Category Archives: District I – Elizabeth Santos

Garden Oaks Montessori welcomes students into new facilities

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The first day of school after Spring Break is always busy, but for Garden Oaks Montessori students and staff, the day was marked with even more excitement thanks to the opening of new building additions.

Teachers worked through Spring Break to ensure classrooms were ready for students, while some parents even stopped by last week to give their children a chance to get acclimated early.

Garden Oaks Principal Lindsey Pollock said the first day had been hectic, but exciting. Continue reading →

One new school, three new additions to open this month

One new school building and three school additions will open to students when they return from spring break on March 19. The campuses are part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program to rebuild or replace 40 schools across the district. Continue reading →

Northside HS community celebrates construction progress, leaves mark on new school

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Festive music filled the air at Northside High School on Wednesday as alumni and community members walked along a Panther-purple carpet into a wall-signing celebration held to mark the construction progress made at the school.

About 200 attendees were treated to student performances and heard from guest speakers before being invited to add their signatures to special wall panels, which will be permanently exhibited in the new building.

“Generations upon generations have entered these doors,” Northside Principal Cecilia Gonzales said. “Today they can leave their mark, which will be on display for generations to come. It’s really exciting.” Continue reading →

Garden Oaks Montessori to finish out school year in new additions

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The Garden Oaks Montessori campus will be buzzing with activity over spring break, as construction wraps up on two additions and crews work to ensure the buildings are ready to welcome students on March 19.

Final interior touches are underway, and safety and lighting inspections are in progress. Furniture will be delivered in the coming days, and final cleaning and floor waxing will happen before spring break. Continue reading →

Sam Houston MSTC construction makes steady progress

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Construction on the new $118.9 million Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center is now 40 percent complete, with permanent power — a significant milestone for the project — expected to be connected by late March.

Tilt-wall installation is expected to wrap up later this month. Concrete slabs have been poured in all areas, and two sections of the complex are now completely enclosed. Crews are continuing to install sections of the roof, as well as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Sizwe Lewis, HISD senior manager of construction services, said the project experienced some weather-related delays, but he is hopeful that the crew can make up the time and remain on schedule. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves contract for construction of four Harvey-damaged schools

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a construction contract for the rebuilding of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Scarborough, Kolter, and Mitchell — severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

Trustees authorized district officials to negotiate and execute a Construction Manager-At-Risk — more commonly known as CMAR — contract with Satterfield & Pontikes Construction. A CMAR contract requires the contractor to commit to completing a project within a guaranteed maximum price. Though that price has not yet been negotiated, the agenda item states that the total cost of the project is not to exceed the project budget. Continue reading →

Renovations wrap up at Scarborough HS

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Scarborough High School senior Melanie Esquivel remembers all too well how often the school band has been shuffled around over the last few years.

They practiced first in the dance hall and then in the gym, but the acoustics amped up their sound so much teachers in nearby classrooms often complained. So they moved into the cramped black box theater, where they made do.

“I almost cried when I saw it. It’s just so emotional. I’ve been waiting so long for it,” the 17-year-old flutist said, hardly able to contain her excitement as she pointed out features of the school’s new band hall. “We’re finally like a big part of the school.”

Continue reading →

HISD to open four new or renovated schools Jan. 8

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Three Houston Independent School District high schools and one elementary school will open their doors and welcome students in to new facilities when they return from winter break on Jan. 8.

The schools are Sharpstown, Scarborough and North Forest high schools, and Robinson Elementary School.

Sharpstown was rebuilt and Scarborough was renovated as part of the district’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. The construction of the new North Forest High School and renovation of storm-damaged Robinson Elementary School were overseen by the bond team, but not funded with bond dollars. Continue reading →

Northside HS classroom renovations lead campus into 21st century

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When Northside High School alumnus Machell Blackwell walked through the doorway on the third floor of her alma matter, she said she felt like she was walking through time.

On one side of the well-worn building, it seemed dark and confined — even a bit dated. But on the other, hallways were lighter, classrooms were brighter, and there was a colorful, collaborative space where students could gather to work in small groups.

“To me, I feel like I was walking through a time machine,” said a smiling Blackwell, who also serves as a Northside PTO recruiter and member of both the Northside Project Advisory Team and Shared Decision-Making Committee. “I just walked into the 21st century.”

Continue reading →

HISD honors longtime trustees Eastman and Lunceford 

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HISD trustees Anna Eastman and Mike Lunceford, who both were elected to the HISD Board of Trustees in 2009 and are now retiring, were thanked on Thursday for their service during a reception at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.

Superintendent Richard Carranza thanked Eastman and Lunceford for their eight years of service, calling them “good public stewards of public tax dollars. … Your touch is everywhere in our district, and your legacy will live on for years.” He presented them with crystal apples as a small token of the district’s appreciation. Continue reading →