Posse Foundation to send 23 HISD Students to Elite Universities
The Posse Foundation, a national nonprofit organization designed to send students from urban districts to elite universities to serve in a pre-established peer support network, selected 23 HISD students to represent the city. Continue reading
The Houston Independent School District’s Business Assistance department is hosting the first of a two-part workshop series for potential contractors interested in bidding on upcoming projects with the district on Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 3-5 p.m. at HISD’s CFS Operations (formerly Brock Elementary School) at 1417 Houston Ave.
Participants will learn about submitting proposals, get more information on RFPs and RFQs, and hear more about the proposal evaluation process for the district’s $1.89 billion bond program, which will fund the replacement or repair of 40 schools.
“These workshops are to ensure that all bidders have a good understanding of the RFP process and the district’s expectations,” said Alexis Licata, HISD’s general manager of Business Assistance.
The second portion of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 6, also from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Office of Business Assistance hosts workshops the first Wednesday of every month.
To register for the workshop or for more information, please contact the Office of Business Assistance at 713-556-7273.
Who: The January 2013 edition of HISD Up Close hosted by HISD Board President Michael Lunceford discusses the next steps in the 2012 HISD Bond Program, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November. The program also takes a closer look at Istation, an online tool that elementary school teachers across the district are using for literacy assessment and intervention. Fellow Board Trustee Paula Harris also stops by with three principals to talk about some of the exciting things happening at schools in the neighborhoods she represents.
Architectural and engineering firms seeking to take part in the Houston Independent School District’s $1.89 billion 2012 bond program to replace and modernize schools across the city will have more time to submit their Statement of Qualifications.
HISD officials decided to push back the deadline from Jan. 7 to Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. after more than 300 people turned out Tuesday for a pre-submittal conference on the RFQ to solicit design and engineering services to build or renovate 40 schools.
Attendees asked a variety of questions about the RFQ, including how to present financial information and how to comply with district goals on participation by minority and women-owned business enterprises. In addition, many asked for more time to prepare their submissions. Continue reading
Contributions benefitting HISD’s innovative effort to transform 20 struggling schools total $16.8 million
The most ambitious private fund raising effort in HISD history has successfully concluded with the recent $1 million donation from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to the district’s Apollo 20 school turnaround program. This donation brings the total amount given to Apollo 20 by the rodeo to $2 million.
Now that the Houston Independent School District has laid out the construction timeline for the 40 schools slated to be rebuilt or renovated under the 2012 bond program, planners are busy visiting principals and campuses to learn about each school’s unique needs and goals.
The goal is to get a better understanding of the specific attributes of every campus, from their educational programs and student population to their site needs, traffic flow and any other issues raised by the principal. Continue reading
First-grade students at Bruce Elementary School are getting new help achieving their reading goals. The United Way of Greater Houston is partnering with the school in a new literacy mentor program.
The program will pair a volunteer and a first-grade student together for the entire year. During that time, the volunteers will read a book with the students and will later help them complete a literacy exercise.
United Way President and CEO Anna Babin presented books to all of the first grade students along with a $5,000 check to principal Trealla Epps. Both Babin and Epps said they believe the initiative will encourage the volunteers to develop positive relationships through mentoring and literacy.
HISD is now recruiting highly-qualified teachers for the 2013-14 school year to help us fulfill our mission of providing each and every one of our students with an excellent education. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online here by the Early Bird application date of January 14, 2013, to have the best chance of securing an early contract for the 2013-14 school year. Continue reading
Sign up now for courses from Neuhaus Education Center, HISD’s Leadership Development
Assistant principals, deans and principals who want to hone their leadership skills, differentiate instruction, keep students engaged in learning, provide useful feedback to teachers, and more, should sign up now for one or more of the professional development opportunities available to school leaders in January. Continue reading
Christmas arrived early for nearly three hundred kindergarten through third grade students at Benbrook Elementary School. On Saturday, December 15, the students were awarded free bicycles and helmets from the group Elves and More for achieving their reading goals for the semester. Continue reading