HISD salutes National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 

The theme of this year’s May-long celebration of Asian Pacific Americans is honoring Asian Americans in time of war. This year’s HISD poster features three JROTC teachers: Lamar High School grads Major (Retired) Kenneth Zapanta and Command Sgt. Major (Retired) Hai Dang, as well as Westside High School grad Major Gilbert Gozalo.

Zapanta served two terms of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom, one term in Operation New Dawn-Iraq, and Operation Inherent Resolve-Kuwait. Gozalo served in Afghanistan’s Operation Enduring Freedom, and Dang served two terms in Operation Iraqi Freedom and one term in Kosovo Forces. HISD’s JROTC program was established in 1926, and currently there are 20 Army, four Navy, and one Air Force JROTC programs for the school year 2017-2018.  Continue reading →

Vote in second round of ‘Fan Favorite’ Teacher of the Year

Two winners to be announced at May 18 Educators of the Year banquet

Over the past week, HISD staff, students, and alumni have voted for their “Fan Favorite” Teacher of the Year. Voters could choose from any of the campus-based Teacher of the Year nominees. The votes are now tallied, and the top four elementary and secondary teachers are moving on to round two. The finalists are: Continue reading →

Graduation ceremony schedule, venue information available for the Class of 2018

Hundreds of HISD seniors will walk across the stage this spring during graduation ceremonies planned for May 26 through June 9.

Most ceremonies will take place at various locations around the city (primarily the Barnett Fieldhouse, Butler Fieldhouse, Delmar Fieldhouse, NRG Arena, NRG Stadium, Texas Southern University campus, and Wilkins Pavilion).

A few will be taking place early (HSPVA and E-STEM on May 26 and May 31, respectively) or later (Liberty HS on June 10), so be sure to check the schedule for times and locations at HoustonISD.org/GraduationCalendar. Continue reading →

HISD interim superintendent, chief operating officer meet with transportation employees

HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby

Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan met with all HISD bus drivers and transportation staff on Friday to deliver a simple message of support: “I hear you.”

Lathan called the meeting so she could directly address employees and reinforce the important role they play in the success of students across the district.

“You truly are the first contact every child in this district has each day on his way to school,” Lathan said. “People think it’s just about the principals and teachers, but it’s about our bus drivers, our food service workers, our custodians. You are essential.”

The meeting marked the first time Lathan has met with the entire Transportation Services department. She was joined by HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby and Transportation Services General Manager Timothy Brown. Continue reading →

Scarborough HS celebrates grand opening of modernized school

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A sunny spring day and large shady trees provided the perfect backdrop to celebrate the grand opening of Scarborough High School.

As the school band played a selection of rhythm and blues, students, faculty, staff, community members, and visitors gathered Thursday on the school’s front lawn to celebrate official completion of the $14.6 million construction and renovation project.

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Washington HS students create special works of art

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A project for an art class at Booker T. Washington High School has turned into a special gift for a university president on behalf of HISD. Students in Maya Imani Watson’s art class created a piece that highlights the late poet Maya Angelou. The piece will be gifted to Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, the newly minted president of Prairie View A&M University.

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High school string quartet to join touring Beatles vs. Stones show at Hobby Center

When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Hobby Center on May 20, the Houston Bellaire High School String Quartet will have the privilege of joining the professional musicians on stage to add some orchestral texture to the evening. The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. The Bellaire string quartet will perform seven songs with the bands.

There is one show only, at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, in Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $44-$64, but HISD friends and family members can receive a 20% discount with the promo code “Fab4.” The code will be accepted over the phone, online, and at walk up. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713.315.2525, at the Box Office, or online at www.thehobbycenter.org. The 500 seats will likely sell out in advance of the show, which is appropriate for all ages.

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Milby’s Broadway Buffs advance to national culinary competition

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Six teams of student chefs clad in double-breasted white jackets and black-and-white houndstooth pants converged on the Art Institute of Houston last weekend, all aiming to slice and dice their way to a national title.

The six teams, which were made up of HISD culinary students from Westside, Northside, and Milby high schools, were participating in the annual Cooking Up Change competition. The contest challenges students to create healthy meals that meet the real-life nutritional and cost requirements of the national school meal programs. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education will not vote on partnership for “Improvement Required” campuses

HISD will not submit any plans to the Texas Education Agency related to SB 1882

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Tuesday adjourned without  approving a contract to partner with the governing board of Energized for STEM Academy as part of Senate Bill 1882. The district will no longer pursue this proposal, nor will the district submit plans for partnerships to the TEA.

The proposal was intended to give HISD a two–year pause on accountability from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and prevent sanctions from the state related to House Bill 1842.

HISD will continue to operate and manage the 10 campuses that have been in Improvement Required (IR) status with the state for four years or more. Those campuses are: Blackshear, Dogan, Highland Heights, Mading, and Wesley elementary schools, Henry Middle School, Woodson PK-8, and Kashmere, Wheatley, and Worthing high schools. The district’s goal is to help these 10 schools exit IR and continue to meet yearly standards.

“We are not bringing another partnership proposal to the Board, nor will there be another meeting to consider partnerships for the 10 schools,” said Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “Instead, we will continue to reinforce our commitment to helping students, staff, and families of our Achieve 180 schools continue the hard work they’ve done this year to transform their campuses and increase student achievement.”

HISD will make the necessary changes to the Achieve 180 framework to ensure the district provides them with the additional resources and supports they need to be successful. District administration will be holding meetings with staff and parents at these 10 schools to discuss Achieve 180 plans for their campuses in the 2018-2019 school year. Staff will remain in place at these 10 campuses unless a position is closed as part of the reduction in force HISD is experiencing across the district due to the $115 million budget shortfall.

 

High schools focus on good food at Spring Cookouts

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Standing in a line that snaked across the school courtyard, hundreds of Chavez High School students shuffled under bright blue tailgate tents, eager to enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken sandwiches.

“We got some really good food, and I wish I could grab seconds,” said Chavez senior Corinthia West regarding the recent Spring Cookout at her school. “I think the whole school came out, and we all enjoyed each other. This is fun!” Continue reading →