Faith Volunteers Create New Parent Center at Spring Woods Middle

Bill Stubbs, Debbi Silber and Dr. Scott Muri, SBISD Superintendent of Schools

By early next month, families at Spring Woods Middle School will be enjoying a new Parent Center thanks to volunteers at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (MDPC) and the eye for stylish detail of renowned interior designer Bill Stubbs.

The latest church volunteer project at the middle school follows the redesign and renovation of the campus teachers’ lounge six years ago. MDPC volunteers have shown unflagging commitment and caring to families through the Impact student mentoring program and related school projects.

In advance of the school opening on Aug. 24, for example, dozens of volunteers showed up once again to roll locker combinations and help teachers and staff be prepared for another new school year.
Spring Woods Middle School, located at 9810 Neuens, is projected to enroll 900 or more students this fall. Principal Debbi Silber is the school’s new top leader.

The new Parent Center is now under construction. At completion, an empty, old and dingy workshop on the north side of the campus will be transformed into an attractive parent and community meeting area and modern learning space.

New paint brightens what was described by one volunteer as “prison” walls. On the floor, colorful rugs and comfortable chairs donated by Gallery Furniture will soon be displayed. Big work tables for small group tasks and computer trainings should make this room a popular one. English language instruction is planned at the campus, which includes many first-generation families.

Project leaders include church program coordinator Mary Card, a retired Spring Branch ISD Community Relations administrator, and Bill Stubbs, who has won national and international renown for his interior designs. His rooms have been photographed for Architectural Digest magazine and he hosted the PBS weekly show, A Moment of Luxury. He works for Gallery Furniture today.

“We had done the teachers’ lounge several years ago. We made it a place where teachers just knew that we loved them. We wanted to do something similar here with parents. The idea was to create a space where they’re comfortable,” Stubbs said.

An active church member, Stubbs said that his own success in life has made him want to help others. “I’m blessed,” he said. “I’ve traveled all over the world, and have wonderful things in my own life, but doing this kind of work makes my life that much more wonderful.”

Church program coordinator Mary Card has given countless hours back to Spring Woods Middle. This new Parent Center has been a long held dream. “Our church has been involved in this school for many years and my passion is making parents engaged. We wanted a special place where all parents would want to come,” Card said. “We wish it was ready today, but we know it will be ready very soon.”

MDPC volunteer Ray Young has painted walls and done basic carpentry. On the first day of school this week, Young was preparing to cut out formica counter top forms for new work tables. “I enjoy this,” said the veteran volunteer who helped create the new teachers’ lounge years ago.

New SBISD Superintendent Scott Muri, Ed.D., toured the construction space on Monday, Aug. 24, one of many stops on his first day as superintendent.

Later this year, the new Parent Center is expected to offer programs ranging from ESL and GED classes to “Come and Learn” sessions and special workshops.

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First Day By The Numbers: Spring Woods Middle School’s New Parent Center & Volunteers 

• 848 Spring Woods Middle students attended school on the First Day 
• 87 Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (MDPC) mentors volunteered last year 
• 30 minutes a week for each IMPACT student mentoring session is scheduled 
• 65 MDPC volunteers took part in Fixer Upper Work Day on Saturday, Aug. 15