S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 Vo l u m e 1 1 Is s u e 1Klein Distr ict News Magazine

A Texas Recognized District

In th is Issue:

Bond and Budget News

TEA's STAAR

It's al l Business (IBA)

Fall Events

Football Tickets

Campus Directory

New Student Enrollment Superintendent'sMessage

Flash MobKrahn Elementary students stand tall against bullies.

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Many bond construction projects from the 2008 Bond continue this summer with the largest project being the reconstruction

of Klein High School. Many have commented on the construction activities on the corner of Louetta and Stuebner Airline. Steel is being erected this summer and soon you will be able to visualize the presence this school will have at this intersection and in our community.

Blackshear Elementary on Lacey Road is on schedule to open in August 2011. Other projects currently under construction or design include Zwink Elementary (Spring-Stuebner

near Rothwood), Klein Forest High School athletic addition and renovations, KISD Multipurpose Center on FM 2920, Early Childhood/Pre-Kindergarten Center adjacent to McDougle Elementary and various repair and renovation projects. This will be the last summer of the Fire Alarm Project as all KISD schools and facilities will now have new systems in place. Energy conservation efforts are continuing with the final lighting upgrades to be completed this summer.

School Funding Cuts

While your bond funds are at work across the district, we spent the better part of the spring semester

developing our financial plan while the legislature was in session working on the school funding bill. School districts across the state will receive considerably less funding over the next two years causing districts to trim budgets and start the next school year with fewer employees. The funding from the state impacts the general revenue budget which is required to be separate from the bond funds. During the special session in June, the legislature passed a bill that will reduce state funding to public education by $4 billion to the Foundation School Program and $1.3 billion to grants and other programs.

At the April 11 meeting, the Klein ISD Board of Trustees voted on several measures to reduce costs for the 2011-2012 school year by 6% of the district’s general revenue budget. Reductions for the next school year include the elimination of some employee positions, the optional teacher work day, and the longevity plan. The district also further reduced department and campus budgets.

In KISD, non-campus staffing has historically been leaner than campus staffing. Over the past five years the district has increased campus staffing by 15%, while non-campus staffing has increased by only 5%. More than half of the 5% non-campus staffing increase consists of bus drivers and bus attendants, who were added as the Klein ISD increased enrollment by 4,000 students, added two elementary and two intermediate schools, and added bus routes. Some good news came in May when an agreement was reached on the distribution method for the Education Jobs Fund that was held up for a year due to a legal dispute between the federal government and the Texas state government. Klein will receive a one time $7.2 million grant to be used in the 2011 - 2012 school year. The district steering committee developed a needs assessment and determined that the best use of these funds would be to hire approximately 120 classroom teachers in critical needs areas.

Bond and BudgetKlein ISD 2008 Bond Funds at Work While District Faces

Funding Shortfall from the State

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Texas will implement a new accountability testing system, the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR), in 2012. The STAAR tests are to be more rigorous than the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a greater emphasis on college and career readiness. Dr. Susan Borg, associate superintendent for instruction and student services, stated, “The district will provide staff development for all teachers this summer on the essential information for the readiness and supporting standards related to the new STAAR test in grades 3-8 and End of Course (EOC) exams in grades 9-11.”

For students in grades 3-8, the tests and subjects tested will closely remain the same as TAKS. Elementary and intermediate students will take mathematics and reading tests at grades 3-8, writing at grades 4 and 7, science at grades 5 and 8, and social studies at grade 8.

Greater changes will be evident at the high school level where students must pass 12 end-of-course assessments to graduate. The STAAR tests will cover the four content areas with three tests in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

The high school STAAR tests will be part of the graduation requirements for students who enter the

ninth grade in 2011. STAAR will emphasize readiness standards found in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Other TEKS will be included on the tests, but not emphasized. Items on the STAAR tests will require students to use higher level thinking skills to succeed in college.

For students who do not perform satisfactorily on a STAAR test, the district will provide accelerated instruction before the retesting. Students will not be required to retake a course as a condition for retaking a subject assessment. At this point in the legislative updates, it is likely that the state will require that a student’s assessment score be worth at least 15% of the final grade for that course.

For additional information, visit:www.tea.state.tx.us/student.tx.us/student

Numerous research studies show a powerful link between successful learning and regular school attendance. To give students the best opportunity to reach their potential, they must attend school regularly. When students are tardy or absent, they

miss out on valuable learning and social experiences that cannot be replaced.

