| Katy ISD is Powering Up for Back to School 2021-22 | Katy ISD is Powering Up for Back to School 2021-22 | | <div class="ExternalClassBFF6F71E36E34BA0A8CC5480161AC8D5"><p style="text-align:center;"><span><img src="/PublishingImages/Slideviewer.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:400px;height:155px;" /><br></span></p><p><span style="text-align:justify;">Katy Independent School District is excited to welcome back over 85,000 students on Wednesday, August 18 for the 2021-22 school year.</span><span style="text-align:justify;"> </span><span style="text-align:justify;">Prior to the first day of school, Katy ISD encourages parents and students to </span><em style="text-align:justify;">Power Up for Back to School</em><span style="text-align:justify;"> through the District's online registration system, </span><a href="/registration/Pages/default.aspx" style="text-align:justify;">PowerSchool Enrollment</a><span style="text-align:justify;">. A new student is defined as a K-12 learner who has never attended a school within Katy ISD, or a previous Katy ISD student who withdrew and is re-enrolling. </span><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">All Katy ISD students are required to enroll, or update their information, for the new school year using the online registration system. Enrollment and updates will take place in two phases which include:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Monday, July 26, 2021 – New student enrollment reopens</li><li>Monday, August 2, 2021 – Annual Student Update Opens (for current Katy ISD students)</li></ul><p style="text-align:justify;">Before beginning the online registration process for new students, it's recommended that parents have the following documentation ready to upload:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Proof of Residence: A utility bill (light, water or gas), purchasing paperwork or lease agreement. If a lease agreement or purchasing paperwork is provided at the time of registration, a utility bill must be provided within 30 days of occupancy.</li><li>Official Birth Certificate or Passport of Student</li><li>Government-issued Identification Care of Person Registering Student</li><li>Proof of Immunization</li><li>Report Card or Transcript at Recently Attended School</li></ul><p>Join Katy ISD as we <em>Power Up for Back to School</em> with PowerSchool Enrollment. For more information, visit the <a href="/registration/Pages/default.aspx">Katy ISD Online Registration webpage</a>.<br></p><p><br></p></div> |
| Katy ISD Saves Over $4M by Implementing Energy Saving Strategies | Katy ISD Saves Over $4M by Implementing Energy Saving Strategies | | <div class="ExternalClass2A33388446EA40C28660A2238441E224"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">Twenty-four Katy Independent School District campuses have earned the </span><em style="text-align:justify;">Energy Star Certification</em><span style="text-align:justify;"> by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and have saved the District over $4 million to date due to their efforts. Since 2019, Katy ISD has partnered with Cenergistic, a Texas-based company that helps school districts conserve energy through strategies that include fine-tuning air conditioning (AC) run times, identifying unused AC/lighting schedules, overnight equipment checks, updating technology and other protocols. </span><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Through approved bond projects, the Katy ISD Operations Division has been able to install new equipment that is both energy-efficient and more reliable for campuses and District facilities," said Chief Operations Officer Ted Vierling. “Small changes such as upgrading lighting from old technology to light-emitting diode (LED) to larger adjustments such as replacing boilers and chillers have improved efficiency for both energy and water consumption," added Vierling.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Over the past three years, Katy ISD has committed to making energy conservation a priority due to the rising cost of electricity, gas and water. Every dollar saved on these utilities amounts to greater funding that can be redirected to classrooms, teachers and students. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Looking to sustain conservation efforts now and well into the future, all new Katy ISD facilities are built with energy-efficient components such as LED lighting, automatic shut-off switches for classroom lighting, upgraded control systems and utilization of natural light whenever practical. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The following campuses have been awarded the <em>Energy Star Certification</em>:</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Elementary Campuses:</span></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li> Alexander Elementary</li><li>Bear Creek Elementary</li><li>Cimarron Elementary</li><li>Creech Elementary</li><li>Davidson Elementary</li><li>Fielder Elementary</li><li>Golbow Elementary</li><li>Griffin Elementary</li><li>Hayes Elementary</li><li>Jenks Elementary</li><li>Leonard Elementary</li><li>McRoberts Elementary</li><li>Randolph Elementary</li><li>Shafer Elementary</li><li>Sundown Elementary</li><li>Williams Elementary</li><li>Wilson Elementary</li><li>Wolfe Elementary</li><li>Wolman Elementary</li></ol><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Junior High Campuses:</span></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li> McDonald Junior High</li><li>McMeans Junior High</li><li>Memorial Parkway Junior High</li><li>Tays Junior High</li></ol><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">High School Campuses:</span></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li> Tompkins High School</li></ol><p><br><br></p></div> |
