Principal: Rita Graves 

Phone: 713-522-5960

Email Us: lamarhstexans@houstonisd.org

 Open House Welcome Link: Click Here

( Each Neighborhood will host its own Open House meeting links are posted below )

I am honored to call Lamar High School home and serve as the current caretaker of this campus with such a rich history of tradition and excellence.  I have served as principal at the elementary, middle, and high school level for 12 years, with the last three at Lamar High School and all of my work in education (22 years) has been in the Lamar feeder pattern.

In the last three years we completed a $120M bond construction project and transitioned from a traditional high school schedule to one that creates 16 heterogeneous smaller learning communities with integrated teaching teams in large flexible learning spaces (Neighborhoods). The physical space, along with the adjustment of the teaching schedule allows us to meet the promise of the IB pedagogy and tailor the learning environment to support all students.  During the 2019-2020 school year we increased the number of IB Diploma Recipients (87 recipients) by more than 200% and that number grew to 108 recipients for the 2020-2021 school year.  Through full implementation of individual student led conferences, with strategic planning for college/career readiness, we have 220 Diploma Candidates and 350 Career-related Programme candidates for the 2021-2022 school year.

I am proud of the work that we do here each day exemplifying our motto “Small School Feel – Big School Opportunities”.  At Lamar, we do not believe students should have to sacrifice all that a large, comprehensive high school can offer to attend a small school with more individualized approaches to learning.

We are an International Baccalaureate school whose goal is to provide the best opportunity for a diverse group of students to receive a rigorous, internationally accredited education, with a broad range of extracurricular activities, in a safe and nurturing environment. The goal of the IB is for students to be challenged academically, while also finding creative and physical fitness outlets, getting involved in the community around them, and developing a global view that takes the student beyond their immediate environment.

Principal’s Weekly Message:

Schedule Changes.  Our Deans will finish leveling classes over the next few days and Monday will be the final day a student’s schedule may change.  Students, please make sure you are checking your portal regularly so that you are not marked absent from a class.

COVID Notifications.  We have seen an increase in the number of COVID cases over the last two days. If is very important that if your child tests positive for COVID that we are notified immediately to stop the spread.  Please send me an email if your child has tested positive so that I can have our clinic conduct contact tracing as soon as possible.  If your child is identified as a close contact with a student or adult that tests positive for COVID you will be notified and the following options will be outlined in accordance with CDC Guidelines and our District Safety Plan:

• If your child is vaccinated and not showing symptoms, you will be advised to upload a copy of the vaccination record at a link provided.  Students is the category are able to return to school tomorrow and it is recommended they are tested for COVID 3-5 days after exposure.  
• If your child is vaccinated and begins to show symptoms of COVID, please send me an email so that our clinic can contact you with next steps. Please do not send your student back to school until the clinic clears your student to return.
• If your child is not vaccinated, your student should isolate for 10-14 days. Please email me so that our clinic can contact you with next steps. Please do not send your student back to school until the clinic clears your student to return.

Temporary Online Learning (TOL). If your student is required to stay at home to isolate because of exposure to COVID or because of a positive COVID test, the District has made available an online learning option for up to 20 days.  If your student is well enough to complete schoolwork, we will enroll them in TOL.  Students will be provided a Teams link and will be required to log in daily and are expected to keep their camera on while they work.  The TOL curriculum does not align with our IB coursework, so I ask that Lamar students continue to work on the assignments their own Lamar teachers are posting on the HUB.  They can email their teachers for assistance.

Food Delivery.  Food delivery by deliver app drivers is very difficult for us to manage and is a safety concern for campus. We would like to try something out to see if we can make it work safely and efficiently for students.  Beginning Monday, September 13, 2021, the following conditions will be used:

• Students who would like to order food may do so for delivery between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• Deliveries are only allowed in the Transit Center. Students should meet the driver in the Transit Center during the designated lunch period.
• Students may not leave class to pick up deliveries early.
• Students may not miss any class time after lunch because deliveries came late.
• Deliveries at any location other than the Transit Center will be confiscated.  Students may not meet delivery drivers in the West lot, along Westheimer or along Eastside.  We cannot provide supervision and it becomes a significant safety concern.
• Students may not leave campus during the school day.

Uniform Shirt Stock.  Our order has arrived!  Uniform shirts may be purchased by students from the school store. For a limited time we will not have online purchasing available. 

Dress Code. We will begin enforcing dress code on Monday, September 20^th.  Students who do not have a uniform shirt will be provided with a loaner.  If you need financial assistance, please contact Ms. Harris at Danna.Harris@houstonisd.org or Mr. Lynch at Devon.Lynch@houstonisd.org.  Vouchers are available for families who qualify.  Check our website for the Dress Code Policy for the 2021-22 school year.

Parking.  All students on the waitlist have been contacted about a parking space in the garage.  Any additional applicants will be placed on the waitlist and will be contacted if space becomes available.  Parking in the West Lot is not available for students.  Cars parked illegally in the West Lot will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Highlighted Events:

• Thurs. Sept 9th Virtual Open House 6:00-7:00PM
• Sat. Sept 11th EOC Refresher Boot Camp 8:00AM-12:00PM or 12:00PM-4:00PM
• Thurs. Sept 16th FALL HOLIDAY
• Fri. Sept. 17th FALL HOLIDAY
• Fri. Sept 17th Credit Appeal 8:00AM-3:30PM
• Tues/Wed Sept. 21st/22nd Senior Photos (Athletic Lobby) 8:15AM-4:00PM