Power of Public: Bringing science to life for every child

Nicole Mut turned quantum physics into something anyone can understand, making her one of 15 finalists in a global contest. HISD is exposing students to STEM at all levels and offering STEM-focused programs at magnet schools and public charters, pathway schools, and through 23 TIF 4 grant schools.

Editor’s Note: February 27 through March 3 is Texas Public Schools Week, and we are celebrating by sharing personal stories throughout HISD on how public education is helping students succeed. Tweet at us @HoustonISD and share how public education is positive force for you or your student, using the hashtag #PowerofPublic.

As far back as she can remember, Nicole Mut has been interested in science. Her parents, both engineers, wove science and engineering topics into everyday activities. Family vacations were often spent in national parks, where Nicole’s dad would explain about animals or the environment, and discussions often dealt with the reasons behind why things are the way they are.

Nicole’s passion for all things STEM was further nurtured by enthusiastic teachers with whom she felt a personal connection. She remembers her seventh-grade science teacher explaining course material in ways that made the lesson seem like an adventure. Her fifth-grade teacher made a strong impact when she encouraged Nicole to participate in a STEM contest where she explored turning algae into biofuel.

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HISD students to interview NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station   

Houston ISD students from Hartsfield Elementary School will be given an exclusive opportunity to speak with and interview NASA astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson, who is currently living and working aboard the International Space Station, where she serves as the flight engineer on Expedition 50.

Students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades will ask Dr. Whitson about her time in space and what motivated her to become an astronaut. The 20-minute Earth-to-space call at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 3, will allow students to hear and see crewmembers live from space. The livestream of the call will air on NASA Television and http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv.

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Power of Public: Providing resources that give every child a level playing field

Valencia Grayson put in practice time off the field with Khan Academy’s free SAT prep courses — and gained the point increase she needed to pursue her dream of playing sports at a Division I university.

Editor’s Note: February 27 through March 3 is Texas Public Schools Week, and we are celebrating by sharing personal stories throughout HISD on how public education is helping students succeed. Tweet at us @HoustonISD and share how public education is positive force for you or your student, using the hashtag #PowerofPublic.

Valencia Grayson loves sports, and she was fairly certain that her SAT scores were not good enough to get her into a university where she could compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.

“I knew I had to get my math scores up, and I didn’t know what to do,” she said. “Then somebody at school showed me Khan Academy.” Continue reading →

HISD names new chief of staff

Cynthia Wilson

The Houston Independent School District has selected Cynthia Wilson as the district’s new chief of staff.

Dr. Wilson currently serves as chief of staff of the Dallas Independent School District, with more than 20 years of experience in public schools. Prior to joining Dallas ISD, she served as a superintendent of the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 in South Carolina.

She also is a former HISD staff member, having served in various roles, including a regional and area superintendent, school principal, assistant principal, and teacher.

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Help make this a prom to remember for HISD students 

HISD’s Homeless Education Office is requesting donations of formal attire for hundreds of homeless and at-risk high school seniors planning to attend their prom. The homeless office is requesting formal dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry for girls and tuxedo rentals, men’s shirts, and men’s shoes for boys.

Donations may be dropped off at the following locations:

  • Hattie Mae White Education Support Center, Room 3SW11, 4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092 (713-556-6800)
  • HISD Homeless Education Office, Peck Elementary School, 5001 Martin Luther King, Houston, 77021 (713-556-7237)
  • Bee Busy Wellness Center, 8785 W. Bellfort, Houston, 77031 (713-771-2292)

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Milestone ceremonies planned this week for Codwell ES, Sterling Aviation HS

The South Area feeder pattern on Friday will host milestone celebrations at Codwell Elementary School and Sterling Aviation High School to showcase improvements and investments in South Area schools.

The event will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony at Codwell Elementary, which is receiving a $12.5 million renovation that will allow it to reopen to students. The event will conclude at Sterling Aviation High School, which will celebrate its new 237,000-square-foot facility, which was constructed as part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.

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Power of Public: Teaching every child skills for independence

Grace is one of 17 HISD students with developmental disabilities working at the Houston Food Bank through a partnership with H.E.A.R.T. (Housing, Entrepreneurship, and Readiness Training). HISD has several programs to help young adults like Grace transition successfully from high school to a productive adult life.

Editor’s Note: February 27 through March 3 is Texas Public Schools Week, and we are celebrating by sharing personal stories throughout HISD on how public education is helping students succeed. Tweet at us @HoustonISD and share how public education is positive force for you or your student, using the hashtag #PowerofPublic.

Grace keeps looking at her watch. It’s quite impressive — a large wristwatch she got for Christmas. It’s the perfect gift for this 19-year-old developmentally disabled HISD student, because her life is busy, and she can’t be late to her internship at the Houston Food Bank.

“I get up at 5:20 a.m., shower, dress, and fix my lunch,” Grace said. “I have to catch the bus at 6:20 a.m., but sometimes it comes early, so I go to the bus stop at 6:10 a.m.” Continue reading →

Support Houston’s school gardens at Saturday farmer’s market

Stock up on fresh produce, get seasonal recipes and learn about backyard gardening and composting – all while supporting local schools – at the Urban Harvest Kid-Run Farmer’s Market from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center.

Student gardeners from six HISD schools – Briargrove ES, Wilson Montessori PK-8, Gregory-Lincoln PK-8, Hogg MS, The Monarch School, and Westside HS – will be selling fresh vegetables and seeds and offering gardening and cooking demonstrations. All proceeds go back into the schools’ gardening programs.

There will also be family-friendly activities, including face-painting, crafts, and games.

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center is located at 1101 Taft St., Houston, TX 77019.

Power of Public: Giving every child the ‘Chance to Dance’

Ivan Gonzalez is dressed as his character for the 2016 production of “The Nutcracker” at the Wortham Center, performed by the Houston Ballet.

Editor’s Note: February 27 through March 3 is Texas Public Schools Week, and we are celebrating by sharing personal stories throughout HISD on how public education is helping students succeed. Tweet at us @HoustonISD and share how public education is positive force in you or your student’s life, using the hashtag #PowerofPublic.

“Don’t be nervous, Ivan. Just do your best.”

Ivan Gonzalez was about to perform in Houston Ballet’s 2016 production of “The Nutcracker” at the Wortham Center, and his father was there to calm his nerves.

The “Nutcracker” was not Ivan’s first stage production. In May 2015, the Wainwright Elementary student was selected to participate in Houston Ballet’s “Chance to Dance” program, a series of free ballet classes for first- and second-graders at schools that don’t have a dance program and where 75% or more of the students are economically disadvantaged.

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Mark White ES French immersion program touted in French-American magazine 

Since opening its doors last August as the first public French immersion program in Texas and one of just a few in the country, Mark White Elementary School has been warmly received.

The opening of the unique school, where students spend part of the day learning in French and part learning in English, is particularly welcome news to the French community and those who speak the language — sometimes referred to as Francophones.

Recently, the new school was featured in an article in France-Amerique, America’s largest French-language magazine and the only one to be published throughout the country. The article, which is written in both French and English, discusses the benefits of the school’s dual-language program and its impact on the Francophone community.

Read the France-Amerique article here.

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