New School Year Begins
Back To School Section
The eight new schools replaced several schools that were old and had low attendance."It is simply inefficient to continue to operate large, older schools," Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra said.Some people were not happy with the changes. State Rep. Harold Dutton said more than 40 percent of elementary students in his district now have to be bused to other parts of town."We'd rather have a school building that is not good than to have no school building," Dutton said.The new elementary schools include Mamie Sue Bastian, Briargrove, Blanche Bruce, Dora Lantrip, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ruby Thompson, Walnut Bend and Thomas J. Pilgrim Academy."Everything is brand new so we have to think about everything," Pilgrim Academy Principal Diana Castillo said. "New fire drill plans, everything is new."Parents said they were happy that their children were attending classes at the new campuses."It's really big. Everything's new," mother Kimberly Humphrey said. "It's really good. I like it."Students were very excited to start at a nice, clean school."Our old school is kind of like, old and moldy and stuff," Briargrove Elementary student Max Levay said. "We're glad that we're going to be in a new school."
Many students will ride to school on new buses. The district spent nearly $9 million on 130 buses.Drivers got up early and went to the bus barns to inspect their buses before rolling out to pick up students.Barbara Lotts has been driving for about 10 years. She said she is prepared for nervous parents with children riding the bus for the first time."I just tell them your baby's going to be OK, we're going to take care of them," Lotts said. "Safety is our first priority."About 35,000 HISD students ride the bus each day.Drivers said things went smoothly during the morning rush."They stayed in their seats and talked to each other, but they were very excited," driver Gyuler Green said.Bus behavior rules have changed this year. Bad behavior on the bus and at the bus stop now carries the same consequences."Students don't get a freebie anymore just because they’re at the bus stop and the bus isn't there," said Aaron Hobbs with the district's transportation department.Houston police were out in force in school zones. Several drivers received tickets for exceeding the 20 mph limit in school zones."Citations can go up to $300 plus court costs," Sgt. A.J. Washington said. "It's not about the citation, it's the safety of the kids and the parents that are walking the kids to school."Parents with questions about anything that involves HISD were encouraged to call the district's hotline at 713-556-8900. The line is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Bend ISD Students Return To School
The Fort Bend County Independent School District opened four new elementary schools and a middle school. Included in the list of new school were Rosa Parks Elementary, Cornerstone Elementary, Mary Austin Holley Elementary and David Crockett Middle School.The district is preparing students to enter a global society. Classrooms at the new E.A. Jones Elementary were equipped with data projectors and computers.The new schools opened just in time, as an additional 2,000 students enrolled in classes.Students at Edgar Glover Jr. Elementary were welcomed back with a backpack filled with new supplies to start the year off right."Our students are ready from the very first day of school," Glover Elementary Principal Vanda Washington said. "They have the supplies they need to start the year. That means a lot."Fort Bend ISD elementary students were reminded to pack their sneakers as part of the district's physical education requirement. Students were required to bring rubber-soled shoes with them daily if they do not wear them to school.Motorists were reminded to slow down in school zones and stop when students are getting on and off buses.
Some Schools Delay Start
Some students got a little extension to their summer vacation. Some districts decided to stagger the first days depending on grade while other campuses were not ready for students.Kingwood High School students were supposed to begin classes Monday, but the first day was pushed back to Wednesday to allow teachers to get their classrooms ready after construction at the school. All other Humble Independent School District campuses opened on Monday.Slideshow: Kingwood High School Renovations
Freshman students in the Pasadena School District were the only ones required to start school Monday. All other students were scheduled to report on Tuesday.Most Galveston Independent High School students lucked out and got an extra day off. Students in kindergarten through ninth grade started on Monday, but high school sophomores, juniors and seniors did not have to return until Tuesday. Construction delays prevented Austin Middle School from opening until Sept. 10. Students will attend the former San Jacinto Elementary school until Austin opens.



















A U.S. Army hospital spokesman says the man suspected in a deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, is conscious and able to talk.
A mother talks about the loss of her sons who died in a plane crash with their grandfather, KPRC Local 2 reports.
A man is arrested and charged in connection with his 81-year-old grandfather's death, KPRC Local 2 reports.
Police find a woman dead inside a northeast Houston business after customers couldn't find anyone at the front desk, KPRC Local 2 reports.
A construction project causes traffic troubles on part of one of the country's busiest interstates for months, KPRC Local 2 reports.
Nov. 9, 2009: A mother talks about the loss of her sons who died in a plane crash with their grandfather. ReShonda Tate Billingsley reports.
Anthony Yanez
One of 2 police officers who confronted the alleged Fort Hood killer says he shot Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan before kicking the man's weapon away, handcuffing him and ending the nation's worst killing spree on a military base.
The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included several people who shared the same profession as the alleged shooter. Here is a look at the victims.
Check out the Houston Zoo for family fun for kids of all ages.
A soldier opened fire at a U.S. Army base in Fort Hood, Texas, on Thursday, unleashing a stream of gunfire that left 13 people dead and 31 wounded.
Viewers send their favorite pictures to KPRC Local 2 meteorologists to feature on air. Send your submission to hotshots@click2houston.com and watch Local 2 to see if it's picked.
A group of men is wanted in connection with at least 29 robberies of businesses throughout Houston, KPRC Local 2 reports.
















