Controller Sherrie Robinson named HISD’s new interim chief financial officer

Sherrie Robinson

Sherrie Robinson

HISD Controller Sherrie Robinson has been named the interim chief financial officer (CFO) of the Houston Independent School District.

Robinson will assume her new role on March 1, when previous CFO and Deputy Superintendent Ken Huewitt becomes the district’s interim superintendent.

“Sherrie has been a tremendous asset to HISD over the past three years,” said Dr. Grier in an email to all employees, “and I am confident that the district’s finances will be in expert hands moving forward.”

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Children at Risk press conference stresses importance of early childhood education

Education experts, including HISD Deputy Superintendent Kenneth Huewitt, gathered for a Children at Risk press conference on Feb. 24 at Cunningham Elementary School to stress the importance of early childhood education.

“HISD’s data shows prekindergarten graduates outperform their peers in later grades,” said Huewitt. “We must start in Pre-K, with our most needy kids. No child should go without early education.”

HISD’s full-day Pre-K program, which is offered to three- and four-year-olds, began in 2006. HISD now offers full-day Pre-K at 155 of its 186 elementary campuses, with four of the nine early childhood centers focusing exclusively on Pre-K instruction.

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Black College Expo highlights college and scholarship opportunities

The Black College Expo is making its return to Houston on Saturday, and many HISD middle and high school students are taking advantage of higher education opportunities days before the big event.

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College recruiters and representatives from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Power Center (12401 South Post Oak Road, 77045) to provide students and parents with one-on-one counseling, as well as scholarship and financial aid information. HISD students and parents can attend the event for free.

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2016 State of the Schools luncheon to highlight ‘stars’ of HISD

2016SOTS_EnewsImageHISD’s annual State of the Schools luncheon will be taking place at the Hilton Americas Hotel on Thursday, March 3, and the theme for 2016 is “Ready for the World: Starring Team HISD.”

Attendees of this year’s event can expect to meet and mingle with some of the district’s biggest “stars,” including teachers of the year, nurses of the year, principals of the year, and even the city’s very first youth poet laureate (a member of HISD’s Class of 2016).

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Bus driver goes ‘the extra mile’ to boost student achievement

Vivian Ivory on her bus

Vivian Ivory on her bus

Vivian Ivory has been driving children to and from school for the past 23 years, but recently she began taking an extra step to support her students at Elmore Elementary School.

Knowing that the children would soon be receiving their progress reports, Ivory made a deal: for every “A” the students earned, they would receive a small prize, which she and the children would decide upon together. Many students selected small items such as colorful pencils or pens, but Ivory has even given out a calculator or two.

“I usually give them candy to reward them when they have a good week, but this time I wanted to try to inspire them,” explained Ivory. “The children had been feeling a little depressed, so I wanted to do something new to help them be more productive. With this particular group, I see a lot of elderly people when I pick them up and drop them off, so I know the majority are being raised by their grandparents. They need a little bit more support.”

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Attend superintendent search meeting Saturday to share your thoughts

The HISD Board of Education is searching for a new superintendent, and trustees have been gathering feedback all week from community members about the qualities and traits they would like to see in a new district leader.

Board members will host a community meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092), and all interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

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HISD proposes funding reconfiguration to ensure neediest students get resources amid budget cuts

District facing $107 million shortfall as it prepares to send millions of tax dollars back to the state

Facing a $107 million shortfall for the 2016-2017 school year, the Houston Independent School District is proposing a reconfiguration of district funding methods to ensure the neediest students still receive appropriate resources.

The budget cuts are a result of the state’s funding formula, which requires HISD to send millions of local tax dollars back to the state — a process that is known as recapture and affects districts designated as property-wealthy. Though nearly 80 percent of HISD students come from low-income families, the district is considered property-wealthy because of rising property values throughout the city. Continue reading →

Houston Texans Ambassadors advise football players to ‘hit the books’

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The Houston Texans Ambassadors are a group of former NFL players who represent the team throughout the year by visiting schools and speaking to high school football players, as they did at Worthing High School recently in honor of Black History Month. Jerry LeVias (Houston Oiler 1969-1970) and ND Kalu (Houston Texan 2006-2008) were joined by a surprise guest, current Texan defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. All three players talked about their experiences in the NFL.

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Grier honored at HISD ‘Celebration of Service’ for record of accomplishment

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The district hosted a celebration of service for outgoing Superintendent Terry Grier on Wednesday to mark his decision to step down on Feb. 29 after serving nearly seven years in HISD’s top job.

The event drew dozens of community supporters, elected officials, principals, and district staff to the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, where Dr. Grier’s accomplishments were remembered and lauded.

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Transportation employees ‘move it and lose it’ to stay fit

HISD bus drivers who want to keep up their New Year’s resolution fitness goals now have another option to help them shed the pounds — thanks to the launch of three new fitness courses designed just for them.

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