Category Archives: District IX – Myrna Guidry

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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Record-setting 13 HISD schools set to open for the 2018-2019 school year

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This month, more than a dozen schools will formally open to students for the start of the 2018-2019 school year – the largest number of building openings at one time in district history.

“We’re excited to turn these new buildings over to the schools,” HISD Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “I think we’ve created wonderful new 21st century learning environments for the students, and we can’t wait to see them enjoying the new facilities.” Continue reading →

HISD thanks Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for Harvey efforts

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This week, HISD joined with more than 20,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated to publicly thank them for donating thousands of dollars to district students and staff in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

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Lawson MS hosts ‘Walk to Remember’ before building demolition

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Music echoed throughout the Lawson Middle School gym as community members gathered with former students and staff to catch up with old friends, flip through old yearbooks, and dance the afternoon away.

Led by current students and staff, the stroll down memory lane was part of a “Walk to Remember” — an event held to let stakeholders bid their final farewells to the building before it is demolished later this summer.

“It’s important to preserve the memories,” Lawson Principal Kasey Bailey said. “There’s a lot of history with this school, but we’re very excited to move into the new building.”

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Milby’s Broadway Buffs advance to national culinary competition

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Six teams of student chefs clad in double-breasted white jackets and black-and-white houndstooth pants converged on the Art Institute of Houston last weekend, all aiming to slice and dice their way to a national title.

The six teams, which were made up of HISD culinary students from Westside, Northside, and Milby high schools, were participating in the annual Cooking Up Change competition. The contest challenges students to create healthy meals that meet the real-life nutritional and cost requirements of the national school meal programs. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education passes resolution calling for action on school safety

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education during its regular April meeting voted to approve a resolution calling for federal action related to school shootings.

Trustees voted 8 to 0 to approve the resolution that acknowledges the Board of Education stands with the students of Broward County Public Schools, and students across the country including HISD in demanding effective and comprehensive action from the federal government to protect schoolchildren. The resolution includes a call for Congress to appropriate adequate new funds to allow the nation’s school districts to plan and coordinate school security efforts with law enforcement officials and make changes to buildings that may be necessary to protect students, teachers, and staff. Continue reading →

HISD to host Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum on April 28 

HISD invites parents and guardians to the 2018 Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum to meet with special education professionals, attend learning sessions, ask questions, and share input about special education in the district.

2018 Special Education Spring Parent Summit & Forum
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Registration: 7:30-9 a.m.
Summit & Forum: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092)

Click here to register

The summit portion of the day begins at 9 a.m. and includes interactive presentations on understanding the IEP and special education process, supporting student achievement, supporting healthy parent and student relationships, and transition services. Food and child care will be provided.

Click here for a list of Parent Summit presentations 

The forum begins at 1:30 p.m. and will include a presentation on special education services available in HISD, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and share your concerns. There will be multiple ways to submit questions:

  • Ask a question during the forum portion of the meeting.
  • Submit your question electronically at the computer stations in the Hattie Mae White Lobby.
  • Email your question to SpEdSupportingParents@houstonisd.org or visit HoustonISD.org/SpecialEducation to submit a question electronically.
  • Ask your child’s school for a special education comment card, fill it out, and return it to your school’s front office, or call your school’s main office and request a comment card be mailed to you.

Click here to register. For more information, call the Special Education Parent Liaison Office at 713-556-7042 or contact SpEdSupportingParents@houstonisd.org

Madison HS Project Advisory Team tours new school construction

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Madison High School Project Advisory Team members joined with school staff for a tour of the Marlins’ new facility, getting a sneak peek of the new gym, dining commons, auto shop, and auditorium.

Construction of the new school is more than halfway complete. The concrete walls have been erected and the installation of the roof, windows, and exterior brickwork is underway. Interior walls are being framed and utility site work is underway.

Permanent power to the building — an important project milestone — will be connected to the building in early May.

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New Lawson MS set for completion this summer

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Construction on the new Lawson Middle School is now in the final stages, with the project almost 90 percent complete and on track to open this summer.

The main and auxiliary gymnasiums, locker rooms, dining commons, kitchen, and administrative offices are nearly complete, and flooring is being installed throughout the building. In addition, driveways at the east and west sides of the campus are almost finished.

“The end is in sight,” Lawson Principal Kasey Bailey said, noting that furniture selections have been confirmed, and delivery will occur mid-May. “We are extremely excited and can’t wait to move in.”

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Westbury High School opens new addition ahead of schedule

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Westbury High School students and staff looked right at home in their new building addition on Monday — the official opening day of the school’s two-story building expansion.

The new wing was completed and furnished ahead of schedule, which enabled the school to move in two weeks early for a “soft opening” before spring break.

Westbury Principal Susan Monaghan said the move was seamless, with crews and teachers working over the weekend to prevent any disruption to instruction time. Continue reading →