Washington HS students deliver on prosthetic hand project

A 6-year-old girl from Waller ISD is very close to making a dream of hers come true, thanks to five students at HISD’s Booker T. Washington High School and a 3D printer.

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The high-schoolers used the printer to build a prosthetic arm for Gracie Henderson over the past year, and they presented the completed device to the youngster on Nov. 2.

“We wanted to help her fulfill her dream of picking up an apple,” explained senior Leslie Cosme, who worked on the project. “I was very nervous before she first received the hand, but when I saw her face lite up, it made me really happy.” Continue reading

Register now for Nov. 7 ‘Parents as Advocates’ Family Conference

All HISD families are invited to attend the “Parents as Advocates” Family Conference and Resource Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Burbank Middle School (315 Berry Rd., 77022) from 8 a.m. to noon.

The event will feature a panel discussion and short workshops on school choice, selecting the right courses, graduating from high school, applying to college, and advocating for children with special needs.

Board of Education member Anna Eastman has partnered with the Family Learning Academy to host the event, which will have a special focus on how parents can best ensure that their children receive the highest quality education in HISD, personalized to their children’s unique needs. Continue reading

HISD, Furr HS Green Institute recognized for partnership with U.S. Forest Service

Green Ambassadors visit local schools, communities, and parks to spread the conservation and environmental awareness message. They work with Woodsy Owl and his animal friends.

Green Ambassadors visit local schools, communities, and parks to spread the conservation and environmental awareness message. They work with Woodsy Owl and his animal friends.

The Green Institute at Furr High School is only two years old, but that program is already getting national attention for its efforts.

In March, a group of students from there delivered a presentation at the National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program in Washington, D.C. And this week, students and educators will travel to the nation’s capital again to be honored alongside Forest Service representatives for the Abraham Lincoln Honors Award for Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Principal Bertie Simmons will accompany students and educators in support of their recognition for this prestigious award. Continue reading

HISD launches 3rd annual Eco-Schools USA Green Schools Challenge

HISD and the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco Schools USA have teamed up to launch the third annual Green Schools Challenge in an effort to decrease the district’s energy consumption and increase environmental awareness.

The contest runs from Nov. 1 through April 30, 2016. Schools will have until Nov. 15 to sign up for the competition.

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Westside HS senior chosen to participate in U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Jordan Elliot, a senior at HISD’s Westside High School, was recently selected by the U.S. Army to participate in its 2016 All-American Bowl.

Jordan is one of about 90 students to be chosen from across the nation, and the only one from HISD schools. He is also the second Westside senior to be selected for this honor. Westside graduate Frank Ileanacho (Class of 2014) played in the 2015 bowl. Continue reading

Bellaire Concert Chorale performs with national ensemble

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After a three-day residency with the award-winning Rose Ensemble, Bellaire High School’s Concert Chorale joined them in concert to open the Houston Early Music season on Sunday, Oct. 24, at St. Philip Presbyterian Church. The program was entitled “Land of Three Faiths: Voices of Ancient Mediterranean Jews, Christians, and Muslims.”

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Eastwood Academy community gets update on plans for new building

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Eastwood Academy students, staff, and community members attended the second community meeting on Thursday night to hear about proposed site and construction plans for a new building being constructed under the 2012 bond program.

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‘Digital compass’ helps Garden Oaks students navigate cyberspace

Garden Oaks Montessori students are learning how to stay safe online, thanks to a “digital compass” and other exercises in how to navigate cyberspace.

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Students learned about educational tools and resources to help them make good decisions online during a cyber safety pep rally held Oct. 27. They played a “digital compass” game, answered Internet security and privacy questions, and shared their thoughts about cyber bullying. Continue reading

Furr HS breaks ground on ‘bigger and better’ new school

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Students, staff, alumni and other stakeholders of Furr High School gathered at the school on Thursday to break ground on a new $55 million campus, which is part of HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program.

“It’s a gigantic day for Furr High School,” said Principal Bertie Simmons. “There are so many exciting things about the new school – it’s going to be amazing.”

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Nationwide recall of epinephrine injectors could affect HISD students

Are you one of the more than 900 HISD students with a life-threatening allergy to a particular food or substance? If so, and you carry an emergency epinephrine auto-injector, check your device today to make sure it is not the subject of a recent drug recall.

Manufacturer Sanofi US has issued a nationwide recall of all its “Auvi-Q” emergency epinephrine injectors due to potentially inaccurate dosage delivery. The company is voluntarily recalling all Auvi-Q currently on the market (both the 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg strengths), including lot numbers 2299596 through 3037230, which will expire March 2016 through Dec. 2016. Continue reading