug. 1 eNews

A writer who is helping HISD student become published authors is featured in the Aug. 1 edition of community eNews.

Vuthy Kwon moved to the United States when he was 3 years old, and he attended three HISD schools. His current project, “Every Child An Author,” is designed to encourage kids to love writing and reading by helping them become published authors.

Other stories highlighted in eNews include:

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Bond Oversight Committee Updated on Developing Modern Learning Spaces

HISD’s Bond Oversight Committee got a detailed look Tuesday at progress being made under the 2012 bond program to develop innovative 21st century learning environments.

“We fully intend to push the envelope much further than it’s been pushed,” said HISD’s General Manager of Facilities Planning Sue Robertson.  She told the nine-member committee that the hallmarks of 21st century schools include flexible spaces that encourage collaboration and hands-on learning.

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