Katy ISD Board Approves Volunteer Enrollment Option for Seven Lakes and Cinco Ranch High School Students
The Katy ISD Board of Trustees approved a recommendation Monday night to provide families impacted by the Attendance Boundary Modification a one-time Volunteer Enrollment Option (VEO), which would allow those students grandfathered to remain at their current high school to instead choose to move to the new high school.
“After spending hours researching all our options and the systemic implications that volunteering could possibly cause, I believe that we have developed a Volunteer Enrollment Option that will serve the best interests of our students and families, as well as the district,” says Katy ISD superintendent Alton Frailey.
Families wishing to apply for the VEO will need to do so between March 1 and March 12. Information about the VEO application process, as well as the necessary forms and guidelines can be found on the district’s Web site.
In addition, the district will hold an informational meeting for those interested in the VEO on Monday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. in room 1200 at the Katy ISD Education Support Center, located at 6301 S. Stadium Lane. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP online.
In other action, the Board of Trustees approved the administration’s recommendation to modify the attendance boundaries for Seven Lakes, Cinco Ranch and Taylor High Schools. Developed after hundreds of hours of staff work and an unprecedented community engagement process that included five public workshops and opportunities for online input, the new boundaries will help relieve overcrowding at Seven Lakes High School.
Details of the recommendation can be found at the district’s Web site on the Attendance Boundary Modification webpage.
Morton Ranch Project Prom Silent Auction and Dinner
On March 4th, Morton Ranch High School will be holding a Silent Auction and Dinner to raise money for Project Prom. The dinner will be catered by Schulze’s BBQ. You can bid on sports memorabilia, gift baskets, and many other “one of a kind” things. The cost is $15 for the dinner and auction or just $5 for the auction only. The dinner will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and the auction from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
For more information call 281-237-9664 or email seghoyt@yahoo.com. If you are interested in donating something for the auction, please contact Tammy Whitlock at whitlock1969@comcast.net or call 832-578-2972.
It’s Rodeo Time Again in Houston
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo come back to town running March 2nd and running through March 21st. There are also events leading up to the Rodeo, beginning February 26th.
This great annual event features not only big concerts but a Downtown Rodeo Parade, PRCA rodeos, livestock exhibits, a carnival, vendor booths with arts and crafts, student art exhibits, an international wine competition, not to mention barbecue!
For a schedule of events beginning this weekend and running through March 21st, click here. For more information about Rodeo Houston and to purchase show tickets, visit www.rodeohouston.com.
Memorial Parkway Elementary Beautification
The Beautification Committee @ Memorial Parkway Elementary is changing our hot playground into a lush park and they need your help!!! They will be planting donated trees to provide much needed shade on Saturday, March 27th, 2010 @ 9:00am!
Miss Bay Area 2010 will be at our school for a personal appearance that day! So grab your shovel, camera and help them plant some trees. They are also in need of volunteers to water the weeks following the planting day as well as tax-deductible donations of large trees, starting at $105! If you would like to be a part of this movement, just show up on Saturday March 27th at 9:00am with a shovel in hand! Or contact Traci Bourque-Johannson @ 832-309-0616 or bojo72@comcast.net.
The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking in Houston
Evidence of being controlled. An inability to move or leave a job. Bruises or other signs of physical abuse. Fear or depression. No passport or ID. These are clues to help identify victims of human trafficking. On Tuesday, February 23, Pandora’s Box presents Alyssandra Granado of the Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition who will speak about human trafficking in Houston. This non-profit’s mission is to raise awareness about human trafficking, assist in identifying victims, and improve victim services in the greater Houston metropolitan area. Librarian Cindy Belmar will introduce the speaker.
HCC students, faculty, staff, and the public are invited. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. in the HCC Katy Cyber Lounge at 1550 Foxlake Drive, 77084. For more information please call 713-718-5750, contact michael.ronan@hccs.edu, or view http://commons.nwc.hccs.edu/pandora.
2010 Spring Fishing Classic at Bass Pro Shop
From February 27th through March 14th, Bass Pro Shop at Katy Mills Mall will be holding their annual Spring Fishing Classic. Following are the events and activities scheduled. For more information, please visit www.basspro.com. Read more
Saturday with Fort Bend Master Gardeners
On March 6th, visit the 4 acres of Demonstration Gardens at the Fort Bend Agriculture Center and talk to the volunteers who design and maintain them. It’s a great way to learn! Park in front of the Agriculture Center, located at 1402 Band Road, Rosenberg, 77471. Take one of the sidewalks back to the area behind the building to find the Master Gardeners. Gardens are open from 9:00-11:00 a.m.281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com
On March 13th, they will be holding their perennial sale.
For more information call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.
1st Annual Fun Run and Carnival
On March 6th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, visit Joe Hubenak Elementary at 11344 Ranch Bella Parkway in Richmond for their 1st Annual Fun Run and Carnival. The fun run and carnival will help fund field trips, equipment, and school activities!
If you are interested in volunteering or sponsorship, please contact Kaye at kthom44531@aol.com
Junior High Master Dance Class Series at Seven Lakes
The Seven Lakes Sapphires Dance Team will be hosting a Junior High Master Class Dance Series for students in grades 6-8. Classes will be held every Wednesday from March 3 through April 14 th from 3:15-4:15 at the Seven Lakes High School Dance Gym. Students who attend are invited to perform in the Sapphires Spring Show on April 16, 2010. The cost for the dance series is $60. Contact the Seven Lakes Dance Department at 281-237-9571 for more information.
