Blog entries tagged education

Conroe ISD Earns Exemplary Rating from TEA

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:12:43 +0100

The Conroe Independent School District has earned an Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency, with 29 of its campuses earning Exemplary ratings. The recently released rankings are based largely on results students achieved on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests.

Among those campuses serving children in Graystone Hills are Geisinger Elementary and Cryar Middle School, both located within the community.
Peet Junior High and Conroe High School both earned a Recognized rating and are just minutes away from Graystone Hills.

Exemplary status is achieved by only a small percentage of districts across Texas. Conroe ISD was one of only 239 of the state’s more than 2,600 school districts that earned the Exemplary rating.

Within Conroe ISD, 29 of the district’s 52 campuses were ranked Exemplary and 18 were ranked Recognized. For more information on Conroe ISD, visit www.ConroeISD.net.

Conroe and Montgomery County YMCAs Accept Supplies for Operation Backpack

daphne — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:34:10 +0100

Now through August 15, 2010, YMCA Operation Backpack will collect brand new backpacks filled with school supplies at both the Conroe and South Montgomery County YMCA locations. Operation Backpack will then pass out these back-to-school necessities to children in 31 Houston area school districts including Conroe ISD.

This is the 6th Annual Operation Backpack to be held by the area YMCA’s, and just last year alone was able to collect more than 18,356 backpacks and about 167,742 school supplies. These items all went to help prepare more than 35,000 kids for their first day of school. With the economic struggles of many area families, this year’s need is much greater and their goal is to touch the lives of 40,000 or more children.

“With the current state of the economy, many parents just don’t have the money to buy the supplies their kids need to start the new school year off right”, said Roxanne Davis, YMCA group marketing director. “All backpacks and schools supplies donated stay right here in our community. We work closely with our local school administrators who help distribute the backpacks to the students who desperately need the help at the beginning of the school year. We want every student to have the necessary tools to be successful and achieve their fullest potential.”

Local drop-off locations include all three South Montgomery County YMCA centers in The Woodlands at 6145 Shadowbend Place, 8100 Ashlane Way and 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, and the Conroe Family YMCA at 10245 Owen Drive.

And, new this year, monetary donations can be made to Operation Backpack on-line. Visit www.ymcaoperationbackpack.org to contribute and find additional information, including a list of school supplies or call (281) 367-YMCA for more information.

Peet Jr High PTO Fund Raiser

Greg Rivera — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:52:02 +0100

Graystone Hills residents are invited to join the Peet Cubs for a night of food, games, music and fun on Friday February 26th at Peet Jr. High to show their support for the ‘Home of the Future Tigers.’

The Peet Jr. High PTO is having their annual Fund Raiser Extravaganza. The evening will start at 5:30pm with a dinner catered by Chick-Fil-A which includes a sandwich, chips and a drink all for $5. While you’re enjoying your meal there will be music by the Peet Jr. High band and choir, shows performed by the cheerleaders, theater team and dancing dolls, as well as a performance by the orchestra. Dinner and entertainment will last until 7:00pm.

In addition to great music there will be a live and silent auction, along with a raffle to win an ATV or a 42” Big Screen TV. Raffle tickets will cost $5 after entry admission.

Entry is only $3 to enjoy the entertainment, which includes a basketball game between students and faculty from 7:00-8:00pm, and a Pep Rally in the gym from 6:30-7:00pm – come root for your favorite student or teacher and support the PTO!

For more information please visit http://peet.conroeisd.net or call 936-709-3700.

Giesinger Elementary Artist Awarded Gold Medal

Greg Rivera — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:27:58 +0100

Six hundred and fifty Conroe ISD students with artistic talent exhibited their works of Western art at the annual Livestock Show and Rode Western Art Show earlier this month. Among the group, 9 students medaled and received Special Merit awards, including Geisinger Elementary's own Madeline McCollum, whose teacher is Tricia Matthews. Madeline’s rooster depicted an artistic talent beyond her years.

The students' work will remain on display in the Hayloft Gallery of the Reliant Center for the entire duration of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. A committee from Reliant Center judged the works of art, and the winners will be eligible for scholarship money as their works of art continue to compete against others' from various school districts.

