Veterans Memorial High School, home of the Eagles, sports a freshly waxed basketball court that doubles as a volleyball court. The first volleyball game is set to occur not long after classes begin on Aug. 24. Photo courtesy CCISD.
Two new schools will be ready for the first day of a new semester Aug. 24 as students in five area school districts say goodbye to summer. One year-round school district, Tuloso-Midway, began its new year July 21. Tuloso-Midway, Corpus Christi and Flour Bluff school districts are all welcoming students with new facilities designed to meet the needs of the Coastal Bend’s growing student body.
“Veterans Memorial High School is our first new high school constructed in 45 years,” said Corpus Christi Independent School District spokesperson Kim Sneed. “VMHS and the new Dorothy Adkins Middle School will address the city’s growth on the south side.”
After a population upswing over the past several years, CCISD enrollment held steady last year and is expected to stay steady this year.
“The community is invited to attend tours of the new campuses,” Sneed said. “VMHS’ ribbon cutting is set for Monday, August 17, at 4:30 p.m. AMS’ ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19.”
Buccaneer Stadium, the storied home to CCISD’s football teams, marks its 75th anniversary this year with a public celebration at 6 p.m. Aug. 27, giving students something to look forward to before the Labor Day holiday on Sept. 7.
FLOUR BLUFF ISD
After a successful 2013 bond campaign, Flour Bluff ISD students can now take pride in six new junior high science labs and band rooms, nine renovated Early Childhood Center classrooms, new intermediate performing arts rooms and an Oceans science lab. Varsity gym renovations, including two tennis courts, will be completed soon.
Home to about 5,700 students, FBISD asks parents and guardians to visit flourbluffschools.net, click the “Registration” or “New Student Enrollment” buttons and fill out all necessary information electronically.
New students who have not registered by Aug. 6 must call the campus to register before Aug. 17. Returning students not registered by Aug. 20 must visit the administration building Aug. 24 between 7 a.m. and noon.
CALALLEN and GREGORY-PORTLAND
Calallen ISD also begins classes Aug. 24.
Gregory-Portland, which is not in the Corpus Christi city limits, will begin school Aug. 24 as well. New students must register at the school they will attend sometime before school begins.
Junior high students new to the district can pick up registration packets now.
High school registration is Aug. 10-14. Call 361-777-4251 for an appointment. For more information, visit the website at g-pisd.org.
YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL
Tuloso-Midway ISD rang in the first week of year-round school by hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for a new agricultural science facility July 21. The 17,316-square-foot space houses nearly 100 pigs, sheep, lambs, cattle, rabbits and poultry. Nearby, a dome constructed under the Texas Safe Shelters Initiative to protect communities vulnerable to hurricane disasters will double as an indoor workout space for multiple sports.
“When you pass by — boom! — the dome pops out at you,” said TMISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations Rodney Sumner. “It’s gorgeous.”
Construction of a second dome shelter and 16 new classrooms greeted Tuloso-Midway Intermediate students on the first day of school, giving rise to imagination as the steadily rising tide of students takes in the sight of construction machinery at work.
“We have a waiting list of over 100 potential transfer students,” Sumner said. “There are three new housing developments going up, bringing in new kids. Those numbers just keep growing. We’re just trying to keep ahead.”
