LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION 2022
Both Humble and New Caney ISDs have taken measures to improve school safety over the past several years through bonds and equipment purchases. INVESTING IN SAFETY
HUMBLE ISD: • is carrying out projects from its $775 million May 7 bond, which included $45 million for cybersecurity, security cameras and radio system upgrades; and • used roughly $10.3 million of its $575 million 2018 bond to add secure vestibules and card reader access districtwide, and expand HISD’s police department and emergency operations center. NEW CANEY ISD: • used funds from its $173 million 2015 bond to add security vestibules and card-reader access districtwide; • spent roughly $13,000 on two portable walk-through metal detectors; and • implemented a clear-bag policy at sporting events. SOURCES: HUMBLE ISD, NEW CANEY ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Harris County invests in all- electronic tollways IMPACTS 6
Local representatives, educators target school safety Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman met with school district police chiefs across the Greater Houston area—including Humble ISD—during an Aug. 3 news conference at Centennial Elementary in HISD. (Courtesy Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Oce)
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State leaders and local school dis- tricts are ramping up security eorts as the 2022-23 school year begins and the next legislative session approaches, three months after a mass school shooting resulted in the deaths of 19 BY WESLEY GARDNER & HANNAH ZEDAKER
students and two teachers in Uvalde. Over the summer, state legislators allocated new funding to school dis- tricts statewide to support school safety and mental health initiatives, while the Harris County Commission- ers Court voted unanimously June 14
to request a report on county youth gun violence and create the Harris County Safe School Commission. While New Caney ISD Superin- tendent Matt Calvert said school safety is always at the forefront of the
BY RACHEL CARLTON, EMILY LINCKE & DANICA LLOYD Local flood mitigation eorts continue 5 years after Hurricane Harvey HARVEY’S IMPACT As of June, the Harris County Flood Control District has made
Nearly ve years after Hurricane Harvey ooded more than 158,770 structures in Harris and Montgomery counties, ood mitigation eorts continue. As of June, the Harris County Flood Control District’s $2.5 billion bond program, which voters approved in 2018, was 21.8% complete, according to the district’s monthly report. HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen said bond projects require time-consuming steps before construction begins, including studies, engineering and design. “Where we’ve been focused over the last several years is more on what happens inside the district, … but as we move further into the bond program, more and CONTINUED ON 24
progress on 21.8% of projects included in the district’s $2.5 billion bond program approved by voters in 2018. HURRICANE HARVEY CAUSED:
THE HCFCD HAS SPENT: $1.05 BILLION on projects throughout Harris County’s 23 watersheds
$21.5 MILLION on projects in the San Jacinto River watershed
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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The care you’ve come to know at Texas Orthopedic Hospital, now available in the Kingwood community. Same great doctors, same great care. Conveniently located with free parking, our Kingwood center offers easy access to a range of specialty services. Our board certified and fellowship trained physicians offer consults for complex shoulder, joint replacement, sports medicine and osteoarthritis treatment of the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. Please note: Specialty care or services not provided at Texas Orthopedic Hospital – Specialty Care at Kingwood, including surgery, may be referred to Texas Orthopedic Hospital near the Texas Medical Center.
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TexasOrthopedic.com | To schedule an appointment, please call (713) 395-6610
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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst edition of Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 with three full-time employees covering Round Rock and Pugerville, Texas. Now in 2022, CI is still locally owned. We have expanded to include hundreds of employees, our own software platform and printing facility, and over 30 hyperlocal editions across the state with a circulation to more than 2.4 million residential mailboxes.
FROM KIM: This month marks the ve-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm that caused catastrophic damage to thousands of structures across the Greater Houston area, including in the Lake Houston community. To learn more about the ood mitigation progress that has since been made in the San Jacinto River watershed, see our front-page story. Kim Giannetti, GENERAL MANAGER
Community Impact Newspaper teams include general managers, editors, reporters, graphic designers, sales account executives and sales support, all immersed and invested in the communities they serve. Our mission is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our core values are Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.
