Literacy Bus loads up at Martinez ES

Parked under the summer sun in front of R. Martinez Elementary School, the bus could be mistaken for the typical mode of transportation seen across the district.

But after a second look, you will spot the bright colors, logos, and artwork that give it away: this isn’t your typical bus. Step inside, and the differences are even more obvious; gone are the seats and center aisle, replaced by Astroturf and hundreds of books for the taking.

This is the Literacy Bus, a partnership between HISD, the Astros Foundation, the Houston Public Library Foundation, and Occidental Petroleum. It’s a mobile interactive unit that encourages reading with the entire family, going to some of the most in-need neighborhoods throughout Houston.

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Business Operations hosting job fair June 26

The Houston Independent School District is hosting a job fair this weekend to find candidates to fill several key operational support positions, including bus drivers, custodians, mechanics, HVAC technicians and grounds crews.

Interested individuals should attend the Business Operations Job Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th St.

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Lamar senior teaches students about bees at HISD farm

Amongst the blooming plants and swarming insects that lay claim to a sprawling green space in Southwest Houston, stood the youngest of instructors who was developing a buzz all her own.

In her final weeks as a senior at Lamar High School, Lisa Rollinson was tapped to lead educational workshops for nearly two dozen students at the Food and Agriculture Literacy Center at Mykawa Farm.

As one of just five experts selected for the job, Rollinson received the honor after being designated by the Texas Department of Agriculture as one of 12 Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas. The designation recognizes teens who advocate for healthy lifestyles.

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Project Explore kicks off summer with 4-day camp

Project Explore kicked off the summer with a 4-day camp, “Exploring & Conquering New Horizons: Maintaining Resiliency in Times of Uncertainty.” The purpose of the camp was to celebrate students and their families who have remained resilient through this difficult school year.

Project Explore connects HISD middle school students to high-impact college and career opportunities through a series of workshops and programming. For students like Brenden Hall from Thomas Middle School, it’s a path forward to success.

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HISD calls for feedback on grant funds

As a result of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, funds have been provided to school districts across the country to mitigate the impact COVID-19 has had – and continues to have – on elementary and secondary schools.

Now, additional funds in the amount of $54.3 billion are available for K-12 schools through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) funds.

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HISD hosting phone bank to reach out to students

In a partnership with the Houston Astros Foundation, the HISD Student Assistance Department is reaching out to Houston area students and their families to enroll them in school.

Both organizations will host a phone bank at Minute Maid Park this week to help recover students who have failed to return to an educational setting. Volunteers will be provided a list of names, contact information and a script to allow them to engage with students and parents during the call.

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High School Ahead Academy hero places sharp focus on helping students

As Michael McClendon begins his day at High School Ahead Academy, you can usually find him moving about the campus, stopping to check in with various students along the way.

The dedicated employee often serves a mentor and role model for the nearly 200 students on campus. He listens to their joys and frustrations, offering a kind word or two in return.

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HISD launching summer meals program with 10 curbside pickup sites

Find out more about how to get no-cost healthy summer meals

The Houston Independent School District is launching its 2021 summer meals program this week, in conjunction with the start of summer school.

As part of the summer meals program, Nutrition Services will host weekly curbside student meal pickup at 10 of the district’s highest-need campuses. The distributions will be held at the end of each week and provide students with meals for the weekend, as well as hand sanitizer and reusable masks.

Weekend meals also will be provided to students enrolled in summer school. They will receive no-cost breakfast and lunch at school each day as well as meals to take home for the weekend at the end of each week.

“As we have learned from this past year, we have an overabundance of students from food-insecure households in HISD,” Nutrition Services Officer Betti Wiggins said. “I’m grateful that we’re able to provide this program to help ensure our students continue to have access to good food through the summer.”

Campus curbside pickup locations include:

  • Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technical Center, 9400 Irvington Blvd.
  • Northside High School, 1101 Quitman St.
  • Furr High School, 500 Mercury Drive
  • Chavez High School, 8501 Howard Drive
  • Milby High School, 1601 Broadway St.
  • Washington High School, 4204 Yale
  • Braeburn Elementary School, 5550 Pine St.
  • Bonham Elementary School, 8302 Braes River Drive
  • Almeda Elementary School, 14226 Almeda Road
  • Jane Long Academy, 6501 Bellaire Blvd.

The first curbside pickup will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 18. Students will receive two days’ worth of breakfast and lunch to eat over the weekend.

Beginning Thursday, June 24, all remaining pickups will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays to better align with the district’s summer work schedule. On Thursdays, students will receive three days’ worth of breakfast and lunch to eat over the weekend.

The program is slated to run through the end of summer school.

For more information or to find a curbside pickup location near you, visit HoustonISD.org/StudentMeals.

Educators of the Year recognized in virtual event

As heavy storms—the kind typical of Houston summers, dark clouds heavy with rain—moved through the area on Tuesday night, spirits in teachers’ homes across the area could not be dampened.

And as the skies cleared, a rainbow appeared over Rosa Oviedo’s house, just in time for her to be surprised as the Elementary Teacher of the Year.

“It feels really good as an educator,” Oviedo said. “We don’t do this job to be recognized, but for HISD to put this together for us despite the pandemic is truly appreciated.”

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Priscilla Rivas named new principal of Kinder HSPVA

Priscilla Rivas
Priscilla Rivas

Dr. Priscilla Rivas is the new principal for Kinder HSPVA. Rivas is an experienced educator and artist. She joined Houston ISD in 2005 as a teacher at Herrera and then Memorial Elementary Schools.  Rivas proceeded to serve as an assistant principal at Browning and principal at Crockett which serves a robust elementary performing and visual arts program. Rivas is also a performing artist, artistic director, and teacher for dance and visual arts with a passion for making the arts accessible to all. 

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