Katy ISD School Briefs

Parents, students and educators dedicated a SPARK Park last month at Franz Elementary School in Katy Independent School District.

Photo: Katy Independent School Distric

AP Honor Roll

Katy ISD is one of 447 school districts in the United States and Canada honored by College Board with placement on the eight annual AP District Honor Roll for increasing access to Advanced Placement course work while simultaneously improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams.

From 2015-17, the number of AP exams administered in KISD increased by 23 percent. The number of students participating in AP exams increased 26 percent to 9,478 in 2017 and the number of students receiving a 3 or higher increased by 24.6 percent in those two years.

To be included on the AP District Honor Roll, districts must:

Increase participation/access to AP course work by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts and at least 11 percent in small districts.

Increase or maintain the percentage of exams taken by Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students who scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam.

Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the percentage of students in 2017 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2015, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70 percent of its AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.

Visit https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/score-reports-data/awards/honor-roll for more information.

School boardrecognized

January is School Board Recognition Month and Katy ISD is joining districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their commitment and contributions to our public schools.

"Our board gives their time and energy, without pay, and many times at the expense of their very own families, to provide guidance and leadership to the students, staff and community of Katy," said Superintendent Lance Hindt. "In a climate of change and challenge, they develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and the lives of individual students."

The board will be celebrated throughout the month with a special recognition and presentation at the Jan. 22 meeting.

SPARK Parkdedicated

Waving "Thank You" signs and singing along to a melodious gratitude song, the Franz Elementary Choir officially dedicated their new SPARK Park, which is available for public use during non-school hours and on weekends.

This park is a collaborative effort between Katy Independent School District, Franz Elementary School parents, students, staff, the PTA, as well as local entities, who together contributed to the SPARK grant which was just under $130,000. Fundraising efforts included a $5,000 donation from the PTA and a weeklong of SPARK fundraising activities at the school, that included taping the principal to a wall, crazy hair day and water games that included popsicles, of which $2,150 was collected. Other funding included $1,000 from the West Harris County MUD #7 and $1,000 from Raintree Village Homeowner's Association. Design work was paid for by Katy ISD. SPARK contributed $116,000 from The Kinder Foundation and Houston Endowment park desert initiative.

The park includes a concrete trail, sensory play panels, musical instruments and four bollards covered with tiles painted by students and staff. When visitors walk through the park, they will notice a variety of trees, which include Monterrey oaks, Mexican plums and anacua trees. In total, 34 trees were donated by Trees for Houston.

Principal Yvette Sylvan said, "It has been said that 'A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or a part of the same social network.' It's about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Humanity is our ultimate community and everyone plays a crucial role."

"We hope during the break you will come and enjoy this park," added Ashley Vann, Katy ISD Board of Trustees president.

SPARK, an organization created in 1983 to increase park and recreational spaces in the Greater Houston area, has helped to turn underutilized school playgrounds into neighborhood parks at more than 200 locations. This is the third SPARK Park at a Katy ISD school.