FROM HANNAH: Following the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, safety and security have been top of mind for many state and local leaders this summer. As we approach the 2022-23 school year, check out our front- page story to learn more about how Humble and New Caney ISDs are planning to keep students and sta safe. Hannah Zedaker, EDITOR
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WE’VE TEAMED UP TO BRING YOU MORE OF THE STORIES YOU CARE ABOUT
Award-winning cancer care meets humankindness. The Baylor College of Medicine Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCCC) at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center and St. Luke’s Health–The Woodlands brings innovative treatments from lab to bedside faster than ever before to help stop cancer in its tracks. Learn more at stlukeshealth.org/services-specialties/oncology .
LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • AUGUST 2022
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
cording to the business’s website. Aspen Dental has about 900 locations nation- wide and oers services including dental cleanings, dental surgery, cosmetic den- tistry, emergency dentistry and dentures. 281-747-3147. www.aspendental.com 3 Bounce Multimedia celebrated its grand opening in Humble on July 13. Located at 45 Wilson Road, the busi- ness oers media video production and installation services as well as equipment rentals. Additionally, the business oers mobile production services that send crew members to capture sports, enter- tainment and religious industry events. Bounce Multimedia, which also has a location in Beaumont, has worked with several major broadcasters, including ESPN, CBS, NBC and Bally Sports. 409-860-5551. www.bouncemultimedia.com Create by Lil Bit , an online business that oers customized items for special occasions, opened in Humble on May 6. The business oers a number of special- ized gifts, including activity and coloring books, party favors and activity packs, and customized T-shirts. Create by Lil Bit owner Ebony McGowen said the products are ideal for birthday parties, friendship gatherings, bridal and baby showers, graduations and anniversaries. McGowen noted the business—which has a mailing address of 1201 First St., Ste. E1622, Humble—ships its products nationwide. 281-947-6222. www.createbylilbit.myshopify.com Seniors Helping Seniors began serving the Lake Houston community in mid- August and is hiring caregivers. Locally owned by Glenn Coty, Seniors Helping Seniors is a nonmedical in-home care service provider for seniors that is licensed and insured. Client services provided by caregivers—who are also seniors—range from light housekeeping and laundry to meal preparation and transportation to appointments, among others. Since its inception in 1996, Seniors Helping Seniors has grown to more than 100 agencies nationwide. 346-334-6100, ext. 12. www.seniorcarespringtx.com COMING SOON 4 The Aria at Ralston , a multifamily development, will open in Humble on
Sept. 15. Located at 14809 Ralston Road, the 178-unit complex features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for rent that include microwaves, storage space, and washer and dryer connections. Addi- tionally, the apartments include walk-in closets, pantries, breakfast bars, and patios and balconies. Rental applications are now being accepted. 346-365-7026. www.ariaatralston.com 5 Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers led permits to build a new location in Valley Ranch Town Center, according to the East Montgomery County Improvement District. While an o¢cial address has not yet been announced, the restaurant will be located near the intersection of Eagle Drive and the Grand Parkway in New Caney. Raising Cane’s oers a selection of chicken ngers and chicken sandwiches as well as tailgate options that include as many as 100 chicken ngers. According to EMCID o¢cials, construction is sched- uled to begin in October with a planned opening in 2023. www.raisingcanes.com 6 Construction has begun on a new Wendy’s location at 23619 Hwy. 59, Porter, according to o¢cials with the EMCID. The fast-food eatery oers hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets and salads as well as sides such as fries and baked potatoes and desserts such as Wendy’s signature Frosty. The new Porter location is expected to open in 2023, according to EMCID o¢cials. www.wendys.com 7 Dogtopia of Atascocita is planning to open in early September at 7140 FM 1960 E., Humble. Upon opening, the business will oer dog day care, boarding and spa services. According to Dogtopia’s website, all playrooms are supervised by
W. FORK OF THE SAN JACINTO RIVER
F I R S T S T .
