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

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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

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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 →

Wiggins named one of Time’s 50 Most Influential People in Health Care

Betti Wiggins, HISD’s officer of Nutrition Services, is no stranger to accolades. She was previously featured in a PBS special and her work was also recognized by General Mills, who gave her a Wheaties box emblazoned with her photograph.

Most recently, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Health Care for 2018.

This year was the first time the magazine compiled the Health Care 50 list, asking “a team of health editors and reporters to nominate people who significantly changed the state of U.S. health care” and evaluating their work “on key factors, including originality, impact, and quality,” according to TIME Magazine’s website. Continue reading →

HISD police officers wearing pink badges during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many HISD police officers are sporting pink police badges this month to help raise awareness about the disease and raise funding for research.

Officers who contributed $20 or more are wearing special pink badges throughout the month, signifying their commitment to the cause. The money raised will go to the American Cancer Society to support patients and their families fighting breast cancer.

“The Pink Badge Program is a great way for our officers to show support for our community,” Assistant Police Chief Lucretia Rogers said. “I think it demonstrates our commitment to supporting families who are struggling with this serious disease.”

The Pink Badge program is supported by various law enforcement agencies across the country. This is the second year HISD’s police department has participated.

 

HISD PD adds six new vehicles to its fleet

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Six new black and white police vehicles — each adorned with clean, streamlined graphics — are being added this fall to the Houston Independent School District Police Department fleet.

The new graphics showcase a black vehicle shell with white front and rear doors displaying reflective images of the HISD Police badge and department name. The vehicle number is located at the back, along with a reflective emergency bar.

“These new graphics avoid any confusion,” HISD Police Sgt. Quinten Flannel said. “We decided that we wanted to be part of these efforts and made the move to that direction for safety above all.”

Continue reading →

Austin HS prepares for start of construction

Construction crews at Austin High School spent much of the summer working to complete demolition, abatement, and underground site work in preparation for the start of construction on their new building.

While significant progress was made, the project encountered some hurdles. City of Houston permitting procedures changed and now require additional documents and information to be submitted. Additionally, asbestos removal took longer than anticipated.

To accommodate the additional time needed to procure the permit and safely remove hazardous materials from the construction site, school and project officials have updated the construction timeline. The school is now scheduled to will move into its new facility in summer 2020, with students and staff returning for the 2020-2021 school year. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy HS celebrates opening of new building additions

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Members of the East End community joined with the students and staff of Eastwood Academy on Friday, Oct. 19 to celebrate the completion and opening of the school’s new additions and renovations.

Built as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the $10.9 million project was completed in two phases. The first phase, which opened in January of this year, included renovations to the existing building and construction of an administrative wing. Phase two, a two-story library wing, opened for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“Our students have long-deserved a place that reflects their tremendous achievements,” Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira said. “I am so grateful for the bond program, the district administrators, and the trustees, that they believed in making this building a reality for our students.” Continue reading →