Fidget spinners, iPhones top the list in Longfellow ES annual toy survey

Students at Longfellow Elementary School on Friday announced that iPhones and Fidget Spinners are two of the hottest toys this holiday season after polling their classmates for their annual top toy survey.

For the tenth consecutive year, a group of fifth-graders at the school surveyed their classmates to determine what gifts kids would like to receive for the holidays. In a mid-morning press conference, students announced the top five toys for boys and girls. The goal of the survey is to help give parents and relatives an idea of what to buy before they do their holiday shopping.

“Every year fifth-grade students at our school interview students in every grade level to see what the most wanted toys will be for the holiday season,” fifth-grader Chase said. “We are a lighthouse school and we used those ideas to be successful in completing the toy survey.”

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ROSES inaugural women’s forum focuses on effects of social media

The Houston Independent School District’s Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES) project on Thursday hosted its inaugural professional women’s forum to discuss the effects of social media on education and society, especially as it relates to the well-being of young, underserved female students.  

The forum, which was titled “Effects of Social Media on Education and Society”, was held at Sterling Aviation Early College High School and was moderated by Telemundo News Anchor Ingrid Barrera. Panelists included leaders in education, law enforcement and human resources.

Throughout the evening they discussed the different impacts social media has on society, such as communications, societal standards and privacy.

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HISD to celebrate 12 Days of Code with a new coding experience every day

HISD is inviting all students to celebrate the 12 Days of Code in December with interactive calendars that allow them to engage in a new coding experience every day.  

Coding helps students solve problems, use logic, and think creatively, and it gives them a foundation for success in 21st century careers. The activities in these three calendars for elementary, middle, and high school include lessons such as designing web pages with HTML, creating a virtual pet, developing interactive art, and even teaching a robot to make crepes. 

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Briarmeadow Charter, Wilson Montessori students win Nutrition Services jingle contest

Some students whispered excitedly among themselves, while others jumped up and down in anticipation. All of them peered curiously at the group of strangers in their classrooms. 

These creative students from Briarmeadow Charter School and Wilson Montessori School were thrilled to discover they had won the Nutrition Services’ National School Lunch Week jingle contest.  

“It was a bit shocking,” Briarmeadow sixth-grader Gabriella Perez said. “We’re proud of ourselves for creating a song and getting recognized.” 

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Ascending to Men Project hosts simultaneous roundtable discussions

The Houston Independent School District’s Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) held simultaneous roundtable discussions with students and community leaders to foster dialogue centered around issues impacting today’s male students.  

The roundtables, titled ATM + Community = Solutions, took place at both Furr and Sharpstown high schools, and were attended by students, district educators and community leaders.  

At Furr High School, FOX 26 reporter Maria Salazar served as the evening’s emcee and guided panels that focused on the importance of developing quality mentorships and the impact they can have on a student’s success.  

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Ascending to Men Project, ROSES to host winter ball fundraiser 

HISD’s Ascending to Men Project and ROSES will host their first joint winter ball on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Minute Maid Park. 

Under the umbrella of HISD’s Equity and Outreach Division, the Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) and Resilient Outstanding Sister Exemplifying Success (ROSES) are both mentorship initiatives that provide positive role models and advocates for students who need guidance and opportunities for educational, social, and professional growth to underserved young men and women in the district.

The public can support both initiatives by donating online or by becoming a mentor for the programs. For more information about ROSES, visit houstonisd.org/roses. To learn more about ATMP, visit houstonisd.org/atmp.

ROSES to hold women’s forum on effects of social media

The Houston Independent School District’s Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES) project on Thursday will host its first professional women’s forum to discuss the effects of social media on education and society, especially as it relates to the well-being of young, underserved female students.  

The forum’s discussion panel will be moderated by Telemundo News Anchor Ingrid Barrera. The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. at Sterling Aviation Early College High School (11625 Martindale Road, 77048), will feature panelists who are leaders from various fields, including an attorney, an entrepreneur, a police officer, a social worker, and a human resources professional.  

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Rucker ES embarks on community walk to stress importance of attendance

The dreary skies of the last week cleared out just in time this Saturday for Rucker Elementary School’s principal to lace up her walking shoes and carry out her mission of making sure all her students know they are loved.  

Principal Eileen Puente and group of volunteers and staff from Rucker Elementary School came together for a door-to-door effort to help check in on students who have recently struggled with attendance.   

“We want them to know that we are here for them and we want them in school,” she said.    

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HISD students save butterflies through Monarch Heroes program

As clouds of monarch butterflies migrate south for the winter, many of them pass through Houston, where a special program allows HISD students to provide nectar-rich flowers and milkweed to nourish them. 

Twenty-one HISD schools are participating in the Monarch Heroes program this school year, allowing students to create monarch habitat gardens to reverse the decline of the species.  

The two-year program is part of the National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools USA Program, the nation’s largest comprehensive green school program. 

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