Summer 2021
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StoryWalk® coming to HPL
11
Hewitt history
15
Midway building momentum
IN EVERY ISSUE Calendar of Events | New Member Spotlights | Hewitt Happenings
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:30am—5:30pm FREE SHUT TLE SERVICE!
We proudly service foreign and domestic vehicles for all general repairs. Call for appointment!
254.772.9331 www.CompleteCarCareCenter.com • 5300 Franklin Ave, Waco 76710
JULY
AUGUST, cont.
2
Ribbon Cutting Celebration for CenTex Spine & Rehab • 11:15 a.m. • 7111 Bosque Blvd., Ste. 101
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GHCoC Board Meeting • 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Sleep Inn & Suites
14
Champions Salon Business After Hours Woodway Dr location • 5 :00 to 7:00 p.m.
21 Ribbon Cutting for Elite Barbershop • 12:00 p.m. 23 Ribbon Cutting for Photography by Cecy 11:00 a.m. • 1000 W. Hwy. 6, Ste. 300 • Waco 27 Ribbon Cutting for Interim Healthcare Ribbon Cutting • 4:30 p.m. • 7401 Woodway Dr 27
Hewitt Public Library’s Drive by Splash Day Visit Hewitt Public Library’s Facebook page and sign up to have Library staff drive by your house and video your splash party! 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Must register)
28 Ribbon Cutting for Impact Research Institute 12:00 to 1:00 p.m | 6600 Fish Pond Rd, Ste. 103 29 Signature Luncheon featuring Johnny Quinn George’s Banquet Hall on Speight 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
AUGUST 5
—OPRAH
“
Calendar of Events
Summer has a flavor like no other. “ Always fresh and simmered in sunshine.
Lead Explosion Networking Event w/ Women of Waco • Baylor Club • 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. 1001 South Martin Luther King Blvd • Waco
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National Night Out Block Party • 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Block parties Only (no kick-off) See Hewitt Police Facebook page for more details
11 GHCoC Board Meeting • 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Sleep Inn & Suites 11 Ribbon Cutting & Open House for Keith Maynard CPA, PLLC • 4:00 p.m. • 1101 Wooded Acres Dr. Suite 107, Waco 13 Back To School Bash presented by Interim Healthcare and Visiting Angels • 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. TBD Ambassador Training & Mixer • 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. TBD Quarterly Shredding Event • POINTWEST Bank 420 N. Hewitt Dr • 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 8
GHCoC Board Meeting • 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Sleep Inn & Suites
14 State of the School District Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.• Midway Admin Bldg. 13885 Woodway Dr • Limited seating! Register at HewittChamber.com/Events 16 The Blake Business After Hours • 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 24 Greater Hewitt Chamber Express Classic Golf Tournament presented by the City of Hewitt Cottonwood Creek Golf Course • 8:00 a.m. morning flight, 11:30 a.m. lunch, 1:00 p.m. afternoon flight TBD Membership Orientation • 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
hewittchamber.com
To advertise in the Hewitt Express, or for more information, call 254.666.1200. Issues are published in January, April, July and October. Greater Hewitt Chamber Executive Director | Alissa Cady | alissa@hewittchamber.com Communications Coordinator | Kacie Birkes | kacie@hewittchamber.com Social Media & Membership Coordinator | Austin Early | austin@hewittchamber.com
HewittChamber.com Hewitt Chamber Express | 3
©2021 Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce • Mention of commercial products, processes, or services in the Hewitt Express cannot be construed as an endorsement by the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce • Design Kim Giles, ByDesignWaco.com
New StoryWalk® coming soon to HPL WAYNETTE DITTO, DIRECTOR, HEWITT PUBLIC LIBRARY
A
s libraries and librarians continue to struggle with
setbacks and obstacles related to the pandemic,
Walk®. It can be in neighborhoods, library grounds, and
There are many ways and places to set up a Story-
one of the most significant challenges has been finding
other sites. Some have even been set up indoors as part
ways to engage with the community’s youngest learners
of special events, or during seasons with extended peri-
to ensure that they have access and encouragement to
ods of bleak weather. We are also exploring ways to set
develop life-long literacy skills. We have turned to You-
up a temporary installment. For example, we could loan
Tube, Facebook Live and other services to create virtual
out StoryWalk® to our local nursing homes or neighbor-
programming; however, libraries across the country
hoods for a limited time.
and around the world are bringing story-time outside
in a safe, fun way for the whole family—encouraging a
Jelley, has created a digital version of StoryWalk®. His versions rely on a device such as a tablet or a smartphone
healthy lifestyle through StoryWalk®.
