Ortiz MS celebrates heritage, diversity with mariachi program

The scene playing out on the stage at Ortiz Middle School on a humid May morning is a familiar one to many Houstonians.

Musicians decked out in embroidered pants, wide-brimmed sombreros, and colorful silk ties playing vihuelas, guitarróns, trumpets, and other instruments in a style instantly recognizable as mariachi music.

But what makes this group stand out is that the musicians are all under the age of 14.

“It makes me feel alive,” sixth-grader Joshua Campos said. “My problems, when I play, they just go away. I just think about the music.”

Continue reading →

Scarborough Huskies mark official homecoming with virtual grand opening, watch party

The smell of freshly made popcorn and thunderous cheering filled the hallways of Scarborough Elementary School as overhead announcements reminded students there was just “thirty seconds until showtime.”

“Ah! I’m so excited!” one student yelled from his classroom.

“This is going to be so cool!” hollered another.

The excitement was focused on the Scarborough Elementary School Virtual Grand Opening, which students and staff were celebrating with classroom watch parties.

Continue reading →

HISD students to be surprised with Superintendent Scholars Awards

Several Houston Independent School District seniors will receive a surprise visit—and a scholarship—from Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. The exemplary students will be surprised as part of the Superintendent Scholars Award.

The fourth year of these scholarships, the Superintendent Scholars Award recognizes the achievements of graduating seniors who have exemplified great character and resilience in the face of adversity.

Continue reading →

HISD celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-7

Houston Independent School District will recognize its nearly 12,000 teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3 through 7.

The week is a part of a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the National Parent Teacher Association.

“Our teachers truly are the heart and soul of HISD,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan said. “Over the past year, teachers have stepped up as true team players for our students and families. Teachers have transitioned to virtual learning and back again, often teaching two classes at once—one at home and one in-person.”

To celebrate the week, HISD is launching a campaign that focuses on these All Stars—and students, staff, parents, and the community are invited to participate through social media.

Continue reading →

Associate Teachers of the Month honored at Whidby ES, Hobby ES

As the mid-morning sun struggled to break through the cloudy skies, a whirl of blue fabric and the sounds of a bass drum filled the parking lot at Whidby Elementary School.

As LaShunda Robinson walked through the front doors of the school, a parade broke out with Chief Human Resources Officer Julia Dimmitt leading the way as twirlers, band members, cheerleaders, and other students from Whidby trailed behind.

The parade was to honor Robinson as the April Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teacher of the Month.

“I am without words,” Robinson said as the parade passed her by. “And that doesn’t happen very often.”

Continue reading →

Nurses from R.P. Harris ES, HSPVA recognized

With a colorful contemporary art installation overhead and neighboring mirrored skyscrapers reflecting sunlight into the lobby of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Nurse Kimberlyn Jordan came out of the elevator expecting to take her photo for the school yearbook.

But the staff at HSPVA had other plans, surprising Jordan with the April Secondary Nurse of the Month honor.

“I saw all these people down here, and I had no idea what was going on,” Jordan said.

Continue reading →

Five schools represent HISD at Texas History Day Competition

Students from five schools represented the Houston Independent School District at the Texas History Day Competition on April 24.

Students from Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk Middle School, Black Middle School, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, and Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy attended the competition.

Continue reading →

Three HISD campuses recognized with AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

A trio of high schools in Houston Independent School District are being recognized by the College Board.

Bellaire High School, North Houston Early College High School, and Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy are each being honored with the prestigious 2020 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Only 1,119 schools in the country obtained this honor. 

Continue reading →

Lamar High School wins 2021 Landmark Award

The newly built Lamar High School was named the winner of the Houston Business Journal 2021 Landmark Awards for Education.

The annual awards program recognizes outstanding real estate projects that make a significant impact on the Houston landscape and help sculpt the look, feel, and image of the city.

At Lamar, judges scored the project on innovative interiors, best use of land, visual plan, and being environmentally friendly.

Continue reading →

HISD to participate in Teacher Incentive Allotment program

Next spring, HISD will be participating in the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Incentive Allotment, a program that aims to help districts boost student success while also recruiting and retaining high-quality educators.

HISD is eager to be a part of this program because it will help increase salaries for the district’s highest performing teachers — at little-to-no cost to the district — while also ensuring students have equitable access to the most effective teachers.

Continue reading →