Category Archives: Volunteers and partnerships

HISD to Recognize District’s Top Volunteers at VIPS Recognition and Awards Program

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to deliver remarks

The Houston Independent School District is recognizing the efforts of thousands of volunteers and awarding the top volunteers of the year at the upcoming VIPS Recognition and Awards Program on May 22, 2013.

The Volunteers in Public Schools Program (VIPS) started in 1970 and to date, HISD has more than 30,000 volunteers district-wide who have dedicated countless hours to schools, programs and events across Houston.

During the VIPS Recognition and Awards Program, HISD will be giving numerous awards including the Jean Davis Meyer and Special Lifetime Achievement awards recognizing the most outstanding volunteers.

What:  VIPS Recognition and Awards Program

Who:  HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman, Trustees Rhonda Skillern Jones and Michael Lunceford and VIPS volunteers

When:  Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9a.m.

Where:  Kingdom Builder’s Center, 6011 West Orem, Houston, 77085

HISD Hosts Inaugural Districtwide Special Olympics Field Day

Students, parents, and volunteers ventured out to the Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex on Thursday to show their support on day one of the first annual Houston ISD Special Olympics Field Day. On May 2 and 3, the HISD Office of Special Education Services and Special Olympics Texas are joining together to host the inaugural districtwide event to provide athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.

More than 1,200 HISD elementary, middle, and high school students are participating in a variety of athletics events such as basketball, track, flag football, soccer, and softball throw events. During opening ceremonies, participants were all smiles as student representatives and HISD student volunteers lit the Olympic torch and proudly pledged the Special Olympics Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

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BBVA and NBA Cares Partner to Bring Books, NBA Legends, Fitness and More to Two HISD Schools

What:  

BBVA Compass and NBA Cares are teaming up for two Team Works in Schools events on Thursday, February 14 at Franklin and Eliot elementary schools.

  • NBA legends and BBVA Compass volunteers will catalog and shelve more than 500 new books in the library and read with students at Franklin Elementary.
  • NBA legends will guide students at Eliot Elementary through fitness and basketball activities
  • Each school will each be receiving 30 tablet computers and a laptop.
  • Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd grade students at both schools will select a book of their choice to take home as part of the initiative.
  • A basketball court will be refurbished and new outdoor gym equipment will be installed at both schools.
  • New furniture will be provided and set up in the Parent’s Alliance section of Eliot Elementary.
  • BBVA Compass volunteers will join fifth-grade students in the computer lab as they interact with a new web-based financial education program developed by EverFi, Inc.

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HISD Business and Community Partners Recognized by the Texas Association of Partners in Education

Nine Houston ISD business and community partners, Volunteers in Public Schools volunteer George W. Black, and HISD’s State of the Schools event were recently recognized by the Texas Association of Partners in Education.

The winners were announced last week at the Texas Association of School Administrators’ Midwinter Conference and Education Expo in Austin. HISD’s partnership with the Houston Food Bank was one of two partnerships that received the highest honors in all categories.

HISD Strategic Partnership General Manager Caleen Allen said HISD is very proud of its partners for being recognized on the state level.  “Their commitment to the district and increasing student achievement is undeniable,” said Allen. “The knowledge, resources and innovative programs they bring to the district continue to make a major difference academically and socially in the lives of our children.”

The Texas Association of Partners in Education provides leadership and expertise for schools, families, businesses, and communities to build partnerships that enhance student success.

Here is a list of the winners:

TAPE Community Partnership Awards

  • Academic Impact:                 Prepared 4 Life
  • Career Education:                  City of Houston
  • STEM:                                          Bernard Harris Foundation
  • Health                                         Houston Food Bank
  • Art                                                Houston Ballet

TAPE Business Partnership Awards

  • Career Education                    Port of Houston Authority
  • STEM                                            Comcast

TAPE Partnership Awards

  • Mentor                                        Steed Media Group (Rolling Out)
  • Volunteer                                  Target

TAPE Special Events Award

  • Special Event                            State of the Schools

TAPE Individual Volunteer Award

  • Wisdom                                      George W. Black