Dimitrie Rainey named new principal of Alcott Elementary

Dimitire Rainey poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Dimitrie Rainey has been selected as the new principal of Alcott Elementary School. She began her career as a fifth–grade math teacher in Virginia’s Prince William County School District, and also worked in the District of Columbia School District and Maryland’s Prince George County School District. Rainey began her HISD career as a fifth-grade math teacher and department chair at Blackshear Elementary School. Over the next 10 years, she served HISD as a middle–school math teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal. Most recently she was assistant principal at RP Harris Elementary School.

Dimitrie received her bachelors of arts in elementary education at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and her master’s degree in administration and supervision from American College of Education. 

 

Elizabeth Garcia named new principal of DeChaumes Elementary

Elizabeth Garcia, DeChaumes Elementary (Houston Independent School District)Elizabeth Garcia has been selected as the new principal of DeChaumes Elementary School. Garcia began her career in education as an elementary-school teacher and has taught reading and English in both middle and high schools. She taught for five years in Colombia, South America, before joining HISD and building a successful newcomers’ program at Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center. While at Sam Houston, Garcia was recognized as a Tiger Teacher and ELA Teacher of the Year. She continued her career at Hamilton Middle School as dean of students working with the ELA, ESL, and Spanish departments, as well as the sixth- and eighth-grade teams.

Garcia earned her bachelor’s degree in education from University of Auburn and her master’s degree in education from University of Alabama. She holds a certificate of instructional leadership from University of St. Thomas and is certified to teach English, reading, ESL, and Spanish.

Richard A. Carranza named sole finalist for HISD superintendent

Veteran educator known for innovative work promoting bilingualism, global citizenship and addressing students’ social and emotional needs

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Wednesday named Richard A. Carranza as the sole finalist for superintendent of the nation’s seventh-largest school district. The vote was unanimous.

By Texas law, the board now must wait 21 days before taking a final vote on whether to hire Carranza.

Carranza is a life-long educator who served as a teacher, principal and in other leadership posts before rising to his most recent position as superintendent of the 53,000-student San Francisco Unified School District in California. Last year, Education Week profiled Carranza as a national 2015 Leader to Learn From. Fluent in English and Spanish, Carranza has led one of California’s most diverse, high-achieving public school systems since 2012.

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HISD Bond Oversight Committee tours new Condit ES, gets update on 2012 Bond Program

Condit Elementary School Principal Dan Greenberg shared his vision for 21st century learning on Tuesday as he led HISD Bond Oversight Committee members on a tour of his new school, which opens for students next  month.

Placing an emphasis on modern learning styles, the two-story school features bright colors, open spaces, large windows that let in copious amounts of light, and curved walls that create lots of seating nooks.

White boards are found throughout the hallways, creating pockets where students can gather and learn throughout the building.

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HISD receiving $1.2 million for more fresh fruits and vegetables in schools 

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Nutrition Services was awarded $1.2 million from the Texas Department of Agriculture to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to more HISD students. This year, TDA selected two more HISD elementary schools to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, for a total of 39 schools in the district now included in the program.

FFVP helps Nutrition Services meet its goals of providing HISD students with more fresh fruits and vegetables and healthier food options in district schools. Nutrition Services Senior Operations Manager Becky Campbell said the grant gives school children the opportunity to taste products not regularly found on school menus.

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Board of Education to consider superintendent candidates

Trustees could vote to name finalist or finalists

The Houston ISD Board of Education will meet Wednesday morning to discuss superintendent candidates, and possibly announce a finalist or finalists for the position. Continue reading →

HISD officials discuss impact of sending millions back to the state under “recapture” process

Property values in Houston are rising every year, but many of the tax dollars generated by that growth don’t stay with Houston schools. HISD must send $162 million – equal to half-a-million dollars per school – to the state of Texas this school year under a process called “recapture.”

In the latest episode of Up Close with Manuel Rodriguez, the HISD board president discusses this school funding model and its effects on HISD with Ashlea Graves, HISD director of government relations, and Glenn Reed, HISD general manager of budgeting and financial planning.

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New HISD campus leaders gather for intensive training, networking 

IMG_3920Campus principals face unique challenges, as they balance running a school while making sure the needs of their teachers and students are being met.

That’s why HISD has all new principals attending the annual New Leaders Institute (NLI), a 10-day intensive training event that gives them many of the tools and resources they’ll need to hit the ground running when the 2016-2017 school year begins. The NLI started July 6 and wraps up on Thursday, July 21.  Continue reading →

Volunteers help students fight the ‘Summer Slide’

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Music and reading merged Tuesday at Benbrook Elementary School in northwest Houston as volunteers from Target, the Houston Symphony and PricewaterhouseCoopers helped students take part in the 2016 Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Challenge Camps.

The camps, with the support of the Houston Area Urban League, aim to prevent the ‘Summer Slide,’ when students lose some of the academic gains made the previous school year. Activities include music lessons and exercises that combine math, science, reading and critical thinking.

Camps were also held at Kashmere Gardens and Atherton, and next week students at Highland Heights will participate.

Special Education conference focuses on creating positive culture for students  

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During her keynote speech Tuesday at HISD’s Special Education Conference, Kelly Brown told the story of a woman named Araminta Ross. As a child, she had been beaten, causing life-long pain and dizziness, and she had no formal education.

Brown, an assistant professor at Prairie View A&M University, went on to explain that Ross didn’t let her circumstances define or limit her. She eventually changed her name to Harriet Tubman and went on to be an extraordinary figure in American history.  Continue reading →