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. 

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.” 

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.  

Continue reading →

Lauren K. Price named new principal of Marshall Elementary School

Lauren K. Price has been selected as the new principal of Marshall Elementary School. She most recently served as the dean of students at Meyerland Middle School for the Visual and Performing Arts and assistant principal at Crespo Elementary. Price relocated to Houston from California where she spent eight years as a building principal in the Long Beach Unified School District. She holds a bachelor’s in English from Spelman College and a master’s in Education Management from the University of La Verne.

Beatrice Akala named new principal of Sutton Elementary School

Beatrice Akala has been selected as the new principal of Sutton Elementary School. She began her career in Education as an English teacher in Kenya before moving to the United States. In the U.S., she started her career as a prekindergarten through fourth-grade teacher in private school. For the last fourteen years, she has served at HISD in various capacities, including as an ESL teacher at Sam Houston High School, teacher development specialist, assistant principal, and dean of instruction at Wisdom High School. As a member of the instructional leadership team at Wisdom, the school earned four distinctions in ELA, math, science and social studies. She holds a bachelor’s in Education from Moi University Kenya, a master’s degree in Education from the University of Houston, a master’s in Human Resource Management from Walden University. She is also currently working on a doctorate’s in Education at North Central University.

Mayte Garcia-Olivo named new principal of Seguin Elementary School

Mayte Garcia-Olivo has been selected as the new principal of Seguin Elementary School. She began her career at St. Charles Parish Public Schools and later moved back to the Houston area. She has served as a regular and bilingual teacher, peer facilitator, teacher specialist, and assistant principal. Her years in education has consistently increased academic performance at the schools she serviced. During her most recent tenure at Brookline Elementary School, the campus received an “A” rating and numerous distinctions. Olivo earned two bachelors’ in Operations Management and Marketing from the University of Houston and a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans.

HISD students awarded scholarships to travel the world, study abroad

This summer more than 80 HISD high school students will practice their linguistic skills, develop cultural awareness and learn just what it takes to become a global citizen through The Council on International Educational Exchange’s (CIEE) Global Navigator High School Study Abroad Program. 

Students who hail from 19 different high schools will represent the district in 20 different countries on six different continents, including Australia, Botswana, China, Chile, France and Mexico.

This life-changing experience was made possible after the students earned a total of $370, 367 in financial aid to embark on their trips.

Continue reading →

HISD offers free EKGs to student-athletes during inaugural outreach program

Thousands of Houston Independent School District middle and high school student-athletes will be offered free electrocardiograms (EKGs) during a first-time HISD event aimed at detecting heart defects in young people, possibly preventing a fatal cardiac event.

The event, which will be held at Delmar Fieldhouse, will be held on from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, August 3. The test will also be offered to cheerleaders, band, drill team, and dance team members, as well as any other students involved in similar extracurricular activities.

“We were inspired by other districts in our area to offer this possibly life-saving program,” HISD Director of Athletics Andre Walker said. “This is an important step to protect our students and provide parents with a little peace of mind.”

Continue reading →