Category Archives: Elementary Schools

Interim Superintendent makes special stop during first-day districtwide tour to showcase pre-K expansion efforts

During her whirlwind first-day of school district tour, HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan stopped at Neff Early Learning Center, where she and other administration officials gathered to highlight to the media and community the expansion of pre-K education throughout the district. 

“High-quality, full-day pre-K will continue to be a top priority in HISD,” Lathan said. “We must provide all children with a solid foundation as they embark on their educational journeys. Funding these programs are an investment in our children and our families.” 

HISD’s full-day Pre-K program, which is offered to three- and four-year-olds, began in 2006. This school year, a total of 12 elementary campuses throughout the district will be expanding pre-K classrooms for a total of 38 pre-K rooms.  

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Construction progressing at new Mitchell ES

Construction on the new Mitchell Elementary School is progressing as the concrete foundation and hollow core planks are now complete.

Crews have begun the erection of the structural steel and site paving is nearly complete.

The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.

“Although Harvey tested our resiliency, it also created an opportunity for our community to be blessed with a new school for our very deserving students,” Mitchell Principal Elizabeth Castillo said. “We are so eager as we watch the progress of our building.  With the foundation being poured, we know that our Mitchell 3.0 will be a beacon of hope as we work to revitalize our community after Harvey.”

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Steel structure placed in Kolter ES

Construction continues at Kolter Elementary School with structural steel of the new building nearly complete.

Crews will now begin the installation of both the first- and second-floor slabs. Exterior wall framing will begin next month.

“Watching the beams and framing come to life has made all the difference,” Kolter Principal Julie Dickinson said. “It’s so exciting to see a second floor and to begin to visualize learning spaces and common areas. I can’t believe we’re less than a year away from moving into our new school home.”

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Construction continues at Scarborough ES

Work is progressing at Scarborough Elementary School with the building foundation and hollow core plank installation now complete.

Installation of the first and second-floor slabs are in progress.

Scarborough is one of four elementary schools — including Braeburn, Mitchell, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.

Scarborough Principal Miriam Medina said the news of the construction progress has made the school community feel a sense of anticipation.

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Construction progresses at Braeburn ES

Steel structures and concrete slabs are now underway at the new Braeburn Elementary School with the installation of underground utilities and floor planks completed.

The campus is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.

“Our community and staff are excited to see our school building come to life from the ground up,” Braeburn Principal Amanda Rodgers said. “Now that the foundation is being set, it’s getting even easier to envision what our future home will look like. We look forward to returning to our neighborhood soon.”

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HISD school start times for the 2019-20 school year

The Houston Independent School District’s standardized start/dismissal times will remain the same for the 2019-20 school year. 

This school year, the district will operate with the following standardized times: 

Elementary schools and early childhood centers: 
Start at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 2:50 p.m. 

Middle schools and PK/K-8: 
Start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 3:50 p.m. 

High School and 6-12 Schools: 
Start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 4 p.m. 

Exceptions to the standardized start/dismissal times are in effect for certain campuses for the 2019-2020 school year. Please check with your campus directly to confirm start/dismissal times. 

HISD expands fine arts access to all elementary schools

Inspired by Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan’s mission to provide fine arts education to more students, HISD will add a fine arts teacher to 37 elementary schools across the district for the 2019-2020 school year.  

“For the first time in recent history, all HISD elementary students will have access to a certified fine arts teacher,” HISD Director of Fine Arts Wenden Sanders said. “HISD views every student as an emerging artist, and thanks to Dr. Lathan’s vision, students will have ample opportunity to develop those creative skills.”  

Up until this year, roughly 20,000 HISD elementary students had little to no access to fine arts instruction. Now, those students will have the chance to participate in either music, theater or visual arts on a daily basis.  

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Parent University to kick off for second year with districtwide workshops

The Houston Independent School District will kick off its second year of Parent University on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at all district campuses.

The workshops will connect parents and children to resources offered by the district to create successful academic careers as well as safe and healthy environments at home and at school. 

A variety of district and community program representatives and experts will be available for parents to connect with individually. After the districtwide event on Sept. 17, Parent University workshops will take place monthly at geographically dispersed locations at 5:15 p.m. as follows: 

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HISD to host Back to School Extravaganza for 2019-2020 school year

HISD’s Homeless Education Office will host a Back to School Extravaganza on Friday, Aug. 23 to help students get ready for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delmar Stadium (2020 Mangum Road 77092). 

Free assistance will be available for Medicaid applications, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) renewal and recertification, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Health screenings also will be available. 

Also available for free, while supplies last, will be immunizations (must bring original shot record), fresh produce, backpacks, shoes, and school supplies. Students must be present to receive free items. 

For transportation assistance, contact the Homeless Education Office at 713-556-7237.

HISD expands free, full-day pre-K program across district

HISD is expanding its free, full-day pre-kindergarten program at schools across the district to provide more three- and four-year-old students with the opportunity to attend a high-quality program that will build a strong foundation of learning and support the needs of the families it serves. 

A total of 12 elementary campuses throughout the district will be expanding pre-K classrooms for a total of 38 pre-K rooms. Those campuses are Neff Early Learning Center, Isaacs, R. Martinez, Rucker, Love, Browning, Shadowbriar, Askew, Mitchell, Garden Villas, DeAnda and Wesley elementary schools.

Two schools – Hillard and Oates elementary schools – are implementing pre-K for the first time.

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