Tag Archives: HISD

Hundreds of Volunteers to Visit Students’ Homes during 10th Annual Grads Within Reach Walk

24 high schools participating across Houston

What:  HISD’s Department of Dropout Prevention will lead visits to the homes of hundreds of students who did not return to school for this fall semester during the 10th annual Grads Within Reach walk.  The purpose of this walk is to let the students know about the programs HISD offers to help them graduate such as the Grad Labs online credit recovery program and the Twilight High Schools around the city which offer flexible night and weekend hours.  The volunteers will set out from 24 high schools across the city to knock on the doors of students’ homes to personally encourage them to return to school.

Media are invited to Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center for video of the walk and interviews with administrators and volunteers.

Who:   HISD Department of Dropout Prevention, principals and volunteers

When:  Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8:00 a.m.  

Where: Sam Houston MSTC, 9400 Irvington

Target Makes Generous Donation to HISD’s Apollo 20 THINK Literacy Libraries

Grant to benefit more than 60 first grade classrooms libraries

The Houston Independent School District has received a significant donation from Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) to fund the THINK Literacy program at the Apollo 20 elementary schools in support of the district’s efforts to increase achievement in literacy.  The grant will provide books for more than 60 first-grade classroom libraries at the 11 campuses on September 4.

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North Forest High School Students Celebrate New Cafeteria Offerings and Improvements

HISD Food Services will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday

After giving the cafeteria dining area and kitchen a complete makeover, students at North Forest High School will get to enjoy four new build-your-own dining stations and celebrate their cafeteria’s new look during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 30at 10 a.m. at 10725 Mesa Drive.

“The new build-your-own dining stations increase our variety of offerings to students and encourage them to be creative while eating healthy versions of their favorite meals,” HISD Food Services Senior Administrator Brian Giles said.  “Each station offers fresh vegetables, lean and low-fat proteins and whole grain bread options.”

Earlier this summer, North Forest High School students participated in focus groups and provided feedback on the type of school lunch experience they would like to have.  Their feedback helped HISD Food Services develop lunch experiences to meet their campus’ needs.

North Forest High School students can now order their lunch from the following dining brands:

  • Green Street Deli™ – made–to-order subs, wraps and hot panini sandwiches from fresh ingredients
  • Tortilla Fresh-Mex™ – build-your-own chicken or beef burritos, quesadillas and taco salad bowls with an offering of fresh-made salsas, Spanish brown rice and charro beans
  • Custom Bros. Grill™ – build-your-own burgers, grilled chicken and other grilled items topped with a wide selection of fresh vegetables and special sauces
  • Home Zone™ – a healthy twist on classic comfort foods and home-style cuisine.

“The revamped cafeteria allows students to enjoy their favorite foods created their own way, while refueling physically and emotionally to meet the challenges of the day,” said North Forest Principal Pamela Farinas.  “I am pleased with the work of HISD Food Services to improve the kitchen conditions, eating environment and food for the students at North Forest High School.”

Eighty-seven new dining brand stations have been implemented in high schools throughout the district since last fall, providing flavor and variety to more than 30,000 students.

Lockhart Elementary to Celebrate Dedication of New School

Ceremony will mark new building constructed under 2007 bond program

What:             Lockhart Elementary will dedicate its new 750-student school, built under the 2007 bond program. Events will include student performances, special guest speakers and classroom tours of the new facility.

Who:               HISD Board of Education Trustee Paula Harris, Lockhart Principal Felicia Adams, and Rev. William Lawson of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

When:             Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013 at 9 a.m.

Where:           Lockhart Elementary School, 3200 Rosedale St., Houston, Texas 77004

HISD Distributes Laptops to Teachers as Part of District’s New PowerUp Initiative

Eleven high schools to participate in pilot stage of program

The Houston Independent School District will kick off its pilot stage of the PowerUp program, a districtwide initiative to transform how teachers teach and students learn through technology, by delivering laptops to teachers at 11 campuses across Houston.  A press conference will be held on Tuesday, August 13 at 10 a.m. at Austin High School, 1700 Humble.

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Board of Education to Consider Partnership with Houston Community College to Open Two Middle College High Schools

Schools designed to serve students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out

The HISD Board of Education will consider a proposal Thursday to create a partnership with Houston Community College to open two Middle College High Schools focused on serving students who are in danger of dropping out of school or who have already dropped out.

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Families Required to Complete Application for HISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program

Application available online and at all HISD campuses for 2013-2014 academic year

Families must complete an application for their children to qualify for free-and reduced-price meals and ensure their children start the school year with access to healthy meals.

Families can fill out their application at any HISD campus, at the HISD Food Services Support Facility (6801 Bennington Street), or online at www.mealapps.houstonisd.org.

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North Forest Families Urged to Complete Application for HISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program

Application available online and at all HISD campuses for 2013-2014 academic year

The Houston Independent School District urges all North Forest families to complete an application with HISD’s Food Services Department as soon as possible in order for their children to qualify for free or reduced price meals during the 2013-2014 school year.

“Many of our families may not realize they need to apply each year for meal benefits,” HISD Food Services Senior Manager Brian Giles said. “It‘s important that they submit the application in order to qualify so their children can start the first day of school with healthy meals.”

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HISD Transportation to Provide Emergency/Rescue Training to All Bus Drivers

More than 1,200 to complete hands-on training in partnership with Houston Fire Department

HISD’s Transportation Services, in partnership with the Houston Fire Department, will provide realistic emergency and rescue training to all bus drivers and attendants to prepare them to respond successfully to any crisis on a school bus.  The training will be August 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Houston Fire Department Training Facility, 8030 Braniff Street.

Mock emergency drills will prepare bus drivers and attendants to respond to a variety of potential scenarios, including a fire on a school bus, an armed intruder on board, and a wreck involving a train.

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Bellaire High School Graduate Wins New Car at ‘Cool to Be Smart’ Celebration

Bellaire HS grad Kevin Dwyer with the car he won at the Cool to be Smart celebration

Bellaire High School graduate Kevin Dwyer, who caught a ride with his friend to the event, left the third Annual Cool to Be Smart celebration on Sunday in a brand new 2013 Dodge Avenger donated by the HISD Foundation and Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

“This is really cool!  I never thought I’d win,” said Dwyer who will be studying electrical engineering at Texas A&M University this fall.  “My friend’s dad joked around that I would win, but I never imagined it would actually happen.”

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