SPRING ISD

Spring Independent School District Superintendent Rodney E. Watson announced that he will accept a new role with the Texas Association of School Boards as deputy executive director, effective in January 2022, the district announced Thursday.

Spring, Texas – Spring Independent School District announced in an October 14 news release that Superintendent Dr. Rodney Watson will be leaving Spring ISD to begin a new role with the Texas Association of School Boards as deputy executive director, effective January 2022. Watson entered his current role as district superintendent in July 2014 after serving as Chief Human Resources Officer for Houston ISD. The Spring ISD website lists some of his many achievements over the last seven years, including spearheading developments in early-childhood and special education, improving student data management, and implementing new-teacher and postsecondary preparedness programs. Spring ISD Board President Rhonda Newhouse has said that he is leaving big shoes to fill. Watson is quoted in the announcement saying, “I am deeply proud of all we have accomplished together as a team in Spring ISD for the benefit of the more than 33,000 students we serve every day.

A Spring ISD mother is upset and concerned after she says an officer at Westfield High School choke slammed her son and held him on the ground for two minutes.

Spring, Texas – All local school districts have announced that they will be closed on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 due to the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Nicholas. Klein ISD, Spring ISD, Tomball ISD, and Conroe ISD have all announced closures for Tuesday. In addition to the closure, all after-school activities on Monday have also been cancelled. Classes are preliminary scheduled to resume on Wednesday, September 15 unless further cancellations are deemed necessary.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday that he filed lawsuits against multiple Texas school districts, including <a href="https://www.springisd.org/SpringISD" target="_blank">Spring Independent School District</a> and <a href="https://www.gisd.org/explore-gisd/covid-19" target="_blank">Galveston Independent School District</a>.

Here are things to know for Thursday, August 26:

A Spring ISD bus driver that doesn’t want to be identified said he had the ride of his life while trying to pick up students from Wells Middle School Friday morning.

Spring ISD is rolling out a new transportation system on their buses to track students.

Spring ISD superintendent announced Tuesday evening that a mask mandate will be in effect for all 35,000 students and staff when school begins on Monday, Aug. 16.

More than 100,000 students at Spring ISD and Conroe ISD will return to dozens of campuses in person in the coming days without the most obvious COVID-19 protocols.

Spring ISD has been awarded $8.5 million in grant funding from the Texas Education Agency to continue its 21st Century after-school program at 10 select campuses for the next five years.

A Houston mother was killed in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday while sitting outside of a hotel patio, according to officials.

Spring, Texas – Spring ISD recently announced their Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the Class of 2021’s upcoming graduations at its five high school campuses. The five different campuses are Dekaney High School, Spring Early College Academy, Spring High School, Westfield High School and Carl Wunsche Sr. High School which will begin holding graduations on June 4th through the 5th at Planet Ford Stadium. “We are incredibly proud of our vals and sals who worked so hard to earn these coveted ranks,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Rodney E. Watson in a recent announcement “Any student who is named val or sal has had to challenge themselves throughout high school by taking the most difficult classes and then excelling in them. I applaud their impressive academic accomplishment and am confident that they will continue to achieve great things after graduation.”To celebrate these students, the district will be holding a special recognition banquet on Tuesday, May 25 at the Randall Reed Center. This event will include a special video remark from Westfield High school alumni and actor Chris LeBlac.

Teaching during this pandemic has been anything but easy.

Spring, Texas – Every year, Spring ISD hosts a Rodeo Art Show for all district students. The yearly tradition starts in the fall of the school year when students begin creating their rodeo art pieces. Rodeo Art submissions can go on to the NRG Stadium as part of the ‘s next level competition’s next level. The virtual art show is available to the public until April 8. Click here to visit the district’s virtual art show.

One of the best in the business is retiring in Willie Amendola of Spring ISD. He won a state title in 2011 with an upstart Dekaney Wildcats program before overseeing athletics on a macro level as the district's athletic director. Heck, he oversaw the construction of Planet Ford Stadium in Spring - a state-of-the-art facility on the north side of Houston. The name is synonymous with football all the way up to the NFL as his son Danny Amendola won multiple Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Amendola to talk about his career and his love of the game.

