Thank a trustee during National School Board Recognition Month

The 2016 Board of Education

The 2016 Board of Education are (L-R): Anna Eastman, Michael Lunceford, Second Vice President Diana Davila, First Vice President Wanda Adams, Assistant Secretary Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Secretary Jolanda Jones, President Manuel Rodriguez Jr., Harvin Moore, and Greg Meyers.

January is National School Board Recognition Month, honoring the men and women who serve on the nation’s thousands of Boards of Education. These dedicated public servants become school board trustees because they are committed to improving public education and their communities.

Our board members devote many hours to making sure Houston’s schools are safe and have the resources and instructional programs needed to educate children to their fullest potential.

“The students in HISD are very fortunate to have dedicated board members who work day in and day out to shape policies that support a high-quality education for all of our students,” said HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier. “If you haven’t reached out, please thank your school board trustee for caring about our children, and let them know that they truly are appreciated for what they do.”

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Students prepare for annual Martin Luther King Oratory Competition

Each year, students across the district show off their oratory skills in the annual Martin Luther King Oratory Competition at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ (500 Clay Street, 77002). This year’s theme, “What would Dr. King say in his campaign speech if he were running for president this year?” will be tackled by fourth- and fifth-graders from several HISD schools on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Now in its 20th year in Houston, the MLK Oratory competition, sponsored by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, encourages elementary school students to spread the work and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through self-written speeches that envision King’s message in today’s world. Students are judged based on delivery, stage presence and decorum, content interpretation, and memorization.

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HISD Board of Education to consider resolution beginning process of renaming certain schools

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday is expected to consider a resolution that would begin the process of renaming schools in order to represent the values and diversity of the school district, in accordance with the district’s non-discrimination policies.

The resolution was brought forward by Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones. It would affect eight schools: Henry Grady, Richard Dowling, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Albert Sidney Johnston, and Sidney Lanier middle schools, and Jefferson Davis, John Reagan, and Lee high schools. Continue reading →

In Memoriam: Ronnie Veselka (1947–2016)

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HISD lost a much-loved and highly respected former educator on Jan. 6, when Ronnie Veselka passed away at the age of 68.

Veselka was a longtime member of Team HISD who came out of retirement multiple times to assist the district with special projects or initiatives. In 2006, a year after his retirement, Veselka seamlessly coordinated the district’s move from its old headquarters on Richmond Avenue to a brand-new facility at its current location. In 2009, he oversaw the district’s compliance with a new law requiring all employees to be fingerprinted. In 2012, he supported outreach and implementation efforts related to the $1.89 billion bond referendum. A year later, he facilitated the district’s annexation of North Forest ISD under orders of the Texas Education Commissioner.

“No matter what the job was, Ronnie Veselka was always the right person to handle it,” Superintendent Terry Grier said. “Like many superintendents who served Houston ISD before me, we all trusted Ronnie to make wise decisions, because Ronnie always put kids first.”

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Four HISD campuses recognized as ‘model’ Family Friendly Schools

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Fondren MS held a Thanksgiving food and clothing drive to help boost parent and community engagement.

Making sure that parents feel welcomed and valued at their children’s schools is a key component of HISD’s Family Friendly Schools program, and that’s why the district’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department recently recognized four campuses for their successful implementation of that program.

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Rick Cruz selected to serve as HISD’s new Chief of Major Projects

Richard (Rick) Cruz poses for a photograph, January 6, 2016.

Richard (Rick) Cruz poses for a photograph, January 6, 2016.

Houston Independent School District Major Projects Officer Rick Cruz has been selected to lead his division, replacing outgoing Chief Don Hare, who is retiring.

Cruz, a former fifth-grade teacher who was tapped to serve in the HISD administration after launching the district’s successful EMERGE program more than five years ago, will officially assume his new role on Jan. 25.

In his new position, he will be tasked with managing the College Readiness and Counseling and Guidance departments, as well as major initiatives designed to transform education in the district, such as the EMERGE and Futures Academy programs, and Linked Learning.

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Rosca de Reyes, one sweet reason for a get together

The holidays may have come and gone, but many Hispanic kids are still eagerly awaiting their presents.

On Los Reyes Magos — known as “the three wise men” or “the three kings” in English — children receive gifts on the Day of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas immortalized by the song of the same name and commemorates the three kings who traveled from distant lands to bring gifts to the infant Jesus.

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Herod ES seeking help in observing its 50th anniversary

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Fifth-graders Miriya Mattern, Rudy Rodriguez, and Trevor Groenewold (L–R) proudly display a banner they made for Herod Elementary School’s 50th anniversary. Behind the table are (L–R): Principal Lisa McManus (center), Assistant Principal Bryan Bancroft (second from L), Vanguard Magnet Coordinator Todd Paulus (far R), and parents Angela Spears and Andrea Simon.

When Herod Elementary School opened its doors back in the fall of 1965, LBJ was still president, Beatle-mania was taking America by storm, and the The Sound of Music was only about six months old.

Now, the Vanguard magnet school is 50 years old. It celebrated its anniversary on Dec. 10 with cake, balloons, and special presentations from each class.

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Arabic-speaking parents and students can now access resources in Arabic online

First day of class at the Arabic Immersion Magnet School, August 24, 2015.

First day of class at the Arabic Immersion Magnet School, August 24, 2015.

Arabic-speaking parents in HISD will now be able to access various resources on the district’s website in the Arabic language. The new section will be accessible from the top right corner of the district’s website, in the same way that resources in Spanish and Vietnamese can be accessed.

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