Help determine the 2018-19 Fan Favorite Teachers of the Year

Winners to be announced at May 17 Educators of the Year banquet 

HISD needs your help to determine the district’s “Fan Favorite” Teachers of the Year, who will be announced on Friday, May 17, as HISD honors teachers and principals across the district at the Educators of the Year banquet. 

The districtwide elementary and secondary Teachers of the Year are determined using performance data and other criteria, but the Fan Favorite category was created so the HISD community could vote on social media for their favorite elementary and secondary teacher. 

All campus-based Teachers of the Year are eligible for this award, which will be determined by who has the largest number of fans. Anyone can vote—including colleagues, parents, students, and former students.  

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HISD Chief Communications Officer Rebecca Suarez named to Houston Business Journal’s top 40 Under 40 list

The Houston Business Journal has named Houston Independent School District Chief Communications Officer Rebecca Suarez as a 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 honoree.

The list, which includes CEOs, founders, and young professionals in Houston who have become inspiring leaders in their respective industries and communities, were selected from over 500 nominations this year. Judges chose the honorees based on three key criteria: leadership, community involvement, and overcoming challenges.

“I grew up in the East End and learned at a young age the value of education, hard work, and gratitude,” Suarez said. “I am extremely humbled to be recognized by the Houston Business Journal and thankful to HISD for giving me the opportunity to share the powerful stories of our students, administrators, parents, and community in the largest school district in Texas.”

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HISD announces 2018-19 Teacher of the Year finalists, Beginning Teacher of the Year winners 

Winners will be recognized on May 17 at the Educators of the Year banquet 

To celebrate teaching excellence across the district, HISD is saddling up to highlight the district’s principals and teachers at the “western-themed” Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 17, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

Twelve finalists have been named for the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. The two winners, who will go on to represent the district in Region 4, will be announced during the Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 17. The 12 finalists were selected from all 287 campuses based on performance data and other criteria. 

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HISD Scholars Banquet honors Class of 2019 valedictorians and salutatorians

The Houston Independent School District paid tribute to the top students from each high school’s graduating class during the annual Scholars Banquet on Tuesday evening. 

Every spring, HISD honors the top two scholars at each of its high schools with a formal celebration of the accomplishment of finishing first or second in their class academic rankings. During the banquet, the 94 valedictorians and salutatorians were presented with a medallion in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements. 

“This has been a challenging year for HISD, but you are proof that great things are happening throughout the district,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan. “Given what you have accomplished so far, there is no limit to what you can do in college and beyond.” 

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Sharpstown HS soccer coach fosters family bond, lessons beyond the pitch

Statebound Apollos have built strong relationships within team despite language barriers

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They’ve been dubbed the “seven-nation family” — 11 starters, seven countries, four languages, and one dream: to become state champions.  

The Sharpstown Apollos varsity soccer team earned a regional title over the weekend with a win over Kingwood Park to advance to their first state tournament in school history.  

“This is something we have visualized and dreamed about,” Coach Greg Boles said. “This is huge – this is what we’ve worked for, and I am just so proud of these guys.” 

The championship-bound Apollos team features a diverse roster of players from seven different countries – USA, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Rwanda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And, despite some language barriers, the team has formed a strong bond during their time out on the pitch.  

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Facilities Services and Fleet Operations employee’s desire to help leads to 47 years of service

Sherry Jones

As one of the longest-serving employees in Facilities Services and Fleet Operations, Sherry Jones’ career is fueled by a desire to be of service and to help wherever she can.

Jones – an administrative assistant – has been with HISD for 47 years. In that time, she’s worked with 15 managers and under the leadership of 11 superintendents, working hard to ensure her department is always properly supported.

According to Jones, her strong work ethic and desire to be of service was instilled by wise words from her mother that she carried with her throughout her career.

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7th Annual School Lunch Hero Day to be celebrated on May 3

Students and school faculty will soon have the opportunity to show their appreciation to cafeteria staff during School Lunch Hero Day.

On May 3, Nutrition Services will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day, a nationwide celebration that honors school nutrition professionals for the valuable work they do each day. The observance will allow students and school staff to celebrate their campus’ cafeteria team.

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Kinder HSPVA wins 2019 Landmark Award

The new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts building was named the winner of the Houston Business Journal 2019 Landmark Award this past week.

The annual award program recognizes impressive real estate projects that make a significant impression on the Houston landscape and help sculpt the look, feel, and image of the city.

“We love the new space,” Kinder HSPVA Principal Scott Allen said. “The building design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also incredibly functional, supporting our academic and arts programs.”

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Gifted and Talented Expo on April 23 to showcase student research projects 

Pre-K through 12th-grade gifted and talented students from across the district will present more than 450 research projects at the Gifted and Talented Exposition on Tuesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 

The event, which will take place at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum, 77092), is the culmination of a year of hard work for HISD gifted and talented students. The state of Texas requires gifted and talented students to participate in high-level research throughout the year. This student-directed research culminates in a research project that participants will present in a three-minute synopsis at the exposition. 

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Still school shopping? Save the date for the upcoming Spring School Choice Fair

Magnet application deadline for Phase 2 is May 31 

Magnet schools and other choice programs that still have open seats will be available to discuss options with parents at the Spring School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 27. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Heights High School (413 East 13th St., 77008) and will offer a glimpse of the many programs still waiting for students after the Phase 1 magnet deadline, as well as all other transfer options.

Schools with space available will have representatives at the event.  
For a complete list of magnet programs with openings, click here. Other programs such as dual language and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs will also be represented.

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