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.
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).
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.
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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
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.
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.
HISD’s Green Schools Initiative was honored Monday at the 29th Annual Mayor’s Proud Partners Luncheon for its commitment to building healthy and sustainable schools.
The school district received the J. Howard Rambin III Founder’s Award, which recognizes efforts to improve the city through projects that help beautify and transform Houston. “This is a celebration of people in the community doing great things,” said Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who lauded the efforts of organizations, volunteers and corporations at the event, sponsored by Keep Houston Beautiful. The luncheon drew more than 400 community leaders and volunteers.
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HISD’s biweekly radio show this Wednesday, Oct. 30, on KCOH (1230 AM) will highlight the district’s efforts to build and renovate 40 schools and provide contract opportunities to small and minority-owned businesses for projects under the 2012 bond program.
The 30-minute segment on KCOH will air at 11:30 a.m. The urban news/talk station broadcasts HISD news every other week.
Feedback from students and parents who sampled more than 150 foot items from 44 vendors at HISD’s first annual food show will be used by HISD’s Food Services Department to help determine which items will show up in school cafeterias next school year.
About 500 people attended the show on Oct. 24 at the Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, where the Waltrip High School Jazz Band performed, and raffle tickets were handed out to attendees.
Banquet tables were full of families tasting food, comparing notes, and filling out evaluation forms. “Mom, try this!” could be heard as students brought samples to parents and siblings.
HISD Team Lead for Supplier Diversity Bernard Willingham told a group of small and minority business owners to remember one number: $1.89 billion.
“Every one of you in this room should want to know how you can get your hands on that for your business,” said Willingham, who spoke about the district’s 2012 bond program Thursday at a Doing Business with HISD workshop held at Houston Community College’s Southeast Center for Entrepreneurship.
The event, which drew about 30 attendees, offered small and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) guidance on responding to contract proposals and forming joint ventures that can help improve their business capacity for HISD projects in the 2012 bond program, which will build or renovate 40 schools across the district. Continue reading