HISD Food Services celebrates National Nutrition Month

HISD’s Food Services Department is celebrating National Nutrition Month throughout March. National Nutrition Month is a nutrition and education information campaign celebrated annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right,” is this year’s theme which encourages individuals to develop life-long healthy eating habits by finding the right balance of delicious AND healthy foods.

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Three schools eliminated from HISD closure, consolidation proposal

The Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees will review proposals to close Jones High School and Dodson Elementary School during the March 13 board meeting. Three of the five schools – Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School, Port Houston Elementary School, and Fleming Middle School – originally proposed for closure have been removed from consideration by Board President Juliet Stipeche. This authority is provided to the president through board policy.

“I respect our board president’s request to remove these schools from consideration,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “I also appreciate her input, the input of all trustees, and the community-at-large in this process.”

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HISD celebrates highly effective teachers with breakfast, district recognition

A group of 27 highly effective teachers from campuses across HISD gathered at district headquarters Wednesday morning for a celebratory breakfast, a photo shoot, and tributes from district leadership.

“We know that nothing is more important than providing our students with great teachers,” said Dr. Rodney Watson, chief human resources officer. “And I can also tell you that teaching is the most difficult job I’ve ever had. I wish we could have brought all of our district’s top teachers together today, because they all deserve to be recognized for their tremendous work.”

HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones agreed. “I have such deep respect for the hard work our teachers do every day. The hard and heavy lifting in our district truly takes place in the classrooms.”

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Community hears about plans for a new Relief Elementary

The new elementary school being built to help relieve crowding in the West Houston area will be located on a unique piece of land that offers views and an abundance of natural beauty.

“It’s a wonderful place to build a school,” Trustee Harvin Moore told a group of parents and community members who turned out Monday to learn more about the project.

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Yates High School returns to state tournament; Semi-final game Thursday

Sendoff pep rally today, watch party planned for weekend

In honor of Jack Yates High School boys’ basketball team’s return trip to compete for another state title, the Yates band and cheerleading team will host a pep rally at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 in the school’s auditorium (3703 Sampson St, Houston, TX 77004). The event will highlight student-athletes’ achievements and serve as the final spirit-fest for a 23-9 team that is hoping to win it all in Austin. The team will load buses immediately following the event.

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Chavez HS College Camp helps students, parents prepare for paying for college

Don’t think that financial issues make college out of reach. That was the message sounded repeatedly to several hundred parents and students, who attended College Camp Houston at Chavez High School on March 1 to find out more about the financial aspects of preparing for higher education.

The workshop, hosted by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and Wells Fargo Bank, provided students and parents with advice for paying for college, researching financial aid, and obtaining scholarships. Bankers and education finance specialists guided families through the application process.

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Governor declares March 3-7 Educational Diagnosticians’ Week

Educational diagnosticians are certified professionals with skills in identifying learning disorders. In recognition of the critical role that these individuals play in providing all students with a high-quality education, Gov. Rick Perry has declared March 3–7 “Educational Diagnosticians’ Week” in the state of Texas.

“By developing and recommending teaching strategies and materials, these professionals help provide our next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills fundamental for lifelong success,” said Perry, in a proclamation signed on Feb. 4 (.pdf). “Their hard work contributes to the future of our young Texans and of the Lone Star State.”

For more information, visit the Texas Educational Diagnosticians’ Association.

Find out how high school is changing at HISD ‘Plan Your Path’ meetings

Ten community sessions will introduce families to new requirements, resources

Houston ISD will launch a series of 10 community “Plan Your Path: House Bill 5 and You” meetings Monday, March 10, to introduce eighth-graders and their families to major changes in high school planning that will blend academics with higher education and careers.

One session is set for each trustee’s district, with one at the HISD headquarters at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Families may attend any of the meetings, and all HISD students and parents are invited to get a first look at this new model for learning.

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Parker, Relief elementaries fine-tune school designs during two-day workshop

Project Advisory Teams wrapped up a two-day design charrette on Friday for two of the district’s elementary schools being constructed under the 2012 bond program: Parker Elementary, a music magnet school in the city’s Westbury area, and Relief Elementary, a new campus in West Houston that is intended to relieve crowding at several nearby schools.

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Students celebrate Read Across America Day

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Students throughout HISD celebrated Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Monday.

HISD Food Services served Dr. Seuss-themed menu items, including Cat in the Hat Flap-tastic pancakes and Lorax broccoli trees.

Some of the activities at schools included:

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