It is so fun being able to share these memories with the Lanier community.
Lanier Spotlight
Special Education Department
This week we have a truly amazing group of individuals to spotlight, Lanier's Special Education Department. Pictured from left to right; Ms. Hardy, Ms. Barker, Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. O, Mr. Ruthven, Ms. Karr, Mr. Lancaster and Ms. Godfrey. Not pictured is Ms. Skeele, the Special Education Department Chairman.
Each individual brings knowledge and experience to the department. Ms. Hardy is the teacher for the life skills class and has been in education for 20 years. Ms. Barker is the teaching assistant in the life skills class and has been in education for 16 years. These 2 ladies are a ray of sunshine, and you can tell by the smiles on their students faces.
Ms. Rodriguez is a co-teacher and Lanier's dyslexia teacher. She has been teaching for 3 years and 16 years in early intervention. Ms. O is a teacher's assistant and this her very first year teaching. Mr. Ruthven is another teacher's assistant and has been in education for 20 years. Ms. Karr is a case worker and co-teacher. She has been in education for 9 years. Mr. Lancaster is a case manager and teacher and has been for 10 years. Ms. Godfrey is a teachers assist and this is her second-year teaching.
Ms. Skeele (not pictured) is the Special Education Department Chairman. She has worked at several schools and has years of experience. She started in the classroom and has done just about every job in the special education department. She strives to meet the needs of the Lanier students and their families. So much goes into the education of these students and the plans for their future. Ms. Skeele, along with her entire team, wants to ensure each family is happy and feels cared for.
Lanier is so very fortunate to have such an amazing Special Education Department. Thank you for all your hard work and for being part of the Purple Pup Family.
What's Going on in the Halls?
Lanier art students are at it again. The halls always look amazing thanks to their beautiful artwork.
April Appreciation Lunch
April appreciation lunch was a real fiesta. All Lanier staff was treated to a fajita lunch with all the trimmings, including rice, beans, a vegetarian option, chips, salsa, and tres leche cake for dessert. Lots of fun decorations with little pinatas and candy on the tables. A huge shout out to Montrose Emergency Room for being a sponsor plus giving out valuable information to Lanier staff.
Please consider donating. We have a week of food, fun and relaxation for our Lanier Staff. We cannot make these special treats possible without your support.
The uniform store will be closing for the school year on May 18th. We will be notifying families again to pick up their orders. Since we do not offer refunds, any unclaimed orders will be considered a donation to the PTO.
Lanier Partners with Girl Students
A Note From Ms. Valle
Lanier is proud to announce a new partnership with Girls Think Pink. Through this collaboration, the organization will provide feminine hygiene products and helpful health information for our students to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.
Features a family-friendly movie along with engaging activities like crafts, LEGO building, and more.
Yoga For Youngsters
Every 3rd Saturday of the month @ 2 pm - 3 pm
This event combines storytime with beginner-friendly yoga, making it the perfect way to build body awareness, balance, and relaxation in a welcoming environment.
Adult Programming
Read & Relax Party
Every 3rd Saturday of the month @ 2 pm - 3 pm
This event is all about slowing down and savoring a good read in a cozy setting. Enjoy soft music and the company of fellow book lovers. No discussion required—just bring a book, relax, and enjoy a peaceful reading space.
Make Something Craft Something
Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 2:30 pm-3:30 pm
A monthly program designed for adults. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking for a fun way to express yourself, this event offers everything you need to create amazing art projects and more. All supplies and craft materials are provided, just bring your imagination!
Safety is of the utmost importance at Lanier. When requesting entrance into the school please press the button and state the reason for your visit.
Please DO NOT hold the door open for other guests to enter. They must be let in one at a time by pressing the button and stating the reason for their visit.
When you enter the building please close the door behind you.
When LEAVING the building, please close the door behind you. Please DO NOT let the door close freely as to let others grab the door to enter without being let in by proper methods.
The above reminders are for the safety of everyone on campus. We understand the need to visit campus and want visitors to feel welcomed and safe.
Forgotten lunches must be dropped off before 10:00am
Please have Proper ID ready when picking up students. It is a requirement.
Doors open at 7:45am
ADA time for attendance is 10:15am
If you have a change in your student's transportation for the day, please call the school before 2:45pm to allow time to get the student the correct information.
To see an administrator please email them to make an appointment. With daily schedules they are not always readily available to meet at a moment's notice.
