Nurse of the Month program launches with surprises at Bruce ES, Worthing HS

Nurse Paul Rademacher was running a little late.

Just before he was set to arrive at a meeting with Bruce Elementary Principal Dr. Shawn Nickerson, a third-grader had an asthma attack and needed immediate attention.

“That’s the epitome of Nurse Paul right there,” Nickerson said. “Always putting the students first.”

A few moments later, Rademacher walked into the meeting, surprised to also find HR —and a group of cheering colleagues— waiting with the principal. To his surprise, he was named the January Elementary School Nurse of the Month.

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December and January Associate Teachers of the Month

In the sunny courtyard of Blackshear Elementary, Tanya Fontaine Clark stood speechless for a few moments before elaborating on her passion for her job—and the school she calls home.

“My mother was a teacher. I guess I’m a chip off the old block,” Clark said. “I wanted to give back. I wanted to enrich the lives of the children at Blackshear.”

The third-generation educator had just received the award for January’s Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teacher of the Month. It was just one of the stops of the day for Human Resources , as they also surprised the December and January Associate Teachers of the Month and Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teachers of the Month.

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National School Counseling Week is February 1-5

National School Counseling Week, Feb. 1-5, is an opportunity to recognize the impact that school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and plan for careers. 

School counselors play a vital role in the lives of our scholars. They also help students and their families find solutions to real-life problems and point them toward additional community resources. This is especially true when short-term counseling can be offered in a school environment.  

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Office of School Choice partnership with NASA opens new world of possibilities

Through a partnership with NASA that launched in 2017, HISD’s Office of School Choice entered into an agreement with the agency to support five aerospace campuses, opening up a vast array of resources for students.

Through this agreement, Davila Elementary School, Wesley Elementary School, Deady Middle School, Milby High School, and Washington High School have received access to highly sought-after NASA mission content, education resources, and authentic learning experiences.

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February is Career & Technical Education Month

February is Career & Technical Education Month, and graduating seniors have the opportunity through HISD’s Career Readiness department to explore career opportunities.

Students can network with industry partners in the Gulf Coast Region, expand their knowledge of careers in the military and aviation industry, and engage with business leaders to hear about out-of-the-box careers that will help them earn more.

Career Readiness is offering three mini sessions in February to expand, engage, and explore career opportunities. These sessions take place in the evenings from 5-6 p.m. on Feb. 4, Feb. 11, and Feb. 18. See this flyer for more information and to register.

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HERC study spotlights struggles many HISD families face

A large number of students enrolled in the Houston Independent School District need help with basic needs such as food, clothing, health care and school supplies, according to a new research brief from Rice University’s Houston Education Research Consortium.

The study reveals that a substantial number of Houston-area school children reported sometimes not having enough to eat at home and going without medical care when they are sick. Meanwhile, a large proportion of HISD families struggle to provide children with clothing and school supplies.

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HISD streamlining Spring 2021 distribution efforts for student meals and community food and supplies

The Houston Independent School District is streamlining its student meals and community distribution efforts for the Spring 2021 semester.

After reviewing data through the fall, Nutrition Services is closing a dozen curbside student meal pick up locations with extremely low-to-no participation. The move is designed to allow the department to focus food and resources at the most populated sites were the need is greatest.

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Rapid testing for COVID-19 now available at all campuses, central office

To assist with ongoing efforts to support public health and safety, the Houston Independent School District is offering COVID-19 BinaxNOW Rapid Tests at all campuses and its central office.

The district has been provided with testing resources to test campus-based staff, district administrators, and a percentage of students (with permission from parents) through a statewide COVID-19 Rapid Testing program implemented in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The tests will be optional, but all staff who work on a campus are encouraged to participate in the program.

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HISD Board of Education elects president, new officers for 2021-2022

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education elected officers for the 2021-2022 school year during a special meeting on January 21.

District IV Trustee Patricia Allen, a former principal and longtime educator who worked for HISD for 35 years, was elected president.

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Apply now for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo financial aid

Each year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo awards more than 800 scholarships, and the deadline to apply for this year’s awards is Monday, Feb. 22.

In the fall, the Rodeo committed to award $14.2 million in scholarships, $3.7 million in educational program grants, and $662,000 in graduate assistantships.

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