Pin Oak MS student named myON’s inaugural ‘Reader Leader’

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa
Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa, a sixth-grader at Pin Oak Middle School, has been named the very first “Reader Leader” by myON for logging the most time spent reading on that website during a particular month.

Alfredo read for eight hours and 15 minutes on myON in February. He also completed 55 books and took their accompanying quizzes.

As a part of his prize, Alfredo received an ASUS laptop (with computer case) from Muses3, LLC, the representative of myON in southeast Texas.

“This was a tight race,” noted Linda Bessmer, managing partner of Muses3. “Several elementary school students came very close to winning but, in the end, a secondary school student took the prize.”

Alfredo was formally recognized during a special ceremony held on his campus March 10.

 

High schools compete to win money for completing financial aid application

Priority deadline for FAFSA/TASFA is March 15 for first-round consideration by many colleges, as well as a few Texas scholarships and loans

Six HISD high schools could win up to $750 for having the largest percentage of students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 15.

Thanks to Advise TX and Texas A&M University, 13 HISD high schools have college graduates on campus year-round advising low-income students on what is required to get into a good school and how to pay for higher education.

“HISD is very happy to partner with Advise Texas to ensure that our students receive additional support in navigating the college and financial aid process,” said Assistant Superintendent of College Readiness Rick Cruz. “They are one of our strong continued partners that do great work alongside our staff to support our students.”

These college graduates are working hard right now to get seniors at their schools (see list of schools below) to complete their FAFSA by the March 15 deadline. Submitting the FAFSA or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) by the priority deadline is highly recommended for students seeking to qualify for any of the following: Top 10 Percent Scholarship, Texas Grant, and Texas B-On-Time Loan.

Advise TX College Advising Corps is similar to Teach for America or the Peace Corps in that it places graduates in a position for one to two years after graduation and pays them a salary. Advise TX is part of College Advising Corps, a national organization that works to increase the number of students who enter and complete higher education.

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Help your child #Discover15 over spring break

Download an interactive tool to help your family include 15 minutes of reading every day

What is your child doing over spring break? Why not help them develop a love of reading and improve their literacy skills by reading aloud for 15 minutes every day? HISD has partnered with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Houston Hispanic Forum, Literacy Advance of Houston, Region 4 Educational Service Center, and the Houston Public Library to develop a fun, interactive way for parents and children to incorporate 15 minutes of reading into their busy schedules every day.

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2015 spring break schedule for HISD schools and offices

All HISD campuses and offices will be closed for spring break from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20, 2015.

Schools and offices will reopen for normal business on Monday, March 23, 2015.

Employees should consult the duty schedules posted here.

The HISD Police Department will be patrolling district facilities all during the holiday break. Emergencies may be reported by calling 713-892-7777.

HISD finalizes property purchase for new High School for Law and Justice

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A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new High School for Law and Justice.

In February, HISD completed the purchase of property near downtown at Scott and Coyle streets, which will become the campus for the new High School for Law and Justice.

The school’s new three-story building, part of the district’s $1.89 billion bond program, will combine a 21st century learning environment with unique features – including a courtroom, a crime scene investigations lab, an emergency communications center, and a law library.

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ACP grant lets teacher pursue professional development in Singapore over Spring Break

Shannon Kelly

Shannon Kelly

Program yet another benefit of obtaining alternative certification credentials through HISD

Shannon Kelly, a ninth-grade geography teacher at Milby High School, has big plans for her spring break.  She will be attending the fourth International Problem-Based Learning Symposium in Singapore March 18–20, thanks to HISD’s alternative certification grant program.

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Yates HS students receive practical training for health services careers

Students at Yates High School are getting practical experience in the health services arena. The Health Science Program at Yates HS is in its first year, and the new Jack Yates Community Clinic opened at the beginning of March. Services provided in the Community Clinic include blood pressure screenings for faculty, staff and students, height and weight measurements, and patient education. Continue reading →

Attend the district’s Digital Learning Expo March 12

HISD’s efforts to digitally transform teaching and learning in national spotlight for #DLDay

At Burbank Middle School, students are creating videos about their future and life goals using Adobe Voice (see video below). At Herrera Elementary, students are using tablets and digital programs such as iMovie, Animoto, Prezi, and Roxio to produce digital book trailers instead of a standard book report. And at Austin High School, teachers are using the HUB, the district’s new online learning platform, to create online discussions and group activities.

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Every day, students and teachers across the district are using digital tools and resources to transform teaching and learning inside their classrooms.  On Thursday, March 12, from 4 to 5 p.m., teachers and students from nearly 50 HISD campuses will gather in the lobby of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77018) to showcase their efforts at the district’s first ever Digital Learning Expo.

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Digital Learning Expo to showcase HISD’s efforts to use technology to transform digital learning

The Houston Independent School District will showcase the power of digital teaching and learning as students demonstrate their abilities on Thursday during HISD’s first Digital Learning Expo.

The Digital Learning Expo will feature students and teachers from 41 HISD schools, all showcasing what they do each day and how the power of digital learning has transformed their classrooms into dynamic, 21st century learning labs. Their work will be on display from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, prior to the start of the Board of Education March meeting. Continue reading →