Bailey getting 10 new classrooms

When the Citizens Board Oversight Committee met at Bailey Junior High recently to start preparing its annual report for the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees, they first got a tour of the big ongoing construction project at the school.

The 2019 Bond project at Bailey is bringing major changes to the campus, but the project takes time.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e doing as much as they can when we鈥檙e not here 鈥� so Christmas, Thanksgiving 鈥� they even worked over Easter,鈥� said Bailey principal Jason Davis to the CBOC committee members. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e trying to find every available minute they can. The work list for the summer is long, so they鈥檙e trying to reduce as much of that as they can right now.鈥�

A lot has been done since the project started over a year ago. Two large additions are nearly dried in (meaning the roof is on and the inside is protected from the weather), and the redone drive and parking lot out front was completed last summer. Buses now use the drive and no longer have to cue on Winewood Lane, which has improved traffic.

Student traffic in the cafeteria is going to improve once the project is done. One of the additions is expanding the cafeteria and kitchen, which will allow the school to move from three lunch periods to two. Seating will increase by 100, and the larger kitchen will provide a bigger freezer/cooler, expanded prep area and bigger service area. The increase in size is much needed as the number of students who get school meals is much larger now than when Bailey originally opened in 1968.

The cafeteria/kitchen addition will also include a concession stand and restrooms to serve the students and families using the track and field. Other 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 junior highs are getting a freestanding concession/restroom building for their tracks and fields. But Bailey鈥檚 athletic facilities are closer to the building than at other schools, so including the concession stand and restrooms in the cafeteria/kitchen addition makes sense.

If you鈥檝e been to the Bailey cafeteria, you know that you have to walk outside to get to the entrance. The outdoor covered corridor that provides access to the lunchroom and circles the building鈥檚 interior courtyard is getting enclosed in this construction project. Students and staff won鈥檛 have to go outside anymore to get around campus.

The other addition at Bailey is giving the school a new front entrance at the southeast corner of the campus along with 10 new classrooms and an ADA elevator. It also includes a storm shelter that can accommodate the entire student and staff population. Outside, the parking lot on the east side of campus is also being redone.

The construction this summer won鈥檛 just focus on the additions. The existing building will get improvements as well, with new ceilings, lighting, doors, hardware and sprinkler system.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be freshened up and look good,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of facility services. 鈥淥f course we鈥檒l leave the terrazzo [floors].鈥�

Much of the construction and renovations will be done in time for students to return to school in August, but the entire project will last into the fall.

of the additions.

Playgrounds now open at all 53 elementary schools

Check out about 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 new playgrounds, open now at all 53 elementary schools.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj__YXBEZlg[/embed]

Every elementary school received two new playgrounds, one for pre-K through first grade and the other for second through sixth grade. Kooken Education Center was the only exception with just one playground because all of its students are 3- and 4-year-olds.

The playgrounds were designed with听teacher and student input听and include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make its own color selections.

Gone for good are wood chips, pea gravel and aging play equipment.

The playgrounds were all funded by the 2019 Bond and installed during the last three years. McNutt Elementary鈥檚 playgrounds were the last to open earlier this year.

Learn more about the 2019 Bond.

Joey Rodriguez Junior High

色窝窝无码一区二区三区's newest school will honor the legacy of beloved soccer coach Joey Rodriguez.

The future Joey Rodriguez Junior High School is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. The new school is funded by the 2019 Bond and will replace the aging Carter Junior High, which opened in 1958.

By a unanimous vote of 7-0, the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees approved the naming Thursday night.

The school namesake was a soccer coach who excelled on the sidelines, taking Sam Houston High School to the playoffs in all 12 years he coached the Texans. His teams reached the state tournament for the first time in school history in 2015 and again in 2017.

But his impact went far beyond the field. The married father of twin girls and a son was also once named Teacher of the Year and District Coach of the Year. Everyone who knew him loved him, and his profound impact on young athletes and students continues to inspire and resonate across Arlington.

On October 17, 2021, Rodriguez died after a battle with COVID-19, leaving a trail of heartbreak statewide but a legacy larger than his life.

"Joey was a true leader at Sam Houston High School, a North Star," said Sam Houston High School principal Juan Villarreal. "He mentored thousands of kids who looked up to him, many seeing him as a father figure. The loss we still feel is immeasurable."

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 athletics director Eric White knew and loved coach Rodriguez.

"His impact on students can't be understated,鈥� White said. 鈥淪o many kids wanted to play soccer for coach Rodriguez that we had to hire another coach. Joey was humble; he would have never seen a school being named after him as a reality, but he deserves it."

Celebrating the moment with the Board of Trustees were Rodriguez's widow and children, family members and friends .

The Sam Houston Mariachi greeted people as they entered the building Thursday and performed along with the Tex-Anne鈥檚 drill team.

The crowd shed many tears, reminders of the tragic loss, followed by tears of joy knowing that Rodriguez's legacy will live on for generations.

"Joey didn't lead and serve for a salary; he did it to help young people and he did it excellently," said his widow Lena Rodriguez. "This will allow him to continue to help hundreds of thousands because the students that attend his school will be zoned to attend Sam Houston High School, where he spent his last years coaching and changing lives. This couldn't be better."

Board president Melody Fowler said they were honored that coach Rodriguez chose to live out a part of his life's mission with the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. "Because of what he gave us, we want to ensure his legacy lives on by naming our newest school Joey Rodriguez Junior High."

of Rodriguez and the board meeting.

Playgrounds funded by the 2019 Bond

All 105 new playgrounds in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 are now open.

The years-long project 鈥� funded by the 2019 Bond 鈥� to make sure every single 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 elementary student has access to a fun playground wrapped up last month when McNutt Elementary鈥檚 new playgrounds 鈥� the last two 鈥� finally opened.

As fun as they are, the playgrounds also play a critical role in education.

鈥淩ecess is a crucial component of the academic success of students,鈥� said Speer Elementary principal Stephanie Savala. 鈥淚t plays a significant role in improving focus, physical activity and student engagement in class.鈥�

Every elementary school got two new playgrounds, one for pre-K through first grade and the other for second through sixth grade. Kooken Education Center was the only exception with just one playground because all of its students are 3- and 4-year-olds.

The playgrounds were designed with听teacher and student input听and include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make its own color selections.

Gone for good are wood chips, pea gravel and aging play equipment.

Smiles all around

鈥淭he kids are loving it!鈥� said Pope Elementary principal Celina Kilgore about Pope鈥檚 recently opened playgrounds. 鈥淥ur playground is located in the center of our track, so it's a pretty unique location. There were lots of smiling happy faces when we were able to open the playground for students.鈥�

The smiles are still there with so many features that make the playgrounds extra special. This is the first time every school in the district has had covered playgrounds. The rubber surfacing is soft to run on and cushions every fall. And there are so many play elements 鈥� from ropes and climbing walls to slides and musical instruments.

鈥淥h my goodness!鈥� yelled a third-grader, streaming her thoughts aloud when she stormed Pearcy STEM Academy鈥檚 playgrounds for the first time. 鈥淭his is awesome! Awesome. So many choices!鈥�

Butler Elementary鈥檚 principal Mark Basham feels the same way.

鈥淭he accessibility, the opportunities, the amount of swings, the shade. I mean it doesn鈥檛 get any better than this,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he space for the kids is spread out and there is no competition or fighting over who gets what. The kids just all have fun. We hardly have any behavior incidents out here because it鈥檚 just about having fun.鈥�

Fun for every student

It鈥檚 about having fun for every student. That鈥檚 why the playgrounds were designed from day one to be accessible for all.

鈥淔or the first few years after joining the district, I received emails and telephone calls from parents and principals alike asking me what I could do to help our students with special needs and disabilities to enjoy our playgrounds with their fellow students and friends,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 assistant superintendent of facility services. 鈥淓ven our newest playgrounds [at the time] at schools like Adams and Patrick elementary schools were not fully ADA accessible. It would break your heart to see the pictures and hear their stories.鈥�

So, Horn made accessible playgrounds one of his biggest priorities during the planning stages for the 2019 Bond. And then the community delivered, supporting the bond and making what every school now has a reality.

鈥淢y class loves the new playground and the accessibility for all,鈥� said Jamie Topp, who works in alternate curriculum at Beckham Elementary.听鈥淚t has made recess an option for everyone 鈥� It is such a joyous time for our class to be able to enjoy recess/outdoor time just like our peers.听For my students and their families, it means so much that everyone can play at recess and enjoy the playground.鈥�

Trina Bristol, a special education teacher at Beckham, remembers four years ago when her students got to vote on what equipment should go on the new playgrounds. Now, her students are swinging and sliding on what they once only imagined.

鈥淢y ISPD Special Education class enjoys our adaptive playground as they are able to enjoy swinging either in their wheelchair in a swing that allows for their wheelchair to rest on a platform or with a supported seatbelt in an adaptive swing. I also have a couple of ambulatory students who enjoy the slides. It is wonderful for both students and parents to feel the inclusion that we offer here on our playground.鈥�

Worth It

It took years of planning and work 鈥� with a disruptive pandemic in the middle 鈥� to make the dream of new accessible playgrounds a reality at every 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 elementary school.

But it was worth it.

鈥淥f all the things I get to do, opening an accessible playground has to be the highlight,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淔or all the kids to be able to play really makes your heart feel good.

鈥淎 big 鈥楾hank you鈥� to our community for making the dreams of so many a reality for everyone.鈥�

Colts softball team takes new field

Play ball!

That鈥檚 what they鈥檙e doing at the new competition softball field at Arlington High School. The brand-new field is now open for practice, and the team is loving it.

鈥淗aving a brand-new home field is amazing,鈥� said senior Isbell Priddy, No. 9 on the softball team.

And long overdue, according to Arlington High softball coach Valarie Henry.

鈥淭hirty years to be exact, and these young women deserve it,鈥� Henry said. 鈥淭aking the players out to the field for the first time was like Christmas morning, seeing the smiles on their faces and wonderment in their eyes.鈥�

Arlington High鈥檚 softball team 鈥� and all district softball teams 鈥� play their games at a softball complex near Workman Junior High. But the 2019 Bond program called for each high school to get its own competition field so the softball teams can host their home games on their campuses.

Arlington High鈥檚 field is the first in the district to open and was done in conjunction with the larger bond construction project currently underway at the school. The field that was the team鈥檚 old practice field was completely renovated with new grass and dirt, plus new dugouts, bleachers, concessions, press box and scoreboard.

The one thing still missing is lights. But once the lights can be installed, the Lady Colts will start hosting their home games on campus.

And that鈥檚 a big deal.

鈥淚t means that we can have the feel of what a real home game is,鈥� Priddy said. 鈥淚t also means that we might get more school-related fans since they no longer have to travel to a different location for a 鈥榟ome game.鈥欌��

Martin High School鈥檚 field is next and will be built in conjunction with the Glaspie Field and band hall addition construction project just getting started at the school. Work on Bowie and Seguin high schools鈥� fields will start this summer. And Lamar and Sam Houston high schools鈥� fields will be built in late 2025 at the same time that their stadiums 鈥� Cravens and Wilemon 鈥� are renovated.

Watch Bond 2019 construction update

Check out the latest 2019 Bond construction update听.

Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of facility services, reviews the 2019 Bond construction progress made during the fall and highlights the projects in 2024. See video and photos from three new elementary schools, new playgrounds, groundbreaking ceremonies, renovations at Short Elementary, construction at Arlington High School and Bailey Junior High, and more.

Construction Update Video - February 2024

Check out the latest 2019 Bond construction update below.

Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of facility services, reviews the 2019 Bond construction progress made during the fall and highlights the projects in 2024. See video and photos from three new elementary schools, new playgrounds, groundbreaking ceremonies, renovations at Short Elementary, construction at Arlington High School and Bailey Junior High, and more.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLNvivg5Etc[/embed]

For more bond construction progress updates, visit the construction status webpage.

The 2019 Bond program is a $966 million five-year capital program that includes new construction, renovations and facility condition improvements, along with capital purchases for technology, fine arts and transportation.

Roark site traded to the City of Arlington

The old Roark Elementary building is almost gone. Most of it has been demolished to make way for a new city park.

Opened in 1961 near the General Motors plant in east Arlington, the Roark school closed 60 years later in May of 2021. The building then became the temporary Berry Elementary while the original Berry building was torn down and rebuilt 鈥� all part of the 2019 Bond program.听

When the new Berry opened at the beginning of this school year, the old Roark building was left vacant. Demolition started after the holidays and is now nearly complete.听

What鈥檚 next?

So, what happens to the site once all the rubble is removed?听 It becomes a park, complete with a splash pad.

It鈥檚 part of a trade 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 made with the City of Arlington. 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 got what used to be , and the City of Arlington gets the old Roark site for a new Helen Wessler Park.

The old Wessler Park is now part of the site where construction has started on a new junior high school that will replace Carter Junior High. The construction site also used to house the old Knox Elementary building, but that was demolished in the fall.

The new junior high, also a 2019 Bond project, will be more centrally located to the current Carter student population and large enough to accommodate all program offerings 鈥� something the current Carter site can鈥檛. Thanks to the inclusion of the former Wessler Park, the new school will include a track and adequate parking.

