HISD Police Department welcomes new K-9

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The newest four-legged addition to the HISD Police Department arrived last week, wagging her tail to show her excitement.

Officer Boni is a German Shepherd with a Hungarian bloodline. For the next month, she will undergo additional training including obedience, stamina, endurance, and narcotics detection.

“Boni will demonstrate the role and duties of our K-9 team for the public,” HISD Sgt. Tridung Tran said. “We want to build long-lasting relationships with the communities we serve, and our K-9 officers are the perfect ice breaker.” Continue reading →

Kinder HSPVA showcases student artists at grand opening celebration

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The atmosphere was festive at Kinder HSPVA, as music from student artists filled the air, welcoming guests to the school’s much-anticipated grand opening ceremony.

Built as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the $96 million five-story facility opened in downtown Houston last month, and kicked off the first in a series of events and performances Monday to celebrate the school’s new chapter.

“We’re here, Downtown! We’re home,” student emcee Alana Bright proclaimed to a cheering crowd. Continue reading →

HISD to host public meeting to present Texas Academic Performance Report

The Houston Independent School District will host a public meeting next week to explain the annual Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).

The annual report, which is required by the Texas Education Agency, includes data on academics, student and staff demographics as well as comparison data from the region and the state. HISD’s research and accountability team helps gather the statistical information needed to complete the report.

The public meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 14 at Hattie Mae White Education Support Center (4400 West. 18th St., 77092).

Under TEA law, every Texas school district must offer an opportunity to discuss the TAPR results with the local community.  The final 2017-18 TAPR report was published on Dec. 21, 2018 and must be shared during a public hearing within 90 days of its release date.

To view the complete report, visit https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/perfreport/tapr/.

Askew ES celebrates new facility with student-led ceremony

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Askew Elementary School’s bold primary colors and collage of stars on the gymnasium walls set the stage Thursday as students, known as Askew All-Stars, led a building dedication ceremony.

The new $27.8 million west area campus opened for the start of the 2018-2019 school year and recently completed construction of a playground and parking lot to finish out the project. Continue reading →

HISD pays tribute to groundbreakers as part of Black History Month 

The Houston Independent School District is celebrating Black History Month by commemorating district alumni and staff who are considered groundbreakers and trailblazers.

The theme for this year’s celebration was created to align with the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History’s (ASALH) theme “Black Migrations.” While previous themes were inclusive of earlier centuries, this theme focuses specifically on the 20th century through today.

The district created a poster and series of table tent cards that will be placed in break rooms and Hattie Mae’s cafe that will feature African-Americans who are former HISD staff and/or students and have made contributions to art, literature, business, sports and pop culture. Continue reading →

HISD launches maritime education partnership with UHD, HCC and Port of Houston

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The Houston Independent School District, the University of Houston-Downtown, Houston Community College, and the Port of Houston Authority joined forces Thursday to announce a new education partnership that prepares students for maritime careers.

Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, UHD President Juan Sanchez Munoz, Port of Houston Authority Chair Janiece Longoria and HCC Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Janet Wormack each signed a Letter of Intent that outlines a seamless career pathway for students that begins in high school, extends to higher education institutions, and ultimately leads to potential maritime jobs at the Port of Houston.

“HISD is proud to partner with UHD, HCC and the Port of Houston Authority to offer our students greater opportunities and pathways for successful maritime careers,” Lathan said. “Great things are happening in Houston, and great things are happening for the students of HISD.” Continue reading →

Transportation announces new, more comprehensive route planning process  

With an eye toward the 2019-2020 school year, Transportation Services is restructuring its annual planning process, building in time to verify all routes and notify parents well ahead of the start of school.

The team will begin actively planning and scheduling next year’s routes in April — significantly earlier than in previous years — allowing the department to have a rough plan by the end of the school year. Bus drivers then will be tasked with doing real-time test runs in July to validate routes and their feasibility.

With the new schedule, the department will be able to conduct multiple route verifications and still notify parents several weeks before the first day of school, giving them plenty of time to review. Continue reading →

Nearly 70 HISD teachers to be recognized at HAABSE banquet 

The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) will recognize nearly 70 HISD teachers at their annual HAABSE Outstanding Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 6 at Bayou City Event Center.

The banquet was created to recognize the incredible work of educators that impact the lives of minority students in the greater Houston area.

Teachers were nominated by their campus principal and/or counselor.

View below for a full list of the teachers that will be recognized:  Continue reading →

City of Houston program offers paid summer jobs to students

HISD students can gain real-world work experience through the City of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth (HHY) Initiative, which offers paid summer jobs and internships throughout the city.

The HHY initiative, which started in 2016, offers students ages 16 to 24 a minimum of $8 per hour for eight weeks of paid work at the City of Houston, and in Houston’s nonprofit and private sectors.

This summer, more than 10,000 job opportunities will be available with companies such as McDonald’s, United Airlines, the YMCA, and more. Most summer employment opportunities begin on June 11, 2019 and end August 1, 2019. Continue reading →

Wilcots named general manager for Transportation Services

Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV has been selected to permanently oversee the district’s transportation department.

A transportation industry veteran, Wilcots has served as interim general manager since September 2018. Since then, he has been credited with leading the department through focused efforts to improve student bus service by increasing route efficiency and addressing critical staffing needs.

His new position is effective Jan. 28.

“The experience and knowledge that John brings to the table has given him a steady hand at the helm of the Transportation Services department,” HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby said. “I’m glad to have his leadership as we continue to improve departmental operations.” Continue reading →