Citywide grad events across HISD give seniors an opportunity to celebrate with peers

Thousands of HISD graduating seniors gathered at their schools last Friday to virtually celebrate their years of hard work with other Houston-area students during the City of Houston’s Citywide Graduation Celebration.

HISD joined four other area school districts – Aldine, Alief, Spring and Spring Branch – in a first-of-its-kind celebration outdoor event that included a star-studded video tribute from a number of national and local celebrities, including Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.

At Wheatley High School, the event was more than just a graduation celebration. Despite starting the school year as an “Improvement Required” campus, students and staff celebrated a class with a graduation rate of 98% that earned more than three million dollars in scholarship funds.

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Candlelight vigil honoring HISD alum George Floyd held at Yates HS

Flames flickered and were passed from one candle to another Monday night as hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil at HISD’s Yates High School to honor the life of George Floyd, a Yates High School alumnus.

Hosted by the Jack Yates High School National Alumni Association, the event, held on the Yates High School football field, was attended by local dignitaries, family, and friends of the Third Ward native, who was known as an accomplished athlete and religious community leader.

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Twin val and sal at Worthing HS express gratitude in graduation speeches

This was a graduation like no other. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, HISD graduates on Friday were treated to a citywide outdoor celebration in partnership with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

The heat did not put a damper on Worthing High School seniors’ enthusiasm or their determination to make it an evening to remember. Across the district, hundreds of graduates, including the Worthing valedictorian and salutatorian, watched a video of congratulatory messages from local and national celebrities produced by the Mayor’s Office. After that, it was the seniors turn to hear from their principals, teachers, and valedictorians and salutatorians.

Twins Kerdy and Kerdian Baptiste were unique in placing first and second in their senior class at Worthing. Their speeches were filled with inspiring words for fellow students and gratitude toward family members, teachers, advisors, and friends who helped them along the way.

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Three summer meals sites closed, beginning Monday

Three curbside summer meals sites are closed effective Monday, June 8, and will remain closed until further notice.

Summer meals sites at R. P. Harris and Nathaniel Q. Henderson elementary schools are closed due to facility issues, while the site at Oates Elementary School is closed due to a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus. The case is not related to HISD Nutrition Services or its curbside summer meals program, but it does impact the availability of the site.

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HISD district headquarters closing Monday for sanitizing following confirmed COVID-19 case

The Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center located at 4400 W. 18th St. will close Monday, June 8 at 1 p.m. due to a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus.

The closure will allow time for the support facility to undergo a deep cleaning and sanitization before re-opening for regular business hours on Tuesday, June 9.

Though few employees have been in the office, those who were impacted are being notified and instructed to self-quarantine in accordance with public health guidelines.

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HISD partners with Houston Dynamo to provide virtual soccer lessons during summer school

The Houston Independent School District has partnered with the Houston Dynamo to provide students with virtual soccer lessons during summer school.

Beginning Monday, June 8 through the Clever Portal, Kindergarten through 6th-grade students can access Diesel’s Skill Builders, presented by Tom Byer’s Soccer Starts at Home. The program will offer daily video lessons featuring Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash players and coaches demonstrating various soccer skills.

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Six summer meals sites, all Fresh Bus produce delivery canceled for Thursday

Six curbside summer meals sites and all Fresh Bus produce delivery stops have been canceled for Thursday, June 4, following a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus.

The six summer meals sites closed on Thursday include Bastian, Foster, Shearn, Thompson, and Whidby, and R. P. Harris elementary schools. All other scheduled summer meals sites will remain open.

The temporary closure will allow for deep cleaning and sanitization of affected schools and district facilities. Fresh Bus produce delivery and the curbside summer meals site at R. P. Harris Elementary School are expected to resume normal operations on Monday, June 8. The remaining five school sites are expected to reopen Thursday, June 18.

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HISD seniors announce future plans during Virtual Career and Military Signing Day

HISD Career Readiness students from across the district recorded their plans for after high school during the district’s Virtual Career and Military Signing Day.

Students will be entering the workforce in various career fields, including healthcare, agriculture, food services, public safety, as well as joining the Military.

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HISD to host Virtual Academic Signing Day

The HISD UIL Academics Department will host the second annual Academic College Signing Day next week for the district’s top University Interscholastic League (UIL) Academics, Music, and One Act Play students.  

With the district closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s signing day, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, will be virtual and all district UIL students are encouraged to participate.

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HISD adds six new sites to curbside summer meals program

The Houston Independent School District has added six school sites to its curbside Summer Meals program, which launched Monday, June 1.

New locations include:

  • Holland Middle School, 1600 Gellhorn Dr.; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Pilgrim Academy, 6302 Skyline Dr.; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Shadowbriar Elementary School, 2650 Shadowbriar Dr.; 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Ashford Elementary School, 1815 Shannon Valley Dr.; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Piney Point Elementary School, 8921 Pagewood Lane; 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Emerson Elementary School, 9533 Skyline Dr.; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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