Ministers and school, community leaders partner for safe start to summer 

Local religious, school, and community leaders came together Tuesday to kick off the 28th year of Project Safe Start, a partnership aimed at preventing crime and providing additional security for students and teachers as they begin their summer vacations.

The partnership includes Houston Ministers Against Crime, HISD Police Department, Houston Police Department, Texas Southern University, the METRO Police Department, and other local school districts.

Ministers say the end of the school year is a time when students want to settle scores before summer break, and they often do so not on but near campus. Project Safe Start includes increased security on and around campuses to ensure areas surrounding schools remain safe for all students.   Continue reading →

HISD maintains its high bond rating by two agencies

The Houston Independent School District maintains its high bond ratings by Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services for rating reviews just completed.

Moody’s assigned a Aaa with a stable outlook, its highest rating, to both the district’s $100 million Limited Tax Schoolhouse Bonds and the $200 million Maintenance Tax Note.

“The Aaa ratings are anchored by a large and nationally important economy, anchored by the City of Houston (Aa3 stable) as well as the district’s sophisticated management team, which repeatedly displays highly conservative budgeting practices leading to strong liquidity and reserves,” Moody’s said in its rating report. Continue reading →

Free summer meals to be offered at nearly 200 HISD schools 

The Houston Independent School District is formally kicking off its Summer Meal Program on June 6 at more than 190 area schools, where breakfast and lunch will be served for free to children ages 1 to 18.

Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school to participate in the program, and no paperwork, registration, or proof of income is required. Adults may purchase breakfast for $2.25 and lunch for $3.75.

Specific serving times vary by campus. Meals will be served at most campuses Mondays through Thursdays from June 6 to July 3, though some campuses are extending the program until later in July and others are serving meals on Fridays. A map detailing when and where meals are being served is online. Parents are encouraged to call the site before they go to confirm serving times.

All HISD meals are nutritionally balanced to ensure children receive the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy diet. Last summer, HISD Nutrition Services served more than 1.1 million free meals to Houston-area children.

If you have questions about the free summer meals program, contact HISD’s Nutrition Services department at 713-556-2979.

For information on where to find free meals after the program ends, contact the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department at 713-676-6832 or dial 2-1-1.

 

Third Ward students become Coogs for a day

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Article reposted with permission from the University of Houston College of Education

More than 100 students from Third Ward and the surrounding area had a chance to envision themselves as future Coogs during an activity-packed visit to campus this week.

The University of Houston Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute organized the campus visits on Tuesday and Wednesday for students from Blackshear, Foster and Hartsfield elementary schools and Yates and Sterling high schools. Continue reading →

FF&E manager for HISD making an impact on students

To the naked eye, a chair may seem ordinary. But for Michelle Black, it’s more than just a piece of furniture — it’s a tool that can foster student learning.

As the HISD Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment Manager for the 2012 Bond Program, Black is responsible for furnishing all 40 bond schools — including 29 high schools — with comfortable, modern, and flexible furniture.

Black oversees each project — often managing more than five at a time – as they near completion. Continue reading →

Summer reading program ‘block party’ encourages kids of all ages to read, earn prizes 

Summer is the perfect time for students to hone their reading skills, and thanks to a partnership with the Houston Public Library, they can have fun while doing just that.

HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s summer reading program for kids and teens called “Summer Block Party,” which kicks off June 1 and runs through Aug. 1.

Students can receive a free book and lanyard simply by registering. At each prize level, students earn another book and pins to decorate their lanyards and show off their success. They can earn pins by reaching their reading goals, attending library activities, and being an active member in their communities.  Continue reading →

Interim assistant chief tapped to serve as second in command of HISD PD

Interim Assistant Police Chief Lucretia Rogers

Lucretia L. Rogers selected as HISD Police Department Assistant Chief

Interim Assistant Police Chief Lucretia Rogers has been selected to serve as the second in command of the Houston Independent School District Police Department.

A former detective, Rogers has been serving as interim assistant chief since February 2018. She permanently assumes the role on May 22.

Rogers was selected by HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova, who also was recently named to his position. Both Cordova and Rogers have been tasked with building a new culture within the police department while also improving the agency’s reputation and strengthening its relationships with the community. Continue reading →

Northside HS senior receives first HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Award 

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Northside senior Sofia Flores got a big surprise in class Tuesday morning when she was named the first-ever recipient of the HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Awards.

The scholarships, which will be distributed to one senior at every high school through next week, recognizes students who have exemplified great character and resilience.

HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, with District I Trustee Elizabeth Santos, had the honor of presenting Sofia with an oversized $5,000 check. Lathan highlighted the importance of the scholarships and helping students who had overcome significant obstacles to pursue their dream of going to college.

“We want to help them in their endeavors as they embark on the next leg of their journey,” she said.

Sofia has flourished in her studies despite losing her younger brother, Josue Flores, who was killed as he was walking home from his school. Just days ago marked the two-year anniversary of his murder, which remains unsolved.

Sofia was her younger brother’s personal tutor, guiding him to academic success and nurturing his love of math and science. It was in her interactions with him that inspired her to go to the University of Texas and study education. She hopes to one day return to HISD as a teacher.

“I am actually honored to get this scholarship,” Sofia said. “Helping him inspired me to be a teacher, and everything I do, I do for him.”

 

 

 

Five HISD elementary schools affected by Harvey get new gym equipment 

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Thanks to Adopt-a-Gym, students at five HISD elementary schools have new soccer balls and helmets, hula hoops, and more new gym equipment. Founder Kevin McGrath was in Houston on Friday, May 18, presenting athletics supplies to five elementary schools: Hilliard, Pugh, MacGregor, Mitchell, and Anderson.

McGrath selected these five schools to receive a total of $15,000 worth of equipment because of all they lost during Hurricane Harvey. Adopt-a-Gym is a “by kids, for kids” fundraiser, where schools raise funds to purchase physical education equipment for other schools that are short on resources. Funds are raised through fitness events such as fun runs, dance-a-thons, and other active events.

The program is several years old and operates out of Charles Barrett Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., where McGrath teaches. To see other schools Adopt-a-Gym has donated to, visit their website here.