Jerri Nixon named new principal of Westbury High School

Jerri Nixon has been selected as the new principal of Westbury High School. Nixon began her career at Hogg Middle School as a Language Arts teacher. She then served as the assistant principal at Black Middle School and Bellaire High School before becoming the principal of Herod Elementary. She has also supported HISD in the Human Resources Department. Most recently, Nixon served as an Assistant Principal at Westbury High School for the last 5 years. She earned her educational degree from Texas A&M University and obtained a master’s degree in educational leadership from University of Houston and in construction management from Texas A&M University. 

National Wildlife Federation grant deadlines approaching

The National Wildlife Federation is offering two grant opportunities for HISD schools. Applications are due Monday, June 15.

One grant focuses on secondary schools interested in developing nature-based solutions to community stormwater runoff or flooding. The second is open to all grade levels and emphases energy literacy.

Energy and Sustainability Quality Assurance Analyst Stephanie Walker said schools should apply despite the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Record number of HISD students receive full scholarships from Marvy Finger Family Foundation

The Marvy Finger Family Foundation awarded a record 84 full scholarships this year to Houston Independent School District graduates who will attend two-year colleges to pursue Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificates and associate’s degrees.

The scholarship recipients are students who are seeking careers in fast-growing, high-paying professions such as computer programming, maritime transportation, petroleum engineering technology, nuclear medicine technology, automotive, HVAC, pipefitting, cybersecurity, construction, licensed vocational nursing, and welding. 

“The generosity of the Finger family is well known when it comes to funding post-high school career training and higher education for our graduates, but they have surpassed themselves this year,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “These scholarships are extremely timely and appreciated right now because many of our graduates and their families are experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.”

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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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