And Pine Shadows students say that they will work just as hard in their classrooms to meet the promise of the new facility.
The new Pine Shadows Elementary, 9900 Neuens, is a two-story, 109,000-square-feet building with wide hallways, an airy, high-ceilinged library and curvy, curtain glass walls wrapped around two interior courtyards. The new school has 41 regular classrooms, in addition to rooms for dual-language, special education and fine arts instruction.
Pine Shadows is one of 13 elementary schools that will be rebuilt through the $597 million Bond Plan OK’d by district voters in 2007. Pine Shadows opened in 1955. Housman Elementary will open its new school later this year. Remaining schools in the design or construction phase include Frostwood, Valley Oaks and Rummel Creek elementaries.
The Oct. 2 Grand Opening for Pine Shadows was held in the new school cafeteria-auditorium. Superintendent of Schools Duncan F. Klussmann, Ed.D., delivered the welcoming remarks and introduced special guests. Honor Guard students with the Guthrie Center’s Navy Jr. ROTC program led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Joining the current members of the SBISD Board of Trustees were former Trustees Susan Kellner and Mary Grace Landrum. Trustees President Pam Goodson greeted guests on behalf of the Board.
She noted that the beautiful, state-of-art Pine Shadows building had its very own personality that reflected the partnership of school and community. Graphics are found throughout the new classrooms that reflect four habitats: ocean, rainforest, mountain and sky.
“What makes Pine Shadows special is the habitat theme that runs throughout the building. Each classroom is a habitat and each grade level is a habitat. By definition, a habitat is a home and a home is a place where someone feels safe, loved and supported. This is the true beauty of Pine Shadows. Everyone has his or her place, and each person feels safe, supported and loved,” Trustee Goodson said. (Read full remarks below.)
She was then followed by Rep. Dwayne Bohac, (R-138th District), who extolled the new school building, thanked district taxpayers for supporting the rebuilding program, and exhorted current Pine Shadows students to live up to high standards. He presented the principal with a flag flown at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
“This is a beautiful facility. I want to thank the taxpayers for this very wonderful school. This new building is like a great new resource. But you have to add hard work to this new resource. Students, please remember these two word, if nothing else, from today: ‘Hard work!’”
Rep. Bohac complimented district leaders and described SBISD as “the greatest school district in the State of Texas.” He then returned his attention to students, asking members of the Pine Shadows Elementary Honor Choir if they recalled those two words that he had mentioned earlier. Pine Shadows choir students exclaimed, “Hard work!”
During her remarks, Principal Alexia Greiner talked about the journey that staff and students had taken after the new school design was approved in early 2011. The campus was housed for a year at the district’s West Transition Site, located on the old Westwood Elementary campus.
“The most amazing feeling I experienced during the whole process was seeing the joy on the faces of the students and staff when they entered the (new) building for the first time in August and the pride they showed on their faces,” she said. “My heart swells with emotion whenever I think of those moments.” (Read full remarks below.)
Fifth-grader Kency Carabantes, winner of a school essay contest, read her essay in English and Spanish. Pine Shadows supports a successful dual-language program.
“I’m very proud to be part of the new Pine Shadows Elementary. Our new building is big and beautiful. But that is not what makes it special. The teachers and the students are the ones that make it joyful, colorful and complement the (new) school,” Kency said. (Read full remarks below.)
In addition to a video presentation, the school’s Honor Choir performed The Star Spangled Banner and the campus song, Pine Shadows Proud.
Special guests who attended the Grand Opening included former Pine Shadows Principals Kaye Harper and Susan Smith, District A Houston City Council Member Helena Brown, and former City Council Member Brenda Stardig.
SHW Architects provided building design services. Brookstone was the project contractor. SBISD Planning and Construction’s Richard Skalski was the project director. Planning and Construction Director Terry Bell handled related issues. Refreshments were served and students led guests on campus tours.
Board Greetings SBISD Board of Trustees President Pam Goodson
Each grand opening is special because each school in this district is different from the other. Schools are a lot like people. They each have their own personality, and Pine Shadows is no exception. As you walk the halls of Pine Shadows, you’ll notice the incredible media center housing the newest technology to inspire our young learners and you’ll also see the beautiful new outdoor learning area where students and teachers work collaboratively, learning together.
The cafeteria is beautiful, the building design is exceptional, and the science lab is state of the art. But what makes Pine Shadows special is the habitat theme that runs throughout the building. Each classroom is a habitat and each grade level is a habitat. By definition, a habitat is a home and a home is a place where someone feels safe, loved and supported. This is the true beauty of Pine Shadows. Everyone has his or her place, and each person feels safe, supported and loved.