Conroe HS Tiger Band to Tourny of Roses

Greg Rivera — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:18:43 +0100

On Monday December 28th nearly 200 Conroe High School Tiger Band students made their way to the West Coast to participate in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade. The Conroe High School Tiger Band was one of only 21 bands selected to play in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade which took place on Friday January 1, 2010 at 8am. They were the only band from Texas and were proud to represent their state as they marched as number 53 in the parade with bands from throughout the nation, along with magnificent floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units making up 92 total parade entries.

The excitement and honor had been a long time coming – the band was notified of its selection to participate in the parade on October 12, 2008 when they received a letter from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. They were selected for their “excellent music talents, performance skills, efforts and outstanding directorship” according to the association’s Music Committee.

Though their journey started over a year before leaving they decided to get another early start, leaving their high school in two shifts on Monday at 4:30am and 8:45am with 16 chaperones and 30 “Band Fan” parents cheering them on.

The excitement was uncontainable as they prepared to head to Hobby Airport for what would be a first flight for a third of the students. “I know a lot of people didn’t get to sleep last night because they were excited,” sophomore and drum major Connor Black shared Monday. “I can’t sum it up in any words,” said senior Jaleesha Abbs, who is a member of the color guard. “This morning I was anxious to get up.”

“I’m just ready to get on the plane and get to California because I was ready when they told us,” said Senior and tuba player Thomas Borowski. “It was a long wait.” In order to make the trip, band members raised nearly $350,000, or $1,764 per person by hosting garage sales, car washes, concerts and raffles. Because of the year-long wait many band students had already graduated, but because of their contribution the 2009 CHS band graduates were invited to participate. Among the graduates that joined the band were Shalese McCloud who plays clarinet, Whitney Van Alstyne who plays flute and Nathan Tamborello who plays trombone.

One mother and former member of the 1986 CHS band played in Tournament of Roses Parade, sent her daughter, senior Samantha Gonzalez on this new adventure. “We’re proud of all of them, because we know they worked hard,” she said, adding that she wished she was going again.

Not only did the band participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade, they also played in a field show at Pasadena College announced by another former 1986 band member Brent Veazey. They made their state proud as they played “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and “Yellow Rose of Texas” while they formed the shape of Texas on the field. And to represent not only their state, but their city as well they played “Tiger Boogie” as they spelled out “Conroe” on the field.

The Tournament of Roses Parade is broadcast live by ABC, NBC, HGTV, Tribune, Univision, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD Theater and Sky Link TV, according to www.tournamentofroses.com.

To learn more about the CHS band, visit chs.conroeisd.net/band.

Lone Star College System to add LSC-Conroe Location

Greg Rivera — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:01:28 +0100

The Lone Star College System plans to triple its capacity in Conroe by building a new LSC-Conroe facility. During a Board meeting in early December 2009, the LSC Board of trustees gave approval to the chancellor/designee to form an agreement with EMJ Corporation, a construction company out of Irving, TX, for a $13 million contract which will allow construction of a new facility to begin in January 2010.

The new LSC-Conroe Center, to be located at 777 North FM 3083 Rd E., will offer 83,000 sq ft of space and will have a capacity of 3,500 students. Currently 350 students attend the LSC-Conroe Satellite Center, located at 102 Longview Drive. LSCS Senior Vice Chancellor Rand Key said she “would not be surprised if [they] got that in three years.”

Formerly LSC-Conroe courses were held in a storefront location with only 30,000 sq ft of space to accommodate students. Many of these courses moved to what is now LSC-Montgomery and to a Conroe Satellite location that offers workforce and career training such as computer technology, telecommunications, and light industrial/manufacturing. The new location will add courses in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning and will “significantly enhance academic transfer availability as well as workforce and certification training,” according to Key.

LSC-Conroe will feature a 67,000 sq ft academic building with 12 general classrooms, 8 computer labs, 12 faculty offices, an on-site bookstore, library, testing center, and numerous academic transfer and workforce programs to name a few. It will even have the potential to offer an on-site Conroe Regional Medical Center Clinic. There will also be a 16,000 sq ft industrial building that will host welding, HVAC and machining programs, and house 2 full service bays for automotive and diesel technology programs. This is according to the LSCS website where you can find floor plans and detailed location information. http://www.lonestar.edu

Source: www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier

Conroe Independent School District is Expanding

Greg Rivera — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:58:42 +0100

Conroe Independent School District board members recently approved the purchase of 32 acres of land near Texas 242 and Needham road, to move forward in building a new junior high school in the Oak Ridge High School feeder zone. If all goes as planned the new 185,000 square foot Junior High will open it’s doors in August of 2012 and will hold up to 1,200 students.

In order to provide the best possible facilities and resources to students, the CISD continually seeks to make improvements and push forward into the future. With this outlook for growth and renewal in mind a bond totalling $527 million was provided in 2008 which would go to fund two new junior high schools, one new intermediate school, four new elementary schools, the conversion of Peet Junior High School into a ninth grade campus, as well as major additions to Travis intermediate, The Woodlands College Park High School and San Jacinto Elementary school. The bond would also provide for classroom additions to Deretchin Elementary and Tough Elementary, as well as other campus improvements such as safety and security enhancements, across the district schools.

The 2008 CISD bond referendum provided $48.22 million for the land and construction for the new Junior high school project. The total land price totalled $1.52 million, and will be developed by Woodmere Development Company. While there has been some concern about the possibility of subsidence in the new building, others have a positive outlook. “No portion where we would be building would even be close to that 100-year floodplain,” said Dan Cox, CISD Chief Financial Officer. But just to make sure the contract which the board approved is subject to the completion of due diligence lasting 75 days. “During that period, if we choose to not purchase, we can simply walk away. In our due diligence, we will be doing soil testing to ensure the land is suitable for building upon.” Cox reassured. If the district does not walk away then it will close on the property in 90 days.

For more information visit the CISD website at www.conroeisd.net

Source: www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier

Conroe Residents and Students Take Special Note of Veterans

Greg Rivera — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Wednesday November 11, 2009 marks this year’s Veteran’s Day, a day to honor those living and passed that have so valiantly served our country. Across the nation American’s will gather together and celebrate the service of our soldiers and Conroe residents are not the least among these.

The Conroe Independent School District Junior Reserve Office Training Corps will be hosting their annual military parade and ceremony on Veteran’s day starting at 9:30am with a reception and social, followed by the ceremony at 10:20am. This will take place at Moorhead Stadium behind Conroe High school. Nearly 500 students will march in uniform in the parade which will include Air Force from Oak Ridge and The Woodlands high schools, Navy from Caney Creek and Aldine high schools and Army from CHS.

Debbie Pennington, CISD JROTC program coordinator shared, “It’s just an extra way to thank the veterans for all they do for us. On behalf of the ROTC in CISD, we do want to encourage the veterans to come out so we can thank them for the service they have done and respect them for all they do.” She said that between 75 and 100 veterans attend each year.

A younger generation showed their appreciation for the Veterans on Monday November 9th. Preschoolers ages 2-4, kindergartners, and elementary aged students through sixth grade are held a special service for their veterans and grandparents at St. James Episcopal Church and School in Conroe. Their tribute was a musical ensemble including a flag-waving presentation to “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Yankee Doodle” by the preschoolers, and a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” by the older students.

“This is a wonderful event,” says U.S. Army Major Ed Naughton of the 158th Aviation Regiment based in Conroe. “It’s great to see children learning about patriotism and their country. The cycles and flags we carry attract the attention and interest of the kids. It gives us an opportunity to establish a dialogue with them about patriotism and why we do what we do.” Following the program, Naughton, soldier volunteers and Patriot Guard representatives spent time meeting with and answering students questions helping them to get a better understanding and showing their mutual appreciation for each other.

Other Veteran honoring events happening November 11 in the area:

8:30am Veteran’s Breakfast and Student led program at Montgomery Junior High, 19000 Stewart Creek Road, Montgomery, TX

10am Program at VFW Post 4709, 1308 W. Semands Ave., Conroe, TX

11am Program at the American Legion Post #618, 13054 FM 1097, Willis, TX

7pm Nondenominational service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3901 S. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands

Source: www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier

Conroe Montgomery County News

Greg Rivera — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The MCFA, Montgomery County Fair Association, has been awarding scholarships to high school students from Montgomery County for 16 years, contributing approximately $100,000 in award money to students each year.

