Tech leaders visit HISD to see digital conversion

Digital curriculum efforts showcased at three-day conference

Technology leaders from schools districts throughout Texas and the U.S. traveled to Houston Oct. 14–16 to get a firsthand look at HISD’s digital transformation efforts — including the conversion of curriculum and the launch of the HUB, the district’s new online teaching and learning platform.

The visit was part of the Teaming for Transformation conference sponsored by the Consortium for School Networking, also known as COSN. HISD is a member of COSN and was asked to host the event because of its efforts with PowerUp, a comprehensive initiative aimed at digitally transforming teaching and learning across the district. Continue reading →

Automotive technician training program offers Sterling HS students hands-on career experience

Mapping out the road for life after high school can be intimidating for some students, but with the help of HISD’s Transportation department and International Trucks of Houston, students from Sterling Aviation High School are quickly on their way to meaningful careers in the automotive industry.

The Automotive Diesel Internship Program, sponsored by HISD’s Transportation Fleet Operations, creates a hands-on opportunity for departmental staff to train future automotive technicians and provide guidance to students. Training is divided among all five motor pools in the district in hopes of giving students the background and initiative to succeed in automotive mechanics.

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Lisa Hernandez named principal of new Mark White Elementary School

Lisa Hernandez poses for a photograph, November 2, 2015. (Dave Einsel)Lisa Hernandez has been named the principal of the new Mark White Elementary School, which is scheduled to open in August 2016. She previously served as the assistant principal at the School at St. George Place, a position she held since 2012.

In her 18 years as an educator, Hernandez has also served as a teacher, instructional specialist, and International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator. She began her career as a fifth-grade teacher in Austin ISD, where she taught for 10 years before becoming a math instructional specialist. In 2008, Hernandez moved to HISD and worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Twain Elementary School.

Hernandez received a bachelor’s degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas State University.

Mark White ES community meeting offers update on construction, introduction to new principal

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Community meeting attendees for the new Mark White Elementary School on Thursday heard an important update on the construction phase of the project and received a formal introduction to the newly hired principal for the relief campus.

Lisa Hernandez, former assistant principal at The School at St. George Place, will lead the campus when the school opens in August 2016.

“We’re going to be looking at building a strong community for the school and really setting the mission for the school,” Hernandez said. “Our job as educators is to prepare students for the 21st century, and that is something I’m really looking forward to building at Mark White.”

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Nutrition classes let students learn through baking

HISD’s Nutrition Services culinary team is teaching students about baking and healthy eating through Nutrition Education Classes.

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At the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, which has a culinary arts program, the classes are a collaboration between Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel and Gregory-Lincoln Culinary Arts Instructor Kelly Karavias.

The goal is to develop students’ interest in kitchen fundamentals while also letting them practice concepts learned in math and other subjects. Continue reading →

Next School Choice Open House set for Oct. 24

Parents who have not yet decided where to send their children for the 2016–2017 school year still have plenty of time to make up their minds, and HISD is helping them narrow the field with a series of four School Choice Open Houses scheduled through mid-December.

The first Open House took place on Oct. 3, but if you missed it, don’t worry. The next one is this Saturday, Oct. 24, at Sharpstown High School (7404 Bissonnet, 77074), and there will be two more before the deadline for guaranteed first-round consideration of magnet applications on Dec. 18. Continue reading →

Class of 1975 plants tree at Forest Brook MS to honor the past, inspire the future

HISD’s Forest Brook campus served as a high school for more than 40 years before it was converted into a middle school in 2013. And on Oct. 16, members of that school’s Class of 1975 came together to plant a magnolia tree on campus in honor of the more than 30 classmates who have passed away since graduation.

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“We’ve lost 33 people since 1975,” said class member and Memorial Ceremony Chair Val Adams. “We picked the magnolia because it doesn’t need a whole lot of water, and they practically live forever. As it grows, it will remain a symbol of strength and history.” Continue reading →

Board of Education looks at class-size waivers, superintendent search firm

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday voted to approve a plan to submit 875 class-size waivers to the state for the 2015-2016 school year – more than a 40 percent decrease compared with the previous year.

State law requires each school district in Texas to conduct a class-size enrollment survey to ensure that kindergarten through fourth-grade classes have no more than 22 students per classroom. Classes that exceed that number must request a waiver from the Texas Education Agency.

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HISD homeowners won’t see increase in property tax rates for 2015-2016

Homeowners in the Houston Independent School District won’t see an increase in property tax rates for the 2015-2016 school year.

 

The Board of Education voted Thursday to maintain the current tax rate of $1.1967 per $100 taxable value. That rate includes two parts: $1.0267 dedicated to funding general maintenance and operations and 17 cents earmarked for debt service.

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HISD Board of Education requests additional information on discipline policy proposal

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday declined to consider a proposed policy revision that would ban suspensions and expulsions for students in second grade and below.

 

Trustees had been set to review the proposal during the October board meeting. The agenda item was withdrawn by trustees on Thursday afternoon. Board members have asked district administrators to provide additional information about the educator support systems that are tied to the proposal.

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