Category Archives: District VIII – Judith Cruz

HISD students win big in Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo School Art Contest

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo School Art Contest Committee judged nearly 600 pieces of HISD student artwork on Jan. 21 at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Several HISD students walked away with top recognitions for this year’s contest, including three for Best of Show and four Gold Medal Awards.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000XemyyH73YMg” g_name=”20160129-RodeoArtWinners” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Continue reading →

New Furr HS project begins vertical construction

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000MIbTCwUCmoM” g_name=”20160121-Furr” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Building progress at Furr High School has reached a noteworthy milestone already this year, as workers have begun installing the concrete and masonry walls, marking the beginning of vertical construction.

Continue reading →

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.”

Continue reading →

Meet HISD’s newest trustees in this month’s edition of ‘Up Close’

In this edition of “Up Close,” HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones visits with recently elected District IV Trustee Jolanda Jones and District VIII Trustee Diana Dávila.

Jones landed a seat on the board for the first time in November, beating out three opponents to win the District IV spot being vacated by departing trustee Paula Harris, who did not seek re-election. Jones says she is looking forward to focusing on the new superintendent search. She is also planning to advocate for the preservation of existing schools, and to work on resource equity.

Continue reading →

Update of Austin HS Bond Project

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000OzvhFwoLy38″ g_name=”2015-Bond-Austin” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Austin High School is slated to receive a new $68.4 million facility preserving the architecturally significant building structure for 1,800 to 2,000 students.

The project held its first community meeting in August of 2015 to discuss the design progress to date. The preliminary plan maintains the front facade and historic auditorium while renovating the architecturally significant portion of the building along Dumble Street. The back section of the building along Lockwood will be replaced with a new addition. The concept includes a new entrance for visitors to enter from Jefferson Street, which will be constructed adjacent to new administrative offices. The plan also includes cutout drives for buses on Lockwood and parent cars on Dumble to avoid blocking traffic lanes during commute hours. Additional features of the new campus will include new gymnasiums and CTE labs and a new kitchen and dining commons area with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The two current courtyards will be kept and enhanced as additional flexible learning space.

A second community meeting will be held in early to mid-2016, with the goal to have the project out for bid by the end of the year.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Update on Wharton Dual Language Academy K-8 bond project

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000GFh63xUkeHg” g_name=”2015-Bond-Wharton” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Wharton Dual Language Academy K-8 is receiving a new addition and general renovations of the existing facilities to accommodate 750 to 900 students. The school held its first community meeting in August to gather feedback on preliminary designs for the $35.6 million project.

Plans include a new three-story building addition that would complement and connect to the existing historical building, forming a courtyard for an outdoor learning area. With the addition of the new building, the plan is to take the main entry from West Gray to Columbus Street. The site will make use of space previously dedicated as a Little League field to expand the campus footprint.

Under the current schedule, Wharton would begin construction by the third quarter of 2016, with a target completion in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Update on Eastwood Academy bond project

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000EBU.uBg4sSY” g_name=”2015-Bond-Eastwood” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Eastwood Academy will receive a new facility that incorporates the new two-story classroom wing to accommodate 500 students.

Site plans for the school include a new student dining and multipurpose area, a career and technical education center, library, an athletics facility, and a SPARK park open to students and the neighborhood. The addition will be built on a field neighboring the school and will connect to the school’s existing building.

The project will be split into two phases, beginning with construction of the south building, followed by the north building addition to be completed at the end of 2017. Students will continue to attend the existing school during construction.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

New Energy Institute HS construction to start in first quarter

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000HW5sADxr.nk” g_name=”2015-Bond-Energy” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Energy Institute High School held its second community meeting in November at its current location, 1808 Sampson in Houston’s Third Ward.

The new $37 million school, which is using funding sources unrelated to the 2012 bond, will be built for 800 students on 12 acres of district-owned land along Southmore Boulevard at Tierwester. The planned 110,000-square-foot building mimics the look of a high-tech corporate environment, with three main buildings designed to incorporate multi-level areas for work and projects. A central courtyard with cascading stairs and trellis will expand available space for socializing and learning, and will be visible from the entryway stairs. The school is designed for project-based learning, with areas for collaboration and focused study.

Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2016 with a target completion in the third quarter of 2017.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Completion of new Furr HS one year away

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000GylBtQuELQg” g_name=”2015-Bond-Furr” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Stakeholders of Furr High School gathered on Oct. 29 to break ground on the school’s new $55 million campus.

The new 182,000-square-foot, three-story building is designed to enhance Furr’s science, technology, engineering, and arts programs and will include flexible, brightly colored learning areas that can be adjusted through moveable furniture and sliding glass doors. Students will remain in the existing facility while the new building is erected on the adjacent athletics fields. Once the new building is complete, the current building will be demolished and new athletics fields will be built on that site.

The new campus will accommodate up to 1,300 students and is expected to be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2017.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

High School for Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice construction update

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000guhHKyCb.bU” g_name=”2015-Bond-HSLE” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

The $39.9 million High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, which is funded from surplus bond monies and real estate proceeds, will feature a new three-story building that combines a 21st century learning environment with unique features: a courtroom, a crime scene investigations lab, emergency communications center, and a law library.

The school will be centrally located on Scott between Pease and Coyle near the Houston Police Department’s South Central Station, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University – with easy access to the freeway, rail, and bike trails.

Comprehensive demolition work is underway on the site and expected to be completed in first quarter 2016. An agreement on guaranteed maximum price with the construction manager at risk was reached in December, and the team is currently working with City of Houston to obtain permits.

The target opening of the new building is third quarter 2017. The school will transition to its new name, High School for Law and Justice, once move-in is complete.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects