HISD Meatless Mondays offer vegetarian lunch options

Houston ISD is the first school district in the state of Texas to participate in the Meatless Monday movement’s Lean & Green Day, according to Monday Campaigns, a nonprofit public health initiative. Since December, the district’s Food Services Department has made an effort to serve more vegetarian menu items for students on a regular basis.

“The average American consumes eight ounces of meat per day, which is 45 percent more than the USDA recommendation,” said HISD Food Services’ Nutrition Manager Amanda Oceguera. “By reducing consumption of meat you can reduce your risk of chronic preventable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer.”

Oceguera said HISD Food Services decided to join the movement as an added benefit to students and to accompany its efforts to continue to provide students with nutritious, well-balanced meals. Participation levels remain steady as students choose meat-free favorites and learn to enjoy new healthy options.

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Magnet notifications are in. What’s next?

As student notifications hit inboxes and mailboxes, parents began to wonder what’s next. When a student is accepted to a school of his or her choice, parents must notify the school by April 11 in order to keep that spot for the 2014-2015 year. If a school agreement was included with the notification, parents must follow all the instructions and complete the acceptance process for the school of choice.

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HISD mourning death of Elementary School Chief ‘Chip’ Zullinger

Sidney "Chip" Zullinger

HISD is mourning the loss of one of its key administrators today. Dr. Sidney “Chip” Zullinger, chief elementary school officer, died Tuesday night after suffering a heart attack Monday.

“We have lost a good friend, great person, and champion for all children,” said Superintendent Terry Grier, in making the announcement to staff.

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Light It Up Blue to raise autism awareness on April 2

April is Autism Awareness Month, and in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, communities across the globe are being asked to “Light It Up Blue” on April 2.

Only about 1,375 students have been identified with autism spectrum disorders in HISD (a figure that represents less than one percent of the district’s entire student population), but Jermisha Hardeman, who teaches students with autism at Yates High School, says that it’s still important to increase awareness on this subject.

“With my students, you can’t just look at them and tell they’re autistic,” she said. “But it’s important to recognize them and to learn how to interact with them, because autism is on the rise. The numbers have increased. It’s estimated now that one in every 68 people falls somewhere on the autism spectrum.”

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State of Texas adds another technology tool for use during STAAR — for next year

For the first time, an electronic calculator application has been authorized for use by students during a Texas state assessment. Eighth-graders across the state can use either a graphing calculator or a graphing calculator application available on an electronic tablet on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) grade 8 mathematics test. Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner of Education Michael Williams informed superintendents across the state recently that the new policy will go into effect on a pilot basis for the 2014-2015 school year. For the pilot year, the TEA will still prohibit the use of smart phones.

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HISD maritime students get real-world tools ($50K each) for in-demand jobs ($70K-120K a year)

More than 460 students in the four-year maritime programs at Stephen F. Austin and Jack Yates high schools are getting a sneak peek at two state-of-the-art crane and forklift simulators that students will be able to use for training starting next school year.

The two $50,000 simulators were installed last week at Austin High School, and students in grades 9-12 will experience real-life scenarios that become more challenging as they move to the next grade.

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SECHS students mobilize to build awareness around wellness

After learning about the health risks associated with “food deserts” recently, service-minded students at South Early College High School (SECHS) organized a health fair for their South Park community recently to help build awareness around the issue.

A core group of eight student leaders (pictured in purple shirts) organized the service-learning project, which boasted more than 70 volunteers and almost 20 vendors.

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Berry Elementary School reaches LEED Silver status

Berry Elementary School reaches LEED Silver status�
Campus is seventh in HISD to reach Silver level of certification for green schools

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Berry Elementary School the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver designation, making it Houston ISD’s seventh school to receive that level of certification.

The newly designed environmental studies magnet school, a $15.7 million project built with funds from HISD’s 2007 bond program, has multiple environmental enhancements designed to save energy. The two-story, 86,000-square-foot building features large cisterns that collect rainwater for irrigation, a three-sided courtyard that includes outdoor learning areas and wildflower garden areas for additional science projects, enhanced science laboratories, and large windows in each classroom. Continue reading →