Arabic Immersion Magnet School relocating to former Kinder HSPVA campus

The Houston Independent School District’s Arabic Immersion Magnet School will relocate this summer to the former campus of Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts — a move designed to accommodate the school’s growing student population and transformation to a PK-8 campus.  

The new location, located at 4001 Stanford St., is just seven miles south of the original AIMS campus on West 28th Street in the Heights. The campus will provide a more central, neighborhood location while still maintaining proximity to the original campus. Additionally, the new building has space for the school to expand, including areas for fine arts, physical education, and a growing pre-kindergarten program. 

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Bond Oversight Committee tours Wharton Dual Language Academy, receives program update

HISD Bond Oversight Committee members toured the new Wharton Dual Language Academy during their quarterly meeting Tuesday, getting an inside look at the building that opened its doors to students just four months ago.

Wharton Principal Jennifer Day and HISD Construction Services Senior Manager Meredith Smith led the group around the colorful building, making stops in classrooms, science and computer labs, and art and music rooms, as well as the cafeteria, gym, and library.

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HISD to celebrate top teachers, principals at western-themed Educators of the Year banquet

The Houston Independent School District will honor its teachers and principals at a western-themed Educators of the Year banquet at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the Hilton Americas Hotel (1600 Lamar St., Houston, 77010).

During the banquet, the district will announce its 2018-2019 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, as well as the recipients of the Beginning Teacher of the Year honors for elementary, middle, and high school. The Fan Favorite Teacher, who was selected by survey, also will be announced. Additionally, the district will recognize the teachers of the year from all HISD campuses.

Both winners of Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year each will be surprised with a fully loaded 2019 Lexus luxury vehicle at the end of the program. The teachers will be able to drive the cars for the entire summer, courtesy of Sterling McCall VIP Services.

As legislative session winds down, lawmakers look to school finance and school safety

Two weeks remain in the 2019 Texas Legislative Session, and state lawmakers are working to address pending legislation related to public education.  

Most notably, during his February State of the State address, Gov. Greg Abbott called upon lawmakers to reform the state’s outdated school finance system and strengthen school safety and security. Both issues are emergency items and are moving through the Legislature.  

HB 3 makes transformative changes to the state’s school finance system. HB 3 received 148 ayes and only one nay from the House of Representatives on April 3. On April 25, the Senate Education Committee took up the bill and made several revisions. After hours of debate on the Senate’s changes to the legislation, HB 3 was ultimately approved by the full Senate with 26 ayes, 2 nays and 3 abstentions on May 6.   

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Achieve 180 program begins prepping for the 2019-20 school year

With the end of school year around the corner, preparations for the 2019-20 school year are under way for the Achieve 180 program and will continue with principals and administration conducting planning sessions over the summer. 

One of the major events that will assist school leaders is the district’s annual Professional Learning Series (PLS), which is scheduled for June 17-19 at Kingdom Builders’ Center. The event is an opportunity for district leadership and principals to begin drafting their school improvement plans, also known as SIPS.  

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HISD campuses celebrate Nutrition Services staff with 7th Annual School Lunch Hero Day

Cheers echoed down the hall as Bruce Elementary School students and staff gathered Friday in Room 137 to surprise their beloved cafeteria staff with an ice cream bar and certificates of appreciation.  

The party was held in honor of School Lunch Hero Day, a nationwide celebration that honors school nutrition professionals for the valuable work they do each day. The annual celebration stems from author Jarrett Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady, a graphic novel series featuring a crime-fighting Lunch Lady whose mission is to serve up justice while serving up lunch.

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HISD celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-11, and HISD is asking students, families and the community to “Thank a Teacher” in person or on social media using #ThankAnHISDTeacher.  

To celebrate our teachers’ commitment and service, HISD will recognize teaching excellence across our district at the annual Educators of the Year banquet on May 17, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.  

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Ascending to Men Project celebrates inaugural year with districtwide summit

The Houston Independent School District’s Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) held its districtwide youth summit to mark the end of its inaugural year on Friday.  

The summit, titled Changing the Narrative of Our Story, was held at Kingdom Builders’ Center to celebrate a successful year of the districtwide program, which connects male students with mentors who provide a wide range of support to keep students on track toward success in college, careers and beyond. 

“The Ascending to Men Program was just a vision 12 months ago,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said to the crowd of students, staff and guest. “We are here today because of your hard work.” 

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HISD campuses ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools

44 schools selected, including campuses on Best STEM, Best Charter and Best Magnet lists

U.S. News & World Report has listed 44 Houston Independent School District campuses – with four breaking the top 100 in the nation – on its 2019 Best High Schools rankings.

HISD campuses ranked near the top of the best public high schools list are:

  • DeBakey High School for Health Professions, ranked #3 in Texas, #17 in the nation
  • Carnegie Vanguard High School, ranked #4 in Texas, #24 in the nation
  • Eastwood Academy High School, ranked #9 in Texas, #97 in the nation
  • Challenge Early College High School, ranked #10 in Texas, #102 in the nation
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Senior recipients honored at Board of Education and Superintendent Scholarship Dinner

Houston Independent School District graduating seniors who have overcome odds and adversity to achieve their academic goals were honored at the annual HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholarship Dinner on Wednesday evening. 

At the dinner, which was held at the Cockrell Boy Scouts Center, each of the 46 award recipients and their families were treated to a dinner and reception hosted by ABC 13 reporter Stefania Okolie. Kinder HSPVA senior Racquel Leonard performed a gorgeous rendition of Disney’s “I’m Almost There.” 

After the performance, Leonard, who will attend Loyola University in the fall to study music, was surprised with her own HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Award. The scholarship, originally worth $2,000, was increased to $5,000 after HISD’s Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan learned that Leonard was short on her tuition.  

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