First Class Breakfast expands to middle and high schools

A student at Jackson Middle School enjoys breakfast at her desk through the First Class Breakfast program.

A student at Jackson Middle School enjoys breakfast at her desk through the First Class Breakfast program.

HISD has been serving healthy, nutritious breakfasts for free to all students every school morning since 2010, and many of them receive it right in the classroom through First Class Breakfast.

Now, even more secondary students are taking advantage of this option. First Class Breakfast was already in place at 40 middle and high schools, but Nutrition Services recently added two more schools to the program and continues to add schools weekly.

Offering breakfast to students in the classroom eliminates many of the obstacles that get in the way of students eating the first meal of the day. Kenya Davis, a student at Washington High School, noted that some of her classmates ride the bus and get to school just as the bell rings. “I love the idea of breakfast in the classroom,” she said. “It gives students who are on time for school — but late for breakfast — an opportunity to eat.”

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Bellaire HS advances to “Sweet 16” round of global debate competition

Hundreds of debate teams from around the world entered the 2015–16 International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, but only 16 remain — including HISD’s Bellaire High School. If Bellaire advances in the next round, the team will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City on April 2.

Sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University, the IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. By advancing, the students remain eligible to win a $10,000 grand prize. The Bellaire High School team is one of only two teams from Texas to advance this round.

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HISD Board of Education outlines tentative timeline for superintendent search

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education soon will begin gathering community feedback on the candidate profile for the next superintendent, and could have a replacement named as early as May.

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HISD facing $107 million budget shortfall under current public school funding structure

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Under Texas’ current funding structure, the Houston Independent School District will be required to send millions of dollars back to the state, resulting in a projected $107 million budget shortfall for the 2016-2017 school year.

Under Chapter 41 of the Texas Education Code, the state school finance system requires districts designated as property-wealthy to send tax dollars back to the state — a process known as “recapture” and commonly referred to as Robin Hood. The money is then re-distributed to districts deemed to be property-poor, as well as to the state’s general fund for use in non-education purposes.

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Students formalize college commitments during National Signing Day ceremony

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As a part of National Signing Day, more than 100 HISD students gathered at the Pavilion on the Forest Brook Middle School campus on Feb. 3 to formally announce their intent to play sports for particular colleges or universities this fall. The annual ceremony marks the culmination of years of hard work — both in the classroom and out on the field — and many of the talented athletes present were savoring their moment in the spotlight.

“I have never been to anything like this before,” said Reagan High School soccer player Stephanie Sanchez, who is going to Alcorn State University in Loman, Mississippi. “I am just soaking it all in.”

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HISD student athletes commit to play college sports on National Signing Day

More than 100 of HISD’s top performing student athletes committed to taking their academic and athletic talent to the college level on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day.

The HISD ceremony recognized the students’ formal commitment to continue their education and sports careers at colleges and universities around the country. During the event, students signed symbolic certificates of intent to continue their careers in baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling. Continue reading →

Tinsley ES building ‘Global Graduates’ through leadership council

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A group of 20 students at HISD’s Tinsley Elementary School is getting a head start on middle school, as well as a chance to build their leadership skills, thanks to a new council created by the principal.

Twice each month, 17 fifth-graders and three fourth-graders meet with the principal and faculty sponsors to discuss qualities of the Global Graduate and other subjects of interest, and once a month, they host a dinner for families and distinguished community members. The most recent dinner, held on Jan. 28, featured a special guest — Board of Education First Vice President Wanda Adams.

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Garden Oaks Montessori bond project team shares design plans with community

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Around 100 stakeholders of Garden Oaks Montessori turned out this week for a bond community meeting to learn about design plans to expand and renovate the 75-year-old school.

The crowd heard from the project manager, architect, principal, and trustee, and had the opportunity to ask questions.

“The community is excited about the new construction, and especially that we are also able to include renovations to our existing building in the scope,” said Garden Oaks Principal Lindsey Pollock. “The neighborhood has been tremendously supportive of the project.”

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Two HISD students win top honors in regional Scholastic contest

Anna White, from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, was named an "American Vision" finalist in this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Contest for her painting, entitled "Afternoon Nap."

Anna White, from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, was named an “American Visions” finalist in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Contest for her painting, entitled “Afternoon Nap.”

The Harris County Department of Education recently announced the regional winners of the Scholastic Art & Writing contests, and one of the top 10 finalists in each category attends an HISD school.

Anna White (High School for the Performing and Visual Arts) was named an American Visions finalist for her painting entitled “Afternoon Nap,” while Jaelynn Walls (Carnegie Vanguard High School) was named an American Voices finalist for her personal essay/memoir entitled “Prime.” American Visions and American Voices nominees are considered regional “best of show” winners in art and writing (respectively). Each will receive a $250 scholarship from sponsor Texas Art Supply, and one finalist in each category will earn the national medal in March.

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Six HISD schools recognized by Touchdown Club for demonstrating good sportsmanship

TouchdownClub2016_800Six high school campuses in HISD were honored recently for their athletes’ consistent demonstration of good sportsmanship during competitions. Austin, Kashmere, Lee, North Forest, Waltrip, and Westbury high schools were all named finalists for the Touchdown Club Houston’s annual Sportsmanship Awards.

“The annual gala rewards high schools for doing things the right way,” said HISD Senior Athletics Program Administrator André Walker. “Squads are judged based on their actions on the field, the actions of the support personnel in the stands, the number of personal fouls and unsportsmanlike fouls, and respect for the American flag.”

The schools were formally recognized during the Touchdown Club’s 11th annual luncheon held on Jan. 28.