Graystone Hills residents and spectators are invited to join in an interactive conversation with the community through commenting.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | Tagged in: Montgomery County , education , community
The South Montgomery County Library, 2101 Lake Robbins Drive hosted a lecture on green farming. Hans Hansen of Twin Persimmons Farm spoke about community supported agriculture, how it work, and how to get involved.
Hansen discussed Community Supported Agriculture as becoming a preferred method for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. These are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share and in return receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season, providing a win-win for farm and consumer.
According to their website, “Twin Persimmons Farm is three acres within 167 that are currently designated for vegetable production. The site is managed sustainably, informed by multiple disciplines and perspectives including permaculture, biodynamics, agricultural research and integral sustainability.” Twin Persimmons Farm grows produce for Houston, Bryan-College Station and associated communities.
Posted on Dec 16, 2011 | Tagged in: family , events , entertainment , education , community , charity
The John Cooper School let’s the students pick a charity for each month of the year. This month two of the school’s outstanding students volunteered to organize this month’s charity project, "Good Soles Shoe and Sock Donation Drive".
The students, Iker and Pamela Pimienta partnered with local podiatrist Dr. Robert E Neville & Associates. This “Good Souls” benefit drive will collect socks and shoes for needing families. The benefit drive in years past, have collected over 700 pairs of shoes and socks. The students will work with Dr. Neville to collect donations through January 31st.
Charities that have benefited from the drive in the past include United Way of Greater Houston, Montgomery County Women’s Center, the Knights of Columbus, Moms Helping Moms and Project Hope.
Posted on Sep 2, 2011 | Tagged in: education , Conroe ISD
After much deliberation the CISD Board of Trustees decided to put changes in place that will save the district money. For the 2011-2012 school year students who’s doorstep is within one mile of their school will no longer be eligible for transportation to and from school. According to a statement released over the summer, walking distance to bus stops for the new school year will be as follows. Prekindergarten to sixth grade students may walk up to 600 feet. Seventh and eighth graders may walk up to 1,200 feet. High school students may walk up to 2,400 feet.
Many parents and guardians may question this decision, however Bobby Burns, Director of Facility and Maintenance Operations explained that several projects were completed over the summer. His biggest example given was replacing the doors with high tech electronic locks and installing a visual system that always the school receptionist a continuous view of everything happening in the entry areas. Each school was uniquely modified with waiting areas so that each person entering the school must pass through and check in with the receptionist. Some other projects tackled over the summer were setting up each receptionist with the ability to run instant background checks on all visitors and installing a complete security video monitoring system that will be fully complete next summer.
To find out what bus your child rides visit the CISD website and click on the “What Bus does My Child Ride?” tab.
Posted on Aug 12, 2011 | Tagged in: education
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.
Posted on Jul 12, 2011 | Tagged in: education
There is still time for students to sign up for summer classes at Lone Star College – Montgomery. With many options available to help accommodate busy summer schedules, students can enroll in evening, online, or hybrid (mix of distance learning and face-to-face instruction) courses.
The second six-week summer session will begin on Thursday, July 14, and will run through Sunday, August 21. Some of the popular courses still enrolling include art, biology, criminal justice, English, government, kinesiology, mathematics, psychology, and speech.
Don’t forget! LSC – Montgomery has begun fall registration for classes scheduled to begin Monday, August 29.
Posted on Jul 6, 2011 | Tagged in: education , charity
The student Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA) Association, in conjunction with Yoga Urbana, will be hosting yoga sessions this summer as a fundraiser to provide aid in purchasing review books and classes at their Lone Star College - Montgomery campus.
The fundraiser is necessary to help prepare the PTA students for their National Licensure Board exam. The fundraiser sessions are currently scheduled for:
Wednesday, June 15, at 1 pm
Posted on Jun 9, 2011 | Tagged in: events , entertainment , education
The Woodlands Recreation Center recently published their exciting summer calendar which features special programs for all ages! Many of the “camps” are geared towards educational enrichment through physical activities!
Activities planned throughout the summer range from stand-up paddling and country western dancing to LEGO Robotics. “There are hundreds of programs of all types,” said Chris Nunes, Director of Parks & Recreation for The Woodlands Township. “We have designed programs for all ages, both from a fun perspective and an educational opportunity.”
One of the centers most unique offerings is Little iKids programs, which teach area youngsters ages 3 to 7, to explore and expand their technical knowledge. Activities offered in this program include LEGO Robotics, where children construct their own digital storybook by building robot characters, adding music and narrating with their own voice; PC Pet Shop, which teaches basic pet care through computer and keyboard activities; and the popular Dinotunes Digital Discovery, which teaches basic music skills through archeologically themed activities.
Posted on May 20, 2011 | Tagged in: education , business
This summer, students can have the opportunity to learn new things and gain fresh experiences by doing something that could help them in their chosen career paths. The Education for Tomorrow Alliance (ETA) is now seeking students to work as interns in the new ETA Student Internship Program.
The Education for Tomorrow Alliance is currently meeting with high school counselors and students to choose those who may be a fit for the internship positions.
Several community organizations and local business are participating by offering one or more students a chance to intern for the group.
Posted on Feb 18, 2011 | Tagged in: education , Conroe ISD
The 2011 H-E-B Excellence Awards Programs has named Conroe Independent School District as a finalist in the Large District category.
A total of five finalists were chosen for the Large District category, including Mesquite I.S.D., Edinburg C.I.S.D., Brownsville I.S.D., Harlandale I.S.D. and Conroe I.S.D.
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards “celebrates public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities”.
The program offers more than $600,000 in cash prizes and is the largest monetary recognition program for educators in Texas as well as the nation.
Posted on Nov 29, 2010 | Tagged in: education , Conroe ISD
Mark Weatherly, Principal of Peet Junior High School in Conroe ISD and one of four schools serving students in Graystone Hills, has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as a Region VI Outstanding Principal of the Year.
TAASP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the twenty region Education Service Centers in the state. School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based upon exemplary performance and outstanding leadership.
As a Region VI winner, Mr. Weatherly is eligible to compete for the state title of the Texas Principal of the Year. Peet Junior High is just minutes away from Graystone Hills.