| Katy ISD Smart Restart and SpeakUp Campaigns Recognized by State and National Organizations | Katy ISD Smart Restart and SpeakUp Campaigns Recognized by State and National Organizations | | <div class="ExternalClassF16FEEE3E00C4835B0C95C0A7213729A"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) recently recognized the Katy Independent School District Communication Department with a Golden Achievement Award for its exemplary work on the District's </span><em style="text-align:justify;">Smart Restart – Return to School</em><span style="text-align:justify;"> campaign, which was executed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign focused on educating and engaging students, parents, staff and community members on the return to school plan, safety protocols and evolving initiatives impacted by the pandemic.</span></p><p>Also this year, the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) awarded the Communications Department with a Gold Star Award, the highest school public relations honor in the state, for the District's <em>SpeakUp</em> Safe Schools campaign — a multi-level marketing and communication initiative designed to build awareness around safety topics; encourage the use of the SpeakUp anonymous reporting app; emphasize student ownership of safety protocols; educate parents; and reinforce drug and alcohol awareness. Print and promotional materials included posters, public service announcements (PSA) videos, and website and social media messaging. Additionally, a Best of Category Award was earned for the Department's scripting, editing and filming of the PSA video titled “<em>Vaping, It's Up to You</em>," which was part of the campaign.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Clear, concise and timely messaging for our school community has always been a key component to our District's outreach efforts," said Dr. Andrea Grooms, Chief Communications Officer. “While our Communications team is small, their responsibilities are immense and their outcomes, far-reaching. They are an extremely talented and dedicated group of professionals — always prioritizing the informational needs of Katy ISD families and staff, no matter the time or circumstances," added Grooms. <br></p><p>The Katy ISD Communication Department was recognized during the annual TSPRA and NSPRA conventions this year. <br></p><p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/PublishingImages/Board%20Recognitions%20July%202021%208%20-%20Cropped.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:400px;height:298px;" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Katy ISD Communication Department</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>(left to right: Dr. Andrea Grooms – Chief of Communications, Maria DiPetta – Manager of Media Relations, Rachel Migues – Communications & Social Media Specialist and Ray Cortez – Videographer)</em></p><p><br><br></p></div> |
| Katy ISD Superintendent Appoints New Principal for West Memorial Junior High | Katy ISD Superintendent Appoints New Principal for West Memorial Junior High | | <div class="ExternalClass3B90653AC9FB425F8551E0B1AFBD9A5B"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">The West Memorial Junior High (WMJH) Jaguar Family will be welcoming Todd Knobbe as their new principal this upcoming school year after Superintendent Ken Gregorski appointed him to lead Katy Independent School District's second-oldest junior high school.</span><span style="text-align:justify;"> </span><span style="text-align:justify;">Knobbe holds 17 years of experience in education, much of which he has earned at Katy ISD.</span><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Since opening in 1976, West Memorial Junior High has demonstrated a rich history of academic success among its students and staff and I'm excited to be joining this group of individuals who aim to R.O.A.R (<em>Be Respectful, Organized, Active Learners and Reliable</em>)," said Todd Knobbe, the new principal of WMJH. “Junior high is an important time in the lives of many learners and it's during these three years that educators inspire and mold these students to become future leaders of society," added Knobbe.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Knobbe began his career as a teacher and coach in 2004 for Alief Independent School District. The following year, he joined the Katy ISD family when he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Beckendorff Junior High. In 2007, he joined Seven Lakes High School (SLHS) where he taught and coached for eight years. Looking to expand his career opportunities he began his administrative career in Katy ISD as a grade level assistant principal at Tays Junior High. In 2017, he returned to SLHS to serve as assistant principal and two years later he was promoted to associate principal at that campus. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Knobbe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education with an English Endorsement from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Educational Administration from Lamar University. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/PublishingImages/072221_WMJH_Todd%20Knobbe.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:400px;height:542px;" /><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Todd Knobbe</em><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Principal of West Memorial Junior High</em><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><p><br></p></div> |
| Miller Career & Technology Students Named National Champions in Mechatronics | Miller Career & Technology Students Named National Champions in Mechatronics | | <div class="ExternalClass76F295F611604159AACF71BD3EE5F607"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">For two Katy Independent School District students, giving up part of their summer vacation was well worth it after landing a spot in the </span><em style="text-align:justify;">2021 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. </em><span style="text-align:justify;">Even more rewarding was that after several levels of competition, against students from across the nation, Katy ISD Miller Career & Technology (MCTC) Students Daniel White and Levend Karayaka were named National Champions in SkillsUSA Mechatronics. Throughout the school year, both students competed at various levels of mechatronics (mechanical and electrical engineering) competitions, including first at region and second at the state level.