Plus, the new building will be a huge improvement over the current Carter facility. The new school will be state-of-the-art, high-tech and full of learning spaces designed to help students thrive and succeed in the 21^st century.

Helen Wessler Park

The City of Arlington is currently designing the future Helen Wessler Park. Tentatively slated to open around May of 2025, it will feature:

• Splash pad
• Covered playground
• Loop trail
• Large lawn
• Fitness stations
• Shade structures
• Benches
• Restrooms
• On-site parking

Visit the 2019 Bond webpage to keep track of all bond projects.

Progress always comes with growing pains.

That was an underlying theme as the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee toured Arlington High School this week.

The committee was scheduled to tour the major addition under construction at Arlington High on Wednesday evening before its quarterly meeting. But the rain made the construction site unsafe for visitors.

So, the tour took a detour. Arlington High principal Stacie Humbles showed the committee听areas of the existing building that are receiving renovations and areas where students and teachers are making the most of the upheaval caused by the construction.

The construction, funded by the 2019 Bond, is going to provide incredible improvements for the school. The project includes an addition with new classrooms, a new library, a new band hall and more. It will help provide the space needed for the future fine arts and dual language high school academy that opens next school year at Arlington High and will ultimately add around 800 students.

While the huge addition is the most noticeable part of the project, there鈥檚 a lot more going on, including renovations for the existing building鈥檚 mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, the athletic fields and more. Over the winter holiday, new flooring was installed in Halls A and B, and C Hall will be done over the summer. Ultimately, the project will mean significant upgrades for all students.

But in the meantime, there is a lot of transition. Programs have had to move to temporary locations and make do with the limited space.

鈥淭here are so many aspects of a build like this that take thoughtful planning,鈥� Humbles said.

She has been engaged throughout the project in that thoughtful planning along with the project manager, general contractor, architect and campus and district staff.听 Together they are constantly coordinating everything from program adjustments, parking changes, egress changes, temporary signage and so much more.

While the many changes can be inconvenient, everyone is making the best of it.

Like the choir program. Choir had to move out of its original room and carved out practice space on the stage of the auditorium. The auditorium itself has become a bit of a catch-all as a classroom and storage room, full of costumes and props for drama and theater.听

Band lost its old room, too, and has moved to a gym that previously housed wrestling.

Humbles praised her faculty and 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 fine arts director Dr. Christopher Anderson and his department for going above and beyond to make sure that the temporary fine arts spaces 鈥� like choir on the stage in the auditorium and band in the old wrestling gym 鈥� were optimized as much as possible. In the temporary band hall, for example, the wrestling mats were replaced with carpet, sound panels, curtains and instrument storage that transformed the space into a highly functional music room.

鈥淚n the meantime, we have really important kids,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淲e have to take care of the kids who are in there and ensure they are having a first-rate experience even if it鈥檚 in a temporary location.

鈥淭he good news is that when these program land, it should be pretty spectacular.鈥�

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of facility services Kelly Horn shared a similar thought as the tour wrapped up.

鈥淭here鈥檚 sacrifice, but the gain is going to be significant.鈥�

See of the construction at AHS. And see of the new softball field at AHS, also funded by the 2019 Bond.

Citizens Bond Oversight Committee

The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee鈥檚 charge is to follow the district鈥檚 bond program progress and report its findings and recommendations to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees (read the CBOC鈥檚 charge). The committee meets quarterly and then develops a report of its findings and recommendations that it presents to the Board of Trustees in or around June.

Demolition started over the winter break

It was noisy at Duff Elementary over the winter break.

That鈥檚 because demolition of Duff鈥檚 library kicked off over the holidays and work continued on a new gym for the school. It鈥檚 all part of the 2019 Bond project at Duff.

The demolition in the library and adjacent areas will allow for a bigger, better library. One adjacent classroom will be absorbed into the library, and the entire combined space will be entirely renovated.

鈥淚t will be great to have an updated 21st-century media center for our 21st-century learners,鈥� said Duff librarian Stacie Farr. 鈥淥ur school is one of the oldest elementary buildings in the district and it is wonderful that this bond will provide all the necessary updates for our students. What is amazing about this update is that it will impact every student and staff member. We will all benefit from this new and improved space.鈥�

Outside, there will be no renovations for the gym. Instead, they are starting over. The very small old gym was demolished during the summer, and now the concrete slab for a new gym has been poured and the walls are starting to go up.

Unlike the old gym that was separate from the main building, the new 5,030-square-foot gym addition will connect to the existing building at the southwest corner. With six basketball goals, striping for basketball and volleyball, two restrooms, an office and storage, the new facility will be a vast improvement over the old, tiny gym. Plus, the new gym will be constructed as a storm shelter, sized to accommodate the entire student and staff population.

鈥淭he impact for our students will be tremendous,鈥� said Duff鈥檚 P.E. teacher Matt Bostick. 鈥淣ot only are we receiving a larger space, but having a storage closet for all of our equipment will maximize the space we can utilize for skill practice and fitness development. In addition, the new up-to-date flooring will be more conducive to our needs and will put our students' safety first. I anticipate an immediate and dramatically positive impact for all our Duff Mustangs.鈥�

The new gym will be great, but this year, Duff is having to make do without one. But Bostick is making the best of it. He teaches his P.E. classes on one side of the cafeteria.

鈥淲hile it might sound like an inconvenience, I consider myself fortunate to have a dedicated space for our students to learn in when the weather does not allow us to go outside,鈥� Bostick said. 鈥淎 big shout out to the district for putting temporary walls up between myself and the main cafeteria. This has really made it seem like a 鈥榞ym鈥� for this school year. However, we are all super excited to have our new 鈥榬eal鈥� gym next school year!鈥�

The new gym and renovated library aren鈥檛 the only projects at Duff. Additional renovations include HVAC upgrades, replacing fluorescent lighting with LEDs, new ceiling grid and tiles, renovating six restrooms and accessibility improvements.

鈥淲e know that construction is a process, and I鈥檓 so thankful to our staff and community for the patience during this challenging project, but we all know the outcome will be so worth it when all is complete,鈥� said Duff principal Cindy Harbison. 鈥淲e are super excited to have a beautiful new gym and library along with the upgrades throughout the building!鈥�

Short looks completely different inside

From the sidewalk, Short Elementary looks pretty much like it has for decades 鈥� apart from new sidewalks and landscaping. And there are in the back.

But inside, Short looks completely different.

The renovation project funded by the 2019 Bond started last summer and is just about done. They鈥檙e still waiting for new interior doors to arrive, but the rest of the major tasks are complete.

Not only does it look great, but it鈥檚 also unique. One-of-a-kind graphics in the building are meant to inspire and welcome students.

Wall graphics in the main hallway and cafeteria feature trees, birds and cattle and give students the feeling that they are walking along the 鈥淪horthorn Trail.鈥� Then each hallway has a name that recalls something from community history, like Beatrice Short Trail 鈥� named for the school鈥檚 namesake 鈥� or Johnson Station Trail 鈥� named for the first school in Arlington where Beatrice Short taught for decades. Some of the other hallway names include California Lane Trail, Cattle Trail and Ranger Station Trail.

Berkebile said students and staff were so excited when they saw the graphics for the first time.

"It was inspiring to hear the students and staff chat excitedly when they first entered the building after Thanksgiving," she said. "Everyone was amazed to see the creative ways that Short Elementary鈥檚 history and school spirit were incorporated into new, custom wall graphics."

听

As cool as the graphics are, they were just a small part of the overall project. The renovations replaced the ceiling tiles, hallway wall tile, fluorescent lighting and much of the flooring. Restrooms were renovated, roofing was replaced where needed and paint was applied in many areas. The gym got some improvements as well, and the kitchen got a new freezer/cooler.

听

鈥淣ew floors, carpet, bathrooms and lighting are providing comfortable spaces that contribute to a positive learning environment, promoting concentration and overall well-being,鈥� Berkebile said. 鈥淥ur staff, students and parents are extremely grateful to the community for reinvesting in our campus through the bond program so that children learn in an updated school.鈥�

听

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See what the new Thornton looks like

If you鈥檝e driven on Park Row near 360 anytime this school year, you couldn鈥檛 help but notice Thornton Elementary. It鈥檚 an eye-catcher and doesn鈥檛 look a thing like the old Thornton school building that used to be there.

It doesn鈥檛 just look amazing from the outside. The inside does, too, and you can check it out with our new virtual tour building of the new school.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fKHYIkXVLA[/embed]

The new Thornton, one of the transformational projects in the 2019 Bond program, replaced the original Thornton, which opened in 1956. The new state-of-the-art facility opened in August and is all thanks to the support of the community. (Read about the dedication.)

The new school sits on the same site as the original school, which was听demolished听in 2020. Architects and senior district administrators were purposeful in incorporating the culture of the school and its families in the design along with the needs of a 21^st-century education. The two-floor, 105,000-square-foot building features pods for each grade with five classrooms each (pre-K 鈥� 6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor learning areas and more.

Thornton is just one of the transformation projects in the 2019 Bond. You can also take virtual tours of several of the other projects that are already complete, including the new Berry Elementary and Webb Elementary. Just visit the 2019 Bond webpage here.

Bond 2019 highlights from the year that was

Year four of the 2019 Bond program 鈥� or 2023 鈥� brought some major accomplishments.

With $966 million in the 2019 Bond package, there are projects that impact every school, and there is ongoing construction throughout the district. Some bond projects are now done, some are in process and many are still to come.

All of them are designed to give students access to a remarkable education and world-class opportunities. And all of it is thanks to you. Your support makes these bond programs possible and is having a direct impact on tens of thousands of students today and for generations to come. So, thank you!

Here are five of the biggest Bond 2019 stories from the year that was. You鈥檒l notice the top three are all similar.

1. New Webb Elementary opens

The first of four school replacements opened in January. The brand-new Webb, built right next to the old Webb, opened for students at the end of last year鈥檚 winter break.

2. Sir Earl Toon turns new Berry Elementary dedication into a celebration

When the new Berry Elementary opened in August 鈥� replacing the original Berry built in 1955 鈥� Sir Earl Toon turned it into a celebration. The former member of Kool and the Gang performed several of his greatest hits 鈥� including 鈥溾�� 鈥� during the dedication ceremony.

3 New Thornton Elementary opens

Not far from Berry, another new replacement school opened for students in August. The new Thornton replaced the old 鈥� built in 1956 鈥� but preserved the spirit of the original along with its two stately oak trees.

4. Lots of new playgrounds open

The 2019 Bond included new playgrounds for all 53 elementary schools. By January of 2023, 24 schools were complete. By January of 2024, all 53 schools will be complete and every elementary student in the district will have access to incredible new playgrounds.

5. Construction of new junior high kicks off

Construction on the fourth and final school replacement included in the 2019 Bond kicked off at the end of 2023. A groundbreaking ceremony in October got everyone excited about the new junior high school that will replace Carter Junior High.

That top five represented just a few of the projects from 2023, and several others vied to make the countdown. A few of the runner ups included:

• The addition at Arlington High School went vertical.
• Construction started on Bailey Junior High鈥檚 addition
• Two elementary schools were demolished (Webb and Knox).
• A groundbreaking ceremony kicked off the Glaspie Field project.

Update on bond construction projects

Not everyone in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is getting a long winter break.

While most of us circle the holidays on the calendar because we get to take those days off, the district鈥檚 facility services team circles those days for a different reason. Those are prime work days.

They take advantage of empty campuses to do maintenance, construction and renovations. And the longer schools are out, the more work they can get done.

鈥淭he holidays are still a time for celebration and rest; however, it is also a time for our team to work on special projects and perform critical preventative maintenance,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of facility services. 鈥淪o, while the students and staff are away on a winter break, custodians are busy sprucing things up and restoring finishes for the spring semester. The maintenance teams are catching up on work orders to repair things that have been damaged or broken and tuning up HVAC systems to prepare them for the colder weather in January and February. And our facility planning and construction team continues to push projects forward to the finish for renovation work, new schools and additions.鈥�

There are a lot of those projects to push forward with Bond 2019 construction projects under construction throughout the district. Some of the holiday bond work includes:

• Arlington High School 鈥� Crews will pour concrete for the roof deck of the storm shelter and continue roofing and exterior wall framing on the addition. In the existing building, the corridor flooring in Halls A and B will get replaced.
• New junior high 鈥� Work has just begun on the new school that will replace Carter Junior High. Excavation for the building鈥檚 crawlspace will be done over the next few weeks.
• Duff Elementary 鈥� Library renovations will begin over the break. Construction has also started on a new gymnasium.
• Short Elementary 鈥� Short has received significant renovations over much of the last year and the project is nearing the end. New interior doors and hardware will be installed over the break and the electrical panels will be replaced.
• Bailey Junior High 鈥� Bailey has a major addition under construction that includes new classrooms and an expanded cafeteria. The concrete slab for the new kitchen is getting poured this week and work on the new parking lot will continue over the break.
• Martin High School and Glaspie Field 鈥� The groundbreaking for these projects was held in October, and now it鈥檚 really time to get started. The general contractor for the job will mobilize on site over the break.
• Sam Houston High School 鈥� The work at Sam started over the summer and will continue into the holidays with renovations in some restrooms and fine arts areas.
• South Davis Elementary 鈥� Crews will get some painting done at South Davis over the break, pour a new sidewalk and install some new fencing on the east side of campus.
• Playgrounds 鈥� The construction team is pushing to have all of the new playgrounds open by the time students return to school in January. The final four to finish are Speer, Peach, McNutt and Amos.

