Haydee Cavazos has been selected as the new principal of Kennedy Elementary School. Most recently, Cavazos was an elementary school assistant principal in Aldine ISD. She began her career in education in 2004 as a teacher’s assistant and bilingual teacher prior to moving into school administration in 2013. Cavazos earned a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies at University of Houston–Downtown and a master of education in administration from Sam Houston State University.
Bond Oversight Committee tours Milby HS, hears update on third quarter construction progress
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The Houston Independent School District’s Bond Oversight Committee got an inside look at the new Milby High School while touring the campus as part of their regular quarterly meeting on Tuesday.
The eight-member group got to see 21st century learning in action as they made their way through the dining commons, library, gym, and various classroom spaces, including the welding, science, and culinary arts labs.
They also walked through the large central courtyard and got to see the historic main entrance, which now leads to a park-like green space. Continue reading
HISD to broadcast live DACA Town Hall
The Houston Independent School District will hold a live town hall on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program at 3 p.m. on Nov. 13, and it will be streamed via HISD-TV and social media.
The program will address questions about DACA, which was created in 2012 to allow young people brought to the U.S. by their parents to get a temporary reprieve from deportation and to receive permission to work, study, and obtain a driver’s license. DACA recipients who did not apply for renewal by Oct. 5 are in danger of losing their protection from deportation and their work permit this year under a plan to start phasing out the program. Continue reading
HISD students turn storm-damaged doors into art in Project aDOORe
Students from 25 campuses across the Houston Independent School District are turning doors from storm-damaged homes into works of art that will be showcased throughout the city.
The fine arts initiative — known as Project aDOORe Houston — aims to strengthen school communities that were most impacted by Hurricane Harvey by providing students with a means to heal through the creation of art.
Students will use the doors to visually document how the storm affected them, their school, and their community. They also will be tasked with depicting how the city has overcome, united, and grown as a result of the storm. Continue reading
Wharton DLA construction project going vertical
Construction of the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is a quarter of the way complete, with interior demolition of the existing building finished and steel framing being erected for the new addition.
Crews are currently pouring concrete on the upper floors of the new three-story addition, as well as installing roofing, plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems within the existing building.
“I’m thrilled to see the new building taking shape,” Wharton Principal Jennifer Day said. “It’s going to be a great new 21st century learning facility for future generations.”
HISD teachers receive Hurricane Harvey relief grants
This week, more than 140 teachers across the district were awarded grant money that will go toward putting classrooms back together in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
Thanks to the HISD Foundation and many philanthropists and corporations locally and nationally, nearly $178,000 was awarded to teachers in partial or full grants of up to $1,500. The grants were awarded based on need, the number of applications, and available funds.
The storm left many HISD schools across the city damaged, and many teachers had limited resources to get their classrooms back up and running before the start of school. In September, teachers were encouraged to submit an application to request funds that would cover the costs of replacing classroom supplies, technology, and other resources that were lost as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey. Continue reading
New Kinder HSPVA on track to welcome students in January 2019
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Construction on the new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Houston is making steady progress, with work about 65 percent complete as of this quarter.
The $88 million campus, which is part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program, is located between Caroline and Austin streets near the city’s renowned arts and theater district. It is scheduled to open in January 2019.
After raising the five-story building to its highest point in May, workers have since installed the roof and exterior waterproofing and plan to have the entire building enclosed in the coming weeks. Connection of permanent power will follow, which will enable the air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems to be up and running by late November. Continue reading
Revised survey available from HISD Transportation on 2018-2019 standardized school start times
Editor’s note: The district has heard concerns about the initial survey that was presented earlier this week on standardized school start times, and in response has revised the survey to offer more choices and an opportunity to include comments. Questions are also added that will collect more information about the needs of those taking the survey.
HISD is considering standardizing school start times across grade levels starting in the 2018-19 school year, with the goal of increasing the efficiency of bus transportation, and is conducting a survey to collect parent feedback.
Across more than 280 campuses, HISD manages 67 different school start times – which is the highest number in the state. This poses challenges to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for students. Those challenges include: ineffective routes, increased cost of maintenance and repairs, and reduced availability for field trips and athletic events (an increased cost for campuses).
Special needs students return for second year of transitional work program
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With the beginning of a new school year, there are new classes underway in HISD’s transitional programs for students with cognitive disabilities that train them to find meaningful work and sustainable life situations after graduation.
HISD students participate in classes within the community at the Houston Food Bank (HISD/H.E.A.R.T.), Houston Community College, and Texas Children’s Health Plan (Project SEARCH).
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we revisited the Houston Food Bank to see how students are doing (see last year’s story here). The second-year pilot program is underway, with four students returning from last year to experience real-world employment, working 40 hours a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. They are responsible for finding their own rides to work, and they use METROlift or get rides from family members. Continue reading
Waltrip HS celebrates ribbon-cutting and homecoming
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Waltrip High School students, staff and alumni roared with excitement Friday as they gathered before their new three-story building addition and watched as administrators cut a large red ribbon stretched across the entrance.
As the Ram Band began to play, cheerleaders and dance team members led the crowd in singing the Waltrip fight song.
“Go Rams!” Senior Class President Coby Johnston said, smiling at the energetic crowd.