Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Memorial Drive Elementary School celebrated 70 great years of teaching, learning and inspiring future leaders by honoring this special milestone on its 70^th regular school day this semester, which was Friday, Nov. 30. The campus and community joined together in an exciting day of recognition and celebration for all.

The Memorial Drive Elementary PTA filed this 70^th Anniversary event report:

The day began early in the school cafeteria, where students, teachers and parents were entertained by the “4^th Grade Dance Group”, a talented group of young ladies, with music, dancing and costumes highlighting the many decades of MDE from the 1950’s to present. 

This performance was coordinated by Music Specialist Gina Dixon, and was such a lively and enjoyable way to start the day! The dance group consisted of Zoe An, Aurelie Bissig, Addie Eagle, Gigi Gompers, Liv Hash, Anna Vera Lagerås, Claire Loggenberg, Allie Parrish, Isabella Pilegge, Ellie Potosky, MaryAlan Reeves and Audrey Zatorski. 

More surprises were in store as Principal Kathleen Jeremiassen and Assistant Principal Angela McNeil led the cheers and chants to welcome MDE’s brand new official pony mascot, named ‘Spirit’. 

‘Spirit’ arrived much to the enthusiasm of students, who were applauding and waving to the mascot as it greeted everyone from the stage.  It was an exciting moment that closed the festivities in the cafeteria and gave Spirit the opportunity to send students off to their classrooms.

One of the greatest sources of pride for our community and close-knit school family is the beautiful park-like campus of MDE on 10 wooded acres in the heart of Piney Point Village.

 

We honored the natural beauty of our environment with a tree dedication ceremony in the morning.  A beautiful 65-gallon live oak tree donated by the MDE PTA was planted as a symbol of the school’s nurturing and fostering spirit and will be enjoyed by generations of future MDE ponies.

All of the fifth-grade students, known as “The Top Dogs” joined the ceremony by dropping dirt into the planting area. Principal Jeremiassen and McNeil spoke to the significance of this day for the school and the MDE community.   

Throughout the lunch periods, each child was given a sweet MDE cookie and an MDE pencil as a special memento to remember their part in this historic day.

View photo gallery

We've Got Spirit: Celebrating 70 Years at Memorial Drive Elementary from SBISD on Vimeo.

A Brief History: Memorial Drive Elementary

Memorial Drive Elementary is a neighborhood school located in the Spring Branch Independent School District and is located half a mile from Interstate10, a major U.S. highway, and one of the most traveled thoroughfares in the city of Houston.

The Pre-K through 5^th grade student population includes special education, at-risk, gifted/talented and minority students. A myriad of cultures enriches our school.

Built in 1949 and the second oldest school in the district, Memorial Drive Elementary is a one-story brick structure with four wings, comprised of self-contained classrooms. Later additions include a full-size gym and library, both of which flank the eastern end of the learning facility.

The school is located on 10 acres of land. Playgrounds and a track circling two baseball fields behind the school are enjoyed by classes during the school day and are popular recreational areas for Memorial Drive families, as well as the entire nearby community. 

The school and the Piney Point community share a long and friendly history together, and are bound by ties that run deep. For years, in the evenings, the Piney Point Incorporated Village government met at Memorial Drive Elementary, and court sessions were held in the school building, as well. Others in the community have been coming to the school through the years for Scout meetings, Little League practices, or voting.