On Oct. 5, I had the privilege of welcoming three new members into HISD’s Partnership Hall of Fame, and it was a pleasure to be able to express my thanks to them once again for all that they do.
This is the eighteenth year for us to honor some of the district’s most-valued community partners, and KBR, the Port of Houston Authority, and Prepared 4 Life bring the total number of individuals and organizations we have recognized in this way to 50.
That’s a phenomenal record.
On the way to the appreciation breakfast last week, I heard an old song on the golden oldies country station my wife found on the radio. It was called “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine,” and it was about the three things the singer felt like he could always count on in life.
I found myself thinking that I could absolutely count on old dogs and children. But I would change the last part of that lyric to say “partners,” because I feel like we can always count on ours to support us in doing whatever is best for our students.
That’s why it is so important to have friends like those we honored the other day, and I ask you to join me in thanking them for their support of public education.
You can read more about this year’s inductees and watch videos here.
Spotlighting Some Great Achievements
Today I had a very productive discussion with our schools’ principals—sharing some of the progress and recognition the district has received while also discussing what we can do to keep moving forward in our pursuit to keep all kids in school and on track toward graduation.
On the ‘Frontline’ of Dropout Prevention
If you haven’t had a chance to watch the PBS Frontline episode “Dropout Nation” featuring dropout prevention efforts at Sharpstown High School, I encourage you to watch it in its entirety here.
HISD’s efforts to get dropouts back in class and keep at-risk students from leaving school in the first place was the focus of the special report that aired on Tuesday night (Sept. 25).
It was great to open our doors and share those efforts with the nation. Through the powerful efforts of our teachers, principals, and administrators, we can continue to work to keep kids in school and see them walk across the stage with diplomas in hand.
Attend one of 10 Community Conversations on bond proposition
If you haven’t already marked your calendars to attend one of the 10 Community Conversations on the bond proposition starting this evening, I highly encourage you to do so. Early voting is just one month away—on Oct. 22. If you haven’t registered to vote, you can do so here. The bond proposition will be listed at the very end of the ballot as the Houston I.S.D. Schoolhouse Bond Election.
read more…
New Schools Bring New Opportunities
I am happy to share that three new HISD campuses and one campus building addition will be dedicated over the next several days!
Thanks to the 2007 bond program, students are gaining new learning environments with features such as updated libraries, computer labs and Smart Board technology. The new campuses also are “green” schools, built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. These new facilities are vital in our efforts to provide every child with a consistently safe and academically rigorous education.
As the 2007 bond program comes to an end, HISD is asking voters to consider a new bond that would rebuild and renovate 38 campuses and improve safety and technology at all HISD campuses. Find out more about the bond proposal here.
On Nov. 6, please take care to completely fill out your ballots. The bond proposition will be listed at the very end of the ballot as the Houston I.S.D. Schoolhouse Bond Election.
Make sure you vote!
Encouraging students to return to class
I was honored on Saturday to be among the 600 members of Team HISD and local volunteers who personally knocked on the doors of students who hadn’t found their way back to school yet this year. I want to thank all of the volunteers who visited the students at their homes and encouraged them to return.
On Tuesday, I had a chance to gather with members of HISD’s central office staff at the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a great school year. Four brand-new schools opened their doors, school buses ran on schedule, and we fed breakfast to elementary and middle school students—right in their classrooms.
The best part of the two meetings for me was passing out Team HISD hats to four of our hard-working staff members: Chester Glaude, a Senior Manager in the Transportation department; Alan Delaney, a Transportation Training and Support Manager; Mark Shenker, Director of the High Schools Office; and Veronica Mabasa, Interim Manager in Board Services.
Chester and Alan have been instrumental in getting our bus fleets and drivers ready to go for the new school year, implementing extensive training on emergency evacuations, counterterrorism measures and CPR and first aid. Much of the training was a first for the department. I’m happy that we have employees like Chester and Alan who are pushing to make HISD a safe and secure district.
