Schools are ready to roll
Summer break ends Monday for most of the Houston region’s millionplus public school students.
Monday also marks the first full day on the job for the Houston Independent School District’s newly hired superintendent, Richard Carranza. He’s expected to travel roughly 60 miles, touring six campuses across the city. His stops include a newly constructed early childhood center in the North Forest area and Stevenson Middle School, where teachers will be instituting the district’s new literacy approach, focused on smallgroup lessons.
In Spring ISD, Superintendent Rodney Watson will hit the streets as well, stopping first at the newly renovated Spring Early College Academy, where students can graduate with an associate’s degree. Watson also will visit Thompson Elementary to greet Texas A&M University education students assigned to the school. The college seniors are part of a new program, called the Urban Student Teacher Advanced Residency, to give them in-the-trenches experience.
The Spring school district also will kick off its new full-day pre-kindergarten program at five elementary schools, thanks to a state grant program pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
New superintendents in Katy and Humble, Lance Hindt and Elizabeth Fagen, both kick off their inaugural first days of schools, too, after being hired over the summer.
Not to be forgotten, this will be the first school year since Pokemon Go launched. Fort Bend ISD’s police chief, David Rider, has issued a memo advising students to be careful while wandering to capture the virtual creatures. “One of the main safety reminders for playing this game is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings at all times,” Rider said, “but it’s also advisable to play in groups and be cautious.” And, presumably, don’t play while class is in session.