September 16, 2022
Humble ISD is replacing the North Belt Elementary School building, which has been open more than 50 years. The new campus opens in Fall 2023. During the Sept. 13, 2022, School Board Meeting, the Humble ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the new campus North Bend Elementary School.
The new name will keep the same school initials of NBE, and also maintains consistency with North as the first part of the name.
North Belt Elementary got its name in September 1967 because the campus was located on the North Belt. However, this part of the roadway was renamed Beltway 8 in 1969 and the Sam Houston Tollway in 1986.
The name North Bend reflects the new location, which is on Old Humble Road and Bender Road. It is near Three Mile Bend, the intersection where Old Humble Road meets Atascocita Road.
Robert Sitton, Chair of the Board Building and Planning Committee, shared some historical information about the new name during the School Board meeting.
“It is located on Bender so that’s where the “Bend” comes from. Also, there’s a little more significance to that name. Where Atascocita Road and Old Humble Road intersect, it creates a ‘Y’ and then it turns and goes straight on out to the Beltway,” Sitton said. “Years ago, that intersection was called the Three Mile Bend. The old local folks still call it Three Mile Bend, so if you add those things together -- the initials, the street and the significance of that area -- North Bend really made a lot of sense.”
North Bend Elementary School was the top choice of staff members who participated in focus groups about proposed names.
Rendering of new North Bend Elementary building
A school staff member suggested Explorer as the mascot for the new campus. Explorer matches the theme of the museum pods that will be part of the new school’s design. The Explorer will be depicted as a Bobcat - a Texas native wildcat - in Explorer gear.
“With the new mascot, the Explorer, and with the school looking like a lodge, I think it all works,” Sitton said at the School Board meeting. “I think that for those who went to North Belt Elementary, it’s always tough when you feel like you’ve lost your identity because that’s where you went to school, that’s what you identify with, but the folks I talked with like the fact that we at least still have those initials so we still have some connection there and the significance of where the school is located.”
Current North Belt Elementary parents and staff responded to a recent communication regarding the new name and mascot. Here are a few of their comments:
“I like the proposed name of North Bend. The mascot is great too! It is a nod to the past and a step forward that allows the school to keep the positive aspects of its identity and move forward.”
“I love it. I showed it to my daughter, a 2nd grader in Ms. Collins class. She fell in love with the new mascot and we LOVE the colors. NBE initials to honor our beloved North Belt!”
“I love the idea of the mascot and school colors, great choice. And the facility is beautiful. Students are going to enjoy going to school everyday. I give it a 10.”
North Belt Elementary parents and staff will be sent a survey with an expanded selection of renderings of the Bobcat Explorer mascot so that they can choose a favorite.
In addition, the new campus will feature a history wall to showcase the legacy of North Belt Elementary School to future generations.