Category Archives: District II – Kathy Blueford-Daniels

Demolition in progress near Washington HS

Demolition crews begin clearing condemned houses to make way for the new Washington High School, March 13, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Demolition crews begin clearing condemned houses to make way for the new Washington High School, March 13, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Heavy equipment has arrived on site, and old houses are coming down as the recently acquired property in the Independence Heights neighborhood is cleared to become part of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

After months of preparation, including extensive asbestos abatement, several of the houses were brought down this week, and more are set to follow as part of the demolition phase of construction, which is expected to last four to six more weeks.

As part of HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program approved by voters in 2012, a new $51.7 million facility will be built for Washington HS. Nearly 16 acres of land adjacent to the school was acquired by the district as part of the plan to nearly double the size of the campus.

The new campus, which will accommodate up to 1,300 students, will showcase the school’s engineering program with 21st century technology and flexible learning spaces to support project-based learning and encourage collaboration.

More information on Booker T. Washington and other 2012 bond schools can be found here.

 

Two HISD teachers named finalists for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Two HISD teachers got a big surprise this week, when they learned that they had been named finalists for H-E-B’s 2015 Excellence in Education Awards.

Michael Clark, who was named HISD’s own Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2011, was selected as a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement category at the secondary level, while Dr. Nghia Le, who was recognized by H-E-B in 2011 with the Rising Star Award, was chosen as a finalist in the Leadership category at the secondary level.

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HISD students offered more than $250K in scholarship money at Black College Expo

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About 450 HISD students attended the 2015 Black College Expo Tour on Saturday, Feb. 28, and a fair amount of those students received “on the spot acceptances,” as well as more than $250,000 in scholarship money.

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Mickey Leland College Prep stakeholders briefed on plans for new school

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The Mickey Leland College Prep Academy community turned out in force this week to hear about the latest plans for their school’s new 21st century campus. More than 125 attended the presentation given by the architect and project manager, which offered the opportunity to view renderings up close and give feedback.

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It’s on to regional hoop quarterfinals for five HISD teams

Five HISD boys’ basketball teams will play Monday and Tuesday in the University Interscholastic League regional quarterfinals.

Defending state champions Yates will see the tipoff for their games against Pflugerville at 6 p.m. Monday at Rudder High School in Bryan. The game was postponed from the weekend because of weather that made driving hazardous.

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Two HISD high schools to be honored by Young Audiences

This year, Young Audiences of Houston is highlighting two schools who integrate the arts into their science, technology, engineering, and math (known as the STEM-to-STEAM movement) programs. Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men will receive the Arts Empowerment Award at Disco Galaxy Soiree, Young Audience’s annual gala, from 6 – 9 p.m. on May 7, 2015, at Rice University’s Cohen House.

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HISD students head ‘em up and move ‘em out for Go Texan Day

HISD students kicked off Go Texan Day and Houston’s rodeo season by meeting some real cowboys and their horses. The trail ride tradition was brought to life for the students as Horseshoes from the Heart drove their wagons, along with wagons from the Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride Association, the Bellaire FFA and the Alabama Coushatta Dance Troupe, past seven southwest Houston schools. Continue reading →

HISD given go-ahead for Washington HS neighborhood demolition project

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

Demolition is scheduled to begin in early March, which follows the completion of asbestos abatement at 51 properties in Houston’s Independence Heights neighborhood – properties that were acquired by the district to become a part of the new 21st century campus for Booker T. Washington High School.

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Middle school girls get hands-on introduction to STEM careers

EYH 2015

Students from Burbank MS had a blast at the Expanding Your Horizons conference.

Hundreds of HISD middle school girls spent Sat., Feb. 21, learning about math and science careers at the Expanding Your Horizons conference.

Female professionals talked to students from Black, Burbank, Grady, Henry and Revere middle schools, and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy about a variety of STEM careers. The students worked with a 3-D printer, learned about storing DNA, created cement, and developed butterfly gardens.

The West Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women hosted the conference.

HISD teams see district basketball playoff action

Teams from 12 Houston ISD high schools — including last year’s state champion Yates HS — launch district basketball playoffs this week.

North Forest, Sharpstown, Madison, and Sterling all have their first games Monday, with Yates, Sam Houston, Bellaire, Lamar, Westside, Scarborough, Worthing, and Wheatley seeing action Tuesday.

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