All HISD campuses and offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6 for the Labor Day holiday.
Schools and offices will reopen for normal business on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
The HISD Police Department will be patrolling district facilities. Emergencies may be reported by calling 713-892-7777.
In a series of community town hall meetings, Superintendent Millard House II will be seeking feedback from parents, employees, and other community members about the future of Houston Independent School District.
The town hall-style meetings will be hosted around the district by the nine Board of Education trustees, with additional meetings for parents of Special Education students and PTO members by invitation only, as well as a virtual meeting. The goal of these meetings is rooted in Superintendent House’s 90 Day Plan, where he stated a need to listen to the community about issues surrounding the district.
A Travis County judge says the Houston Independent School District can continue mandating masks to protect students and staff from COVID-19.
The judge’s ruling extends a temporary restraining order banning Governor Greg Abbott from enforcing his prohibition on mask mandates in Texas schools.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District is holding its first Parent University events for the 2021-2022 academic school year on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021.
For now, Parent University sessions will be held virtually via ZOOM and will connect parents and students to HISD and community resources to help support successful academic outcomes as well as safe and healthy environments at home and in school.
Continue readingWesley Elementary School Principal Thomas Cotter proudly showed Superintendent Millard House around the school’s Parent Center, where families in need can come to get uniforms, school supplies, food, and even computer access.
The center is supported by HISD Wraparound Services, which provides HISD students the non-academic supports—like access to mental and physical health professionals, food, and housing—necessary for them to be successful in school.
Continue readingWanda Paul, a veteran business operations officer and Houston native, has been named chief operating officer of the Houston Independent School District. Paul begins her new role on September 20.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Ms. Paul brings a wealth of experience to HISD, including serving as chief operating officer for schools in Texas and Florida.
Most recently, she spent four years as chief operating officer for The School District of Palm Beach County in Florida. In this role, she oversaw more than 1,700 employees, 187 schools, and a $63 million capital budget. She also implemented a program to better track energy use and reduce utility costs. Before going to Florida, Ms. Paul served four years as chief operating officer for the Dallas Independent School District.
Continue readingThe familiar hoots and hollers of classmates returning to campus on the first day of school were replaced by “oohs” and “aahs” as students entered the new Bellaire High School for the first time on Monday.
Eleventh-grader Carter Sasser said everyone gathered at school early to meet up with friends and get their first glimpse of the new building.
“This place is impressive, especially the new pool and gym and the new lockers,” Sasser said. “The stairs are commons areas we didn’t have in the old building.”
Standing under a clear and sunny sky, excited students and their hopeful parents lined up to enter the bustling hallways of Benbrook Elementary School on Monday, the first day of the 2021-2022 school year.
“I can’t wait to see my classroom,” said one student to her classmate, both shouldering new backpacks as they waited in line to have their temperatures checked and sanitized their hands.
Continue readingFirst impressions are always hard, but Jamaica took the first day of school in stride.
The hypoallergenic Bernedoodle — a special breed that has Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle parents — welcomed Wesley Elementary School students back to school with her tail wagging and a paw-sitive attitude.
The pup recently joined HISD Police as the department’s first-ever comfort dog, working on campuses across the district to help combat stress and anxiety in students and build trust between police, students, and the community.