***Please make sure to read to the very end of the newsletter. Centennial Open House is this Sunday. New Spirit Nights for Odessey of the Mind and more!!***
***Important Upcoming Dates***
May 16th Saturday - 8th Grade Dance 6:00pm - 9:00pm
May 17th Sunday - Centennial Open House 1:00pm - 3:00pm Lanier Middle School
May 21st Thursday - Lanier Choir Spirit Night (Ducky's Pizza & Tavern) 4:00pm - 8:00pm
May 23rd Saturday - International Peace Festival
May 25th Monday - Memorial Day Holiday (No Classes)
May 28th Thursday - General PTO Meeting
May 29th Friday - 8th grade Field Day Celebration
Upcoming Testing Dates
Upcoming NWEA/MAP EOY Testing:
NWEA/MAP Testing for the end of the school year begins Tuesday May 19th and continues up through May 26th.
Tuesday May 19th- NWEA/MAP Math
Wednesday May 20th- NWEA/MAP Reading
Thursday May 21st- NWEA/MAP Science
Friday May 22nd or Tuesday May 26th- NWEA/MAP Algebra 1 (TBD- working to get you all an answer ASAP)
Tuesday May 26th- NWEA Reading Fluency (selected students- not all)
High School Courses - Semester 2 Final Exams:
Spring Semester Final Exams for high school credit courses will be May 26-May 28 administered in class.
HS Credit Courses With Finals:
Algebra 1 (Murali, Gamit, Pathak)
Geometry (Gamit)
IPC (Saad, Bano)
Spanish 1 (Cantu, Castillo)
Spanish 2 (Cantu)
French 1 (Prehu)
Mandarin Chinese 1 (Lun)
Principles of Applied Engineering (Migala)
Principles of Information Technology (Mann)
Journalism 1 (Thelander)
Debate 1 (Hill)
Art 1 (Dalglish)
Student Leadership (Marshall)
Lanier Fun Fact
Did you know that as of right now (May 2026) Lanier has more boy students than girl students? Also, the largest class this year is the 7th grade class in at 525 students. Here's another fun fact, Lanier has not always been a middle school. When it first opened it was a Junior High School and believed to have grades 7th through 12th.
Lanier Spotlight
Ms. Gomez
Ms. Gomez is one of Lanier's 6th and 7th grade Spanish teachers. She has been at Lanier for 7 years and in education for 30 years. Ms. Gomez is from Houston. She attended HISD schools and then headed to Rice University. There is earned her Bachelor of Arts in both Spanish and English.
In her spare time Ms. Gomez has started gardening. It's really nice to see the fruits of your labor growing. Tomatoes and cucumbers are plentiful. She also enjoys traveling. Recently her and her husband purchased a new camper, and she cannot wait to use it this summer. Ms. Gomez has been married for 36 years. She has 4 lovely children who are all grown up and reaching for the stars. Two of her children are nurses. One just graduated from Rice University and will be headed to Stanford for his Masters. And another who is in the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland. To say she is one proud mom is an understatement. Ms. Gomez also has 4 pets; one cat, two dogs and a bearded dragon.
Ms. Gomez is a wonderful part of Lanier. She is a fabulous teacher who prepares her students well for the years to follow. She cares for her students and enjoys hearing of their accomplishments after they move on to the next class. Thank you Ms. Gomez for your continued dedication and hard work. Lanier is a better place because of you.
What's Going on in the Halls?
There have been so many beautiful bulletin boards this month. Take a look at 8th grade arts latest project on Micrography Art.
Teacher Appreciation Week
This year teachers asked for an international themed week. The lounge was decorated with flags from around the world, globes, pinatas, Asian decor and trinkets from many different countries. Lots of inspirational quotes decorated the walls and a fun international photo frame put a smile on their faces. A big thank you to everyone who donated as to make this week possible. And a big thank you to everyone who was there helping get everything ready to celebrate our Lanier staff.
See below the details of each day's events and fun pictures.
