Tag Archives: BuildHISD

Codwell ES students mark first day of school year with newly renovated building

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Codwell Elementary School staff were all smiles on Monday as they welcomed students back to their newly renovated Tavenor Lane campus.

The day held special significance for many parents and students — not just because it marked the first day of the 2017-2018 school year, but because it marked the first time they were able to go back into the building since having to relocate to a temporary campus three years ago.

“This is like a dream come true,” Codwell Principal Kristy Love said while greeting her students with hugs as they trickled into the main entrance of the school. “Our 21st century building with modern technology will rival any suburban school.”

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Wisdom HS staff work around the clock to repair leaks, open new school after Hurricane Harvey

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Senior Jasmine Jones cringes when she thinks of the old Wisdom High School. Corridors were narrow and dark, the air conditioning was always on the fritz, and negativity seemed to surround the student body.

It looked and felt like a prison, Jones and her friends said Monday — their first day of class in the new Wisdom High School, which was built as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

“It’s just a whole new environment. It feels so different,” Jones said, noting that the impact of having a modern new building was academically and emotionally significant. “I feel like people are going to be more into school and trying to learn. I feel like even the teachers are more motivated.” Continue reading →

Sharpstown International School showcases renovated spaces on the first day of school

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Sharpstown International School Teacher Kyle O’Heron chuckled as he pointed to a group of students who had planted themselves in desks that were the farthest possible distance away from the entrance to his classroom.

Without fail, he said, students always gravitate to the back of the classroom.

But in Sharpstown International’s new learning centers, where white boards hang on nearly every wall, the concept of front and back is now obsolete.

“My goal is to never have a back of the classroom,” O’Heron said, pointing to the large white board hanging directly behind the students. “The more board space we have, the more kids can be up and doing problems on the board.” Continue reading →

Kashmere High School opens renovated campus

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Kashmere High School students buzzed with anticipation Monday morning as teachers, staff, and community members welcomed them for their first day back to school at a newly renovated campus.

“It’s just beautiful,” Principal Nancy Blackwell proclaimed. “We went from dark and dingy to light and open.”

Blackwell said that the aesthetics that surround a child are important, so she is hopeful the new environment will positively impact students — both academically and emotionally.

Kashmere was renovated as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. In conjunction with an upgraded front entrance, the $17 million project included upgrading and enclosing the main central courtyard to create a large, indoor flexible space designed for year-round use. Continue reading →

Completed renovations mark new start for Waltrip HS

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Waltrip High School students and staff had an unusual start to the new school year — and not just because of the two-week delay caused by Hurricane Harvey. For the first time in almost 10 years, the school is not under construction.

“I’m thrilled that construction is complete, and we have a facility that is well suited to supporting instruction,” Principal Dale Mitchell said on Monday. “Educating students is much easier to do when classrooms are sized correctly and with new equipment.”

The first day of school initially was planned for Monday, Aug. 28, but that start date was delayed as a result of damages and flooding sustained from Hurricane Harvey. Most HISD schools — including Waltrip — opened on Sept. 11, but some were further delayed or even relocated to temporary campuses as crews worked to repair buildings that sustained the most significant damage during the storm. Continue reading →

Hurricane Harvey delays don’t dampen excitement at new Leland College Prep Academy

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After a two-week storm delay, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men Principal Dameion Crook was so excited for the start of school on Monday, he couldn’t sleep the night before.

“I got here at 6 a.m.,” Crook said as he stood in front of his school directing cars in the driveway. “I beat the plant operator.”

For Crook and his students and staff, Monday marked not just the first day of school but the first day of school in their new building, constructed as part of the 2012 Bond Program. The $30.3 million project called for a new facility that could accommodate up to 1,000 middle school and high schools students. Continue reading →

Furr HS begins new school year in new facility

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After the storm, Furr High School students were more than ready to start the new school year, but they were especially excited Monday morning to begin their first day of classes in their new building.

“It feels like High School Musical,” joked junior Jose Padron about the colorful new building. “I really like it. I think people won’t skip school as much.”

The three-story, $56 million facility was designed to enhance the school’s science, technology, engineering, and arts programs. It includes flexible, brightly colored learning areas with moveable furniture and sliding glass doors to make the rooms easily adjustable and accommodate changing needs of students and staff. Continue reading →

New HISD schools sustain minimal damage, set to open on Sept. 11

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After a two-week delay, nine new and rebuilt schools across the Houston Independent School District will open their doors to students for the first time on Monday, Sept. 11.

The schools sustained only minor damages during Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods, and contractors were able to make any needed repairs while the district was closed due to inclement weather. Continue reading →

Madison HS celebrates groundbreaking ceremony  

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Madison High School rolled out the red carpet on Thursday for hundreds of community members who gathered on the campus to celebrate the start of construction on their new school.

Standing in front of the construction site, Houston Independent School District Board of Education President Wanda Adams kicked off the festivities by expressing her excitement about the work taking place right behind her.  Continue reading →

Madison HS to mark start of construction with groundbreaking ceremony

Bond community meeting at Madison High School, January 19, 2017. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)

Madison High School will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. to celebrate the start of construction on their new facility, which is being rebuilt as part of the HISD’s 2012 Bond Program.

The $94 million project calls for a new school that can accommodate up to 2,100 students. The two-story building will be built facing West Orem Drive on the school’s existing athletic fields. A two-story foyer will double as a dining commons and large gathering space, while also providing plenty of natural light. Continue reading →