Milby HS team takes second place in national Cooking up Change competition

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What do you get when you combine chicken, zucchini, pinto beans, bananas, and yogurt?

You get the menu that snagged second place in the national Cooking up Change contest held this week at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

The Broadway Buffs of Milby High School — made up of students Roberto Blas, Jordyn Moore, and Esteven Mata — beat out four teams from Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Troy, Ala., to bring home the second-place trophy. The team from Orange County took top honors. Continue reading →

Registration is open for pre-K students  

HISD offers high-quality instruction to help young learners reach their full potential 

Give your child a head start by enrolling them in prekindergarten now.

Pre-K is just as necessary for academic success as kindergarten or first grade, research shows. Not only will your child be more successful in school, but they will be more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and earn higher wages as an adult.

While all children benefit from pre-K, disadvantaged and low-income students often make the most gains. Children who are dual-language learners develop English-language proficiency and other valuable skills. Research shows that children who have enrolled in pre-K gain an advantage over their peers in the classroom.

HISD offers both free and tuition-based pre-K at many schools, as well as early childhood centers. All pre-K students in the district receive breakfast and lunch during a full day of instruction from certified teachers.

HISD expands free, full-day pre-K program at Woodson PK-5

To be eligible for free enrollment (non-tuition-based pre-K), your child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2018, and live within the boundaries of HISD.  Additional requirements can be found here, as well as the district’s policy on 3-year-olds.   Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider proposed 2018-2019 budget

Proposed budget includes $19.2 million for special education, dyslexia programs, Achieve 180 and a planned performance audit

 June 12, 2018 – The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will meet Thursday to consider adopting the proposed 2018-2019 budget.

The proposed budget includes $16.7 million in increases for special education, dyslexia programs and Achieve 180, the program introduced this school year to support underserved and underperforming schools, which will continue in place next school year. The proposal also includes $2.5 million for a forthcoming performance audit. Continue reading →

Construction on new Wharton DLA now 75 percent complete

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Construction on the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is making continued progress as the project is now 75 percent complete.

Crews have finished the installation of roofing, exterior brickwork, windows, HVAC systems, and kitchen equipment. Interior walls are nearly complete, and metal paneling for exterior walls is underway.

In addition, permanent power — a significant milestone in the project — was connected in early May.

Continue reading →

Teach Forward Houston Cohort 3 selected

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This is the third year for the Teach Forward Houston program, a collaboration with the University of Houston College of Education (COE) and HISD to educate students in return for their commitment to teach in HISD schools for four years.

Continue reading →

Facilities Services dispatcher diligently serves, even in the midst of Harvey

It is often wondered if walls could talk, what secrets they could tell. But for Security Maintenance dispatcher Kenneth Johnson, walls don’t talk. They see.

Johnson is responsible for reviewing the security cameras for all HISD’s campuses and buildings. He ensures that customer care and security for the district is kept to the highest standards.

“If there are any emergencies that come about, any technical difficulties with our security systems in the campuses, my job is to have them solved promptly,” Johnson said. “It is critical for our staff and for our students that we know of these and solve them. Security is always our priority.”

A dispatcher since 2009, Johnson is assigned to the night shift. He arrives at his post early to review what the cameras have monitored throughout the day. Continue reading →

Two-day ‘Camp Lit’ event kicks off HISD summer school  

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The Houston Independent School District welcomed thousands of students to summer school, themed “Camp Lit” for literacy, on Wednesday and Thursday at Delmar Fieldhouse with a series of pep rallies and tailgates.

The summer kickoff for elementary students was held on Wednesday, and middle school students celebrated on Thursday.

“This is the brainchild of our interim superintendent. The idea is to continue our focus on literacy but in a way that is exciting and engaging,” Officer for Special Populations Courtney Busby said. “We want our students to know that meeting their needs in the summer is critical for their overall success. What better way to do that than with a celebration where all kids will leave with books to add to their personal libraries.”  Continue reading →

June’s Workshop Wednesday presents ‘Being Certified Brings Success’

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It was a full house at Jones Futures Academy as attendees flowed into the school’s library to attend this month’s Workshop Wednesday to gain tips about certification and the requirements.

Representatives from the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance, City of Houston, and Houston Minority Supplier Development Council shared tips with the crowd on how to become certified with their organizations, including the necessary requirements and the various types of certifications offered.

Any firm that is certified as a Minority- or Woman-owned Business Enterprise through one or more of these three agencies is automatically accepted as a registered M/WBE firm by HISD.

Continue reading →

YWCPA to showcase completed construction for 2018-19 school year

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Construction on the newly renovated Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy is nearly 100 percent complete as the final phase of the project wraps up in preparation for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

When they return this August, students will be greeted by renovated third-floor classrooms, new extended learning areas, and updated restrooms, all of which will be complete in a matter of days.

“My students, staff, and I are beyond thrilled about the renovations,” YWCPA Principal April Williams said. “This updated, modern facility — which still has its character and charm from the past — will indeed change the way we teach and change the way our girls learn.”

Continue reading →

Nutrition Services LEAD program graduates inaugural class

After eight weeks of rigorous classroom and on-site training, four former food service attendants are now prepared to lead and manage their own school cafeterias.

Stephanie Aguilar, Alma Dominguez, Neco Manning, and Tameco Williams are the first graduates of Nutrition Services’ LEAD — Leadership, Education And Development — Program.

The comprehensive training initiative is designed to provide school cafeteria workers with the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to advance to the next level in their career and become a team lead responsible for managing cafeteria operations. Continue reading →