STAAR EOC tutorials available online for high school students

Students can access 24-7 via the HUB

Every student in Texas must pass five end-of-course exams in order to graduate, and HISD has created a series of online tutorials to help students prepare for the state exams. HISD high school students can access the tutorials — including videos, handouts, and helpful links — through the HUB, which is the district’s online teaching and learning platform.   Students can click here (.pdf) for a tip sheet on how to access them or they can go directly to the HUB at www.houstonisd.org/hub and use their district login and password.

The tutorials were created and designed by a team of HISD teachers, teacher developments specialists, and representatives from curriculum, academics, and the schools’ office.  They are designed to be self-paced and can be accessed by students 24-hours a day—at school, home, or anywhere with an Internet connection through a computer, tablet or smartphone. The material can also be downloaded and viewed offline. Quizzes are also provided to assess mastery of the coursework.

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Student wins recognition, concert tickets through Reliant

Front row (L to R): Elizabeth Bandercan, German Lerma's soccer coach at Johnston, and one of his teachers, Kristen Aust. Back row (L to R): Rainatu Gabisi, Yolanda Guillory, and Sid Evans from Reliant; winner German Lerman; nominating teacher Lanena Berry; Johnston teacher William Aust; and Johnston MS Assistant Principal Claran Johnson.

Front row (L to R): Elizabeth Bandercan, German Lerma’s soccer coach at Johnston, and one of his teachers, Kristen Aust. Back row (L to R): Rainatu Gabisi, Yolanda Guillory, and Sid Evans from Reliant; winner German Lerma; nominating teacher Lanena Berry; Johnston teacher William Aust; and Johnston MS Assistant Principal Claran Johnson.

An HISD student recently was named a grand prize winner in the Reliant Student Recognition Program. Johnston Middle School student German Lerma was selected for his academic achievement, outstanding citizenship, and improved academic performance.

Lerma was nominated by his principal, teachers, and parents. For this honor, he received four premier tickets to see the Fallout Boys in concert at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo on March 8.

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Certification brings success to companies that do business with HISD

Workshop Wednesday this month featured “Being Certified, Brings Success” presented by Kelly Knez, client engagement manager with KellyMitchell, a women-owned IT consulting and staffing company. Attendees received valuable advice and information on the benefits to qualified companies associated with becoming M/WBE certified.

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eNews Highlight: Playing the waiting game

Earlier this year, Olaide Sode put the finishing touches on the last of 23 separate applications she submitted to various colleges and universities.

She has already received acceptance letters from two in-state schools, but the others remain a tantalizing mystery.

Read more about how the Carnegie Vanguard High School is dealing with the suspense of not knowing in the March 6, 2015, edition of eNews.

Other stories in this week’s edition include:  Continue reading →

Fonville Middle School gearing up for CSTEM competition

FVilleMS_CSTEM2015_300Students at Fonville Middle School are already getting ready for the Southeast National CSTEM Challenge on April 17 and 18.

The school hosted its kick-off celebration on Feb. 28, and CSTEM board member Ahmad Shaheed was the keynote speaker. Shaheed, who also works as an engineer, discussed the importance of studying engineering, math, and science. Students also heard encouraging words from Principal Iris Reyes.

“It’s imperative that students be proficient and build their knowledge base in creativity, math, science, and writing,” said technology teacher Vania Willms. “Students have learned the challenges for the 2014–2015 school year and started working on their projects, which incorporate solutions for the oil, gas, and wind industries.”

HISD students offered more than $250K in scholarship money at Black College Expo

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About 450 HISD students attended the 2015 Black College Expo Tour on Saturday, Feb. 28, and a fair amount of those students received “on the spot acceptances,” as well as more than $250,000 in scholarship money.

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Mickey Leland College Prep stakeholders briefed on plans for new school

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The Mickey Leland College Prep Academy community turned out in force this week to hear about the latest plans for their school’s new 21st century campus. More than 125 attended the presentation given by the architect and project manager, which offered the opportunity to view renderings up close and give feedback.

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Diagnostician sheds some light on student evaluation process

Tacy Gilmore poses for a photograph, March 4, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Tacy Gilmore (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

I Am HISD profile showcases Educational Diagnostician Week

In this week’s I am HISD, which features HISD students, graduates, and employees, we are highlighting Educational Diagnostician Week across Texas by interviewing HISD Lead Evaluation Specialist Tacy Gilmore. Gilmore talks about when she became a diagnostician, how she evaluates students for disabilities, and who decides which students are evaluated.

How did you come to be a diagnostician for HISD?

I was working as a seventh-grade math teacher in Alief ISD, when I became interested in becoming an Educational Diagnostician. As a general education teacher, I wanted to know how I could have a greater impact on student achievement and the process to get the individualized support needed.  I attended graduate school at Prairie View A&M University, where I became certified, first as a counselor and then as a diagnostician.

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CFS improves leadership skills through training program

1000 (5)HISD’s Construction and Facility Services (CFS) Professional Development team recently announced the launch of a new Leadership Development Training initiative designed to dramatically improve the leadership skills of the management team.

The program is developed and delivered by the Sales Excellence Institute at the University of Houston’s Bauer School of Business.

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HISD’s vision of producing global graduates grows with each new IB world school

Herrera Elementary School is officially celebrating its new status this week as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the latest HISD campus to receive official authorization. Herrera joins nine other HISD elementary schools with IB authorization – Durham, Harvard, Northline, River Oaks, Roberts, Rodriguez, School at St. George Place, Twain, and Wharton Dual Language Academy. The growing number of IB schools in HISD, now a total of 17, reflects the district’s vision of preparing students to succeed in a multicultural world.

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