Conroe News

Village Builders’ new two-story model in Graystone Hills represents the recently unveiled Wentworth Collection – one of two collections of home designs now offered by Village Builders in Graystone Hills.

The brand new Bayberry model is one of eight new one-  and two-story plans in Village Builders’ Wentworth Collection which range in size from 2,801 to more than 3,700 square feet. Sales counselor Janet Whitaker says the model designs in the collection will appeal to a wide variety of new-home buyers and notes the wide variety of impressive included features and innovative design appointments.

A timeless style accents the elevation that features a large front porch. The home opens to a two-story gallery entry with a winding staircase and sweeping views of the second floor landing. The foyer has access to a study on one side and a large formal dining room with a unique ceiling treatment on the other. Just off the entry is a hallway that leads to the powder bath, mud room and utility room. The spacious foyer with room for a comfortable seating area, leads to the family room, kitchen and breakfast area which create the home’s central gathering place.

The kitchen is well-appointed, with plenty of space for seating, food preparation and storage that includes the room-sized walk-in pantry and butler’s pantry leading to the dining room.

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The finishing touches fall in to place for the eagerly awaited annual style show and luncheon. The event is hosted by the Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce and will feature local fashions from Cavender’s Boot City, Cha Cha’s, Hoopla Boutique, Jeff’s Jewelry, Ruthie Grace Boutique, Texan Harley-Davidson, as well as many fabulous door prizes. This memorable day will be held at the La Torreta Resort on Lake Conroe on August 25.

The La Torretta Resort will offer a sophisticated elegance for this afternoon full of fashion! The attendees will be getting an exclusive first look at the fall fashions that trendspotters will be buzzing about this season. Advance reservation tickets are available to the public for $30 and for Chamber members for $25 at the link below. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $30.

This exclusive event has limited seating so for your chance to attend this fashion event, order tickets today.

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The thermometer reads hot right now, but fall is just around the corner! Children will head back to school and the weather will be great for enjoying the great outdoors! Individuals & families alike can enjoy the majesty of Wedgewood Golf Course, the premier course of Conroe. Escape from the rush of life at this golf course with it’s beautiful landscape of pine trees, ponds & waterfalls. “The rolling wooded hills of Wedgewood afford a golfing experience unequaled anywhere in the Greater Houston area.” This picturesque golf course will be the perfect setting to create memories for years to come.

Wedgewood Golf Course is continuously praised in the press! The gold tees rate the slopes at 134 and is voted the number one course in the Brazos Valley. “Rated an 9.0 at Texas Outside, listed in Golf Digest's ‘Places to Play’ and voted by the ‘Dallas Morning News’ as one of the Top 25 Public Courses in Texas. Wedgewood's 18th hole was included in a list of the city's ‘Toughest 18 Holes to Play’.”

Phil Dorsey is Wedgewood’s resident golf professional and General Manager. He encourages everyone to get out this fall to play and improve their game. "Wedgewood Golf Course offers challenges to all levels of playing ability. Wedgewood requires position shots rather than trying to hit a long tee shot. Towards the green, aim below the hole for easier putts. Think position on tee shots and green and you should score well."

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New standards provide more accurate assessment
 
By Andrew Erben, published in 8-7-11 Houston Chronicle
Erben is president of the Texas Institute for Education Reform

Last week, the Texas Education Agency released the 2010-2011 accountability ratings for Texas’ schools and school districts. The number of districts rated as exemplary dropped from 241 to 61 and the number of campuses earning this distinction fell from 2,637 to 1,224. More districts and campuses were academically unacceptable as well, with the number of districts up from 37 to 88 and the number of campuses up from 104 to 569.

At first glance, it would appear that our students and schools performed worse in 2010-11, but that is not the case. Instead, Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott took bold steps to realign the ratings to reflect a new emphasis on rating districts and schools based on their students’ progress toward post-secondary readiness. At the Texas Institute for Education Reform, we applaud Commissioner Scott on taking these important steps.

