Students at Shearn Elementary School were paid a visit from Clutch, the mascot for the NBA Houston Rockets, as part of a fun and educational program that teaches kids about recycling.
The show, “Red Nation Goes Green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a partnership between HISD and the Houston Rockets to help increase the district’s awareness of recycling, along with the importance of education.
The national “Go College!” tour made stops at Worthing, Sharpstown International, Sharpstown, and Sam Houston high schools this week to show students that they can go to college regardless of the challenges they may face at home. The tour features a screening of the documentary film, First Generation, which tells the story of four high school students who aspire to break their family’s cycle of poverty by pursuing a college education.
“College is so different from high school,” said Dontay Gray, a cast member in the film who spoke to students briefly after the screening at Sharpstown on Tuesday. “And as a first generation college student, I was really on my own. I had to find people who were like-minded and had similar goals to mine, so that I could stay focused.”
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HISD’s Business Assistance – Supplier Diversity Department, along with representatives from H.J. Russell & Global Momentum, hosted a meet and greet recently at the Hattie Mae White building to give contractor attendees the opportunity to network and discuss requirements for the upcoming bond construction project at Davis High School.
HISD’s dual language program is doubling in size next year to more than 50 campuses — and the district is currently recruiting schools to commit to the year-long process to become a dual language campus for the 2015–2016 year.
Dual language campuses promote instruction in two languages as equally important. This allows English Language Learners (ELLs) to retain their own language while mastering English and gives native English speakers the gift of bilingualism. Studies have shown that children enrolled in dual-language programs routinely outperform their peers on standardized tests, do better on college-readiness exams such as the SAT, and can earn up to 20 percent more in wages as adults.
“Dual language schools also support biculturalism,” said Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual Programs Gracie Guerrero. “It’s a win-win for everyone, and HISD’s long-term vision is that every graduate will be fluent in two languages.”
HISD’s current dual language schools are now accepting student applications for the 2015–2016 school year. For a complete listing of campuses, click here, or watch the video below to learn more about the program and its benefits.
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Schools interested in the opportunity of becoming a dual language campus for the 2015–2016 school year should contact Gracie Guerrero at guerre5@HoustonISD.org or 713-556-6961.
Volunteers in HISD’s Read Houston Read initiative have met the students they’ll be working with this school year and are beginning the journey of helping children develop a love for reading.
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“I come once a week, every Monday, to read to two special little boys,” said Kimberly Thompson, who volunteers at Sutton ES. “When someone from the outside comes in and reads to these children, they just feel special. When you feel special, you are more open to every experience that comes your way.” Continue reading
Thousands of parents attended the HISD School Choice Fair on Saturday to learn about the district’s 100-plus magnet school programs to help them decide which programs meet their child’s needs and interests.
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The magnet application for the 2015-2016 school year is now available. The application takes about five to 10 minutes to complete, and parents may apply online or via a paper application. The magnet application will be open until Dec. 19, which is the last day to apply and be considered in the first round of the magnet application process.
Jefferson ES second-grader Genesis Cuevas may be battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but she’s certainly not doing it alone.
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Not only did students and staff turn out en masse on Oct. 31 to surprise her with a party on her eighth birthday, she also received a campus visit from TORO the Bull, the Houston Texans’ mascot, along with two cheerleaders and Texan front-office officials Austen Smith and Brian Peden. They came bearing gifts, too, including a football signed by David Quessenberry, an offensive tackle who was diagnosed with lymphoma in June, as well as hats, T-shirts, and other gifts. Continue reading
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The design process to build a new Yates High School recently was highlighted in a new HISD video. Continue reading
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Condit Elementary School on Saturday became the first school to break ground under HISD’s 2012 bond program, kicking off the construction phase of the school’s new 21st century campus.
Condit is in the first group of 17 schools transitioning from the design phase to the construction phase as part of the district’s $1.89 billion bond program to rebuild or renovate 40 schools.
Fall is always a time for adjusting to new routines, as the regular academic year gets underway. But in HISD, many students also spent the first five weeks of the new school year adjusting to a new method of reading.
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“Principled habits,” which are a part of the district’s Literacy By 3 movement, are designed to allow students to build literacy skills independently while their teacher works with smaller groups of students. Continue reading