N TM; © 2022 COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
N . L A K E H O U S T O N P K W Y . NOW OPEN 1 Pet Supplies Plus opened a new location July 21 in the King’s Crossing shopping center. Located at 4520 King- wood Drive, Kingwood, Pet Supplies Plus sells food and supplies for dogs, cats, birds, sh, reptiles, and small animals
such as hamsters. The business also oers grooming services for dogs and cats. 281-973-8427. www.petsuppliesplus.com 2 In mid-June, Aspen Dental opened a new location in Valley Ranch Town Center. The o¢ce is located at 21690 Hwy. 59, Ste. 300, New Caney, and oers services from Dr. Nadjib Benosman, ac-
COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER, EMILY LINCKE & HANNAH ZEDAKER
COURTESY EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
EMILY LINCKE¦COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Located at 20131 Hwy. 59 N., Humble, Deerbrook Mall is managed by Brookeld Properties and features more than 160 stores and restaurants. 281-446-6626. www.shopdeerbrookmall.com NOW OPEN 1 Mango Biche Mia opened on Level 2 of Deerbrook Mall near AMC Theatres in mid-June, according to property management. The national franchise sells bowls of freshly chopped mango topped 2 Fresh Brew opened on Level 1 of Deerbrook Mall near Dick’s Sporting Goods in early July, according to property management. The coee counter serves Peet’s Coee, which is used to craft hot and iced-brewed coees and espres- so drinks. Fresh Brew also sells teas, frappes, fruit tea shakers and pastries. COMING SOON with seasonings or sauces. www.mangobichemia.com 3 Bigotes Street Tacos is planning to open a new location in the Deerbrook Mall food court in the fourth quarter of this year. The Mexican restaurant initially planned to open the new loca- tion in December 2021, but the opening was delayed, according to property management ocials. Upon opening, Bigotes Street Tacos will oer breakfast tacos, tortas, hamburgers, churros and seafood. 346-703-0951. www.bigotesstreettacos.com 4 Supernova Furniture will open Sept. 5 at its new location in Suite 2290 of Deerbrook Mall. The roughly
certi ed canine coaches, and dogs are put in play groups according to size, tem- perament and play style. Pet parents will also have access to Dogtopia’s webcams to monitor their pets during their stay. 281-417-4622. www.dogtopia.com/houston-atascocita 8 Carter’s is planning to open as a co-branded concept with OshKosh B’gosh in Valley Ranch Town Center this November, o¢cials with the EMCID an- nounced Aug. 2. Although an address has not yet been announced for the children’s clothing store, the business will be locat- ed near other Valley Ranch Town Center retailers such as Target and HomeGoods, according to EMCID o¢cials. The new store will oer children’s clothing for newborns up to 14-year-olds. www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com 9 Ellie Mental Health is projecting a Sept. 6 opening for its new location at 800 Rockmead Drive, Ste. 132, Kingwood. The outpatient mental health practice will oer counseling for individuals, couples and families. O¢cials noted the practice’s team of therapists utilizes a range of specialties to work with clients of all ages, including veterans and rst responders. Additionally, o¢cials said children, teens and adults are strategi- cally matched with therapists to meet their needs. The mental health facility is accepting clients. 281-572- 8606. www.elliementalhealth.com/locations/ kingwood-tx 10 In July, construction began on the La Marketa de Porter shopping center, located at the intersection of Hwy. 59 and FM 1314 in Porter. The 36,500-square- foot project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. La Marketa de
Porter will include a 10,000-square- foot Teloloapan grocery store and a 3,000-square-foot bakery, which will serve as the anchor for other businesses, such as Ostioneria Michoacán Seafood Restaurant and Peruvian-Mexican restaurant Pollo Bravo, according to developer American Realty Group. Other businesses to be located in the center will include a medical o¢ce and a laundromat. 713-439-0101. www.arg-properties.com Originally planning to open in the second quarter of 2022 at the Kingwood Docks shopping center, Blo Blow Dry Bar delayed the opening of its Kingwood location, Fishman Public Relations con- rmed Aug. 11. The business is looking for an alternate location at which to operate, and a new opening date had not been de- termined as of press time. Blo Blow Dry Bar oers makeup services as well as hair washing, styling and blowout services. The salon has locations across the coun- try. 847-945-1300. https://blomedry.com RELOCATIONS 11 J. Raphael’s Photography relocated from its former site in Houston to Humble on May 1. Located at 11411 Fairwood Creek Court, the business oers profes- sional photography services, including photoshoots for weddings, birthday parties, corporate headshots, events, performances, graduations and church programs. According to owner Jared Gilmore, the business also oers special- ized portraits dubbed Alter Ego Images, which he said combine two images of the same individual into one portrait to highlight separate aspects of their lives. 832-582-4423. https://jraphael.smugmug.com