A “poet technologist” from Britain, Christopher
First created in 2007 by Anne Ferguson, StoryWalk
®
in a specific geographic location to unlock the next part
is set up in a public community space along a path. Story
of the story.
Walk projects have been installed in all 50 states and
13 other countries around the world, including Germany,
way to connect with the community, encourage reading
Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan
and being active together as a family, and to show the
and South Korea. At the beginning of the path is an indi-
world that a library is not limited to just four walls.
cator of a starting point and the cover of a picture book
used for StoryWalk®, usually accompanied with informa-
garden in coming weeks, with our first story about the
tion about the library, sponsors, and how to proceed. At
Monarch butterfly. As readers progress to each stand,
a designated distance, walkers will find a page or two of
they will learn about how a Monarch butterfly migrates
the book to read before proceeding on to the next post-
to Texas, and how important it is to the ecosystem. This
ing—a pattern that is repeated until the book is complete.
project has been on our bucket list for several years, and
StoryWalk may contain book pages, but some include
we are excited to offer this for our community. If it is well
activities, information, or critical-thinking questions
received, we could take it to our local parks! This project
posted along with the story pages.
will also provide our citizens with volunteer opportunities
in coming months.
®
®
Reading aloud 20 minutes a day to babies, toddlers
No matter the form they take, StoryWalk® is a fun
Our StoryWalk® will be placed in the HPL butterfly
and preschoolers exposes them to 1.8 million words each
StoryWalk®
year and helps build strong literacy and language skills.
stands are made of
Early literacy skills develop most effectively in real-life
wood and will be
settings through positive interactions with literacy mate-
placed along the
rials and other people. Too many children aren’t exposed
outside garden in the
to consistent interactions that foster language development.
HPL courtyard. Staff
Participating with a parent or caregiver gives children the
will change the stories
opportunity to learn new words, describe things and
every six to eight weeks. HPL is seek-
events, tell stories, learn how to follow a sequence, and
ing partnerships to bring more Story
hear and play with sounds and letters in words.
Walk® to Hewitt. Please call (254) 666-2442 if you’re interested!
4 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
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10 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
Hewitt history you can bank on CHARLIE TURNER • MAYOR, CITY OF HEWITT
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office. With only the one location, demand grew for the o you ever wonder as you travel around Hewitt, mortgage company to add additional sites, one of which ‘Why couldn’t I have lived here when that part of was to be built in Hewitt. The landmark look and style history was happening?’ Did you live in Hewitt when of First Federal Savings & Loan’s building was an old a sharecropper considered Hewitt as his family home? colonial frontage with three-story level, pillar supports Do you remember “the wild man of the woods” roaming and chandelier lighting. Hewitt Drive and Panther Way freely and upsetting neighborhoods? Did you experience marked the location of their landmark building. It was the days of wildcat oil wells that were drilled in Hewitt? built circa 1980s—after which First Federal Savings & Maybe you’ve seen the old Hewitt High School with trees Loans filed for bankruptcy. The building was transferred growing through its roof before it was demolished? As to RTC to complete the details of the bankruptcy. a child, did you ever accompany your parents to the old National Banks in Gatesville then purchased the high school building when it became the Hewitt Feed building and opened a new branch in Hewitt in the 1980s. Store? Did you miss out when Hewitt was growing at a The first branch manager, Curtis Glockzin remained rate of 882%, rapidly expanding its population? Were at the branch until 2002, when Wayne Gartman was you a part of the Chamber of Commerce when street named and served as Hewitt Banking Center President— dances, gatherings, Easter egg hunts, car shows and transferring to their Waco location upon the building’s banquets were being held? Did you miss out on Hewitt sale on December 31, 2020. The building has three Drive as a two-lane road, complete with potholes? Did floors consisting of a main lobby, second story conference you witness Hewitt’s