Category Archives: District II – Kathy Blueford-Daniels

Thank a trustee during National School Board Recognition Month

The 2016 Board of Education

The 2016 Board of Education are (L-R): Anna Eastman, Michael Lunceford, Second Vice President Diana Davila, First Vice President Wanda Adams, Assistant Secretary Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Secretary Jolanda Jones, President Manuel Rodriguez Jr., Harvin Moore, and Greg Meyers.

January is National School Board Recognition Month, honoring the men and women who serve on the nation’s thousands of Boards of Education. These dedicated public servants become school board trustees because they are committed to improving public education and their communities.

Our board members devote many hours to making sure Houston’s schools are safe and have the resources and instructional programs needed to educate children to their fullest potential.

“The students in HISD are very fortunate to have dedicated board members who work day in and day out to shape policies that support a high-quality education for all of our students,” said HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier. “If you haven’t reached out, please thank your school board trustee for caring about our children, and let them know that they truly are appreciated for what they do.”

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HISD Board of Education to consider resolution beginning process of renaming certain schools

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday is expected to consider a resolution that would begin the process of renaming schools in order to represent the values and diversity of the school district, in accordance with the district’s non-discrimination policies.

The resolution was brought forward by Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones. It would affect eight schools: Henry Grady, Richard Dowling, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Albert Sidney Johnston, and Sidney Lanier middle schools, and Jefferson Davis, John Reagan, and Lee high schools. Continue reading →

Construction continues for new North Forest HS

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Steel beams are now standing, and concrete slabs are being completed on the new North Forest High School.

The new facility will accommodate 1,300 to 1,500 students and is set to include plenty of natural light, flexible learning spaces, a modern dining commons and CTE (career and technical education) spaces. It is the only school in the district with plans for an indoor running track.

The target completion is first quarter of 2017.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Kashmere HS construction to start 2nd quarter of 2016

Kashmere High School, which is getting a $17 million renovation to its existing facility, held the first of three community meetings earlier this fall to share information about progress on the project’s design.

The renovation will enclose the center courtyard to create a large indoor flexible space with natural light for year-round use. The design merges the four main campus buildings into one and also will feature an updated front entrance. The permitting process with the City of Houston is underway, with review set to begin in January.

Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2016 and take about 9 to 12 months to complete.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

New North Forest ECC continues to take shape

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The building slab and underground utilities for the new North Forest Early Childhood Center are now complete and steel framing for the building is ongoing.

The school will accommodate 500 to 600 students to help alleviate the need for a new early childhood educational center in the northeast area of Houston. Currently, the former Fonwood Elementary School has been converted to accommodate 477 pre-kindergarten students in this community.

The new building has a target completion of second quarter of 2016.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Site work underway for new Washington HS

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Booker T. Washington High School is receiving $51.7 million for a new campus accommodating 1,100 to 1,300 students interested in the engineering professions.

The demolition and relocation of existing utilities and power poles for the campus are underway, along with ongoing site work. During the spring of 2015, a geological fault line was discovered running diagonally across the new campus site, causing the campus to undergo a redesign. The project is back on track and will showcase the school’s engineering program with 21st century technology and flexible learning spaces to support project-based learning and encourage collaboration.

The target completion date is set for third quarter of 2017.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Site work in progress for new Mickey Leland College Prep

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This all boys prep academy will receive a new $42.4 million facility, located at 1701 Gregg Street, for a campus accommodating 900 to 1,000 students.

The new school will be built on the site of the former Wheatley/E.O. Smith building in the Fifth Ward, and the design plans include several features that will incorporate and honor the history and accomplishments of that school and its alumni.

Underground site prep and earth work is underway including site utilities, drilling and pouring of concrete piers, grade beams, and installation of under-slab plumbing.

The school has a target completion date in the  first quarter of 2017.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Five campuses celebrate neighborhood parks during SPARK Park Week

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A tennis court, a pond, landscaping, vertical gardens and a volleyball court are just a few of the new features at a brand-new SPARK park at Clifton Middle School.

Clifton is one of five HISD campus that took part in observing SPARK (School Park) Week from Nov. 14-21, which celebrates the transformation of public school grounds into neighborhood parks — a collaborative effort involving the City of Houston, Harris County, HISD, parent-teacher groups, and the community.

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HISD students performing in the Nutcracker

HISD is well represented in Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” this holiday season. Many students are performing in the Houston Ballet’s popular production. The children have been rehearsing since October 10 to be party children and clowns. There are eight casts of children, so they don’t have to appear in every performance. Two middle school students are performing with the Houston Repertoire Ballet (HRB) as well.

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‘Three Doctors’ inspire HISD students to support one another though hardships

Wheatley HS students at the "Three Doctors" event

Wheatley HS students at the “Three Doctors” event

Students from HISD’s Kashmere, Scarborough, and Wheatley high schools received a full dose of motivation on Nov. 6 from “Three Doctors” who made a pact to support each other while growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Newark, New Jersey, and achieved professional success as a result.

The students attended a presentation given by Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins at the Brown Convention Center as part of the White House initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” which aims to close the achievement and opportunity gaps for young men of color.

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