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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Stevens ES teacher receives the 2019 Elementary Science Teacher Award

The Elementary Curriculum and Development Department celebrated Science Teacher Dierdre Ricketts of Stevens Elementary School as the winner of the 2019 Elementary Science Teacher award, sponsored by alliantgroup on Tuesday. 

Earlier this month, the department announced the below six finalists for the inaugural award who were selected by a committee of school office and curriculum leaders, teacher development specialists, strategic partnerships, and university partners. 

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HISD ranked as a top five food delivery district in Texas

A child research and advocacy organization has recognized Nutrition Services as a top five food delivery district in the state of Texas.

Children at Risk ranked HISD fourth among large school districts in the state based on its record of providing daily meals to children in need, especially its school breakfast program, which allows schools to serve students breakfast in their classroom before starting the school day.

The organization measured the participation rate of school nutrition programs across districts based on data provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Education Agency.

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HISD art cars win four trophies in Art Car Parade 

Four of HISD’s 22 entries in the 32nd annual Houston Art Car Parade caught the judges’ attention, winning trophies and even some cash. 

The Art Car Parade judges like to give out numerous awards, so there are winners in multiple categories, including four first-place winners, four second-place winners, and four third-place winners.  

Heights High School students with leader Rebecca Bass won first place for their homage to Texas legend Stevie Ray Vaughn, “Pride & Joy.” This is Bass’s 32nd art car. Bass also received a Lifetime Achievement award, after spending the last 30 years as an Art Car Parade participant.  

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HISD names Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Award winners

HISD administrators had a special surprise planned for two HISD instructional coaches on Thursday as administrators dropped by their classrooms to present them with the third annual Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Awards. 

Ambreen Ali, literacy instructional specialist at Meyerland Middle School, was the winner of the campus-level award. Rogelio Martinez, Teacher Development Specialist in the HISD’s Secondary Curriculum and Development Department, was the winner at the districtwide level. 

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Law ES students participate in Fire Safety Day with Astros all-star

With red, plastic fire marshal hats placed firmly atop their heads, more than 200 students from HISD’s Law Elementary School learned about the importance of fire safety from Houston Astros right fielder George Springer.  

As part of The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal program, the students learned about fire alarms, exit plans and ways to prevent and escape a fire. They even had an opportunity to simulate a kitchen fire with smoke on a trailer the Hartford Home Fire Index brought to the school. 

“Congratulations to everybody today who’s going to become a junior fire marshal,” 2017 World Series MVP Springer said during the event.  “I know that’s a big deal, you’re going to have your crazy hat and everything.” 

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