Darcele Lofton has been selected as the new principal of Bellfort Early Childhood Center. Lofton has been in education for over 11 years and has served in HISD as an hourly lecturer, teacher, and in various leadership roles. As a part of the leadership team at Tinsley Elementary School, where she served as a Math and Science specialist, she helped move the school from “Improvement Required” to a “Met Standard” rating. Most recently she served as a Title I school grants administrator, working with 80-plus elementary campuses. Lofton earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and her master’s degree in Education Administration from Houston Baptist University.
I am HISD: Yates HS alum focuses on giving back to the community through success as restaurateur
In August 2018, 29-year-old Joe Anderson opened a Chick-fil-A restaurant at I-45 and Almeda, becoming the youngest African-American owner-operator among Texas franchises. A Third Ward native and Jack Yates High School graduate, Anderson was determined to succeed in the restaurant industry and has put in long hours and hard work to achieve his dream.
You grew up in HISD and had some great success as a student athlete at Yates High School. What was your experience like as a student at Yates High School and growing up in the Third Ward?
I was so involved in track, and I was so passionate about competing at the next level and going to the state meet. I had transferred to Yates for my senior year and was there to get my diploma and run track. So, something I didn’t do well in high school was socialize a lot. There are times I wish I would have socialized more, but I’m also appreciative of the sacrifices I made then and the hard work that came with being a student athlete. Continue reading
No classes on Monday for fall holiday; professional development planned
Students will not have classes on Monday, Sept. 10, for the district’s fall holiday. Classes will resume at the normal time on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Schools will be holding professional development, and administrative offices will be open during normal business hours on Monday. School-based staff who have their principal’s permission to use previously uncompensated professional development time in lieu of Monday’s work day may do so.
View the full academic calendar to review other holidays during the 2018-2019 school year.
HISD dietitian earns School Nutrition Specialist credential
Elementary students may know her as the Lunch Lady – the lovable storybook character who serves up lunch with a side of justice. But Nan Cramer takes school lunches and good nutrition seriously.
Cramer, a registered dietitian with HISD’s Nutrition Services, recently earned certification as a school nutrition specialist. She received the credentials last month after taking a comprehensive credentialing exam administered by the School Nutrition Association, a national industry association that supports schools with professional development and other programs. Continue reading
Transportation Services taps new leader with strong logistics background to oversee daily operations
A new senior leader has been named to the Houston Independent School District’s Transportation Services department as part of continued efforts to address challenges and improve bus service for students.
German Enamorado will help oversee operations as the department’s new senior operations manager. He will report directly to Transportation Services General Manager Tim Brown. His post is effective immediately.
“My first goal is to review current processes and see what key areas need immediate attention, so we can improve student arrival time,” said Enamorado, whose background is in logistics. “I’m looking forward to hearing from stakeholders to see how our new procedure is impacting kids and determine what we can do to improve it.” Continue reading
Lawson MS celebrates grand opening of new building
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Festive music by the Lawson Middle School band greeted guests Wednesday as they arrived to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new $66 million building – one of 13 new or renovated HISD schools that opened in August.
The event paid tribute to the school’s namesake, Audrey H. Lawson, and was attended by parents, students, staff, alumni, and community members, along with members of the Lawson family.
“This building is absolutely beautiful. It represents our investment in this community and the future of our students in the Hiram Clarke neighborhood,” said Houston Independent School District Board of Education Trustee Wanda Adams, who served as emcee for the event. “The new Lawson Middle School will have a huge impact on this community for generations to come.” Continue reading
Braeburn ES students settling into new temporary campus
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Braeburn Elementary School students are continuing to settle into their new temporary home on the Welch Middle School campus, where they will remain until their flood-damaged school can be rebuilt.
“Students entered the campus excited and ready to start this new school year,” Braeburn Principal Amanda Rodgers said last week as students arrived for their first day of school in the temporary campus. Continue reading
New employee educational learning center to open in North Forest
The Houston Independent School District is relocating its professional development operations to provide impactful and engaging training opportunities that meet the wide-ranging needs of employees across the district.
The center will occupy the original North Forest High School building, located in northeast Houston. The building was vacated in January when North Forest students and staff moved into their new facility across Mesa Drive.
The new learning center, which is tentatively scheduled to open for training in late winter, will provide a comfortable, welcoming, and professional training environment with updated technology designed to enhance the professional development offerings available across the district.
HISD schools, offices to be closed on Monday for Labor Day
All HISD schools and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, in observance of Labor Day.
All HISD offices and schools will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
New initiatives to address bus service challenges expected Tuesday
Bus riders across the district could see changes to their scheduled pick-up and drop-off times as part of an ongoing review designed to ensure all students have access to safe and reliable transportation.
In addition to scheduling changes, the Transportation Services department also is expanding the magnet hub program with the addition of two new hub locations, continuing to assign students to routes, and ramping up bus driver recruitment efforts to prevent driver shortages.
“Transportation to and from school is one of the building blocks for academic success,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “It’s imperative that we provide safe, reliable and timely service to our students. We will continue making changes until we can ensure we are meeting that goal.” Continue reading