Social studies teacher Laura Baumgart had never used an online teaching and learning platform in her daily instruction before coming to work at HISD this school year. Now, the Austin High School educator is actively using the PowerUp:HUB, HISD’s digital platform, in her everyday instruction. Continue reading
Chinese delegation visits HISD
Twenty-five educators representing China’s Haidian District schools are visiting HISD schools and service facilities to observe best practices, study education methodologies and to meet district and school leadership. This is an annual trip for the delegation.
HISD principals accepted to REEP Business Fellowship for School Leaders Program
The Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) would like to congratulate the following Houston ISD principals on their acceptance to the REEP Business Fellowship for School Leaders Program: John Baker, ChaoLin Chang, Mary Ellen Fernandez, Steven Gourrier, Melissa Jacobs, Eden Hines-Jones, Armando Lujan, Jyoti Malhan, Lindsey Pollock, Steven Shetzer, and Abigail Taylor. This acceptance recognizes their academic and professional achievements, along with their potential for outstanding personal and career development. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Rice/REEP community as members of the seventh Cohort.
Longfellow students collect nearly 2 tons of food, supplies for the needy
Longfellow Elementary students recently worked with the community and conducted a holiday food and supplies drive. The hugely successful, month-long campaign was held from mid-November to mid-December and was designed to raise students’ awareness of hunger and poverty in our country. Continue reading
HISD on track to save more than $8 million with energy efficiency efforts
The Houston Independent School District’s efforts to reduce energy consumption are paying dividends with a projected $8 million savings for the current fiscal year. The district’s Energy and Sustainability department credits behavioral changes, capital repairs and preventative maintenance for the reduction in costs.
“We’re excited to recognize that the district’s commitment to environmental stewardship has made a positive impact on our energy cost and consumption,” said Brian Busby, general manager of HISD Facilities Services. “The less money we spend on our utility bills means the more money we can put back into our schools.” Continue reading
District campuses, offices closed for MLK Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19
HISD schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Schools and offices will be open the following day.
Texas commissioner of education praises North Forest schools in HISD
In December, Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams visited schools in the former North Forest school district, which was annexed into HISD in July 2013. The decision to make the schools part of HISD was his, and as he states in a Houston Chronicle opinion piece, he hoped for a “wholesale transformation.” The visit confirmed that his hope is being realized.
“The North Forest High School campus looked remarkable,” Williams wrote. “As I walked through the halls and peered into math classes, tutoring sessions and graduation labs, I found students and teachers actively engaged in learning.” Continue reading
Cornelius ES student wins Martin Luther King Jr. oratory competition
Chase Roberts of Cornelius Elementary School took home top honors in the 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition sponsored by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP in Houston. This is the second year in a row a student from Cornelius has won the competition.
Every year since 1996, fourth- and fifth-graders from two dozen HISD schools have competed in the annual contest, which challenges students to write and present a short original speech on a subject related to the slain civil rights leader. The topic this year was, “”If Dr. King were to win the Nobel Peace Prize today, what would he say in his acceptance speech?”
Watch the winning speech and videos of all the finalists below.
[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/116983706″]
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HISD Board of Education votes to give more academic weight to college-level courses
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday passed the first reading of a measure that would give students taking college credit courses a boost to their grade point average.
The policy change is designed to provide additional academic weight to dual credit courses, which HISD offers through partnerships with colleges and universities. As the name implies, dual credit provides students with the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Continue reading
HISD Board of Education elects new officers
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday voted to name Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones as its new president.
Skillern-Jones has served on the HISD Board of Education since 2012. She is replacing outgoing Board President Juliet Stipeche, who has served on the board since 2010.
The new board president was sworn in Thursday during the Board of Education’s regular January meeting. Trustees also voted to elect new board officers: Manuel Rodriguez, First Vice President; Wanda Adams, Second Vice President; Paula Harris, Secretary; and Stipeche, Assistant Secretary. Continue reading