High School bands perform at Extravabandza pg. 6
Great Barrier Reef nearly extinct pg. 4
Shawn Mendes Album pg. 13
Construction provides new learning opportunities By Emily Ruthven Editor-in-Chief
Any student who attends Creek is aware that there has been ongoing construction in various parts of the school for some time now. However, construction has made more progress than most students might infer. In 2013, Clear Creek ISD was given a bond that would update and construct many facilities throughout the district. Clear Lake has been under construction, as well as Clear Brook along with minor renovations to Clear Falls and Clear Springs. Twelve elementary schools were delegated funds to majorly renovate campuses including Armand Bayou, Bay, Brookwood, Ferguson and Greene and McWhirter. Intermediate schools were also revitalized. Seabrook Intermediate was renovated to have seven new general classrooms, a food lab, an art lab and three new science labs, a vital edition as Seabrook is the district’s home to all Science Magnet students. The library, kitchen, locker rooms were enlarged and the performing arts centers were replaced. Renovations have also been completed at Clear Creek Intermediate, as well as Clear Lake Intermediate and Creekside Intermediate. According to CCISD’s website, there were several “testimonials from students and teachers on how much their school day has changed for the better now that the $11.8 million project is complete.” The Challenger Columbia Stadium was constructed and became operational in April of 2016. The stadium relieved the pressure on the football departments, resulting in less Thursday and Saturday games. Challenger Columbia Stadium also hosted many bands at the UIL Marching competition on October 22. “The 10,000 seat stadium features a field house complete with a community events room, a multi-level press box with film deck and student operated media and control room” according to CCISD. Initially, the Creek campus was delegated approximately 28 million dollars out of the 304-million-dollar grant. However, upon further research and circumstances, Creek was delegated approximately 34 million dollars to renovate the campus. “We are thankful for the voters, the board of trustees and Dr. Grey Smith for putting together a plan that is beneficial to Clear Creek High School,” CCHS
head principal Jamey Majewski said. Items of renovation include the construction of a third gym, the CTE building, a new theatre black box room, new locker-rooms for girls’ basketball and volleyball, football, wrestling, dance, golf, and swim, as well as a new weight room and wrestling room located above and to the left of Carlisle gym. Carlisle
In summary, this budget requires that all new facilities be implemented with new furniture, lighting and tools. “We don’t want to place old equipment in these new facilities,” Assistant Principal and head of Creek construction Mr. David Drake said. The new learning space has improved the experience for many students.
Photo by Emily Ruthven “Our CTE is in the process of receiving students are already new wooden floors. In addition, JROTC will have their own classrooms, benefitting from the work that has been and HST will have their own building. completed. They have more space; For the first time ever, Creek will house they have more access to the resources buildings dedicated to dental studies. This they need in order to enrich learning is the first of its kind in CCISD. High in the classroom,” Majewski said. It is evident that the construction school students across the district wishing has faced several to engage in dental study will be able to project resulting in delays. travel to the Creek campus and take dental problems, “The biggest obstacle is timing. This classes, much like Clear Springs’ culinary arts program. Creek has also completed has been due to weather and, in some renovations in the kitchen and main cases, it has been due to trying to tie in an cafeteria. Upon completion, there will be older structure that was built in the 1950s more parking spaces available for students. and trying to add something to that. It is a The CTE building, located at the very complicated project,” Majewski said. In 1956, contractors were not required exterior of the E100s stairwell, houses several state-of-the-art classrooms for those to meet the same architectural standards wishing to study engineering, agriculture, of today. This results in many unexpected woodshop or metal shop. All of the CTE delays, especially when trying to demolish building is complete, with the exception walls, foundation or any sort of piping of the installment of faux wood laminate in older structures. In addition to these flooring. All lighting and air conditioning delays, Barlett Cocke, Creek’s designated units are in full operation. Along with the contractor and PBK, Creek’s architect many other renovations, the CTE was given company, have been receiving a plethora all new equipment. This can be attributed of business from various organizations. to CCISD’s FFE budged. FFE stands Consequently, the contractor has not for furniture, fixtures and equipment. always completed Creek’s tasks in
the most efficient and timely manner. However, construction is still anticipated to arrive upon the set completion date. “Considering the rainy weather we’ve experienced and the limited contractors available due to a booming Houston construction market, we are pleased to have completed 23 of the 40 projects on our timeline,” Deputy Superintendent of Business and Support Services Paul McLarty said. Despite its long-term positive effects, construction has put a temporary strain on a few of Creek’s departments, such as choir and theater. “We want to hinder the students’ learning experience as little as possible,” Drake said. However, the theater department performed their first improvisation show of the year in the nearly completed auditorium. E v e n considering the inconveniences placed upon students, “all of the construction is important. All of the projects being completed at Clear Creek High School are projects that are needed. We had some outdated facilities on this campus,” Majewski said. He continued, “anytime we have the chance to upgrade our facilities, we get to make it more 21st century ready for our .” In total, the final completion date for the construction is August of 2017. However, many of the projects may be completed as soon as Christmas of 2016 and April or May of 2017. According to CCISD, more than 50 percent of all construction projects are complete. “I am excited for our students at the end of the day. They’re going to be learning in first class facilities. That will give them a greater opportunity to have a better school experience,” Majewski said. Future construction plans include new fine arts practice rooms, as their foundation has been damaged by the roots of the exterior oak trees, and a renovation of Creek’s courtyard.