86,000-square-foot facility will feature a showroom and oer a number of furniture options, including home decor, mattresses, outdoor items, home oce equipment and formal dining ware. 281-805-5559. www.supernovafurniture.com 5 Cotton On Kids will open Sept. 2 inside Deerbrook Mall between Journeys and Abercrombie Kids. The store will oer a selection of children’s clothing and accessories tailored to babies and children ages 2-14, including T-shirts, shorts, jeans, headwear, hoodies, back- packs and footwear. 281-548-6213. www.cottonon.com/us/kids EXPANSIONS 6 Bath & Body Works will expand to a new storefront located on Level 1 of Deerbrook Mall near Dillard’s, according to property management. The new loca- tion, which will be about 6,600 square feet, will open in early- to mid-October. Bath & Body Works sells a variety of scented candles, hand sanitizers, lotions, and other beauty and bath products. www.bathandbodyworks.com
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY RACHEL CARLTON & HANNAH ZEDAKER
Harris County approves $37.7M for all-electronic tollways
Harris County commissioners unanimously approved six contracts totaling $37.7 million in service of the Harris County Toll Road Authority’s transition to all-electronic tollways, or AETs, during their Aug. 2 meeting. A map of potential tollway tran- sition areas shows 11 segments of interest in the countywide tollway system. The Aug. 2 contracts assign ve engineering rms to design segments 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 along the Sam Houston Tollway and their cor- responding entrance and exit ramps. A sixth contract with HNTB Corp. awarded $5.52 million for work on all segments excluding 10 and 11 along Westpark Tollway, although the contract stated the HCTRA may request additional support along the Westpark Tollway, the northeast part of the Sam Houston Tollway, and the airport and downtown connectors of the Hardy Toll Road. “HCTRA’s investment in AET will save lives, prevent crashes and inju- ries, and reduce property damage,”
This map from the HCTRA’s website outlines 11 segments of the tollway system under consideration for the transition to all-electronic tollways. FLIPPING THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH
Sam Houston Tollway 1: I-45 to Hwy. 290 2: Hwy. 290 to I-10 3: I-10 to Hwy. 59 4: Hwy. 59 to Hwy. 288
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF AUG. 4. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LHKNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. to bid on Aug. 17 with construction expected to begin shortly after. According to Ralph De Leon, adminis- trator of the Lake Houston Redevel- opment Authority and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 10, the project is expected to take roughly 30 months to complete once construction begins. Timeline: September 2022- March 2025 Cost: $52 million Funding sources: LHRA, TIRZ 10, city of Houston Northpark Drive overpass A project to expand Northpark Drive from four to six lanes between Hwy. 59 and Russell Palmer Road and add an overpass over the railroad went out
5: Hwy. 288 to I-45 6: I-45 and Hwy. 225 Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road 7: Sam Houston Tollway to Hwy. 90 Alternate Hardy Toll Road 8: Sam Houston Tollway to Loop 610 9: Sam Houston Tollway to I-45 Westpark Tollway 10: Sam Houston Tollway to Loop 610 11: FM 1464 to Sam Houston Tollway
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
the next couple of months. Sibrian said drivers wanting to pay cash are encouraged to create an EZ TAG account on the HCTRA’s website and use a prepaid debit card, which can be purchased with cash.
said Roxy Sibrian, head of communi- cations for the HCTRA. Sibrian said the community should expect to see cash signage removed or modi ed on the Sam Houston Toll- way in August and continue through
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • AUGUST 2022
2022 EDUCATION EDITION COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE
Data and information from local school districts
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, HUMBLE ISD, NEW CANEY ISD¤ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
At Humble ISD, student enrollment increased by more than 10% from the 2018-19 school year to the 2021-22 school year. During that time frame, the number of teachers employed at the district increased by more than 15%, while the starting salary increased by roughly 9.5%.
At New Caney ISD, student enrollment increased by more than 11% from the 2018-19 school year to the 2021-22 school year. During that time frame, the number of teachers employed at the district increased by nearly 5%, while the starting salary increased by more than 8%.
