High school dropout and law school grad urges Cornelius ES students to stay in school 

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The fifth-graders at Cornelius Elementary School listened intently as their classmate’s mother spoke to them on Career Day recently. Khassidy’s mom, Ieshia Champs, was telling students to stay in school if they want to become all the things they had just told her they want to be—a brain surgeon, veterinarian, basketball player, teacher.

“You can’t do anything without school, nothing at all,” Champs said. “What you are learning here in school every day is going to shape your entire future.”

Despite dropping out of school and raising five children as a single mother, Champs recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall Law School. It took her 14 years, but she did it, and she is inspiring others to pursue their dreams.  Continue reading →

Worthing HS students get up-close lesson on tech jobs in Silicon Valley

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Students from Worthing High School got an up-close and personal look at in-demand tech jobs of the future in Silicon Valley.

A group of 20 computer programming students traveled to San Francisco earlier this month to spend time training with tech industry leaders at SoftBank Robotics’ RobotLAB. During the experience, they programmed two robots designed for retail and educational applications.

“The purpose of this experience was to open their minds to computer programming, because the robots are coming, and they’re going to be taking over a lot of jobs,” Worthing High School computer programming teacher Nina Jolivet said. “They’re going to need people to program these robots. Why not our students?” Continue reading →

More than 30 HISD schools earn spot on 2017 Texas Honor Roll

Thirty-one Houston Independent School District campuses have been named to the 2017-2018 Educational Results Partnership Texas Honor Roll for their high achievement and student success.

The 2017 Honor Roll recognizes public elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement overtime, and reduction in achievement gaps. For high schools, Honor Roll recognition includes measures of college readiness in students. This year, the Texas Honor Roll recognized 729 higher performing schools that are distinguished for their academic achievement and closing achievement gaps.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Texas Honor Roll School District by educational and business leaders in Texas,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “I am incredibly proud of our teachers and school leaders, as they have remained focused on our students and their continued academic progress.”

Continue reading →

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 →