July 12 is National Summer Learning Day, a day of advocacy aimed at recognizing the importance of keeping students learning, safe, and healthy every summer.
In a city the size of Houston, students can participate in a variety of fun and educational activities that will not only prepare them for the upcoming school year, but also prevent the “summer slide” — learning loss that can occur over the summer months.
Registration is open for the eighth annual Mayor’s Back to School Fest on Saturday, Aug. 11. The event helps children prepare for the new school year with free health screenings, school supplies, and more. Continue reading
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Condit Elementary School has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for its new building, which was constructed as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification provides independent verification of a building’s green features and is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
Green schools offer improved air quality, lighting, temperature control, and acoustics, as well as reduced operating costs — all of which enhance the overall learning environment and have been shown to boost student health, test scores, and faculty retention.
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A summer afternoon at Bastian Elementary School revealed a wonderful exhibition of paintings and other works of art, as well as a musical performance of songs by Pre-K and Kindergarten students who were wrapping up a four-week summer fine arts camp. The camp, which was based around the four themes of community, transportation, healthy eating, and friendship/fairness, was in response to an initiative from Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan to include the fine arts in summer school.
Christina Lovette has been selected as the new principal of Whidby Elementary School. Lovette began her teaching career in Louisiana in 1994 and joined HISD in 1996 as a history teacher at Henry Middle School. She served as assistant principal and principal in both Alvin and Houston ISDs, as well as director of curriculum and instruction in Alvin. Lovette earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Dillard University, and her Master of Science in Educational Administration and her Doctorate of Education in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Meagan Edwards has been selected as the new principal of Grissom Elementary School. Edwards began her career in education in 2002 as a third-grade teacher at HISD’s Cornelius Elementary School. Edwards also served as a third- and fifth-grade teacher at Young Elementary School and Davila Elementary School before entering into leadership as a teacher specialist. She continued to develop her leadership skills through service as a teacher specialist at Hobby Elementary School before becoming the assistant principal at Woodson PK-8, one of the Superintendent’s Schools under the Achieve 180 program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Educational Administration from University of Houston.
Roshanda Griffin has been named as the new principal of Williams Middle School. Griffin began her teaching career in HISD in 1996 as an elementary teacher at Jones Elementary School. She served in Aldine ISD as a math instructional specialist before returning to HISD as an assistant principal at Whidby Elementary School and Woodson K-8. In 2011, she was named principal at Whidby. Under her leadership, the campus has seen a significant increase in enrollment and has maintained a Met Standard rating with distinctions. Griffin received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in Education from Prairie View A&M University.
Steven Stapleton has been selected as the new principal of Furr High School. Stapleton began his career as a high school science teacher and eventual high school department head. He went on to serve in various roles, including district technology curriculum specialist, assistant principal, and director of professional learning and innovative teaching in Alvin ISD. Most recently, Stapleton has served as the principal of McReynolds Middle School. Stapleton earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in teaching from the University of Texas at Austin in the UTeach program. He completed his Master of Education Administration from Lamar University and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership program at Texas A&M University, where he plans to earn his doctoral degree.
Keri Wittpenn has been selected as the new principal of Jane Long Academy. Wittpen began her career in HISD teaching at Westside High School as a Spanish, Social Studies, and ESL teacher. At Long Academy, Wittpenn served in various roles over the past seven years, including instructional specialist, middle school grade level dean, magnet coordinator, and assistant principal. Most recently at Long Academy, Wittpenn led in the development of the Futures Academy Pharmacy Technician High School Program, expanding Long to grades six through twelve. Wittpenn earned her Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University in Political Science and Spanish, and her Master of Business Administration from Rice University with an emphasis in the Entrepreneurship Program (REEP).
Sabrina Cuby-King has been selected as the new principal of Sterling High School. Ms. Cuby-King has over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, curriculum writer, instructional specialist, dean of students and middle school principal. Under her leadership as principal of Fleming Middle School, the campus has Met Standard each year, with distinctions. Fleming also earned Top Tier Comparative Growth in Math and Science. Her strength is developing both student and teacher leaders. She has worked closely with Wheatley High School administrators and teachers to create a strong middle-to-high-school transition. This school year, she was named North Area Secondary Principal of the Year. Cuby-King earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and Master of Education and Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University.