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The state’s school finance system is outdated and continues to have a profound impact on HISD classrooms.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.

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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.”

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HISD Police Department honors recipients at 21st Annual Awards Luncheon

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The Houston Independent School District Police Department gathered Tuesday to celebrate the outstanding customer service and achievements of officers and personnel during their 21st Annual Awards Luncheon.

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Mickey Leland College Prep principal named NABSE’s Principal of the Year

Dameion Crook

Principal Dameion Crook of Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy has been named Principal of the Year by the National Alliance of Black School Educators in Washington, D.C.

The alliance noted that Crook was selected because he excels in the field of education and provides great contributions to African-American students and educators. Earlier this year, Crook was named Texas’ Principal of the Year by the alliance.

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization,” Crook said. “I have to give credit to the entire Mickey Leland staff and community for the hard work being every day to educate our scholars.” Continue reading →

Finger scholarship offers opportunities for career, technical education

Considering a career in construction, transportation, cosmetology, nursing, or industrial technology? HISD students may qualify for a full scholarship in one of these fields or many more! Local and national industry data show a need for highly skilled employees in high-growth jobs with great earning potential.

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Since 2012, the Marvy Finger Family Foundation Scholarship has been awarding worthy HISD graduates full scholarships covering their two-year degree or certification program in these high-demand careers.

Austin High School graduate Isai Gutierrez won a full scholarship from Finger and now works for Higman Marine. “I’m very thankful to have received this scholarship,” Gutierrez said. “It allowed me to secure a career that I can be proud of as a Tankerman and eventually Captain.” Continue reading →

Fourth annual Dream Summit planned for Dec. 15

Event to help students apply for college, financial aid

College Readiness and Multilingual Programs will be hosting the fourth annual Dream Summit to assist students with college applications and the financial aid process on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St., Houston 77092.

High school students and their families are encouraged to attend the free event. Students should contact their campus college-access coordinator, counselor, or college-success adviser regarding transportation. Five seniors will have a chance to win a $500 scholarship for college.

The event aims to help HISD DREAMers, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees, and asylum grantees, along with their families. Students will be able to speak with district representatives regarding financial aid requirements and get help with the college application process.  Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider the district’s legislative priorities

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

The proposed state legislative agenda focuses on reforming the state’s school finance system and reducing recapture, improving school safety and security, and addressing accountability ratings and sanctions.

Approval of this agenda item will give HISD specific policy and school finance recommendations to share with members of the Texas Legislature. The 86th session will begin January 8, 2019.

Also proposed is the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. Continue reading →

Students dance, play games at Nutrition Services Fall Tailgates

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A large group of energetic Holland Middle School students danced alongside their teachers in the school cafeteria last week, while others played Connect 4 and cornhole.

Other students streamed through the lunch line — decorated with white and blue balloons — as cafeteria staff handed out bright green water bottles to students.

The event was a part of a Fall Tailgate series hosted by HISD’s Nutrition Services department. In its second year, the Fall Tailgates are designed to get students excited about school lunch and encourage them to select healthier meal options.

Continue reading →