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">While getting to nationals was a challenge in itself, the two students were tasked with showcasing a design solution to a judge virtually from the MCTC manufacturing lab to adhere to safety protocols for the national event. Both students were presented with a task that required an automated system setup. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“The Katy ISD SkillsUSA chapter is a fairly new group of students who came together during the 2019-2020 school year. In total we have 45 students who are part of the group, many of which qualified at various competitions throughout the year," said Dallas Bergstrom, MCTC Instructor of Manufacturing Engineering. “I am so proud of their willingness to try something new. To earn a national championship on their first attempt speaks to their commitment to representing MCTC and Katy ISD," added Bergstrom. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Thousands of students competed in over 100 occupational and leadership skill areas at the annual event that included educational sessions as well as interaction with business, industry and government representatives. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. The goal of SkillsUSA events is to empower students to succeed at work and in life while helping to close the skills gap in which millions of industry positions go unfilled. <br></p><p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/PublishingImages/071321_Daniel%20White%20and%20Levend%20Karayaka1.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:400px;height:284px;" /><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Left to Right:</em><em> </em><em>Daniel White & Levend Karayaka</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em> National Champions for SkillsUSA Mechatronics</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/PublishingImages/071321_Daniel%20White%20and%20Levend%20Karayaka2.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:400px;height:353px;" /><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Left to Right:</em><em> </em><em>Levend Karayaka and Daniel White</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>at MCTC Manufacturing Lab</em></p><p><br><br></p></div> |
| Katy ISD FFA Students Win Awards at State Convention | Katy ISD FFA Students Win Awards at State Convention | | <div class="ExternalClass24C018B572E5488DB2018E86885429FE"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">After a year of virtual gatherings and obstacles resulting from a global pandemic, Katy Independent School District FFA students ended their school year with numerous recognitions at the 93</span><sup style="text-align:justify;">rd</sup><span style="text-align:justify;"> Annual Texas FFA Convention. The convention's theme – </span><em style="text-align:justify;">Elevate</em><span style="text-align:justify;"> – encapsulated a movement that motivated Katy ISD FFA students, and others from across the Lone Star State, to use the insurmountable odds of the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to grow, learn and elevate themselves. </span><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Our students have demonstrated an enduring resilience and have learned that amidst the challenges, they can overcome and grow," stated Ashlee Laird, Katy ISD CTE Instructional Specialist. “Part of that growth was making it a priority to also support their peers in achieving their goals during this difficult school year," added Laird. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The following Katy ISD students placed during the convention:<br></p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:25%;">Student</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:25%;">School</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:25%;">Recognition</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:25%;">Category</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Madailein Fitch<br></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Taylor High FFA</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">State Champion</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Agriscience Fair – Food Products & Processing Systems – Division 3</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Hailey Tucker</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Katy High FFA</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2<sup>nd</sup> Place</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Soil Stewardship Public Speaking</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Jacob Grimes</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Paetow High FFA</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2<sup>nd</sup> Place</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Junior Prepared Public Speaking</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Lauren Sapp</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Cinco Ranch High FFA</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">5<sup>th</sup> Place</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Agricultural Policy Public Speaking </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Eliza Thomas</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Tompkins High FFA</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">9<sup>th</sup> Place</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Agricultural Technology & Communication Public Speaking</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Elizabeth McFadin</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Katy High FFA</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">9<sup>th</sup> Place</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Extemporaneous Speaking</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p>Madailein Fitch will be advancing to the National FFA Convention Agricultural Science Fair in October 2021 being held in Indianapolis, IN. Additionally, Katy High School FFA Student Hailey Tucker won a $2,000 scholarship for her achievement in soil public speaking during this year's state convention. </p><p>The 93<sup>rd</sup> Annual Texas FFA Convention was held in Fort Worth, Texas last week.</p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/useghl46kya6fov/AAD0UU7bBf0T7dL4Zqo0LLSZa?dl=0">Pictures of Katy ISD FFA State Winners</a> <br></p><p><br><br></p></div> |