Assistant principal’s challenging youth helps him mentor students in disciplinary program

When you meet Tristan Love, assistant principal at HISD’s Secondary DAEP campus, you first notice how polite and smartly dressed he is – wearing a light gray suit, pink bowtie, and polished shoes. He has a sparkle in his eye and a smile for everyone. It’s a far cry from his former life as a gang member.

Love’s politeness and respect extend to his students at the school, who are among the most behaviorally challenged students in HISD. They all have been sent to Secondary DAEP from their home campuses, many of them gang members. But this doesn’t faze Love. He’s living proof that coming from poverty, a broken home, being a gang member, and living a life of violence doesn’t mean you can’t have a bright future.

“I tell my students, my job is to serve you,” Love said. “If I hadn’t run into the caring adults I did when I was younger, I don’t really know where I’d be.”  Continue reading →

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center students benefit from Houston Ballet lessons 

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center dance instructor Thomas Porter teaches all types of dance in his classes, but he has found that ballet helps his students improve in all areas.

“When I began taking dance lessons, I focused on jazz and tap,” Porter said. “But when I took ballet, I saw a major improvement in my jazz techniques. Ballet quickly became my favorite form of dance.”

That’s why he jumped at the chance to have Melanie Hovis from the Houston Ballet teach a series of six master classes at Gregory-Lincoln this spring. Hovis has been teaching with the Houston Ballet for two years, having danced previously with the Austin Ballet.  Continue reading →

HISD to honor top volunteers at annual VIPS recognition ceremony 

District designating April 16-20 as Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition Week

The Houston Independent School District on Thursday, April 19 will recognize the efforts of thousands of volunteers and will honor the top volunteers of the year at the Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

During the ceremony at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092), HISD will acknowledge the contributions of the volunteers in four award categories:

  • Jean Davis Myers Volunteer Service Award (the most prestigious award) – Presented to an individual or group whose program or volunteer efforts have had an impact on several schools (at the same time) in HISD and have enhanced the quality of education through volunteering for HISD students for two or more years.
  • Parent Partner of the Year – Recognizes a parent or parent group/program that promotes the active involvement of parents for the improvement of the school or region in a manner that positively impacts student achievement.
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year (K-12) – Recognizes a young person or youth group for outstanding volunteer service in the school(s).
  • Charles Harding VIPS Senior of the Year – Recognizes a senior citizen (55 years or older) who assists schools, teachers and/or students in a manner that positively impacts student success.

Continue reading →

Special needs student lands full-time job at Houston Food Bank 

HISD has several transitional programs for students with cognitive disabilities that train them to find meaningful work and sustainable life situations after graduation. After two years in the H.E.A.R.T. program at the Houston Food Bank, Trevor has been hired as a full-time worker. Trevor is doing everything regular employees do—chopping vegetables, cutting bread, packaging meals, and washing trays and utensil. Trevor’s mother is thrilled.

Watch the video to find out what Trevor is planning to do with his first paycheck.

Assistant superintendent of School Choice named interim chief academic officer 

Noelia Longoria, HISD’s assistant superintendent of the Office of School Choice, has been named interim chief academic officer of the Houston Independent School District.

Longoria assumes her new role immediately, reporting to Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

“Ms. Longoria has more than 25 years of experience in urban education and a proven record of turning around underperforming schools,” Lathan said. “I am confident that she will have a positive impact in helping to guide instruction across our district.”  Continue reading →

HISD’s Workshop Wednesday emphasizes mindset in building business

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Local business owners were challenged to shift their mindset to achieve their highest potential and reach their goals during Workshop Wednesday, a monthly seminar for minority and women-owned business owners hosted by HISD’s Supplier Diversity Department.

The presentation was titled “Unstuck! Mindset Reset to Achieve ______.” and led by ActionCOACH South Houston President and CEO Ted Hair. The two-hour seminar explained how a mindset is formed, how it reflects everyday outcomes, and how it could potentially deter or encourage a successful business. Continue reading →

HISD to host Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum on April 28 

HISD invites parents and guardians to the 2018 Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum to meet with special education professionals, attend learning sessions, ask questions, and share input about special education in the district.

2018 Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Registration: 7:30-9 a.m.
Summit & Forum: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092)

Click here to register

The summit portion of the day begins at 9 a.m. and includes interactive presentations on understanding the IEP and special education process, supporting student achievement, supporting healthy parent and student relationships, and transition services. Food and child care will be provided.

Click here for a list of Parent Summit presentations 

The forum begins at 1:30 p.m. and will include a presentation on special education services available in HISD, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and share your concerns. There will be multiple ways to submit questions:

  • Ask a question during the forum portion of the meeting.
  • Submit your question electronically at the computer stations in the Hattie Mae White Lobby.
  • Email your question to SpEdSupportingParents@houstonisd.org or visit HoustonISD.org/SpecialEducation to submit a question electronically.
  • Ask your child’s school for a special education comment card, fill it out, and return it to your school’s front office, or call your school’s main office and request a comment card be mailed to you.

Click here to register. For more information, call the Special Education Parent Liaison Office at 713-556-7042 or contact SpEdSupportingParents@houstonisd.org

New Energy Institute High School holds first event in new building

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Excitement filled the halls of the new Energy Institute High School on Thursday as the school opened the building for the first time to welcome its incoming students to Freshman Signing Night.

During the event, the incoming class of 2022 officially committed to attending the school this fall and got their first Energy Institute High School t-shirts. Many students and their families arrived early, eager to preview the campus before its formal opening in August. Continue reading →

Together With Tech Student Conference set for April 7

The Second Annual Together with Tech Student Conference is all set for Saturday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St. The theme is “Mind, Body, and Soul,” and the idea is to brainstorm solutions that will help the community. More information is available at the Together With Tech website.

Continue reading →

HISD celebrating Earth Day throughout April 

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The Houston Independent School District’s Energy and Sustainability Department is celebrating Earth Day throughout the month of April.

All HISD campuses are invited to participate in the department’s “Earth Month” campaign, which aims to raise awareness and educate the community about the impact humans have on the environment and promote sustainable actions that help schools reduce their carbon footprints.

“We are looking forward to the students, staff, parents, and community participating in fun-filled educational events that will allow us to look at our behavior and how sustainable we are,” HISD Facilities Services Officer Alisha Jolivette said. “It is our hope that we will all participate in recycling opportunities and carry out sustainable initiatives.”  Continue reading →