It was a joyous occasion, akin to an old fashioned community gathering, at the dedication of the new Walnut Bend Elementary School (WBES) on September 19, 2007. The Westside High School Band provided pre-dedication entertainment.

In addition there was a posting of colors; pledge of allegiance and Texas pledge (I did not even know we had a Texas pledge); invocation; singing by the WBES Chorus; a reenactment by the students of WBES history; reception; and walk through the new school. At one time, when settlers first moved into this part of Harris County they named the area, Walnut Bend, due to the large number of Black Walnut trees that grew near a bend in Buffalo Bayou.

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has replaced the original school, built in 1964, with a new building that was constructed to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, known as the "green" building standards. The new school includes native plants; landscaping techniques to eliminate irrigation; low water use plumbing fixtures; energy efficient air/heating systems; the use of 15% of recycled materials from the old building; a recycling program; reflective roof to reduce heat and energy usage; outdoor nature center with a garden; and plenty of natural lighting.

HISD Superintendent Dr. Abelardo Saavedra, in a short address to the audience of students and parents, stated that it was a "wonderful day to serve our young people". The dedication of the first LEED certified building is important so students can learn to respect the environment. In the future all HISD buildings will be constructed so that they are LEEDs certified.

I walked through and around the building and grounds and was impressed by the amount of natural light that entered the building. On both the north and south sides of the building huge windows dominated the second floor hallways and in the school auditorium the back of the stage was a shaded wall of windows.

There also was a covered breezeway on the northwest side of the building that made for a pleasant walk to the playground. Swale drainage has been incorporated into the landscape design. Some of the native plants on the grounds included Cedar Elm, Live Oak, Water Oak, and American Beautyberry. Bike racks are installed near the playground; a functioning aquarium is located in the hallway, just beyond the front door and near where an outdoor pond will be located, and just inside the front door, on the floor, is the text of the poem by Joyce Kilmer that goes, "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree".

The Houston Sierra Club applauds HISD for making this commitment to our future, our children. Teaching children from an early age about the importance of a clean and beautiful environment will pave the way for their enlightened protection of our Earth. We urge HISD to continue reducing its energy, water, and land footprint.

November 2007

Last updated:  11/05/2007.   Content © 1999-2007 by the Sierra Club.