Family Learning Academy offers parents resources for college and career planning

Houston ISD wants to help parents be ready for when their children graduate and go on to college or join the workforce. The district’s Family and Community Engagement Department is holding a Family Learning Academy to give tips and let parents know about the options available.

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Patricio Dominguez attended the first Family Learning Academy Super Saturday, which was held at Jones Futures Academy, to find out how to save money.
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Federal literacy grant to promote ‘culture of reading’ at 10 HISD elementary schools

As one federal literacy grant to HISD is ending, the U.S. Department of Education has approved a new, expanded $749,982 grant that will fund “Project REALITY” family library activities at 10 HISD elementary schools and extend to others during the summer. The acronym stands for Reading Elevates All Learners Through Integrated Technology for Youth.

“It shows that the Department of Education has faith in what we’re doing,” said Liz Philippi, manager of HISD Library Services. Continue reading →

Pre-bid meeting held for potential subcontractors on Sterling HS bond project

sterling_pre_bidCadence McShane Construction held a pre-bid meeting at Sterling High School on Friday for companies interested in working on the school’s new building project. As part of HISD’s 2012 bond, $72.3 million was allocated to construct a new 21st century campus for Sterling.

More than 80 potential subcontractors attended Friday’s meeting, which was the company’s second and final pre-bid meeting for the Sterling project prior to the October 22 bid deadline.

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Johnston MS dancers to perform at Jones Hall Oct. 10 with MOMIX

Two dozen Johnston Middle School students will be appearing at Jones Hall on Oct. 10 as a part of the MOMIX show scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening.

Over the summer, students Laura Anawaty, Isabella Clasen, and Kira Daniel (all from Johnston Middle School), Destinee Gonzalez (a Johnston alumna now attending Lamar High School), and a group from High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, participated in a choreography residency at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, through an arrangement with the prestigious New York-based dance company, Jessica Lang Dance, and the Society for the Performing Arts, Houston.

The students worked directly with Jessica Lang and members of the dance company on choreography and methods of producing interesting movement. The residency culminated in a performance on the Kaplan Theatre stage.

Parents, students explore variety of educational options at School Choice night

Middle school parents learned about more than 40 high school programs their children can choose from at a Parent Information Night organized by the district’s Office of School Choice on Thursday at Burbank Middle School.

“It’s good to see that our students have so many opportunities at HISD,” said Rubin and Laura Precella, who attended the program with their daughter and nephew, both eighth-graders at The Rice School. “We just want to learn more about the different programs so that we can choose one that will help our children make their mark on the world.” Continue reading →

HISD kicks off Eco-Schools USA Green Schools Challenge

School district participates in competition for second year

The Houston Independent School District and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) are teaming up to kick off the district’s second annual Green Schools Challenge this month in an effort to decrease the district’s energy consumption. HISD schools will have until Oct.15 to sign up for the competition, which will take place until March 2015.

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Businesses learn benefits of becoming M/WBE-certified

workshopwednesday_100114This month’s Workshop Wednesday, hosted by HISD’s Business Assistance Supplier Diversity team, featured helpful tips from business associations that offer certifications to minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs).

Attendees received valuable advice and information on the benefits to qualified companies associated with becoming M/WBE certified. Angela Freeman represented the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) and gave details on the steps and requirements involved.

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‘Ivy Plus’ College Night brings nation’s top colleges to HISD

Houston ISD high school students will meet with admissions representatives from colleges and universities ranked among the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report at the district’s Ivy Plus College Night on Monday, Oct. 6.

High school juniors and seniors are strongly encouraged to attend the event, which is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. at Reagan High School, 413 E. 13th Street. Ivy Plus College Night includes a college expo featuring various top tier universities such as Yale, Harvard, Rice, and Duke.

Students and their families will have the opportunity to participate in college admissions workshops to learn about scholarships and financial aid resources and how to increase a student’s chances of getting accepted into these colleges. Continue reading →

HISD Police Department to host annual National Night Out event

The Houston Independent School District Police Department will be hosting its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in conjunction with the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). The nonprofit organization, which is in its 31st year serving local communities, is dedicated to the development and promotion of organized law enforcement affiliated crime- and drug-prevention programs. Continue reading →