A special message from Superintendent Millard House II

The following letter from Superintendent House was distributed on the night of August 5 to HISD parents, staff, and community members:

Dear HISD Community,

The health and safety of our students and staff continues to be our guiding compass in all of our decisions. As a result, during tonight’s agenda review meeting, I announced that I will propose a mask mandate for students, staff, and visitors at all schools, buses, and facilities to be voted on next week by the Board of Education. The mask mandate will become effective upon Board approval during next Thursday’s board meeting, August 12. In light of the announcement by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to raise the COVID-19 threat level to “red,” additional safety measures are needed to protect our students, staff, and families.

The mask mandate applies to everyone regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated. In partnership with health officials, three HISD schools are offering vaccinations this Saturday. If your child is 12 or older, I encourage parents to stop by and get a shot. No appointments are necessary.

  • Dogan Elementary School, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Deady Middle School, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Kashmere High School, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The 2021-2022 school year begins on August 23, and we will continue to monitor the situation and work with health officials for frequent updates, which we will share with you. The safety of all HISD staff and students continues to be our top priority.

Sincerely,

Millard House II
HISD Superintendent

HISD partners with City of Houston for pop-up vaccination sites

Houston Independent School District is partnering with local health organizations —as well as nine other area school districts— to host pop-up vaccination sites at schools across the district. These “Super Saturday” events will take place every Saturday in August, starting August 7.

It’s an effort to get eligible students and their families vaccinated for COVID-19 before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

“Our schools are the heart of our community,” Superintendent Millard House II said. “They’ve served as testing sites, and as vaccination sites. Now, 14 HISD campuses will take part in the mayor’s vaccination efforts this month. If your child is 12 or older, stop and get them the shot.”

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Former HISD athlete takes bronze in Tokyo

Rounding the corner of the first lap of her race at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, Raevyn Rogers was in last place. But back in Houston, her mother knew the first-time Olympian just hadn’t made her big move yet.

“She went through the first lap, and I was still sitting down,” Rhonda Rogers said. “When she started making a move, I stood up. I was talking to the TV like she was right there with me.”

That mother’s intuition proved to be spot on—just a few moments later, the 24-year-old Houstonian pulled ahead and finished third, bringing home the bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics in the Women’s 800-meter race.

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L. Fernando Alarcón named new principal of Benjamin Franklin ES

L. Fernando Alarcón

L. Fernando Alarcón is the new principal of Benjamin Franklin Elementary. Alarcón is originally from Colombia and has been in education for 21 years. He worked for 10 years in Bogotá, Colombia as a bilingual teacher in elementary and secondary school, and 11 years in Houston ISD as a bilingual teacher at Tinsley and Benavidez Elementary. He later was named assistant principal at Gallegos Elementary. 

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Plans for federal funds outlined in virtual town hall

Click above to see the full details of the plan.

In a virtual town hall with parents and other community members, Superintendent Millard House detailed the plans that Houston Independent School District have for upcoming funding from the federal government.

Those funds—a part of Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act—will total more than one billion dollars for HISD.

“ESSER funds are designed to help support public schools in the United States, particularly in response to the ongoing issues surrounding the pandemic,” House said. “We are looking forward to implementing these funds to further our support of our students and continue to ensure their success.”

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Superintendent House announces leadership changes, restructuring to meet student needs

As part of the collective work moving the district towards improved student outcomes, it is critical that Houston Independent School District have aligned structures and efficient processes.

Over the past several weeks, Superintendent Millard House has closely examined the district’s overall structure, identifying opportunities for the district to become more efficient and responsive to student needs.

The following district leadership changes will help lead HISD to become a more effective organization:

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Superintendent House meets with community leaders from across Houston

Around 100 representatives from organizations and groups from across Houston were present this week, as Superintendent Millard House hosted the latest in his series of meet-and-greet events.

This event was held to offer community and spiritual leaders the chance to meet the new superintendent as well as offer their feedback and ask questions about House’s plan for the Houston Independent School District.

In the gathered crowd, there were representatives from LULAC, Memorial Hermann Hospital System, Loving Houston, Discovering Youth, The Alliance Texas, Houston Federation of Teachers, United Way of Greater Houston, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, Legacy Community Health, and many others.

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HISD inducting inaugural class into newly created Athletic Hall of Honor

The Houston Independent School District has a rich history of student athletes not only making an impact but making history in the sports world. These athletes will be recognized at the inaugural induction ceremony into the HISD Athletic Hall of Honor on August 14.

A project spearheaded by Athletics Director Andre’ Walker and the Hall of Honor Executive Committee, the Class of 2021 consists of 16 individuals and one team. They include Super Bowl champions, Olympic winners, a basketball player whose college team inspired a movie, a tennis champion who led the way for tennis to become a professional women’s sport, and the best football team in state history.

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LaTreal Peterson named new principal of Paige ES

LaTreal Peterson

LaTreal Peterson has been selected as the new principal of Paige Elementary School. Peterson started his educational career as a 2012 Teach for America corps member at Emerson Elementary School and later transferred to Burbank Elementary. He has also served as a gifted and talented coordinator, instructional coach, school director, and teacher specialist. In 2018, he became the Dean of Instruction at DeAnda Elementary and for the past two years has held the same leadership role at Burbank.   

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Erica Cantu Tran named new principal of Patrick Henry MS

Erica Cantu Tran

Erica Cantu Tran is the new principal for Patrick Henry Middle School. Cantu Tran began her education career 19 years ago as a 4th grade ESL teacher for the Houston Independent School District at J.C. Mitchell Elementary. Tran went on to work in Goose Creek CISD as a 3rd grade teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal and principal. In 2018, she returned to HISD as the Principal of Bonham Elementary where she has restructured the school and built a community of trust and academic excellence.

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