HISD PD offers employees implicit bias training courses

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In an effort to reduce opportunities for discriminatory perceptions, the Houston Independent School District Police Department is now offering its employees training on implicit bias.

The implicit bias training is meant to expose participants to their unconscious biases and offer information on how to eliminate those perceptions.

The two-day training kicked off in September at police headquarters and was led by Epic Collaborative Advisors, a consulting firm. Department leaders discussed how to interact with stakeholders and make better decisions when working with a variety of people out in the field.

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Three HISD schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools 

Challenge Early College HS, DeBakey HS for Health Professions and East Early College HS recognized by U.S. Department of Education

Three Houston Independent School District schools received a 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools award on Monday from the U.S Department of Education. The HISD schools are among 349 schools in the nation and 24 schools in Texas to be recognized.

The National Blue Ribbon award is given annually to high-performing schools to showcase the hard work of students and educators. Challenge Early College High School, DeBakey High School for Health Professions and East Early College High School are this year’s HISD recipients. Each school is a previous National Blue Ribbon award recipient.

Challenge Early College High School’s mission is to graduate confident, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in higher education and be productive citizens worldwide. The school allows students to stay a year beyond graduation in order to take college credit courses and receive individual academic assistance to succeed in those courses.    Continue reading →

October is National Principals Month

Principals are the foundation of success for a campus and its students. As campus leaders, they are responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of teachers and the delivery of high-quality instruction in every classroom. They also must handle disciplinary issues, manage campus budgets, direct the branding of their school, and maintain a connection to parents and the school community. It’s not an easy job, but it is an incredibly rewarding and crucial one.

That’s why the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators have designated October as National Principals Month to honor principals nationwide.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also issued a proclamation declaring October 2018 as Principals Month in Texas. Recognizing the important role school leadership plays in student achievement, the motto of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals is, “Above All, Students First.”

HISD is encouraging students, parents, staff, and community members to honor and thank district principals during the month of October by downloading one of our custom e-cards below to post on social media.

     

     

Click here to download e-cards

Be sure to include the name of the principal you would like to acknowledge, and tag the school he or she leads. Also include the hashtags #ThankAnHISDPrincipal and #HISD in your posts.

Help us show how much we value our school leaders!

Lamar HS construction passes halfway mark

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Construction at Lamar High School made steady progress over the summer, positioning the $129.2 million state-of-the art learning facility to surpass 50 percent completion this month.

Work on the exterior walls, roofing, window frames, and glass is in progress, along with installation of interior wall framing, drywall, door frames, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Structural steel erection and concrete floor deck installation, the gymnasium, and natatorium are complete, and permanent power is expected to be connected by the end of the month. Continue reading →

New culinary program space opens at Northside HS

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Northside High School opened two new commercial grade learning kitchens at the start of the 2018-2019 school year, giving a boost to the school’s popular culinary arts magnet program.

The new culinary classrooms are part of a $66 million, multi-phase renovation project taking place at the school as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. The Northside project is two-thirds complete.
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HISD Communications Department nominated for 5 Lone Star EMMY awards 

The HISD Communications Department has been nominated for five Lone Star EMMY awards for district videos and programming produced during the 2017-2018 school year.

Lone Star EMMY represents the most experienced and talented television professionals from all disciplines of the industry and from all television markets in Texas.

“I am incredibly proud of the work HISD’s Communications team has done to be nominated for five of these prestigious Lone Star EMMY awards,” said HISD Communications Chief Rebecca Suarez. “It’s an honor for our team’s talent to be recognized in our daily mission to share the incredible stories of our students, our community and the district.” Continue reading →

Community and corporate partners can be part of HISD Parent University 

The Houston Independent School District is inviting community and corporate to support HISD Parent University by participating in the Resource Fair portion of the events.

On Sept. 27, HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan officially launched Parent University, an initiative focused on providing families with the supports they need to be actively involved in the success of their children. The Parent University sessions will take place every month simultaneously at geographically dispersed locations, and will include information and tools about HISD, as well as community resources to help equip and support families.

For vendor and sponsorship opportunities, register here.

For questions, contact Candice Castillo at Candice.Castillo@HoustonISD.org or 713-556-7290.

HISD to kick off Parent University with districtwide events

The Houston Independent School District’s new HISD Parent University will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 27. This new initiative will connect parents and children to resources offered by the district to create successful academic careers as well as safe and healthy environments at home and at school.

The inaugural Parent University workshops will take place at all HISD schools.

A variety of district and community program representatives and experts will be available for parents to connect with individually. Continue reading →

Milby HS selected as finalist for Texas school architecture competition

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Milby High School is one of four finalists vying for the highest honor offered by the 2018-19 Exhibit of School Architecture Competition.

Twenty-seven projects from school districts across the state were awarded 2018 Stars of Distinction in six categories — community, planning, transformation, design, value, and sustainability. Milby was awarded six out of six stars.

The annual architecture competition showcases new and renovated Texas schools and recognizes excellence in their planning and design. It is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards. Continue reading →

Magnet school applications for 2019-2020 available on Friday

First school choice fair set for Saturday at Sterling HS

Parents will have the ability to begin applying to magnet program for the 2019-2020 school year on Friday, Sept. 28, and the district’s first school choice fair will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Sterling High School (11625 Martindale, 77048).

HISD offers a robust portfolio of magnet programs at 122 schools to best meet students’ academic needs and interests. The magnet programs within the district include: Continue reading →