Board unanimously appoints Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca to serve unexpired Trustee District VI term

Flynn Vilaseca to take oath of office on Thursday

hollymaria_2Houston ISD Trustees on Monday unanimously agreed to appoint Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca (Ocampo) to serve the unexpired trustee term representing District VI on the district’s west side.

Flynn Vilaseca, who is fluent in English and Spanish, worked as a bilingual teacher at HISD’s Windsor Village Elementary School as a Teach for America corps member from 2004 to 2006. Since then, Ms. Vilaseca has continued working in the education field with Battelle for Kids, K12 Inc., and thinkLaw.

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State releases ‘work-in-progress’ report on new accountability system

Methodology likely to change before official A-F ratings are released in 2018

The Texas Education Agency on Friday released a “work-in-progress” report on school accountability ratings in an effort to preview how the actual ratings might look in 2018.

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring all public schools and districts to be issued a single overall grade of A, B, C, D, or F. These future ratings are to be based on student performance in five areas, or domains: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps, post-secondary readiness, and community and student engagement.

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M/WBE documentation requirements explained at monthly workshop

This month’s Workshop Wednesday featured members of HISD’s Business Assistance Supplier Diversity team discussing requirements and tips for completing Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) documentation, which all vendors doing business with the district are required to submit.

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HISD schools office organized by region under 7 chief school officers 

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza recently announced the reorganization of the district’s schools office. HISD’s 287 schools have been divided by region and placed under the stewardship of seven chief school officers, all of whom report directly to Deputy Superintendent Dr. Samuel Sarabia. Continue reading →

New year, new school for Sterling Aviation HS students

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The first day back at school after winter break isn’t usually a day to celebrate among high school teens wishing they had one more day to sleep in.

But the atmosphere at Sterling Aviation High School was different on Wednesday as students reported for the first time to their new campus — a grand building with spacious classrooms, broad windows, colorful furniture, and the latest technology.

“It’s better than the old building,” said Sterling senior Rae’janae Bennings, as she caught up with friends outside the central dining commons before the first bell.  “It’s bigger, and it looks way better.”

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January is School Board Recognition Month

2016-board-of-trustees

January is School Board Recognition Month, and the Houston Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to honor local leaders for their dedication and willingness to serve as advocates for public schools.

These dedicated public servants become school board trustees to serve as advocates for schoolchildren because they are committed to improving public education and their communities. They devote many hours to making sure the children receive a high-quality education that will make them lifelong learners and prepare them for success. They make sure America’s school districts provide students with schools that are safe and have the resources and instructional programs they need to educate children to their fullest potential.

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HISD mourns loss of former Board of Education Trustee Arthur Gaines

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The HISD family is mourning the loss of former Board of Education District IV Trustee Arthur Gaines, a pioneering servant and leader in the state’s largest school district.

Gaines was elected to the HISD Board of Education in 1991, served as board president in 1995, and retired in 2007 at the age of 81. He passed away on Friday. A lifelong educator, Gaines joined HISD in 1948 as a classroom teacher. He was among the district’s first wave of high-ranking African-American administrators, and he held several top-level positions in central administration.

“Mr. Gaines was a pillar of the HISD community and a selfless public servant,” said HISD Board President Manuel Rodriguez, who served on the board with Gaines. “He was a true gentleman, a wise friend, and generous mentor to me and many others who served on the board over the years. HISD is a great school district because of the foundation put in place by people like Mr. Gaines.”

Current District IV Trustee Jolanda Jones said Gaines was an effective advocate for all children, and particularly those in his community, which includes the Third Ward and Sunnyside areas on Houston’s south side.

“Mr. Gaines is a legend in our community, and I am proud to serve the neighborhoods he once represented,” Jones said.

Santa is part of the family at Fonwood ECC

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Students and staff at Fonwood Early Childhood Center didn’t just get a new building this year, they also got a new friend.

The new early childhood center opened to students in August, but crews have remained on site finishing punch list items. Though most work is done after school hours, HISD Construction Project Manager Dwight Wilson is at the school most days to oversee the project and ensure students are safe and work is being finished correctly.

It’s safe to say he has made quite an impression.

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New HISD Chief Operating Officer pledges outreach, assistance to small business owners

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Houston Independent School District Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby pledged more outreach and assistance to small business owners seeking to do business with the district in his first public appearance since being named to lead the district’s business operations division and its 7,000 employees.

“This is not a job for me, but a lifeblood,” Busby told the Greater Houston Black Chamber on Thursday. “I didn’t take this job to get to the next job. I took this job to make a difference in the lives of our students.”

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Student Spotlight: Girls Art Squad creates amazing art project

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“The Breakout” is an enchanted fairy-tale art project, complete with animal sculptures created by a group of J.P. Henderson fifth-graders who call themselves the “Girls Art Squad.” They initiated the project on their own and completed it in their Culture Core class this past semester.

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