HISD Construction Services hosts employee appreciation lunch

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Dozens of employees tasked with building and renovating HISD schools were honored Friday for their hard work and dedication during the district’s Construction Services quarterly update and appreciation luncheon.

Last month, the Construction Services team completed and opened nine new and renovated schools in time for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. Their openings bring the 2012 Bond Program’s completion rate to just under 50 percent.

The team also was called upon in late August to help repair and relocate schools that were severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

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Sharpstown HS construction to be completed at year’s end

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With construction almost complete, Sharpstown High School students are on track to begin the 2018 spring semester in their new building.

Installation of flooring, kitchen equipment, doors, auditorium electrical wiring, exterior landscaping, and the elevator are all underway, project officials said. In addition, ceilings are being enclosed and exterior and interior painting is wrapping up. Furniture is set to be delivered in early November.

The $62.8 million project, which is a part of the HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, will accommodate 1,300 to 1,500 students.

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New Parker ES on track to open in January

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Parker Elementary School will have a new look for 2018, as construction on the new building inches closer to its scheduled December completion.

Exterior brick and roof installations are nearly complete, and steel framing is underway, as is the installation of insulation and dry wall. In addition, building heating and cooling systems are being tested and crews are painting the cafeteria’s exterior.

“I’m extremely anxious, but very excited,” Parker Principal Lori Frodine said. “We’ve been planning for our new school for several years, so it’s wonderful to see it come together. We can’t wait to move in.”

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College & Career Day at Prairie View A&M registration closed

Registration for HISD Family College & Career Day at Prairie View A&M University, sponsored by Board President Wanda Adams and the HISD Office of College & Career Readiness, on Saturday, Nov. 4 , is closed.

Parents and students should report to the Hattie Mae White ESC (4400 W. 18 St.) by 9 a.m., as the buses will leave promptly at 9:30 a.m. The tour will return to the Hattie Mae White ESC no later than 3 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Transportation from your campus to the Hattie Mae White ESC may be available; see your counselor or college adviser for additional details.

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Board receives progress update on Achieve 180 initiative

Kashmere, Wheatley, and Woodson PK-8 leaders present challenges and changes on their campuses

HISD Board of Education trustees received an update at the Oct. 12 board meeting on Achieve 180, a research-based action plan to support, strengthen, and empower underserved and underperforming schools across HISD.

Achieve 180 School Support Officer Felicia Adams made a presentation on the progress that has been made at the 44 campuses included in the program and outlined the amount of time that has been spent on each of its six guiding pillars: leadership excellence, teacher excellence, instructional excellence, school design, social and emotional learning supports, and family and community empowerment. Best practices from previous successful school turnaround initiatives have been incorporated into the pillars. Continue reading →

HISD Trustees approve policy reinforcing commitment to wraparound services

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a policy designed to reinforce the district’s commitment to providing students with wraparound services to better support their social and emotional needs outside the classroom.

The new policy – titled Student Support Services – outlines the Board’s belief that wraparound services are rooted in strong communities and directs the Superintendent to develop the framework for implementing community-based services.

The services are designed to address critical issues such as mental health, physical needs, food insecurity, violence at home, parent incarceration, and legal and crisis support. Continue reading →

Achieve 180 focus of District IX community meetings 

HISD Board of Education President Wanda Adams is hosting a series of District IX community meetings  this month to discuss the district’s Achieve 180 initiative, a research-based action plan to support, strengthen, and empower underserved and underperforming schools. Nine schools located in District IX are included in the initiative.

During the Oct. 9 meeting at Madison High School, which is an Achieve 180 campus, Adams showed a welcome message from Superintendent Carranza, who asked parents and community members to join the Achieve 180 movement.

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HISD Board of Education to consider policy reinforcing wraparound services commitment

Wraparound services are key part of Achieve 180 plan to support and empower struggling schools

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education tonight will consider a policy designed to reinforce the district’s commitment to providing students with wraparound services to better support their social and emotional needs outside the classroom.

The proposed policy – titled Student Welfare: Student Support Services – outlines the board’s belief that wraparound services are rooted in strong communities and directs the superintendent to develop the framework for implementing community-based services.

The services are designed to address critical issues such as mental health, physical needs, food insecurity, violence at home, parent incarceration, and legal and crisis support. Continue reading →

Workers install tilt-walls and steel beams at Sam Houston MSTC

Construction on the new Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center is well underway and moving forward as scheduled with no significant impact to the timeline resulting from Hurricane Harvey.

Since breaking ground last spring, workers have completed underground mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation, along with most of the foundation work. Tilt walls are currently being raised, and are more than halfway complete.

“The project has been running very smooth so far,” said Skanska Project Manager Scott Conley, who oversees the Houston MSTC construction for the Houston Independent School District. “We’re on track with the schedule and pleased with the progress.” Continue reading →

Nominations for H-E-B Excellence in Education awards due Oct. 22 

Staff, students, parents, and community members can make nominations 

Do you know an HISD educator that deserves the ultimate recognition for their hard work?

Nominate your favorite teacher and/or principal for H-E-B’s Excellence in Education award. Anyone can make a nomination, including HISD staff, students, parents and community members. You can even nominate yourself. Click here to nominate one or more HISD educators by Sunday, October 22, 2017.

Teacher finalists will win $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their campus. Principal finalists will win $1,000 for themselves and $2,500 for their campus. In addition, all finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the awards celebration and a special reception in their honor.  Continue reading →