This year's MCFA Scholarship Fundraiser has a new flavor - An Evening of Wine Tastings and Food Pairings - which will be held to raise money to fund future students. Charlie Owens, co-chair of the event, has a desire to see the MCFA grow, and has a taste for good food and wine. This year he asked, "Well, how about pairing the two?"

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for MCFA Scholarships in the coming year. Tickets are $75 each, and for those wishing to contribute larger amounts Sponsorships are available in amounts/levels of $500, Malbec; $1,000, Chardonnay; $2,500, Merlot; $5,000, Cabernet; $10,000, Champagne; and $25,000 Vintner. The event will be held at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center (2301 N. Millbend Drive) from 6:30-9:30pm. For those purchasing Sponsorships, an additional reception will be from 5:30-6:30pm.

"There hasn't been a more important time to raise money for scholarships," Owens said, "because more families are struggling to send their children to school."

For more information on how you can contribute or get information on scholarships for your family, please call the MCFA office at (936)760-3631 or visit www.mcfa.org.

Source: www.hcnonline.com/conroe__courier

CISD Help Local Students through the Weekend.

Greg Rivera — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Conroe Independent School District Schools rallied together to help their fellow students by raising donations for the Montgomery County Food Bank and the Backpack Club.

The Backpack Club is a nation wide program that identifies the hungriest children in schools by faculty and staff referral. Then, the hungriest of the hungry are identified and are signed up for the program. As Doris Goleman, Director of the MCFB put it, “These children are coming to school famished. They’re starving because they haven’t eaten all weekend and that doesn’t help their learning.”

The program provides seven meals each weekend for selected children throughout the academic year. This is to ensure that children who would normally go without any food are able to eat dinner from Friday, as well as each meal through the weekend, to dinner on Sunday.

Over the last five to six years CISD teachers brought food to donate during their week of inservice before school starts, and in five years collected 60,000 pounds of food. This year however they were able to do even more, as it was determined that a $1 donation can purchase 11 pounds of food, not to mention monetary contributions are more convenient.

To kick off the school year all of CISD schools participated in a program deemed “Change for Change” and encouraged kids to donate any loose change they had to make a positive change in the lives of hungry children – their fellow classmates. The total donations came to around $20,000 for this one week of effort.

There are currently 203 students in the Backpack Club, with 75 more students scheduled to join. The Food Bank is hoping to extend the program to all of the CISD Elementary schools, and the more donations and food available the more they can reach out and feed not just the hungriest of the hungry, but the hungry children as well.

If you would like to take part in this outreach the Montgomery County Food Bank is always accepting monetary or food donations. You can contact Director Doris Goleman at mcfb@consolidated.net or call the MCFB at 936-539-6686.

Conroe Tiger Band Rose Parade Golf Tournament

Greg Rivera — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Download the Registration form

Back to School News: New Immunization Requirements for Texas Kids

daphne — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Texas kids are getting ready to go back to schools, and for many children, preparation includes getting a few more immunizations. This year, big changes have been made in immunization requirements which will impact incoming kindergarten and seventh grade students.
The changes to the requirements were made to bring Texas into line more closely with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices recommend. These changes started on August 01 and include:Hepatitis A Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.Measles, Mumps, Rubelle (MMR) Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten and 7th grade will be required to have two doses of the Varicella vaccine. However, a written statement from the parent/guardian, school nurse or physician attesting to the child already having had chickenpox may replace the vaccine.Tetanus, Diptheria and acellular pertussis-containing Vaccine (Tdap): All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. Students in the 7th grade are required to have a booster shot of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose. Students in grades 8-12 are required to have a booster shot of Tdap if it has been ten years or more since their previous dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine.Meningococcal Vaccine: All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine. For more information on immunization requirements for Texas kids:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/IMMUNIZE/

Conroe Kids Get Ready for School

Melissa Burnham — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Parents who can not afford back to school clothes for their children this fall have no need to worry. A group of volunteers with the Assistance League of Montgomery County, located at 126 N. San Jacinto in Conroe, is going through the annual "Operation School Bell". This volunteer effort has the goal of clothing 4,100 school children by August 24th. In addition to that, the program also provides books for any children in need.