The mascot of the Pine Shadows is the Explorer. Do I have any students in the audience who want to be explorers when they grow up? The truth is, we all grow up to be explorers. Everyone in this room right now is searching for something. You may be a teacher searching for the perfect lesson, a student searching for the perfect book to read, or a parent searching for the right way to support and encourage your child to be the best he or she can be.
My hope is that each and every one of you finds what you are searching for. Students, while you are here at Pine Shadows, I hope that you will explore the opportunities that this new facility offers to you and make the very best of your years as a Pine Shadows Explorer.
Principal’s Remarks Alexia Greiner, Pine Shadows Elementary
While reflecting on what I was planning to say this afternoon, I thought about the process we went through to get here today. I can’t believe it was just two years ago in May that we began meeting with SHW Group (Architects) to design this beautiful building. We were fortunate that the Board of Trustees gave us the flexibility to be creative in how we designed the building, and we appreciate their generosity.
The Board of Trustees graciously approved the design in Spring 2011, and by May our campus was a sea of yellow crates and boxes. I will never forget the last day when staff was on campus in June 2011. We watched the doors literally being removed from the building while we were preparing to leave and the demolition process beginning. I can remember feeling very strange leaving without locking my door, only to realize that there was no office door to be locked anymore.
While waiting to move in to our new building, we resided at the West Transition Campus and watched patiently as our contractor, Brookstone, made our design into a reality. It was an exciting feeling watching the building grow from a two-dimensional design to see what you see today. Only second to that feeling was seeing those yellow crates last May, and knowing we were getting even closer to the end of the project.
But the most amazing feeling I experienced during the whole process was seeing the joy on the faces of the students and staff when they entered the building for the first time in August and the pride that they showed on their faces. My heart swells with emotion whenever I think of those moments.
We were fortunate to be able to work with SHW and Brookstone. Both companies were dedicated to and believed in our vision of creating an environment where the community felt welcomed and a part of our students’ learning experience. They put their heart and soul into developing this building. It shows in every nook and cranny.
While you’re exploring the building this afternoon, you will see how our four habitats – the Ocean, Rainforest, Mountains and the Sky – form the larger community of Pine Shadows. Enjoy a walk through our high-tech library. Meander through our open courtyards. Check out the lively gym. View the many animal graphics throughout the building. Just explore and take pleasure in the uniqueness that is Pine Shadows.
Essay Contest Winner Kency Carabantes, 5th Grade
Proud to Belong to Pine Shadows Elementary
I am very proud to be part of the new Pine Shadows Elementary. Our new building is big and beautiful. But that is not what makes it special. The teachers and the students are the ones that make it joyful, colorful and complement the school altogether. The enormous glass windows where we can appreciate the different habitats and the elegant stairs are a small detail compared to all the fun we are going to enjoy this school year.
It is sad that fifth grade is going to enjoy Pine Shadows Elementary for just one year; but it is wonderful that we are the first class to graduate from this extraordinary school. We are EXPORERS! Therefore, we have the responsibility to maintain Pine Shadows Elementary sparkling clean. Here we are always learning a great deal and, with the help of the staff, we will be motivated to come to school every day prepared to learn. School gets more interesting as days go by. I hope that this school lasts for many more years as the old Pine Shadows Elementary so that many generations of children will come, learn and realize that what I am saying is the honest truth.
Orgullo de pertenecer a Pine Shadows Elementary
Yo estoy muy orgullosa de ser parte de la nueva escuela Pine Shadows Elementary. Nuestro Nuevo edificio es muy grande y hermoso, pero eso no es solo lo que lo hace especial, los maestros y los estudiantes son los que le dan color, alegria y completan la escuela. Las enormes ventanas de vidrio por las cuáles podemos apreciar los diferantes habitats, y las escaleras elegantes son un pequeño detalles comparador con la gran diversion que tendremos este año escolar.
Es triste que los estudiantes de quinto grado solo puedan disfrutar de Pine Shadows un año, pero es maravilloso que seamos el primer grupo que logre graduarse de esta escuela extraordinaria. Todos en la escuela somos ¡EXPLORADORES! Por lo tanto tenemos la responsabilidad de mantener a Pine Shadows Elementary limpia y reluciente. Aquí aprendemos mucho y con la ayuda del personal docente estaremos motivados a venir a la escuela todos los días y lista para aprender. La escuela se pone interesante cada día. Espero que la escuela dure muchos años más que la anterior para que muchas generaciones de niños vengan, aprendan y se convenzan de que lo que digo es totalmente la verdad.