FedEx and Operation Warm deliver new coats to N.Q. Henderson ES 

As Houston temperatures dropped, the gift of warmth arrived just in time for hundreds of kids at Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School in East Houston.

FedEx Cares teamed up with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit that provides brand new coats to children in need, to deliver coats to every student enrolled at N.Q. Henderson. Nearly 40 FedEx volunteers helped more than 300 students pick out a free, brand-new coat in their size and favorite color.

“I am so excited for our campus,” Principal Alana Holloway said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our scholars. We are very appreciative. I know that our parents and families will be extremely grateful.”  Continue reading →

HISD Communications wins three Lone Star Emmys  

The HISD Communications Department was honored with three Lone Star Emmy awards on Saturday in Houston.

HISD Communications brought home the gold for work on three separate projects produced during the  2017-2018  school year.

“The powerful stories of determination and success of our students, families, teachers, staff, and community is what makes our school district HISD strong,”  Chief Communications Officer Rebecca Suarez said. “I am proud to be part of a team that is made up of truly gifted storytellers.”  Continue reading →

Special Olympics Field Days postponed due to inclement weather

The Houston Independent School District Special Olympics Field Days planned this week (Tuesday, Nov. 13 through Nov. 15) at Butler Stadium will be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

HISD officials have closely monitored the weather forecast and determined that lower temperatures may impact the district’s Special Olympics event. As a result, Special Olympics Field Days will be rescheduled at a later date.

The event, which is held in partnership with Special Olympics Texas, gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests. The friendly competition includes basketball, tennis, soccer, and track and field for all ages, as well as flag football for high-schoolers.

Five HISD campuses becoming community schools to meet the needs of students, families 

Trustees approve $2.5 million grant to fund variety of wraparound services

About 4,000 students and their families in high-poverty areas will benefit from a $2.5 million grant that will provide wraparound services, including social, medical, financial, and emotional support.

The Board of Education approved the use of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education that will convert five HISD campuses to community schools under the district’s Every Community Every School initiative.

The five schools are Thomas Middle School and Lockhart, Benavidez, Marshall, and Robinson elementary schools. The schools serve 3,898 students in communities with high poverty rates and a demonstrated need for wraparound services and supports.   Continue reading →

HSPVA principal receives top honor from national arts group 

The nation’s largest organization for specialized schools for the arts has named R. Scott Allen, Principal of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, its top administrator of the year.

The Arts Schools Network stated it selected the Houston Independent School District principal for its most coveted honor, the Jeffrey Lawrence Award, because he exemplifies an uncompromising commitment to excellence in arts education and arts training.

“What an honor to be recognized for doing something I love,” Allen said. “Watching our young people grow into the next generation of artists is unbelievable, and this is what I do every day.” Continue reading →

H.E.A.R., HISD’s legislative advocacy group, gathers for first meeting  

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The Houston Independent School District’s newly created Houston Educational Advocacy Representatives, made up of 44 community members, convened its first meeting on Tuesday.

H.E.A.R. is a volunteer coalition of public education advocates tasked with educating lawmakers about HISD’s state and federal legislative priorities, especially school finance reform. Members will travel to Austin during the 2019 Texas Legislative Session to advocate for school finance reform.

The state’s school finance system is outdated and continues to have a profound impact on HISD classrooms. The current system requires HISD and other property wealthy school districts to send a portion of their local property tax collections to the state under a process called recapture.   Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves district’s legislative agenda

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved the district’s legislative agenda for the 86th Texas Legislative Session.

The agenda, which outlines the district’s legislative priorities, will be shared with members of the Texas Legislature. It focuses on reforming the state’s school finance system and reducing recapture, improving school safety and security, and addressing accountability ratings and sanctions.

The 86th Texas Legislature convenes for the 140-day regular session on January 8. The session will adjourn on May 27. Continue reading →

Nutrition Services to host annual Thanksgiving lunch for students

HISD Nutrition Services is gearing up to host its annual Thanksgiving lunch for students across the district on Thursday, Nov. 15.

The special celebration, occurring during normal lunch hours, is an HISD tradition that has attracted thousands of families to school cafeterias for more than 50 years. The event gives parents a chance to celebrate the holiday a week early by sharing a meal with their children.

Continue reading →

HISD Transportation Services continues to update routes, reinstate bus stops

Almost 80 bus routes impacting more than 3,750 students across the district have been updated this week and six major bus stops in west, south, and southwest Houston are being reinstated.

The changes are part of Transportation Services continued efforts to review and streamline operations, improve services, increase efficiency, and ensure all students arrive at school each day safely and on time.

“The changes we’re making might seem incremental, but they’re all important,” HISD Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV said. “Each update we make increases our operational efficiency, but more importantly, it helps us provide better service to our students.”

Continue reading →