EMERGE fellows get first-hand look at college life

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Students tour over a dozen top-tier campuses in south and northeast

Nearly 200 students from high schools throughout HISD are getting a first-hand look at top-tier colleges in the south and northeast as part of the district’s EMERGE summer tours.

Ninety rising seniors are visiting schools in North Carolina and Virginia this week, while 75 rising sophomores are spending time in Massachusetts. The tours are designed to expose students in EMERGE, a program made up of high-performing students from underserved backgrounds, to colleges and universities outside of Texas, as well as opportunities to help them make the most informed decision in their pursuit of higher education.

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HISD dietitian named 2016 Outstanding Nutrition Educator

The Houston Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics presented HISD Education Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel with the 2016 Outstanding Nutrition Education Award recently at its end-of-the-year meeting, recognized Lengyel for her major contributions educating HISD students on nutrition.

Lengyel was awarded the distinction from among two other nutrition education professionals in the Houston area. The nominating committee recognized Lengyel’s inspiring leadership in nutrition education by teaching students healthy eating habits.

Nominating Committee Chair Kasandra Davis praised Lengyel’s innovative ideas for working with librarians, nurses and teachers. “Jenny loves teaching nutrition,” Davis said. “Many students remember her year to year and look forward to her exciting presentations.”

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Everett Hare named new principal of Bastian Elementary

Everett Hare poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Everett Hare has been selected as the next principal of Bastian Elementary School. He has served HISD in various capacities for 10 years, first as a teacher at Dodson Elementary School and next as vanguard coordinator at Pleasantville Elementary School. Since then, he has served in multiple leadership roles, most recently as assistant principal at Bastian since August 2015. 

Mr. Hare has a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Texas Southern University, where he is currently completing his doctoral studies. Mr. Hare has two children who attend HISD schools. 

This summer will mark turning point for bond program

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Every summer is hectic for HISD’s construction department, but the summer of 2016 is shaping up to be one for the record books as the district’s $1.89 billion Bond Program reaches a critical turning point.

With construction underway at about two dozen campuses and six new school buildings planned to open for the start of the new school year, there has never been a busier time for the district’s building programs.

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HISD boasts half of 8-county region’s top elementary, middle and high schools

District is home to No. 1 schools at every level in statewide rankings

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Houston Independent School District campuses occupy half of the top 10 slots on the 2016 Children at Risk public school rankings of the region’s best public schools.

Additionally, HISD schools took the statewide No. 1 ranking in every category, with River Oaks No. 1 among elementary schools, T.H. Rogers No. 1 in the middle school category, and DeBakey High School for Health Professions No. 1 at the high school level.

The rankings were publicly released Monday at a ceremony conducted at HISD’s Pilgrim Academy, which received special distinction as a Gold Ribbon school, recognizing the region’s highest-performing, high-poverty campuses. Continue reading →

Zabeth Parra-Malek named new principal of Benavidez Elementary

Zabeth Malek poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Zabeth Parra-Malek has been named the new principal of Benavidez Elementary School. She has served as an instructional specialist at Cunningham Elementary, a position she has held since 2013. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Houston, she began her career with HISD as a first-grade bilingual teacher at Scott Elementary. For eight years, Parra-Malek served students as a bilingual and dual-language teacher. In 2008, Parra-Malek transitioned from the classroom into administration, serving as instructional coordinator at Jaime Davila and Port Houston elementary schools. 

Parra-Malek holds a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.

Schools’ Office Organizational and Staffing Changes

As HISD prepares for the 2016-2017 school year, the district is taking the necessary steps to align the central office team in a way that best supports teaching and learning. Also, as a result of the $165 million recapture payment HISD must make to the state, the district is making changes to the organization and staffing structure at the cabinet level and throughout central office departments. Continue reading →

Yates High School community celebrates ceremonial groundbreaking for new school   

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Yates High School Principal Ken Davis made an impassioned promise Thursday as he spoke to the crowd of students, alumni and school supporters who gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for their new $59.4 million school.

“I pledge to you, just as I have the community and the children I serve, I’m going to do my very best to make their dreams come true,” Davis said, applause erupting throughout the auditorium as he spoke. “I may not get to the mountain top with you, but I’m going to make sure the road is paved for you to get there.”

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Help prevent ‘summer slide’ by mentoring for Read Houston Read

It’s not uncommon for students to lose a little momentum during the lazy days of summer. Luckily, parents and community members can help prevent the “summer slide” by volunteering for the Read Houston Read program this summer break.

HISD’s Elementary Curriculum and Development literacy team is excited to announce that many Read Houston Read schools will offer the program to volunteers and students during summer school.

This will enhance the current summer school program and add additional intervention for students who need it most.

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South Early College HS selected as state STEM academy by TEA

South Early College High School was named one of 23 new Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) Academies for the 2016-2017 school year by the Texas Education Agency.

T-STEM academies are rigorous secondary schools focusing on improving instruction and academic performance in science and mathematics-related subjects, with a goal of increasing the number of students who study and enter STEM careers. Designated T-STEM campuses serve students in grades 6-12 or 9-12. Continue reading →