Principals Get Fired Up by Keynote Speaker

Fantastic! Inspirational! Amazing!

These are a few of the comments overheard after keynote speaker Alan Hooker ended the Welcome Back Team HISD event for principals and their staff on Wednesday morning, Aug. 7, at Chavez High School.

Hooker, HISD’s Leadership Development Officer, talked specifically about how to be successful in realizing your dreams. His childhood dreams included becoming a basketball star in high school, even though he was only 5 foot 6 inches at the time. He grew tall and made the team. His college dream was playing football for the Dallas Cowboys, and sure enough, they recruited him.

Continue reading →

Architect for Sterling High School Seeks M/WBE Subcontractors

Sterling High School will be rebuilt by SHW Group, which is reaching out to the community to work with certified M/WBE subcontractors.

SHW Group, an educational facilities design firm, is seeking certified M/WBE subcontractors to assist with their work at Sterling High School, which is set to get a new campus under the district’s $1.89 billion bond program.

SHW Group’s Principal-in-Charge Jennifer Henrikson said the firm’s biggest goal in the 2012 bond program, which will replace or rebuild 40 schools across the city, is to do great work with the best team possible.

Continue reading →

Schools to be rated ‘Met Standard’ or ‘Improvement Required’ under new school rating system

School ratings are changing under a new accountability system that takes effect this year. The Texas Education Agency ratings will take into account a larger number of measures rather than being dependent on a single factor such as TAKS scores. Continue reading →

North Forest Families Urged to Complete Application for HISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program

Application available online and at all HISD campuses for 2013-2014 academic year

The Houston Independent School District urges all North Forest families to complete an application with HISD’s Food Services Department as soon as possible in order for their children to qualify for free or reduced price meals during the 2013-2014 school year.

“Many of our families may not realize they need to apply each year for meal benefits,” HISD Food Services Senior Manager Brian Giles said. “It‘s important that they submit the application in order to qualify so their children can start the first day of school with healthy meals.”

Continue reading →

HISD, Houston Urban Debate League Host Summer Debate Camp

Houston ISD students had an opportunity to hone their public-speaking and debate skills at the sixth-annual Summer Debate Institute July 29–August 2, 2013, at Austin High School. Hosted by HISD and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL), 85 students from 17 Houston-area schools participated in the week-long camp.

“It’s been informative and really helpful in other aspects, because debate keeps you apprised of relevant topics,” said Joseph Collins, 12th grade camp participant. “It’s given me the ability to not only state my opinion but actually back it up and be able to do the research.”

Continue reading →

Parents: Get Children’s Back-to-School Immunizations for Free

The start of the new school year is just around the corner, and one of the things all students need to have is up-to-date immunizations.

Which immunizations are required for your child? Visit the Heath & Medical Services Departments’ website for the lists.

Here’s some good news: Your child can get back-to-school immunizations for free. Here’s where and when you can get them in Houston. Parents must accompany their child and have their child’s immunization records in order to qualify.

Continue reading →

HISD Transportation to Provide Emergency/Rescue Training to All Bus Drivers

More than 1,200 to complete hands-on training in partnership with Houston Fire Department

HISD’s Transportation Services, in partnership with the Houston Fire Department, will provide realistic emergency and rescue training to all bus drivers and attendants to prepare them to respond successfully to any crisis on a school bus.  The training will be August 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Houston Fire Department Training Facility, 8030 Braniff Street.

Mock emergency drills will prepare bus drivers and attendants to respond to a variety of potential scenarios, including a fire on a school bus, an armed intruder on board, and a wreck involving a train.

Continue reading →

Sign Up Today for the Mayor’s Back-to-School Fest on Aug. 10

Mayor Annise Parker will be hosting a Back-to-School Fest for parents on Sat., Aug. 10, 2013.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the University of Houston, and it is expected to serve about 25,000 families from almost two dozen Houston-area independent school districts.
Continue reading →