pineda

Native-

Yes, I believe that this is the result of recent legislation that has taken place in Austin. I think that this varies in other states, though, and from school to school as to not only the amount of credit given, but also the qualifications. With the A.P. test, different schools also require different scores on the tests. As with anything, you can learn more by going to the I.B. website and to the College Board website (for the A.P. test information). One other tidbit that I recently learned is to check whether the high schools in a particular district use weighted or non-weighted G.P.A.'s. At Klein Oak, we use weighted, meaning that if you take the harder courses (such as I.B./A.P./newly-added dual-credit) you will receive a higher G.P.A. ranking that those students who choose not to enroll in those courses. This is important to know, since Texas is still following the Top 10% rule, and may be utilizing it for some time to come. Check with school counselors to learn more.

Wow, I expected a much more extensive answer from you, Vic!

This is my opinion only:

A.P. is a well-known and accepted program for advanced students in the United States.

I.B. is more of a global standard for education, great for students who live abroad and come to the United States to continue their education. It works seamlessly, globally.

For a while, it appeared to some observers that the I.B. was gaining in favor and popularity, especially in the State of Florida. Universities were accepting the I.B. diploma.

Then, within the last few years, there seems to have been a shift. Schools are not as enamored with the program, it's pretty expensive, and sometimes the exorbitant cost and time involved do not match the results expected. It's a program geared towards a very small segment of the student population, and at a time when schools are increasingly having to re-evaluate their budgetary needs due to increasing student populations, it benefits very few students.

Some universities are revising their acceptance of the I.B. diploma or not giving as much, if any, credit for the diploma. Time will tell what happens with the program.

The A.P. program still appears to be the "gold standard" for most high school students.

I remember hearing Dr. Jim Cain, the Klein ISD Superintendent, say that when construction started on High School #5, that construction would start simultaneously on Stadium #2, as the current stadium would be woefully inadequate to service the needs of five high schools.

There is at least one private school here that has either recently obtained IB certification or is still in the process (Not John Cooper; I have no idea what their status/cirriculum is). Frankly, I would be over the moon if the public elementarys around here started this program.

The Cunae School, located on Gosling, just south of Creekside Village is working on getting their certification for the IBO program for elementary and middle school students. Klein Oak High School, about five minutes away from the Cunae School, but in the Klein ISD, not Conroe or Tomball, has been using the IBO program for senior high students for about two years now.

Wow, is that really the plan of the school board? Maybe Jerry Courtney stepped off just in time!

What "consulting experts" came up with this idea? PASA, again? Unbelievable!

I'm glad my kids go to Northampton, Hildebrandt and Klein Oak even more now. All our schools are within the Northampton neighborhood, and although they might be getting old too, they're still within walking distance.

I'll see some of the board members at the big play-off game Saturday at Moorhead Stadium in Conroe, when the Klein Oak Panthers (9-1) take on the College Park Cavaliers (9-1). Are you going to be there as well, ENGcons?

Just sent by Klein ISD this morning:

"Currently the Bond Steering Committee is considering the needs for a new high school in the future (#5).

In addition, concerns for needed renovations at Klein High School, the oldest high school built in 1963 has been a topic of discussion at the first meetings.

The committee of 110 community members, staff and business representatives were offered the opportunity to tour Klein High School for the purpose of observing the current facilities on November 6. The multiple building complex was built in various stages but according to outside experts, is in need of major rebuild.

On Monday, November 12, Klein ISD will host a Pass and Review Ceremony at Klein Memorial Stadium to honor our veterans and servicemen and women. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until 10:30 a.m.

If you would like to tour Klein High School at 10:30 a.m. while at the site, please meet in the cafeteria. Ms. Kathy Brown, an assistant principal, will provide the 30 minute tour.

There will be other opportunities to tour the building and learn more about the committee's considerations. The bond proposal will be finalized in February and presented to the Board of Trustees as committee work progresses. A final plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees in March for their consideration as an agenda item.

It reminds me of this one:

story from Houston Chronicle

"The majority of those who turned out to the Cypress Forest Public Utility District meeting to hear details of the "Kera Village" development plan a mixture of brownstone-style townhomes and mid-rise condominiums on 45 of Raveneaux's 288 acres, were seeking answers to rumors that have been circulating throughout the community since word got out that the original owner, Tony Kindred, had joined forces with Jordan's Dallas-based JP Partners over a year ago."

