Hispanic heritage and history lives on in HISD campus namesakes – Week One

Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

District wide, Hispanic descendants are honored by having schools carry their namesake allowing their rich history to live on.

HISD has 22 schools that recognize the contributions of Hispanic civic and community leaders who range from educators and civil servants to local restaurateurs, newscasters, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and even Nobel Prize-winners.

We invite you to visit our blog each week throughout Hispanic Heritage Month as we will feature more schools who carry on these important legacies.

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Houston Texans provide Blackshear ES students with no-cost picture day, new uniforms

Blackshear Elementary School hosted a unique event on Tuesday, Sept. 12, when they welcomed the Houston Texans and local organization CoolxDad for a special no-cost picture day.

Back-to-school expenses, including school photo packages, can add up quickly. So, the Texans’ Maliek Collins, Jerry Hughes, and their teammates brought the team photographer to Blackshear for a one-of-a-kind picture day.

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Eastwood Academy teacher and students dedicate thousands of volunteer hours to Houston community

Since joining HISD in 2022, Ronald Castro has dedicated his spare time to leading high school students while working with local nonprofits and elected officials to ignite positive change through humanitarian and volunteer efforts.

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HISD elementary school opened before the Great Depression celebrates its 95th birthday

Brett Gallini is a self-proclaimed history buff, so it should come as no surprise that he was excited to take up the mantle of principal at River Oaks Elementary (ROE). This year, the school celebrates its 95th birthday and just under a century of growth and progressive learning.

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HISD elementary school offers hands-on animal and environmental experiences year-round

Hartsfield Elementary School looks like an average campus from the outside. Inside the school’s front doors, even a keen observer might not immediately notice one of the elements that makes Hartsfield unique, even though it – or they – are just a few feet away, lining the hallways to the left and right: snakes, lizards, a tarantula, even an alligator, all call Hartsfield, HISD’s only Animal and Environmental Science magnet elementary school, home.

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HISD opens first Sunrise Center for wholescale student support

HISD opened its first of seven Sunrise Centers in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the West Orem YMCA on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Together with community partners, these centers will help support students outside the classroom and connect families with local services and resources.

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HISD magnet programs provide an individualized education for a unique student body

With more than 186,000 students of different interests and talents, HISD offers 128 unique magnet programs at schools throughout the district. From STEM, medicine, and biotechnology to law and performing and visual arts, and the programs are designed with accessibility, equity, and individual student growth in mind.

“HISD magnet programs serve as a bridge for our scholars and families to access unique opportunities, transformative experiences, and exposure to innovative careers,” said School Choice Manager Alyssa Banks, who is herself a product of a magnet program. “The assortment of magnet themes and options are a testament to our philosophy in HISD, that our students can be anything they set their mind to, and we as educators are here to help them get there.”

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HISD hosting Police Officer Interview Day Saturday, Sept. 16

Houston Independent School District is hiring police officers for the 2023-2024 school year. Those interested are invited to Police Officer Interview Day on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092).

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