The Houston Independent School District will host its next virtual Parent University workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. (Please note: this was rescheduled from February due to inclement weather.)
The theme of the fourth session will be “Non-Academic Supports Offered in HISD.” The workshop will begin with a general session followed by virtual breakout sessions that will include information on district programs, parent engagement, and community resources.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District (HISD) hereby notifies all Private Nonprofit (PNP) School administrators to contact the district regarding participation in ESSA federal grants (Titles I, II, and IV – Part A / Title I – Part C / Titles III – Part A, EL and IMM) for 2021-2022. Neglected & Delinquent (N&D) Facility administrators can contact the district regarding participation in the Title I – Part D, Subpart 2 federal grant. NOTE: Participation in a grant is dependent upon the physical location of the school or facility.
The ESSA federal grants provide equitable services to students, families, educators, and school personnel to supplement current opportunities and activities and to promote academic success. Equitable services may include instructional services, instructional materials, counseling, parent and family involvement opportunities, professional development, field lessons, and more.
Continue readingFor bus drivers, safety has always been a top priority. Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, that hasn’t changed — but the ways they go about it have.
Armed with assorted cleaning supplies and backpack-style sprayers filled with hospital-quality disinfectant, crews gather every Friday and Saturday to thoroughly disinfects every surface of every bus used that week.
“We make sure everything is safe,” said Tyrick McCoy, a response team operator for Transportation Services and member of the bus sanitization team.
Continue readingFourth-grader wins $1,000 prize for original speech inspired by civil rights leader
Crespo Elementary School fourth-grader Vivianna Serna used her own experience with discrimination amongst friends as a guide for her winning speech at the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition.
Serna was awarded first place for her original speech that tackled hate and bigotry between friends, stating that Dr. King’s teachings showed her that she must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.
The event was held Friday at HISD’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Serna was among 12 HISD students to participate in the final round of the Foley & Lardner LLP-sponsored competition, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District’s efforts to save energy and reduce utility costs are paying off in a major way.
The district received more than $342,000 through the CenterPoint Energy SCORE program, which rewards school districts with cash incentives for implementing energy saving projects and strategies.
The incentives were due in large part of the work of two departments — Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations and Construction Services. Together, they helped the district more than triple the amount received during the previous 2017-2018 earning period.
Continue readingIn partnership with Souper Bowl of Caring and the Houston Food Bank, HISD schools and staff are participating in the 2021 Souper Bowl of Caring, a youth-led, national food drive that mobilizes thousands of young people to fight hunger and poverty in their communities
One of the nation’s largest celebrations of serving and giving will raise awareness and tackle hunger in communities. HISD schools, departments, families, and staff are all invited to participate by doing the following:
Continue readingOn a chilly Tuesday morning at Eliot Elementary School, fourth-grade ELA teacher Fernando Lopez was teaching his students how to analyze a story when he was suddenly summoned to the school parking lot for a special surprise.
Cars covered in painted messages and decorations drove by Lopez, cheering him on for being named HISD’s January Teacher of the Month – not only for effectively teaching his students English, but also for helping them develop a love of reading. As a thank-you for his hard work, he will be driving a 2021 Honda CR-V, courtesy Sterling McCall Honda.
An alumnus of Eliot Elementary School, Lopez has dedicated the last 22 years to helping ensure his students grow in their acquisition of a second language and their ability to effectively read and communicate through writing.
Continue reading
With the fourth six weeks of the 2020-2021 school year approaching, HISD families have the option starting today to revise their selection for either in-person or virtual instruction for students. The first day of the fourth six weeks is February 1.
The selection process remains the same. Parents will have from Monday, January 11, through Monday, January 18, to make their selection through the HISD Connect Parent Portal “Forms” section. If parents would like to keep their selection as-is, no action is needed. The current selected mode of instruction will carry over to the fourth six-weeks grading period.
Continue readingAll HISD schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Schools and offices will be open the following day under normal operating hours.
January is National Mentoring Month, and HISD’s Ascending to Men (ATM) Project and Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES) mentoring programs are celebrating by highlighting mentors and mentoring stories on their social media platforms.
National Mentoring Month is a celebration of the positive impact mentors have in their mentees’ lives. It is also a time where interest in mentorship and making a difference in the community is at its highest, with the excitement of a fresh new year and the goals and resolutions to impact others. HISD is encouraging the public to get involved and become a mentor.
Continue reading