Honor your school counselor during the week of Feb. 3-7

Counselors are behind-the-scenes leaders in our schools who are actively engaging themselves in fostering a safe and secure environment for students, and next week is a chance to honor the tremendous impact they have on students’ lives.  

National School Counseling Week is February 3–7 and the theme this year is “School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans.” Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, National School Counseling Week highlights the contributions that school counselors make in helping students achieve academic success, and the vital role they play in social and emotional development.  

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Seventeen students named district winners of HLSR School Art Competition

The lobby of HISD’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center was transformed into a beautiful art gallery for the district’s second annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Art Reception on Thursday night, showcasing over 200 student works of art. 

During the evening, seven student artists were honored as 2020 district winners for the HLSR School Art Competition. The winners, who range from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, were awarded in the categories of Best of Show and Gold Medal. 

Recipients of the Best of Show award received a trophy, Gold Medal winners received medals, and all will go on to compete in the next level of the contest. All artwork submitted is eligible for auction. 

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HISD student athletes to sign letters of intent on National Signing Day

The Houston Independent School District’s top student athletes will sign ceremonial letters of intent in the presence of their families, coaches and fellow competitors at the district’s annual ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 5.  

Male and female HISD athletes will be signing commitments to play baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling at colleges and universities throughout the nation.  

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New Bellaire HS tops out as construction moves forward

Construction at Bellaire High School marked a significant construction milestone this month, as the new building reached its topping out point.  

Topping out refers to the act of placing the last steel beam atop a structure’s highest point. Bellaire students, faculty, and alumni celebrated the occasion by signing a large white beam that was then placed above what will become the school’s natatorium. 

“Having the Class of 2020, our faculty, staff, alumni, and friends sign the beam was a wonderful gesture to ensure that all the elements that make a school community will forever be a part of this new building,” Bellaire Principal Michael McDonough said. 

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Interim Superintendent holds school safety meeting with Bellaire HS students

HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan joined HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova and other district leaders on Thursday at Bellaire High School for a discussion with a group of students to discuss safety and security concerns. 

Lathan said the district will explore additional safety and security steps to help students feel safer and more secure. 

After the meeting, which was attended by about 20 students, Lathan met with local media and announced that the district will immediately begin exploring additional security steps, including the installation of metal detectors on some campuses across the district.  

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A special message from Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan

Our hearts are still heavy as we mourn the senseless death of Cesar Cortes. The past days have been incredibly sad and difficult for the entire HISD community.

This afternoon, I met with students at Bellaire High School. I share the pain that I saw and felt from them today. We’re still asking why this tragedy happened.

I want our students and parents to know that their voices are heard. We share your concerns. I understand that a tragedy of this magnitude is scary. I am the parent of a child who attended Bellaire High School.

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Mitchell ES construction 60 percent complete

The new Mitchell Elementary School is more than halfway complete, and the building will be ready for the school’s young leaders to move in this summer.  

The $23 million project is tracking at 60 percent completion with site work, paving, underground utilities, structural steel, and fireproofing complete. Exterior and interior wall systems, roofing, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation are ongoing.  

The building is enclosed and interior finishes, such as flooring and ceilings, are expected to begin this quarter, as well as insulation under the building.  

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Nutrition Services special events planner supports staff, students


Special Events Planner Nicole Bean supports staff and students through her role with Nutrition Services.

Special Events Planner Nicole Bean has always been an organizer at heart, and that’s how she approaches scheduling and planning events in HISD’s catering department Houston Eats. 

Bean is responsible for planning and overseeing events and creating the orders for them. Her attention to detail and ability to accommodate the needs of Houston Eats’ customers has proven to be an asset in her role.  

“If you have 30 schools that want something all at the same time, it’s physically hard to be at all those places,” Bean said. “We only have so many delivery vans, so we have to be really creative in how we schedule. We also offer pickups. We really do try to accommodate everybody.” 

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HISD Police Department swears in new sergeants, captain and officers

The Houston Independent School District Police Department hosted a ceremony Wednesday to recognize the promotions of one new captain, four new sergeants and to swear in four new officers.

The celebration, which was held at the High School for Law and Justice for the officers and their families, honored the new captain, sergeants, and new officers, all who were sworn in at the event. HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova offered some words of wisdom at the start of the pinning ceremony.

“Before stepping foot on the campus, some of our students deal with challenges and issues that we can’t even imagine,” Cordova said. “You may be the first face they see and let it be with a warm smile and a bit of compassion because it may make all the difference in the world.”

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