Billy's Innovation Day Goes on the Road to Austin & TCEA

The annual TCEA Convention is a big deal for all things Tech and Texan in Education, with over 8000 educators from the Lone Star State and beyond converging on Austin for a week of presentations, workshops and staff development.

Presenter Billy with Mom, Big Brother & HIS Student Jake along with Dad Sam.

This year a particularly unique presenter team was among those representing our district.  Samuel W. Houston Elementary School fourth grader Billy Moak and his mom Cathy(Component Director at Region 6 ESC) presented, "Billy's Innovation Day," a student's perspective on Innovation Day.

Billy talks logistics.

Also on hand was the Innovative Teacher of the Year recipient, Samuel W. Houston third grade teacher and Billy's teacher last year, Jessica Moore along with a few members of our iTech team.  Attendees had the opportunity to hear representatives from all perspectives:  student, teachers, parent and technology & curriculum integrationists.

....And takes some questions from the audience.

For those of you that may be unfamiliar with Innovation Day, it's a day devoted to student generated projects.  As one of our participants said, "It's a day we tell ourselves what to do." It takes a considerable about of preparation by the teachers, but the rewards are multiple and the memories unforgettable.

Billy and Jessica.

Last school year, we produced a video with the hope that it would not only serve as a guide and preview for schools looking to launch an Innovation Day of their own, but offer a glimpse of how cool and fun it is to have one, too. It's been a hit, with over 2300 views and counting.

This video, along with our student Billy's presentation, are just a few more ways we can share the good things coming from the students, teachers and staff of Huntsville Independent School District.  For more information on Innovation Day, click here.

Shhh. We're "In Session."

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Carnival of Books = Fun!

Once a year, students from PreK-6 descend upon Huntsville Intermediate School for a celebration of books and reading. This is known as THE CARNIVAL OF BOOKS!

You might ask, what is the Carnival of Books? Well, what isn’t it?

First, when you get to the library, every student gets to pick one free book out of tables and tables of books. And they get to keep them! The books are purchased by a grant from the Huntsville Education Foundation

Then, it’s on to the cafeteria where there is popcorn, face painting, dogs that like to be read to, and other booths and goodies.

Then, head out to the 6th grade gym where every table represents a different book, from Polar Express to Pete the Cat. Games, crafts, and goodies are on every one.

Next stop is the 6th grade gym where you will find superheroes and poems, because this is Where the Sidewalk Ends, the theme of the 5th and 6th grade teachers’ booths. Want to sell a sister? We have a booth for that!

This event has been going on since 2009 and is organized by all the elementaries, Pre-K, and the Intermediate school, who host every year. Thank you to all the HISD faculty and staff that put in such hard work for our students!!