Seven Lakes High School is located at 9251 S. Fry Road.
5th Annual Making a Difference Together Disability Conference
The 5th Annual Making a Difference Together Parent Conference and Resource Fair co-sponsored by Family to Family Network and the Katy ISD Special Education Department, will be held on Saturday, February 27th at the Morton Ranch High School.
This FREE conference is offered to parents of children (age birth to adult) with any type of disability, will cover a variety of educational, medical, and family-based topics relevant to raising a child with a disability. Four breakout sessions will be available, with more than 20-25 topics per session. A number of presentations will be offered in Spanish.
“This conference allows parents to gain an understanding of valuable information that will enable them to make informed, educated decisions – and become strong advocates for their children,” said Mary Jane Williams, executive director of Family to Family Network. “We are fortunate to have the support of so many experienced professionals that have an abundance of informationto share with parents.”
Doors will open at 8:00 am on conference day. Breakout sessions will run from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm. For a complete list of presentations and to register online, go to www.familytofamilynetwork.org (click on Special Events) or call 713-466-6304. Athouh walk-ins are welcome on the day of the event, pre-registration is recommended.
The conference also receives support from Rotary Club of Katy Sunrise, Houston Endowment, and Newfield Foundation. The Mission of Family to Family Network is to help families of children with disabilities by providing information, training, referral, and support. Family to Family Network is a 501@3 non profit organization.
Katy Homebuyers: Hurry Before Mortgage Rates Rise!
Katy neighbors: Shopping for a home? About to start house hunting? Now is better than later! Mortgage rates are destined to rise in the near future. Predictions are that rates may go up to 6% by April. While this sounds high, please remember it is still very low considering historical data. When I started selling Katy real estate in 1989, interest rates were barely below 20%!
Normally, I don’t write articles explaining why rates are fluctuating. If you are like me, you just want to know what the rate is today. However, a recent change will raise rates and we will also probably see them continue to increase in the future.
The Fed has raised the “discount rate” from .5% to .75%. The discount rate is the the rate at which banks borrow money; so, this move will cause mortgage rates to increase.
This government is no longer focusing on keeping mortgage rates down. This move, on top of their decision to cut back the amount of mortgages they buy, proves this.
Furthermore, the Fed is planning on ending their Mortgage Back Securities purchase program in April. Through this plan, the Federal government has been stimulating interest rates to remain low.
Here is a great article to read on the topic.
Don’t forget the $8000 First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit and the $6500 Current Homeowner’s Tax Credit. To take advantage of these programs, you must be under contract by the end of April and close by the end of June.
Call me at 713-818-2404 for more information. Let’s get out there and find your dream home now!
Foundations Academy Grand Opening
Foundations Academy, located at 20817 Westheimer Parkway Katy Texas, will be having a Grand Opening on February 20th from 9:00am-5:00 pm. Tour their state of the art facility, enjoy our bounce house, enjoy a meet a greet with our teachers, hor devours by Gators Cajun Cafe, and fun arts and crafts.
Tradition Bank Hosts Shred Day to benefit Special Pals Shelter
Shred for furry friends. Tradition Bank on Fry Road will host a community-wide shred day on Saturday, February 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in support of local animal shelter, Special Pals Shelter. Documents will be shredded in the bank’s parking lot, and a donation of $5 per box is appreciated. Residents are asked to place old documents for shredding in a banker’s box. Staples, paper clips and binder clips need not be removed from the documents. Plastic binders are not accepted. Assistance will be available at the event to help unload heavy boxes. For more information, please visit www.traditionbank.com.
14th Annual Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo
Houston Family Magazine’s 14th Annual Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo is coming up this Saturday, February 20th. The Expo will be held from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Memorial City Mall next to the ice rink. You will have an opportunity to speak with counselors, look over information and see what they have to offer. There will be demonstrations and performances every half hour, with drawings throughout the day to win great prizes.
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings in Katy
February 18, 2010, from 4:30 – 5:00 pm, visit The Public House at 22758 Westheimer Parkway in the Villagio Center for their Ribbon Cutting. Complimentary champagne toast t all who attend. For more information, please visit www.thepublichouseofkaty.com.
On March 6th, from 9:45 – 12:00 am, The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development celebrates it’s grand opening with a ribbon cutting. The Goddard School is located at 24025 Cinco Village Center Blvd. For more information, please visit www.goddardschool.com.
Red Cross Give-Back at Cold Stone Creamery
Round up the kids and call the neighbors! March 11th from 5:00 – 8:00 pm is the time to eat ice cream with conviction and purpose. Cold Stone Creamery at LaCenterra will donate a portion of this evenings sales to Katy’s own Western Branch Office of the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross has a rich history of aiding, assisting, comforting and educating in our neighborhoods and across the globe. To learn more about our local chapter of the American Red Cross and services offered, call (281) 822-4220 or visit them online.
Katy Area Community Garage Sales
If you like garage sales, you won’t want to miss these 2 big Katy events on March 6th.
First, Katy Area Parents of Multiples will be holding their semi-annual garage sale at Crosspoint Community Church from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. Approximately 25 families will be selling mainly child realted and household items. There will be alot of kids clothing, toys, and equipment. There will also be a bake sale. Crosspoint Community Church is located at 700 S. Westgreen, Katy, TX 77450.
Pope John XXII will also be holding a community wide garage sale from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm in their school gym- rain or shine. You can also rent a space of your own for $30. For information, please contact Ana Sanchez by e-mail “re: community garage sale” at ams1965att.net. Pope John XXII is located on the corner of Franz and West Grand Parkway.
