Students across district giving back this holiday season

Students across HISD are giving back to those in need this holiday season in a variety of creative and inspiring ways. At Herrera Elementary, the school’s 3D design and print club produced toys using their 3D printer to give as holiday presents to children in their community. The toys were based on characters from animated movies and video games. Read more about that story here.

At Farias Early Childhood Center, Santa and his helpers — AKA HISD high school students —distributed toys to every prekindergarten child, thanks to a partnership with Leading Ladies, a nonprofit organization run by students from different high schools in Houston. Read more here.

During the month of December, students at Roosevelt Elementary joined the district’s effort to collect new toys for the Toys for Tots campaign. Approximately 140 new toys were collected and donated by students from that campus. See related story here.

And at Patterson Elementary, the school’s safety patrol joined forces with second grade students to deliver toys to patients at the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston. Read more here.

Roosevelt ES students contribute to Toys for Tots campaign

RooseveltEST4T_400aStudents at HISD’s Roosevelt Elementary School got caught up in the holiday spirit recently when they were asked to participate in the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Toys campaign.

At the behest of coordinating teacher Stephanie Smith, students collected more than 140 toys for the annual drive during the month of December, learning about philanthropy and the reward of giving in the process.

“This was a wonderful learning experience, both academically and morally for the Roosevelt Bears,” said Smith. “Each day, more and more toys trickled in from students who were lit up with excitement about the thought of putting a smile on another’s face Christmas morning. We are looking forward to continuing this toy drive in the years to come.”

Community partner changing the culture at one HISD school

CullenMS_Jackets_400Members of Team HISD at HISD’s Cullen Middle School are feeling better about themselves and their campus, thanks to an on-going partnership with a nearby faith-based organization.

First Presbyterian Church has been uplifting the spirits of the faculty, staff, and students at that school through a variety of projects since 2011, and it recently surprised campus leaders with an additional $20,000 donation. Continue reading →

Patterson ES students share joy of the season with Shriner’s Hospital patients

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Almost 90 percent of the children attending HISD’s Patterson Elementary School qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch program, but they didn’t let that stop them from giving back to others.

Students at the literature magnet campus collected more than 400 toys for the benefit of children who can’t be home with their families this year because they are receiving on-going treatment for injuries or illnesses at local medical facilities. Continue reading →

Pre-K students get a holiday surprise

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Preschool students at Farias Early Childhood Center enjoyed an early holiday treat Tuesday, Dec. 16. Santa and his helpers along with HISD high school students and members of Leading Ladies, a nonprofit female youth service organization, distributed toys to 380 excited four-year-olds. Continue reading →

Boys’ basketball teams ready to hoop it up at annual tournament

 

Yates' Milton Jackson (0) and Madison's Le'Braun Armstrong (11) during the UIL Class 3A boys basketball state final between Yates and Dallas Madison high schools on Sat., March 8, 2014 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. (Ashley Landis ©1st Photo Texas)

More than 20 boys’ basketball teams are set to hoop it up at HISD’s 75th annual boys’ basketball tournament Dec. 18–20.

The match-ups will take place at North Forest, Sharpstown, and Waltrip high schools, as well as Barnett Stadium, Butler Fieldhouse, and the Wilkins Pavilion located on the Forest Brook Middle School campus. Individual game tickets cost $4 each, and tournament passes are available for $10 to attend all games.

Participating HISD high schools are: Austin, Chávez, Davis, Furr, Sam Houston, Kashmere, Lamar, Lee, Madison, Milby, North Forest, Reagan, Sharpstown, Sterling, Waltrip, Washington, Westbury, Westside, Wheatley, and Worthing. Continue reading →

High school students explore STEM fields

Middle College High School students at the Houston Community College Gulfton campus explored the possibilities of a future career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by participating in a day of interactive projects in engineering, coding, and financial literacy as part of Camp STEMovation on Friday, Dec. 12. Continue reading →

Chuck Norris congratulates HISD students at martial arts belt ceremony

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Martial arts champion and actor Chuck Norris visited Revere and Thomas middle schools for a belt ceremony last week to congratulate hundreds of students who have excelled in martial arts.  Continue reading →