Katy Area Chamber of Commerce to host State of the Schools luncheon Aug. 10

Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski, Lamar Consolidated ISD Superintendent Roosevelt Nivens and Royal ISD Superintendent Rick Kershner will be the featured speakers in a State of the Schools luncheon hosted by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.

The event is set for 12-1 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Embassy Suites, 16435 Katy Fwy.

Tickets are $40 for members and $50 for non-members. For more information, contact the chamber at its website, katychamber.com.

Royal ISD to host convocation Aug. 11

Royal ISD will host its 2022 Falcon Convocation from 8-11 a.m. Aug. 11 in the Royal High School Performing Arts Center, 34499 Royal Road, in Brookshire.

Approximately 450 Royal ISD employees will be in attendance to kick off the new school year.

The district is looking for partners as the convocation plans get finalized. Opportunities include:

• Table partners—Share your organization’s story by procuring a table in the hallway near the center. Decorate your table and hand out your organization’s swag during the breakfast portion of the convocation, which runs from 7:45-9 a.m.
• Door prize partners ($25 - $100 per gift)—Provide door prize gifts for attendees. Door prizes will be during the event.

To become a partner, complete the form at https://forms.gle/f31P4stccUK3EtKM8. For more information, contact Christi Ginn in the district’s communication’s department at 979-221-4080 or cginn@royal-isd.net.

Katy teachers, staff members looking for adopters

Adopt a Katy ISD Teacher 2022-23, a Facebook volunteer group not affiliated with the district, is encouraging people to adopt a teacher or staff member for the upcoming school year.

According to the group, there are no requirements for how much encouragement given throughout the school year. Encouragement can include notes, gifts and supplies.

For more information, or to adopt a teacher or staff member, complete the form at https://bit.ly/3zmTDNU.

Virtual school option offered for Houston-area K-12 students by Harmony Public Schools

Harmony Public Schools will offer a full virtual learning option to Houston-area students in kindergarten through Grade 12 when the 2022-23 school year begins in August.

Harmony will also continue to offer in-person learning at each of its 23 Houston-area campuses, including Katy. The virtual school, however—known as Harmony Virtual Academy—is intended for those families who either still need or prefer to learn online.

“We’ve learned during the pandemic that most students still learn best in the traditional classroom setting surrounded by their peers,” Harmony Public Schools CEO Fatih Ay said. “But that’s not necessarily true for every scholar. For students who need to continue studying from home or who simply just learn better that way, we’re excited to continue offering a virtual school choice for Fall 2022.”

To learn more or apply, visit the website HarmonyTX.org/virtual.

Harmony Virtual Academy is approved by the TEA for roughly 572 students for Fall 2022. About 400 students attended virtual classes with Harmony in 2021-22.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled at Harmony for the upcoming year, maintain at least a 90 percent attendance rate, have passed their most recent STAAR test, and be passing in all their core subjects.

Beginning this August, the academy’s team of teachers will be housed in the building currently occupied by the Harmony School of Science-Houston.

From there, Harmony educators will connect with scholars from across Texas in both real-time synchronous learning and student-led asynchronous lessons. Students also will have access to Harmony’s full range of support services, as well as an array of extracurricular activities.

“Parents deserve to have a choice in their child’s education,” Ay said. “And so many families have told us that a virtual option is a choice they still need. At Harmony, we listen to our families and we’re committed to providing those who choose virtual learning the most comprehensive online education possible.”

HCC-TSU agreement enables seamless student transfers

Houston Community College (HCC) and Texas Southern University (TSU) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will help graduates from HCC’s Drafting and Design program transfer seamlessly into TSU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology to obtain a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology.

The agreement aims to provide a seamless transfer for students who enroll at TSU following the completion of their two-year degree at HCC. The agreement also provides an uncomplicated path for graduates from HCC’s English program to transfer into TSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences. All credits earned by HCC graduates will automatically transfer to TSU.

Leaders of both colleges signed the agreement at HCC’s Central College July 26.

“It’s a priority for HCC students to transfer to other higher educational institutions, especially those fine universities in Texas like TSU,” HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado said. “With that said, this agreement offers HCC Design and Drafting graduates access to an excellent opportunity to achieve their educational goals. We continue to hear reports of our students excelling beyond HCC. I am certain our students will continue that tradition at TSU.”

Said TSU President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young: “This agreement allows Texas Southern to continue transforming lives of students interested in pursuing careers in critical STEM fields such as industrial technology, and areas of education that are important in our nation. Our cooperative effort with Houston Community College provides an accelerated pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree and ultimately serve the Houston region and the nation with the knowledge and experience they’ve gained.”