HISD Transportation reinstating four bus stops in southwest Houston

HISD’s Transportation Services has reinstated four major southwest Houston school bus stops serving roughly 600 students and is recruiting more than 90 safety monitors to oversee magnet hubs across the district.

The changes are part of a continued effort by the department to improve its services and ensure students arrive at school safely and on time each day.

“Our goal is to ensure all students arrive at school by 7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. — 15 minutes ahead of the standardized start times,” Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV said. “Our employees see the value in meeting this goal.”

The reinstated stops are located at the intersections of Allday and Sands Point drives, Memorial and Plainwood drives, and Player Street and Tidewater Drive, as well as one stop along Tiger Lilly Way. Students assigned to these stops have already been notified. Continue reading →

New Wharton Dual Language Academy building nears completion

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00005nDSVcJlIcc” g_name=”09252018-Wharton-MS” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Construction on the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is now 95 percent complete with the project team, school principal, and teachers making plans to welcome students to the new facility in January.

Crews are currently wrapping up work on interior finishes and have begun waxing floors and sodding outdoor areas. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are operational, data cable installation is complete, and final inspections are underway.

“Four years ago, we began planning. As we approach our move-in, it is exciting to see the final touches be put in place and to see our vision come to life,” Wharton Principal Jennifer Day said. “It is a beautiful facility, and we’re looking forward to our opening day with students in January.” Continue reading →

HISD teacher recruitment event scheduled for Nov. 15

HISD’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP) will host an information session on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092) for those interested in becoming a certified teacher in the district.

The HISD ACP program is a one-year program dedicated to recruiting individuals from diverse educational and career backgrounds who are passionate about students, teaching, and learning.

Click here to RSVP for the information session. Continue reading →

HISD Special Education Fall Parent Summit draws nearly 200 

Click here for photos, videos and more from the Special Education Fall Parent Summit.

The Houston Independent School District held its 2018 Special Education Fall Parent Summit on Saturday, October 27, providing nearly 200 parents and students with the opportunity to meet with Special Education professionals, attend learning sessions, and connect with resources available to them.

“I am pleased to have hosted another very successful Special Education summit with our HISD parents,” said Office of Special Education Services Assistant Superintendent Dr. S. Lachlin Verrett. “We are excited for the opportunity to support our students and families as well as hear their input about how we can better serve their needs.”

See photos, videos and more from the Special Education Fall Parent Summit

Continue reading →

Provide feedback to Legislative Budget Board through stakeholder survey 

HISD, in coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, is soliciting suggestions/feedback from HISD stakeholders regarding opportunities for improvement in the quality of education and management of district resources.

In June 2018, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees requested a management and performance review from the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). LBB is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations, completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation, and conducts evaluations and reviews to improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations. Continue reading →

HISD bus riders to begin scanning bus badges on Monday

HISD bus riders at 22 pilot schools across the district began scanning their badges as they got on and off the bus this week as part of the official launch of Student Badge Program.

The 22 pilot schools were tapped to lead the initiative, giving Transportation Services time to review the initial rollout and refine the program as needed before implementing it districtwide next week.

Bus riders at all remaining HISD schools will begin scanning their badges during the week of Oct. 29.

“No one will be refused transportation if they don’t have a badge. However, it’s important for students to remember to bring and scan their badges every day,” Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV said. “These badges give us — and their parents — access to real-time information about when and where students get off the bus. But no badge equals no data.” Continue reading →

HISD to name student winners of 2018 holiday greeting card competition

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00006fwL2S9jyO8″ g_name=”20181026-HolidayCardFinalists” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

31 finalists selected from nearly 100 entries this year

The Houston Independent School District on Monday, Nov. 5, will unveil the winners of the district’s 2018 holiday greeting card student art competition.

This year, 31 students from HISD elementary, middle, and high schools have been named finalists from a total of 94 entries. The 31 finalists were chosen by the district’s area superintendents. During a ceremony at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092), the winning cards will be announced by HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.

Bond Oversight Committee updated on remaining school construction projects

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000mKc25fWEKUA” g_name=”20181023-October-BOC-Meeting” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

HISD’s Bond Oversight Committee gathered for their quarterly meeting on Tuesday to discuss the progress of 2012 Bond Program construction, which is 74 percent completed and expected to wrap up by 2020.

HISD Construction Services is expected to complete more than 80 percent of all planned school construction projects by the end of the year, including bond projects, and renovations and rebuilds related to Hurricane Harvey.

By early next year, only four bond schools — Lamar, Bellaire, Northside, and Austin high schools — will remain under construction. Continue reading →

Volunteers needed for Special Olympics Field Days on Nov. 13-15

Volunteers are needed for the sixth annual HISD Special Olympics Field Days scheduled for Nov. 13, 14, and 15 at the Joe Kelly Butler Fieldhouse (13755 Main St., 77085).

More than 1,000 volunteers are needed throughout the three days to help with setup and breakdown, athletic events, escorting students around the facility, serving lunches, and other tasks.

Elementary students participate in their Special Olympics Field Day on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Students in grades 6-8 will have their events on Wednesday, and high school students will participate on Thursday. Opening ceremonies begin daily at 9 a.m. with the Parade of Athletes, Torch Pass, and the Declaration of Games Open. Continue reading →

HISD Police strengthen presence in northeast Houston

The Houston Independent School District Police Department opened a new police substation in northeast Houston to better support the schools and communities in that area.

Located in the former Chatham Elementary School on Bertwood Street, the northeast substation will serve the north, east, and central sides of town.

The new location was established as part of the police department’s safety and security initiatives for the 2018-2019 school year.

Continue reading →