Category Archives: 2012 bond

Houston MSTC celebrates grand opening at homecoming pep rally

The school spirit was palpable as the Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center Mighty Tiger Marching Band played crowd-pumping music and the Tigerettes danced in fringed gold leotards with big bows fastened to their ponytails. 

The performances were part of the school’s homecoming week festivities, which included a pep rally-style grand opening held to celebrate the new school and the impact it’s had on students, staff, and the community.  

“Transitioning to this building has been a new beginning for everyone,” Sam Houston MSTC Senior Deann Mendoza said, noting that the new school changed her classmates’ attitudes. “The atmosphere here is different in a good way.” 

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Sam Houston MSTC students return from holiday break to new building

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It was a seamless transition to the new Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center Monday as students entered the building for the first time.

“When I walked in for the first time, my jaw dropped. It literally looks like a college,” senior Yuri Caballero said. “There is so much light and space in here.”

Sam Houston MSTC is one of 29 high schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.
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Six HISD schools set to open new facilities in January

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HISD will open six new schools next month, bringing the total number of new campuses opened during the past year to 21 and marking the completion of more than 80 percent of all school construction projects.

Schools include Madison and Worthing high schools, Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center, Barbara Jordan Career Center, Wharton Dual Language Academy, and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. All are part of the 2012 Bond Program.

“We’ve completed a record-breaking number of projects,” HISD Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “Essentially, that means more students now have access to vibrant, modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces. That’s our goal.” Continue reading

Sam Houston MSTC construction ‘tops out’ as project passes halfway mark

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Work on the new Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center came to a temporary halt on Friday as the project team celebrated the building’s “topping out” after reaching the highest point in construction.

Nearly 200 contractors and sub-contractors gathered in the school’s main gymnasium, which is still under construction, where they enjoyed a barbecue lunch, door prizes, and entertainment from Houston MSTC Mariachis. Continue reading

Sam Houston MSTC construction makes steady progress

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Construction on the new $118.9 million Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center is now 40 percent complete, with permanent power — a significant milestone for the project — expected to be connected by late March.

Tilt-wall installation is expected to wrap up later this month. Concrete slabs have been poured in all areas, and two sections of the complex are now completely enclosed. Crews are continuing to install sections of the roof, as well as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Sizwe Lewis, HISD senior manager of construction services, said the project experienced some weather-related delays, but he is hopeful that the crew can make up the time and remain on schedule. Continue reading

Workers install tilt-walls and steel beams at Sam Houston MSTC

Construction on the new Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center is well underway and moving forward as scheduled with no significant impact to the timeline resulting from Hurricane Harvey.

Since breaking ground last spring, workers have completed underground mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation, along with most of the foundation work. Tilt walls are currently being raised, and are more than halfway complete.

“The project has been running very smooth so far,” said Skanska Project Manager Scott Conley, who oversees the Houston MSTC construction for the Houston Independent School District. “We’re on track with the schedule and pleased with the progress.” Continue reading

Excellence – Whatever it Takes: Sam Houston motto rings true as construction begins

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The excitement was palpable as the Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center Mariachi Band began to perform on Friday, formally kicking off the celebration designed to mark the start of construction on their new school.

Blustery winds didn’t stop dozens of students, teachers, parents, and alumni from gathering in the school parking lot to witness the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Sam Houston — part of the 2012 Bond Program — and catch a peek of the construction that already is underway.

“I believe strongly that our students deserve a state-of-the-art school,” Sam Houston Principal Alan Summers said. “Not only because they deserve to go to a school that looks good, but also because they deserve to be in a building that has facilities to help prepare them for life after high school.

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Sam Houston MSTC community gathers for construction update 

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About 75 parents and community members had “Coffee with the Principal” on Friday morning at Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center, where they were entertained by the schools talented mariachi band before being updated on the progress of their new school.

The school is being built as part of HISD’s 2012 bond program. Representatives from Satterfield and Pontikes, the construction management firm on the project, made a brief presentation before taking questions from the crowd.

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New Sam Houston MSTC campus to feature flexible design with a collegiate feel

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Stakeholders of Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center gathered at the school this week for a bond community meeting to learn more about design plans for their new campus, which is being rebuilt under the bond program.

Flexibility, a hallmark of 21st Century school-planning, features prominently in the design. The building would feature a large open courtyard that will function as a flexible outdoor learning and gathering space, and also serve as an extension of the dining area. A large grand stair is also featured in the plans and would serve as a flexible informal sitting and gathering space for students, but can also be used by class-sized groups for lectures or presentations.

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Seven bond schools planning community meetings in first quarter

Updates will be provided on design plans and project status for each campus

Community meetings have been scheduled during the first quarter for the following seven bond schools, to inform stakeholders of project plans to rebuild or renovate their campus as part of HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program. Attendees will hear from project architects and other team members and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Meeting times and locations

SCHOOL DATE ADDRESS
Garden Oaks Montessori Tues., Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m. 901 Sue Barnett
Askew Elementary Thurs., Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m. 11200 Wood Lodge
Waltrip High School Tues., Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. 1900 West 34th St.
Westbury High School Thurs., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. 11911 Chimney Rock
Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy Tues., Feb 23, 6:30 p.m. 1906 Cleburne Street
Wilson Montessori Thurs., Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. 2100 Yupon
Sam Houston MSTC Wed., Mar. 2, 6:30 p.m. 9400 Irvington

More information on HISD building programs

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