This summer, Foster Elementary School went from an Improvement Required school to International Baccalaureate status.
HISD schools, offices to close Tuesday, Sept. 14
Due to inclement weather, all after-school activities and sporting events are cancelled today Monday, Sept 13. Schools and buildings should not be accessed after 5 p.m. on Monday, Sep. 13. In addition, in-person and virtual classes are canceled on Tuesday, Sept.14. All HISD offices and schools will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Students will not need to make up the missed school day. For additional updates, visit www.HoustonISD.org or follow us on the district’s social media.
Houston ISD Board of Education approves renaming Jack Yates Field
During Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting, HISD’s Board of Education unanimously approved renaming Jack Yates Field to George Perry Floyd Jr. Athletic Community Field.
Continue reading10 HISD schools make U.S. News best Texas high school rankings
HISD had 10 schools–three in the top 10–make U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in Texas rankings.
Continue readingArt gallery opening to showcase work of HISD students, sisters
Two HISD students and sisters, Energy High School’s Sophie Morita and Mandarin Immersion Magnet School Middle School’s Emma Morita, will have their artwork showcased from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Artbinsters’ grand opening.
Continue readingSchool Support Officer announcement: Middle School, High School offices
School Support Officer Announcement: Middle Schools Office
Benjamin Hernandez is a new School Support Officer for the Middle Schools Office. He began his career in HISD in 1997 as a PE teacher at Bonner Elementary School.
Continue readingLanier MS math teacher wins coveted Kinder Award
Rodrigus Graham, a sixth-grade math teacher at Lanier Middle School, was named the 2021 Kinder Award winner on Thursday, which included a cash prize of $25,000.
Graham received the award during a surprise ceremony in the school’s library. He was nominated by Assistant Principal Marcus Williams and originally thought he was heading a professional development session before being surprised with the award. WWE Hall of Famer and Houston native Booker T surprised Graham with a pre-recorded video announcing the Kinder Award honor.
Shearn Elementary names Peta Douglas principal
Peta Douglas is the new principal of Shearn Elementary. Ms. Douglas joined Houston ISD in 2012 as a Teach for America Corps member.
She has served as a bilingual teacher, teacher specialist, and most recently as an assistant principal at Emerson Elementary School. Prior to moving to Houston, she served as an ESL instructor and migrant advocate in Albemarle Public Schools in Virginia. Ms. Douglas holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia and has completed coursework at Harvard University in the Principals’ Center for Professional Education.
HISD streamlining bus routes to improve service amidst nationwide driver shortage
Transportation Services is in the process of confirming ridership amongst eligible students and deleting unused stops as the department works to improve service amidst a driver shortage impacting school districts across the country.
To ensure all students have transportation to and from school in the meantime, some drivers are running consolidated or back-to-back routes. While this ensures bus service, it can cause extended delays.
Capital Planning Steering Committee extends application deadline to Oct.15
The Houston Independent School District is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2021-2022 Capital Planning Steering Committee as it looks to address almost $5 million in deferred maintenance needs.
The steering committee — an independent citizens committee made up of community members — will be tasked with providing strategic direction, feedback, and guidance to the district as it prepares to address needs identified in the 2021 facilities assessment.
The committee will have up to 25 members representing all nine Board of Education trustee districts. Appointments will last for one year — or the duration of the 2021-2022 Capital Planning Steering Process.
“The Capital Planning Steering Committee will play a critical, strategic role in moving this district forward,” HISD Superintendent Millard House II said. “Their charge will be to develop recommendations that provide all students with equitable access to modern, innovative, and safe learning spaces.”
To apply, candidates must complete and submit the Capital Planning Steering Committee Application by close of business on Friday, Oct. 15. Special preference will be given to:
- Candidates with expertise in building design, engineering, construction, construction project management, safety and security, and finance
- Candidates who are active representative business or community organizations in the district
- Parents/guardians who have children enrolled in the district and are active in a parent-teacher organization
A panel of senior district administrator will review applications and make recommendations to the superintendent, who will make final appointments. Committee appointments will be announced on Monday, Oct. 25.
Members will meet monthly — and more often, if needed — from November through April. Meetings are tentatively scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month.
Review the 2021-2022 Capital Planning Steering Committee Guidelines for more information about committee requirements, membership eligibility, and the application process.