VLK Architects Celebrate the Dedication of Katy ISD's Bryant Elementary School
Katy, Texas – On February 4th, Katy ISD hosted a dedication ceremony for their newest elementary school that opened in August 2017, Robert and Felice Bryant Elementary. The Katy community, Board of Trustees, and the namesakes themselves, Robert and Felice Bryant were all in attendance.
Chosen as the namesakes because of their dedication and commitment to Katy ISD, both Robert and Felice Bryant served as educators with the district. Mr. Bryant started his career with Katy ISD in 1983 as Katy High School’s band director and fine arts chair. He was then promoted to executive director of fine arts for the district in 2000, bringing home numerous awards throughout his tenure.
Mrs. Bryant taught kindergarten and first grade for 29 years and was named the Katy Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1997. Together, Robert and Felice have dedicated over 70 years to educating young students and they continue to be pillars of the Katy community through mentorship and tutoring opportunities.
Amanda Fait, a kindergarten teacher at Bryant Elementary, spoke at the dedication about how influential it was to be a student in Mrs. Bryant’s class when she was a student.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are two individuals who embody what it means to be the legacy,” said Fait. “I am so grateful to now serve as a kindergarten teacher here at Bryant Elementary, the school named after my very own kindergarten teacher. I want to have an impact on my students in the same way that Mrs. Bryant has impacted me.”
Bryant Elementary was a project included in the district’s $748 million bond referendum which was approved by voters in November of 2014. VLK Architects was hired by Katy ISD to work in collaboration with the district and the community to create a new two-story elementary school prototype design. Bryant Elementary School’s design allows for ease of student circulation while providing a safe and secure environment for learning. Classrooms wings provide natural light through large windows, and a media center in the middle of the facility promotes collaboration among grade levels. There are also green spaces between each wing providing outdoor learning opportunities for students.
“I could not be more proud to have this opportunity to open a new state-of-the-art facility,” said Katy ISD Superintendent, Dr. Lance Hindt. “I am in awe to see the student adaptability and creativity as they develop individual modes of learning and collaboration through the use of flexible spaces.”
“I just want to say thank you to the Katy ISD community for the opportunity to design learning spaces that will be used by your next generation of learners,” said Todd Lien, VLK Principal. “It was truly a collaborative effort and we could not be more grateful.”