鈥淚 am so very proud of the work that our facility services team performs in such a short period of time at the breaks,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淭hey are amazing people with a servant heart for students and staff of 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. It is an honor to lead such fine people in an amazing school district.鈥�

New Berry replaces school built in 1955

If you missed the new Berry Elementary鈥檚 grand opening earlier this school year, you missed a party. Sir Earl Toon of Kool and the Gang performed several of his biggest hits, including "," in the school's cafetorium.

While there鈥檚 not going to be a repeat of the concert, you can still see what was being celebrated 鈥� the amazing new Berry Elementary. Check out the new school through our new virtual tour video.

[embed]https://youtu.be/QBg9ee9m_fg[/embed]

The new Berry, one of the transformational projects in the 2019 Bond program, replaced the original Berry, which opened in 1955. The state-of-the-art facility is all thanks to the support of the community.

Berry is just one of the transformation projects in the 2019 Bond. You can also take a virtual tour of several of the other bond projects that are already complete. Just visit the 2019 Bond webpage here.

Knox building was originally a junior high

Knox Elementary is gone. The school building that housed four different schools in its 60 years has been completely demolished.

The school opened in 1962 as the first Ferguson Junior High and the fourth junior high school in Arlington. It was converted into Venture School 25 years later in 1987. In, 2001, the building became Knox Elementary for the next 20 years. Finally, after Knox closed, the aging facility housed Thornton Elementary for two years while 罢丑辞谤苍迟辞苍鈥檚 replacement school building was under construction.

Once the new Thornton opened in August, the old Knox building was left vacant. Demolition started soon after is now complete.

The demo made way for what鈥檚 next: construction of a new junior high school to replace Carter Junior High.

The location for the new junior high is fitting. The site on Stonegate Street in east Arlington was originally developed as a junior high in the early 1960s, so this is a return to its roots. And the school that is being replaced, Carter, was where Knox Elementary鈥檚 namesake, Veda Knox, was a longtime special education teacher.

But the location is fitting for more than just historical and sentimental reasons. The site is more centrally located to the Carter student population and large enough to accommodate all program offerings. The current Carter site is too small for a track or adequate parking.

Plus, the new building will be a huge improvement over the current Carter building, which is even older than Knox was.

Unlike the current Carter, the new school will be state-of-the-art, high-tech and full of learning spaces designed to help students thrive and succeed in the 21st century.

鈥淚 am eager to see the impact that the new school will have, not only academically, but the confidence and pride that it will create among our students, staff, families and community,鈥� Carter principal Elena Lopez said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new school in October.

The future 155,000-square-foot building will include 48 classroom spaces, including CTE classrooms, break-out and collaboration spaces, teacher workrooms and offices. There will be performing arts classrooms for band, orchestra, drama, choir and art, along with rooms for SPED programs, science labs and a storm shelter. Outdoor spaces include a new entry plaza and canopy and a regulation synthetic turf football field with a four-lane track, bleachers, press box, concessions and restrooms.

The new junior high site is also absorbing the adjacent . 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 acquired the park from the City of Arlington by giving the city its nearby and now-closed Roark Elementary site.

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 will demolish the Roark building soon and then build a new splash pad in the school鈥檚 place to replace the one that was at Wessler Park.

The future junior high is the fourth of four school replacements funded by the听2019 Bond听program. The first three are all open.听Thornton听and听Berry听elementary schools opened in August at the beginning of this school year, and听Webb Elementary听opened in January.

鈥淭his is all about students,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 board president Melody Fowler. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about giving them every opportunity to succeed. And that includes the right spaces. Facilities matter. School buildings purposefully designed to inspire students and equip them to thrive in the 21st century are incredibly important to achieving the outcomes we all want for students.鈥�

Construction is the largest part of the 2019 Bond

It鈥檚 not easy to keep up with all the construction projects included in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 2019 Bond program. It鈥檚 a nearly $1 billion bond package after all that includes projects at every campus, new school buildings, new playgrounds and a whole lot more.听 听

But a new page on the district鈥檚 2019 Bond website was built to give you a bird鈥檚 eye view of all the bond construction that is complete, underway or still to come. With dashboards, photos and videos, you can quickly check out the construction status of the 2019 Bond.

Visit the new page at .

Voters approved the $966 million bond proposal in November 2019. Designed to improve facilities and provide access and equity for all students, the 2019 Bond program is addressing needs in four areas: facilities; transportation; safety, security and technology; and fine arts.

Learn more about the 2019 Bond.

Glaspie Field will be district's third stadium

With cheerleaders, a drumline and a pep band, this groundbreaking ceremony felt more like a pep rally. But that was fitting considering the project 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is about to start.

The district is kicking off construction to convert the athletic field at Martin High School into the district鈥檚 third athletic competition venue. The facility will serve as the home field for Martin and Seguin High School.

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 needs three competition venues for its six traditional high schools but only has two right now, Wilemon Field at Sam Houston High School and Cravens Field at Lamar High School. The district used to rent UT Arlington鈥檚 football stadium until it became unavailable and currently plays many football games at Choctaw Stadium.

But as 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 athletic director Eric White pointed out at the ceremony, this new stadium is not just about football.

鈥淓verybody thinks this is a football stadium,鈥� White said. 鈥淭his is a football stadium, a soccer stadium, a track, a marching field, a place for cheer, a place for drill, a place for community events to come together. It serves everything.鈥�

And it can鈥檛 come soon enough.

[embed]https://youtu.be/x-c8dYz7JGc?si=hGOhshlY06MNWrND[/embed]

鈥淭his has actually been a long time coming,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz. 鈥淲e鈥檝e needed three competition venues in Arlington for quite some time.鈥�

Even as far back as when the namesake for the future stadium 鈥� Michael Glaspie 鈥� served on the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees. Glaspie, the first African American elected to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 school board in 1991, was at the groundbreaking ceremony and recalled the need for a stadium even then.

鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see Dr. Bernd [former 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent] here because while we were working together 鈥� he was superintendent and I was on the board 鈥� we had this idea that we needed to put something like this together,鈥� Glaspie said. 鈥淎mazingly, it鈥檚 being done. But the last thing I expected was that my name would be on it.鈥�

The new Glaspie Field will include approximately 10,000 seats, a larger press box, locker rooms, restrooms and concessions. Architects were careful to consider the campus鈥� existing layout, neighbors, traffic flow 鈥� cars, school buses and pedestrians 鈥� and parking in their design. They have included a landscape buffer and fencing between the stadium and neighboring homes and will utilize modern LED lighting. The LED lighting is significantly better than traditional lighting in that it can be directed into the stadium and onto the playing surface more efficiently, has considerably less spillage from the venue and can be turned on and off quickly.

See the Glaspie Field renderings.

The design also features the ability to transform the stadium according to which school is using it. With lighting, signage and technology, the stadium will shift to reflect the home team for that event, whether it鈥檚 Seguin, Martin or any other 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 school.

Funded by the 2019 Bond and designed by , the new stadium is only possible because of support from the community.

鈥淚 want to thank the Arlington community,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 board president Melody Fowler. 鈥淚t鈥檚 your support of the 2019 Bond that is building new schools, building new playgrounds, buying new musical instruments, purchasing new school buses and improving the district鈥檚 technology. And now, it鈥檚 building the new Glaspie Field. So, thank you for prioritizing our students.鈥�

Now that the groundbreaking ceremony is out of the way, Glaspie said it best.

鈥淕od bless you, and let鈥檚 get on with it.鈥�

Bond 2019 moves on to last phase

Two phases down, one to go.

The new getting installed at all 53 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 elementary schools 鈥� funded by the 2019 Bond 鈥� are divided into three phases. The first two phases, each with 17 schools, are now officially complete.

That means all 34 schools in the first two phases now have two new playgrounds 鈥� one for pre-K through first grade and the other for second through sixth grade. Plus, 11 schools in phase three now have their new playgrounds open, too.

The playgrounds were designed with teacher and student input and include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make its own color selections. Gone are wood chips, pea gravel and aging play equipment.

One of the last schools in phase two to get the new playgrounds was Butler Elementary, and the school celebrated this week with a ribbon cutting.

Flanked by the entire second grade class and PTA members, Butler principal Mark Basham cut the ceremonial red ribbon with oversized scissors to cheers and smiles.

Then he raved about the new playgrounds.

鈥淭he accessibility, the opportunities, the amount of swings, the shade. I mean it doesn鈥檛 get any better than this.

鈥淭he space for the kids is spread out and there is no competition or fighting over who gets what,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he kids just all have fun. We hardly have any behavior incidents out here because it鈥檚 just about having fun."

However, 鈥渢he merry-go-round had to get some rules,鈥� he admitted.

Shane Strawderman watched as the ribbon was cut and the students got back to doing what they do best 鈥� swinging, climbing, sliding and spinning. Strawderman is the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 project manager overseeing the installation of all the playgrounds.

鈥淪atisfying,鈥� he said as he watched. 鈥淎ll the hard work and everything that went into it with all the contractors and different troubles 鈥� all that hard work to bring it up to where it鈥檚 at right now makes it all worthwhile.鈥�

While his work at Butler is done, he鈥檚 still busy with schools in phase three.

The first 11 of 19 schools in phase three already have their new playgrounds open. They鈥檙e just waiting for new grass to spring up. Those 11 schools include Berry, Thornton, Short, Swift, Miller, Atherton, Little, Key, Foster, Hale and Adams.

Work is underway at six other schools. At Adams, Johns, Amos and Goodman, the new equipment has been installed. Next, they need to pour the rubber surfacing. At South Davis and Pope, work is just getting started.

Work will also start soon at the final three schools 鈥� Speer and Peach later this month, and at McNutt in November.

New junior high is funded by the 2019 Bond

This was a little different than an outdoor concert at the Levitt Pavilion.

This outdoor venue featured piles of rubble. And the backdrop for Carter Junior High鈥檚 orchestra, band and choir included two huge yellow earth movers. As the student musicians played and sang, the walls of the old Knox Elementary were literally being torn down 鈥� almost in concert with the music.

It was the perfect way to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 junior high school that will replace Carter Junior High.

鈥淎ll I can say is wow,鈥� said Carter principal Elena Lopez as she looked around at the unusual scene. 鈥淭his is just absolutely incredible. What a wonderful opportunity for our community, for our students and for our teachers.

[embed]https://youtu.be/pA_oISPw2iQ?si=xt3w-l-ZFlV3FKUw[/embed]

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz helped explain the need for the new school by taking everyone back to 1958 鈥� the year NASA was established and Carter Junior High opened. A lot has changed since then, from space exploration and technology to educational models and the way kids learn.

鈥淏ack in 1958, Carter was modern at the time,鈥� Wurtz said. 鈥淏ut as you know, there have been many, many advances since then, and the landscape of education has completely changed.鈥�

Changes in education and technology over the last 65 years aren鈥檛 the only reasons why Carter needs to be replaced. Frankly, the building is old, worn out and too costly to maintain. Plus, the site it sits on is undersized, and erosion in the adjacent creek impedes site use. There is no room for a track around the football field or enough parking.

That will all change with the new building. The school will be relocated to the site of the former Knox Elementary, a site that is more centrally located to the Carter student population and large enough to accommodate all program offerings.

The new site is also absorbing the adjacent Wessler Park. 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 acquired the park from the City of Arlington by giving the city its nearby and now-closed Roark Elementary site. 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 will demolish the Roark building and then build a new splash pad in the school鈥檚 place to replace the one that was at Wessler Park.

While a bigger site will offer a big improvement over the old Carter, it鈥檚 the new building that will be the biggest game-changer. Unlike the current Carter, the new school will be state-of-the-art, high-tech and full of learning spaces designed to help students thrive and succeed in the 21st century.

鈥淚 am eager to see the impact that the new school will have, not only academically, but the confidence and pride that it will create among our students, staff, families and community,鈥� Lopez said.

The new building will be approximately 155,000 square feet and will range in height from the three-story classroom blocks on the north to a single-story administration office space and a one-and-a-half-floor media center. The new facility will include 48 classroom spaces, including CTE classrooms, break-out and collaboration spaces, teacher workrooms and offices. There will be performing arts classrooms for band, orchestra, drama, choir and art, along with rooms for SPED programs, science labs and a storm shelter. Outdoor spaces include a new entry plaza and canopy, a regulation synthetic turf football field with a four-lane track, bleachers, press box, concessions and restrooms.

But not everything will be new.

鈥淲e have created incredible memories, established meaningful relationships and built a culture of families and love at Carter Junior High,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淲e will take this with us into our new school.鈥�

Those intangibles that Carter will take with them to the new facility are what will bring the new junior high to life.

鈥淲hile the building will be new, the thing that will remain is the love that the community has and the commitment they show to the students who will learn here,鈥� Wurtz said. 鈥淭hat commitment combined with modern educational spaces is a recipe for an inspiring education that propels our students into a journey that is lifelong.鈥�

The future junior high is the fourth of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond program. The first three are all open. Thornton and Berry elementary schools opened in August at the beginning of this school year, and Webb Elementary opened in January.

