Category Archives: District VIII – Diana Dávila

Eastwood Academy library addition nearing completion

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Eastwood Academy is set to open a new two-story library wing this August as crews put the finishing touches on the second and final phase of the school’s expansion and renovation project.

Installation of exterior masonry and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems have been completed, and window installation is set to wrap up this week. Crews are in the process of hanging sheetrock inside the addition, which will be followed by internal inspections and installation of internal fixtures and finishes.     Continue reading →

Construction on new Wharton DLA now 75 percent complete

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Construction on the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is making continued progress as the project is now 75 percent complete.

Crews have finished the installation of roofing, exterior brickwork, windows, HVAC systems, and kitchen equipment. Interior walls are nearly complete, and metal paneling for exterior walls is underway.

In addition, permanent power — a significant milestone in the project — was connected in early May.

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HSPVA and HSLJ graduating seniors get glimpse of new facilities

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It was a bittersweet moment for seniors from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) and High School for Law and Justice (HSLJ) as they recently got a sneak peek inside their schools’ newly constructed buildings.

HSLJ students held a senior awards breakfast in their new building, while HSPVA students were treated to a barbeque lunch during their visit. Both groups posed for a special class photo to commemorate the occasion.

“We really wanted them to see the new building before they moved on,” HSLJ Principal Carol Mosteit said. “The students were amazed when they walked in. Their faces were priceless.”

As part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, both schools are receiving new buildings, which will be completed later this year. HSLJ will open to students in August, and HSPVA will open to students in January 2019. Continue reading →

Furr HS dedicates new building

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A sea of red flooded the main entrance of Furr High School on Friday morning as the cheerleaders, Sparkle Dancers — dressed in red and white uniforms — and band pepped up the crowd in celebration of the school’s building dedication ceremony.

Music and chants echoed through the air, and lush trees and landscaping lined the length of the brightly colored 182,000-square-foot-building, offering an ornate backdrop to a long red ribbon stretched across the building’s main walkway.

“Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a high school that empowers students to tackle environmental injustice and becomes the central green hub of their community,” said Furr Interim Principal Rosa Hernandez to attendees. “Imagine spaces filled with student voices, trust, school spirit, and a flexible learning environment.” She pointed to the new building, saying “That’s what we have here.”

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Austin HS undergoes demolition to make room for new facility

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Demolition is underway at Austin High School, where crews are working to bring down the back section of the building along South Lockwood Drive, making way for a new $79.6 million campus.

Asbestos abatement will be completed this month, and demolition already has been completed on the water tower, agriculture building, and workshop. The remainder of the demolition is expected to wrap up in June. Continue reading →

Project Chrysalis MS named Title I National Distinguished School

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School is one of 63 nationwide to receive designation

Project Chrysalis Middle School has been recognized as a National Title I Distinguished School, an award that honors schools for their positive educational advances. The school is one of two in the state of Texas and one of only 63 nationwide to receive the designation.

The Project Chrysalis was selected by the Texas Education Agency to represent Texas as one of the highest-rated Title I Distinguished Schools based on its success in closing the achievement gap between student groups. Located near the city’s East End, the school serves nearly 300 students. Continue reading →

Milby’s Broadway Buffs advance to national culinary competition

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Six teams of student chefs clad in double-breasted white jackets and black-and-white houndstooth pants converged on the Art Institute of Houston last weekend, all aiming to slice and dice their way to a national title.

The six teams, which were made up of HISD culinary students from Westside, Northside, and Milby high schools, were participating in the annual Cooking Up Change competition. The contest challenges students to create healthy meals that meet the real-life nutritional and cost requirements of the national school meal programs. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education passes resolution calling for action on school safety

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The Houston Independent School District Board of Education during its regular April meeting voted to approve a resolution calling for federal action related to school shootings.

Trustees voted 8 to 0 to approve the resolution that acknowledges the Board of Education stands with the students of Broward County Public Schools, and students across the country including HISD in demanding effective and comprehensive action from the federal government to protect schoolchildren. The resolution includes a call for Congress to appropriate adequate new funds to allow the nation’s school districts to plan and coordinate school security efforts with law enforcement officials and make changes to buildings that may be necessary to protect students, teachers, and staff. Continue reading →

HISD to host Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum on April 28 

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HISD invites parents and guardians to the 2018 Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum to meet with special education professionals, attend learning sessions, ask questions, and share input about special education in the district.

2018 Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Registration: 7:30-9 a.m.
Summit & Forum: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092)

Click here to register

The summit portion of the day begins at 9 a.m. and includes interactive presentations on understanding the IEP and special education process, supporting student achievement, supporting healthy parent and student relationships, and transition services. Food and child care will be provided.

Click here for a list of Parent Summit presentations 

The forum begins at 1:30 p.m. and will include a presentation on special education services available in HISD, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and share your concerns. There will be multiple ways to submit questions:

  • Ask a question during the forum portion of the meeting.
  • Submit your question electronically at the computer stations in the Hattie Mae White Lobby.
  • Email your question to SpEdSupportingParents@houstonisd.org or visit HoustonISD.org/SpecialEducation to submit a question electronically.
  • Ask your child’s school for a special education comment card, fill it out, and return it to your school’s front office, or call your school’s main office and request a comment card be mailed to you.

Click here to register. For more information, call the Special Education Parent Liaison Office at 713-556-7042 or contact SpEdSupportingParents@houstonisd.org

New Energy Institute High School holds first event in new building

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Excitement filled the halls of the new Energy Institute High School on Thursday as the school opened the building for the first time to welcome its incoming students to Freshman Signing Night.

During the event, the incoming class of 2022 officially committed to attending the school this fall and got their first Energy Institute High School t-shirts. Many students and their families arrived early, eager to preview the campus before its formal opening in August. Continue reading →