HISD art clubs and classes assembled at MacGregor Park to take part in the 2023 Houston Art Bike Parade and Festival on Saturday, May 13. Presented by the Houston Parks Board and The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, the Art Bike Festival is an annual opportunity for students and community artists to showcase their creativity and to explore the bayou trails around the park.
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Heather Luebbers named new principal of Burbank Elementary School
Heather Luebbers has been selected as the new principal of Burbank Elementary School. Luebbers currently serves as Assistant Principal for Burbank. During her tenure at Burbank, she has led the implementation of R.T.I., Balanced Literacy Instructional Framework, and served as the Magnet Coordinator of the Fine Arts Program. She began her educational career as a middle school science teacher, has taught 4th and 5th grades, and also served as an instructional specialist and teacher specialist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Sioux Falls, master’s in Business Administration from the University of Houston and completed the Educational Leadership Program at the University of St. Thomas.
Music students showcased at State of the Schools 2015
Guests at HISD’s 2015 State of the Schools luncheon got a side order of entertainment with their meal. Westside High School’s Wind Ensemble of 35 students provided music throughout the program under the guiding hand of Conductor Joey Brunson, and students from 19 HISD elementary schools sang the national anthem.
HISD school board to consider plan to reduce classroom overcrowding
The Houston Independent School District is working to readjust attendance boundaries at almost two dozen schools in an effort to reduce classroom overcrowding.
The move is in response to a directive from the Texas Education Agency, which requires kindergarten through fourth-grade classes to have no more than 22 students per classroom. Classes that exceed that number must request a state waiver.
HISD announces 2014 Teachers of the Year at Celebration of Excellence
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HISD held its third annual Celebration of Excellence at the Hilton Americas Hotel on May 1, 2014, to honor the many dedicated professionals who contribute to the success of Houston’s students on a daily basis.
Among those recognized at the event were the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, who were revealed for the first time that evening.
‘Kids with Character’ mentoring program rolls out to 20 schools
Twenty students at Sherman Elementary School received their certificates and sticker badges Monday as they were recognized during a special lunch for being a “Kid with Character.”
Fourth-grader Alicia Sierra was recognized for her outstanding behavior. “I feel good and want to encourage my other friends so they can sit on stage with me,” she said. Continue reading
Appeals Granted: Two HISD Schools to Keep Magnet Status
Burbank and Elrod elementary schools to keep magnet status for 2014-2015 academic year
The Houston Independent School District is restoring the magnet designation at two elementary schools following a thorough review of the schools’ presentations and related documentation during the appeal process. Burbank and Elrod elementary schools will keep their magnet designation and funding for the 2014-2015 academic year.
“As we listened to the magnet program representatives who presented appeals, the committee was looking for clear evidence that these programs were on the path to meeting the magnet standards within one to two years,” HISD Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat said. “After a lot of deliberation, we’re pleased to announce that we are restoring the magnet designation at Elrod and Burbank elementary schools.”
During the appeal process, Burbank administrators presented to the committee nearly 40 additional applications they have received from non-zoned students. Those additional applications bring their percentage of non-zoned students to 16.52 percent, just under the minimum standard of 20 percent. In addition, Burbank will be adding three classrooms to increase capacity and accommodate additional non-zoned students.
As for Elrod, school administrators showed the committee their consistent enrollment growth over the past three years, going from 4 percent at the start of the magnet program to nearly 14 percent this year. Also, because Elrod changed its magnet theme in 2012 from math, science and technology to Emerging Medical Scholars, the committee felt more time was needed to assess the program’s viability.
However, Burbank and Elrod, like all magnet schools in HISD, will be re-evaluated at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year and every year thereafter to assess compliance with the enrollment goals and state accountability system ratings.
The Magnet Appeal Review Committee is still reviewing Law Elementary’s appeal, with a site visit planned for Wednesday morning.
“This is HISD’s first step in applying system standards across the district to ensure we maintain a high level of excellence at all schools,” Wheat said. “It is critically important that we ensure all magnet programs are meeting the enrollment and academic requirements set forth by HISD’s Board of Education.”
In May of 2013, the HISD Board of Trustees adopted a new policy that included the 20 percent non-zoned enrollment requirement for all magnet schools and the 100 non-zoned magnet students per grade level requirement for secondary magnet schools. The policy also stated that magnet schools would be held accountable for student academic outcomes aligned with the Board Monitoring System and/or current accountability standards.
As a result, HISD made the decision last month to remove the magnet designation from 20 magnet schools with the lowest percentages of non-zoned students enrolled. The schools were notified of this decision and were given the opportunity to appeal. Thirteen campuses filed an appeal but only Burbank and Elrod were approved to keep their magnet programs.
At the end of this academic year, the following 18 schools are slated to lose their magnet status and will only receive half of their funding during the 2014-2015 academic year: Law (under review), Pleasantville, Wesley, and West University elementary schools; Attucks, Deady, Dowling, Holland, Jackson, Key, and Patrick Henry middle schools; and Jones, Lee, Madison, Sharpstown, Westbury, Wheatley and Worthing high schools.
White ES Latest to Benefit from Partnership with Target, Heart of America
Students at HISD’s White Elementary School got food for thought and a head start on creating home libraries on Oct. 18, thanks to Target, its nonprofit partner—the Heart of America Foundation, and the Houston Food Bank.
White was one of 25 campuses from across the nation to be selected for a complete facelift through Target’s School Library Makeovers program, which has transformed hundreds of facilities since its inception in 2007.
The renovated library features 2,000 new books, furniture, rugs, and paint, as well as upgraded technology that included new iPads and desktop computers.