According to a letter sent to parents earlier this week, Sam Houston Elementary School on Throckmorton Street in Oak Lawn, a block from the Cedar Springs bars, will close at the end of the school year.
Teachers and students will be transferred to Ignite Middle School in east Dallas near CityPlace.
Sam Houston School opened in 1909 and is in need of renovations. But because of declining enrollment from the Oak Lawn area, the building will probably be sold. Closer schools for Oak Lawn students are the Medrano School on Lucas Street and Maple Lawn Elementary on Inwood Road at Cedar Springs.
Over the years, the Caven bars have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Secret Santa gifts, funded Field Day for the school and kept the classes filled with school supplies.
Caven CEO Mike Nguyen said his company will continue supporting the school.
This year will mark the 28th annual Secret Santa program, which makes sure each student gets a holiday gift.
Caven show director Cassie Nova has been involved in raising money for the Sam Houston Elementary Secret Santa Program for about 10 years.
“We’ve developed a great relationship with the school,” Cassie Nova said. “Even though they’re leaving the neighborhood, we still will partner with them throughout the year. I look forward to continue producing my annual Cassie Nova Freakmas Benefit Show that goes toward holiday gifts and school supplies for students at the school.”
— David Taffet