Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan walked into the new academic building at Lamar High School on Thursday and stopped for a moment to take it all in.
Standing in the grand hall, Lathan’s eyes widened as she scanned the two-story, glass-paned entry way and massive, bright blue staircase leading to upper floors.
“This is wonderful,” Lathan said, smiling as she greeted Lamar Principal Rita Graves.
Continue readingConstruction on the new Mitchell Elementary School is progressing as the concrete foundation and hollow core planks are now complete.
Crews have begun the erection of the structural steel and site paving is nearly complete.
The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.
“Although Harvey tested our resiliency, it also created an opportunity for our community to be blessed with a new school for our very deserving students,” Mitchell Principal Elizabeth Castillo said. “We are so eager as we watch the progress of our building. With the foundation being poured, we know that our Mitchell 3.0 will be a beacon of hope as we work to revitalize our community after Harvey.”
Continue readingConstruction continues at Kolter Elementary School with structural steel of the new building nearly complete.
Crews will now begin the installation of both the first- and second-floor slabs. Exterior wall framing will begin next month.
“Watching the beams and framing come to life has made all the difference,” Kolter Principal Julie Dickinson said. “It’s so exciting to see a second floor and to begin to visualize learning spaces and common areas. I can’t believe we’re less than a year away from moving into our new school home.”
Continue readingWork is progressing at Scarborough Elementary School with the building foundation and hollow core plank installation now complete.
Installation of the first and second-floor slabs are in progress.
Scarborough is one of four elementary schools — including Braeburn, Mitchell, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.
Scarborough Principal Miriam Medina said the news of the construction progress has made the school community feel a sense of anticipation.
Continue readingSteel structures and concrete slabs are now underway at the new Braeburn Elementary School with the installation of underground utilities and floor planks completed.
The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.
“Our community and staff are excited to see our school building come to life from the ground up,” Braeburn Principal Amanda Rodgers said. “Now that the foundation is being set, it’s getting even easier to envision what our future home will look like. We look forward to returning to our neighborhood soon.”
Continue readingThe Security Maintenance office looks like any other, with computers, cubicles, and conference rooms. You might never know that it houses HISD’s first line of defense against burglars, fires, floods, and natural disasters.
Part of Facilities Services and Fleet Operations, Security Maintenance is responsible for ensuring safety and security systems and equipment are fully functioning.
The department provides routine maintenance and emergency repairs on all safety equipment, such as cameras and alarm panels. It oversees and coordinates annual fire alarm, intercom, and fire extinguisher inspections. The team also works closely with HISD Construction Services to bring safety systems online in new and renovated schools.
Continue readingHISD’s Facilities Services and Fleet Operations department has been working hard this summer to ensure students have clean, comfortable learning spaces and reliable transportation to and from school.
The department cleaned schools, made renovations to several campuses, worked on climate control systems, serviced cars, took care of the grounds, welded metal, and maintained security.
Facilities Services and Fleet Operations Officer Alishia Jolivette said the department’s new tagline — We solve. We serve. We maintain. — guides their daily efforts.
Continue readingThe HISD Bond Oversight Committee got an up-close look at the new Barbara Jordan Career Center during their second quarter meeting Tuesday.
Committee members made their way up the school’s modern learning stairs and through hallways filled with natural light and turquoise accent walls. The group took pictures along the way and tried on a simulator helmet in the welding classroom.
The tour — led by Principal Ross McAlpine, HISD Construction Services Senior Manager Sizwe Lewis, and HISD Project Manager Zorana Marquez-Campos — made stops in the school’s health science classroom, and cosmetology, automotive and diesel, culinary, welding, and construction management labs.
Continue readingFifteen uniformed men and women gathered with friends and family Wednesday at the High School for Law and Justice to be sworn in as the district’s newest law enforcement officers.
The audience cheered after each officer had a shiny silver badge affixed to their uniform by a family member or friend. The new officers walked across the stage proudly, pausing to shake their colleagues’ hands and accept congratulations.
“Before stepping foot on a school campus, please remember that some of our students deal with challenges beyond what you can imagine,” HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova said, offering the officers a few words of advice just before they were officially sworn in. “Remember to have a warm smile and a bit of compassion.”
Continue readingAlmost seven years after Houston voters approved a $1.89 billion bond to replace and repair 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools, the 2012 Bond Program is coming to a close.
Only four schools remain under active construction as part of their original scope of work – Northside, Lamar, Austin, and Bellaire high schools.
“We’re excited about the work we’ve done over the summer,” Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “We’re proud of the 21st–century learning spaces we’ve created.”
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