Lisa McManus has been selected as the new principal of Roosevelt Elementary School. McManus is returning to HISD after spending a year abroad with her family. She began her career in education as an elementary bilingual teacher serving students in Austin ISD and then in HISD. During her 11-year tenure in HISD, she also served as a middle school math teacher, teacher specialist, dean of instruction, and most recently as principal of Herod Elementary School. McManus earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and her master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
15 Days of Code offers opportunity for daily interactive coding experiences
HISD Advanced Academics is providing a fun way to participate in Computer Science Education Week in December with the 15 Days of Code, made up of interactive calendars that allow students to engage in a new coding experience every day.
The activities on these three calendars for elementary, middle, and high school include lessons such as designing a web pages with HTML, creating a virtual pet, developing interactive art, and even teaching a robot to make crepes.
HISD’s 15 Days of Code coincides with Computer Science Education Week, which is Dec. 4-10. During this week, students and the greater HISD community are encouraged to join the worldwide movement and try one hour of coding as an introduction to computer science. Through this “Hour of Code,” students are challenged to think critically and solve problems as they learn the basics of computer programming. Continue reading
HISD closed next week for Thanksgiving holiday
All HISD schools and district offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 20, through Friday, Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Normal school and business operations will resume on Monday, Nov. 27.
Parent Guides offer detailed look at what children are learning in each grade level
Parents can now get a detailed look at what their child is learning in each grade level throughout the school year through the district’s new Parent Guides, which are aimed at empowering parents to become more involved in their child’s education.
The guides give parents important information about what their child should know and be able to do at each grade level and include activities that parents can do at home to further their child’s learning. They cover academics, social and emotional learning, parent empowerment, college and career readiness, important dates, and tools for success.
For elementary, there will be four guides total for the year – one for each nine-week period: first nine weeks, second nine weeks, third nine weeks, and fourth nine weeks. For middle and high school, there will be 2 guides total for the year – one for each semester: fall and spring. The guides are available for download at HoustonISD.org/ParentGuides.
Achieve 180 schools using new resource for student interventions
Universal screener allows teachers to identify struggling students and provide targeted plan of action
All HISD schools are using a new resource to ensure students who need interventions in reading and/or math receive the support they need.
The resource, called a universal screener, allows teachers to measure the current skillset of a student using a brief assessment that is conducted three times per school year. The data gathered from those assessments allows teachers to identify students who need interventions, plan a course of action to target their academic needs, and monitor their progress throughout the school year.
“By using the universal screener and the immediate data it provided, we were able to start interventions week one, we didn’t have to wait,” said Lysette Cooper, principal of Cook Elementary. Cook is one of 45 schools that is part of Achieve 180, a research-based action plan to support the district’s most historically underserved and academically challenged schools. Continue reading
HISD Board of Education approves inclusive practices for special education students
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a resolution to strengthen current services provided to HISD students with special needs to succeed in the general education classroom.
This resolution lays out a set of best practices for increasing the time that special education students spend in the general education classroom, while providing additional services and the support needed. The district recognizes the need to raise expectations for students with disabilities and educate them in the least restrictive environment.
“As the district focuses on equity in every classroom, we understand our special needs students deserve every resource we can offer to ensure they succeed,” Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “This resolution is a necessary next step to delivering the services they need.” Continue reading
Pilgrim Academy construction nears halfway mark
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Construction at Pilgrim Academy went vertical last month, as workers erected steel columns and framing to support the new building addition.
Work on the $8.9 million project is expected to reach the halfway mark by year’s end.
“It’s wonderful to see the project has progressed to this point,” Pilgrim Principal Diana Castillo said. “The expansion is much-needed, so there’s a lot of anticipation, and we’re eager to move in next spring.”
As part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program, the kindergarten through eighth grade school is receiving renovations and a new addition that includes a new science lab, a gymnasium, flexible learning areas, teacher work spaces and additional classrooms. Continue reading
Superintendent and Group 1 Automotive surprise teacher of the month
New recognition program to honor HISD teachers
Dogan Elementary School teacher Kazmere Dean admits she’s in need of a new car, but she never expected to be surprised with a shiny red BMW to drive for the rest of the month. The car, along with a $150 gift card, balloons , and other goodies were presented to the second grade teacher by Superintendent Richard Carranza and representatives from Group 1 Automotive VIP Services as part of her prize package as the November 2017 Teacher of the Month.
“Teachers complete a ton day-in and day-out for their students, and we are always working for the success of our students,” shared Kazmere. “To be appreciated for our work through this award, helps us reenergize and reignite our passion for teaching. I’m extremely appreciative and thankful to Superintendent Carranza and Group 1 Automotive.” Continue reading
Three HISD incumbents prevail on election night, one open seat filled, and two open seats head to runoffs
Houston Independent School District Board President Wanda Adams and Trustee Anne Sung were re-elected to the Board of Education Tuesday, while Trustee Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca won a seat she was previously appointed to, and Sue Deigaard won the open District V seat. The District I and District III seats will be decided in a runoff election.
Adams, a graduate of Kashmere High School and Texas Southern University, won a second term as the trustee for District IX. President Adams defeated Gerry Monroe and Karla Brown.
Sung, a Bellaire High School and Harvard University graduate, won her first full term as the trustee of District VII. She was elected in December of 2016 to fill the unexpired term of Harvin Moore. Trustee Sung defeated John Luman. Continue reading
Free home Internet access available for eligible high school students
Students in grades 9-12 must fill out a short survey by Nov. 17
The Sprint Foundation is providing HISD with a donation to provide free Internet access to high school students (grades 9-12) who currently do not have high-speed Internet at home.
To determine eligibility for the donation, high school students must complete a short survey by Nov. 17 indicating what type, if any, of internet access they have available to them at home.
Students may complete the survey at https://goo.gl/SrpWNw.
Eligible students will be notified by the district and provided with additional details during the spring 2018 semester. Parents and students are not financially responsible for the donation. Recipients will keep the mobile hotspot throughout their high school career (four years) at no cost to their families.