New Organizational Structure at Katy ISD
After months of evaluating organizational configurations that better facilitate the learning demands of students and growth of the district, Katy ISD Superintendent Alton Frailey announced today a new organizational structure designed specifically to support the district’s campuses in carrying out their mission. The new structure will go into effect May 1.
At the center of the reorganization is the formation of three Area Assistant Superintendent positions. The Area Assistant Superintendents will be responsible for the Teaching and Learning Division, currently headed by the Chief Academic Officer, by supporting instructional delivery at each campus in their assigned area.
Katy ISD Offers Two-Way Immersion Program
A limited number of native English-speaking and native Spanish-speaking Katy ISD incoming kindergarten and first grade students will have the opportunity to enroll in an optional Two-Way Immersion Program for the 2009-10 school year at Fielder and Memorial Parkway Elementary Schools.
The Two-Way Immersion Program provides instruction in both English and Spanish with the goal that participating students will become bilingual, bi-cultural and bi-literate citizens. Students are expected to perform at or above grade level expectations and become fully literate in both languages by the end of fifth grade. Although students may Read more
UIL Interscholastic Competitions Rescheduled
On the recommendation of Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, and in consultation with Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott, the University Interscholastic League is altering its schedule of events due to the outbreak of the swine flu in Texas. Effective immediately, all UIL interscholastic competition is suspended until May 11.
“The health and safety of our student activity participants is of the utmost importance,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “Taking every possible precaution to prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of our great state, and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants safe.” Read more
It Pays to Have Your Medical Records & Files Organized At Home
Here’s a secret I will let you in on – medical insurance companies and medical facilities are not infallible. I know, that is the funniest joke you’ve heard, but seriously, the financial mistakes when it comes to insurance or what is your financial responsibility, can be to your benefit if you are organized.
Recently I underwent an 8 week treatment for a non life threatening ailment, but the paperwork, records, receipts and all that goes along with it, was more overwhelming than the actual treatment. If the medical community wants you to get well soon, forget about it. The documentation and billing alone will make your recovery seem all that much more drawn out. Read more
Family Fun Day at Cross Creek Ranch May 9th
Cross Creek Ranch will be celebrating the public grand opening of it’s Commons Welcome Center with a Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 9th from 11:30am – 2:30pm in Fulshear. Bring the family for special activities, crafts, food, an inflatable moonwalk, games and more.
The Houston Mobil Zoo will be there with interactive games, animal artifacts, activities, and even some live animals. Mix 96.5 will be broadcasting live and giving away prizes as well. You will be able to tour the new state-of-the-art welcome center, water park, fitness center and on-site Café. Visit the Cross Creek Ranch website for more information and a map to the community.
Local Homeless Web Celebrity Tim Edwards Returns Home from Treatment to a New Life
If your daily commute to or from work involves the intersection of Highway 6 and the Katy Freeway, you may be familiar with Tim Edwards. He was the guy standing on the corner holding a sign for a very long time. He called the overpass home, and was a part of thousands of commuters daily lives. He wasn’t making much progress in his own life until he was approached by the creators of PimpThisBum.com, who converted him into a walking billboard. He advertised a website that enabled people to donate to help get him and other homeless people off the streets and on the road to a better life. Read more
University Model Schooling Options: Parent Perspectives
By Brandi Crawford.
This coming fall, a new educational alternative will become available locally for parents who are interested in the concept of homeschooling, but who also desire the structure and built-in elective/extracurricular opportunities that come with being a part of a traditional or private school program. In August 2009, Trinity Classical School (serving families in Katy, west and central Houston) will open as a K-5 campus with plans to expand by at least one grade level each year.
An informational meeting for interested parents will be hosted in the Katy area on Saturday, May 9th by local residents Rob and Brandi Crawford, who plan to enroll their children at TCS. Read more
Katy Managed Lanes on I-10: The New Katy Tollway and HOV
You may have recently received a flyer in the mail that resembles the image pictured here. On the opposite side, Katy citizens will find some much-needed clarification regarding the newly initiated “Katy Managed Lanes”. If you didn’t happen to receive the flyer, feel free to visit KatyManagedLanes.org or read on. Read more
Katy ISD News Update
From Katy ISD Communications:
Katy ISD to Install Synthetic Turf at High School Competition Fields
The Katy ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved at its April 15 work study the use of available funds to complete synthetic turf installations at the competition fields at Katy, Taylor, Mayde Creek, Cinco Ranch, Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes High Schools. Read more
Naval Sea Cadets Graduate from Katy Division
Five Katy Naval Sea Cadets recently attended a graduation ceremony at VFW Post 9182 in Katy. Graduating Sea Cadets are David Szabo, Ryan Dowling, David Michalak, Joseph Littlefield, and Patrick Fagan.
