Nutrition Services partners with HISD transition programs to help students with disabilities

Leticia Resendiz spends her weekdays at Seguin Elementary School, carefully preparing and serving wholesome meals to eager students.  

A dedicated employee, she carefully reviews the instructions of every recipe and always remembers to follow health and safety regulations. 

“I’m happy with this job,” Resendiz said. “I love giving the kids their breakfast and lunch. Everyone is so nice to me.” 

Resendiz is one of four food service attendants hired by Nutrition Services in partnership with two transition programs — HISD-HCC Lifeskills and HISD/HEART (Housing, Entrepreneurship, and Readiness Training).  

The programs are designed to help HISD special education students who have met all academic and course requirements for graduation but require transition services to complete their Individualized Education Program.  

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Transportation Services updating routes in SafeStop app

Transportation Services is updating the SafeStop bus tracking app to reflect temporary changes made to bus routes that do not yet have a permanent driver assigned due to an ongoing driver shortage.  

Of the department’s 828 routes, about 10 percent — or 87 routes — do not have permanent drivers due to the shortage, which is impacting transportation organizations across the region.  

As a result, stops on these open routes were temporarily reassigned to nearby staffed routes to ensure all students have safe and reliable transportation to and from school. This has caused some staffed routes to run longer than originally expected. 

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HISD Police Department to host a job fair on Oct. 19

The Houston Independent School District’s Police Department is hosting a job fair on Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. to Noon at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092). 

Those interested in joining the district’s Police Department must bring a valid driver’s license, Social Security card and a copy of industry-related certificates, licenses and Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) certification.  

As the only accredited public school district police department in the nation, the HISD Police Department works to ensure the safety and security of students and staff across more than 300 square miles of the Houston area.  

To RSVP for the job fair, click here. 

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Want to become an HISD teacher?

District’s alternative certification program hosting info session 

Thinking about changing careers and love working with children? Maybe you’ve thought about becoming a teacher, but not sure what’s involved with getting your certification? 

The Houston ISD Alternative Certification Program invites you to attend its upcoming ACP Teacher Information Session at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092).  

Prospects can learn more about the ACP program and candidate selection process, as well as meet current teachers with HISD and those enrolled in the HISD ACP program. The one-year program is dedicated to recruiting individuals from diverse educational and career backgrounds who are passionate about students, teaching, and learning. 

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HISD celebrating Principals Month with downloadable templates for special messages

Principals play a vital role in the success of our students. As campus leaders, principals are responsible for fostering a positive climate and culture at our schools.

Whether it’s placing the right teacher in the classroom or having coffee with school parents, it’s without question that HISD principals go the extra mile to ensure the greatest outcomes for students.

HISD is encouraging students, parents, staff, and community members to honor and thank district principals during the month of October by printing out one of our custom cutouts, which are downloadable at the link below. You can include a message to give to your school leader or display on your campus and post on social media. There is even a version for students to color!

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October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Throughout October, HISD is rallying behind National Bullying Prevention Month and encouraging participation in a campaign to keep all youth safe from bullying. 

Every day, thousands of students experience some form of bullying either at school, at home, or online through social media and texts. This is a great time for our schools, staff and students to raise awareness about bullying and the role we all play in making a difference.  

Schools looking for ways to participate this month can utilize a few simple and inexpensive projects and activities to bring awareness to the effects of bullying. Age-appropriate activities can be found online here.  

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HISD north area superintendent named interim chief academic officer

Yolanda Rodríguez

Yolanda Rodríguez, HISD’s north area superintendent, has been named interim chief academic officer of the Houston Independent School District.

Rodríguez assumes her new role immediately, reporting to Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

“Ms. Rodríguez has 25 years of experience with Team HISD and has a long history of turning around underperforming schools right here in our district,” Lathan said. “I am proud to have her at the helm guiding academics and instruction in HISD, and I know our schools will see continued success under her leadership.”

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Two HISD schools earn prestigious designations as National Blue Ribbon Schools

Field ES and Project Chrysalis MS recognized for closing achievement gaps

Field Elementary School and Project Chrysalis Middle School have been designated 2019 Blue Ribbon campuses by the U.S. Department of Education.

This is the second time Project Chrysalis Middle School has received the prestigious designation, which is awarded to schools that maintain high academic standards among all its students, while demonstrating progress in closing achievement gaps among various subgroups of students.

“I congratulate our National Blue Ribbon Schools, which are outstanding examples of our mission in HISD,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “Our teachers, administrators and parents work diligently to provide academic, social, and emotional supports that allow our students to excel despite challenges they may face.” 

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October is College & Career Readiness Month

The Office of Strategy & Innovation is excited to announce HISD’s second annual College & Career Readiness Month in October. CCR Month is a fun and creative way to engage students and introduce them to a variety of college and career options. This year’s theme is “Take Control: Explore. Design. Launch Your Future!”   

Throughout the month, HISD will be sharing information on a variety of college and career programs and activities for all grades, including the Financial Aid Roadshow, Parent Night at selected HISD high schools (see list here for dates and times), Top-Tier College Night, Parent University, campus college fairs, Project Explore, and more. 

All HISD elementary, middle, and high school campuses will have a chance to compete for prizes (scholarships, college swag, college tours) by completing weekly challenges. Winners will be announced on Nov. 22, 2019. Campuses must complete at least one college and career activity each week, posting pictures and videos on Twitter. Contest details can be found on the College Readiness website at this link. 

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Austin HS construction at 60 percent completion

The new Austin High School soon will have permanent power, marking a significant development for the 2012 Bond project, which is tracking at 60 percent completion. 

The $80.9 million project will feature flexible learning spaces and sound upgrades for the existing auditorium. The new school will also preserve the façade of the original main building, which was constructed in 1937. 

The tilt-wall panels have been raised, the steel structures supporting them have been erected, and the floor slabs have been placed. The first layer of the roofing system has been installed. Transformers and switchgear are set, and wiring has been connected in preparation for permanent power. 

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