Why regular school Attendance Counts:

•Teachers cover key academic concepts every day. •Time on task on a daily basis is needed to learn basic academics. •One missed day of school = as many as three days of catch up for a student to learn all the missed information and skills. •The habit of going to school is like learning to go to work - it is a student's job. •School attendance lays the foundation for whether children

will graduate or drop-out from high school.

In addition, school districts receive their funding in large part based upon student attendance. Every day Attendance Counts, and improved student attendance will make a world of difference for us all.

Started during the 2007-2008 school year, the International Business Academy (IBA) at Klein

Forest High School celebrated its first set of graduates during the 2010-2011 school year. The 40 IBA graduates show just how high of a caliber student the magnet program produces with nine students in the top 10% of their class and three of those students in the top 10, including valedictorian and salutatorian. The program, structured to incorporate business into most lessons, has created a new generation of leaders.

Remembering themselves as freshmen, Thu-Ha Ngyuen and Erik Lopez, Jr. described themselves as quiet, timid students. They were students who just a few years before had moved with their families to the U.S. from Vietnam and Mexico, knowing no English.

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It’s All BusinessInternational Business Academy (IBA) at Klein Forest High School

“I was really shy. I didn’t like to talk in front of people. I was the kid who would rather stay in the back of the classroom in my bubble, but because of IBA, I was forced to speak in front of people, write reports and present them to people, to stand up and raise my voice,” Lopez said. “I joined IBA to be a part of a community, a smaller community within our school.” - Erik Lopez, Jr., 2011 Klein Forest salutatorian.

Just a few short years later, these two students walked across the graduation stage as valedictorian and salutatorian of Klein Forest’s Class of 2011. Both now not only have the confidence to be able to speak in front of large audiences, but also thrive while doing so.

Students enrolled in IBA choose from either accounting/finance or marketing/management

concentrations. In addition to select elective courses including accounting, entrepreneurship and virtual business available to IBA students, the program encourages students to take at least three years of a foreign language. From hand shake day, to dressing professionally, to job shadowing at area businesses, IBA students learn to be focused leaders upon graduation. Both Lopez and Nguyen cite joining IBA as a turning point in their education.

This fall as more than 50 incoming Klein Forest freshmen begin their high school journey in the International Business Academy, both Nguyen and Lopez will begin new chapters at the University of Texas at Austin, both with a slew of scholarships and promising futures.

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It’s All BusinessInternational Business Academy (IBA) at Klein Forest High School

“IBA is where you learn all the skills you need to become a successful adult because when you get out there in the world, you have to compete with so many people for the same job, and if you can be one step ahead of them, you are at an advantage, and that is what IBA will give you, that edge,”-Thu-Ha Nguyen, 2011 Klein Forest valedictorian.

What is IBA?

Magnet program at Klein Forest High School Emphasizes business, foreign language, and global culture Provides job shadowing and business networking opportunities Teaches presentation and leadership skills

For more information on IBA, visit:http://classroom.kleinisd.net/webs/iba/

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Fal l Events

Klein ISD Baseball SuccessThe Klein High baseball team advanced to the state semifinals for the second consecutive year. The Klein Oak and Klein High baseball teams played each other in the regional finals. This is the second year in a row we have had an all KISD regional finals. Klein High and Klein Collins competed last year.

Homecoming Dates

Klein High – Friday, October 14, 2011

Klein Collins High – Friday, October 7, 2011

Klein Forest High – Thursday, September 22, 2011

Klein Oak High – Friday, September 30, 2011

Football Tickets Go on Sale2010 season ticket holders may purchase tickets for the upcoming school year from July 25 - August 4. All tickets that are not purchased by August 4, will go on sale to the general public the following Monday, August 8. All season ticket packets will include both home and visitor games this year.

The prices of season tickets are:Klein High Klein Forest Klein Oak Klein Collins

Season tickets will be sold at the Klein ISD Athletic Administrative building only. The new Athletic building is located at the north end of Klein Memorial Stadium at 16607 Stuebner-Airline Rd. with parking on the home side of the stadium.

Ticket prices are as follows:Season tickets $5.00Student pregame $3.00Adult pregame $6.00All tickets at gate $7.00

KISD athletes demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

$35$35$30$30

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Asbestos Compliance Update

The district conducts six-month surveillance and three-year re-inspections of building materials that contain asbestos in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 40, Part 763, Subpart E. These tests have confirmed that our buildings are in compliance and that the KISD provides a safe environment for staff and students. Reports are on file in the Klein ISD Safety Office and published on our website.