School districts in the greater Houston region have begun to announce campus closures on Monday ahead of icy weather that is forecast to begin creeping into the area this weekend. Houston, Alief, Sheldon, Deer Park, Spring, Livingston ISDs, and Lamar and Goose Creek CISDs, announced they would pivot to online-only work and learning on Monday and Tuesday, and that campuses will be closed for all in-person instruction on those days.

SPRING, Texas – Westfield High School’s Ninth Grade Center in the Spring Independent School District opened it’s doors Tuesday, a day that has been a year-and-a-half in the making. Educators said the school district spared no expense. “They gave us the ‘wow’ factor.”“The building beats my expectations with what I thought could actually happen with this space,” said David Mason Jr., Westfield High School and Ninth Grade Center Principal. Since high schools in the district are so big, educators said this center is a great way to make sure the transition to high school for freshmen is easier while helping them build a foundation for success. “Kids who typically do well in ninth grade do well throughout high school.”The school will be hosting a virtual town hall soon to introduce the new center and ensure a smooth transition for students and parents.

Spring, Texas – Spring ISD is mourning the loss of former Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Gordon M. Anderson, who passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 11. During his time leading the district, Anderson accomplished many educational goals, launched a number of new Spring ISD schools, and saw the district achieve both state and national recognitions, including several related to outstanding financial reporting. He is credited for his adaptation of a five-year educational plan, a strategic planning process still used in Spring ISD. “His history of service to Spring ISD left a lasting impact and still shapes how we approach the crucial work of public education today. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.”Source: Spring ISD

HOUSTON – Spring ISD is making sure students who are struggling with attendance and engagement are not left behind this semester. Spring ISD says they just want to make sure students have everything they needed in order to succeed. Many students say the initiative was much needed because they were able to ask questions and talk to school leaders. The primary focus will be high school students, who either have a high number of absences or are at a high risk of failure for this semester. Students say it feels good to know that Spring ISD wants them to be successful.

SPRING – Spring ISD launches a door-to-door campaign to get students either back in school or in front of their computers again at home. “And offer them the support that they need to be successful this year.”District administrators said they plan to reach 500 families in Spring ISD over a three-hour period. The primary focus will be high school students, who either have a high number of absences or are at a high risk of failure for this semester. “I love that because now it’s showing the passion the administrators have for the kids, even for the parents,” said Spring ISD parent Shamal Peets. Many believed the parents need the visit as much as the students.

Spring, Texas – Spring ISD announced Tuesday evening that the district would be canceling in-person learning for the second day in a row due to “hazardous weather” conditions. The district says they will be learning and working remotely on Wednesday, September 23. Teachers will provide virtual instruction and all staff will work from home. Klein, Tomball, and Conroe ISD’s say they will make a determination after their call with Harris County Officials early Wednesday morning.

Spring, Texas (Spring ISD) With the first day of remote learning for Spring ISD on Aug. 17, the districts Child Nutrition Department will again offer curbside meals to ensure all students have the nutrition they need. For at least the first four weeks of school or through Sept. 11, meals will be available for curbside pickup at all Spring ISD elementary schools except Clark Intermediate. Here are some important details: Parents/Guardians may pick up meals at any elementary location, regardless of their childs grade. Meals are for Spring ISD students only. Source: Spring ISD

SPRING, Texas Parents and students lined up at several schools in two Houston-area school districts to receive devices that will make learning from home easier in the new school year. Schools administrators from the Galena Park Independent School District and the Spring Independent School District passed out Chromebooks and chargers ahead of the 2020-21 school year. The district said it could be until late August event September before elementary and student middle school students can pick up their equipment. On Monday, the district passed out hundreds of Chromebooks, chargers and school supplies to middle school students at several drive-thru locations throughout the district. The district said elementary school students will be able to pick-up their equipment on Aug. 13 and 14.

The football stars of Houston were socially-distanced and masked-up as we hosted the 2020 VYPE Houston Football Photo Shoot powered by Whataburger. Over 300 of the city's top players attended shoots at Spring Branch's Tully Stadium, Sheldon ISD's Panther Stadium and Spring ISD's Planet Ford Stadium. A special thanks to Athletic Directors Paige Hershey, Willie Amendola and Derek Fitzhenry for making this photo shoot a reality for the athletes. Check out the behind the scenes video below! Click here to visit your local Whataburger and make sure to check out #WhataSnap.