ping-pong ball drop from a helicopter that gave citizens a chance to win a frozen turkey as the grand prize? Have you been a longtime resident who can recall the beginning of your Hewitt Public Library? Did you ever witness the original fire trucks passing under the railroad track trestle, across from Hewitt Park’s entrance? Do you know anyone that traveled by train from Hewitt to Waco, only to return home in the evening by the same means of transportation? If you did not experience any of these events in person, nor know anyone else who did, take heart. Another chapter of Hewitt’s history is taking place before your eyes. Former National Banks location in Hewitt On July 15, 1977, my wife Brenda and I purroom, and a top floor room for storage. A rich history of chased our first new home on Laredo Drive. It was a dirt service as a community gathering place provided Hewitt road that connected to no other road, and intersected service clubs the use of the second floor meeting room, Alamosa Drive—forming a horseshoe-shaped subdivias well as the outside grounds for Greater Hewitt Chamsion known as ‘Alamosa Heights’. I can remember what ber of Commerce events and street dances. seemed to be the vastness of open agricultural fields National Banks was a very active Chamber member, that established the rural community of Hewitt, Texas. helping Hewitt to grow and serve its citizens. As you The town’s history was very limited in the preservation pass by this landmark building that has now been razed of historical buildings—boasting a railroad depot and to the ground, know that history was made on this site one additional building that has served many purposes with this building for all who were visionary enough to under numerous owners. be a part of the time. Citizens are fortunate to be able to First Federal Savings & Loans originally financed view Hewitt’s history as it happens, as this landmark our home. Each month, we would travel to downtown building was demolished to make room for a new eatery. Waco to make our mortgage payment. First Federal was known in Waco for building a very unique style of home HewittChamber.com Hewitt Chamber Express | 11
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We’re here to help you make it
home. home
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Carol Pilant
Jacob Cates
Gary Pilant
It doesn’t matter if it’s a new home purchase, home construction or an improvement project, the lending team at Community Bank & Trust can help you with a loan that matches your vision. Whether you’re working with a builder to construct your dream home or purchasing an existing home, the way we start the loan process is the same as it’s been for almost 70 years. We still get to know each customer personally—exactly what you’d expect from the oldest locally owned independent bank in Waco. Call us today at 254.753.1521 or apply online at cbtwaco.bank by clicking the LoanLink button.
Steve Fischer
Member FDIC
cbtwaco.bank
14 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
Building momentum: School construction update BY KATY DURHAM, MIDWAY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
E
xciting projects are underway in Midway ISD as construction continues on the growing school district’s 2019 bond program to address overcrowding and growth with new facilities and grade realignment. NEW MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION The program includes adding a Career and Technical Education wing at Midway High School, eliminating so we’re putting in a shop that is going to be specifically intermediate schools, and renovating facilities at Midway geared toward teaching our welding students.” Middle School and River Valley Intermediate to house The CTE addition will free up several classrooms grades six through eight. A new elementary school is also in the main high school, allowing for the expansion of under construction on Ritchie Road, while extensive renothe existing Audio-Visual studio, and conversion of the vations at Woodgate Intermediate will convert the building fashion lab into a student-run coffee window. into the district’s eighth elementary school. Midway Middle School is being upgraded to make The new Career and Technical (CTE) wing at Midway room for additional students in sixth grade. The buildHigh will consist of 1-½ stories directly connected to the ing’s interior facilities will undergo a facelift with imschool’s library on two floors. The first floor will include provements focused on the cafeteria, classrooms and rea large multipurpose meeting room that can be used strooms. Renovations include a partial roof replacement, campus-wide, engineering and computer science labs, a and the Technology Office currently housed at Midway