鈥淭his is all about students,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 board president Melody Fowler. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about giving them every opportunity to succeed. And that includes the right spaces. Facilities matter. School buildings purposefully designed to inspire students and equip them to thrive in the 21st century are incredibly important to achieving the outcomes we all want for students.鈥�

Thornton celebrates with singing, dancing and tamales

Tamara Edwards, Thornton Elementary School鈥檚 music teacher, lined her choir students up on the stage stairs and then sat down at the piano.

The standing-room-only crowd in the cafetorium, along with the overflow in the library watching the live stream, waited patiently for the students to start singing 鈥� even though everyone was eager for what was next on the program 鈥� tamales.

鈥淲e are Thornton Tigers 鈥︹�� the students sang.

It was a new song 鈥� written by Edwards 鈥� perfect for the occasion, the dedication ceremony for the new Thornton school building.

These Thornton Tigers are the first to have a new building since the original school opened in 1956. Those original Tigers would hardly believe what their school looks like now.

Same goes for the former Thornton teachers and administrators who came to see the ribbon cutting and tour the new school. One of them opened the ceremony with a prayer and recalled her days walking those halls.

鈥淲e think of the new building 鈥� and folks it is beautiful,鈥� said Tillie Burgin, executive director of Mission Arlington, former teacher at Thornton and namesake of Bob and Tillie Burgin Elementary.

鈥淚 used to walk these halls for many, many years until finally y鈥檃ll got rid of me,鈥� she joked. 鈥淏ut we love Thornton Elementary School. The beauty you cannot ever change are these kids that are all around us.鈥�

Those kids and this community are what define Thornton.

鈥淲hat really makes the school 鈥榮chool鈥� is families and students,鈥� said Thornton principal Alicia Rodriguez who hosted the dedication ceremony.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znSEEdt1X3I[/embed]

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz agreed.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the love that you have for each other, the love that you have for learning, that鈥檚 made Thornton the amazing school that it is,鈥� he said.

Amazing since 1956 because of the students, teachers and families, Thornton is even better now with a building designed just for them.

鈥淚 remember when this building was being designed and we had students, teachers and families talk about their dreams about what the building would look like, the kinds of things that would be here,鈥� Wurtz said. 鈥淎nd today, you can look around and walk the halls, and those dreams that students articulated are real and they are actually alive.鈥�

Funded by the听2019 Bond, the new Thornton sits on the same site as the original school, which was demolished in 2020. Architects and senior district administrators were purposeful in incorporating the culture of the school and its families in the design along with the needs of a 21^st-century education. The two-floor, 105,000-square-foot building features pods for each grade with five classrooms each (pre-K 鈥� 6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor learning areas and more.

鈥淲e know that if we equip you with facilities that match your love and devotion, your potential is limitless,鈥� Wurtz said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 what this new building is about. It鈥檚 about giving every student here every opportunity to succeed and thrive.鈥�

Thornton is one of four new schools being replaced by the 2019 Bond. The new Berry Elementary also opened in August and the new Webb Elementary opened in January. The last of the four rebuilds will be a new junior high school to replace the aging Carter Junior High. Construction is beginning this fall.

鈥淚 want to thank our Arlington community who made this possible,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 board president Melody Fowler. 鈥淭his school was funded by you through the 2019 Bond 鈥� This is how we ensure Arlington has a great future. Thank you.鈥�

from the dedication.

The new Thornton was听designed by听 and built by .

Flores oversaw construction of the Career + Tech Center

We鈥檙e celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by spotlighting several 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 staff members about their Hispanic heritage. This week we caught up with Richard Flores, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 architect. Flores has overseen many construction projects in the district and most recently served as the project manager for the new Thornton Elementary School that just opened in August and was dedicated this week.

鈱狧ow long have you worked for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区? What were you doing before?

It鈥檒l be 20 years this Thanksgiving 2023. Prior to this, I was a firm principal and vice president working in the private sector for most of my years, SHW Architects for a couple of years and McCaslin Architects for about a year in Dallas. I was the project architect on the American Airlines Maintenance Hangar at Alliance, St. Mark鈥檚 School of Texas dining hall addition in Dallas, a cargo reservations building for American Airlines in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Holy Rosary Catholic School in Arlington, KHOU TV in Houston office/studio addition, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, historical building conversion to office in the West End of Dallas, K-12 schools in Plano, Frisco, Fort Worth and Northwest and private schools including Hockaday. I was one of the on-site construction managers when American Airlines moved from New York to their present location. My assignment was the Flight Academy Central Plant Expansion serving the new Reservations Office.

鈱猈hat does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month to me is nice but not something especially important to me personally. However, I think it is a very good way for young Hispanics to be exposed to the culture in a positive way and be introduced to historical events, names of those that have made a difference in some way and let them know we are here and many through hard work have made something out of their lives. Positive images to emulate for young people. You can dream and you can achieve just like those you see or hear about. It also serves to share our culture and history with non-Hispanics and help educate about the many accomplishments and stories of the community.

鈱狧ow do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by watching programs or stories on public television, in the press on radio that feature stories of world war heroes, professionals, neighborhoods that were annihilated by commercial development, everyday neighborhood activists. Stories about where we鈥檝e been and where we are going. I enjoy going to festivals and listening to the music or going to theater performances targeting the Hispanic community.

鈱猈hat are some of the most memorable projects you've worked on during your time in the district?

Adams Elementary, Patrick Elementary, Career Tech Center, MAC buildings and Thornton Elementary are a few memorable projects I鈥檝e been able to influence the design and manage the projects. I think I鈥檝e been able to push the design envelope since I鈥檝e been here.

Old Knox building opened in 1958

It鈥檚 demo day.

Actually, it鈥檚 demo days at the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 old Knox Elementary School. It takes more than a day to tear down an old school.

The building that also served as a temporary Thornton Elementary for the last two years is now officially being torn down to make way for what鈥檚 next.

A new junior high school to replace the old Carter Junior High.

The new school is a听2019 Bond听project needed because of Carter鈥檚 age. Opened it 1958, Carter wasn鈥檛 built for modern technology, HVAC, lighting or today鈥檚 education models. In addition, the original Carter site is undersized, and erosion in the adjacent creek impedes site use. There is no room for a track around the football field or ample parking.

That will all change with the new state-of-the-art junior high facility. Plus, the new site is more centrally located to the Carter student population and large enough to accommodate all program offerings.

It鈥檚 large enough thanks to a trade with the City of Arlington. 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 acquired Wessler Park, adjacent to Knox, and is adding it to the new junior high property. In return, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is giving the city its nearby and now-closed Roark Elementary site. 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 will demolish the Roark building soon, too, and then build a new splash pad in the school鈥檚 place to replace the one that was at Wessler Park.

Once demolition of the old Knox building is complete, construction on the new junior high will begin. Look for the early stages of construction 鈥� moving dirt around 鈥� to begin next month.

The new junior high school, designed by , will be built by and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. It is the last of four aging schools to be replaced by the 2019 Bond. The other three 鈥� now all open 鈥� are Webb, Berry and Thornton elementary schools.

Year two of construction at Arlington High School looks a lot different than the first.

鈥淭he difference this year is that we can actually see the progress,鈥� said AHS principal Stacie Humbles. 鈥淭his summer, we got to see the structure go up and work is being done everywhere.鈥�

It was a busy summer of construction that has continued right into the school year.

鈥淭his year, we look forward to watching the cube grow and take shape,鈥� Humbles said.

The cube is what Humbles calls the biggest part of the 2019 Bond-funded construction project. It鈥檚 an addition with new classrooms, a new library, a new band hall and more. It will help provide the space needed for the future fine arts and dual language high school academy.

If you drive by the school on Cooper or Park Row, you can see the cube going up. Work on the underground utilities, concrete foundations and structural steel is ongoing.

While the vertical steel for the cube is the most noticeable part of the project, there鈥檚 a lot more going on, including renovations for the existing building鈥檚 mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and athletic fields. Some of this work was completed over the summer.

The transformer for the school was relocated in time to ensure power to the whole building before school started. A new central plant for the chilled water systems was installed over the summer and is up and running. The football field was replaced, and the track was resurfaced. And new restrooms were opened at the field house for use during games. Later this year, the bleachers will receive upgrades.

Nearby, work is also underway to convert the softball practice field into a .

While all of the construction will be worth it in the long run, it is creating some temporary challenges for the school in the meantime.

鈥淚nside the building, we've had to make some adjustments due to losing space and even hallways,鈥� Humbles said. 鈥淲e've done a lot to prepare our kids for the hallways and they've been extremely flexible and cooperative ... probably because we added two minutes to our passing periods, so now they have nine minutes between classes!鈥�

and learn more about all projects in the 2019 Bond.

The addition and renovations at Arlington High School were designed by VLK Architects, and the construction is being managed by Joeris General Contractors.

New Berry funded by the 2019 Bond

It was a party Monday evening at Berry Elementary School.

鈥淢r. Celebration鈥� himself, Sir Earl Toon of Kool & the Gang, turned the dedication of the new elementary school into a celebration. In front of a packed cafeteria 鈥� full of Berry students, parents, teachers and alumni 鈥� the Grammy Award-winner performed several songs, including his hits 鈥淐elebration鈥� and 鈥淕et Down on It.鈥�

The new Berry is definitely worth celebrating.

On the same site as the original Berry, which opened in 1955, the new Berry looks a lot different.

The two-story building with nearly 105,000 square feet features pre-K-sixth grade classrooms, a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor areas and more.

鈥淭his is about ensuring all of our students 鈥� all of our Berry Bears 鈥� have a great school that prepares them for the 21st century,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 board president Melody Fowler at the dedication ceremony.

But while the building looks different, some things haven鈥檛 changed 鈥� like the spirit and love that makes Berry Berry.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duqbWOj5-vk&t=1061s[/embed]

鈥淚t鈥檚 a building designed to match the spirit and love that are so strong here,鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz said during the dedication ceremony. 鈥淚t鈥檚 that spirit and love that will turn these incredible modern spaces into a place where kids thrive, grow and build wonderful futures.鈥�

That spirit was alive and well as Sir Earl Toon got everyone grooving to his 1980 hit song and shouting 鈥淲oo hoo!鈥� Before long, Berry principal Rose Ravin and her teachers were up dancing around the cafeteria in a long train.

鈥淚t was very inspiring,鈥� Ravin said. 鈥淚t was such an honor to have Sir Earl here to help us open and have our dedication here today.鈥�

Toon, who lives in Dallas, knows Berry assistant principal Manuel Triana and has great respect for what he and Ravin are doing at Berry.

鈥淚 figured if they are going to do what they set out to do with these kids and involving the parents, how could I not be here,鈥� Toon said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not only about the children; it鈥檚 about the parents and the school because when you put all of those things together, united we stand.鈥�

It was a natural fit for Toon, who lives to help people celebrate and is a founder of the non-profit , which provides new winter coats to kids in need and benefits many in the DFW area.

This year, he is planning to provide coats to many of the same kids who watched him sing Monday night.

After the singing ended, the party continued. The Sam Houston High School Tex-Anns drill team, who joined the celebration and welcomed everyone when thy first arrived, continued cheering as the building was opened for tours. And it didn鈥檛 end there. An ice cream social back in the cafeteria was the encore for the show.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge blessing for this neighborhood, this community and these kids,鈥� said Lisa Benjamin, who just retired from 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 where she was the administrative assistant for outgoing superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. Berry holds a special place in Benjamin鈥檚 heart because this is where she started her journey in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 鈥� as a student when she was a little girl.

鈥淚t gives them new opportunities and a beautiful place to call home,鈥� she said.

Berry is one of four aging schools being replaced by the听2019 Bond听program. A听new Webb Elementary听opened in January, the new Thornton Elementary just opened, too, and a replacement for Carter Junior High will start construction later this year.

The 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚听Citizens Bond Oversight Committee kicked off its first meeting of the school year this week with a tour of the new Thornton Elementary School. The new Thornton, funded by the 2019 Bond, just opened last week.

Following the tour, the committee members met in the Thornton media center to receive updates on the 2019 Bond program from Kelly Horn, assistant superintendent of facility services. The presentation included updates on bond-funded projects for facilities, fine arts, technology, security and transportation.

There鈥檚 a lot to talk about right now, especially with construction. In addition to Thornton, a brand-new Berry Elementary also just opened. Construction on a replacement school for Carter Junior High will start this fall. A major addition is underway at Arlington High School, renovations inside Short Elementary have transformed that school, a new band hall at Martin High School is coming soon, Sam Houston High School has ongoing renovations, and on and on.

The CBOC鈥檚 charge is to follow the district鈥檚 bond program progress and report its findings and recommendations to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees (read the CBOC鈥檚 charge).

鈥淭he Citizens Bond Oversight Committee is incredibly important to the successful implementation of the 2019 Bond program,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淭he committee reports directly to our Board of Trustees to help steward the bond program and communicate any recommendations in the form of an annual report. Further, they help the district to disseminate information to the community about upcoming and on-going projects.鈥�

The committee meets quarterly and then develops a report of its findings and recommendations.

鈥淭he review and oversight of project and financial documents can be laborious, but the inside look at projects in-progress is a lot of fun for the team,鈥� Horn said.

