HISD Police to celebrate Police Appreciation Week

This week, law enforcement officers in HISD and across the country will be celebrated for their service and sacrifice as part of Law Enforcement Appreciation Week.

The annual observance was created in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which the date falls as Law Enforcement Appreciation Week.

“Every year we use this time to reflect on the value of peace officers to our society and the immense sacrifices they make on a daily basis to protect the community,” HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova said. “During this week we want to honor both the living and the dead who have dedicated their lives to serve others.”

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HIPPY participants to gather for graduation ceremonies

HISD’s Elementary Curriculum and Development department will host an end-of-year ceremony on Saturday at BakerRipley Gulfton Sharpstown Community Center to honor 2018-2019 HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) graduates. 

More than 650 parents and children completed the program this year. The free, home-based program helps parents prepare their preschool child for academic success over 30 weeks. Parents are taught educational activities that they then repeat with their child throughout the week.  

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HISD athlete runs to win at state track meet

Top Sprinter Robert Gregory from HISD’s Wheatley High School achieved remarkable rankings at the Texas State Track and Field Meet held May 10-11.

Gregory placed first in the Boys 4A 200-meter dash. He completed the contest in just over 21 seconds and beat the second-place finisher by nearly half a second. Gregory is currently ranked first in the region, second in the state, and fifth in the nation.

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Interim Superintendent outlines Strategic Priorities for HISD’s 2019-20 school year

HISD Interim Superintendent Lathan recently presented to the Board of Education Trustees during a board workshop and to the district’s principals at their monthly meeting the five Strategic Priorities for the 2019-2020 school year: 

  • Expanding Educational Opportunities 
  • Ensuring Student Health, Safety and Well-Being 
  • Transforming Academic Outcomes 
  • Increasing Organizational Efficiency 
  • Cultivating Team HISD Talent 

Expanding educational opportunities is a high priority for Lathan, who plans to build upon an innovative and dynamic style of curriculum that not only challenges students’ knowledge but also cultivates their creativity.  

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HISD students honored at Marvy Finger Family Scholarship ceremony

Houston Independent School District seniors who hope to pursue career and technical education opportunities after graduation were honored at the annual Marvy Finger Family Foundation Scholarship Ceremony on Wednesday evening.  

At the ceremony, which was held at the Delmar Field House, the 65 scholarship recipients and their families were treated to a dinner and reception attended by members of HISD’s Board of Education, Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan and the Finger family. 

Since 2013, the Marvy Finger Family Foundation Scholarship has awarded worthy HISD graduates full scholarships covering their two-year degree or certification program in high-demand careers. 

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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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