Category Archives: Volunteers and partnerships

HISD collects record number of toys for Toys for Tots campaign 

The spirit of the season was in full swing as more than 1,000 toys were collected for HISD’s annual toy drive for the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign – the most toys collected in district history.

Over the last several weeks, 1,092 toys were collected throughout the district. Collection boxes were placed in the administrative building and at several schools, including Scarborough High School, whose Cheer Team and BPA Organization collected 400 toys for the effort.  Continue reading →

HISD’s Ascending to Men Project to host winter ball fundraiser 

HISD’s Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) will host its first winter ball, Journey to Brilliance in Manhood, on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at Minute Maid Park.

Under the umbrella of HISD’s Equity and Outreach Division, the Ascending to Men Project is a mentorship initiative that seeks to provide positive role models and advocates for students who need guidance and opportunities for educational, social, and professional growth to underserved young men of color in the district. The program has been in place since the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, piloting in 28 campuses. Continue reading →

FedEx and Operation Warm deliver new coats to N.Q. Henderson ES 

As Houston temperatures dropped, the gift of warmth arrived just in time for hundreds of kids at Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School in East Houston.

FedEx Cares teamed up with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit that provides brand new coats to children in need, to deliver coats to every student enrolled at N.Q. Henderson. Nearly 40 FedEx volunteers helped more than 300 students pick out a free, brand-new coat in their size and favorite color.

“I am so excited for our campus,” Principal Alana Holloway said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our scholars. We are very appreciative. I know that our parents and families will be extremely grateful.”  Continue reading →

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.

Cornelius ES teacher wins Teacher of the Month for May 

The Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month program ended with a special surprise when Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan awarded May’s winner, Julisa Lucio at Cornelius Elementary on Tuesday.

Known across the district for her teaching style, the fifth-grade teacher takes into account the learning needs specific to each of her students when planning and executing lessons. Lucio’s ability to draw students into the lessons and bring literature to life has led to her popularity across the district.

“Everything that she pours into the classroom encompasses love and authenticity,” said Principal Angel Wilson.   Continue reading →

Allstate Foundation donates $400,000 to replace books lost during Harvey 

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The Allstate Foundation has donated $400,000 to four HISD elementary schools severely affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Braeburn, Hilliard, Mitchell, and Scarborough elementary schools will use the funds to replace their libraries, which were lost during the storm. This means 27,000 new books for these HISD schools.

On April 27, 2018, Allstate officials, agency owners, and volunteers from 18 agencies in the Houston area gathered at Scarborough Elementary Relocation Campus (former Terrell Middle) for the check presentation.

Roberto DeLeon, senior manager of Allstate corporate relations, and Kristen Freis, division manager, were at Scarborough to oversee the event, which also included a book delivery, library tour, and Lunch and Learn reading activity.   Continue reading →

HISD honors top volunteers at annual VIPS ceremony

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The Houston Independent School District on Thursday recognized the efforts of thousands of volunteers and honored the top volunteers of the year during the annual Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

“We literally could not do this work of educating our children without our volunteers. You are our village,” HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones said.

HISD’s VIPS program was started in 1970 by longtime HISD educator Jean Davis Myers, who passed away in 2015. Myers served as executive director of VIPS for 20 years and under her leadership, the program became an award-winning national model. Since 1991, the Jean Davis Myers Award for Community Service has been presented annually to an individual or group whose program or volunteer efforts have had a positive impact on student achievement. Continue reading →

HISD to honor top volunteers at annual VIPS recognition ceremony 

District designating April 16-20 as Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition Week

The Houston Independent School District on Thursday, April 19 will recognize the efforts of thousands of volunteers and will honor the top volunteers of the year at the Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

During the ceremony at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092), HISD will acknowledge the contributions of the volunteers in four award categories:

  • Jean Davis Myers Volunteer Service Award (the most prestigious award) – Presented to an individual or group whose program or volunteer efforts have had an impact on several schools (at the same time) in HISD and have enhanced the quality of education through volunteering for HISD students for two or more years.
  • Parent Partner of the Year – Recognizes a parent or parent group/program that promotes the active involvement of parents for the improvement of the school or region in a manner that positively impacts student achievement.
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year (K-12) – Recognizes a young person or youth group for outstanding volunteer service in the school(s).
  • Charles Harding VIPS Senior of the Year – Recognizes a senior citizen (55 years or older) who assists schools, teachers and/or students in a manner that positively impacts student success.

Continue reading →

Personal stories exemplify how HISD is rebuilding, reimagining education

‘We could be anywhere, and we would still be Robinson’

If anyone could find a silver lining amid the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey, it’s Robinson Elementary School Principal Paige Fernandez-Hohos. After being flooded with more than a foot of water, Robinson was relocated and students split between two adjacent campuses. Though not ideal, the situation made Fernandez-Hohos determined to give students a sense of normalcy. Vacant rooms and hallways sprung to life with decorations. Auditorium and gym spaces were transformed into cozy classrooms to accommodate more students. Fernandez-Hohos trekked back and forth between the two campuses. If she started the day welcoming students at one school, she ended it saying goodbye to students at the other. It was important, she said, that every class see her every day. Robinson students returned to their home campus in January, but Fernandez-Hohos said the storm taught her a valuable lesson about the spirit of her school: “When everything else is stripped away, all you’re left with is the bond between teachers and students. We could be anywhere, and we would still be Robinson.”

Continue reading →

Best Buy donates $160,000 in technology, support to Fleming MS 

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Donation is part of $580,000 gift to HISD and the surrounding community in wake of Harvey

Best Buy representatives stopped by Fleming Middle School on Friday for a special reveal, handing over a donation of $160,000 in technology and support – part of the company’s larger investment in HISD and the surrounding community following Hurricane Harvey.

The donation will provide more than 5,000 of the district’s students with the opportunity to learn the skills to be prepared for tech-reliant jobs of the future. Best Buy is donating a total of $580,000 to greater Houston’s storm recovery effort.   Continue reading →