WEEK 6: SEPTEMBER 22 - SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 | *Some browsers will shorten this newsletter - if so, be sure to click "view entire message" at the bottom so that you can see all of our news! | | |
Important
Dates & Deadlines
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September 25: Report Cards Go Out at 5:00p| Cycle 1
September 28: TACRAO College Fair | 9:00a - 11:00a
- Student activity in class
October 6: Freshman Parent Meeting | 6:00p - 7:30p
October 9: Staff Professional Development - Student Holiday
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🏆Teacher of the Year
A huge congratulations to Ms. Jaz Alvarado, Energy Institute High School’s Teacher of the Year! Last Friday evening, Ms. Alvarado was joined by several members of the Energy team at Houston ISD’s Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet, where outstanding educators from across the district were celebrated.
We are so proud to have Ms. Alvarado represent Energy! Her dedication to our students, enthusiasm for teaching, and commitment to our campus community make her incredibly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Ms. Alvarado - we are lucky to have you on Team Energy!
| | | | Freshman Dean Meeting Today | | |
Today, the Energy Dean Team hosted a focused meeting for each freshman cohort to help our newest students lay the groundwork for a successful high school career. Students dove into essential topics, including graduation requirements, grade point averages, college planning, and upcoming opportunities like internships.
To put these concepts into practice, every freshman received a printed report card and learned how to calculate a "practice" GPA. While official GPAs are calculated only at the end of each semester, this exercise gave students a clear snapshot of their current academic standing—along with actionable tips on how to boost their grades if they aren't quite where they want to be. The goal of the session was simple: empower students to start taking ownership of their post-high school dreams today.
We also reminded students about the supports that are available for them and their friends if needed, such as our deans and school counselor.
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How Parents Can Get Involved:
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Ask your student: "What was your practice GPA today, and are you happy with it?"
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Start a conversation: If they want to improve, ask what specific changes they plan to make.
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Join us: Mark your calendars for the Freshman Parent Meeting on Tuesday, October 6, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. The Dean Team will cover these key topics in detail and answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Our Energy HEROs Robotics Team 5892 and NERDs Robotics Team 6243 kicked off another exciting FRC season last weekend at The Remix, one of the Houston area’s premier FIRST Robotics Competition off-season events! Energy showed up strong with two teams competing, giving our students an opportunity to put their engineering, programming, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to the test.
Both teams had a great showing, and we’re proud to see our HEROs and NERDs back in action! 6243 Energy NERDs were picked to be on the winning alliance while 5892 Energy HEROs made it to the semi-finals with their alliance. The Remix is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to cheer on Teams 5892 & 6243 throughout another exciting season of building, competing, and representing Energy!
| | 💻 A Glimpse of Our Learning
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We’re excited to kick off our Senior Internship Spotlight series! Each year, Energy Institute seniors have the opportunity to apply for internships through our Work-Based Learning program. Students who are successfully matched with an employer spend half of their school day in the workplace, gaining hands-on experience, exploring potential career paths, and developing professional skills before they even graduate.
This week, we’re highlighting Isabella and Shiloh, who were both selected for internships at TXRX Labs in Houston’s East End! TXRX Labs offers access to CNC machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, electronics labs, and full wood and metal shops. Our students have the opportunity to learn in an environment built around creativity, engineering, manufacturing, and innovation - beginning with the 3D printing portion. Through their internships, they are gaining a firsthand look at how technical skills, problem-solving, and creativity come together in the professional world. We can’t wait to see what they learn and accomplish this year!
| | 🎒Brown University Evening Visit
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A special thank you to Brown University for spending Wednesday evening with our Energy community! Interested students and families had the opportunity to learn more about Brown, its academic programs, campus life, the admissions process, and the many opportunities available to students in Providence, Rhode Island.
We appreciate Brown University taking the time to connect directly with our students and families as they explore their options for life after Energy. Experiences like these help our students learn more about the possibilities available to them and make informed decisions about their next steps!
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College Fair Headed Our Way🎓 | Explore Your College Options! The TACRAO College Fair is coming up during school on September 28th, giving students the opportunity to connect with representatives from more than 80 colleges and universities! Whether you’re narrowing down your college list or just beginning to explore your options, this is a great chance to ask questions, learn about programs, and discover what could be next after high school. Don’t miss it! To pre-plan your favorite stops, view the College Fair HERE. This is a student only event. |
Attention all EIHS visual artists!
THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU!
The Spanish Honor Society is proud to announce our First Annual Art Contest.
You heard correctly... ART CONTEST.
Students interested in participating will draw a CALAVERA (skull) in a Día de los Muertos style.
Students will have a month to complete the drawing - it must be submitted by October 15th in order to qualify.
On November 2nd, three winners will be selected for first, second, and third place by a panel of teachers, administrators, and students. There will be prizes for all winners.
Interested?
Need more detailed information?
Want to register?
Please visit Ms. Hamilton's Room A116 or Ms. Cesar-Collins's Room B125
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Support Energy!
Our Cohort Wishlists feature supplies and materials that our teachers would happily accept to help bring student projects, classroom activities, and special experiences to life. Many of these are everyday consumables—like dry erase markers, Post-it notes, and organizing materials—that need to be replenished throughout the year. Community support is essential to making so many of our unique projects and experiences possible, and every donation—big or small—helps us continue creating amazing opportunities for our students!
Check out the wishlists and help support our Energy classrooms!
https://tinyurl.com/EIHS-Wish2627
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Capture the memories, moments, and experiences that make this year at Energy unforgettable! Students can also personalize their covers with their name and favorite icons, and families can help make the yearbook even better by submitting photos from throughout the year. Order yours today before the price goes up! Seniors - no need to purchase a yearbook as it is already included in your senior dues.
You can also show your student how proud you are! Celebrate your child and their high school journey with a personalized yearbook recognition ad! Add your favorite photos and a meaningful message to create a special keepsake they’ll be able to look back on for years to come. Ads are available in a variety of sizes and start at $45. Order by February 5, 2027!
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Practice Your Spanish...In Peru! 🧳 | | |
EIHS Peru 2027
Hurry, only 6 spots left!!!
Quick reminder: the $250 early enrollment discount ends TODAY, Friday, September 25th.
Please enroll by Friday if you would like your student to join us.
You can review the trip details and enroll here with a $95 enrollment deposit: www.eftours.com/2961347FB
¡ Vamos a Perú!
| 🧳Practice Your Italian...In Italy!
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Dear families,
A big thank you to everyone who attended our meeting Tuesday night about the upcoming trip to Italy in Summer 2028! We're very excited to travel with those who have already signed up!! Enrollment is now open! Please reach out to Ms. Gomez (denise.gomez@houstonisd.org) for details and questions!!
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Enroll now and check out all trip details here: www.eftours.com/3102270HV
- We have 12 spots on the trip, which are first-come, first-served!
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Annual Student Forms Reminder: If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete the Annual Student Surveys, including the Socioeconomic Form and Free & Reduced Lunch Forms due by September 30th.
These forms are incredibly important! In addition to helping our campus qualify for valuable Title I funding and resources, qualifying students may also receive reduced costs for AP exams, senior dues, cohort fees, and more. Completing the forms helps ensure both our students and our campus have access to all available support!
https://apps.hisd-survey.org/surveys/enrollment
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Upcoming Events - Fall 2026
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October 6th, 6:00p - 7:30p || Freshman Parent Meeting
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November 19th, 5:00p - 6:30p || Underclass Fall Exhibition Night
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December 2nd, 5:00p - 6:30p || Senior Fall Exhibition Night
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December 5th, 9:00a - 12:00p || Middle School Design Challenge
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December 11th, 7:30p - 10:30p || Winter Formal Dance
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Thank you to all the families and seniors who joined us last night for our Senior College Application Meeting! It was a fantastic session focused on making sure our seniors are fully equipped to navigate the college application process with confidence.
For those who were unable to attend—or for families who would like a quick refresher—here is a summary of the key topics we covered:
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College Applications & List Building: How to finalize your college list, balance match/reach/safety schools, and refine your choices to find the best fit.
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Navigating Overgrad: How students can use the platform to manage their applications, stay organized, and use the data analysis provided in the program.
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Letters of Recommendation: Step-by-step procedures for officially requesting recommendation letters from teachers and deans.