The football stars of Houston were socially-distanced and masked-up as we hosted the 2020 VYPE Houston Football Photo Shoot powered by Whataburger. Over 300 of the city's top players attended shoots at Spring Branch's Tully Stadium, Sheldon ISD's Panther Stadium and Spring ISD's Planet Ford Stadium. A special thanks to Athletic Directors Paige Hershey, Willie Amendola and Derek Fitzhenry for making this photo shoot a reality for the athletes. Check out the behind the scenes video below! Click here to visit your local Whataburger and make sure to check out #WhataSnap.

SPRING, Texas – A Spring Independent School District principal is facing a domestic assault charge, according to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office. Northgate Crossing Elementary School Principal Kristi Brown was arrested last week after investigators responded to a family violence call, officials said. According to investigators Brown is accused of hitting a male victim, striking him with her hand. Spring ISD issued the following statement in response to KPRC 2′s request for comment:“We’re aware of her arrest. We will monitor all legal proceedings related to this matter.”Brown was not removed from her position as principal at Northgate Crossing Elementary School as of Tuesday evening.

The football stars of Houston were socially-distanced and masked-up as VYPE hosted it's 2020 Football Photo Shoot powered by Whataburger. Over 300 of the city's top players attended shoots at Spring Branch's Tully Stadium, Sheldon ISD's Panther Stadium and Spring ISD's Planet Ford Stadium. A special thanks to ADs Paige Hershey, Willie Amendola and Derek Fitzhenry for making this photo shoot a reality for the athletes. Check out some of our best #WhataSnaps! (Photos by Bradley Collier / VYPE Media)Click here to visit your local Whataburger and make sure to check out #WhataSnap.

The fictional story follows a kid named Matt, who manages entering high school and starting on the varsity basketball team. He said the coronavirus pandemic gave him the time to finish a project on his mind finally. RJ Walker wants to try out for the Spring Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, as a trombone player, and the golf team. RJ Walker also has an idea of what he wants to do after graduating from high school. "I wasn't really writing when coronavirus started, but then my parents took me off all of the technology, and I started writing," RJ said.

Spring ISD is prepared to welcome back students this August. All buses will have strict social distancing protocols by having one child per seat. Social distancing: Strict social distancing guidelines will be followed. Sanitation protocols: Aside from deep sanitation protocols taking place every Wednesday, campuses will enhance everyday sanitation protocols and hygiene efforts through a variety of strategies. Spring ISD is committed to providing a quality education, as well as access to PVA, athletics, and Career and Technical... Posted by Spring ISD on Thursday, July 2, 2020Do you have questions about Spring ISD’s plan?

Houston Community College has already announced hybrid classes, and the Spring Independent School District announced Tuesday that is would be adopting a similar model. Spring ISD will give parents the chance to choose between two options when students return to classes: full-time online instruction or a hybrid model, which is a combination of both in-person and remote classes. They will do remote classes on Wednesday so their schools can be deep cleaned. What measures will Spring ISD take to make sure my child is safe while on campus? Spring ISD is also offering classes that are strictly remote, but they will differ from the classes students were taking during the closure at the start of the outbreak.

Despite receiving their diplomas, two recent graduates from Spring ISD’s Carl Wunsche Sr. High School couldn’t leave their work unfinished. Engineering student Dawn Ford was responsible for building the prosthetic model, while veterinary science student Shianne Koch worked to make sure that any design would be comfortable and safe for Tootsie. The project came to an unexpected halt after spring break when the students were unable to return to school due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Spring ISD, Tootsie’s right prosthetic requires some minor additional adjustment, but the left one fits well. At the fitting, the students took another set of measurements and said they intend to create the final prosthetics quickly.

HOUSTON – After revealing their 2020-2021 academic calendar late last month, Spring ISD’s Board of Trustees will introduce a few reopening scenarios during a June 30 special meeting. A spokesperson for Spring ISD said that the calendar has been approved already, with staggered breaks throughout the year based on TEA’s recommendations to accommodate possible disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a press release, the district will assemble teams to look into class configurations, instruction, student and staff support, nutrition and transportation issues. Spring ISD parents will receive a survey next week to give feedback on the new school calendar and possible reopening scenarios should an outbreak occur, whether schools reopen with strict social distancing measures or continue with distance learning, the release said. “Spring ISD has a strong commitment to offering opportunity and choice to our students and families,” said District Superintendent Rodney Watson.