See the presentation from this week鈥檚 CBOC meeting.

Celebrate good times, come on!

鈥淭here鈥檚 a party going on right here!鈥�

Right here in Arlington this Monday, Aug. 28, at the new Berry Elementary School. It鈥檒l be a celebration to dedicate the brand-new school.

In fact, 鈥淢r. Celebration鈥� himself, of Kool & the Gang, will be there to perform several of his hit songs, including 鈥淐elebration.鈥�

Then after the ceremony, the school will be open for tours followed by an ice cream social in the cafeteria.

It鈥檚 going to be a good time. If you鈥檇 like to come see the new school, get your groove on and celebrate good times, . The ceremony starts at 5 p.m.

The new Berry is definitely worth celebrating.

The new two-story school building with nearly 105,000 square-feet features five classrooms for each grade (pre-K-6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor areas and more.

Designed with input from the community, teachers and students, the new Berry is intended to breathe new life into the east Arlington community and give all students access to unlimited educational opportunities in the best possible, state-of-the-art facilities.

鈥淲e are excited about what this is going to bring to our community,鈥� Berry principal Rose Ravin said nearly two years ago at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new school. 鈥淣ot just for our district but especially in our east Arlington area. We know this building will provide opportunities for our east Arlington students. We are excited because they will be a part of making new history, new memories, new learning, new designs and new creations.鈥�

The new school replaces the original Berry, built in 1955. It was demolished in 2021 and was rebuilt over the last two years on its original site.

Berry is one of four aging schools being replaced by the 2019 Bond program.

New schools replace buildings from the 1950s

The line outside the front door was long as students and parents waited to get in early Wednesday morning.

But the wait didn鈥檛 dampen their enthusiasm to see the new Thornton Elementary School.

The new Thornton and the new Berry Elementary opened for students for the first time on Wednesday to wide eyes and big smiles.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited watching them walk through the doors,鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz said at Berry on Wednesday morning. 鈥淎ll their smiling faces was really motivating.鈥�

Both schools were originally built in the 1950s, both were demolished in 2021 and both were rebuilt over the last two years on their original sites.

After two years of waiting and holding school in temporary locations, the first day couldn鈥檛 come soon enough.

鈥淚鈥檓 super excited,鈥� Thornton principal Alicia Rodriguez said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 wait for the first day of school. Families were so happy. Students were so happy. It was just nice to see everybody today.鈥�

Funded by the 2019 Bond, both facilities are about 105,000 square feet with two floors and feature pods for each grade with five classrooms (pre-K - 6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor learning areas and more.

See photos of the new and .

Opening day for each school represented the culmination of years of planning. It was truly a labor of love, intended to improve the learning opportunities for students in east Arlington and enhance their communities.

鈥淎 school is a hub of the neighborhood,鈥� Wurtz said at Berry. 鈥淔amilies come not only to learn, but they come to congregate, to make friends, build relationships and to volunteer. It鈥檚 a center were lots of activity happens, and so to be able to do that in a facility that is brand new speaks to how important they are and how much we in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 love them and want them to join us in our work.鈥�

Even among all the newness, some things hadn鈥檛 changed.

鈥淲hat reminds me of the old Thornton 鈥� my old Thornton 鈥� is the tree,鈥� Rodriguez said.

The huge trees that have welcomed families to both schools for decades are still there, carefully preserved.

鈥淲e tried to preserve the uniqueness of the site and make their facility live and breathe this community,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 assistant superintendent of facility services.

The other thing still there is the most important thing.

鈥淲hat really makes the school 鈥榮chool鈥� is families and students,鈥� Rodriguez said.

They were 鈥� and still are 鈥� the heart of the school.

鈥淭his community is all about heart,鈥� Wurtz said. 鈥淚 think these schools are expressions of love. You have this brand-new building that kids can come to with lots of really unique spaces for them to learn in. And everyone is welcome.鈥�

Berry and Thornton are two of four schools being replaced by the 2019 Bond program. A new Webb Elementary opened in January, and a replacement for Carter Junior High will start construction later this year.

Construction is Underway at Sam thanks to Bond

When construction started at Sam Houston High School during the 2014 Bond program, you knew it. There were cranes and all kinds of construction vehicles and materials outside.

The 2014 bond-funded additions and renovations were major construction projects that changed the footprint of Sam Houston.

There was the new entrance, a new ninth-grade classroom wing, the new cafeteria. Plus, they gutted the old cafeteria to build new classrooms. And the theater was updated, along with many other renovations throughout the campus.

This summer, the 2019 Bond projects for Sam Houston got underway. If you drove by though, you wouldn鈥檛 know it. No cranes this time. And much less noise.

The Sam Houston facility isn鈥檛 growing with this bond program. But there are important renovations being done throughout the campus.

鈥淭he renovations will greatly improve the learning environment, creating a modern and state-of-the-art space for students to thrive,鈥� said Sam Houston principal Juan Villarreal.

And even though you can鈥檛 see construction on the outside right now, if you walked in the door today and looked up, you鈥檇 see it.

Most of the ceiling tiles are gone 鈥� on their way to being replaced. And there are hallways and offices whose floors have been ripped out.

鈥淥ne area that will particularly benefit from the renovations is the halls of SHHS,鈥� Villarreal said. 鈥淲ith upgraded lighting and new floors, the halls will look even better than before. The new lighting will provide students with a greater sense of pride in their school.鈥�

The new flooring and new ceiling tiles are slated to be installed before the start of school.

But renovation work will continue through the school year and all of 2024.

In addition to the new ceilings and new flooring, the scope of work includes:

• • mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements that includes replacing the boilers, electrical switchgear and transformers,
  • replacing light fixtures and painting selected areas of the building,
  • accessibility improvements, including hardware replacement and ramps,
  • restroom renovations, including replacing fixtures in selected restrooms
  • site Improvements that include drainage upgrades in the courtyard
  • fine arts renovations in the auditorium, including replacing the light fixtures, enclosing the control booth and adding a ramp to the stage,
  • gym and locker room renovations,
  • safety and security enhancements that include hardware upgrades, a new interior keying system and additional card access doors.

鈥淎lthough construction projects can present temporary challenges like limited access to certain areas or increased noise levels, it is important to remember the long-term benefits these improvements will bring the school,鈥� Villarreal said. 鈥淭he patience and understanding of students, staff and the community during this period will be rewarded with a transformed educational space that will serve future generations.鈥�

of the renovations underway at Sam Houston. And learn more about all the projects in the 2019 Bond at aisd.net/Bond2019.

Duff getting a new gym

That didn鈥檛 take long.

Demolition of the gym at Duff Elementary started this week 鈥� and finished.

The structure is gone.

That鈥檚 good, because building a new gym will take a lot longer than a few days.

The new gym is part of the 2019 Bond-funded project just getting started at Duff. The whole project includes a series of renovations and improvements.

The new 5,030-square-foot gym addition will connect to the existing building at the southwest corner. The old gym was a separate structure. With six basketball goals, striping for basketball and volleyball, two restrooms, an office and storage, the new facility will be a vast improvement over the old, tiny gym. Plus, the new gym will be constructed as a storm shelter, sized to accommodate the entire student and staff population.

Another big project at Duff is expanding the library. One adjacent classroom will be absorbed into the library, and the entire combined space will be renovated.

There are also a bunch of other renovations planned for Duff, too. Highlights include HVAC upgrades, replacing fluorescent lighting with LEDs, new ceiling grid and tiles, renovating six restrooms and accessibility improvements.

鈥淲e know that construction is a process, and I'm so thankful to our staff and community for the patience during this challenging project, but we all know the outcome will be so worth it when all is complete,鈥� said Duff principal Cindy Harbison. 鈥淲e are super excited to have a beautiful new gym and library along with the upgrades throughout the building!鈥�

South Davis

Work on the 2019 Bond project at South Davis Elementary kicked off this summer, too. While the scope of work doesn鈥檛 include new construction like at Duff, it does include important upgrades.

Much of the building, inside and out, will be repainted, and carpet and mini blinds throughout the building will be replaced. The kitchen鈥檚 walk-in cooler and freezer will be replaced as well. Ceiling tile will be replaced in the library, in the corridor adjacent to the cafeteria and in six classrooms. The stage is being improved, too, with new lighting and new tan curtains. Plus, the stage鈥檚 original wood floor will be sanded and refinished.

Learn more about all the construction projects in the 2019 Bond at aisd.net/Bond2019.

Committee chair presents to Board of Trustees

The听Citizens Bond Oversight Committee gave its annual report at the last 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees meeting. Charles Finicum, the committee鈥檚 chair, presented at the June 29 meeting and offered observations and recommendations related to the district鈥檚 2019 Bond program.

Read the report听or听watch the presentation听below.

[embed]https://youtu.be/FiBIugXHmvQ?t=148[/embed]

鈥淚 want to first extend our gratitude to you for your service,鈥� interim superintendent Dr. Steven Wurtz said at the meeting. 鈥淎s you know, they help us in our decision-making when it comes to the implementation of our 2019 Bond.鈥�

The CBOC was established to provide transparency and enhance public confidence in the use of proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 voters on Nov. 5, 2019. The 2019 Bond package includes $966 million to improve facilities, provide access and equity for all students and build on the progress recognized through the听2014 Bond program. This bond package is addressing needs in four areas: facilities; transportation; safety, security and technology; and fine arts.

The CBOC accomplishes its charge by following the district鈥檚 bond program progress and reporting its findings and recommendations to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees (read the CBOC鈥檚 charge). The oversight committee meets on a quarterly basis to receive updates on implementation progress and tour bond construction projects and then develops its annual report.

This was the second annual CBOC report for the 2019 Bond.

Learn more about the 2019 Bond.

Short Elementary looks like a mess

Short Elementary students who wrapped up the school year just a few weeks ago might not recognize their school if they walked inside today.

It鈥檚 a mess.

Much of the flooring and ceiling, along with some of the walls, have been demolished.

But the mess is making way for a better school thanks to the 2019 Bond program.

of the construction at Short.

鈥淥ur classrooms are gaining new flooring and ceilings, brightening and beautifying the learning environment to best support students and teachers,鈥� said Short principal Betsy Berkebile.

The construction project at Short includes a lot of renovations that will enhance the learning environment. Highlights include replacing the ceiling tiles, fluorescent lighting and much of the flooring. Restrooms are being renovated, and hardware, along with some doors, are getting replaced. Roofing will be replaced where needed, and paint will be touched up inside where needed. The gym is getting improvements as well, and the kitchen is getting a new freezer/cooler.

Plus, the school is getting some new graphics inside.

鈥淭he bond-funded renovations will give our students both roots and wings,鈥� Berkebile said. 鈥淥ne-a-kind branding graphics inside the building will spark students鈥� interest in community history as they walk along the Shorthorn Trail. Areas of campus will be labeled with names like 鈥楤eatrice Short Trail,鈥� after our school鈥檚 namesake who came to teach in Arlington in 1921, and 鈥楯ohnson Station Trail,鈥� commemorating the first school in the area. The designs proudly incorporate Short鈥檚 school colors 鈥� blue and yellow.鈥�

Outside, some sidewalks have been demolished and will be repoured, and some additional parking is being added.

Much of the work at Short will be completed over the summer, and everything is scheduled to wrap up by December.

Hale

Hale Elementary is getting improvements this summer, too. Though its projects may not be as noticeable as the ones at Short, they are still important for the facility.

Inside highlights include repainting metal doors, replacing the gym floor, refinishing the custodial closets, replacing the flooring in the teacher鈥檚 lounge and replacing the ceiling in the kitchen.

Outside, project highlights include replacing fallen concrete sidewalks and patio, installing a swale at the front for better drainage, regrading and sodding around the building and replacing the marquee with a new digital one.

Adams

Adams Elementary was one of only two schools that didn鈥檛 get any renovations in the 2014 Bond program, but that was because Adams was new at the time. The school first opened in 2013.

Now ten years have passed, and the 2019 Bond program does include a few improvements for Adams. Inside, exterior doors are getting new hardware, and the kitchen dock is getting a new generator connection. Outside, Adams is getting a new digital marquee, along with nearby landscaping, and the baseball field backstop will be replaced.

And of course, Adams 鈥� along with all elementary schools in the district 鈥� is getting two new playgrounds with accessible equipment, rubber surfacing and shade structures.

Old school replaced by the 2019 Bond

Webb Elementary School is gone. The old one that is.

The old Webb, built in 1960 as Nichols Junior High, became Webb Elementary in 1993 after Nichols moved north of I-30 to its current location. The old building served students well for more than 60 years, but it was worn out and had reached the point that it needed to be replaced.

When a new Webb, built right next door as a part of the 2019 Bond, opened in January, the demolition process for the old building began. By April, heavy machinery arrived and started knocking down the walls.

Now, nothing is left.

While the empty expanse of dirt is sure to stir some nostalgia for some, the incredible new Webb facility and what will go in the old building's place is more than enough to make up for it.

The empty field that once held the old school will become an activity field for the students at the new Webb. The field will be re-graded with a gentle slope and then fenced. A new east-west lane will also be added south of the new Webb building.

