HCDE News Feed

Contracts renewed in May for access through HCDE Choice Partners

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:43:24 GMT

New contracts for HVAC, drug testing, financial software and food commodities processing were awarded at the May 2013 board meeting of Harris County Department of Education, and are accessible through HCDE Choice Partners cooperative. Governmental entities that have signed an interlocal contract with HCDE may access these legally procured contracts.

HCDE celebrates 95 unconventional graduates ages 17-65 on May 18

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:27:03 GMT

An unconventional graduation 2013 includes 95 adult students ages 17-65 who prove “it’s never too late to learn.” Harris County Department of Education Adult Education celebrates the successes of students who have gone back to school to gain their GEDs on May 18. Reasons the students return to school range from improving career paths to providing positive examples to their children to pursuing higher education aspirations.

Aspiring teen entrepreneurs, engineers, CEOs, scientists participate in Energy City of the Future 2050 competition May 17

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:23:41 GMT

Building the ideal city of the future for 2050 requires grit and ingenuity. Twenty-seven teams of determined middle and high school students come together for the Energy City of the Future 2050 competition May 17. The event is hosted by Harris County Department of Education’s Cooperative for After-School Enrichment, or CASE, and sponsored by numerous energy-minded Houston corporations and organizations.

Media Alert: Teens invent green cities to earn cash at Energy City of the Future 2050 event May 17

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:22:35 GMT

What: Energy City of the Future 2050 provides competitive action featuring 27 teams of middle and high school students. Teens try to convince judges that their green city is the best. The scale model cities are fueled with at least three types of energy; and plans are also highlighted in savvy PowerPoint presentations.

Media Alert: HCDE Adult Education GED students prove 'it's never too late to learn'

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:22:06 GMT

What: Harris County Department of Education Adult Education GED graduation 2013 with 95 graduates ranging in age from 17-65
When: Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: HCDE Administration Building, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, TX 77022
Who: Students from 65 learning centers throughout Harris County
Etc.: Call HCDE Communications for info, Carol Vaughn, 281-660-9205

Summer Autism Institute set for June 24-25 at HCDE

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:05:10 GMT

Autism spectrum disorder is the focus of the Summer Autism Institute scheduled June 24-25 at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Blvd., in Houston, Texas.

Teens from Aldine, Klein, Galena Park, North Forest earn $1,000 scholarships for leadership, first-responder skills in Teen CERT

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:30:16 GMT

Four teens from Aldine, Klein, North Forest and Galena Park demonstrating exemplary leadership skills in emergency response will each gain $1,000 scholarships at a ceremony held at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington in Houston, Texas on May 3.

Kids' Day Healthy Living project culminates with international culinary cook-off between 11 schools

Thu, 02 May 2013 20:04:27 GMT

An internationally-themed student culinary competition scheduled for May 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 6005 Westview encourages healthy eating habits while allowing for a friendly rivalry between fourth through eighth graders at 11 schools in Harris County. Kids’ Day Healthy Living project is a 12-week, after-school curriculum developed by Harris County Department of Education’s Cooperative for After-School Enrichment.

HCDE music therapist facilitates learning through song in Cy-Fair ISD classrooms

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:04:39 GMT

With more than 7,900 students with disabilities in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, Harris County Department of Education provides support to this growing student population through occupational therapy, physical therapy and music therapy.

Office Depot provides $1,000 in school supplies to HCDE Head Start students

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:54:24 GMT

Office Depot at 4534 F.M.1960 West donated $1,000 in school supplies to Harris County Department of Education Head Start. The supplies will be used for student attendance incentives and include rulers, pens and markers.

Security for schools, houses of worship is topic for virtual roundtable from U.S. Department of Homeland Security at HCDE on May 1

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:53:56 GMT

Security for schools and houses of worship is the topic of a free virtual roundtable being held at Harris County Department of Education May 1 from 12:45-3 p.m. at 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, Texas presented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Harris County All-Earth Ecobot Challenge teams earn cash prizes from Education Foundation of Harris County

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:53:12 GMT

Twelve winning Ecobot teams emerged from May 2 and March 23 challenge days to continue competing in the All-Earth Ecobot Challenge at Harris County Department of Education April 13.

Head Start families deliver children's handprint artwork to Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee April 30

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:52:27 GMT

‘Hands-In for Head Start’ artwork calls attention to impact of funding cuts

HCDE Purchasing receives award of merit for best practices in purchasing from Texas Association of School Business Officials for fourth year

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:00:15 GMT

Best practices in purchasing have qualified Harris County Department of Education Purchasing for the Texas Association of School Business Officials Award of Merit for Purchasing and Operations for a fourth consecutive year.

CASE AmeriCorps garden party celebrates National Global Youth Service Day 2013

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:45:08 GMT

A garden party at Park Place Elementary (77017) was part of 13 National Global Youth Service Day 2013 celebrations hosted by Cooperative for After-School Enrichment AmeriCorps members.

