Tag Archives: Houston ISD

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to Address Class of 2013 at Commencement Ceremonies

Nearly 9,000 seniors to graduate at 41 HISD graduation ceremonies

Starting today nearly 9,000 seniors will graduate from HISD high schools at 41 commencement ceremonies across Houston.  On Saturday and Sunday HISD Superintendent Terry Grier will be addressing the seniors at the commencement ceremonies for Chavez, Washington and East Early College high schools.  Members of the HISD Board of Education will also be taking part in commencement ceremonies across the district.

“It is such an honor to see thousands of students walk across the stage, ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives,” Dr. Grier said.  “At HISD we work hard to ensure all students are college and career ready, so we feel confident that every senior from the Class of 2013 is on the right path to success.”

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HISD to Offer Free Summer Meals Program at more than 200 campuses

Families invited to kick-off parties on June 11 and 12

The Houston Independent School District’s free summer meal program kicks off on June 11 at more than 200 schools. Children ages 1 to 18 will be able to enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost through mid-July.  The start of the program will be celebrated with kick-off parties at Bonham and Kashmere Gardens elementary schools.

The ‘Summer Food, Summer Fun’ kick-off parties on June 11 and 12 will include giveaways, music, games and a special visit from Ace the nutrition mascot.

Children do not have to be enrolled in summer school nor show proof of income in order to receive a free meal at the participating HISD schools.  Adults may also participate by purchasing breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.25.

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Reagan High School Team Wins UIL State Mathematics Championship

Reagan Senior also placed first in individual state competition

 A mathematics team from HISD’s Reagan High School was declared the UIL State Mathematics Champion at the recent UIL State Meet.  Reagan team member Dante Vela also placed first in the individual state competition.

The mathematics competition is one of the most competitive contests at the UIL State Academic Meet, drawing students from across Texas.

The Reagan team, composed of five seniors, qualified for the state championship after advancing from UIL district and regional meets.  The team members have all been competing in UIL Academics for a combined total of 12 years.

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HISD Conducting Tele-Town Halls for North Forest Parents

Parents can participate by phone in English or Spanish  

In an effort to ensure a smooth transition for parents and students as the North Forest community joins the Houston Independent School District on July 1, HISD is hosting tele-town hall meetings to give parents the opportunity to ask questions directly to Superintendent Terry Grier and other administrators on May 29.

North Forest parents will be able to participate in the tele-town hall meetings by calling the toll-free numbers provided.  To participate in the English tele-town hall, parents can call toll-free 855-246-7045, extension 21856#.  Spanish-speaking parents may call 855-246-7045, extension 21911# to participate in the Spanish town hall. HISD will also be calling all North Forest students’ households directly when the tele-town hall begins at 6:30 p.m.

What:              English and Spanish Tele-Town Hall Meetings for North Forest parents

Who:               HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, HISD Board of Education Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, HISD Chief Human Resources Officer Rodney Watson, HISD School Services Officer Lupita Hinojosa, HISD Multilingual Program Manager Evelyn Castro

When:             Wednesday, May 29th 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

KBR to Award the 2013 Science Teachers of the Year

Three HISD science teachers to receive awards of up to $6,000

Three secondary science teachers in the Houston Independent School District will receive the KBR 2013 Teacher of the Year award on Friday.

This annual contest selects science teachers for this award based on their ability to increase student achievement in science and effectively engage students in the classroom, among other criteria.  The winners are awarded $6,000, $4,000 and $2,000 respectively for first, second and third place.

Who:               KBR Corporate Giving Supervisor Marolynne Huber, HISD administrators and science teachers

What:             KBR 2013 Science Teacher of the Year awards ceremony

When:             Friday, May 24th 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Where:           Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027

HISD to Announce 2013 Teachers of the Year

Twenty-two elementary and secondary teachers among finalists

Teachers from all 276 HISD schools, including the 22 finalists for the districtwide teacher of the year award, will be at the annual HISD Celebration of Excellence today at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

HISD will announce the two 2013 Teachers of the Year, and each winner will receive $5,000, a plaque, and a custom made ring from Herff Jones Graduation Center. The principals, assistant principals, first-year principal and first-year teachers of the year and employees of the month will also be recognized.