Mark has been invaluable in navigating state accountability requirements and data, ensuring principals have the necessary tools and plans to successfully implement strategies around End of Course (EOC) exams. Veronica managed the Board Services office for August seamlessly with over 100 registered speakers, stepping into the manager position while handling numerous agenda items and organizing bond workshops—all the while remaining calm and serving as a role model.
Bravo to these hard-working examples of the best of Team HISD. I’m already counting the days until I pass out the next batch of hats!
A brand-new year with brand-new possibilities
There’s nothing like the first day of school, and this year was a particularly exciting kickoff to a wonderful year ahead—including innovative new programs and brand-new schools opening their doors.
I toured Scarborough High School, which is one of six new Houston Innovative Learning Zone (HILZ) campuses launched this summer. The campuses offer students an opportunity to fulfill high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning associate’s degrees. This gives seniors two options: go on to the college of their choice or obtain a job right away in a thriving industry.
Principal Jason Catchings was busy checking schedules and ushering students to their classrooms. He has high expectations for his students this year, saying only pre-AP and AP classes will be offered. I spoke with two juniors who are very excited about the HILZ program at Scarborough. Phillip Omro and Demi Mitchell showed off new classrooms that are designed for differentiated instruction. Chairs are grouped in circles so students can work more closely together. The students said they feel fortunate to be a part of the HILZ program.
I also got a chance to see the new Billy Reagan K-8 Educational Center, named after former HISD Superintendent Billy Reagan, who was at the school to take in his legacy. He said it was the greatest honor to have such a state-of-the art school bearing his name. The school offers a two-way dual language program that is both a bilingual program for Spanish-speaking students and a foreign-language immersion program for English-speaking students. Principal Joyce Williams took me through several classrooms where children and teachers were already hard at work on their lessons. The school is already at its 900-student capacity!
We also introduced a program through a partnership with River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram President Alan Helfman and the HISD Police Department that offers lunch to HISD officers at elementary and middle schools. The officers then have the opportunity to mentor students and offer extra security on campuses—just another example of how HISD is committed to providing a rigorous education and a safe and secure atmosphere for academic excellence.
Bright and early Monday morning, students across HISD will join their friends and teachers for an exciting year filled with academic growth and new experiences.
District employees have been working all summer to ensure every school is ready when the first bell rings. Custodians have been cleaning hallways and filling towel dispensers, and plant operators have been testing equipment and checking HVAC systems to make sure classrooms are ready for learning. And teachers and principals have undergone extensive leadership training and worked hard to prepare schools and classrooms for their students.
HISD has a new curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of every child. Students at six campuses will have the chance to earn associate’s degrees and career training in technical fields under the new HILZ (Houston Innovative Learning Zone) program.
Four new schools funded by the 2007 bond will open their doors on the first day – and we have a bond proposition on the November ballot that would rebuild or renovate 38 schools across the district in coming years. With a new year ahead of us, HISD is committed to offering a consistently rigorous and safe learning environment at all of our 279 schools. There’s no limit to what our teachers, principals, and students can achieve.
Successful Second Year for Back to School Fest
There are moments when I feel overwhelmingly proud to live in this city, and Saturday was one of those moments at the second annual Back to School Fest at Reliant Center.
Thanks to the City of Houston, many generous sponsors, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, tens of thousands of HISD students have the essentials they need for a successful school year. The students and their families walked away from Reliant with free backpacks, school supplies, immunizations, uniforms – even free haircuts!
Sol Ayala and her three children, who attend Bonner Elementary, were the first family in line at 4:30 a.m. Ayala expressed gratitude for the event, saying it’s especially helpful for parents who can’t afford basic supplies for their children.
I’d like to thank our second-year presenting sponsors, Shell Oil and Motiva Enterprises, for stepping up again for our students. And to Team HISD and the many volunteers who spent their Saturday making a difference, I take my hat off to you!