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a calendar that includes 20 additional break days for the 2020-21 school year. The revised calendar for the upcoming school year includes extended breaks throughout the year, recommended by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in preparation for possible interruptions caused by the coronavirus. The intersessional calendar plans for students to start school on Aug. 17, and includes additional breaks occurring the week before or after regularly scheduled vacation times. During these breaks, seniors will participate in remote learning from home in order to graduate in May. “Spring ISD has a strong commitment to offering opportunity and choice to our students and families.

The 69th annual Spring Livestock sale online show and auction was held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The virtual auction was very successful,” Spring ISD Career and Technical Education Director Cynthia Williams said. “If Tri-Club had not used this platform, student projects would not have been sold. Auctions help fund future projects and, in the case of graduating seniors, their post-secondary education and career training goals. “Our community really came together for this, and it was kind of heartwarming,” Spring Tri-Club President Courtney Musterman said.

Despite the 2020 track and field season being cut short, there were still some amazing performances. VYPE has scoured the standings on MileSplit.com and have gathered the best of the best in each running category. Go crazy track nation and vote for the 2020 VYPE Houston Girls Jumper of the Year in this fan poll. The poll will close on Thursday, May 28 at 7 P.M! 2020 VYPE Houston Girls Jumper of the Year Fan Poll (Closes Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m.)

Spring ISD Early College Academy at Southridge has been named a 2020 Best High School, according to rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. Early College Academy ranks 305th nationwide and is considered one of the top 50 high schools in Texas, and ranks 14th in the Houston region. According to Spring ISD, this is the schools fifth year making the Best High Schools list since opening in 2011. Spring ISD Early College Academy at Southridge has been named a 2020 Best High School, according to rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. At Early College Academy the total minority enrollment is 87%, and 60% of students are economically disadvantaged, the publication reports.

Spring, Texas Spring and Klein ISDs have stepped up to the plate in an effort to help families with prepared meals during the Coronavirus crisis. Both districts announced today that they will be offering free curbside take-home meals to district families. According to Klein ISD, the district will provide free drive-thru or curbside meals at Klein Intermediate, Wunderlich Intermediate, Mittlestat Elementary, and Schultz Elementary between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 17th. Additionally, Spring ISD says they will provide meals available for pickup at select Spring ISD campuses between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. For more on COVID-19 and specific information related to your childs school district, please visit:Klein ISD: https://kleinisd.net/covid19Spring ISD: https://www.springisd.org/coronavirus

ExxonMobil shows Spring ISD girls how they can change the world | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: February 20, 2020, 4:03 pmHundreds of middle school girls from Spring ISD partnered with female volunteers from ExxonMobil at the ExxonMobil Girls Engineering Festival. The event was designed to spark girls’ interest about the field, build confidence in their problem-solving abilities, and show them that if they want to be an engineer, they can be. Students took on fun, interactive engineering challenges, and got to interview female ExxonMobil engineers about their experiences.

HOUSTON – Since 2015, KPRC Channel 2 has been awarding twenty scholarships to deserving high school seniors. The winning students and schools have been featured weekly in KPRC’s newscasts. Here are a few winners from 2019′s Senior Scholarships. Angela Chan - Westfield High School, Spring ISDNaya Edwards - North Shore Senior Highschool, Galena Park ISDWill Ashworth - Klein Forest Highschool, Klein ISDAndy Nguyen - Westside High School, Houston ISDMarcela Molina - Sharpstown International School, Houston ISDSavannah Lawerence - La Porte High School, La Porte ISDJared Hallmark - Dulles High School, Fort Bend ISDNishat Nabi - Cypress Ranch High School, Cy-Fair ISDIsaiah Osazuwa - Alief Taylor High Shcool, Alief ISD

Although some games have already been played there, people gathered at the new Spring ISD stadium for a grand opening on a cold Tuesday night.

SPRING, Texas – Spring ISD announced multiple suspensions Monday for a brawl during a high school football game Friday night between Spring and Westfield at Leonard George Stadium. Spring ISD Athletic Director Willie Amendola said it started when a Spring player reacted to a series of calls against him. On Monday, Spring ISD officials announced that six players from Westfield and five players from Spring High were suspended for a total of 18 games. Four Westfield players were suspended for two games and two players were suspended for one game. One Spring player was suspended for three games, one player was suspended for two games and three players were suspended for one game.