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Financial Aid & Scholarships: Crucial updates on applying for aid, finding scholarship opportunities, and managing funding options.
Access Meeting Materials & Resources:
You can view the presentation slides, step-by-step guides, and helpful links at www.tinyurl.com/collegedocs2027.
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EIHS College & Career Center 🎓 | |
Your College & Career One-Stop Shop!
Whether college feels years away or right around the corner, the College Center website has resources for every grade level! Visit tinyurl.com/energyccc to find important college-related deadlines, upcoming events, helpful resources, and an updated list of scholarship opportunities. Bookmark it now — your future self will thank you!
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Shoutout!
A special shoutout from Ms. Cortinas to Ansh, our very first student of the year to complete the FAFSA! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened Thursday morning, and Ansh wasted no time - he completed his application that same day! Way to be proactive and get a head start on an important step toward college! 🎉
Seniors, you’re up next! Need help completing your FAFSA? Stop by the College Access Room or schedule an appointment with Ms. Cortinas for support. Don’t wait - get it checked off your senior to-do list!
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Come to the bp HUB during A lunch for information and the opportunity to speak to college representatives. Each session runs between 11:05a - 11:35a. See Ms. Cortinas for questions.
September 28th - Campus TACRAO College Fair 9:00-11:00a
October 1st - College Lunch Visit: St. Edward's University
October 2nd - College Lunch Visit: Drexel University
October 5th - College Lunch Visit: University of Connecticut
October 8th - College Lunch Visit: Barnard College
October 12th - College Lunch Visit: University of Houston
October 13th - College Lunch Visit: Washington University (WashU)
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Your Time to Smile
Seniors, it’s time to schedule your senior portrait session! All seniors must sign up for a senior portrait session with Lot Five Studios.
Photo sessions are held at Lot Five Studios, located at 3524 E T C Jester Blvd, with appointments available throughout the day and on weekends. The next available sessions are October 2nd, 9th, and 16th - 18th. Don’t see a time that works for you? No worries! Lot Five Studios adds new sessions on a rolling basis, so be sure to check back regularly for additional availability.
Seniors, make sure you schedule your session and capture this special milestone! Sign up here.
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For any questions: Contact Ms. Bravo - Amelia.Bravo@houstonisd.org | | |
Energy Institute students in 9th–11th grade will participate in PSAT testing on Wednesday, October 14th. The PSAT is an important opportunity for students to practice college-readiness skills, become familiar with the SAT testing format, and gain valuable information about their academic strengths and areas for growth.
Please help your student come prepared for a successful testing day by making sure they get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, arrive at school on time, and bring their fully charged laptop and charger. We appreciate your help in setting our students up for success!
| | Join the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) - it is free at Energy Institute! You'll get our biweekly newsletter and access to our online family directly. Everyone, even returning families, must use this link to enter or re-confirm your contact information and sign up for the school year. If you are interested in volunteering, please include your volunteer preferences when you update. | | | |
Week 6 News
The PTO is hosting a social at Cidercade (2320 Canal St) this Sunday September 27th from 3-5pm. It's $12 per person (pay on your own) for unlimited play on over 275 arcade games. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come. Please find us at our table, check in, and grab a sticker to be identifiable to other EIHS families.
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Have you signed up for the PTO Newsletter?
Www.energyinstitutepto.org
Are you following the PTO on social media?
@eihs_pto
www.facebook.com/EnergyInstitutePTO
Keep up to date with socials, volunteer opportunities and other PTO events.
Thank you Fix It Crew for supporting our campus. See the PTO newsletter for the next Fix It Crew work day.
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Energy is a proud recipient of the 2016 National Merit Awards
More Here!
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Energy is a public school in the Houston Independent School District
More Here!
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Energy is an active participant with the district's Canvas initiative
More Here!
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5 Consecutive A Ratings
Energy Institute HS has achieved five consecutive "A" ratings from the state, HISD designated it for Level 5 Autonomy. Formally approved in March 2026, the HB 1882 agreement shifts day-to-day management of Energy Institute HS to the nonprofit board, Friends of Energy Institute, starting in the 26–27 school year.
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| | | We hope that you find the information on the newsletters helpful. The best way to stay in the know about all things Energy related is to follow us on one of our social media platforms. Follow us today! | |
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