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A closer look at campus-level standardized test scores and other data COMPARING CAMPUS SCORES COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER Humble ISD students performed at or above the state in most subjects in the spring administration of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, according to results released July 1. The district saw ve areas in which students performed below state averages, including math in fourth, fth and seventh grades; fth-grade science; and eighth-grade reading. HUMBLE ISD
Understanding the table The following tables reveal test results from the 2021-22 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. Tables also include enrollment data, feeder school campuses and the percent of students considered economically disadvantaged. STAAR RESULTS Results show the percentage of
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED These students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, come from a family with an income below the poverty line, or are eligible for other specic benets.
students within the district and each campus who are approaching the grade level, which is considered passing.
SOURCES: HUMBLE ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS LEGISLATURECOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
202122 STAAR PASSING RESULTS BY GRADE
202122 STAAR PASSING RESULTS BY GRADE
MIDDLE SCHOOLS State average District average 31 Atascocita 32 Autumn Ridge* 33 Creekwood 34 Humble 35 Kingwood 36 Riverwood 37 Ross Sterling 38 Timberwood 39 West Lake 40 Woodcreek
N/A N/A 69% 72% 78% 55% 82% 69% 73% 59% N/A N/A N/A N/A 71% 72% 80% 43% 81% 70% 76% 63% N/A N/A 1,090 -3.54% 62% 64% 79% 43% 81% 69% 80% 77% 45.5% 41 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 46 1,177 -0.34% 85% 90% 89% 66% 89% 82% 91% 79% 17.42% 44 1,377 1.4% 58% 55% 74% 29% 70% 55% 61% 42% 73.86% 43 991 2.27% 77% 79% 82% 46% 84% 71% 80% 77% 37.54% 45 1,094 3.21% 88% 94% 95% 87% 93% 93% 94% 88% 9.6% 44 934 0.32% 52% 62% 65% 43% 71% 74% 74% 46% 76.02% 43 1,196 0.59% 64% 69% 74% 39% 76% 55% 70% 50% 46.57% 41 1,744 18.32% 75% 74% 82% 31% 82% 69% 74% 52% 29.3% 41, 46 1,821 6.43% 72% 69% 80% 39% 80% 66% 68% 62% 42.45% 46
N/A N/A 77% 70% 77% 69% 80% 75% 66% N/A N/A N/A N/A 79% 70% 77% 64% 83% 71% 59% N/A N/A 986 11.79% 89% 81% 83% 60% 82% 68% 57% 30.63% 38, 39 588 N/A 69% 51% 76% 64% 84% 49% 47% 54.25% 40 651 8.86% 88% 78% 89% 87% 81% 66% 62% 15.67% 33, 35 795 25.2% 85% 76% 87% 71% 88% 83% 76% 32.96% 32, 40 699 9.91% 86% 83% 91% 85% 90% 77% 75% 18.74% 36 612 -7.41% 93% 85% 85% 82% 93% 90% 75% 21.9% 38 618 5.46% 84% 72% 84% 69% 88% 74% 65% 47.57% 35 810 -23% 85% 78% 90% 85% 93% 91% 77% 23.83% 40 704 26.62% 77% 65% 78% 66% 88% 74% 72% 45.03% 35 663 1.53% 81% 76% 86% 70% 95% 88% 87% 18.55% 33 1,247 14.72% 83% 80% 86% 72% 89% 78% 71% 21.57% 39 483 7.81% 90% 81% 85% 62% 92% 90% 69% 28.16% 33 676 12.48% 