HISD asking parents to complete socioeconomic form

The Houston Independent School District will provide free breakfast and lunch to students at no charge for the 2018-2019 school year, but parents will need to fill out a new form to ensure Title I funding for HISD schools.

All HISD schools are now qualified to operate under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Community Eligibility Provision, which allows HISD to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner at no charge to all students, eliminating the need for free and reduced-price meal applications.

While parents will not need to complete and return a free and reduced-price meal application, they will need to complete a socioeconomic form (see below), known as the blue form.

In order for campuses to receive their Title I funding, HISD is still required to collect and report the socioeconomic status of each students to the Texas Education Agency. Continue reading →

Richard Peña named new principal of Sherman Elementary School

Richard Peña, Tijerina Elementary (Houston Independent School District)Richard Peña has been selected as the new principal of Sherman Elementary School. Peña began his 20-year career with HISD as a second-grade bilingual teacher at Allen (now Kennedy) Elementary School, and has served as an instructional specialist, literacy coach and team leader. He most recently served as principal of Tijerina Elementary School. While at Travis Elementary School, he was nominated for Assistant Principal of the Year. Additionally, he served as an assistant principal for six years in Aldine ISD, HISD and Spring ISD. Peña holds a Master of Educational Leadership from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Houston.

Renesiaha Marshall named new principal of Reynolds Elementary School

(Milton Durango)Renesiaha Marshall has been named as the new principal of Reynolds Elementary. Marshall is a product of HISD, having attended Petersen Elementary School, Dowling (now Lawson) Middle School, and Madison High School. She started her teaching career in HISD in 2005 as a first-grade teacher at Montgomery Elementary School. While at Alcott and Foerster elementaries, she served as reading interventionist and teacher specialist. Most recently, Marshall served the Almeda Elementary School community as a school counselor and assistant principal for three years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Houston.

Derrick Estes named new principal of Law Elementary School

(Milton Durango)Derrick Estes has been selected as the new principal of Law Elementary School. Estes started his career with HISD in 2008 as a general clerk at Cornelius Elementary School. After graduating from the University of Houston Downtown with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, he obtained his first teaching job at Cornelius, where he served as a third- and fifth-grade teacher. He served as instructional specialist and later as assistant principal of Golfcrest Elementary School. Estes currently is a doctoral degree fellow in Educational Administration at Texas A&M Commerce.

Philip Steuernagel named new principal of McReynolds Middle School

Philip Steuernagel poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Philip Steuernagel has been selected as the new principal of McReynolds Middle School. Steuernagel has 16 years of experience in education as a bilingual teacher, ESL college adjunct instructor, assistant principal and most recently principal of R. Martinez Elementary. Under his leadership, student enrollment has increased, and the campus has made significant academic gains. Prior to Steuernagel’s arrival, R. Martinez was rated as an Improvement Required campus, and under his leadership it has been rated as Met Standard each year he has been principal. Steuernagel earned his Bachelor of Arts from American University in Washington, D.C. and his Master of Education from the University of Houston.

Tiffany Bob named new principal of Fondren Middle School

(Milton Durango)Tiffany Bob has been selected as the new principal of Fondren Middle School. Bob began her career in education over 16 years ago in HISD. Bob has served students as a Special Education teacher, Reading teacher trainer, Special Education program specialist, and assistant principal. Most recently, Bob has served as the high school dean at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Melba Heredia Johnson named new principal of Love Elementary School

Melba Heredia Johnson (Houston Independent School District)Melba Heredia Johnson has been selected as the new principal of Love Elementary School. During her 18-year tenure at HISD, Heredia-Johnson has served as a bilingual teacher, assistant principal, teacher specialist, and professional development specialist in early childhood education. Heredia-Johnson most recently led Sherman Elementary School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Houston Baptist University and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from University of St. Thomas.

Shelene Livas named new principal of Ketelsen Elementary School

(Milton Durango)Shelene Livas has been selected as the new principal of Ketelsen Elementary School. She began her career with HISD in 1999 as a fifth-grade bilingual teacher at Cunningham Elementary School. While at Cunningham, she received the Teacher of the Year and Bilingual Teacher of the Year awards. Livas has also served as an instructional specialist at Pat Neff Elementary School and worked as an elementary interdisciplinary instructional coach for Spring Branch ISD. Most recently, Livas served as the sixth-grade dean at Frank Black Middle School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Ohio State University, a master’s degree from the University of Houston in Educational Administration and Supervision, and a REEP Business Fellowship for School Leaders from Rice University.

Rhonda Honore named new principal of Black Middle School

(Milton Durango)Rhonda Honore has been selected as the new principal of Frank Black Middle School. Honore began her 20-year career with HISD as a fifth-grade Science teacher at Burbank Elementary School, where she received Teacher of the Year and HAABSE Teacher of the Year awards. During her 20-year tenure in the district, Honore also has served as a math and science content specialist, teacher development specialist, and Rice Model Lab teacher. She most recently served as principal at Reynolds Elementary School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Prairie View A&M University, and an MBA with an Educational Leadership focus from the University of Saint Thomas.

Enter now to win a student World Youth Foundation award

The World Youth Foundation is hosting its annual back-to-school celebration! Students who exemplify scholarship, community service, and excellence outside of the classroom can apply to be considered for a World Youth Foundation award.

See below for details on the awards categories, which include Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Law Enforcement, Urban Planning, and much more

HISD students grades 9-12 interested in being nominated are asked to complete this interest form no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 16.

Continue reading →