Category Archives: Virtual Learning

Washington HS Principal wins H-E-B Excellence in Education Award

Booker T. Washington High School Principal Carlos Phillips has been named the H-E-B Excellence in Education Secondary Principal Award winner for 2020.

This year, Excellence in Education award winners were announced during a virtual “Toast to Texas Teachers” in celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week. The virtual event included surprise appearances from actors Matthew McConaughey and Eva Longoria, former NBA player Matt Bonner, and fashion designer Kendra Scott. 

Phillips, who was also the HISD Secondary Principal of the Year for 2019-2020, received a $10,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for Washington High School. Phillips was one of five finalists from across the state competing for the Secondary Principal Award.

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Fine Arts students use dance to express their feelings about pandemic

Alone but connected. Students from Bellaire, Lamar, Milby, Westside, and Westbury high schools have created a virtual collaborative dance performance eloquently expressing their feelings regarding social distancing. Forced to stay home, they are connecting with their fellow dance students virtually.

Watch the collaborative performance “Dance Alone Together” by visiting this link.  

This extensive project was edited and produced by students under the direction of their dance teachers and Sanja Korman, fine arts dance curriculum specialist. According to Korman, the next project from the group will be a dance inspired by a COVID-19 poem written by a Westside High School student.

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HISD Office of Special Education launches YouTube channel

HISD’s Office of Special Education has launched a YouTube channel to help special education students and their parents as they adjust to learning at home. 

The channel will be used as an instructional resource for teachers and parents and will offer engaging educational content for students. It includes videos for grade levels K-12 that focus on science, reading, and math.

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Windsor Village ES, River Oaks ES named 2019-20 Imagine National Schools of Excellence

Imagine Learning has named two HISD schools 2019-2020 Imagine Nation Schools of Excellence for their exceptional use of the award-winning Imagine Learning programs.

Both River Oaks and Windsor Village elementary schools were selected for their use of Imagine Learning’s Imagine Math program, which builds problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding with personalized support. 

The team from River Oaks Elementary has utilized the program long before the transition to distance learning, making the award very special.

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Heights HS valedictorian accepted to 10 top universities

The list of prestigious universities that want to enroll Heights High School valedictorian Emily Ramirez is impressive—Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Stanford, Wellesley, Pomona, and Rice.

Emily has decided on Harvard, however, partly because her sister is finishing her sophomore year there now. Since attending Harvard Elementary School, it has been a dream of hers to attend Harvard University.

The numerous acceptances have taken the sting out of her disappointment regarding an abbreviated senior year and graduation ceremony that is up in the air.

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Scarborough valedictorian looking forward to in-person classes at Notre Dame

Benjamin Brown has adjusted to his new online classroom routine but says he would prefer to go back to in-person classes to utilize his “full potential.”

Benjamin wakes up 30 minutes prior to his first virtual class, has breakfast, and logs into the portal where the class will take place. Afterward, he immediately gets started on the work for his dual credit and high school classes.

“One of the two of the main challenges I am experiencing with virtual schooling is waking up on time,” he said. “The second is definitely an increase in the amount of work from my dual credit classes.”

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Westbury valedictorian grateful for friends, family, teachers’ help

Maria Rosas Rosas always looks on the bright side. Despite her disappointment at not seeing her friends and family at graduation, she is feeling proud.

“Being a virtual valedictorian doesn’t feel that different from being a valedictorian walking the halls at Westbury,” Maria said. “Apart from the uncertainty surrounding graduation, I am proud of myself and my accomplishments. I know my friends, teachers, and family are also proud of me. That is all I really need.

“Like everyone else, I can’t help but feel disappointed by the way the school year is ending. We have been working so hard the past four years and expected to see ourselves walking across the stage, receiving our diplomas, and sharing some tears. Now that is gone. Although it’s depressing, I believe it will make our next meeting more memorable..”

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Waltrip HS valedictorian ready for future in finance

For Yash Shahi, being Waltrip High School’s Class of 2020 virtual valedictorian feels just as good as if school were in session.  

“Nothing has changed – it still feels great,” he said. “I am so happy that I was announced valedictorian before school closed.” 

Despite the physical distance, Yash has found innovative ways to help his fellow students with the transition to virtual learning.

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Milby HS valedictorian looks forward to next chapter

Mariela Banda was looking forward to celebrating the end of her high school years in person with her classmates at Milby High School.

“Being a virtual valedictorian is unfortunate since we will not be able to fully close this chapter of our lives before we continue with the next one,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking not to be able to share the joy of graduation with my class. Instead, we have to worry about the future. Being a virtual valedictorian is both challenging and stressful, but I feel certain my class will continue to move forward.”

Mariela is still reaching out to motivate members of her senior class.

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Despite missing classmates, Energized for STEM Academy valedictorian embraces innovation

Although he is more of a “face-to-face person,” Energized for STEM Academy valedictorian Michael Duru is excited to be at the top of his class during this time of virtual learning.

Michael Duru

“The circumstances under which this is happening aren’t great, but I feel somewhat special to be part of something that has never happened before.” Duru said.

A natural leader, Michael encourages his fellow students to participate in the online school environment by joining in virtual class discussions.

“I’ve been able to help lead my class by reaching out to other students via text and being as active as possible in class group chats,” he said. “I welcome this change as a way to stay connected with my peers and encourage them to finish the year strong.”

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