74% 71% 76% 61% 81% 57% 54% 67.9% 37 645 27.98% 65% 54% 71% 55% 75% 65% 36% 80.62% 34, 37 906 21.45% 66% 54% 67% 47% 72% 61% 40% 81.24% 37 807 19.73% 80% 64% 72% 52% 79% 67% 50% 39.78% 32, 39 677 6.95% 75% 63% 73% 69% 83% 69% 60% 46.38% 31 669 -0.89% 73% 65% 72% 47% 69% 68% 33% 83.56% 34 712 -3.26% 77% 62% 64% 45% 82% 68% 54% 61.1% 38 636 9.84% 61% 43% 60% 38% 69% 61% 43% 67.3% 38 693 -7.35% 66% 57% 61% 50% 79% 67% 44% 67.97% 34 594 0% 73% 64% 65% 54% 80% 55% 57% 40.91% 31 994 -12.81% 76% 69% 71% 63% 68% 58% 44% 63.48% 32 813 -15.58% 72% 66% 68% 60% 79% 66% 55% 72.08% 34, 37
3 Bear Branch 4 Centennial 5 Deerwood 6 Eagle Springs
*AUTUMN RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL OPENED IN AUGUST 2022
202122 STAAR PASSING RESULTS BY GRADE
HIGH SCHOOLS State average District average 41 Atascocita 43 Humble 44 Kingwood 45 Kingwood Park 46 Summer Creek
15 Lakeland 16 Lakeshore 17 Maplebrook 18 North Belt 19 Oak Forest
N/A N/A 74% 82% 63% 71% 89% N/A N/A N/A 74% 86% 67% 74% 93% N/A 3,854 4.56% 54% 88% 72% 76% 95% 35.05% 422 0.24% 65% 97% 90% 95% 99% 40.52% 2,880 5.34% 58% 73% 47% 58% 82% 67.47% 2,850 1.53% 73% 96% 81% 88% 98% 13.09% 1,929 2.83% 77% 91% 75% 77% 95% 26.96% 3,334 13.91% 64% 84% 65% 73% 93% 38.75%
42 Guy M. Sconzo Early College
21 Park Lakes 22 Pine Forest 23 Ridge Creek 24 River Pines 25 Shadow Forest 26 Summerwood
FROM THE DISTRICT How do Humble ISD's 2021 STAAR results compare to those statewide? Humble ISD students outperformed students across the state in most areas—including on all of the high school tests; in reading on the third-, fth-, sixth- and seventh-grade tests; and in eighth grade on the science, social studies and math tests. Jamie Mount , Humble ISD chief communications ocer
28 Whispering Pines 29 Willow Creek 30 Woodland Hills
*AUTUMN CREEK ELEMENTARY OPENED IN AUGUST 2021
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NEW CANEY ISD New Caney ISD schools saw improvement on all State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness scores for reading and math in the 202122 school year compared to the 202021 school year. Students earned the largest score increases in reading scores for fourth and seventh grades, which jumped 20% and 18% year over year, respectively. A closer look at campus-level standardized test scores and other data COMPARING CAMPUS SCORES COMPILED BY EMILY LINCKE
202122 STAAR PASSING RESULTS BY GRADE
State average District average 12 Keefer Crossing
N/A N/A 69% 72% 78% 55% 82% 69% 73% 59% N/A N/A N/A N/A 62% 68% 76% 63% 79% 66% 67% 52% N/A N/A 1,114 15.32% 55% 67% 75% 61% 82% 77% 72% 50% 76.39% 17 885 -10.33% 62% 68% 75% 59% 73% 56% 61% 42% 72.99% 17 832 -4.48% 62% 64% 75% 61% 80% 61% 65% 62% 68.15% 18
15 Woodridge Forest 1,213 12.21% 69% 72% 78% 68% 82% 71% 70% 53% 58.04% 18 *PINE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS NAMED NEW CANEY MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE 2020 21 SCHOOL YEAR.
