Parents encouraged to register for pre-K during Week of the Young Child on April 16-20 

The Houston Independent School District is encouraging parents to register early for pre-K for the 2018-2019 school year during the Week of the Young Child, which is April 16 through 20.

Pre-registration will still be available before and after this week, but schools are celebrating the Week of the Young Child as a formal window for pre-K roundup and to showcase HISD programs and celebrate the district’s young learners. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Finding a program

To locate an Early Childhood Center or an HISD Elementary School, visit HoustonISD.org/FindASchool. Filter your search by clicking the PK grade level button in the Advanced Search. You may also email the HISD Early Childhood Curriculum Department at Curriculum@HoustonISD.org. Continue reading →

HISD’s first Fine Arts Summit to be held this weekend 

The district’s new Fine Arts Dept. is hosting the first Fine Arts Summit from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at Westbury High School (11911 Chimney Rock Road, Houston, 77035).

Fine arts teachers from every grade level are encouraged to attend and hear from keynote speaker John Abodeely, chief executive officer of the Houston Arts Alliance and former acting executive director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Teachers who attend will receive a $100 stipend.  Continue reading →

Popular Waltrip HS band director crowned Teacher of the Month  

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Tuesday was a day of surprises for Waltrip High School Band Director, Jesse Espinosa, who was crowned the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for April by Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan.

“Mr. Espinosa is so deserving of this award and I couldn’t be more than happy to recognize all his efforts on today,” Principal Dale Mitchell said. “It is his passion and commitment that pushes students beyond the band hall.”

Left speechless during his surprise Tuesday morning, there’s no denying it’s the Waltrip High School alum and Army veteran’s determining spirit that has allowed the Waltrip High School’s band program to be recognized as one of the “Top 5” Title I music programs in the United States.  Continue reading →

Project Prom this weekend to help students in need receive free formal attire 

The Houston Independent School District Student Assistance Department will provide free dresses, tuxedos, shoes, and accessories to hundreds of homeless and at-risk high school seniors planning to go to prom.

The third annual Project Prom event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 7, at Pin Oak Middle School (4601 Glenmont St. Bellaire, 77401). Students will be able to select formal attire from a wide selection of dresses and menswear.

The event also will include college and career resources; health services, including meningitis shots, which are required for all incoming Texas college students; free food; and giveaways.

10 HISD students to compete in nation’s largest regional spelling bee

Ten HISD students are among 53 spellers who will compete in the nation’s largest regional spelling bee Saturday at Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan (2610 Elgin St., 77004).

The top two spellers will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., May 27-June 1.

Competitors representing grades second through eighth will come from 1,060 schools in 34 Texas counties to compete in the bee, which is hosted by Houston Public Media. Live updates on the spelling bee will be available on the Houston Public Media Facebook page and on Twitter at @HoustonPubMedia. Final rounds and highlights of the spelling bee will be broadcast on TV 8 and streamed on houstonpublicmedia.org/spellingbee at 3:30 p.m. the following Saturday, April 14. Continue reading →

Transportation Services conducting review to provide better service to students 

HISD Transportation Services is conducting a review of its operations to identify ways to improve service for students who take the bus to and from school daily.

The review comes in response to challenges the department has faced this year, including staffing and bus shortages, an aging bus fleet and limited replacement budget, and the need to create new routes for students and schools displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

These issues have made it difficult for the department to run at an optimal level and have led to service delays and disruptions.  Continue reading →

Police officer’s service in HISD spans from helping schools to serving alongside superintendent

HISD Police Officer Brenson York

Every morning, Brenson York prepares for a day full of surprises. As an HISD police officer assigned to the superintendent’s security detail, he must be ready for anything.

“I’ve done and seen almost everything,” York said with a chuckle. “From driving the superintendent to local meetings around the city to making turn-around trips to Austin — even providing security at events, monthly board meetings, and, of course, hundreds of school visits.”

According to York, fighting Houston traffic, navigating backroads, finding detours, and waking up before sunrise for early morning meetings are just part of the gig. He also serves as the eyes and ears for HISD’s superintendent, often acting as a needed buffer for the school district chief at public events. Continue reading →

Paolo Castagnoli named new principal of Madison High School

Paolo Castagnoli poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Paolo Castagnoli has been selected as the new principal of Madison High School. Most recently, Castagnoli was the principal of Black Middle School. He has been with HISD for 12 years, serving as teacher and assistant principal at Scarborough and East Early College high schools. Prior to coming to HISD, Castagnoli taught social studies and served as department chair for six years at YES Prep Southeast Campus. During his tenure at Black Middle, the school has received its first five distinctions, was named to the Texas Honor Roll, and earned awards for academics, athletics, and fine arts, including first place in district academic UIL in 2016 and first place in UIL one-act play in 2017. Castagnoli holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston.

Board of Education hears proposal on funding model for 2018-2019 school year

The Board of Education on Monday discussed proposed changes to HISD’s Resource Allocation System that address the district’s $115 million budget deficit for the 2018-19 school year.

The changes include a reduction to the Per Unit Allocation (PUA), an increase in the small school subsidy, and the centralization of funding for Career and Technical Education.

HISD faces a $115 million budget deficit for the 2018-2019 school year. To address the deficit, the district is proposing cutting $70 million from central office. Originally, the district proposed cutting $45 million from campuses, but that figure was reduced to $34 million by anticipating and assigning unspent funds from the 2018-2019 budget.
Continue reading →

HISD surveying parents on family engagement efforts 

The Houston Independent School District is seeking parent input in an annual survey is to determine how well their child’s school partners with them and encourages family engagement in the education process.

Your feedback on this survey is important and will help the district to develop strategies to improve supports for parent and family engagement at the school level.

Parents may access the 2017–2018, HISD Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement Survey here.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will remain anonymous. The survey should be completed for each school being attended. For assistance in reading or interpreting the survey, please contact the Title I campus contact person at the school level for additional assistance.