Category Archives: Education

Education

E.O. Smith/ Wheatley demolition in hiatus due to court ordered mediation

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The historical African American Phillis Wheatley High School has a slight reprieve for now as the community and Houston Independent School district are at a standstill due to a court – ordered mediation about the unwanted demolition of the school.

Historical preservation is being called for throughout the city of Houston this summer as Wheatley alumni and concerned citizens have sued HISD for deciding to demolish the community treasure. During a strategy meeting in Fifth Ward, alumni continuously expressed their upset that HISD would take bond money to tear down the school.

“I sure hate they are tearing all our stuff down,” said Gail Nelson, a native of Fifth Ward who happened to stop and look at the giant hole on the side of Wheatley. “Why are they tearing it down? They built a whole new school so what are they going to do with that?”
Nelson’s reaction echoes many other community members and alumni thoughts, they want to know why.

During the election season in 2012, the HISD bond proposed many renovation and new school projects for campuses throughout the district. Along that time, Houstonians could drive pass schools throughout the city and see huge bond signs with an enormous money amount on it, promising better for the community schools. The only problem is the illusion on the bond signs did not match up to the fine print on the official election order. This is what has Wheatley supporters in court. That fine print called for demolition, which was not submitted to voters, before, during or after the vote.

“Once again HISD has proven not to be an entity of their word, they actually back door the whole bond referendum process by adding the demolition of the historic site, in very small print as an agenda item for a board meeting a few months ago,” said Loretta Brock, an education activist.

The outrage caused the Wheatley/E.O. Smith Preservationist Coalition to stand up to HISD to stop the demolition of the site although on Labor Day a wrecking ball tore a huge hole in the side of the historical structure.

“They came like a thief in the night,” said Kathy Blueford-Daniels, a Wheatley alum and active member of the coalition. “On Saturday evening we had a meeting with HISD and we agreed that they would wait until Tuesday to do anything and the trustee would go back to HISD and let them know what we discussed. The next day we were getting calls and text that they were knocking holes in the building. They did it in the area we had just talked about salvaging for historic purpose.”

On September 2nd, the Coalition sued HISD.

As of now the demolition is on hiatus as Judge Elizabeth Ray ordered both parties to engage in mediation. They have not reached an agreement and have been placed under a “gag order” according to the E.O. Smith/Wheatley Preservation Coalition’s statement.

Phillis Wheatley High School is a historic treasure to the Fifth Ward community. Built in 1929 it was the only school African American children could attend. It later became E.O. Smith Middle School while carrying on the traditions of the original Wheatley.

Education, News

Third Ward slated for new STEM school in 2017

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Houston Independent School District officials held a meeting with community leaders to explain about the newest edition that will come to the Third Ward community, a specialized Energy school that is slated to open in 2017.

This new school will be built at the old Lockhart Elementary sight at Southmore and Tierwester. Right now under 400 students who are already in the program for the STEM school are housed at the old Dodson Elementary.

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“The target is to build a workforce from within the city,” said an HISD official.
STEM and Engineering are the specialties that will be offered at this new school that was approved of in February of 2013.

Unlike many of the other specialty schools in HISD, this particular school does not have stipulations to get in besides the regular criteria for graduation. Since HISD is an open enrollment district students will be selected by a lottery that pulls random names that have applied to attend the particular school as well as those who are zoned.

This posed a concern for community leaders such as Deloyd Parker of Shape Community Centers and Rev. D.Z. Cofield of Good Hope about the future of Jack Yates Senior High.
“Why build a brand new school down the street from Yates at the same time you all are supposed to build on Yates,” said Parker?

HISD officials continuously reassured the community members that the school will not endanger Yates for closure by taking its students.

The new Energy school is not a part of the 2012 HISD Bond that has left a bad taste in the Third Ward community as many schools have been repurposed or shut down such as Jones, Ryan Middle School which is not the Baylor College of Medicine and Dodson Elementary which was closed.

School Improvement Officer Shonda Huery Hardman assured those present repeatedly that she would work diligently to repair communication between the school district and the community as well as provide the best educational service to the children in the area as she too is a product of Third Ward.

STEM programs are the biggest wave in educational uplift in Houston for the past couple of years replacing many of the neighborhood schools.

Education

First HISD FUTURES class to graduate with college degrees, work certifications

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July 31, 2014 – The Houston ISD FUTURES Academy will recognize 84 students who earned an associate’s degree or work certification from Houston Community College at a graduation ceremony as part of the academy’s mission to prepare students for job opportunities in high-demand technical fields. The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Houston Community College Southwest, 5601 W. Loop South.

