2016 Grads Within Reach walk recovers more than 50 students

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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and a team of volunteers from Booker T. Washington High School walked the neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, knocking on doors and talking to dropouts about returning to school. They were part of a team of volunteers from HISD high schools participated in the district’s annual Grads Within Reach walk and convinced students across the city to come back to school and continue their education.

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Workshop attendees learn growth strategies for small business

This month’s Workshop Wednesday featured a presentation from Melissa Rascon, managing partner and founder of The Rascon CPA Firm, who discussed business strategies to grow a small business as well as tax updates and tips.IMG_8688

“When you start your business, it’s so important to have a passion for what you do and be very deliberate in your plans,” Rascon said. “A positive attitude and state of mind are essential.”

Rascon also discussed the pros and cons of various corporate structures, the importance of focusing on sales every day, and which numbers a business owner should keep an eye on.

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Foster ES unveils newly built reading nook, thanks to partnership

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Foster Elementary partnered with the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, Quanex, and EWI on on Wednesday for the school’s “Jungle Book Reveal.”

These organizations helped the school build a jungle-themed reading nook in the school library and also provided second-grade students with free books, backpacks and school supplies.

“The creation of this Jungle Nook is aligned with the Literacy by 3 initiative, as well as our push to ensure that all students become literate on our campus,” said Foster Elementary School Principal Eric Tingle.

Neil Bush was on hand address the second-graders, and speakers from each of the organizations also participated.

All second-graders also received a free copy of the book “The Day the Crayon Quit,” which was signed by Texans Cheerleaders in attendance.

Summit connects schools with wrap-around services in Houston community 

Principals network with more than 120 city, county, and nonprofit service providers to help serve their students and families

HISD principals were able to connect with more than 120 different city, county, and nonprofit service providers available to their students and families as part of the district’s first ever Wrap-Around Services Summit.

The summit, held at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center on Sept. 7, was designed as a networking opportunity for campuses to identify resources available to their school communities in the areas of behavior and medical related services, parent education, vocational/workforce training, and other social services.

“Some schools may not even know what exists out there,” said District V Trustee Mike Lunceford. “There is an assortment of organizations who have the ability to help our children, and we need to reach out and make sure that all of our schools benefit from these services.”  Continue reading →

Connie Smith named new principal of Thomas Middle School

Connie Smith poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Connie Smith has been selected as the new principal of Thomas Middle School. She brings to the position more than 18 years of experience in secondary schools. She began her career as a high school biology teacher in the New Orleans Parish School System before moving to Houston and becoming a science teacher at Jackson Middle School. In 2010, Smith became assistant principal, and later she was the dean of instruction at Ortiz Middle School. In 2014, she was promoted to the principal of Kelso Elementary School, where she served the district for two years. Smith has a bachelor of science in biology from Dillard University and a masters in educational mid-management from Prairie View A&M University. 

 

School Choice Fairs highlight special programs, magnet application process

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Weekly campus tours also planned; applications accepted Sept. 30 through Dec. 9

The Houston Independent School District Office of School Choice will host five School Choice Fairs and offer weekly campus tours at all magnet campuses throughout the fall semester for families to meet with magnet representatives and learn about the 2017-2018 application process, which begins Sept. 30.

Families will be able to attend a fair to learn more about the district’s 119 Magnet programs, which specialize in areas such as fine arts, language studies, college and career readiness and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math).

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HISD Trustee Anna Eastman wins public elected official award

Houston Independent School District Board of Education Trustee Anna Eastman has been honored as the 2016 Public Elected Official of the Year by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Houston ISD District 1 Trustee Anna Eastman

Houston ISD District 1 Trustee Anna Eastman

The award recognizes outstanding service and contributions of an elected official who has shown leadership in the formulation of public policy, particularly areas that affect social justice, health care, education, civil and human rights, and social practice. The award is bestowed by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, which has nearly 6,000 members and is committed to advancing the social work profession across the state.

The organization recognized Eastman for her role in supporting the expansion of a non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity within HISD, only the second district in Texas to do so. Eastman also introduced the Human Rights Campaign Welcoming Schools program to the district to provide educators with professional development tools to support LGBT youth and prevent bullying. Continue reading →

Dan De León named new principal of Sharpstown High School

Dan De León has been selected as the new principal of Sharpstown High School. He is currently the principal of The Rusk School, where he has served since 2015. De León began his career with HISD in 1988 as a teacher and has been the principal at Carrillo Elementary, Edison Middle, and Chavez High School. After graduating from HISD schools, De León earned a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has completed graduate work at the University of Houston and Texas A&M University.

Organizations team up to offer reading incentive for Sherman ES students

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LyondellBasell and Changing Young Children’s Lives through Education (CYCLE) led Sherman Elementary School students in a pep rally to celebrate the organizations’ donation of $30,000 to the school.

CYCLE rewards students with new bicycles for achieving better academic performance in the classroom. The donation will support Sherman’s early childhood reading program, and the students will participate in CYCLE’s reading program throughout the 2016 fall semester. Students who reach their reading goals will be awarded one of several bicycles in December donated by LyondellBasell.

Barrick ES shows appreciation for HISD police officers with ‘Hug an Officer’ day

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Houston ISD police officers stopped by Barrick Elementary School on Friday to give students hugs as part of the school’s “Hug an Officer” day.

The event was created to show appreciation for local law enforcement and to encourage positive interactions between students and police officers. Officers visited various classes, offering hugs and answering questions about police work.

The HISD Police Department has nearly 210 police officers and is the only accredited public school district police department in the nation. The department responds to more than 81,380 calls per year across 300 square miles in the Houston area.