I'm definitely not an expert here, but I own a house in Huntsville that dates back to that time period, and this looks like the same type of structure. You asked for any comments on the architecture, and my only comment, coming from experience, would be "money pit"!

Wow, this is a pretty ambitious project, especially for sparsely populated Waller!

List of stores according to site plan: Wal-Mart, Super Target, Academy, Home Depot, a grocery store, a theatre, a hotel, a medical office complex, and about 20 fast food places.

I know it's located at 2920 & 290, but isn't this more of a pass-through area, rather than a "regional destination" type area?

There's so much farmland out there, but don't you need more of a densely populated concentration of local residents to make this fly?

I didn't say "development-driven", I said "developer-driven".

Over the last 5 years, the "footprint" of Segment f-2 of the Grand Parkway has been both north of, south of and directly overlaid on F.M. 2920.

And, if the Grand Parkway, Segment f-2, has been proven in the eyes of Texas (Dept. of Transportation) to meet its' so-called "purpose and need" of alleviating the "heavy and dangerous" traffic along F.M. 2920, then why would we need yet another project for F.M. 2920?

Still think all this isn't developer-driven? Even in the minutes of the meeting, it is written that "this area is ripe for development"....

F.M. 2920 Mobility Study group

MEDIA ALERT

What: Public Meeting

Why: To inform the public on the purpose, process and

progress of the FM 2920 Access Management

Study and provide the public an opportunity to

discuss issues, concerns, and suggestions.

When: Wednesday, November 14, 2007

6-8 P.M.,

Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center

Tomball College

30555 Tomball Parkway

Tomball, Texas 77375

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Krimmel Intermediate School

7070 FM 2920

Spring, Texas 77389

* The same material will be presented at both meetings in an Open House format.

The Houston-Galveston Area Council has formed a eight member team comprised of the Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County, City of Tomball, City of Waller, North Houston Association, Houston Northwest Chamber, and the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce to complete a corridor study of FM 2920 from US 290 to IH 45. The purpose of the study is to identify transportation measures that will improve public safety and traffic flow, reduce motorist delay, enhance air quality, and improve pedestrian and bicycle access. This study will collect sufficient information to measure and evaluate a range of viable short-term and long-term improvement concepts. Concepts will be reviewed for cost effectiveness. From these concepts a list of improvement projects will be developed along with an implementation schedule.

For More Information Contact:

Richard A. Zientek at 281-931-2722 or razientek@hntb.com

www.fm2920mobility.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Richard A. Zientek, Senior Public Involvement Representative

HNTB Engineers Architects Planners

Phone: 281-931-2722

E-mail: razientek@hntb.com

AGENCIES STUDY FM 2920; HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS

Houston, Texas, October 1, 2007- An eight member team comprised of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County, City of Tomball, City of Waller, North Houston Association, Houston Northwest Chamber, and the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to conduct an Access Management Study of FM 2920 from US 290 to IH 45.

The purpose of the study is to identify transportation measures that will improve public safety and traffic flow, reduce motorist delay, enhance air quality, and improve pedestrian and bicycle access. This study will collect sufficient information to measure and evaluate a range of viable short-term and long-term improvement concepts. Concepts will be reviewed for cost effectiveness. From these concepts a list of improvement projects will be developed along with an implementation schedule.

The team is hosting two public meetings, early in the study process, to gather input from constituencies that would be affected by any recommendations.

Go.

We have one now at F.M. 2920 & Kuykendahl, and it's pretty good. Try the Panda Bowl.

Yeah, I don't know why Klein ISD relies so heavily on the PASA report. Why don't they just ask the teachers and principals at the schools for their thoughts? If they had asked at Northampton Elementary, they would have found out that since Auburn Lakes is filling out fast with lots of families with young children and they are zoned to Northampton, that means that Northampton Elementary is filled to capacity this year, and this "trend" will likely continue for many years since Auburn Lakes is fairly new and has lots of expansion room.

We have heard that next year, Auburn Lakes kids will probably be re-zoned to Metzler, which would be nice since it's even closer to them than Northampton Elementary.

BTW, I think it's kinda odd that folks who are shopping for a home both in Auburn Lakes and Creekside Park keep saying how much they like that all three schools (Northampton Elementary, Hildebrandt Intermediate and Klein Oak High School) are all right beside Northampton and so convenient for their kids.

