Category Archives: Building Updates

Hilliard ES holds grand re-opening celebration

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The atmosphere was festive and joyful at Hilliard Elementary School on Thursday morning, as students and staff gathered to welcome guests, and celebrate the grand re-opening of their beloved campus, which was heavily damaged last year in Hurricane Harvey.

Hilliard students and staff spent last school year at the former Fonwood Early Childhood Center to allow crews time to repair and renovate their flood-damaged campus. The school officially moved back to their refurbished building over the summer, in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“We are so excited to be on our home campus,” Hilliard Principal Erika Kimble said. “We are back, and we are thriving.”

Since Hurricane Harvey, the school — including all classrooms, the library, and the gym — has been completely restored, as have the campus grounds. Additionally, a new retention pond and extensive storm drainage system have been added to prevent future flooding. Continue reading →

New culinary program space opens at Northside HS

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Northside High School opened two new commercial grade learning kitchens at the start of the 2018-2019 school year, giving a boost to the school’s popular culinary arts magnet program.

The new culinary classrooms are part of a $66 million, multi-phase renovation project taking place at the school as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. The Northside project is two-thirds complete.
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New employee educational learning center to open in North Forest

The Houston Independent School District is relocating its professional development operations to provide impactful and engaging training opportunities that meet the wide-ranging needs of employees across the district.

The center will occupy the original North Forest High School building, located in northeast Houston. The building was vacated in January when North Forest students and staff moved into their new facility across Mesa Drive.

The new learning center, which is tentatively scheduled to open for training in late winter, will provide a comfortable, welcoming, and professional training environment with updated technology designed to enhance the professional development offerings available across the district.

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Designs for Westbury HS fine arts wing take shape

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As work on the initial scope of Westbury High School’s bond construction is wrapping up, Project Advisory Team members met recently for the first look at design plans for another new addition.

The new $6.2 million fine arts wing, which is funded through surplus 2012 Bond Program funds, will be built on the north side of the campus on the site of the school’s old gymnasium and dining hall, which are in the process of being demolished.

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Four elementary schools look to future after sustaining damage during Harvey

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When Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston last August, it left a devastating mark on nearly everything it touched — including schools.

Nearly every campus in HISD received some damage, but there were four elementary schools — Scarborough, Mitchell, Kolter, and Braeburn — that received damage so significant that they had to be rebuilt.

That process is now underway. Design plans have been approved, and construction on the new schools is soon to begin. The students and staff from each of the four schools will remain in temporary spaces until their home schools are rebuilt and opened, which is expected in January 2020.

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Building demolition underway at Braeburn ES

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Demolition at Braeburn Elementary School is underway, with site work and paving soon to follow as crews begin the process of rebuilding the flood-ravaged campus.

“The community is excited to watch as demolition continues and progress on the new building begins,” Braeburn Principal Amanda Rodgers said.

The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained last year during Hurricane Harvey.

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Demolition in progress at Kolter ES

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The demolition of flood-ravaged Kolter Elementary School is underway, with site work and building construction expected to start soon after.

Construction is expected to continue through 2019, with the new school opening in early 2020. Students and staff will remain at their current temporary location — the former Gordon Elementary School campus on Avenue B in Bellaire — for the duration of the construction process.

The foreign language magnet is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained last year during Hurricane Harvey.

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Former Mitchell ES currently undergoing abatement

Work has begun at Mitchell Elementary School, where abatement is underway, and demolition is soon to start.

The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained last year during Hurricane Harvey.

Mitchell’s $23 million facility will accommodate about 750 students. The two-story 91,300-square-foot-building will feature open, brightly colored learning spaces, large windows, abundant natural light, and extended learning spaces throughout the building for individual and group collaboration.

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Abatement underway at Scarborough ES

Work has begun at Scarborough Elementary School, where abatement is underway and demolition is soon to start.

The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained last year during Hurricane Harvey.

Scarborough’s $23 million facility will accommodate about 750 students. The two-story 91,300-square-foot-building will feature open brightly-colored learning spaces, large windows, abundant natural light, and extended learning spaces throughout the building for individual and group collaboration.

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