Lawson Middle School celebrates groundbreaking for new campus

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Nearly 500 students, staff, and school supporters attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Lawson Middle School on Friday to officially mark the start of construction on the new campus and to honor the dedicated educator for whom the school is now renamed.

Lawson is among 40 HISD schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program. The three-story, $59 million facility will be designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students and showcase their fine arts magnet program.

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A message from HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza 

The following is a message for the community from HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza in which he shares his excitement about joining HISD and a few of his goals for the district.

At the start of every new school year, I would get “butterflies,” whether I was a parent sending my child off to a new grade, a teacher meeting my next crop of young scholars, or a principal in charge of an entire campus. It’s no different as superintendent, but I promise you these are good butterflies – they signal excitement and anticipation about the great possibilities of what’s ahead.

The 2016-17 school year has begun, and my first act as your new superintendent was visiting several HISD campuses across this vast and diverse district on the first day of classes.

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Attendance Awareness Month kicks off today, highlighting impact of absences on student achievement

attendance-facebook-bannerSeptember is National Attendance Awareness Month, and HISD’s goal this year, and every year, is to ensure every HISD student attends school regularly.

If students miss too much school – regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student success, starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. If a student misses just 10 days a year, by the time they graduate they will have missed more than a year of school!

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Volunteers needed for Grads Within Reach Walk on Sept. 10

HISD’s Drop Out Prevention Office is looking for volunteers to help with HISD’s annual Grads Within Reach walk, which will take place 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.

Please help us visit the homes of students who have not returned for the 2016-2017 school year. These students must re-enroll in high school to complete the basic requirements for a high school diploma.

If you can help, fill out this form to register to walk with a group from the HISD high school of your choice. You will be able to select a high school when you complete the form.

For training materials, please email CSantos2@HoustonISD.org and a packet will be sent to you. For more information, click here.

For questions, please contact the Drop Out Prevention Office at 713-556-7017.

High School for Law and Justice project moves into next phase of construction

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Construction crews are beginning to mobilize at the site of the new High School for Law and Justice after receiving a “notice to proceed” from HISD earlier this month.

The notice followed the completion of comprehensive site demolition work and starts the clock ticking on an approximate 17-month construction timeline.

“The planning and preparation takes much longer than the actual construction,” said Spencer Wingate, HISD’s project manager overseeing HSLJ’s new construction. “Everything’s looking good at this point, and we’re on track to meet our target completion date in December 2017.”  Continue reading →

Maria “Lola” Perejon-Lasheras named new principal of Helms Elementary

Maria “Lola” Perejon-Lasheras has been appointed principal of Helms Elementary School. Perejon-Lasheras has served HISD in various capacities for more than 16 years. Prior to this, she was assistant principal at Helms, and before that a curriculum specialist in the HISD Curriculum Department. Perejon-Lasheras holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Complutense University of Madrid. She obtained her principal’s certification through University of St. Thomas.

 

John Baker named new principal of Marshall Elementary

John Baker poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)John Baker has been appointed principal of Marshall Elementary School. Baker has served HISD as a principal for more than 10 years. Prior to this, he was the principal of Helms Elementary School, and before that, he served as the principal of Browning, Davila, and Twain elementary schools. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of Houston.

 

Special school board election draws four applications

Candidates seek to serve unexpired term representing District VII

Four candidates have filed applications for a position on the Nov. 8 special election ballot for the unexpired HISD Board of Trustees District VII term of office.

Applications for the District VII Board of Education position were filed by the following individuals (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Victoria Bryant
  • John Luman
  • Danielle D. Paulus
  • Anne K. Sung

The special election was called after incumbent District VII Trustee Harvin Moore announced his resignation after 13 years of service. Moore’s term of office runs through 2017, and he will continue to serve on the board until a successor is elected. Early voting begins Oct. 24. Click here for more election information.