The new Webb does much more than just replace an old school building. It equips every single student for success today and for decades to come. The state-of-the-art facility is full of 21st-century learning spaces - including collaboration areas for every grade - modern technology, fine arts rooms, STEM labs, covered playgrounds with equipment accessible for every child, and special education facilities.

听of the new Webb.

The new Webb is the first of four school replacements funded by the听2019 Bond, an effort to modernize the district's schools and revitalize their neighborhoods. It's all about providing generations of students with the opportunities they need to succeed in the 21st century. The next two new replacement schools - Berry and Thornton - will open for students in August.

All of this - the new schools, renovations at existing schools, new fine arts instruments, new school buses and so much more - is only possible because of the support of the community through the bond program. So, thank you.

Learn more about all of the projects in the 2019 Bond.

Furniture delivery started this week at Thornton

You know a new building is almost complete when they start moving furniture in.

That鈥檚 exactly what started on Wednesday at the new Thornton Elementary School, where they began rolling in the new library furniture.

The new Thornton, under construction since the groundbreaking ceremony in December of 2021, is now more than 90% complete. But there鈥檚 still a lot of work going on 鈥� from installing all kinds of finishes to landscaping and cleaning 鈥� to get it ready for teachers and students to start the 2023-2024 school year there this August.

The new 105,000-square-foot Thornton, funded by the 2019 Bond, includes five classrooms for each grade (pre-K-6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces and more. Outdoor spaces include a new entry plaza with a canopy, an outdoor learning courtyard, a paved court for basketball and a play field.

The original Thornton, which first opened in 1956, was demolished in the fall of 2020 to make way for the new building that is now almost ready. In the meantime, 罢丑辞谤苍迟辞苍鈥檚 students and teachers were housed in a temporary location, at the building that was formerly Knox Elementary.

But temporary Thornton closed two weeks ago when school let out for the summer. Now, it鈥檚 almost time to move back home 鈥� to the new building on the original site.

This is a move the Thornton community couldn鈥檛 be happier about.

鈥淭here are so many things that our students, staff and parents are excited about the new Thornton,鈥� said Thornton principal Alicia Rodriguez. 鈥淥ur students love that the school is two stories high, and they look forward to the new playground and having the soccer goals to play soccer. Our staff is ecstatic about the new spaces, including the collaboration spaces and workroom spaces for each grade level.鈥�

They are also excited about some old trees.

Construction crews took special care to preserve the two massive oak trees that have graced the Thornton site for decades. Architects designed the building to make sure the trees are located prominently near the front entrance.

鈥淔or those staff members who have been at Thornton for decades and watched students have recess and field days by the old oak trees, those will continue to stand tall in the beautiful and grand new Thornton to witness the improved opportunities and experiences for our students, staff and families,鈥� Rodriguez said.

The new Thornton is going to open for school this August thanks to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 community through its support of the 2019 Bond, which includes funds to replace four aging schools. Along with Thornton, a new Berry Elementary will also open in August. A new Webb Elementary opened in January, and construction of a new Carter Junior High will start in a few months.

Berry construction almost complete

It was finally time to go home.

Principal Rose Ravin鈥檚 head popped up out of the sunroof of a pickup truck idling in front of Berry Elementary School - or what was Berry Elementary School for the last two years.

Behind Ravin were cars filled with all of Berry鈥檚 teachers and staff. And in front were Arlington police cars ready to provide the teacher caravan a police escort for their move back home.

It was a short drive 鈥� less than a mile to the original site of Berry, where the school first opened in 1955. But Berry moved out of the original building in 2021 to a temporary location 鈥� to the campus that had been Roark Elementary. In the meantime, the original Berry building was demolished and construction of a new Berry began.

Construction is now nearing completion, and last Friday, Berry鈥檚 teachers and staff got to see inside their brand-new school for the first time.

鈥淲elcome home! Welcome home!鈥� Ravin shouted as the teachers and staff made their way from their car caravan to the front entrance.

鈥淭his is so exciting! I鈥檓 so excited,鈥� one teacher said out loud to no one in particular.

.

Even the escorting police officers were excited and hung around to see the building.

As everyone gathered at the front door, anxious to go in, Jaime Garcia, the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 project manager who oversaw the design and construction of the new Berry, greeted everyone.

鈥淭o get you oriented,鈥� he said, 鈥渙ver here is the admin area 鈥︹��

But that was as far as he got.

鈥淣o, no, no!鈥� interrupted Ravin.

The principal had other plans.

鈥淚 could take you around on a tour,鈥� she told her staff. 鈥淏ut you won鈥檛 be listening.鈥�

She figured the excitement would be too distracting.

So, she sent the entire staff on a scavenger hunt to locate each part of the building and get familiar with their new home.

Even with the scavenger hunt, the excitement was still a bit too much for some.

Jennifer Neher, Berry鈥檚 longtime art teacher, could barely contain herself.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 handle how exciting this is!鈥� she said as she walked through the library. At that point, she hadn鈥檛 even seen her art room yet.

Down the hall, Berry鈥檚 orchestra teacher was more reserved in his excitement.

Philip Friend stood in his new strings room quietly assessing how to set it up. He is used to teaching young musicians in a portable building and having to move multiple times.

鈥淛ust to have a permanent place in the building will be so nice, he said. 鈥淎nd we don鈥檛 have to move again.鈥�

The new Berry will open for students in August. It is one of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond. A new Thornton Elementary is also under construction and will open along with Berry in August. A new Webb Elementary opened earlier this year in January, and a new Carter Junior High has been designed and will be built soon.

Learn more about the 2019 Bond.

Bailey Junior High鈥檚 new parking lot off Bowen Road is complete. But that鈥檚 just the start of the 2019 Bond project at Bailey. Now that school is out for the summer, work on the transformational project will really get going.

It鈥檚 a large, complex project that won鈥檛 wrap up until the end of 2024. With construction on different parts of the campus planned for the next 16 months at least, some flexibility and patience on the part of Bailey鈥檚 teachers, staff, students and parents will be required, but the improvements to the school will make all the inconveniences more than worthwhile.

鈥淭he bond package will benefit Bailey by adding 14 classrooms, enhance our security and upgrade our cafeteria,鈥� Bailey principal Jason Davis said. 鈥淎lthough there will be some challenges with traffic and parking during the construction, the school upgrades will be an opportunity to unlock student potential.鈥�

Bailey Scope

The project includes a large addition that will add 10 new classrooms 鈥� to replace all of the portable buildings 鈥� expand the kitchen and dining space and add a new secure main entry and administration suite. The old administration area will be converted into three regular classrooms and one science lab. The addition will also provide a storm shelter for the campus.

The existing building will also receive renovations, including a new fire sprinkler and fire alarm system. And the majority of ceilings and lighting, along with existing doors and frames, will be replaced. Athletic lockers will be replaced as well, and the north gym will get a new scoreboard and AV system, and the south gym will get new bleachers. Plus, the existing courtyard鈥檚 covered walkway will be enclosed to provide better interior student circulation for the campus.

Outside, in addition to the new parking lot on the west side of campus, the eastern parking lot will be replaced and expanded to improve traffic circulation and provide additional parking. The athletic field will also get new concessions and restrooms incorporated within the new kitchen addition. A concession counter with a roll-up shutter will open toward the athletic fields.

Summer Work

With school out, work on the addition is starting. First, the porch at the site of the addition will be demolished and then the new crawl space dug. Then comes piers and work on the foundation, including installing utilities.

Work will also start on the kitchen upgrades. That involves clearing out the kitchen and putting two serving lines in the existing dining space. A temporary wall will be built to separate the kitchen from the student area. The kitchen will then be gutted, so the remodel and expansion can begin. The kitchen work will last until the late spring of next year.

Inside the existing building, roughing for the new fire sprinkler will begin this summer, some classroom ceilings will be replaced and the campus will be connected to the district鈥檚 new fiber optic network.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of work, but we鈥檙e taking advantage of the summer months to get as much done as possible before students come back in August,鈥� said the project manager and 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 architect Richard Flores. 鈥淢uch of the work we鈥檒l do during the summer will position us to continue working throughout the next school year.鈥�

The project at Bailey has been designed by , and the construction is being led by .

Playgrounds under construction at five schools

According to the students at Dunn Elementary, they have a new park on campus.

Their new park is actually a new playground.

鈥淭he new playground at Dunn is now affectionately called a 鈥榩ark鈥� by our students,鈥� said Dunn principal Mary Helen Burnett. 鈥淭hey cannot believe it's for them and love everything about it. There is so much to explore and places for everyone to play and grow!鈥�

The new playgrounds are popping up all over the district, with new ones also opening this spring at Burgin, Morton, Rankin and Hill elementary schools. And Blanton is next.

鈥淟earners at Hill are LOVING the new playground,鈥� said Hill principal Kasie Longoria. 鈥淓ven our sixth听graders are finding so much joy in true authentic play. Thank you AISD for bringing joy to our kids!鈥�

The new playgrounds are part of the听2019 Bond听program. Every elementary school is getting two 鈥� one for pre-K through first grade, and the other for second through sixth grade. The playgrounds were designed with teacher and student input and include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make its own color selections.

Three phases

The playgrounds are getting installed at all 53 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 elementary schools in three phases, with 29 schools now complete. The first phase, with 17 schools, is done, and phase two is nearing completion. Schools with playgrounds open in phase two include Burgin, Crow, Ditto, Dunn, Hill, Jones, Farrell, Fitzgerald, Morton, Rankin, Webb and Wimbish.

Work is also underway at the final schools in phase two:

• Blanton Elementary鈥檚 new playground equipment is in, and the rubber surfacing is being installed this week. The new playgrounds could open as soon as next week.
• At Patrick Elementary and Kooken Educational Center, demolition is done. The concrete is now getting poured at Kooken, and the concrete will be poured at Patrick in about two weeks.
• Work is underway at Butler and Sherrod elementary schools where they are halfway done with demolition.

Following phase two, construction will start on the third and final phase. Phase three includes Adams, Amos, Atherton, Berry, Foster, Goodman, Hale, Johns, Key, Little, McNutt, Miller, Peach, Pope, Short, South Davis, Speer, Swift and Thornton.

The transformational projects in the 2019 Bond program are all thanks to the support of the community, so it鈥檚 important that everyone can see what that support is doing.

That鈥檚 why the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is making virtual tour videos of the major projects once they are complete. Several major projects are complete now, and the first three virtual tour videos are ready. Check them out below:

Food and Nutrition Services virtual tour

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daXSCEITIo4[/embed]

Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy virtual tour

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVXxMgXbDc[/embed]

Webb Elementary virtual tour

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPdOjMPWZLU[/embed]

Up next and coming soon will be a virtual tour of the additions and improvements at Crow Leadership Academy. Then, once the new Berry and Thornton elementary schools are complete and open, tour videos of those schools will be produced. Look for those videos in the fall.

The program has made a lot of progress, but there are still many projects ahead. The bond projects are addressing needs in four areas: facilities; transportation; safety, security and technology, and fine arts. Learn more at aisd.net/bond2019.

Demolition Days are here

Demolition at Webb Elementary is officially underway.

To be clear, that鈥檚 the old Webb that is getting torn down. Not the brand-new Webb that just opened in January.

The old Webb was built in 1960 as Nichols Junior High and became Webb Elementary in 1993 after Nichols moved north of I-30 to its current location. The old building served students well for more than 60 years, but it was worn out and had just reached the point that it needed to be replaced.

Demolition will take a little more than two months and should wrap up in July. Once the building is torn down and all the rubble is removed, a new east-west lane will be added south of the new Webb building. The empty field will be re-graded with a gentle slope from the new lane to Nichols St., and finally, a fenced activity field will be constructed.

.

The New Webb

The new Webb Elementary building, which is right next to the old one, opened in January after nearly two years of construction (read about the grand opening). Webb is the first of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond, an effort to modernize the district鈥檚 schools and revitalize their neighborhoods. It鈥檚 all about providing generations of students with the opportunities they need to succeed in the 21st century.

of the new Webb.

Addition funded by the 2019 Bond

Construction crews started drilling piers this week for the addition at Arlington High School. This comes after months of groundwork and grading to get the site ready.

The 2019 Bond-funded project is going to completely change the face of the school. The addition includes a new entrance, new classrooms, a new library, a new band hall and more, and it will help provide the space needed for the future fine arts and dual language high school academy.

鈥淚t鈥檒l be a huge and beautiful three-story wing that I refer to as 鈥楾he Cube,鈥欌�� said Arlington High Principal Stacie Humbles.

The project also includes renovations for the existing building鈥檚 mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and athletic fields. Work on those items should start this summer.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2024.

Phase two buses all received

The is doing more than just building new schools and improving existing buildings. It is also improving the district鈥檚 transportation system by funding the purchase of new buses and vehicles.听

The vehicle purchases in the 2019 Bond are phased over the five years of the bond program. Phase two is finally complete after backed-up production slowed the delivery of new buses. But the district鈥檚 phase two buses are all here now, including four full-size regular education buses, two smaller special education (SPED) buses and 10 shuttle buses.听

These add to the phase one purchases, which included 15 regular education buses, three SPED buses and 12 shuttle buses.

The newer bond-funded buses offer many improvements, including better safety features, better gas mileage, air conditioning and now seat belts. The new buses also help the district keep to a replacement cycle of 10-12 years, or 150,000 miles for special education buses and 180,000-200,000 miles for regular buses.

