Erica Avie named new principal of R.P. Harris Elementary School

Erica Avie has been selected as the new principal of R.P. Harris Elementary School. Avie began her career in Alief ISD where she taught middle school math for six years before joining HISD in 2014 at Woodson K-8. At HISD, she has served as an instructional math coach, assistant principal at Clifton Middle School, and a data-driven instructional specialist. At Clifton Middle School, she created an effective in-school interventions math program that helped to increase student growth and completed the first geometry class in more than 10 years. She has a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston and a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Tammie R.J. Moran named new principal of Franklin Elementary School

Tammie R.J. Moran has been selected as the new principal of Franklin Elementary School. Moran began her career in 1996 with HISD and has served as a science teacher, department chair, new teacher induction coach, registrar, and most recently an associate principal. Her years in education have consistently increased academic performance at the schools where she served. Most recently, Moran served as an assistant principal at Furr High School. Moran holds a bachelor’s in Biology from Texas Southern University and a master’s in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Cesar Martinez named Northwest Area Superintendent

Cesar Martinez has been selected as Northwest Area Superintendent within HISD’s School Offices department. Martinez brings 22 years of experience as a leader at the local, regional, and state levels of education. He started his career in the Broad Prize-winning Brownsville ISD as a middle school teacher, elementary school assistant principal, and principal. Martinez then continued as an education specialist with the Statewide Initiatives Division of the Education Service Center – Region XIII in Austin, Texas. There he managed the Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) Program and developed, identified, and supported effective instructional practices for the Title I School Improvement Plan (SIP) campuses of Regions IV and V of the state of Texas. He returned to a state school district as a middle school principal in Austin ISD and as a school leadership coordinator in Dallas ISD. Most recently, Martinez has coached and developed 34 principals from early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school campuses over the last five years as a School Support Officer (SSO) in HISD. He earned a bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s from the University of Texas at Brownsville and currently working to complete a doctorate in Education at the University of Texas at Austin.

HISD prepares to welcome nearly 1,500 teachers for 2019-2020 school year

HISD’s Office of Leadership and Teacher Development will host all new teachers during the district’s annual New Teacher Academy (NTA) on August 6-9 at Kingdom Builders Center (6011 W. Orem Dr., 77085) from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. 

With nearly 1,500 new teachers set to be in attendance, NTA is the largest teacher induction conference in the state to welcome those new to the industry and provide insight into the district’s processes, resources and expectations.  

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HISD partners with community leaders for new juvenile justice program

The Houston Independent School District, the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and the Houston Police Department joined forces Monday to announce the launch of a juvenile justice diversion program that aims to transform the lives of HISD students in the Fifth Ward.  

The program, which will be run by the Fifth Ward redevelopment corporation’s new Center for Urban Transformation, will assist students, ages 12 to 16 who are accused of nonviolent offenses. Instead of utilizing the court system, the CUT program will offer mentorship opportunities, volunteer work, and community-based supportive services.  

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Lamar HS construction reaches 80 percent completion

In 2017, Lamar High School celebrated its 80th anniversary with a groundbreaking ceremony. Now the school’s construction has reached nearly 80 percent completion, with doors of the school’s new academic building opening to students for the 2019-2020 school year.

Both painting and flooring in the gymnasium is underway along with the installation of first- and second-floor ceilings, culinary and dining equipment, and joining the new building addition’s HVAC to the existing facility.   

Phased renovations to the existing facility are also in progress and an enclosed second-story skybridge connecting the two buildings is set for completion in August. 

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Northside HS on track for August 2019 opening

With a slated opening for the 2019-2020 school year, construction on Northside High School is now 90 percent complete.

The school’s science and art rooms and bus canopy are complete. Interior finishes in the performance arts wing, first floor classroom renovations, landscaping, and parking are nearly complete. In addition, stairwell upgrades in the historic building are underway.

The $66 million project is part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond program and calls for two new additions along with renovations to the original building, built in 1928.

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HISD sees tremendous growth in CTE certifications

Career and Technical Education (CTE) in HISD is growing, with an increase of over 2,000 student CTE certifications in the 2018-2019 school year. 

Over the last year, students from across the district obtained 2,772 TEA Industry-Recognized Certifications. In comparison, just over 700 students obtained a CTE certification during the 2017-2018 school year.  

“This increase reflects our district’s focus and the intent behind College and Career Readiness for all students,” said Assistant Superintendent for Career Readiness Michael Love. “Industry certifications are just one form of the many college and career resources the district provides students across HISD.” 

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HISD expands free, full-day pre-K program across district

HISD is expanding its free, full-day pre-kindergarten program at schools across the district to provide more three- and four-year-old students with the opportunity to attend a high-quality program that will build a strong foundation of learning and support the needs of the families it serves. 

A total of 12 elementary campuses throughout the district will be expanding pre-K classrooms for a total of 38 pre-K rooms. Those campuses are Neff Early Learning Center, Isaacs, R. Martinez, Rucker, Love, Browning, Shadowbriar, Askew, Mitchell, Garden Villas, DeAnda and Wesley elementary schools.

Two schools – Hillard and Oates elementary schools – are implementing pre-K for the first time.

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HISD students selected to share radiation-proof clothing design with NASA

Two teams of HISD students have been invited to NASA’s Langley Research Center in August to share their student-designed, wearable, radiation-proof clothing with NASA engineers and scientists as part of the 2019 NASA Wearable Equipment for Adverting Radiation (WEAR) challenge. 

The WEAR challenge tasks middle and high school students to design garments to help mitigate radiation exposure during deep space missions. The teams, made up of students and teachers from Milby High School and Deady Middle School, submitted design proposals for wearable anti-radiation garments via video for review by NASA personnel.  

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