HISD names student winners of 2017 holiday greeting card contest 

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The Houston Independent School District on Monday announced the winners of the district’s 2017 holiday greeting card competition that features creative student artwork highlighting holiday traditions, seasonal decorations, and classic holiday songs.

The winners – fifth-grader Marissa Reyes of Scroggins Elementary School, seventh-grader Sophie Hinh of Pershing Middle School, and ninth-grader Daisy Prince of Lamar High School – were among 60 finalists from elementary, middle and high schools. All finalists received a boxed set of their holiday cards. All designs will also be available for purchase and on display at the HISD administration building.  Continue reading →

Foundation at new Madison HS more than halfway complete

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Construction on the new Madison High School is now fully underway, with the foundation two-thirds of the way complete and tilt walls being erected.

Demolition of both the temporary buildings and dugouts have been completed. In addition, the school’s parking lot on White Heather Drive is nearly complete, and site utilities are also being installed.

“I am very excited about the progress and can’t wait to see the finished product,” Madison Principal Orlando Reyna said, mentioning his recent walk-through of the construction site.

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HISD to unveil 2017 holiday greeting cards designed by students

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The Houston Independent School District on Monday will unveil its 2017 holiday greeting card collection designed by students as part of the district’s annual holiday card competition.

This year, 60 students from elementary, middle, and high schools are finalists. The winning cards will be announced by HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.

HISD schools, offices closed Friday for Astros World Series victory celebration

District will resume regular schedule Monday, Nov. 6

The Houston Independent School District will be closed Friday, Nov. 3, to allow students and staff to enjoy the festivities and parade to celebrate our World Series Champions.

“Our hometown heroes are World Series Champions for the first time in franchise history,” Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “This is a memorable moment for our city and a time to celebrate, especially after the challenges Houston has faced over the past several months.” Continue reading →

Achieve 180 campuses providing literacy and wraparound supports for students 

Leaders from Dogan ES and Henry MS provide progress update to board 

Students at Patrick Henry Middle School are getting intense support and specialized interventions to improve their literacy skills as part of the district’s Achieve 180 initiative. The campus has added a literacy specialist, is utilizing a universal screener to determine student reading levels, and is providing literacy report cards for every student.

“We will be having meetings for all of our parents to go over the report cards so they can understand what level their child is at,” said Principal Kenneth Brantley. “Plus we are going to provide them with free resources and things they can do at home to directly support their child in reading and writing.”  Continue reading →

Workshop Wednesday focuses on maximizing the value of businesses

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Local business owners and vendors gathered on Wednesday to hear from Bank of America executives on the multiple ways to grow their businesses by increasing and monitoring cash flow.

Vice President of Global Banking & Markets Brian Barrow and his colleague, Vice President of Small Business Banking Doris Leal, began their presentation by asking questions about each attendee’s work industry and job title. The presentation was a part of the Workshop Wednesday series hosted by HISD’s Business Assistance Supplier Diversity department. Continue reading →

Learn about Advanced Placement courses during AP Parent Night on Nov. 14 

Over the next few months, HISD’s Advanced Academics Department will be hosting multiple parent information sessions on Advanced Placement courses.

The fall parent information session will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092).

HISD offers students the chance to earn college credit while still in middle and high school by taking advantage of AP courses. Last year, HISD students took 28,236 AP exams, which resulted in more than $9 million in college savings for students and their families.   Continue reading →

Worthing HS construction making progress

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Construction at Worthing High School is quickly advancing, with renovations to the fine arts wing complete and work on the building addition underway.

Crews have renovated the auditorium stage, music rooms, restrooms, locker rooms, and clinic in the existing building. Additionally, the foundation for the new building has been poured and almost two-thirds of the steel framing is in place, with concrete walls for the JROTC and weight room going up.

“This community is ready to see this building, so I’m excited to tell them we’re still on schedule,” Worthing Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone said, noting that she was pleased the project timeline had not been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

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Mandarin Immersion Magnet School dedicates new Dragon & Phoenix Spark Park 

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Mandarin Immersion Magnet School students on Friday climbed aboard a dragon, a phoenix, and other colorful playground equipment at the school’s dedication of its new Spark Park.

The Dragon and Phoenix Spark Park is the first in a series of Spark park dedications around the city. November is going to be a busy month, with 10 new parks opening in five school districts – three more of which are in HISD.

During Spark Week (Nov. 13-17), eight more parks will be dedicated, including parks at HISD’s Hartsfield Elementary, Clifton Middle, and Mark Twain Elementary.  Continue reading →