HISD opened five FUTURES academies two years ago, and this is the first graduating class. The graduation will recognize students from the Academy of Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Booker T. Washington High School, the Academy of Engineering Technology at Furr High School, the Academy of Process Technology at Kashmere High School, the Academy of Network & Computer Administration at Scarborough High School, and the Academy of Logistics & Global Supply at Sterling High School.

Over the summer, 59 students in the program earned an associate’s degree in applied science, while 25 students received a Level I Certificate in workforce programs such as technology, computer administration, and engineering. Through a partnership with HCC and most recently, the University of Texas MD Anderson School of Health Professions, students are able to receive college credit, career training, and industry credentials to provide them with options for a promising future after completing high school.

“The students who graduate from the FUTURES Academy will leave this program more skilled and ready to begin a career in a high-demand field or to continue their education at a four-year university,” said FUTURES Academy Assistant Superintendent Michael Love. “Whatever choice they make, they are well-equipped to be successful in the next step of their life.”

Next week, a FUTURES Academy Enrichment Week will be held for rising 10th grade students interested in applying for the academy, which also includes FUTURES academies in pharmacy, health science careers and construction technology at Long Academy, Jones High School, and Westside High School. The students will participate in a session to prepare for college readiness exams and visit Junior Achievement’s Finance Park, an interactive community with business models created to teach students about career readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Education, News

Lovett Elementary School’s Art Car

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ART Car

By Rickey Polidore, Jr.

As the Visual Arts Instructor at Lovett Elementary, Charlotte Gifford-Weaver contacted me to informed me that she was in possession of a van that belonged to an artist friend of hers, Mrs. Winifred Center, who taught Visual Art at Fondren Middle School years ago. It was the wish of Mrs. Center that after her death her old Astro Van be transformed into an Art Car for the artistic educational enjoyment of the children who would work to create it.

The students of Lovett Elementary transformed that van into an Owl made of recycled CD’s graciously donated by one of its wonderful parents, Steve Martin. All students, Kindergarten through 5th grade, spent the year building the exterior of the owl’s feathers in the classroom. Scientific methods and mathematical concepts were stressed as experiments were held in order to determine which materials would work best in outside elements.

Also, a template was made to scale so that parts could be built inside of the school and then layered onto the vehicle while parked outside. The measuring of the vehicle, science experiments, and the testing of different media were just as important for the kids as the artistic experience itself, with the hope that they might gain understanding of the real life applications of the concepts they learn in core curricular classes every day.

My gratitude goes out to Mrs. Center and her wonderful daughter, Liz Wilson. It extends also to Mrs. Charlotte Gifford-Weaver for making the union possible, Lovett PTO for all that they do, and for the campus as well as its students for the vision and hard work.

Come and cheer on entry #169, Disc is Owl We Do It!, in this year’s parade on May 10th from 2 to 4pm along Allen Parkway!

Education

Jack Yates High School honors Maritime program graduates with appreciation dinner

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Jack Yates High School Maritime Academy held an Appreciation Dinner for their senior graduates as they embark on the next phase in life.

Graduates and their families ate a catered meal and talked amongst themselves probably for the last time for some as they awaited Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s arrival.

The keynote speaker for the event was Port of Houston Chairwoman Janiece Longoria. Longoria expressed to the students the vast opportunities that are available in Maritime but more on the lessons of life and how to navigate in an uncertain future.

“You are the architect of your future, your life is limited by you and only you,” said Longoria. “There is no limit to your accomplishments. Take the steps necessary to get there.”

The 2014 Yates Maritime Program graduates are Kasey McGee, Jasmyne Morris, Tania Nava, Kailyn Nunnery, Dre’corey Perkins and Dwayne Tibbs, Stephaun Barnes, Porchia Cunningham, Taneshia Curry, Ryan Fields, Daunte’ Fisher, Kayman Herring Taylor, Joshua Johnson, Deon’tre LeBlanc, Christian Love, Derrick McCradic, De’andre Nealey, Uraybein Reed, Eaunesha Taylor, Keshonne Washington, Bruce Wilson and Marisha Wygal.

Yates Alumni showed up in full force as usual with the help of City Liaison, Carl Davis.
Congresswoman Lee reminded everyone about the importance of the Port of Houston and the economic gains it has made for the city.
“This is an enormously timely program,” said Congresswoman Lee. “The Port is a $35 million business with a million jobs for people who are interested in Maritime.”

The Port of Houston is the most productive port in the United States surpassing New York.

