Category Archives: 2012 bond

35 schools to be under construction by year’s end, BOC learns at quarterly meeting

The Houston Independent School District expects to have almost three dozen schools under active construction by the end of 2016, HISD Construction Officer Derrick Sanders told the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) on Tuesday during their quarterly meeting.boc-oct-2016

Pending board approval of additional contracts, the district will have 35 projects actively underway, leaving just two — Austin and Bellaire high schools — to begin construction in 2017. Up from about two dozen projects in the last quarter, that is more active construction than at any time in HISD’s history, and also believed to be record-setting in Texas and the U.S.

“The quantity of contracts that we’ve moved through the process is incredible,” Sanders said. “We’ve gotten a lot done, but have a lot more to do. We welcome the challenge.” Continue reading →

Mandarin Immersion Magnet School celebrates new building with grand opening ceremony

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The Mandarin Immersion Magnet School (MIMS) on Monday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the school’s new Galleria-area building.

The $32.2 million school, part of HISD’s 2012 bond program, is one of six new campuses that opened across the district for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

More than 100 supporters of the school, including State Rep. Gene Wu and Houston City Council Member Mike Laster, turned out for the event, which featured student performances, special presentations, a reception, and a tour of the new 119,000-square-foot facility.

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Grand opening planned to celebrate new Mandarin Immersion Magnet School

Mandarin Immersion Magnet School will host a grand opening on Oct. 24 to celebrate the completion of its new building, which was built as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

The new school — the first of its kind in Texas when it was first launched in 2012 — formally opened its doors to students in August. Located just west of the Galleria on West Alabama Street, the $32.2-million, 120,000-square-foot facility is designed to accommodate up to 950 students.

The school was designed around a sun and moon concept. In accordance with the concept, bright colored learning spaces and academic areas are located in the sun wing, which represents energy. Common areas and community spaces — such as the cafeteria and gym — are in the moon wing, which represents reflection. The building also features a soaring, three-story atrium housing the central library and learning commons areas.

The grand opening will be held at the new school on Monday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m.

Mandarin is among 40 schools — including 29 high schools — being renovated or rebuilt as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. By the end of 2016, construction will be underway on nearly three dozen campuses — more than at any other time in the district’s history. Once all work is complete, HISD will boast of one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the nation.

 

South Early College HS hosts ceremony, ribbon-cutting ceremony for new building

More than 100 South Early High School community members gathered Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of their new facility, which was built as part of the 2012 Bond Program and opened to students in August.

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The $13.5 million, 57,000-square-foot facility built adjacent to the Houston Community College-South Campus features modern, flexible learning spaces specifically designed to support the school’s robotics, computer technology and software engineering programs.

“This is an exciting opportunity we have here at 1930 Airport Road,” South Early Principal Steven Gourrier said to the audience. “It took a long time for us to get here, but now we’re here and excited about what’s to happen from this point forward at South Early College High School.”

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High School for Law and Justice celebrates groundbreaking for new campus

High School for Law and  Justice Principal Carol Mosteit expressed her excitement Thursday as she spoke to a crowd of students, alumni, and school supporters gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new school.

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“It’s been a long time coming, and it seems like forever since we did the design for the new school with the architects,” said Mosteit. “Now it has come to fruition, and we’re ready to see this new building get going.”

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Eastwood Academy High School breaks ground on new building addition 

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Eastwood Academy High School stakeholders gathered at the campus on Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new addition being built as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond program.

    U.S. Congressman Gene Green, HISD Board of Education Trustee Diana Dávila, and HISD Chief School Officer Esther Omogbehin joined Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira and nearly 100 students, parents, staff, and community members who turned out to celebrate the milestone.

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Two groundbreakings, a renaming, and a ribbon-cutting scheduled for first week in October

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Four HISD schools are celebrating significant milestones next week. Eastwood Academy and the High School for Law and Justice will both hold groundbreaking ceremonies to mark the start of construction on their new school buildings. Continue reading →

Bond program construction moves at record pace through fall 

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On the heels of an extremely busy summer that included the opening of six new schools, HISD’s bond construction is expected to continue moving forward at a record pace through the fall semester.

Construction is currently underway at more than 20 campuses across the district — more active construction than at any other time in district history. Contracts for most of the remaining schools in the program are expected to be awarded in the fourth quarter of 2016.

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Workshop attendees learn growth strategies for small business

This month’s Workshop Wednesday featured a presentation from Melissa Rascon, managing partner and founder of The Rascon CPA Firm, who discussed business strategies to grow a small business as well as tax updates and tips.IMG_8688

“When you start your business, it’s so important to have a passion for what you do and be very deliberate in your plans,” Rascon said. “A positive attitude and state of mind are essential.”

Rascon also discussed the pros and cons of various corporate structures, the importance of focusing on sales every day, and which numbers a business owner should keep an eye on.

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Lawson Middle School celebrates groundbreaking for new campus

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Nearly 500 students, staff, and school supporters attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Lawson Middle School on Friday to officially mark the start of construction on the new campus and to honor the dedicated educator for whom the school is now renamed.

Lawson is among 40 HISD schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program. The three-story, $59 million facility will be designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students and showcase their fine arts magnet program.

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