Texas to Practice Medicine Distribution During Mock Emergency

HISD schools to host three distribution sites

The Texas Department of State Health Services will host an exercise Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in the Houston area to test the ability of state and local partners to work together to provide medical supplies during an emergency.

The exercise focuses on the distribution of medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile, a store of large quantities of medicine and other items that can be deployed quickly to help protect the public in an emergency. Three HISD campuses — Jones, Scarborough and Westside high schools — will serve as distribution sites on Saturday, Nov. 2, the final day of the exercise.

Exercise activities may include the movement of large trailers, law enforcement vehicles and volunteers across multiple sites in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and surrounding counties. These activities are for exercise purposes only and do not represent a real emergency.

Formally called the Regional Allocation, Dispensing, and Distribution Strategic National Stockpile Full-Scale Exercise, the event will test public health and hospital preparedness during a mock widespread public health emergency. The exercise will include coordination with 19 regional and local health agencies, 50 hospitals and 17 dispensing sites.

Furniture Expo to Showcase 21st Century Learning Spaces

Teams from each school in HISD’s 2012 bond program will get a closer look at furniture designed for 21st century learning environments at a furniture expo on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Terrell Middle School.

“The purpose of our furniture expo, the first of its kind in HISD, is to encourage and explore the conversation of what does a 21st century learning space look like and how will it be different in 10 years or even 20 years from now,” said HISD General Manager for Facilities Planning Sue Robertson. Continue reading →

HSPVA ‘Will Add a New Energy’ to City’s Downtown

The new High School for Performing and Visual Arts will be connected to the center of Houston when the school moves downtown near the city’s renowned arts and theater district.

“Other than the Frank Sinatra high school in New York, we don’t know of any other performing arts high school that will be this embedded in downtown,” said architect Lester Yuen of Gensler, the firm designing the new HSPVA.

Continue reading →

Attend Texas College Night at Reagan High School Nov. 6

Students can meet with representatives from dozens of state schools to explore their options

Texas has outstanding colleges and universities, and HISD’s 2013 Texas College Night is a great way to narrow down the choices for students and their families. Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis will be the keynote speaker at the event, which takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Reagan High School (413 E. 13th St., 77008).

Continue reading →

Highly Effective Teachers Staying in HISD

Houston ISD superintendent Dr. Terry Grier comments on effective teacher retention during a news conference on October 30. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Houston ISD superintendent Dr. Terry Grier comments on effective teacher retention during a news conference on October 30. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Teachers whose students show the most academic achievement gains are more likely to continue teaching in Houston ISD classrooms, according to the latest staff retention data.
Continue reading →

More Top Teachers Choosing to Stay in HISD

What: Press conference to announce data showing that the annual retention rate for HISD’s highest-performing teachers outpaces the district average. Applications from teachers hoping to work in HISD have doubled.

Who: Superintendent Terry Grier, Assistant Superintendent for Professional Development Lance Menster, Instructional Practices Coach Kymberly Riggins from the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

When: Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.

Where: Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th Street

New 2012 Bond Video Highlights Collaboration in Planning and Design

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/77822326/ w=320&h=205]

HISD released a video Tuesday that showcases the progress in the planning and design of the first group of schools being built and renovated under the district’s 2012 $1.89 billion bond program.

Less than a year since the bond program was approved by voters, the video shows site work underway at South Early College High School, as well as ongoing collaboration among students, faculty and architects in design workshops. The video also highlights community meetings now underway to encourage participation in the bond program.

Continue reading →

Bond Oversight Committee Updated on Building Program’s Quarterly Progress

HISD’s Bond Oversight Committee met Tuesday to review the 2007 and 2012 bond programs in a gathering that included third quarter updates on finances, schedules, quality control and business outreach.

The nine-member committee meets every three months to monitor the district’s bond programs, ensuring that bond revenues are spent appropriately and the risks and controls of the bond program are evaluated.

Continue reading →