202122 STAAR PASSING RESULTS BY GRADE
202122 STAAR PASSING RESULTS BY GRADE
HIGH SCHOOLS State average District average
N/A N/A 74% 82% 63% 71% 89% N/A N/A N/A 77% 82% 58% 65% 88% N/A
State average District average 1 Bens Branch
N/A N/A 77% 70% 77% 69% 80% 75% 66% N/A N/A N/A N/A 68% 59% 73% 59% 75% 70% 61% N/A N/A 661 3.61% 86% 78% 80% 69% 92% 91% 76% 41.91% 14, 15 836 9.42% 61% 54% 63% 52% 71% 67% 68% 77.03% 15 705 -0.14% 67% 63% 70% 60% 69% 69% 53% 85.82% 12 771 13.55% 81% 69% 83% 67% 78% 67% 64% 42.67% 15 613 -2.39% 60% 50% 78% 72% 80% 78% 62% 83.2% 12 777 1.83% 66% 51% 78% 55% 58% 51% 46% 84.04% 12, 13 700 10.24% 68% 58% 66% 49% 71% 64% 57% 81.14% 13, 15 707 15.52% 72% 55% 63% 44% 75% 66% 55% 72.7% 14 673 -5.74% 63% 59% 84% 66% 77% 83% 58% 71.32% 14 744 11.38% 62% 48% 59% 43% 75% 72% 63% 58.47% 12 814 5.03% 73% 69% 75% 67% 77% 68% 64% 60.32% 13
FROM THE DISTRICT WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE GROWTH FROM LAST YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR. Matt Calvert, New Caney ISD superintendent
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
HOW A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD
II. ADOPT POLICIES AND REVIEW FOR EFFECTIVENESS
STATE BOARD DUTIES The Texas Open Meetings Act requires government entities to conduct public business responsibly, transparently and in compliance with the law. ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING Residents can attend school board meetings except when policy permits trustees to meet in closed session. SPEAK BEFORE THE BOARD Most school boards dedicate time in their public meeting agendas to hear input from community members. REQUEST PUBLIC RECORDS SOURCES: TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS, TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICECOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER Citizens have access to information about government activity through the Texas Public Information Act. The State Board of Education includes 15 individuals elected to four-year terms. This board sets policies and standards for public schools statewide. THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: • establishes curriculum standards; • reviews and adopts instructional materials; • determines graduation requirements; • oversees the Texas Permanent School Fund; and • reviews and potentially vetoes the commissioner’s proposed award of new charter schools.
Trustees adopt local policies that guide district operations, such as citizen participation at public meetings and the board’s evaluation of the superintendent. State and federal law also regulate policies, such as campaign ethics and when closed meetings can take place.
COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER & DANICA LLOYD
III. HIRE AND EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT
Public school board members in Texas are unpaid volunteers elected to their positions by voters living in the communities they serve. School boards provide local governance of their school districts and can only take action by a majority vote at public meetings. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES School boards oversee management, policymaking, planning and evaluation while the superintendent implements these matters and manages the district’s day-to-day operations, according to the Texas Association of School Boards.
School boards are responsible for hiring and evaluating the superintendent, who manages the district’s day-to-day operations and advises the board on governance decisions. The superintendent also ensures the board’s policies are implemented appropriately.
IV. ADOPT A BUDGET AND SET A TAX RATE
The board adopts the district’s budget and tax rate each year. Trustees ensure the administration’s budget proposal aligns with their goals and priorities, amend the budget throughout the year as needed and approve an annual nancial report by an independent auditor.
SOURCE: TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
I. ADOPT GOALS AND MONITOR SUCCESS
V. COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMMUNITY
One of the functions of a local school board is to develop goals and priorities for the district. Administration regularly presents reports on district
According to the TASB, school boards serve as the link between the district and the community. Trustees inform residents, students, sta, parents and the media about district plans, actions and accomplishments.
operations and progress toward those goals. State data can also help trustees compare performance to other districts.
