At YWCPA, a red-carpet celebration of 100% senior college acceptances

It was a day of celebration as students at Houston Independent School District’s Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy held a red-carpet celebration in honor of 100% senior college acceptances on Thursday.  

During a special school-wide assembly, YWCPA students walked a red carpet to announce the institutions of higher learning where they will continue their academic careers. Some have been accepted to the nation’s most prestigious universities, including Bryn Mawr College, the University of Virginia, Berea College and Texas A&M University. 

“We are so excited and proud of you all,” YWCPA Principal April Williams said to a cheering crowd of students, parents and staff. “Always come back to visit us and help us to build upon that strong YWCPA spirit.” 

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Application period for school choice program transfers to end May 31

Applications for school transfers in choice programs for current HISD students will no longer be accepted after May 31, 2019.  

The online application is now available through HISD’s Office of School Choice Student Transfer page. It can be used for school transfers in choice programs such as dual language and international baccalaureate, as well as career and technical programs, and many more. 

The online application can be found here. 

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HISD budget proposal for 2019-2020 includes no cuts to campus PUA, no pay increases

Houston Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Rene Barajas today will present a proposed budget to Board of Education trustees for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The proposed budget is based on current law and includes a $36 million deficit. This deficit is arrived at by estimating several key variables, the most important of which include property values, student enrollment, and recapture obligations. 

Under this proposal, the campus per unit allocation, or PUA, would not be cut by $73, and there would be no cuts to schools or departments. However, this does not prevent departments from reorganizing.  The budget proposal does not include pay increases or step increases for any employee group. 

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HISD celebrates first-ever Academic College Signing Day

For the first time ever, HISD hosted Academic College Signing Day for the district’s top University Interscholastic League (UIL) Academics, Music, and One Act Play students.  

Nearly 190 students from 32 high schools signed ceremonial letters of intent in the presence of their families, teachers, and classmates.  

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Wharton Dual Language Academy celebrates new school with grand opening

Hundreds of Wharton Dual Language Academy students, staff, parents, and community members gathered Thursday in their new gymnasium to celebrate the school’s grand opening. 

Red and yellow balloons created a colorful backdrop for guests as they were entertained by several student musical performances, as well as traditional folkloric dance routines performed by students clad in colorful, folkloric attire.  

“Today we celebrate the realization of the vision that we had for our new school,” Wharton Dual Language Academy Principal Jennifer Day said. “And it is a school that is built especially for our unique program,”  

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Students from 10 HISD schools to participate in ‘Dream On STEAM On Showcase’

Students from across the Houston Independent School District will gather on Friday at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for the 2019 Dream on STEAM ON Student Showcase.  

The Dream On STEAM On (DOSO) program, sponsored by Capital One, has given HISD an annual $25,000 grant to support 10 schools, so students can enhance their knowledge and experiences in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). 

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HISD Fine Arts Extravaganza set for Saturday at Miller Outdoor Theater

HISD’s Fine Arts Department will host the inaugural Fine Arts Extravaganza at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at Miller Outdoor Theater.  

The event will showcase a variety student talent from schools across the district. The program will include more than a dozen numbers, including presentations by the district’s dance ensembles, choirs, bands, mariachi, theatre students, and videos that feature student artwork.  

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HISD recognizes top six JROTC cadets in HISD Class of 2019

Houston ISD’s JROTC program formally honored its top six cadets from the class of 2019 during the annual HISD JROTC Final Review and Awards Ceremony on Saturday. 

The students were chosen from the ranks of all seniors in HISD’s 23 JROTC programs and all were promoted to cadet colonel, which is the highest ranking attainable in the JROTC program. 

“This is the culmination of several lessons that are taught throughout the school year” said Lt. Col. Cornell McGhee, Director of JROTC Programs in HISD. “I am honored, I am pleased, and I am proud. It is great to see young people leading their peers and doing what’s necessary for them to become the next generation of leaders for this country.”  

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Two ‘Fan Favorite’ teachers to be announced at May 17 Educators of the Year banquet

Vote now in Round 2 for elementary and secondary finalists

Over the past week, HISD staff, students, and alumni have voted for their “Fan Favorite” Teacher of the Year.

Voters could choose from any of the campus-based Teacher of the Year nominees. The votes are now tallied, and the top four elementary and secondary teachers are moving on to round two. The finalists are: 

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Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation donates thousands of books to HISD students

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a new book, and students at HISD’s Browning Elementary School on Thursday got to experience that thrill thanks to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation.  

Every student at Browning received six new books as part of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s My Home Library program, which aims to build home libraries for economically disadvantaged children.  

“To see the children finally receive the books that they have chosen is so heartwarming,” said Julie Baker Finck, President of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. “They are so excited to start reading, and that is what it is all about – helping empower children to have a choice in what they read and helping them to have the tools and resources to read more often.” 

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