鈥淭he new buses we received are beneficial in assuring that our student passengers are riding safely and comfortably,鈥� said director of transportation Tim Collins. 鈥淭he newer buses are environmentally better versus the higher level of emissions that develops over time in older buses. So being able to rotate our older buses out with newer more efficient buses is definitely a plus for all.鈥�

The new inventory brings the district鈥檚 bus fleet total to 315, with 154 regular education buses, 121 SPED buses and 40 shuttle buses.

Now, it鈥檚 on to phase three. The transportation department is in the process of confirming and ordering the next phase. Like with everything else, inflation and manufacturing slow-downs are causing the need for some minor adjustments and patience. 听

鈥淚t will take anywhere from 7-12 months for us to receive on our buses and white fleet vehicles due to manufacturing鈥檚 limited resources,鈥� Collins said.

Join the transportation team

With more than 300 buses, including 40 shuttles, serving nearly 57,000 students, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 transportation department is always busy and always has job opportunities. If you love kids and like to drive, they have the perfect job for you. With the shuttles, you don鈥檛 even need a CDL. Visit 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 jobs webpage today to apply.

New Webb replaces school built in 1960

When Webb Elementary School originally opened in 1993, it was in a building built in 1960 as Nichols Junior High. But today, Webb has a brand-new building for the first time. The district celebrated the much-needed new facility with a dedication ceremony and open house last Friday, complete with a live wallaby, the school鈥檚 mascot.

The wallaby was joined on the cafetorium stage by Arlington , who praised Arlington鈥檚 students as the city鈥檚 greatest asset, and new , who presented a resolution from the state honoring the district and new school. Sam Houston High School's mariachi band, Lamar High School cheerleaders and Webb students all also added to the celebration.

The state-of-the-art facility replaced the old Webb, which is right next door. With 21st-century learning spaces 鈥� including collaboration areas for every grade 鈥� modern technology, fine arts rooms, STEM labs, covered playgrounds with equipment accessible for every child, and state-of-the-art special education facilities, the new Webb does much more than just replace an old school building. It equips every single student for success today and for decades to come.

鈥淭he wait is finally over, and the dream has come true,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos to the Webb community. 鈥淣ow, you have a beautiful facility designed for you. It鈥檚 a building designed to match what makes Webb so special 鈥� your love and your community. What鈥檚 never changed at Webb 鈥� and won鈥檛 change now 鈥� are the people. You love Webb, and you love each other. Forever it will be that love that holds it together.鈥�

The wait was also finally over for an official Webb logo. Webb's administrators unveiled a new school logo at the dedication ceremony to loud cheers from Webb's teachers. This is the first time the school has had an official logo, which features a wallaby and a sunshine. The sun harkens to the school's namesake, John Webb, whose favorite song was "You are My Sunshine."

The new Webb Elementary opened in January and is the first of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond.

鈥淭he 2019 Bond is allowing us to transform our district with rebuilding four of our schools that need it most,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees President Melody Fowler. 鈥淭he new school at Webb, followed by three more, are designed to provide our students with the best possible educational experience. They鈥檙e places our students want to be and feel inspired to learn in.鈥�

In addition to Webb, a new Berry and new Thornton elementary are also under construction, slated to open for the 2023-24 school year. Finally, Carter Junior High will be replaced with a new building at a new location 鈥� the site of the former Knox Elementary (and now the temporary Thornton). The new Carter is currently in design.

The 2019 Bond is doing a lot more than building four schools. Learn about all the bond projects at听aisd.net/bond2019,听from new playgrounds to new school buses.

Dedication and open house is this week

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is dedicating its newest school, Webb Elementary, on Friday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. Following the ceremony in the cafetorium, students will offer tours of the building.

If you would like to attend the dedication and open house, .

The new Webb opened in January to start the second semester. The state-of-the-art facility replaced the old Webb, built in 1960. With 21st-century learning spaces 鈥� including collaboration areas for every grade 鈥� modern technology, fine arts rooms, STEM labs, covered playgrounds with equipment accessible for every child, and state-of-the-art special education facilities, the new Webb does much more than just replace an old school building. It equips every single student for success today and for decades to come.

Webb Elementary is the first of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond, a major project to provide generations of students with the opportunities they need to succeed in the 21st century.

Read about the first day at the new Webb.

Citizens Bond Oversight Committee holds quarterly meeting

The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee met at Seguin High School Thursday night for its quarterly review of the 2019 Bond program.

But the meeting started with a reminder of the 2014 Bond and the impact it is having at Seguin and across the district. The committee received a tour of Seguin鈥檚 鈥� or MAC. The facility, built with bond funds, includes a 60-yard turf field, weight room, locker rooms, coaches鈥� offices, meeting rooms and a training room.

While the field is excellent for football, it is truly meant to be multipurpose, marked for football, softball, baseball and soccer, and it鈥檚 a great space for marching band practice. Drop-down nets can divide the field into sections, allowing multiple sports or activities to meet or practice simultaneously. All six traditional high schools in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 received a MAC during the 2014 Bond program.

Following the tour, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of facility services Kelly Horn returned to the present and gave the committee a presentation with status reports about 2019 Bond-funded projects for facilities, fine arts, technology, security and transportation.

See the presentation slides.

Recent highlights from the bond program include the opening of the new Webb Elementary, the start of construction for an addition at Arlington High School, new theater lighting and sound equipment for junior high and high schools, more new playgrounds at elementary schools and the receipt of all phase two new buses for transportation.

The CBOC鈥檚 job is to follow the district鈥檚 bond program progress and report its findings and recommendations to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees (read the CBOC鈥檚 charge). The committee meets on a quarterly basis to receive updates on implementation progress of the bond and then develops an annual report of its finding and recommendations.

24 schools now have new playgrounds

Four more 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 schools debuted their new playgrounds for students in recent weeks. Students at Jones Academy and Farrell, Fitzgerald and Webb elementary schools are the latest to climb, swing, hang, jump and run all over the new playgrounds.

鈥淭he students love them and have mentioned to me how excited they are about having updated equipment,鈥� said Farrell principal Gen Brunk. 鈥淭hey have raved about being able to have a climbing wall and the spider web climb.鈥�

But it鈥檚 not just the students at Farrell getting in on the action.

鈥淲e even had the staff out for a time of 鈥榩laying鈥� on the new equipment during our work day, and we had a great time,鈥� Brunk said.

The new playgrounds at Jones, Farrell, Fitzgerald and Webb are part of the听2019 Bond听program. Every elementary school is getting two 鈥� one for pre-K through first grade, and the other for second through sixth grade. The playgrounds were designed with teacher and student input and include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make its own color selections.

鈥淥ur students are so in love with the playgrounds!鈥� said Jones principal Katiuska Herrador. 鈥淭here is something for everyone. The playgrounds give several students at once something to play with and the spaces encourages them to interact with each other. Super fun as it鈥檚 meant to be!鈥�

Three phases

The playgrounds are getting installed at all 53 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 elementary schools in three phases thanks to the 24 schools are now complete. The first phase, with 17 schools, is done, and phase two is nearing the midpoint. Schools with playgrounds open in phase two include Jones, Farrell, Fitzgerald and Webb, along with Crow Leadership Academy, Wimbish World Language Academy and Ditto Elementary. Some of the schools with open playgrounds still have a little site work left, like planting sod.

Work is also underway at several other schools in phase two, with more beginning soon.

• The concrete is in at Burgin and Morton elementary schools and the equipment installation should begin soon. Look for Burgin and Morton鈥檚 new playgrounds to open in February.
• At Dunn Elementary, demolition of the old playground is done. Some dirt work needs to be finished before the concrete can be poured.
• Work is just beginning at Hill Elementary with demolition.
• Work is scheduled to begin soon at Blanton and Rankin elementary schools.

Work will begin throughout the semester for the remaining phase two schools as well, including Patrick, Butler and Sherrod elementary schools and Kooken Education Center.

Following phase two, construction will start on the third and final phase. Phase three includes Adams, Amos, Atherton, Berry, Foster, Goodman, Hale, Johns, Key, Little, McNutt, Miller, Peach, Pope, Short, South Davis, Speer, Swift and Thornton.

Board Brief: New calendar, new P-TECHs and a bond update

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 trustees provide a Board Brief from each board meeting, a short video that gives a summary of the meeting's highlights. Watch the video below or read the brief.

The first 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees meeting of 2023 is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights.

Elementary students from Blanton, Butler, Farrell, and Johns got the meeting off to a great start with a performance of the song 鈥淢artin Luther King.鈥� Farrell teacher Johnny Maples led the singers, who represented several hundred other students who will join them Monday in performing at the at .听

The Youth Extravaganza is part of the MLK Celebration this weekend, which also includes the MLK Art and Essay Contest. The Board of Trustees recognized the student winners of the contest during the meeting, and you can visit the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 blog next Tuesday for an announcement of all the winners.

[embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=6XMi02xqmgI&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE[/embed]

Then the board honored the student of the month, Lamar High School senior Austin Palacios. Austin excels in the classroom with his natural curiosity, enthusiasm and grit. But music is his love. Austin is an accomplished member of Lamar鈥檚 marching band, symphonic band and jazz ensemble. He鈥檚 known for his smile and kindness and is very deserving of this award. Congratulations to Austin.

Then it was down to business. Probably the biggest news of the night is something a lot of parents, students and teachers have been anxiously awaiting 鈥� the 2023-24 school calendar. It鈥檚 finally official 鈥� next year鈥檚 calendar was approved by the board last night. Visit aisd.net鈥檚 calendars page to see it.

The three-year terms for two seats on the district鈥檚 board will end in May, so last night the trustees approved the order of election for those two seats. The election will be on May 6, with early voting starting April 24.

The school board always approves district purchases at board meetings, and one of note from last night was for architectural services for P-TECH renovations. The 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is starting two new Pathways in Technology high schools 鈥� or P-TECHs 鈥� next year. These schools offer students the opportunity to earn college credit and workplace certifications. 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 already has two P-TECH programs 鈥� one at Bowie High School and one at Lamar High School 鈥� and is adding new ones at Sam Houston and Seguin high schools. The architectural services will help make some renovations at Sam and Seguin to ensure they have the right spaces and classrooms for the new programs.

Later, the board received and approved the monthly financial report on operations through November and a report of the district鈥檚 investment activity through November.

And finally, Kelly Horn, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 assistant superintendent of facility services, gave the board an update about the 2019 Bond. The 2019 Bond program is a $966 million five-year capital program that includes new construction, renovations and facility condition improvements, along with capital purchases for technology, fine arts and transportation. Much of the presentation focused on new construction and facility renovations and improvements 鈥� and there鈥檚 a lot to talk about. The brand new, bond-funded Webb Elementary just opened last week, and construction on major additions are just about to start at Arlington High School and Bailey Junior High. Plus, new playgrounds recently opened at four more elementary schools. It鈥檚 a lot, but you can find out about all the bond projects at aisd.net/bond2019.

Those are just a few of the highlights from tonight. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not in this brief, you can watch the entire meeting .

The 29-year-old Webb Elementary School has a new building for the first time.

When Webb first opened in 1993, it was in a school built in 1960 as Nichols Junior High. But Tuesday morning, Webb students and teachers started the second half of the school year in a brand-new building built just for them.

鈥淥h my gosh, it is so awesome,鈥� said first-grade teacher Beatrice Davis. Davis has spent her entire 22-year teaching career at Webb.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe we鈥檙e finally here,鈥� Davis said just before school started Tuesday morning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing. I can鈥檛 wait to start teaching my kids in our new classroom. It鈥檚 beautiful.鈥�

色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos was there to welcome the students as they walked into their new school for the first time.

鈥淭oday has been wonderful,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great morning. The joy in the students鈥� faces, and the teachers and the staff. It鈥檚 just exceptional. We鈥檙e so proud of the community, of our district for this really, really nice facility.鈥�

AMAZING

The excitement and euphoria for the new school continued throughout the day. Teachers and staff agreed: it's 鈥渁mazing.鈥� Here鈥檚 what several had to say.

Sara Landin, music teacher

鈥淲e had an amazing first day in our new Webb building today!听The kids came into the school with smiles and in awe of what our new building looks like.听They were excited to see their new classrooms and also the library, cafeteria, music and art rooms and the gym.听The older students think that it is pretty cool that we have stairs to use.听For the students I had in class today, the word that I heard the most, in regards to our new Webb, is that it is cozy.听I feel very honored to be the first music teacher in the new Webb building!鈥澨�

Beatrice Davis, first-grade teacher

鈥淭he first day at our new Webb was absolutely AMAZING! Having seen this project through from the groundbreaking to the first听day with our students was everything I imagined it would be and then some. It was like the first听day of school times 10! Everything ran smoothly, and watching the faces of our students was magical! Lots of big smiles and eyes.听

鈥淢y students thought our new school was 鈥榖eautiful and huge.鈥� Another student's favorite was the gym and the new playground, which she mentioned had so many things to play with. I had one student share how much he liked all the windows and thought our new school was 鈥榗ool.鈥� Finally, I had a student share that our new school was 鈥榩erfect!鈥欌��

Tiffany Webb, sixth-grade teacher

"Today was a success for sixth grade! The students were all here and excited about their new classrooms. I actually heard one student walk into class and say, 鈥榃ow!鈥� They really enjoyed the collaborative spaces, and the new playground was definitely a hit. The boys couldn't stop talking about playing basketball on the new court at recess. Our sixth-grade team was truly grateful for a smooth start to the second semester, and we hope to have an amazing remainder of the year!"

