Retirees honored for years of service

Over 350 members of Team HISD praised for dedication to Houston’s children

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Teachers, principals, and district support staff retiring from HISD were honored for their years of service at a special ceremony on May 11. More than 350 members of Team HISD are choosing to retire this school year. Many, like Madesta Lily, have served the district and its children for decades.

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HISD announces school winners of ‘We Khan Do It’ Challenge  

To boost college readiness across the district, HISD in mid-January challenged the district’s schools to compete for the most students using Khan Academy before the SAT test – and the results are in.

The three high schools with the most usage will receive financial support to enhance their college centers and/or support for college visits. Because college readiness starts early, elementary and middle schools were also part of the challenge. As part of a photo competition challenge, elementary and middle schools also arranged college visits for students and then tweeted pictures of those events.  Continue reading →

HISD board approves partnership with City of Houston to help at-risk, non-traditional students

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved a partnership with the City of Houston that would allow HISD to use community-based multiservice centers to help reach non-traditional, at-risk students.

The partnership between HISD, the City of Houston Health Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Education would allow the district to offer its program through seven designated multiservice centers.

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New Energy Institute HS construction 40 percent complete

Construction on the new Energy Institute High School is almost halfway complete, with one building completely enclosed and the other two soon to follow.

Located at the rear of the new campus, the enclosed building — known as Building C — has a roof, walls and windows, as well as brick going up on the exterior, project officials said. All overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure has been installed, and the building soon will have permanent power access via a CenterPoint Energy transformer.

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Ketelsen ES educator named 2016-17 Bilingual Teacher of the Year  

Janet Rodarte

“If I can do it, you can, too!” That’s what Janet Rodarte tells her fifth-grade students at Ketelsen Elementary when one of them is on the verge of giving up.

She tells them her story, about being the daughter of two immigrants from Acuna, Coahuila, and stepping into the classroom speaking only Spanish, to let them know she understands.

“As the daughter of two immigrants who came to the United States for a better life, I know that if you have the mentality to succeed, you will,” Rodarte says.  Continue reading →

HISD board to discuss partnership with City of Houston to help at-risk, non-traditional students

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a partnership with the City of Houston that would allow HISD to use community-based multiservice centers to help reach non-traditional, at-risk students.

If approved, the partnership between HISD, the City of Houston Health Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Education would allow the district to offer its program through seven designated multiservice centers. Continue reading →

HSPVA senior named 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Student one of 161 across the nation to receive prestigious honor

Elle Cox

A senior who attends the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts in the Houston Independent School District has been named as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the highest honors for high school students.

Elle Cox is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., on June 18-20. Continue reading →

Barbara Jordan HS breaks ground on new regional career hub

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Neither gray skies nor threat of rain kept enthusiastic community members away from Barbara Jordan High School for Careers’ groundbreaking celebration on Tuesday, as more than 100 stakeholders turned out to mark the start of construction on a new $36.6 million facility.

“We’re celebrating an important milestone today,” said Jordan Principal Ross McAlpine. “We’ve spent a couple of years in planning, and now it’s great to see construction getting underway.”

The school is in the process of transitioning from a career magnet school to a regional career hub, which is open to students from nine area high schools. The new facility is expected to be complete in the third quarter of 2018. Continue reading →

HISD’s 2015-16 annual financial report earns top honors from two business organizations 

HISD has earned top recognition for its 2015-2016 annual financial report from two organizations – the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of Schools Business Officials International.

The Chicago-based Government Finance Officers Association awarded the district the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for having met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. That certificate “represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” said the letter to the district announcing the award.   Continue reading →

Cheniere Energy’s $150,000 grant to HISD schools benefits surrounding communities 

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Cheniere Energy has donated $150,000 to six HISD high schools, challenging students to use the funds to create a project that will impact their community.

Austin, Challenge Early College, Madison, Milby, North Houston Early College, and Westbury high schools are all part of the Cheniere LEAD (Leadership, Enrichment, and Development) Council program. Continue reading →