Category Archives: Wraparound services

Mental health summit puts focus on well-being for students

New partnership expanding access to social-emotional supports 

Just three weeks into her freshman year at North Forest High School, Mi’Kalia Allen can already see just how challenging her new journey may be and says she will take all the help she can get – especially when it comes to navigating the pressures of high school life.  

Mi’Kalia, along with 300 other students, took part in the district’s first-ever Mental Health Youth Summit on Friday to promote mental well-being in the classroom and school community.   

“They say that the ninth grade is your most important year,” she said. “I am hoping that this will help me, because it is already starting to get difficult.”  

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HISD expands student access to mental health supports

Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan and community partners on Friday will announce the expansion of district mental health and social emotional supports for students.

Through the mental health and wellness initiative, hundreds of HISD students at 15 campuses will have direct access to school administrators trained in trauma, crisis, abuse, and suicide prevention. This initiative is part of Dr. Lathan’s strategic priorities for the 2019-2020 school year to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of students.

Schools participating in the initiative include Dogan, Hartsfield, and Rucker elementary schools; Attucks, Fleming, Holland, M.C. Williams, Sugar Grove, and Thomas middle schools; Liberty, Madison, Washington, Westside, Wisdom, and Yates high schools.

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HISD launches mentorship initiative to empower female students

The Houston Independent School District announced its newest student mentorship program, Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES), at a kick-off event on Thursday at Jack Yates High School with elected officials, community partners, and educators.  

ROSES is the sister program of the Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) and seeks to provide positive role models and advocates to underserved young women offering them guidance and opportunities for educational, social, and professional growth.   

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HISD launching mentorship initiative to empower female students

The Houston Independent School District is announcing its newest student mentorship program, Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES), at a kick-off event on Thursday at Yates High School with elected officials, community partners, and educators.

ROSES is the sister program of the Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) and seeks to provide positive role models and advocates to underserved young women who need guidance and opportunities for educational, social, and professional growth. 

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DeChaumes ES fine arts teacher hopes to inspire student creativity, support the whole child

During a recent visit to Nicole Hevener’s classroom at DeChaumes Elementary School, it’s clear she embodies creativity head to toe – from her shock of multi-colored hair and teal cat-eye glasses to her cheeseburger tights and Bob’s Burger-themed shoes. 

It’s a look that she hopes inspires her fine arts students to embrace what makes them unique and to express their artistic side. 

“I tell people I’m Wednesday Adams and Louise Belcher on the inside and Lisa Frank on the outside,” Hevener said, laughing. “It’s to show my kids that you can work, be successful and still be very fun with your look. 

“A school nurse once told me that she had a student who had experienced some bullying, and the student said to her, ‘Ms. Hevener doesn’t care what people think. I’m going to be like Ms. Hevener.’ I hope I’m showing (my students) that you can have that confidence and dress the way you want to.” 

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HISD’s Back-to-School Extravaganza helps families prepare for new school year

A line of bustling people wove its way through the parking lot of Delmar Fieldhouse on Friday as they anxiously waited for the start of the district’s second annual Back-to-School Extravaganza. 

As the doors opened, district parents and students were greeted by hundreds of smiling volunteers, a welcome chant from Waltrip High School’s cheerleading squad, and a special message from Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan. 

“We are so excited to kick off the 2019-2020 school year,” Lathan said. “To everyone here, thank you for supporting HISD – one of the top school districts in the state of Texas!” 

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HISD to host Ascending to Men appreciation luncheon

The Houston Independent School District will host a special appreciation luncheon for the men and women who have served as mentors during the successful first year of the district’s Ascending to Men Project (ATMP).

The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, August 23 at the Boy Scouts of America Cockrell Scout Center (2225 N. Loop West, 77008).

Since it began last fall, the unique HISD program, which is open to male students, has provided academic, emotional, and social support to 1,088 students from 181 mentors.

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Parent University to kick off for second year with districtwide workshops

The Houston Independent School District will kick off its second year of Parent University on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at all district campuses.

The workshops will connect parents and children to resources offered by the district to create successful academic careers as well as safe and healthy environments at home and at school. 

A variety of district and community program representatives and experts will be available for parents to connect with individually. After the districtwide event on Sept. 17, Parent University workshops will take place monthly at geographically dispersed locations at 5:15 p.m. as follows: 

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HISD to host Back to School Extravaganza for 2019-2020 school year

HISD’s Homeless Education Office will host a Back to School Extravaganza on Friday, Aug. 23 to help students get ready for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delmar Stadium (2020 Mangum Road 77092). 

Free assistance will be available for Medicaid applications, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) renewal and recertification, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Health screenings also will be available. 

Also available for free, while supplies last, will be immunizations (must bring original shot record), fresh produce, backpacks, shoes, and school supplies. Students must be present to receive free items. 

For transportation assistance, contact the Homeless Education Office at 713-556-7237.

New Parent University session scheduled for Feb. 21  

HISD will host its fourth Parent University workshop from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 at five locations throughout the district: Revere Middle School, and Chavez, Kashmere, Worthing and Challenge Early College high schools.

The theme for the session will be “Supporting Your Child’s Safety, Social and Emotional Growth.” The workshop will begin with a dinner and resource fair and will include information on district programs, parent engagement, community resources, and how parents can become active partners in the successful education of their children.  Continue reading →