Photos: Lake Highlands Middle School ribbon cutting

RISD staff and trustees opened the newly-constructed Lake Highlands Middle School building’s doors to the community for the first time with “Taste of Lake Highlands” on Thursday.

LHMS Principal Nick Rustin cuts the ribbon with Superintendent Tabitha Branum. Photo by Carol Toler.

The event kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which was well-attended by the community. Lake Highlands Middle School Principal Nick Rustin, RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum and Board of Trustees President Chris Poteet welcomed the community with opening remarks.

“‘[The building] reflects the learning environment that we would want for every single student,” Branum boasted, “that they know that when they walk in, from the from the graphics on the wall, to the furniture that’s flexible that allows students to move between groups and to collaborate, that allows them to be creative, or creating an environment that is going to ensure that they are not just learning and not just growing, but they are thriving. And that’s what we’re about at Richardson ISD.”

District 10 Councilmember Kathy Stewart was also present alongside RISD administration and trustees.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, neighbors were invited inside to tour the first floor of the 248,842-square-foot, 3-story building. The building’s first floor features a new STEM space, two gyms, a library, cafeteria, dining area, fine arts rooms and athletics facilities.

The former LHJH site will transition into green space and parking over the following months. The project is expected to be completed by December of this year.

Local vendors were also well-represented at the event, with bites being sold from Mallory’s Cookie Jar, Salt Sweets and Fish City Grill.

Luckily, our own Carol Toler was on-scene to grab some great photos, which can be found below.