health science lab and a biomedical lab designed to mimic Middle School will be converted into additional classa hospital. “What we’ve tried to do in this space is recreate room space. Midway Middle School’s design process environments that students would see in the real world,” begins this fall, with construction starting next summer. Director of College and Career Readiness, Dr. Ashley Midway ISD’s new elementary school—Park Hill— Canuteson said. The second floor will include space for is currently under construction in Hewitt, with borders visual arts classes in Fashion Design, Graphic Design of Ritchie Road to the west and Hewitt Park to the east. and Photography. A commercial photography studio, The 54-acre site is also master-planned to accommodate graphics lab and print shop will allow students to receive a future middle school. hands-on instruction and learn valuable industry skills. The new 104,500' elementary is designed to acOutdoor learning spaces are also being developed, incommodate 750 students in Pre-K through fifth grade, cluding a courtyard outside of Robotics, and a body farm and places a two-story open concept library at the heart outside of Biomedical Science. of the building. The school’s exterior design will play Additionally, a 7,778' expansion of the high school’s See “Building momentum” on page 24... on-site Animal Science Building will add two classrooms and create dedicated spaces for Welding and Veterinary Medicine. “Our Veterinary Technology preparation program will have an entirely new vet tech NEW PARK HILL ELEMENTARY EXTERIOR lab,” Dr. Canuteson said. “We also have a really large ag mechanics and welding program, HewittChamber.com Hewitt Chamber Express | 15
16 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
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HewittChamber.com Hewitt Chamber Express | 17
ELEMENTARY Castleman Creek Elementary - Mandy Ochoa Hewitt Elementary - Angie Scarborough
South Bosque Elementary - Elisabeth High Speegleville Elementary - Christy Glaser Spring Valley Elementary - Amy Becker Woodway Elementary - Jana Wilton
SECONDARY Woodgate Intermediate - Jennifer Patrick River Valley Intermediate - John Shafer
Midway Middle School - Ryan Armstrong Midway Middle School - Christina Ochoa Midway High School- Josh Dietert
Midway High School - Vanessa Dulock District Elementary T.O.Y. - Mandy Ochoa
District Secondary T.O.Y. - Vanessa Dulock
TEA
SUPERIOR Financial Integrity Rating
2020
18 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
Get to know your MISD teachers JESSICA HOGG • SOUTH BOSQUE ELEMENTARY In her eighth year in education, Jessica has taught at Waco, Connally, and Midway ISDs; with five years at Castleman Creek and one year at South Bosque. She has many hobbies, interests and talents, and her favorite place in the world is the beach. Jessica enjoys gardening, crafting, fishing, and spending time with her precious family. Jessica and Jarrod have been married for 14 years and have two beautiful daughters, Mikayla and Khloe. Jessica’s favorite teaching tradition each year is to make huge 6" snowman cookies that her students can decorate around Christmas. She enjoys sharing this time with her students and always ties the decorating into teaching about the writing process. This year, her favorite project was growing sunflower seeds in a zip-top bag. Her class was able to watch the entire life cycle and plant the seedlings for a great Mother’s Day surprise!
ANDRA SPEERBRECHER • RIVER VALLEY INTERMEDIATE, As a Functional Academics teacher and special educator for 21 years, Andra and her husband, parents of two adult children, moved to Waco from Oklahoma in 2018. Mrs. Speerbrecher enjoys spending time with her dogs and cats, and supporting efforts to control the pet population. As a teacher, she is most proud of helping to build inclusive school communities where students of all abilities play and learn together.
MANDY ROGERS • SPEEGLEVILLE ELEMENTARY As a resource teacher in her 12th year in education, Mandy is in her fifth year at Midway. Outside the classroom, she loves to travel, read, create and spend time with her family. She volunteers with her church in various roles, as well as serving with the school’s PTA. Mandy and husband, Keegan have three daughters that attend Midway schools. Her favorite teaching moments come from making learning hands-on and life-applicable, like cooking with fractions or donning one of her numerous dress-up items as a favorite book character. The best of those moments was when all three of her daughters joined in and dressed up as rainbow fairies because it was a student’s favorite. The joy of a student overjoyed to see her favorite characters at school will forever be special.
Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar is a fun and vibrant Louisiana Restaurant that provides a game day atmosphere perfect for watching any game or celebrating any event! 5601 CROSSLAKE PKWY, WACO, TX 76712 | (254) 732-9200 | WALK-ONS.COM HewittChamber.com Hewitt Chamber Express | 19
Davis Steel Services is located on North Hewitt Drive in the Hewitt/ Waco area. We are a full-service structural steel and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) fabrication company, with 70+ years in the industry, and extensive knowledge and experience in steel parts manufacturing. We offer pre-fab services to see your specific level of fabrication, and are continuously adding equipment that will give us capabilities to better serve our customers. Our large workforce, along with our 144,000 square foot facility and large steel-processing equipment allow us the capacity and capabilities to efficiently handle most any fabrication need. Visit us online at davissteelservices.com, or call our sales team at (254) 666-1000. HighPower Fitness (HPF) has empowered locals to reach their fitness goals in Central Texas since 2014, and is dedicated to helping you achieve your personal fitness needs. Local personal trainer, Kelvin Robinson started HPF with his 20+ years of experience. HPF provides a private training facility for all fitness levels. Our facility offers 1:1 personal training, group fitness, meal-planning and daily bootcamps. We specialize in Student Athlete Training through our Unified Performance Athletes Program. HPF also offers post-workout recovery with our therapeutic cryotherapy chamber and muscle massage and stretching area. We also offer an in-house supplement shop and prepared meals in partnership with FuelUp. Swing by 100 Ava Drive in Hewitt, or call Coach Kelvin at (254) 644-2431.
20 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
NEW MEMBER
Benchmark Mortgage is dedicated to helping fulfill your real estate and financial dreams. Adam Goldenberg started the Waco branch in 2018 and has been in the industry for 20+ years. We place our RELATIONSHIPS above all things, and our business is founded on preserving and strengthening all current and future relationships. We conduct ourselves with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE in all areas of our lives. For us, EXCELLENCE is not merely ‘doing things well’; it is doing things exceptionally well. DYNAMIC creativity and innovation is our edge and sets us apart. We strive to be successful with every relationship, goal, and endeavor we experience. At Benchmark, we are here to bring you home! Call us at (254) 870-0370.
SP TLIGHT
Bryan and Stephanie are professional ballroom dancers with Arthur Murray Dance Studios International, and franchisees of the studio in Waco. Bryan and Stephanie currently hold numerous dancing titles from competitions around the world. Their passion for people is why they opened their own dance studio. Their first love is sharing the joy of dance with others and teaching their students, many of whom before coming to Arthur Murray, had never danced before. Along with being dance partners, Bryan and Stephanie are also married. When not competing or running the studio, they enjoy traveling, good food, and spending time on their boat. Contact the studio for your lessons today at (254) 301-7125.
NEW MEMBER
Noble Leadership Solutions develops people, trains leaders, and inspires the masses. Ken Noble is an Executive Director with The John Maxwell Team and has been in both corporate and non-profit leadership positions for almost 20 years before moving full time to his company in 2019. Ken is certified to facilitate, speak, train and coach individuals and groups in the areas of leadership development, professional skills and personal growth, and is equipped with the tools, resources and experience to help you and your team improve productivity, performance and profitability. For a facilitator for workshops, corporate training in leadership, speaking, sales, or coaching skills, or a speaker for your next event, contact Ken Noble at (432) 214-5862.
SP TLIGHT
Chris Raup is the owner/independent agent of InsurSolutions in the field of Supplemental Voluntary Benefits and Life Insurance in Central Texas area for 19+ years. The primary company Chris represents is Aflac. He also handles individual sales for life insurance from the business owner (key person), individuals and families for term, whole, IUL, and children’s life. Chris will shop for the best rates and plans for your needs—whether a final expense plan to cover burial, or a Term policy for large amounts to cover the cost of loans/assets in case of unexpected death. For business owners, we find plans for both company and employees in the areas of Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer and Critical Illness. Contact Chris for a consultation today at (254) 447-0818.
Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness is the premier tennis and fitness facility in Waco, with 17 tennis courts (including a stadium court), and 8 pickleball courts. We offer the largest and strongest junior tennis program in Central Texas. Adult tennis and pickleball clinics and lessons are available along with social tennis events. Our clubhouse houses a conference room for meetings or special events. The Court Side Bar & Lounge offers a variety of beers, seltzers and wine. Our fitness facility has whirlpools and saunas in clean, spacious locker rooms. Over 40 exercise classes are taught each week by our certified, top-rated fitness staff. Personal trainers are on staff. A kids’ club is available to members at no charge. Membership packages are available for tennis, fitness or both, and corporate rates are available. Contact us today at (254) 753-7675, or visit us online at wacotennis.com for more information. Dr. Pizzino and his staff offer a friendly and relaxing environment for the entire family. From cleanings & general dentistry to clear braces, treatment for sleep apnea & headaches, dental implants and everything in between, Dr. Pizzino explains treatment in a way that’s easy to understand with your comfort in mind. With 25+ years in dentistry, the latest technology, and a skilled and caring team, you’ll be glad you found Woodway Family Dental. We’re conveniently located just off Highway 84 on Speegleville Road. Call (254) 297-4444 today and come experience the difference at Woodway Family Dental! Visit us online at WoodwayFamilyDental.com. HewittChamber.com Hewitt Chamber Express | 21
Hewitt Happenings
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Special thanks to Raising Cane’s on Hewitt Drive for sponsoring Greater Hewitt Chamber’s 2020 ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
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1 Ascension Medical Group Providence Hewitt Family Medicine and Express Care celebrate their new facility with a Ribbon Cutting and Business After Hours 2 American Legion Post #273 McGregor provides the colors presentation at the Chamber’s annual banquet 3 Arthur Murray’s Brian and Stephanie Tate entertain at the annual membership banquet 4 Banquet’s presenting sponsor, CenTex Roof Systems, enjoying their evening at the membership banquet 5 Keynote speaker, Bobby Whisnand, presents a motivating message the The Exchange in 15 McGregor 6 Greater Hewitt Chamber Board meets in person for the first time since September 2020 at Hewitt’s Public Safety facility 7 Greater Hewitt Chamber receives recognition as a supporting partner by students of Midway ISD 8 Bulldog Auto Detailing’s Gram Short wings big at the GHCoC banquet 9 Dr. SmiLee celebrates their grand opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 10 Ethan Smith and The Dirt Road Rebellion take the stage at Nacho Daddy Car/Bike Show Concert (photo by Michael Autrey) 11 Nacho Dady Best of Show with unique trophy from Cooper’s Automotive 12 Jeanne Lane with Goosehead Insurance Jami Curry office wins the Texas Rangers Fort Worth Package at GHCoC banquet 13 Quick glance at bikes and Mustangs from the Car/Bike Show on June 26 at Warren Park (photo by Michael Autrey) 14 Ken Noble presents about leadership for the monthly program and networking luncheon at Bare Arms Brewing 15 Kids enjoying the car show at Hewitt VFW Post 6008 in May
Building momentum ...continued from page 15
in Spring 2022. off the architectural language of the civic Updates andarea, photoand galleries of these projbuildings in the its incorporation ects are available Midway’s Panther Nation of outdoor learningonareas will provide spaces News websitecreativity, flexibility, health and that embrace at pnn.midwayisd.org/momentum. wellness, and interaction with the outdoors. The school’s main courtyard will serve as an outdoor learning environment, a reading garden for the library, and the primary playground area. Construction of Park Hill Elementary is currently on-time, and the building is expected to welcome its first students in August 2022. As part of Midway’s 2019 bond program, Woodgate Intermediate School will be getting both a new name (Chapel Park) and a new look. The campus is currently undergoing extensive renovations to serve Pre-K through fifth grades. Chapel Park’s design will focus on matching the features and collaborative learning spaces of the new Park Hill Elementary campus under construction in Hewitt. Chapel Park will be the only elementary campus featuring two full-sized gyms, as well as an extra-large cafeteria for lunches, events and performances. Construction at River Valley Intermediate School will convert the site into the district’s second middle school with a 87,859' addition to expand the campus capacity to approximately 1,300 students in grades six through eight. The addition will include a new two-story academic wing for eighth grade students and a single-story addition for athletics, agriculture science, and a cafeteria expansion. The former EMSI call center in Hewitt (and Food Lion before grocery store before that) is being renovated to
24 | Hewitt Chamber Express Summer 2021
serve as a triple-duty building housing the information technology center of the district, a large faculty training facility, and a student-focused learning lab that will house and expand the current Excel program. The Midway High School Excel program will depart from its current location adjacent to the disciplinary program as the program continues to build and form into a larger, nontraditional high school program. The classroom spaces will support this innovative solution as it grows and adapts to serve hundreds of students’ educational needs. The Information Technology building will be completed
ABOVE: Artist’s rendering of front entrance of former Woodgate Intermediate School (soon to be called Chapel Park Intermediate School this Fall). BELOW: An aerial map of River Valley Intermediate School’s new additions and parking area improvements.
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P.O. Box 661 Hewitt, Texas 76643
28 | Hewitt Chamber Express Fall 2020