They may be retired from the classroom – but not from one another.

The Katy Area Retired Educators (KARE) met at the community rooms at Legacy Stadium on August 12 for its annual “Hooky Day,” held on the first day of the new school year. The group, a local chapter of the TRTA-Texas Retired Teacher Association, has over 330 members and is open to any TRS (Teacher Retirement System) retiree.

Hooky Day with KARE is an afternoon to reconnect with friends, share laughs, make new memories, and celebrate the joy of retirement with fellow educators, the organization said on its Facebook page on August 12. “Retirement may mean leaving the classroom, but it definitely doesn’t mean leaving behind the friendships, fun, and connections that make being an educator so special,” the post said.

Wendy Watson Hanne, incoming president of KARE, presented the organization’s goals for the year as well as giving a preview of upcoming programming. The group aims to continue serving the community through 100,000 volunteer hours, to support public education and to advocate for Texas retirees, she said in the presentation. The group will hold social events and offer learning in addition to holding meetings in September, October, November, January, February and April. Fun adventures planned for the yar include a shopping trip to the Madisonville Christmas store and an outing to the Galveston Opry House. A trip to the Capitol to visit with state legislators is set for March 31 and a scholarship reception will be held May 5.

The group also welcomed 17 new members, with membership dues completely covered by sponsor AMBA.

The next meeting of KARE is scheduled for September 9 and will feature a legislative candidate forum, to take place at the community rooms at Legacy Stadium. Members and guests are encouraged to bring donations for Katy Christian Ministries’ Food Center.

For more information on KARE, go to https://www.facebook.com/KARETX/.