Click here to read more about the 22 finalists for Teacher of the Year.

Who:  HISD Board of Education Trustees, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, principals, teachers and staff

What:  Team HISD Celebration of Excellence ceremony honoring the 2013 Teachers of the Year

When:  Tuesday, May 21 at 6p.m.

Where:  George R. Brown Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston

HISD to Recognize the 2013 Librarian of the Year at Upcoming Banquet

Award-winning author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni to be guest speaker

For more than 25 years, the Houston Independent School District has been recognizing the dedication and efforts of all school librarians in the district.  The Librarian of the Year for 2013 will be announced at the upcoming annual banquet on May 18, 2013.

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HISD’s Washington High School Partners with British School to Build a Mission on Mars

Partnership possible thanks to KBR’s support

Students at HISD’s Booker T. Washington High School are collaborating with students at the Ormiston Victory Academy in Norwich, England to build a mission on Mars, thanks to KBR’s Discover Engineering Committee.

The SAMbassadors program is designed to engage students in science and engineering projects with a global perspective.  The students at both campuses Skype every other week to discuss the logistics of this project and share documents online.  Each school has 25-30 students in the program.

One group of students has been determining environmental conditions on Mars such as wind speed, temperature, atmospheric gases, sunlight and shade, radiation and soil conditions. Another group is designing the living conditions.  Meanwhile, the British students at Victory Academy are creating 3D CAD drawings.

The students from both campuses will Skype immediately following the press conference on Monday, May 20, 2013.

What: SAMbassadors, program to a build mission on Mars

Who:  Aimee Yuan, KBR-DEC chairperson; Patrick Harkin, KBR-DEC outreach chair; Jack Kramer, KBR engineer; Dr. Nghia Le, engineering teacher, Washington High School; LaShonda Bilbo-Ervin, principal, Washington High School; Elizabeth Nolazco, student, Washington High School

When:  Monday, May 20, 2013; Press conference – 9:30 a.m.; Skype interview – 10 a.m.

Where: Washington High School, 119 East 39th Street, Houston, 77018

HISD to Recognize District’s Top Volunteers at VIPS Recognition and Awards Program

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to deliver remarks

The Houston Independent School District is recognizing the efforts of thousands of volunteers and awarding the top volunteers of the year at the upcoming VIPS Recognition and Awards Program on May 22, 2013.

The Volunteers in Public Schools Program (VIPS) started in 1970 and to date, HISD has more than 30,000 volunteers district-wide who have dedicated countless hours to schools, programs and events across Houston.

During the VIPS Recognition and Awards Program, HISD will be giving numerous awards including the Jean Davis Meyer and Special Lifetime Achievement awards recognizing the most outstanding volunteers.

What:  VIPS Recognition and Awards Program

Who:  HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman, Trustees Rhonda Skillern Jones and Michael Lunceford and VIPS volunteers

When:  Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9a.m.

Where:  Kingdom Builder’s Center, 6011 West Orem, Houston, 77085

More Than 350 “Bikes for Excellence” Awarded to HISD Students

Bikes donated by the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, Martha Patricia Jaimes and the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club

More than 350 Houston Independent School District students at Garden Oaks, Looscan, Garcia, and Coop elementary schools will receive bicycles, helmets, and bicycle locks as part of the “Bikes for Excellence” program.  This program, founded in 2006 by Park Place Elementary teacher Martha Patricia Jaimes, rewards fifth-grade students who have excelled in academics, personal conduct, and attendance.   The Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation help by donating bikes to the program.

During the final ceremony on Friday, May 17 nearly 100 students at Coop Elementary will receive their bikes.

What:              95 fifth-grade students will each receive a bicycle, a helmet, and a bicycle lock

Who:               Coop Elementary students, staff and parents; Bikes for Excellence Founder Martha Patricia Jaimes; Sue and Lester Smith; and Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club  

When:             Friday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m.

Where:            Coop Elementary School, 10130 Aldine-Westfield, 77093