Category Archives: 21st century schools

North Forest HS holds grand opening celebration

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With a stunning view of the forest as a backdrop, North Forest High School stakeholders celebrated the grand opening of the first new high school to be built in the area in almost five decades.

More than 200 community members, students, and staff gathered Friday in the school’s dramatic two-story dining commons for the event, which featured student speakers, performances by the NFHS choir, and remarks by HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. Continue reading →

Sharpstown HS celebrates grand opening of new school

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Decked out with yellow and green balloons and yellow flowers, Sharpstown High School’s two-story atrium and open-air dining commons became the focal point of the school’s grand opening ceremony on Thursday.

Scores of students, parents, staff, and community members gathered in the new space to celebrate the completion of construction on the new school, which opened to students in January after being rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

“It’s an ideal educational environment for our students and will inspire them, encourage their creativity, and challenge their imaginations,” HISD Board of Education Trustee Holly Flynn-Vilaseca said, looking around the room as she spoke to the crowd gathered for the celebration.

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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 →

Scarborough HS celebrates grand opening of modernized school

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A sunny spring day and large shady trees provided the perfect backdrop to celebrate the grand opening of Scarborough High School.

As the school band played a selection of rhythm and blues, students, faculty, staff, community members, and visitors gathered Thursday on the school’s front lawn to celebrate official completion of the $14.6 million construction and renovation project.

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Washington HS students create special works of art

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A project for an art class at Booker T. Washington High School has turned into a special gift for a university president on behalf of HISD. Students in Maya Imani Watson’s art class created a piece that highlights the late poet Maya Angelou. The piece will be gifted to Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, the newly minted president of Prairie View A&M University.

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Bond Oversight Committee hears update on school construction, plans for new bond program

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The Houston Independent School District has opened nine new facilities since the start of the year and is on track to open 15 more by January 2019, according to a report given to the Bond Oversight Committee on Tuesday.

In total, the district will have completed and opened two dozen new facilities between January 2018 and January 2019, bringing the program’s overall completion rate to 80 percent by the end of the year.

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New Askew ES set to open in August

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Construction on the new Askew Elementary School is set to wrap up this quarter, with school officials making plans to move in over the summer and welcome students to the new building in August.

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Lamar HS Project Advisory Team gets first look inside new building

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Soaking up striking views of the Galleria to the west and Downtown Houston to the east, Lamar High School Project Advisory Team members got their first look inside the school’s new four-story addition.

Members were shown a 3-D printed model of the campus and then given the opportunity to walk through the steel structure, up to the fourth floor of the academic wing, where they could view construction progress. Continue reading →

HISD COO Brian Busby named one of Houston’s top 40 under 40

HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby

Houston Independent School District Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby has been named as one of the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for 2018.

The list honors young professionals in Houston who have become key leaders in their respective industries and in the community. Judges selected the honorees based on leadership, community involvement, and the ability to overcome challenges.

“I am truly honored to be selected by the Houston Business Journal as one of their 40 Under 40,” Busby said. “The work I do each day in my career and my community is my passion. To be honored for it is indescribable.”

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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 →