ALVIN, Texas – Alvin ISD leaders are working tirelessly to ensure that students can return to class next week after an EF-2 tornado caused significant damage to Walt Disney Elementary School.
The school district has announced that students will temporarily finish the rest of the school year at the Old Alvin Elementary School, located just four miles away, on Rosharon Road.
Since the district identified the Rosharon Road Center as the temporary location, crews have been working around the clock.
“So, we have used this building several times,” said Alvin ISD Communications Director Renae Rives. “It was just a natural fit. And it’s not too far from Walt Disney. And so, it was just the perfect location to do that.”
The district has even bypassed normal procurement rules to quickly purchase necessary supplies for teachers and staff, ensuring that their needs are met as they prepare for the transition.
“The board passed a resolution that we’re able to bypass some committee rules for purchasing, which we need to go ahead, and we need to make some purchases that probably would be hindered by the procurement laws,” Superintendent Carol Nelson said Monday after an emergency board meeting.
For the time being, insurance claims are still in progress for Walt Disney Elementary, and long-term plans are being evaluated. In the meantime, staff and volunteers are working hard to make the Old Alvin Elementary School a welcoming space for the students who will soon call it home, even temporarily.
The local community has rallied around the district, offering supplies and hands-on support.
Lauren Hooker, a local realtor and mother of a student who will attend the new location, set up a donation drive at her job and quickly found out how many people were willing to support.
“We brought all kinds of goodies for them—decorative items to help teachers create a comfortable space for their students,” Hooker said.
As a retired teacher, Hooker understands the challenges teachers face, especially when trying to adapt to a new environment. She reached out to former teachers, who eagerly donated items they no longer needed.
“We’re hanging on to this stuff for nothing, so we can definitely put it to good use,” Hooker explained.
While the change in location may feel overwhelming for some, Alvin ISD is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. Rives assured parents that students will continue with the same teachers and classes, minimizing disruption to their education.
District leaders have also been working on transportation logistics to ensure that students can get to the new location without trouble. The district announced transportation information with parents of students who previously attended Walt Disney Elementary.
“It’s been a truly a Houston wide effort to get this school up and running. And we’re so grateful to the community,” said Rives. “We’ve also had community people that have reached out that are beyond the zone of Alvin ISD. And all the school districts surrounding us have been amazing to us.”
