Stephen Linkous has been selected as school support office for the North Area Schools Office. Linkous has served as the principal of Hartman Middle School since 2014. Linkous began his teaching career in Colorado as a middle-school bilingual social studies teacher, an ESL teacher, and an administrator at the high school level. He was also the principal of Franklin and Kempner middle schools in Colorado. Linkous holds a B.A. in history from Park University and a master’s in educational administration from the University of Denver. He is currently participating in the ALAS Superintendents Leadership Academy, Class of 2018. Linkous starts in his new role on September 25.
Delesa O’Dell-Thomas named new school support officer for West Area
Delesa O’Dell-Thomas has been promoted to school support officer for the West Area Schools Office. O’Dell-Thomas has been an educator for 26 years, 22 of which were with HISD. She began her teaching career in Orleans Parish School Board before joining HISD as a teacher at Henry Middle School. She was promoted to principal of M.C. Williams Middle School, and under her leadership, the school was rated recognized by the TEA. In 2011, she was instrumental in opening and serving as principal of HISD’s first all-girls STEM magnet school, Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. O’Dell-Thomas was named one of Houston’s 30 Most Influential Women this year. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southern University of New Orleans, her master’s in school administration from Xavier University of Louisiana-New Orleans, and she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Houston. O’Dell-Thomas starts in her new role on September 25.
HISD to host HCC ‘second start’ registration drives
If you are a Houston ISD graduate interested in pursuing a college education, it’s not too late! Houston Community College second start coursework begins on Monday, Sept. 25, and in-person support is available.
HISD’s Office of College & Career Readiness will hold second start registration drives on Thursday, Sept. 21 and Friday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the following locations: Continue reading
Nutrition Services plans Grandparents’ Day lunch for Thursday
After a late start to the school year, HISD’s Nutrition Services has rescheduled its annual Grandparents’ Day observance for Thursday, Sept. 21.
The observance, which is held in elementary schools throughout the district, is a special event that celebrates the important role of grandparents in the lives of our students and in our community. Elementary students are encouraged to ask their grandparents to join them for a special lunch.
This year’s menu will feature BBQ chicken or a chicken quesadilla, mashed potatoes, romaine salad, sweet potato cake and bottled water. Lunches for grandparents can be preordered in the school’s front office or purchased on the day of the event. The cost for adults is $4.
Each year, thousands of grandparents of HISD elementary students participate in the observance. Students often use the special time with their grandparents to introduce them to friends, teachers, and their school community.
Connie Berger named new school support officer for Northwest Area
Connie Berger has been appointed as the new school support officer for the Northwest Area Schools Office. Berger grew up in Houston and attended schools in HISD, graduating from Reagan High School, now Heights High School. She has been an educator for more than 34 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary principal, and high school principal. Berger has been an HISD principal since 1999 and was named Secondary Principal of the Year in 2012. As the principal of Heights High School for 11 years, she was responsible for dramatic growth and improvement, as the school evolved from an improvement-required campus to being named a Best of the Best High School by U.S News & World Report. Berger has a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in education from Stephen F. Austin University.
Magnet school applications for 2018-2019 available
Applications for magnet program for the 2018-2019 school year will be available starting on Friday, Sept. 22. HISD offers a robust portfolio of magnet programs at more than 100 schools to best meet your child’s academic needs and interests. The magnet programs within the district include:
No classes Friday for fall holiday, professional development
Students will not have classes on Fri., Sept. 22, for the district’s fall holiday. Classes will resume at the normal time on Monday, Sept. 25.
Schools will be holding professional development, and administrative offices will be open during normal business hours on Friday. School-based staff who have their principal’s permission to use previously uncompensated professional development time in lieu of Friday’s work day may do so.
Thursday is a full work day.
View the full academic calendar to review other holidays during the 2017-2018 school year.
Fondren MS opens Fondren Pantry for students, community after Harvey
Students at Fondren Middle School are launching a pantry for families in need, a year-long service that will serve as a community pantry for both students and families who were directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
The Fondren Pantry will be located on campus and will open to the community once a week to help ensure that all students have access to adequate food, toiletries, uniforms, and school supplies to help them be successful this year.
For those who wish to donate, these are the most-needed items:
- Non-perishable food items
- Uniforms: (khaki pants and solid white, gray, and black polo shirts)
- Backpacks: (clear or mesh)
- School supplies
- Toiletries
- Detergent and other essential household products.
For questions, please call Fondren MS at 713-778-3360.
Barbara Bush Foundation, partners donate 500 books to students affected by Harvey
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When Robinson Elementary School flooded, their neighborhood schools (Holland Middle and Pleasantville Elementary) stepped up to take in displaced students and their teachers. In order to support students, leaders from the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, American Federation of Teachers, Houston Federation of Teachers, and First Book visited Holland Middle School as part of a joint “Hurricane Harvey Relief: Essentials for Kids Fund” effort. The groups surprised students with more than 500 books on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017.
HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, AFT President Randi Weingarten, Barbara Bush Foundation Chairmen and Founders Neil and Maria Bush, First Book CEO and President Kyle Zimmer, and HFT president Zeph Capo observed two Holland MS classrooms filled with Robinson students learning.
HISD names new Chief Governmental Relations and Strategy Officer, Chief Development Officer
Ashlea Turner
The Houston Independent School District announced two leadership promotions, naming Ashlea Turner as Chief Governmental Relations and Strategy Officer and Ann Best Scott as Chief Development Officer.
Turner, who previously served as the district’s Government Relations Director, will lead HISD’s local, state, and federal policy efforts and implement strategies that advance the district’s legislative goals and funding needs. She has strong relationships with elected officials and school leaders statewide. Turner will continue to work with a collection of statewide partners and school districts to fight harmful legislation and push for school finance reform.
“I am encouraged to have Ashlea’s expertise in governmental relations as it pertains to public education,” Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “She has an indispensable knowledge of HISD’s legislative pursuits in school finance reform, and she always ensures that education is at the top of elected officials’ lists.”
Before joining HISD, Turner advocated for Houston’s business community at the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) and worked for several elected officials. She is a native Houstonian and a product of HISD schools. She is also an alumna of Stanford University and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and she is a recipient of Houston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award.
Ann Best Scott
“I am grateful to the Superintendent for this amazing opportunity to serve our students in a greater way,” Turner said. “HISD’s legislative goals remain a top priority. I look forward to advising the leadership on the best strategy to achieve our goals at all levels of government.”
Scott, who currently leads the HISD Foundation and will continue in that role, has been an advocate of educational opportunity and equity for all students for nearly 21 years. Scott will broaden efforts to raise funds for the district to support strategic district initiatives and ensure that all children can have access to a quality education.
“I am excited to work with Ann to raise the district’s profile with community and business stakeholders and to develop supports for our students and schools,” Carranza said. “Ann has a passion for education and our children, and she will be an unrelenting force in providing opportunities for our students.”