Bertie Simmons began her term as principal in 2000 . She had retired from teaching , but decided to become a principal after her granddaughter died in a skiing accident . In 2003 a riot occurred at Furr . While many assistant principals wanted to send the 42 involved children to CEP , a disciplinary school , Simmons called them into her office to have a discussion . The students said that they did not believe that the September 11 attacks occurred , and that they believed the authorities were trying to deceive them . Simmons told them that she would take them to New York City in the June following that school year if the school remained at peace . After the school term completed , the students traveled to New York City . In 2010 Simmons was ranked as the 2010 '' Houston Press '' best school principal . Laura Isensee of '' Houston Public Media '' stated in 2017 that Simmons 's term was relatively long as many principals of low income urban high schools have relatively short terms
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Furr High School