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Robert Sitton Position 1, trustee Elected in 2021 robert.sitton@humbleisd.net Ken Kirchhofer Position 4, parliamentarian Elected in 2021 ken.kirchhofer@humbleisd.net
Martina Lemond Dixon Position 5, president Elected in 2021 martina.dixon@humbleisd.net Nancy Morrison Position 7, vice president Elected in 2019 nancy.morrison@humbleisd.net Chris Parker Position 3, secretary Elected in 2021 chris.parker@humbleisd.net
Robert Scarfo Position 2, trustee Elected in 2019 robert.scarfo@humbleisd.net
Humble ISD trustees each serve four- year terms, while New Caney ISD’s trustees are elected to three-year terms. Texas law does not dictate term limits for local school board members. The board’s meeting schedule can be found online at www.humbleisd.net and www.newcaneyisd.org. SOURCES: HUMBLE ISD, NEW CANEY ISD, TEXAS ELECTION CODECOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER The board meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at 20200 Eastway Village Drive, Humble. Meetings are also streamed live at www.humbleisd.net/ boardmeetinglive. HUMBLE ISD The board meets on the third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at 21360 Valley Ranch Parkway, New Caney. Meeting recordings are also available at www.newcaneyisd.org/page/432. NEW CANEY ISD
Marques Holmes Position 6, trustee Appointed in 2021 marques.holmes@ humbleisd.net
Wendy Sharp Position 3, trustee Elected in 2021 wsharp@newcaneyisd.org Beth Prykryl Position 7, assistant secretary Elected in 2019 bprykryl@newcaneyisd.org
Ty Trout Position 6, president Elected in 2019 tytrout@newcaneyisd.org Creg Mixon Position 2, vice president Elected in 2020 creg.mixon@newcaneyisd.org Elizabeth Harrell Position 1, secretary Elected in 2020 eharrell@newcaneyisd.org
Angela Tompkins Position 4, trustee Elected in 2021 atompkins@newcaneyisd.org Chad Turner Position 5, trustee Elected in 2021 cturner@newcaneyisd.org
LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • AUGUST 2022
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BUSINESS FEATURE Kingwood Music School Local school brings joy of music to all ages W hen the COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to shut down BY WESLEY GARDNER
was pursuing a career as a physician. “I spent three years [studying med- icine] and realized that I just wanted to do music for the rest of my life,” he said. “I didn’t have the early training, but then I kind of made up for it.” Gaviria noted while there is a lot to be said about self-taught musicians, he said having an instructor available for lessons is an invaluable resource. “With an instructor, they can tell you, ‘Hey, we can try A, or we can try B, but C, D and F are not such a great idea,’” Gaviria said. “It accelerates your progress, and it gives you an organized and methodical way to approach the instrument.” According to Fehlauer, the music school puts an emphasis on providing musicians with the tools they need to make music a lifelong passion. “We do really believe at the music school in teaching music literacy, music theory, giving the students all the tools they need,” she said. “Most of [the students] don’t become profes- sional musicians, but when they go o to college or whatever they do, we want them to be able to keep playing.” Though many of the school’s stu- dents are youth, Fehlauer said some are well into their 80s. No matter their age, Fehlauer said she feels the same pride in every student as they make progress with their craft and perform during recitals. “Music is such an incremental learning process,” Fehlauer said. “You can’t just cram one night and suddenly you can play. It has to be this daily drip. I think that that’s such a great thing for students to learn.”
throughout the state in March 2020, Janice Fehlauer and Carlos Gaviria— who took over running Kingwood Music School in 2013—said they were proud to be able to provide struc- ture in a time that was dened by uncertainty. “We wanted to create a sense of normalcy because everything was so scary,” Gaviria said, noting the school did not have to cancel a single lesson during the shutdown. While Kingwood Music School has been a staple in the area since 1986, the pair did not purchase the business until after they had each completed their doctorate in music at the University of Houston. Though Fehlauer and Gaviria play piano and double bass, respectively, they said the school provides instruc- tion for just about any instrument. “We have over 25 teachers, and we teach just about anything, including the obscure [instruments], like accordion and mandolin and banjo,” Fehlauer said. “We mostly provide one-on-one lessons because that way, the teacher really tailors [lessons] to the student, and the student plays the pieces they want to play.” Both Fehlauer and Gaviria boast extensive experience with music and teaching; however, their paths toward the industry were not alike. While Fehlauer was raised in a family of musicians, Gaviria said he looked at music as more of a hobby while he
Janice Fehlauer and Carlos Gaviria purchased Kingwood Music School on West Lake Houston Parkway in 2013. (Photos by Wesley Gardner/Community Impact Newspaper)
Forming fundamentals Being able to read music is an important part of learning to play any instrument. The location of notes on a music sta varies from treble clef to bass clef.
Kingwood Music School has a number of teaching tools and music books available for purchase.
The school also sells items for beginner and advanced musicians alike, including guitars and strings.
SOURCE: MUSICNOTESCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
N O R T H P A R K
Kingwood Music School 3427 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood 281-360-9888 www.kingwoodmusicschool.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Sun.
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • AUGUST 2022