Education, News

School Choice Fair to Highlight Available 2014-2015 Specialized Programs

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Families interested in a specialized program for the 2014-2015 school year will have an opportunity to learn about 50 schools with openings at the HISD School Choice Fair. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Northwest Mall, 9500 Hempstead Highway.

“We received thousands of applications during our initial magnet and Vanguard application process,” said School Services Officer Dr. Lupita Hinojosa. “But there are many schools still actively seeking interested students, and we want families to take full advantage of the wonderful programs available to them.”

Participating schools with available space include magnet programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), fine arts, environmental science, medical health science, and communications, among others. Dual-language programs at Emerson, Shearn, Burnet and Memorial elementary schools still have space available, and representatives will be on hand to answer all questions and accept enrollment applications.

Vanguard programs with availability for the 2014-2015 school year include Carillo, DeZavala, and Windsor Village elementary schools. Middle schools include Black and Hamilton middle schools, and Long Middle School 6-12. Other available programs participating at the School Choice Fair are Futures Academies and Early Colleges with open enrollment for 2014-2015.

For more information about the School Choice Fair or for an updates list of available schools, please contact the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947 or visit www.houstonisd.org/schoolchoice

Education

HISD Board of Education votes Dodson down

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Live:
The HISD Board of Education on Thursday voted to table indefinitely an agenda item to cancel the consolidation of Dodson Elementary with Blackshear, the Rusk School and Lantrip elementary schools. The 5 to 3 vote comes after much debate on the topic and a move by board members who brought the item back to the agenda late last week. Trustee Paula Harris was absent from the meeting.

Trustees that voted for the item to be tabled indefinitely were Michael L. Lunceford, Harvin C. Moore, Anna Eastman, second it, Manuel Rodriguez and Greg Meyers.
Trustees that voted against was Wanda Adams, Juliet Stipeche,president and Rhonda Skillhern-Jones.
No vote from Paula Harris.

Protesting at Dodson Elementary
Protesting at Dodson Elementary

“Despite being unpopular and difficult, school consolidations represent opportunities to strengthen schools,” said Superintendent Terry Grier.

Community member moaned from their seats as Assata Richards, said aloud, “a day of reckoning is going to come,” before officers approached her to escort her from the meeting. She continued, “You can’t silence the people forever.”

Another school closure has only added fuel to the flame as Jones High School in South Park was repurposed only a month ago.

A bittersweet point is that Blackshear will adopt the Montessori program that Dodson offers but the students that have benefitted from the Montessori program at Dodson will not necessarily have the access at the new school they attend in the fall. That is a another sore note for parents.

Trustees voted 5 to 4 to close Dodson Elementary.

Education

HISD repurposes Jones High School, shuts down Dodson Elementary, sends community into outrage

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Jesse H. Jones High School
Jesse H. Jones High School

Houston Independent School District (HISD) made their final decision to repurpose Jones High School and close down Dodson Elementary despite constant opposition from the community the serve.

The School Board voted 6-3 to keep Jones High School open and voted 5-4 to close Dodson Elementary. Jones will remain open but will have a similar fate as Ryan Middle School in Third Ward did, it will be repurposed as an academy for career placement. Majority of the students who may not fit the qualifications to go to the new academy will be sent to Worthing and Sterling High Schools.

“I wonder what Terry Grier would do or say if his child won’t be able to graduate from the school they love,” said Shanna Paul, a parent of a junior at Jones.

Travis McGee is a vocal parent who voiced his opposition at an earlier press conference and stood against the closure of Dodson as his children had already been shifted once before to Dodson from another school closure. Dodson students will now be zoned to Blackshear or Lantrip Elementary.

The decision was not met with silence as a recess had to be called as parents became emotional and the firing of Superintendent Terry Grier was chanted aloud.

“School closure discussions are never easy,” said Grier. “However, we must continue to have constructive conversations on the issue of school size and school efficiency. Not to do so could be harmful to our communities and the students that reside in them. The goal remains creating better, stronger schools.”

Community activist such as Charles X. White are calling for a federal inquiry about an alleged civil rights violation in HISD against the Black and Hispanic communities. The issue of where is the bond money is still looming in the air as Jones was promised a new school in the 2012 bond proposal that was passed.

The other three schools, Henderson Elementary, Port Houston Elementary and Fleming Middle School, were taken off the consideration list after their communities held town hall meetings in objection.

Education

HISD threatens to shutdown Jones High School, community wants Superintendent Terry Grier out

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Concerned parents and leaders in the African American community came out to protest the proposed closure of Jones High School and four other predominately African American schools in Houston Independent School District.