The changes in ratings were the result of several key improvements: requiring districts and schools to meet goals for students who are on track to graduate at the postsecondary readiness level; discontinuing use of the Texas Projection Measure (TPM); and requiring more students to pass math and science assessments.

First, and for the first time, districts and schools had to meet postsecondary readiness goals in order to each the recognized or exemplary designations. To be recognized, 15 percent or more of economically disadvantaged students had to score at the commended level on the English and math assessments. To be rated exemplary, 25 percent of each group had to reach the commended level on these two assessments. The commended level – which is significantly higher than the passing standard – is a good indicator that a student is on pace to graduate with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college, community college, industry certification or other job training programs. The Texas Institute for Education Reform (TIER) was a strong proponent of this change, and we believe this was an important first step in aligning the accountability system with postsecondary readiness.

Next, the 2010-11 ratings were calculated without using the TPM. Under the TPM, students who failed an assessment could be counted as passing if – based on a statistical model – they were projected to pass in future years. Ultimately, the use of TPM boosted district and school ratings because failing students were counted as passing.

Last year, approximately 70 percent of districts and schools were rated as recognized or exemplary based in large part on the TPM. This year, 39 percent of districts and 48 percent of campuses earned these ratings, and we feel this is a much more accurate reflection of academic performance. TIER opposed the TPM’s role in the accountability system for several reasons.

First, by counting failing students as passing, it overestimated the progress that our students were making. Secondly, by artificially reducing the number of academically unacceptable districts and schools, it prevented the state from providing extra resources and oversight that students in unacceptable schools desperately needed. Finally, the TPM was not based on individual student growth toward postsecondary readiness. TIER supports including student growth and value added measures to the accountability system and will work with the Texas Education Agency as they consider future improvements.

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Stunning former Village Builders model home for sale in Graystone Hills. Reduced to $363,000.

For more information, call Janet Whitake at 936-441-8700.

The new Village Builders model in Graystone Hills is now open.

The Assistance League of Montgomery County is expanding its signature philanthropic program. Operation School Bell provided new school clothes and shoes to over 4,000 Montgomery County children in 2010-11. Assistance League hopes to surpass that number in the 2011-12 school year. Children who will benefit from the program in Montgomery County are discreetly referred by school counselors. This year, Assistance League has partnered with Payless Shoes, Kohl’s, Target and Walmart. All members of this program meet the children and their parents at the department stores to assist them in selecting and paying for their new clothes.Assistance League of Montgomery County is a local chapter of National Assistance League and Operation School Bell is only one of the nine philanthropic programs supported by the Montgomery County Chapter.

“In May of this year, Assistance League of Montgomery County awarded six $4,000 scholarships to local high school students to assist them in earning a degree in the social sciences from a Texas University and in July, eight scholarships were awarded to adults returning to school to complete their education or to extend their skills to advance in the workplace.”

Offers end soon - see the Village Builders sales office in Graystone Hills to find out more about special savings and design studio options.

The City of Conroe Parks and Recreations Department will be offering a Karate Academy. Karate and martial arts in general is fun and beneficial in many ways for the student. Physical benefits are improved reflexes and coordination, increased performance in all physical activities, increased strength and stamina, increased flexibility and weight control for better overall fitness, cardiovascular workouts, greatly improved balance, and the ability to defend one’s self. Mental benefits include, improved concentration for better work and study habits, stress reduction, confidence in knowing you can defend yourself, confidence in knowing how to deal with bullies and other confrontations, a positive attitude toward life through self-confidence and self-discipline, builds self-esteem and self respect, and a can do attitude.

Classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday, Aug. 2, through Thursday, Sept. 8. The beginner class starts at 7 p.m., and the advanced class is at 8 p.m. The registration deadline is Saturday, July 23, with a fee of $65 for Conroe residents and $81 for nonresidents. The academy will be held at the C.K. Ray Recreation Center, located 1203 Callahan Ave.

For more information, call the C.K. Ray Recreation Center at 936-522-3900 or visit www.cityofconroe.org.

THIS OFFER HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL AUGUST 21!

Visit D. R. Horton in Graystone Hills August 1 - 14, 2011 for extreme savings on quick move-in homes.