Evelyn Navarro-Gaspar, principal

"Today was such a great first day of school at the new Webb! All systems that were planned by our staff committee, from arrival to dismissal to lunch table arrangements, were successful. Most of our students knew where to go this morning as a result of our Sneak-a-Peek in December. Their faces in the pictures tell it all! Excitement, surprise, happiness and many more emotions were felt today by staff and students. It truly was a great beginning at our new home! I am extremely grateful for all of the support from my staff, parents and district!"

NEW WEBB

The new Webb, a state-of-the-art two-story school, is right next to the old Webb, which will be demolished later this year. The new 102,375 square-foot facility features four to five classrooms for each grade (pre-K-6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, a special education motor lab, two playgrounds and much more.

Webb is the first of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond, an effort to modernize the district鈥檚 schools and revitalize their neighborhoods. It鈥檚 all about providing generations of students with the opportunities they need to succeed in the 21^st听century. In addition to Webb, a new Berry and new Thornton elementary are also under construction, slated to open for the 2023-24 school year. Finally, Carter Junior High will be replaced with a new building at a new location 鈥� the site of the former Knox Elementary (and now the temporary Thornton).

SAME PEOPLE

Even with an incredible new building, Webb鈥檚 greatest asset is still its people, past and present.

鈥淚 think the most important thing is understanding that really the kids, the people, the staff 鈥� that鈥檚 what makes a school,鈥� Cavazos said. 鈥淭he culture that Webb has and the expectations they have and the excellence they have really drive the school.鈥�

The students understand that, too.

As sixth-grader Riley T. made her way into the new school for the first time on Tuesday, she admitted she was a a little nervous.

鈥淚 was kind of scared,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut then my brother said, 鈥業t鈥檚 ok, it鈥檚 still the same people.鈥�

It is still the same people, with the same love and the same commitment to students and education. But now they have a building to match.

The 2019 Bond is doing a lot more than building four schools. Learn about all the bond projects at听aisd.net/bond听from new playgrounds to new school buses.

Construction passes halfway mark

It鈥檚 been one year since the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 broke ground on two replacement elementary schools 鈥� new buildings for Berry and Thornton elementary schools.

On those two December 2021 mornings, there was nothing but chairs and a podium for the groundbreaking ceremonies. The sites where Berry and Thornton had once stood were empty. The original Berry 鈥� built in 1955 鈥� and Thornton 鈥� built in 1956 鈥� had been demolished to make way for the new construction funded by the 2019 Bond.

But they are empty lots no longer. Now construction is more than halfway complete. Current work includes installing windows, roofing, running utilities in the ceiling and setting the roof-top HVAC units, among other tasks.

The rainy fall hasn鈥檛 helped, but both schools are looking good and on track to open for next school year.

The New Berry

The future Berry is one of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond, an effort to modernize the district鈥檚 schools and revitalize their neighborhoods. It鈥檚 all about providing generations of students with the opportunities they need to succeed in the 21st century.

鈥淲e are excited about what this is going to bring to our community,鈥� Berry principal Rose Ravin said, 鈥渘ot just for our district but especially in our east Arlington area. We know this building will provide opportunities for our east Arlington students. We are excited because they will be a part of making new history, new memories, new learning, new designs and new creations.鈥�

The new two-story school building with nearly 105,000 square-feet will feature five classrooms for each grade (pre-K-6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor areas and more.

鈥淚t鈥檚 for you,鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos told fourth-grade Berry students at the groundbreaking ceremony last December. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for your future. We know that if you have the right spaces and the right environment and the right teachers, nothing can stop you.鈥�

.

The New Thornton

鈥淭he 2019 Bond is allowing us to transform our district with rebuilding four of our schools that need it most,鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 trustee Kecia Mays said at 罢丑辞谤苍迟辞苍鈥檚 groundbreaking ceremony last December. 鈥淭he new school at Thornton is part of our plan for east Arlington that is transforming all of our schools in the area to make sure every student gets an outstanding education in a facility designed to inspire and promote learning.鈥�

The new 105,000-square-foot Thornton will include five classrooms for each grade (pre-K-6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces and more.

Outdoor spaces include a new entry plaza with a canopy, an outdoor learning courtyard, a paved court for basketball and a play field.

And don鈥檛 forget the two new playgrounds. According to Thornton principal Alicia Rodriguez, that鈥檚 what many of the students are most excited about.

Wednesday night was all about the memories.

鈥淲e have lots of good memories,鈥� said Alejandro Contreas, surrounded by several friends.

The Lamar High School grad was back at Webb Elementary School, his old stomping ground, for Webb鈥檚 Last Homecoming.

The current Webb Elementary building 鈥� built in 1960 as Nichols Junior High and later converted to Webb in 1993 鈥� is about to be demolished. The school is moving next door into a new, state-of-the-art facility in January. Everyone is excited for the new school, funded by the 2019 Bond and under construction for the last couple of years.

But Wednesday night was about the old building, old memories, childhood friends and former teachers. It was one last chance for Webb and Nichols alumni and staff to walk the halls and reminisce.

鈥淲e've had many people reach out through social media and email about having an opportunity to see or tour the building one last time before it's demolished,鈥� said Webb principal Evelyn Navarro-Gaspar. 鈥淭he building has a lot of history 鈥� so we knew it would be important to open our doors for one last tour! We saw many guests having special reunions with teachers and classmates after decades.鈥�

After a brief ceremony in the cafeteria, the standing-room-only crowd spread out through the building, peaking in classrooms, wandering the halls, taking selfies, reuniting with friends and telling stories.

In the gym, former Webb students found their handprints painted on the walls. One even Facetimed in buddies and pointed out their old handprints.

鈥淚 came to see my handprint 鈥� very good memories,鈥� said Yazmin Guerrero, now a Lamar grad and nail technician in Arlington.

In the library, a table held photographs from decades past.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the boy I had a crush on!鈥� a woman said as she picked up a photo.

鈥淲e came from Mexico in 1996 and this was my first school,鈥� said Yessica Araiza as she looked at photos and reminisced. She lived right across the street from the school and attended from first through sixth grade.

鈥淚 loved it,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y whole childhood is right here.鈥�

Built on love

The reason she loved it 鈥� and the reason so many came to the Last Homecoming 鈥� was because of the people and their love that have made Webb the special place it is.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 never changed are the people,鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said in the opening ceremony. 鈥淭hey love Webb 鈥� Forever it will be that love that holds it together.鈥�

But even with all the love, the Webb building is old and ready to be replaced.

鈥淵ou come to a point where it鈥檚 time to start over,鈥� Cavazos said.

It鈥檚 been a dream for many years to have a new Webb, Cavazos reminded the crowd. The school was built as a junior high. How nice would it be to have a school actually built as an elementary? Or a school where you could actually find the front entrance.

After decades of dreaming, the dream is almost a reality.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time to have a facility that reflects our investment in the community,鈥� Cavazos said.

What鈥檚 next?

Before they move at the end of the semester, there鈥檚 one more thing to do.

Locate the time capsule.

Webb assistant principal Brian Gomez ended the ceremony with a question.

鈥淚f anyone knows where the time capsule is, please let us know.鈥�

Searches have been fruitless so far.

But someone in the crowd raised their hand. 鈥淚t鈥檚 by the flagpole.鈥�

鈥淒oes anyone have a metal detector,鈥� Gomez joked. But he promised to look 鈥� or dig 鈥� there.听

After that, it鈥檒l be time to move. Teachers will start moving their things as soon as school gets out this month. Then, after the winter break, the students will officially start school in their new building 鈥� the new Webb Elementary.

All 5,300 security cameras at the more than 90 buildings in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 are being replaced, and hundreds more are being added, thanks to the 2019 Bond. The district will have around 7,000 by the end of the bond program.

Better Cameras

Just as important as the growing number of cameras is the capabilities of the new cameras.

鈥淭he difference is night and day,鈥� said Roderick Watkins, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 manager of safety and security services, about the contrast between the old cameras and the new ones.

Everything is better: the clarity of the picture, the colors, the range and analytics. Some cameras even have a mic and sound detection.

Watkin鈥檚 team visits each campus, along with 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 security and industry specialists. Together they walk the facility and site and consult with the school鈥檚 administrators. From that, they develop a map and plan for the best surveillance. Depending on the spaces and needs, they select from several types of cameras to install:

• Multi-sensor camera with three or four cameras in one unit
• Fixed dome camera
• 360-degree fisheye camera
• Compact dome with audio
• PTZ 鈥� pan and tilt camera with zoom

Video Management System

It鈥檚 not just the cameras that are upgrading the district鈥檚 surveillance system. The district is also installing a new video management system (VMS) for the cameras.

A VMS is the system that all the cameras feed into. It collects and stores all the cameras鈥� images and provides an interface for the images to be displayed.

The new VMS is a significant upgrade over the old system. The old system was composed of proprietary network video recorders (NVRs) that were only compatible with specific cameras. The new system is vendor agnostic and is compatible with most camera manufacturers. The new system is flexible enough to run in either a physical or virtual environment, giving the district very scalable options.

Security Upgrade

The new cameras and VMS are much more than just technology upgrades. They鈥檙e all about the district鈥檚 goal to provide a modern, robust video surveillance infrastructure environment to enhance the safety and security at every campus.

鈥淗aving a robust video surveillance platform is a very crucial part of our emergency operations,鈥� said David Stevens, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 director of security. 鈥淲e need to be able to direct our first responders immediately to any incident that may occur. Our security team members assigned to the campuses, patrol and our security operations center, as well as our campus administrators, are trained to utilize the system during an emergency in order to provide real-time, tactical intelligence to our first responders. In times of crisis, seconds count and having a quality video surveillance platform will allow us to help our first responders have a faster and more successful response.鈥� 听

Install Status

The is being implemented over five years, and the new cameras are getting installed at every campus in five phases. The first two phases, which included 41 campuses, are already complete.

Phase three, with 20 campuses, is currently in progress. The first two schools in phase three, Key and Morton elementary schools, are complete, and seven others are targeted for completion by the end of the year, including Lamar High School, Ferguson Education Center and Johns, Key, Butler, Corey and Larson elementary schools. Arlington High School is also getting their new cameras in conjunction with the Bond 2019 construction project there.

The wait is over

Back in August, Ditto Elementary students鈥� excitement for the new school year was tempered by a significant concern.

Their playgrounds had been closed and were about to be demolished. The students knew that new playgrounds would be built to replace the old, but they weren鈥檛 sure the new ones would be worth the wait.

鈥淲hy does there have to be a new playground?鈥� a first grader asked 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos when he visited Ditto on the first day of school.

Cavazos explained that the new playgrounds would be better than their old ones, with shade structures and soft surfaces.

鈥淣o more rocks?!鈥� one student asked about the pea gravel.

No more rocks.

鈥淲hoopee!鈥� one shouted.

Worth it

After what surely seemed like a long wait for the students, the new playgrounds at Ditto finally opened last week. And the rocks are indeed gone.

The wait was worth it.

鈥淥ur Ditto Rangers and families are so very excited for the opening of our new playground,鈥� Ditto principal Bel Williams said. 鈥淥ur pre-K students were the first to enjoy all the fun!鈥�

The new playgrounds at Ditto are part of the听2019 Bond听program. Every elementary school is getting two 鈥� one for pre-K through first grade, and the other for second through sixth grade. The playgrounds include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make their own color selections.

Three phases

The playgrounds are getting installed at all 53 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 elementary schools in three phases. The first phase, with 17 schools, is already complete. Ditto is the third school in phase two to open the new playgrounds. Crow Leadership Academy was the first, and Wimbish World Language Academy was the second.

Work is also underway at several other schools in phase two, with more beginning soon.

• Webb Elementary鈥檚 new playgrounds are nearly complete and will open when the new building opens at the beginning of 2023.
• The concrete, shade structures and equipment are in at the new Jones Academy playgrounds.听They鈥檒l be ready soon.
• The concrete is in at Fitzgerald Elementary鈥檚 new playgrounds, and the equipment installation should be done soon.
• At Farrell Elementary, demolition of the old playground is complete, and the concrete has been poured. The new playground equipment is on site and will be installed soon.
• Work is just beginning at Burgin Elementary, and the demolition is complete. The playground equipment is on site and ready for install once the concrete is done.
• At Morton Elementary, work on the new playgrounds is just getting started.

Work will begin throughout the fall at most of the other phase two schools as well: Dunn, Hill, Blanton, Rankin and Patrick elementary schools. Kooken Education Center and Butler and Sherrod elementary schools will begin in January. All the new phase two playgrounds are scheduled to be completed by early 2023.

Following phase two, construction will start on the third and final phase. Phase three includes Adams, Amos, Atherton, Berry, Foster, Goodman, Hale, Johns, Key, Little, McNutt, Miller, Peach, Pope, Short, South Davis, Speer, Swift and Thornton.