Category Archives: District VIII – Judith Cruz

Austin HS prepares for start of construction

Construction crews at Austin High School spent much of the summer working to complete demolition, abatement, and underground site work in preparation for the start of construction on their new building.

While significant progress was made, the project encountered some hurdles. City of Houston permitting procedures changed and now require additional documents and information to be submitted. Additionally, asbestos removal took longer than anticipated.

To accommodate the additional time needed to procure the permit and safely remove hazardous materials from the construction site, school and project officials have updated the construction timeline. The school is now scheduled to will move into its new facility in summer 2020, with students and staff returning for the 2020-2021 school year. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy HS celebrates opening of new building additions

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Members of the East End community joined with the students and staff of Eastwood Academy on Friday, Oct. 19 to celebrate the completion and opening of the school’s new additions and renovations.

Built as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the $10.9 million project was completed in two phases. The first phase, which opened in January of this year, included renovations to the existing building and construction of an administrative wing. Phase two, a two-story library wing, opened for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“Our students have long-deserved a place that reflects their tremendous achievements,” Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira said. “I am so grateful for the bond program, the district administrators, and the trustees, that they believed in making this building a reality for our students.” Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education unanimously votes to reinstate Lathan as interim superintendent

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted unanimously to reinstate Dr. Grenita Lathan as interim superintendent of HISD.

The Board of Education also voted to authorize the Board President or her designees and the interim superintendent to bring back recommendations concerning executive coaches for trustees and the interim superintendent, respectively. Trustees voted to submit a request to the Texas Education Agency to change the district’s assigned governance conservator.

In addition, trustees voted to set a date for the completion of the superintendent search and adopt a resolution concerning reconciliation.

The firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent.

New Kinder HSPVA nears completion, set to open in January

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Construction on the new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is almost complete and scheduled to open at the start of 2019.

Kinder HSPVA’s $88 million project, which is part of the Houston Independent School District’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, is scheduled to open to students during first quarter of 2019.

Installation of building technology and system setup is currently underway, with furniture delivery slated to begin next month. Crews are now focused on finishing punch list items and finalizing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Continue reading →

HISD Transportation Services holding job fair to recruit bus drivers

The Houston Independent School District’s Transportation Services department will host a job fair this month to recruit bus drivers as part of continuing efforts to make sure all routes are fully staffed and drivers are available for both new routes and to provide coverage if employees are absent.

The job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Sterling High School.

Selected applicants will earn a starting hourly wage of $16.65 and will be provided free CDL training. Other benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Teacher Retirement System participation and special trip pay options. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy students enjoy first day in new addition

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Students at Eastwood Academy looked right at home in the recently completed two-story library wing on Monday, as they gathered for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s calm and chill. It makes me happy,” senior Josue Cruz said. “I’ll come here more often to study. It’s nice how things have changed.”

The school’s new addition – which is the final phase of the school’s 2012 Bond Program construction – features a two-story library expansion, additional teaching spaces, small and large group gathering areas, a community meeting room, and an enclosed walkway that connects to the main entrance. Continue reading →

Students embark on first day at new High School for Law and Justice

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Excitement filled the air at the new High School for Law and Justice as students gathered in the central dining commons to pick up class schedules and connect with friends on Monday — the first day of the 2018-2019 school year.

“When I first walked into the building, all I could say was, ‘Wow!’” HSLJ senior Cecilia Marenco said. “The grand staircase is breathtaking, and the design is modern and innovative.”

Part of the 2012 Bond Program, the $40 million campus features a realistic courtroom, crime-scene investigations lab, emergency communications center, law library, and flexible dining commons space with a three-stories-high sky bridge and a dramatic grand staircase. Continue reading →

High School for Law and Justice celebrates new building with grand opening

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A large crowd of students and staff welcomed a host of elected officials, alumni, and public safety officials to the official grand opening for the newly built, 105,000-square-foot High School for Law and Justice.

Positioned on the central grand staircase, the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Art’s jazz band provided an array of up-tempo musical selections, helping to kick off the celebration.
Continue reading →

Robinson ES ready start school year at home

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At Robinson Elementary School, there is a different kind of excitement — an almost nervous energy — in the air this fall.

Like any other August, teachers have been busy setting up their rooms and excitedly making plans for the school year. But their thoughts are easily drawn back to last August.

Where they were. What they were doing. How they had to abandon their perfectly assembled classrooms just a few days before the start of school and seek shelter from a storm that would end up devastating their classrooms, their school, and their neighboring community. Continue reading →

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 →