Contracts renewed in April for access through HCDE Choice Partners

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:44:37 GMT

Cooperative contracts were renewed for access through the HCDE Choice Partners Cooperative during the April board meeting of Harris County Department of Education. Governmental entities that have signed an interlocal contract with HCDE may access these legally procured contracts.

Foster Wheeler engineers talk to young robotics competitors at All-Earth Ecobot Challenge Invitation Bot-Off

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:21:20 GMT

Foster Wheeler Houston engineers provided an information session about engineering careers to teams of fifth- to eighth-grade, eco-conscious robotics competitors at the All-Earth Ecobot Challenge Invitational Bot-Off 2012-2013.

Head Start believes in providing family support to ensure student success

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:41:50 GMT

Family service providers are an essential and unique service of the Head Start program. They assess the needs and goals of each Head Start family. As a federally-funded organization for children of low-income families, Head Start helps parents with goals of furthering their education or who need help accessing resources such as Medicaid or WIC. That is where family service providers come in. They help by referring families to low or no-cost options for assistance. It is their goal to make sure that the children have their needs met and that there is food in the home.

AmeriCorps members make a difference in CASE after-school programs through gardening, pet adoption, painting, health awareness, fire safety

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:51:23 GMT

A community garden party is planned at Park Place Elementary on Global Youth Service Day April 19 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Top Bots: 12 All-Earth Ecobot Challenge teams compete in 'Bot-Off' April 13

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:20:31 GMT

Education Foundation of Harris County sets venue for future leaders as students conquer environmental challenges with Lego Mindstorm robots

HCDE Head Start named 2013 semi-finalist for H-E-B Excellence in Education Early Childhood Award

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:16:33 GMT

Harris County Department of Education Head Start is a 2013 semi-finalist in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. H-E-B named HCDE Head Start as one of 21 semi-finalist applicants statewide in the “Early Childhood Award” category. This year H-E-B received 1,016 applications in all categories for education awards.

Property Tax Summit April 23 explores economic trends in Harris County affecting 2013 property tax values

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:27:28 GMT

Economic trends in Harris County affecting 2013 property tax values will be discussed at the 3rd annual Property Tax Summit Tuesday, April 23 at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, Texas. Check-in begins at 11 a.m., and the summit will be held from 11:30-1 p.m.

30 community partners honored through HCDE Head Start Community Partners Awards

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:42:45 GMT

Houston CPA Society, Grayson Community Center earn exemplary community supporter awards

Ecobot Challenge Humble competition 2013 sets stage for 'Bot-Off' April 13

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:07:12 GMT

Teams of Humble students in grades 5-8 competed in the 2013 All Earth Ecobot Challenge March 23 to solve eco-science challenges with Lego Mindstorm robots.

HCDE launches www.texasctrgrants.org for best practices in grant services

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:58:23 GMT

Texas Center for Grants Development announces the launch of its new website, www.texasctrgrants.org, The website features information about grant workshops or webinars and grant resources and products, including membership benefits.

Real men read: Head Start program recruits male mentors for reading program at 16 centers

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:38:24 GMT

Harris County Department of Education initiates “SuperMENtors Read” at all its 16 Head Start centers throughout Harris County in the upcoming 2013-2014 school year.

After-School Partnership Fair set for March 28 at HCDE

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:37:46 GMT

Attendees at the 13th Annual Partnership Fair on March 28 get the opportunity to network with vendors and gain information about after-school funding at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Blvd.

37 Harris County teen winners of HCDE regional contest earn Scholastic Art & Writing national medals, invite to Carnegie Hall reception

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:30:24 GMT

During Spring Break 2013, Cypress-Fairbanks Cy-Falls senior Leah Bydalek got the good-news call of a lifetime. A Scholastic Art & Writing representative phoned to say that the 17-year-old was chosen as one of 15 national scholarship winners for her art portfolio. The prize is a Scholastic Art & Writing Portfolio Gold Award which includes a $15,000 cash scholarship along with eligibility to earn more than $8 million in scholarships from more than 60 higher-learning institutes across the country.

GED, ESL spring class registration begins at HCDE Adult Education

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:28:00 GMT

GED and English as a Second Language classes begin this spring in 48 locations throughout Harris County. Harris County Department of Education provides the classes free of charge.

Teen CERT with Harris County Department of Education, Harris County Citizens Corps trains 2,000 Harris County teens

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:59:58 GMT

Harris County teens tested their skills in fire suppression, search-and-rescue, medical treatment and patient transport in February through the Teen Community Emergency Response Team, or Teen CERT.

Harris County Department of Education regional Scholastic Art & Writing winner from Carnegie High earns multiple accolades

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:49:17 GMT

Writer Laura Mills, 18, sees the world a little differently each time she closes a good book. As a student writer, her future ambition is to embody that experience as an accomplished novelist.

New JOC and waterproofing contracts awarded in February

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:27:25 GMT

New JOC and waterproofing contracts were awarded and other contracts were renewed for use through the HCDE Choice Partners national cooperative during the February 2013 board meeting of Harris County Department of Education. Governmental entities that have signed an interlocal contract with HCDE may access these legally procured contracts.

HCDE Business Services gains highest award for budget preparation from Government Finance Officers Association

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:24:39 GMT

Harris County Department of Education Business Services was presented the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The award recognizes HCDE for its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1, 2012. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest award in governmental budgeting recognized by the association.

HCDE communicators honored with 38 public relations awards from Texas School Public Relations Association

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:47:17 GMT

Harris County Department of Education earned 38 awards for outstanding education communications from the Texas School Public Relations Association. Representatives from Client Development, Communications and Public Information, and Technology received the awards at the 51st Annual Texas School Public Relations Association Annual Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas on Feb. 20.

U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary Deb Delisle meets with 100 area educators at Harris County Department of Education Feb. 15

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:52:46 GMT

U.S. Department of Education leader Deb Delisle, assistant secretary of education for elementary and secondary education, meets with Houston-area educators Feb. 15 from 2:15-3:15 p.m. to discuss national education initiatives. The meeting will be hosted and held at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, Texas.

Teens from 21 area school districts get serious about emergency response with Teen CERT

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:17:45 GMT

HCDE, Harris County Citizens Corps provide training and test skills with final drill

Meet-and-greet features 13 art talents from HCDE Scholastic Gold Key regional competition

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:27:20 GMT

Regional Harris County Department of Education Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key art winners attended a meet-and-greet to showcase their art pieces at the Glassell School of Art on Feb. 9.

Trustees Kerner, Trautman represent county school district at National School Boards Association event in Washington, D.C.

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:51:39 GMT

Two Harris County Department of Education board members recently joined more than 700 school board and state school board association leaders to urge the U.S. Congress to stop federal budget cuts to public education.

HCDE Business Services awarded fourth 'gold' exemplary status by Texas Comptroller

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:51:06 GMT

The office of Texas Comptroller Susan Combs awarded the exemplary “gold designation” to Harris County Department of Education Business Services for a fourth consecutive year.

Information sessions set for Principal Certification Academy at HCDE in February and March

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:32:21 GMT

Get information about the Principal Certification Academy at Harris County Department of Education by attending one of the information sessions set for 5:30-7 p.m. on Feb. 7, 21, 26 or March 6, 18 or 26 at HCDE, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, Texas.

HCDE's Center for Safe and Secure Schools hosts training Feb. 6-7 with SafePlans

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:06:35 GMT

Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Safe and Secure Schools hosts a comprehensive training program on Feb. 6 or 7 designed to help schools prepare for and respond to active shooter incidents. The program is called Intruderology™, which is the study of violent intruders and the process of protecting people from them.

Center for Safe and Secure Schools launches website as resource for school districts, parents, community, www.safeandsecureschools.org

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:06:01 GMT

The Center for Safe and Secure Schools has launched its re-designed website: www.safeandsecureschools.org.

925 Gold Keys, Silver Keys, honorable mentions awarded to teen writers/artists through Scholastic Art & Writing Awards at HCDE

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:05:22 GMT

Teens from Harris County earn Gold Key, Silver Key and honorable mention awards as Harris County Department of Education names the regional winners of The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2013. Multiple awards ceremonies and celebrations are being held in January and February to honor the recipients.

Giving and taking: HCDE Head Start employee Mary Garrett featured in 'Commit for Life' campaign through Gulf Coast Blood Center

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:04:40 GMT

While shopping at the mall one weekend in 2001, Harris County Department of Education Head Start Assistant Manager Mary Garrett made a decision she never regretted: Give blood quarterly to the Gulf Coast Blood Center.

Lee College 'Teachers 2 Be' members help prepare for 1,000 attendees at early childhood conference Jan. 26

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:03:49 GMT

Students studying early childhood education at Lee College prepared approximately 1,000 packets for attendees of the 27th Annual R.T. Garcia Early Childhood Winter Conference Jan. 26.

HCDE Head Start opens doors for families at new Channelview location with ribbon-cutting Jan. 22

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:02:54 GMT

Harris County Department of Education Head Start is now providing services for Channelview area families at its new center located at 16102 Ridlon in Channelview, Texas.

Board Appreciation Month at HCDE supplies venue for both gratitude and introduction

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:59:50 GMT

Board Appreciation Month sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards provided the opportunity for introduction and appreciation of service at Harris County Department of Education on Jan. 15.

Contracts awarded in January for access through HCDE Choice Partners

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:54:19 GMT

Vehicle charging stations and other facility-related contracts are now accessible through HCDE Choice Partners Cooperative following the January 2013 board meeting of Harris County Department of Education. Governmental entities that have signed an interlocal agreement with HCDE may access these legally procured contracts.

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia addresses available school safety, security resources at Harris County superintendents' meeting

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:53:51 GMT

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia and staff spoke to Harris County school superintendents in January about his agency’s multiple resources, roles, responsibilities and trainings for safety and security incidents on school campuses.

'Quest for Grants Series' webinars from HCDE provide cost-effective, convenient, quality training

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:53:19 GMT

Learn more about how to acquire grants through the Quest for Grants Series Webinars. The series is hosted by the Texas Center for Grants Development, a service of Harris County Department of Education.