Gordon Education Launches 2026 Summer Filmmaking Camps
Gordon Education is excited to announce its 2026 Summer Film Camps, offering four immersive programs for young creatives aged 9 to 17. Each filmmaking camp focuses on a different genre:
Historical, Changemakers, Documentary, and Narrative Fiction, allowing aspiring filmmakers to explore the art of cinema from multiple perspectives while developing their own voice. All camps offer a range of experiences from production to on-camera acting, and conclude with a red-carpet film premiere for family and friends. Prior experience is not required to enroll in any filmmaking camp.
Emerging filmmakers create an original time-traveling movie set on the historic grounds of the Heritage Society. Campers are mentored by professional filmmakers, community leaders, and professional storytellers. After a successful 2025 launch, Gordon Education is thrilled to be back in partnership with The Heritage Society to produce a one-of-a-kind film that uncovers Houston’s fascinating history.
Inspired by global social justice leaders showcased at the Eternal Gandhi Museum, campers create their own narrative film about the footprint they want to leave on this planet. Special guests include inspiring young Houston artists, poets, and peace activists. Campers visit Houston’s own Eternal Gandhi Museum.
June 29-July 10 at St. Paul’s School (No camp on July 3)
Houston teens collaborate on a documentary examining gun violence as a national public health crisis through interviews with individuals personally affected, those in rehabilitation, and those actively working to make the community safer. In partnership with the nonprofit BYkids, this project gives Houston youth a powerful platform to present solutions and spark national change. Includes guest speakers and field trips in the Houston community. Select footage from this camp will be featured in a national PBS film.
Young storytellers unleash their wildest creative visions in this story-driven filmmaking camp. Whether their movie is set in outer space or under the sea, campers have full artistic license to bring their unique ideas to the screen. Together, they will write, film, direct, and act in an original production, using the "Hero’s Journey" as a roadmap to learn the essentials of storytelling. Camp Leaders are Dan Gordon and Bri Guerrero. Dan Gordon is a documentary filmmaker, director of Gordon education, and brings 20 years experience as an arts educator in Houston and NYC. Bri Guerrero is a professional Film Art Director in Houston bringing her design expertise to many local projects. Bri has been teaching with Gordon Education in schools and summer camps since 2023.
Space is limited, and scholarships are available. More information can be found at:
Founded in 2014, Gordon Education is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young voices through the art of filmmaking. The organization has produced Take the Stage, a bilingual PBS Learning Media series, a national PBS documentary on Indian classical dance, and a music video promoting library access. and has been teaching film workshops in schools, museums, and juvenile justice centers across Houston and NYC. Learn more at www.gordoneducation.org
Lanier MS Student and Family Handbook
If you have questions, please consider looking through the handbook. Lots of answers found here!!!
Family Handbook
We are pleased to share the 2025-2026 Lanier MS student and family handbook. This handbook serves to provide a normed resource for all Lanier MS stakeholders to reference for answers and information about some of the most common, but essential questions and areas of interest. While this is not an exhaustive document nor does it supersede HISD board policy, state, and federal education laws we hope you find it helpful and informative as you navigate your journey as a Purple Pup.
Lanier now has its very own textile recycling bin!
Green City Recycler is dedicated to keeping textiles out of landfills and giving them a second life.
Here’s how it works: For every pound of textiles donated by the Lanier community, the school earns 10 cents. That may not sound like much, but those small amounts really add up!
So, if you have any textiles (clothes, shoes, linens, etc.) that aren’t in good enough condition to donate elsewhere, don’t toss them, recycle them in the bin! Every item helps the environment and supports our school.
Bin location: Next to the bus entrance on Harold Street.
Please consider donating something from our wonderful teachers Amazon wishlists.
As always tissues and pencils are greatly appreciated too. You can drop them off at the front desk with the cluster and/or teacher you are giving them to.
We have kicked off the 2025/26 Raise Your Paws for a Cause Annual Fund Campaign
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Lanier continues to reach new heights. We’re proud to recognize the following corporate sponsors for their outstanding commitment to our school.
Ready to make a difference? Join our growing network of sponsors and help shape the future at Lanier.
The Lanier Middle School PTO publishes this weekly newsletter (The Purple Page) during the school year. Deadline for submission in the Purple Page is Wednesday at 5:00pm.
It is the responsibility of the coaches, sponsors, teachers, parents or team members of an event or activity to submit information to the Purple Page editor.
With so many competitions, performances, club happenings and sports events we rely on submissions.
We want to showcase Lanier students, teachers and staff in all they do.