Dinner with the SuperintendentThe fall dinner with the superintendent will be on October 6, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Wunderlich Intermediate School, 11400 Misty Valley, Houston, 77066. Child care will not be provided. Adults only, please. Call 832 249-4173 (English) or 832 249-4172 (Spanish) to reserve a seat.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Benfer 832-484-6000 Benignus 832-484-7750 Blackshear 832-375-7600 Brill 832-484-6150 Ehrhardt 832-484-6200 Eiland 832-484-6900 Epps Island 832-484-5800 Frank 832-375-7000 Greenwood Forest 832-484-5700 Hassler 832-484-7100 Haude 832-484-5600 Kaiser 832-484-6100 Klenk 832-484-6800 Kohrville 832-484-7200 Krahn 832-484-6500 Kreinhop 832-484-7400 Kuehnle 832-484-6650 Lemm 832-484-6300 McDougle 832-484-7550 Metzler 832-484-7900 Mittelstädt 832-484-6700 Mueller 832-375-7300 Nitsch 832-484-6400 Northampton 832-484-5550 Roth 832-484-6600 Schultz 832-484-7000 Theiss 832-484-5900

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS

Doerre 832-249-5700Hildebrandt 832-249-5100Kleb 832-249-5500 Klein 832-249-4900Krimmel 832-375-7200Schindewolf 832-249-5900Strack 832-249-5400Ulrich 832-375-7500Wunderlich 832-249-5200

HIGH SCHOOLSKlein High 832-484-4000Klein Oak 832-484-5000Klein Forest 832-484-4500Klein Collins 832-484-5500Vistas High School Program 832-484-7650

ADMINISTRATIONCentral Office 832-249-4000 Klein ISD Annex 832-249-4800Klein Instructional Center 832-249-4000

Campus Directory

New Student Enrollment

Students new to Klein ISD and not pre-registered for the 2011-2012 school year must enroll at the school within their attendance zone. Please visit the district’s website at www.kleinisd.net or call the Klein public information office at 832-249-4173 for information regarding attendance zones. In order to enroll a student in Klein, the following items are needed.

1. Proof of residence in Klein ISD – a gas, water or electric bill with your name and address 2. Proof of identity (birth certificate preferred) 3. Complete immunization health record 4. Last report card from the previous school

Students enrolled in a Klein ISD school during the 2010-2011 school year are automatically enrolled for the 2011-2012 school year.

New Student Enrollment Schedule

Grades Dates Times K – 5 August 3 – August 19 8:00 – 11:30 am & 1:00 – 3:00 pm No appointment needed for elementary schools

6 – 8 August 3 – August 19 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.9 – 12 August 3 – August 19 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. & 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Call the appropriate school for an appointment with counselor

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Klein Independent School District7200 Spring-Cypress RoadKlein, Texas 77379 - 3215www.kleinisd.net

Klein District News Magazine

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDKlein Independent

School District

Klein District News is a publication of the Office of the Superintendent and is produced by the Communications and Planning Department.To view this newsletter in color, please visit www.kleinisd.net.

After a hot summer break, we are preparing for another exciting school year in the Klein ISD. I hope all of our parents, students and community members were able to add some learning into their summer fun, whether it be doing crosswords, reading a good book or trying to master Sudoku. You can always add learning to your play.

Even in the summer months, our teachers in Klein ISD put in time preparing for the coming school year. All core subject teachers attended STAAR training to learn the ins and outs of the new state standardized test to ensure our students will be prepared for the new test.

Federal funding and $75,000 from the Klein Education Foundation allowed for more than 200 intermediate school teachers to attend a three day training this summer, called Capturing Kids’ Hearts. This staff development opportunity showed teachers and principals how to build positive, productive and trusting relationships with their students.

The district also wants to ensure that in addition to providing our students with good teachers and a good environment to learn, we are helping our students stay healthy. Klein ISD was selected as one of six school districts nationwide to pilot the UnitedHealthcare Obesity Prevention Initiative. This grant funded program will address childhood obesity through community based intervention in our schools. McDougle Elementary School earned the HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Award of Distinction for creating a healthier school environment through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. McDougle is the first school in Texas to receive this award. All of our elementary schools have earned either the silver or bronze award thus far.

School funding cuts from the state will be $5.3 billion rather than the $10 billion that was originally projected in January. Also, federal money from the Education Jobs Fund will allow us to hire about 120 classroom teachers in critical needs areas. Things are lining up to make the 2011-2012 school year another successful year. We look forward to seeing the smiling faces of students on the first day of school.

Update From the Super intendent

Dr. Jim Cain

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