SHARE! Exchange Student Program Says “Sayonara” at the End of the School Year
Each year students from across the globe visit Katy ISD schools for semesters at a time to share in experiencing the American culture and education system. Students stay with “host families” in the Katy area and learn the ins and outs of experiencing the typical teen life in our area. I have had the pleasure of knowing a Hungarian exchange student at Katy High School, a German Exchange student at Morton Ranch High School, Read more
Regarding McMeans Junior High
By Alton Frailey
The events of this week surrounding the alleged assault at McMeans Junior High and the attention it brought upon that school is a reminder that the way we respond to events that happen in our district can have as much impact - either positive or negative - as the event itself.
There has historically been a tremendous amount of support from the community for McMeans Junior High, as well as for all of our schools in Katy ISD. Together, parents, students and staff have worked very hard over many years to make our schools the quality places of learning that they are today. Read more
Katy Chamber of Commerce Honors 2009 Teachers of the Year
By Ann Hodge.
The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Membership Luncheon held on Tuesday, May 12 honored the 53 2009 KISD Teachers of the Year. The keynote address was given by Giff Nielsen, sports personality.
Each teacher was presented a silver clock with a frame on each side engraved to commemorate the occasion. The gifts for the teachers also included a cash gift from Chamber members as well as a gift bag filled with gifts donated by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce members. Read more
HCC Faculty Member Receives Second Fulbright Scholarship
Bryant Evans, a Houston Community College geography professor, will travel with thirteen others from across the country to the Middle East this summer as a recipient of the Fulbright-Hays Scholarship. The Fulbright-Hays travel seminar is a short-term study abroad program for primary through postsecondary instructors. Mr. Evans, who has taught at HCC for six years, is expected to depart in mid-June for Washington D.C. where he will undergo an orientation to the Middle East prior to departing to Oman and Jordan. Read more
Student Excellence Award Winners Announced
Katy ISD has announced 73 winners of the 2009 Student Excellence Award for 2009, the district’s highest award for graduating seniors. Award winners are selected by their individual high schools, with 12 students each from the six four-year schools and two students from Miller Career & Technology Center. Each student names an outstanding teacher, who has served as a special mentor, supporter and inspiration to him or her. The Class of 2009 winners, the area they represent and their outstanding teachers (in parentheses) are: Read more
2009 Katy ISD Teachers of the Year
What do a visit to the zoo by a group of teenagers and a “mini-marathon” run by a group of elementary students have in common? They are two of the strategies that Katy ISD’s 2009 Teachers of the Year use to provide hands-on learning and teach life lessons to their students.
The two districtwide Teachers of the Year, announced on May 9, are Carol Rogers, science department chair at Katy High School (secondary), and Courtney Calfee, fifth grade reading teacher at Williams Elementary School (elementary). Read more
New Charter Chapter Opens for National Art Honor Society in Katy
Pope John XXIII High School recently kicked off their brand new “charter” chapter of the National Art Honor Society with the spring inductions of 28 new members. Two senior inductees, Chris Panaligan and Gen McCormick received art scholarships! Nell Bednarz, a local Katy artist, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Read more
“Books in Bloom” Book Fair at LaCenterra
LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch and the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County (LCFBC) will be hosting Books in Bloom, a summer book fair and sale May 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Books in Bloom is a celebration of reading that benefits literacy programs and increases awareness of free public programs available through LCFBC. Programs benefiting from book sales include basic literacy, English as a Second Language, GED preparation classes, US Citizenship preparation classes, numerous computer classes, Badges & Books, Baskets and Books, and Job Readiness workshops. Read more
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
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 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
Mondays With Mommy at LaCenterra
LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch and the Katy Area Moxie Moms present “Mondays with Mommy,” a free series of events and activities for parents and preschoolers ages birth to 5 years old. “Mondays with Mommy” events will be held monthly beginning December 15 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The series kicks off with the Lil’ Elves Workshop offering the first 150 kids the opportunity to create a special holiday gift for the recipient of their choice.
The 2009 “Mondays with Mommy” will be held on the second Monday of each month from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and feature a wide range of topics. All moms groups welcome. While “Mommy” is in the title, dads, grandparents and guardians are welcome to attend. Read more
HCC Faculty Member Tom Haymes Photo featured in Popular Photography Magazine
Houston Community College invites you to check out the April issue of Popular Photography to see Urban Canyon on page 68. This unique shot of the Pennzoil Place was taken by Tom Haymes, Director of Technology and Instructional Computing for both the Katy and Town & Country Campuses.
Tom Haymes has been doing fine art photography for over 25 years. He graduated from the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas with a certification in Media Arts (photography and writing) and subsequently spent six years doing professional photographic sales. Mr. Haymes has two Master’s Degrees from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s from UT Austin. Read more
