Strengthening ‘academics first’ at Yates before construction begins at school

Close to 40 Yates High School parents, alumni, educators, and students attended a special community meeting Thursday to discuss strengthening academic programs at the school before construction begins on a new facility for Yates.

Yates is one of 40 schools HISD will rebuild or renovate under the district’s 2012 $1.89 billion bond program. Construction on Yates is scheduled to begin mid- to late 2015.

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At the meeting, attendees shared ideas and voiced concerns on what academic programs to expand on or include in the new building, including offering more advanced courses for students.

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Meet HISD Transportation’s first Hispanic senior fleet manager

Andres Montes

Andres Montes

Andres Montes doesn’t like to brag on his many accomplishments. Instead, HISD Transportation’s Senior Manager of Fleet Operations uses his knowledge of mechanics and personal journey to inspire his employees and students. With many accolades, including over 30 years’ experience in fleet management, numerous certifications and serving as the first Hispanic to hold a senior level management position with HISD Transportation, Montes is committed to service excellence. He talks about his love of mechanics and vehicles, and why he feels it is so important to pay it forward. Continue reading →

Combined Charities takes the uncertainty out of giving to the needy

Shawn McMahan poses for a photograph at Horn Elementary School, October 23, 2014. (Dave Einsel / Houston ISD)

Shawn McMahan

For Shawn McMahan, HISD’s Combined Charities Campaign is about security—the comfort of never having to wonder if the money she gives is actually getting to the people it’s supposed to help.

“We’ve all had that experience where you’re stopped at the red light and a person shows you a sign asking for money,” explained the Horn Academy ESL teacher. “In your head, you debate whether or not to help them. You may worry that by giving them money, you’re just feeding some bad habit that got them there in the first place. Or you remember the story on the news about scammers who make their living off the generosity of others, but really require no assistance. But how can you look them in the eye and refuse to help? It’s a dilemma.” Continue reading →

Sharpstown Int’l School nurse named tops in Texas for 2014

Karen Adams

Sharpstown International School (SIS) Nurse Karen Adams has already been honored once this year for her work with HISD students. Now, HISD’s Secondary Nurse of the Year for 2014 is getting recognition at the state level: the Texas School Nurse Organization has named her its 2014 School Nurse of the Year.

“It’s very gratifying,” said Adams of receiving the award, “but I was shocked. What I do here is for my kids. I don’t do it for recognition; I do it because I want to and the kids need it. That’s the most important thing to me, that the kids get what they need.” Continue reading →

HISD Transportation unveils mobile-friendly website to track school buses

Parents soon will be able to track their child’s school bus along its daily route thanks to a new website being unveiled by the Houston Independent School District’s Transportation Services department.

This new mobile-friendly online portal — http://parent.silverlining.synovia.com/ — allows parents and legal guardians to track the morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off of their students. Viewable on any computer or smartphone, parents simply must enter a student identification number and HISD account number provided by each school. Continue reading →

U.S. Dept. of Education checks out HISD’s Linked Learning

Visit by U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Innovation and Improvement, Nadya Chinoy Dabby, to Eastwood Academy. (Houston Independent School District)

Nadya Chinoy Dabby visited Eastwood Academy on Oct. 22, 2014.

U.S. Department of Education Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement, Nadya Chinoy Dabby, toured Eastwood Academy and visited several HISD Apollo 20 campuses Wednesday. She visited the campuses to see the progress that has been made through the federal Race to The Top grant that HISD was awarded 10 months ago.

The $30 million grant is helping to fund the district’s new Linked Learning approach that places real-life career experiences in the classroom. The initiative launched this school year beginning with 40 schools. Continue reading →

New Energy Institute High School to feature innovative spaces

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How do you build a school so it doesn’t look like a school? And why?

The Project Advisory Team at Energy Institute High School has spent a lot of time coming up with answers as they plan and design a $37 million campus for the nation’s first school dedicated exclusively to energy studies.

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Volunteers help prepare HISD Flip Kits for schools

Volunteers with HISD’s Read Houston Read program gathered together Tuesday to help get the program rolling.

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“They’re here today to prepare the Flip Kits that are actually going to be used in the schools,” said Kallie Benes with the Children’s Museum of Houston. “They are cutting ribbons, laminating supply sheets, taping the materials into the supply kit, putting books into the each kit, and putting all the materials into a Kit bag.” Continue reading →