Convenience Big Store: Woodlands BBQ joint is half food truck, half auto shop and all old-school

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John Cooper School breaks ground on 25,000 square foot athletic facility as it hits 35th anniversary

The John Cooper School's first 25 graduates walked the stage in 1994. Now in its 35th year, more than 1,300 students attend The Woodlands private school as it looks ahead with a new 10-year strategic plan.

That plan includes a new 25,000-square foot athletic facility, which broke ground in August and is expected to be complete by next school year. The new facility will host a 3,000 square foot weight room, 325-locker locker room, cheer room, fitness rooms and coaches' offices.

It was getting pretty cramped for the school's basketball and cheer teams, so I'm sure this will be a welcome change for students and coaches alike. Athletic director John Hoye is certainly excited and said the new space will free up the old weight room for more fitness space as well.

Other upcoming changes include a new visual arts center, continued focus on students' emotional intelligence and mental health and other enhanced facilities, head of school Stephen Popp said. Read more from Popp and others here.

What are some other school changes you're excited about or want to know more about? Let me know at claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com.

Now, more than 1,300 students attend The Woodlands' private school as it begins its 35th school year and looks ahead with a new 10-year strategic plan.

Claire Partain, Suburban reporter producer

Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

Education

Bus driver Reina Reyes leaves the Conroe ISD Oak Ridge Transportation Center to pick up students, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Oak Ridge North. The district's transportation department is one of the areas that are seeing the strain of the district's explosive growth in students, in addition to the growing bus driver shortage.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Houston's suburban school districts battle bus driver shortage

A nationwide bus driver shortage has plagued Houston-area schools as districts use signing bonuses, job fairs and higher salaries to convince more applicants to sign up.

Buses are seen at one of Conroe ISD's four transportation center, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in Oak Ridge. On June 3, the CISD transportation department will be hosting a job fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at two locations, the Conroe Transportation Center at 108 Gladstell Street in Conroe and the Oak Ridge Transportation Center at 27110 Geffert Wright Road in Spring.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

CISD providing buses for firefighter training in The Woodlands

Conroe ISD trustees approved an agreement with The Woodlands township that will allow firefighters the ability to train for real-life situations involving school buses.

Need to Know

Phil Gessner checks on brisket he is smoking for brisket tacos at Gessner's Grub Bar-B-Que Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 in Spring. The old-school barbecue place is half food truck, half auto shop tucked away in an out-of-the-way location near The Woodlands.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Gessner's Grub doubles as auto shop parking lot and one of The Woodlands' most popular barbecue spots.

Unlike chain barbecue restaurants in The Woodlands, Gessner's is a food truck tucked in an auto shop parking lot and is a favorite for Central Texas barbecue.

Openings and Closings

New Montgomery restaurant Suburbs Bar and Grill aims to show "life is still fun in the suburbs."

Shout out

The Woodlands Fire Department and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office will go head-to-head Saturday in an annual Boots vs. Badges softball game benefitting the Montgomery County Food Bank.

One last thing …

Taking a day trip to Conroe? My colleague Sondra Hernandez has compiled a list of 5 things to do on a Saturday in downtown Conroe, from breakfast drinks to live music. Check that out here.