Monday
Teachers enjoyed an international breakfast of French pastries, English scones, and coffee. Staff also enjoyed a relaxation experience with sound therapy thanks to Lanier grandparent, Ann James and Lanier parent, Amanda Lemaire. Ms. James uses frequencies and vibrations from instruments like singing bowls to induce deep relaxation, reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
Tuesday
Lanier teachers and staff enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo breakfast of different breakfast tacos and fresh salsa. Baristas from Grizzaffi coffee were also on site to prepare fresh espresso drinks. Staff selected from a variety of lattes, flavorings, and teas. All served hot or iced. Sound therapy was also available for another day.
Wednesday
Today's international fun was an Italian lunch from Cafe Express. All enjoyed a pasta lunch with salad and garlic bread along with pizza. For today's relaxation, massage therapists were on campus. Everyone scheduled a time to get a massage from a licensed therapist while listening to relaxing music.
Thursday
Lanier staff enjoyed a fun sweet and salty treat from a drive by snack cart. Everyone selected a cupcake from Frullino Home Bakery and then chose their preference in chips, cookies and a drink. They also received notes from students showing their appreciation. Massages were also available again today.
Friday
Today Lanier staff enjoyed an Asian lunch from Pei Wei. Choices of honey seared chicken, Mongolian beef, orange chicken, and a vegetarian option were available. Everyone also enjoyed Thai donuts, fortune cookies, iced tea and lemonade. Teachers and staff also received gift cards.
Lots of smiling teachers and staff enjoying the week.
Proposed Slate for Lanier Middle School PTO July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Below is the proposed slate of PTO Executive Board Members for the 26/27 school year which will be voted on at the May 28th general meeting.
President - Sue Church
President Elect - open
VP Finance - Anh Hopper
VP Volunteers Lisa Meeks
VP Fundraising - Lauren Gates
VP Social Events - Casey Ball
VP Communications - Vandana Shah
HISD Liaison - Tricia Wycliff
Secretary - Nancy Huang
Parliamentarian - Maria Payne
Treasurer - Amy Roberts
NJHS Luncheon
Each year NJHS students enjoy a lunch together at the end of the year. These students worked incredibly hard this year. A HUGE thank you to Lanier's wonderful NJHS Sponsors, Ms. Gomez and Ms. Cantu. It is such an undertaking to keep up with 150 + students' grades, conduct and community service hours. That's on top of their classroom students. Congratulations Lanier NJHS 2025 - 2026 Chapter.
Great 8 Centennial Ball
The Great 8 Centennial Ball is this Saturday 5/16. Please see below for arrival and dismissal instructions, a map of the grounds, and general information. If you have any questions, please follow the link to the PTO website
The on-line store is now closed. Please pick up uniforms Monday May 18th from 4:00pm - 4:30pm as that’s the final day for pick-up. The on-line uniform store will re-open July 5 and further information will be provided in late June.
GT Expo
Last week the following students represented Lanier at the annual HISD GT Expo. Great work!!!
Kelsey Ragsdale – How Does a Fruit’s Environment Affect Oxidation Time?
Rithvikaa Arving and Sarah Carbajal – Yeast Cell Growth
Emily Santayo – The Effect of Curing Temperature and Pressure on the Durability of Construction Materials
Important Notes from Ms. Valle
Has Your Child Borrowed a Uniform and Not Yet Returned It?
Hello, wonderful parents! Could you kindly take a peek into your closets to see if there are any uniform loaners your student might have borrowed for school? If your student has received one due to dress code issues, accidents, or other reasons, please return it. Our stock is running low, and we want to ensure we always have uniform loaners available for our students when they need them.
Thank you so much for your help!
Donate Uniforms!
Please donate clean, gently used uniforms that your children may have outgrown or no longer need.
We're on a mission to gather Lanier sweaters (think jackets, hoodies, and more), Lanier polos, PE uniforms, and khaki and navy-blue bottoms in all sizes.
Drop-off Location: Donation bins are available in the school foyer.
Lanier Odyssey of the Mind
Lanier Odyssey of the Mind upcoming fundraisings:
Mia's Table, 3131 Argonne St - Wednesday, 05/20/26, 11am-9pm
Chick-fil-A, 2715 Southwest Fwy -Thursday, 05/21/26, 5pm-7pm
Dish Society, 4191 Bellaire Blvd – Monday, 05/25/26, whole day
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.
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.