This program should help raise the self esteem of new students, who walk into classrooms wearing new, nice clothes for class. Margery Hayward, Operation School Bell chairwoman and Assistance League of Montgomery County president-elect adds, "We think it improves and helps the esteem of the child if they are dressed properly for school like their peers," and "we're dressing them so they can walk through the front doors the first day of school with brand-new clothes on."

The Assistance League of Montgomery County sends letters to students on the free lunch programs in schools inviting them to Operation School Bell. These are sent out through all six Montgomery County school districts. For these two weeks the program is giving each student three shirts, two pants, socks and underwear, a sweat shirt, hygiene kit and a book. Along with that they also receive a voucher for $20 at Payless Shoesource.

Operation School Bell has been going strong for 22 years, and will clothe its 25,000th child by the end of next week. If you would like to volunteer and are in the Conroe and Montgomery County area, the Assistance League of Montgomery County is always looking for help. You can reach them at (936) 760-1151 or visit their website at Assistance League of Montgomery County. Many thanks to the Assistance League of Montgomery County for a successful volunteer effort!

Source: The Courier of Montgomery County

Image courtesy of The Courier of Montgomery County

Giesinger Elementary Students to Benefit from School Supply Drive

daphne — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0100

This school year, nine Conroe I.S.D. schools will benefit from Operation School Supplies, a program that has raised over $1.607 million since 1990 to provide school supplies for elementary students in need.

Sponsored by the Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the University of Houston Alumni Association, and H-E-B, Operation School Supplies will be in full force through August 5th.

How can Graystone Hills residents help?

Shop H-E-B and pick up an Operation School Supplies coupon at the checkout counter, donate, or purchase and donate prepackaged school suppliesBuy Coca-Cola products at H-E-B. Each time a Coca-Cola product is purchased at H-E-B, the Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company will donate a portion of the proceeds to the campaign.Drop off donations at the Houston Astros' July 26 game!Graystone Hills residents can sponsor a Giesinger Elementary for $25 or Conroe I.S.D. for $100.If you personally know a student in need of assistance with school supplies, call the United Way of Greater Houston Help Line at 2-1-1Also, visit here to learn more.

So, go out and support those in need; Graystone Hills can provide a big help in a big way!

Back to School in Conroe I.S.D.

daphne — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Graystone Hills parents will soon have school on their mind, as the Conroe I.S.D. 2009-2010 school year kicks off on August 24th. We hope to bring our community a bundle of resources for the new school year.

New Students/Enrollment

If your child is new to Graystone Hills and Conroe I.S.D., registration is an easy process. Simply assess which school your child will attend (Graystone Hills students attend Giesinger Elementary K-4, Cryar Intermediate School 5-6, Peet Junior High 7-8, and Conroe High School 9-12), and register on location.

Giesinger Elementary: 936-539-6100
Cryar Intermediate School: 936-709-3700
Peet Junior High School: 936-709-7300
Conroe High School: 936-709-5700

New registrants must have proof of residency (a sales agreement or utility bill), a birth certificate or other legal proof of identity, a Social Security Card, Immunization records, and an Identification document of the parent/guardian enrolling the student.

Students who attended Conroe I.S.D. previously are not required to register.

More info information on PreK and Kindergarten Round Up.

Bus Schedules

Graystone Hills residents are serviced by Conroe I.S.D. bus transportation. To find your child's bus stop and time, Conroe I.S.D. provides an easy-to-use Bus Finder.

School Supplies

Giesinger Elementary School Supply List

Cryar Intermediate School Supply List

Junior high and high school students do not have a required list, as their study habits and preferences should be developing. They are expected to be prepared, and it is suggested that they wait until after the first day of school to make an assessment on what each teacher will need.

School Calendar

Most importantly, parents need to know when students will be in and out of school. View the Conroe I.S.D. 2009-2010 school year calendar.

Good luck to all Graystone Hills students and parents; our community wishes you a productive, fun-filled year!