Who: The May 2013 edition of HISD Up Close hosted by HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman features an interview with fellow trustee Manuel Rodriguez Jr. on the importance of the district’s customer satisfaction survey called Your Voice. All HISD parents, principals and teachers are encouraged to complete and return the survey by May 20. Students will fill out the questionnaire during the school day from May 20-31. The survey is the largest of its kind in the history of the district and is being conducted by an outside company to assure confidentiality.
Board Members Encourage Participation in Districtwide Survey
Parents, teachers and principals need to fill out ‘Your Voice’ survey by May 20
HISD Board President Anna Eastman and Board Trustee Manuel Rodriguez Jr. are encouraging HISD parents, teachers and principals to fill out and return the Your Voice customer satisfaction survey by May 20, 2013. The survey is the largest of its kind in the history of the district and is being conducted by an outside party so all responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Continue reading
Marshall MS Student Rewarded For ‘Doing Write Thing’
Marshall Middle School student Jordyn Turner will head to Washington D.C. this summer to serve as a Houston/Harris County ambassador at the National Campaign to Stop Violence. The seventh grader, her parents and her school principal were surprised with the news at a special ceremony at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, May 11, 2013 which brought together student finalists who wrote essays examining the problems of youth violence.
“Jordyn is a unique, spirited individual who really cares about making a difference at school and in her community,” said Marshall Middle School Principal Michael Harrison. “We are so proud of her.”
This spring, Turner and nearly 17,000 middle school students from 39 school districts in Harris County wrote essays that addressed the issues of causation, effects and solutions to violence as part of the Do the Write Thing Challenge program. The program is an initiative of the National Campaign To Stop Violence, a non-profit, non-partisan, organization composed of community, business and governmental leaders who have come together to reduce youth violence across the United States. Since its inception, it is estimated that more than 1,000,000 students have participated in the challenge.
Houston Astro Pitches In To Help With District Literacy Efforts
He may be a catcher for the Houston Astros, but Jason Castro is pitching in to help HISD with its comprehensive literacy efforts. Castro and his wife, Maris, have created a new literacy initiative called Castro’s Kids which will be providing funds, books and incentives to supplement HISD’s Name that Book competition and the district’s successful Millionaire Club Summer Reading Program.
“Maris and I couldn’t be more dedicated and excited to launch Castro’s Kids,” said Castro during HISD’s Name that Book Fair event on May 11, 2013 at the Bellaire Barnes and Noble. “We attribute not only meeting each other, but many of the opportunities we have been given throughout our lives, to education. By promoting literacy in the Houston school districts, we hope to make an impact in the area that we are proud to call our home.”
‘Career Cowboy’ targeting career education in HISD elementary schools
Think back to when you were a child. What did you want to be when you grew up: a doctor, lawyer, or fighter pilot?
Now, elementary-age students can interact with hands-on exhibits and activities that can map out a career path in numerous professions.
HISD’s Career and Technical Education department has developed a free, mobile learning program designed to teach students about professional careers and the types that are available in the Houston area. Students could soon see the Ready Wagon bus pull up to their campus and have the chance to meet the “Career Cowboy”.
HISD Plans to Preserve Schools’ Historical Architecture
Lamar High School was built in 1937 in a distinctive Art Deco style.
Lamar High School is known as a school that has graduated award-winning journalists and authors, and Nobel laureates and professional athletes over the years. While Houstonians embrace the school’s rich alumni culture, few realize that the building’s structure has its own legacy with a deeply rooted foundation in its surrounding community.
Team HISD extends teacher application deadline
Because of the overwhelming response and interest in teaching positions for the 2013-14 school year, we have decided to extend our spring application deadline to May 22, 2013.
If you are passionate about teaching and committed to boldly impacting student achievement, we urge you to apply for a teaching position with HISD. To get started, simply click here and follow all instructions.
While vacancies exist in all areas, HISD has a high need for instructors with strong backgrounds in the following areas:
- Bilingual teachers — More than 60,000 students in HISD have limited proficiency in English. We’re looking for experienced bilingual teachers who hold their students to high expectations and are passionate about opening doors for English language learners.
- Science, technology, engineering, and math teachers — HISD is actively recruiting STEM teachers who are invested in preparing our students to compete in a 21st century economy. We are filling positions districtwide including those at our two new STEM magnet schools, The Energy Institute High School and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.
Five-thousand dollar incentives are available, while they last, for teachers hired for the 2013-2014 school year to teach in critical shortage areas including: bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as autism, life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and behavior support.
Board of Education Approves 11 More Contracts for Work Related to 2012 Bond
Selected projects include five more schools and athletic facility upgrades
May 9, 2013 – The HISD Board of Education authorized the district to negotiate design contracts with six firms on selected 2012 bond projects, including two of the district’s renowned specialty high schools – DeBakey High School for the Health Professions and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Student Creations to Cruise in Art Car Parade
Eight schools are participating in this weekend’s parade
Students at the Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center are putting the finishing touches on an after school art project that will soon be seen by thousands of Houstonians. Art teacher Carolyn James-Taylor and a group of middle school students have created an entry for this year’s Art Car parade which will be cruising down Houston’s streets on Saturday, May 11, 2013, starting at 3 p.m. Continue reading
Ten HISD Seniors Awarded National Merit Scholarships
Winners selected from talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists
Ten Houston Independent School District students from five high schools have been named National Merit Scholarship winners and will each receive a scholarship for their undergraduate studies. The winners, selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists nationwide, were awarded based on their ability to demonstrate the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential success in rigorous college studies.