Kofi Taharka, leader of the National Black United Front- Houston, held a microphone and led the rally in a chant saying they were fired up and they wanted Terry Grier, Superintendent of HISD out.
“Are willing to put our money on the line for tis, are we willing to go to the School Board meeting on Thursday,“ Tahaarka asked the crowd? The answer was yes, every time.

The African American community in Houston is facing more closures or “repurposing” of community based schools in highly dense areas of Blacks. Jones High School has been in the hot seat prior to this decision and has a momentary reprieve but the issue is now back before the School Board on whether to keep Jones High as is or whether to close or repurpose the school.

“This is ridiculous; Terry Grier and HISD are not properly assessing the schools. This community is rebuilding and to close the school without allowing the growth makes no sense. This is not about education,” said Assata Richards, a member of the Houston Housing Authority and a graduate of Jones.

Parent and former students alike have expressed that HISD is not thoughtful of the students and community’s well- being and education.

“If they close the school, they kill the community, it’s that simple,” said Vice President of Houston’s Super Neighborhoods, Tomaro Bell.

With many school closures, residents are worried about the feeder path from elementary to middle to high school and the interruptive flow it will have to close down schools such as Dodson Elementary which was also another sore spot for parents.

Dodson, Henderson, Port Houston Elementary, Fleming Middle and Jones High School are all on the chopping block for Thursday’s School Board meeting. Community member are asked to come out and support their community schools at the Hattie Mae White Educational Center at 4400 West 18th St. Houston, TX 77092 and protest the closure at the School Board meeting Thursday, March 13, 2014.

Kofi Taharka, Minister Robert Muhammad and community members rally to save Jones High.
Kofi Taharka, Minister Robert Muhammad and community members rally to save Jones High.

School closures are attributed to low enrollment, high transfers out, high budget cost per student and changing demographics.
View www.houstonsun.com to see remarks from Minister Robert Muhammad on the state of African American schools in Houston and the leadership in HISD.

Education

Advanced math course has benefits in high school and beyond

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BY: HISD NEWS BLOG

At Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy, math teacher Saul Cantu has one message for students wondering if they should take Algebra II: Take the class.

“The lack of Algebra II slams doors shut,” said Cantu, who has been teaching for 15 years. “Every college major – even history and business – requires at least one year of college algebra. Students will end up in a remedial math class if they don’t have exposure to Algebra II in high school. They will have to pay for it in college, and it doesn’t carry any credit hours.”

In January, the Texas Board of Education gave final approval to a new high school graduation program with three graduation plans, two of which do not require Algebra II. That doesn’t mean, however, that HISD students are off the hook.

“Although new legislation no longer requires today’s eighth-graders to take Algebra II in high school, HISD’s expectation is that every high school student in the district will take the course,” said Director of School Support Services Mark White. “We don’t want our students to be limited in the future because they didn’t take Algebra II.”

Under House Bill 5, next year’s ninth-graders and those after them must take Algebra II to graduate under the Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan. Choosing not to graduate under this plan means they give up the opportunity to be automatically admitted to Texas public colleges and universities under the state’s Top 10 percent Rule – students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class are automatically accepted to state universities.

“I hear it all the time from students – ‘Why do I need to take this? I’m never going to use it,’” said Jonathan Trinh, Dean of Instruction/Associate Principal at YMCPA and a former science teacher. “If you’re planning to attend a four-year university or technical school, you’re going to need it, regardless of your major. Algebra II is essential to passing your college math requirement. Without Algebra II, you can’t ever become a scientist or engineer.”

Cantu also pointed out that students live in a world of high-stakes testing where a few points can make a huge difference in their future-earning power. “Algebra II will help students score higher on the math portions of the SAT and ACT,” he said. “Higher scores equal admission to better colleges and universities, which in turn impacts life after graduation.”

Michael Suber, a junior at YMCPA, credits Algebra II for dramatically raising his test scores. “Thanks to Algebra II, my PSAT scores went up a lot from sophomore to junior year,” said Suber. “Algebra II is teaching me how to think logically and solve problems. I think it will help me if I decide to go into corporate law.”

Algebra II can help students in other areas as well. “Algebra II introduces students to exponential functions,” said Cantu. “Money grows exponentially, so students need to understand that in order to understand how money grows when it’s invested. Eventually they will need it to manage their retirement funds. Algebra II has many real-world applications.”

If students opt out of Algebra II, they still have to take a third math course in addition to Algebra I and Geometry. Besides what is currently offered, the Texas State Board of Education is directing the development of two new courses – Algebraic Reasoning and Statistics – that will be available in the 2015-2016 school year.