Volunteer to change a child’s life through reading

Looking for a way to help HISD’s students? The district is resuming its popular “Read Houston Read” and “Real Men Read” programs this year. HISD recognizes the need to provide ongoing literacy support to students and is once again asking the community for volunteers to read to children.

Read Houston Read volunteers will work with the same student one hour each week for an entire year, either in person or virtually on the Microsoft TEAMS platform.

Houston Real Men Read is a mentoring program in which men volunteer at least one hour a month to read to students in third grade.

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U.S. Coast Guard commandant supports CTE Maritime Program students with new partnership

Colorful replicas of maritime flags and bright green balloons adorned the aisles of the Austin High School auditorium to welcome U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz, special guests, and more than 300 Maritime program students.

“The maritime pathway is pretty cool,” senior Diana Anaya said. “It’s more than just boats and going to the beach. We learn about transportation, safety, and supply logistics.”

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HISD receives high ranks from Children at Risk for being pandemic resilient

HISD is home to some of Houston’s most pandemic resilient schools according to Children at Risk’s annual list of best public schools.

The research and advocacy organization evaluated 1,347 schools in the Houston area to identify those that were most resilient during the pandemic. This year’s rankings focused on analysis comparing academic performance during the 2020-21 school year with the 2018-19 school year to identify the impact of the pandemic on children in Houston.

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HISD schools to host COVID-19 vaccinations for students ages 5 and up

HISD is partnering with various organizations across the city, including the Houston Health Department, to offer COVID-19 vaccine opportunities in school communities. COVID-19 vaccinations for 5 years old and up will be available in several HISD schools beginning Friday, Nov. 12.

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R. Martinez Elementary School names Coleman-Hernandez new principal

April Coleman-Hernandez has been selected as the new principal of Raul C. Martinez Elementary. Coleman-Hernandez began her teaching career in 1997 at Sharpstown High School. She continued serving the children of HISD as dean of students at Revere MS and Fonville Middle School, and dean of instruction at North Forest High School.

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Rockets, military a winning combo at Oates ES Hoops For Troops

For Houston Rockets newcomer Armoni Brooks, planting seeds and giving back to the Houston community is part of his roots. The Waco-born former University of Houston Cougar was joined by teammates Kenyon Martin Jr., Joshua Christopher, Rockets staff, mascot Clutch, and members of the military on Tuesday for the Hoops For Troops event at Oates Elementary School. The event was a beautification project that saw the military and Rockets organization roll up their sleeves and work on the Oates grounds by painting the basketball court, pulling weeds, replacing benches, power-washing the walls, and adding new flower beds.

“Just being able to give back to the community is a big part of what we wanted to do when we chose this profession,” Brooks said. “Being able to do it in the local community means a lot, and I’m sure it really means a lot to the kids and the families and everyone that is involved.”

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Free, high-speed internet available to eligible HISD families

Deadline for families to register extended to Dec. 19

Access to reliable internet is an essential part of a student’s educational journey.

In another step to close the digital divide, the district is inviting households to apply for high-speed broadband internet through a partnership with the Texas Education Agency Connect Texas (TEACT) program.

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Dedicated Capital Planning Steering Committee focuses on future

A buzz of enthusiastic energy swept into the boardroom at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center Tuesday evening.

More than 20 members of the Capital Planning Steering Committee, including HISD staff, kicked off their inaugural meeting.

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HISD extends application deadline for Student Teacher Corps to Jan. 12

In response to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19, HISD is partnering with iEducate to hire up to 500 college readiness mentors as tutors through a new initiative called Student Teacher Corps.

All HISD students and alumni ages 15 through college are invited to apply for this paid opportunity. The purpose of this program is to address gaps in learning widened by the pandemic at 50-plus elementary schools in need, all while helping students interested in the field of education gain valuable hands-on teaching experience.

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Second-year teacher encourages prospective educators to come to HISD

Last year on the final day of school in Maria Reveles-Gonzalez’s third-grade class at Pilgrim Academy, she posted a sign that read “last day of school.” Students wrote on it what they learned that year, as well as their favorite subject. While most wrote that they enjoyed learning multiplication, one student answered, “to be confident in who she was.” That moment helped the then-first-year teacher confirm that this was where she wanted to be—at HISD.

“It was so beautiful to see that is what she took away from being in my class for one year,” Reveles-Gonzalez said.

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