“This is a tremendous group of young men,” said Lieutenant Clifford Borgstedt, Commanding Officer of the Katy Division. “They all have received specialized training by the Navy and Coast Guard which will serve them well in the future,” he continued. Read more
Marketing Strategist Ward Pennebaker’s Free Seminar on Enhancing Business Presentation Skills
One of the principals of a Houston-based marketing communications firm and a graduate of Harvard University will talk about how to enhance business presentation skills on April 29. The free presentation by Ward Pennebaker of Pennebaker Fifth Ring will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at the University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch, 4242 S. Mason Road.
Pennebaker graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University. He has experience in design and art direction at advertising agencies and Exxon Co., USA. He formed Pennebaker Fifth Ring in 1984 and acts as the chief branding, marketing and positioning strategist at the firm. His proprietary messaging and positioning process is used in companies throughout the world. Read more
That KHS ‘79 Class Reunion Scheduled for June 13th
By Kathy Coots.
The Katy High School class of 1979 will have their 30 year reunion on Saturday, June 13th 2009. It will be at the Hilton Houston Westchase Hotel at 9999 Westheimer. Graduates from “That 79 Class” can register early, buy t-shirts, and get more information at KHSClassof79.com.
Back by popular demand, Eric Roberts is to be master of ceremonies. There will be a trivia game, prizes, awards, and an amazing slide show (including some elementary age photos of alumni). A D.J. will play music at the Saturday evening event. There will be a “mixer” on Friday night by the swimming pool at the Hilton. KHS graduates from other class years have been invited to the Friday night party. Read more
The Hidden Gym of Katy: Mary Jo Peckham Park Fitness Center
They say the best things in life are free… and that is certainly true when you consider all of the great things at Mary Jo Peckham Park Fitness Center, located right at the Avenue D and Franz Road juncture in Old Katy. The park itself is a mecca for Katy residents who live active lifestyles and enjoy the outdoors, featuring a stocked fishing pond surrounded by a jogging trail, a very large playground area, numerous picnic areas and a covered pavilion, a putt-putt golf course, and a fully-staffed gym and indoor pool facility. Oh, and did I mention it is completely free?
If you have yet to join a local health club, or are considering doing so, Mary Jo Peckham might be worth a visit. The gym facility has all of the essential workout equipment you would expect: Read more
Celtic Collaboration: An Interview with Katy’s Hugh Morrison of The Lone Star Stout
This year the Houston International Festival, better known as iFest, will pay homage to the country of Ireland. Katy residents have an incentive to attend this year as one of their own will join the roster.
Hugh Morrison from the trio, Lonestar Stout will join his band mates, Mason Brown and Jed Marum to perform Celtic tunes. Morrison, a native of Scotland, is excited to perform in honor of Ireland. Generally, Celtic music brings thoughts of men in kilts striding in unison, gusting on bagpipes. And yes, traditionally those thoughts are correct, but Lonestar Stout takes it up a notch combining banjos with harmonicas and has been known to collaborate with rock bands. Read more
Firethorne Team Purchases Award-Winning Livestock to Support Katy I.S.D FFA
The “Firethorne Stampede” auction team “corralled” the Grand Champion Pig and Grand Champion Goat, and several other award-winning animals at the Katy Independent School District (I.S.D.) Livestock Show Auction. The Firethorne team purchased six animals in total, including the Reserve Champion Goat and fifth place goat, and sixth and eighth place rabbits, among others, to support the Katy I.S.D. Future Farmers of America (FFA.) Read more
Houston International Festival Spotlights Ireland
by Shelly White.
Downtown Houston will be abuzz this April, as the 38th annual Houston International Festival spotlights Ireland April 18-19 and 25-26, 2009, with outstanding musical performances, art markets and craft demonstrations, interactive exhibits and plenty of food and fun for all.
The Houston International Festival will continue its tradition as one of the largest presenters of world music anywhere on the planet. The 2009 event will feature hundreds of internationally acclaimed artists on 12 performance venues, the most stages to date, throughout the festival site. Read more
Easter Bunny Hop at LaCenterra
Looking for fun, family Easter events to attend this Easter weekend? I bet you haven’t visited many of these lately:
LaCenterra is hosting a Bunny Hop at Heritage Square on Saturday, April 11 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Families can join DJ Doo Wop and the Big Hopper himself for a 50s themed night of fun with a seasonal twist. Visitors to LaCenterra will enjoy cool tunes, fast classic cars, dancing, and a hula-hoop and costume contest. Read more
