5 Katy ISD Schools Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

KATY MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2018

by Ariana Pezeshki

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Fox

In 2019, Katy Independent School District will celebrate its 100 year anniversary. Rich with history and distinction, five schools within the district are also celebrating milestone anniversaries!

Memorial Parkway Elementary's 40 Anniversary

Celebrating 40 years of academic excellence since 1978, MPE is referred to as the first tri-lingual campus in Katy ISD because of the multiple special language programs offered at the campus. Beginning on October 22 and through this week as part of their 40-year celebration, students, parents and the community will be displaying decorations on their campus representing each decade since the schools inception.

“Memorial Parkway Elementary Panthers take great pride in considering their school as ‘the best school in the land’ and throughout these 40 years its staff has focused on empowering those lifelong learners who walk our hallways,” said Dr. Doreen Martinez, principal of Memorial Parkway Elementary School.

“Our great successes wouldn’t have been possible throughout these years without our super-star staff, parents and community members. We invite everyone to join in on the celebrations” added Martinez.

Hutsell Elementary's 40 Year Anniversary

Hutsell Elementary opened its doors to students August 1978, and has continued to deliver educational excellence to Katy ISD for 40 years. The school was named after Zelma Lenore Wickerson Hutsell who was a teacher and administrator in the Katy school system for 24 years. She retired in 1967 but not before touching the lives of many students, staff and residents in the Katy area.

“Hutsell’s academic success is attributed to our dedicated faculty and our community who take great pride in the education offered to our students,” said Dr. Margie Blount, principal of Hutsell Elementary School.

“Every day we are creating legacies in a nurturing environment where every student can succeed. Zelma Hutsell would be very proud of the accomplishments of this school, which now displays her name,” added Blount.

Bear Creek Elementary's 40 Year Anniversary

Bear Creek Elementary is celebrating 40 years of excellence in November. After a tough year after Hurricane Harvey when the school opened its doors to the Katy community, its neighbors and students, who's homes were flooded and in need of supplies or shelter. The students and teachers are back and ready to celebrate this 40 year milestone anniversary with the community!

Cinco Ranch High School's 20 Year Anniversary

Cinco Ranch High School opened in the fall of 1999, and celebrates its 20 anniversary of Katy ISD excellence this year.

See their 20 year anniversary video below!

Stanley Elementary's 10 Year Anniversary

Stanley Elementary's doors opened in August 2009. The school was named after Mr. and Mrs. Stan C. Stanley, leaders in Katy ISD. The school's motto is, "What starts here, changes the world!" Encouraging and motivating students in academic excellence for 10 years, Stanley Elementary continues its mission with many anniversaries to come. The school recently held a 10 Year Anniversary Celebration with former principals, teachers, and even students who came back to join the choir and sing the school song. The original 13 teachers of the school who still work there were also recognized.

The original 13 teachers who have been with Stanley Elementary since it's opening.

Katy ISD 100 Year Anniversary

Katy ISD has expanded from humble beginnings of two small school houses to 41 elementary schools, 15 junior highs and 10 high schools. Katy ISD was enacted by the legislature of the State of Texas and officially established on February 25, 1919. The district has plans for recognizing each decade within their ten decades as a district. Stay tuned!