I'm wondering what realtors in The Woodlands are telling/not telling these people. Homes in Northampton and Auburn Lakes are both zoned to these Klein ISD schools, but Creekside Park is all Tomball. And Metzler Elementary nearby? Also in Klein, not Tomball ISD.

From Klein ISD:

"The PASA demographic study shows student growth trends for Klein ISD. By studying the census data, the demographers found a steep increase in births in recent years. This corresponds to a rise in the kindergarten population beginning in 2007. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years.

Half of the current elementary attendance zones have more kindergarten students than 12th graders, suggesting a growing student population. These elementary attendance zones include Benignus, Eiland, Epps Island, Hassler, Kaiser, Kohrville, Krahn, Kreinhop, McDougle, Metzler, Nitsch, and Schultz. The other half of the elementary attendance zones has more 12th graders than kindergarten students. This comparison points to an aging student population in those zones. These elementary attendance zones include Benfer, Brill, Ehrhardt, Greenwood Forest, Haude, Klenk, Kuehnle, Lemm, Mittelstadt, Northampton, Roth, and Theiss.

There is a trend toward growth of elementary students in the north and north central areas of the district. There is also higher growth of high school students in the northern portion of the district. The overall population of the district is stable compared to surrounding districts."

Here's what interesting to me about this piece of information from this very expensive report that Klein paid for. Benignus, Metzler and Schultz (from the supposedly "growing" part of the district) are right next to Northampton and Roth (from the supposedly "aging" part of the district). Doesn't exactly predict any "trends", does it?

And the number one reason why Houston is so great in the fall; Friday Night Lights!!

I'm not a big fan of the MCM look. I guess because that's exactly what I grew up in and all my friends had the same and we didn't think it was that spectacular-looking then, BUT in these photos, I would have to say that in my opinion, I like the "Before" shots a lot more than the "After" ones. A shame too, because it looks like someone spent a lot of money on this.

Isn't Bridgeland(s) owned by the same group of folks that bought the Woodlands out?

Thanks for that, Chris.

And, yeah, I knew about the church going up next to Krimmel, but I heard that Klein ISD owned land directly behind Krimmel that would have been the site of the new stadium.

"All Klein ISD parents are invited to a dinner with the superintendent on October 11 at Wunderlich Intermediate School.

The free pizza and salad dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Following dinner, Dr. Jim Cain, the superintendent of the Klein ISD, will provide a district informational up-date and conduct a question and answer session. No childcare is provided.

Parents will enjoy musical selections by the Klein Forest Jazz Combo and a presentation by the Klein Oak Reader's Theater. Both of these groups reflect the high quality of the KISD fine arts program.

To reserve your seat, call 832-249-4173 by October 4."

(This would be an excellent event to attend if you'd like to question Dr. Cain about attendance zones or anything else. These events are typically poorly attended and even then, mainly by administrative personnel. See you there?)

Good points, all. I'm going to be at the next board meeting and will ask about this issue. I do wonder what the ramifications will be, if any, to the district's projections based upon the PASA report findings. Would this change anything, in the boardmember's minds?

Also, regarding high school number five:

Didn't someone on the board here mention that land had been bought and paid for this project? Has there been any clearing/any progress on this project? I heard contradictory statements from someone in administration who said that the land had not been bought and that no site had been picked out and that building was still five years away.

Also, I'm hearing rumors that Klein ISD is shopping for land for a new stadium complex. I had been told that the land directly adjacent to Krimmel was slated to become the next new stadium, but since the Grand Parkway wanted to build their route there, that Klein was going to sell them that land and shop elsewhere for land.

I don't understand why Klein ISD doesn't just start building their stadium on that land and force the Grand Parkway to go elsewhere. Last I heard, there still is no funding mechanism in place to build out Segment F-2 of the Grand Parkway anyway.

"The demographic study of the Klein ISD includes three projection series representing the lowest feasible growth condition, the "most-likely" growth pattern, and the highest feasible growth pattern. The lowest projection assumes the district's total population growth will be a 3.50 percent for the next five years and 2.27 percent per year for the last half of the decade. The highest projection assumes the district's total population growth will be a 5.14 percent increase in students per year until 2011. The last half of the decade would show a 3.76 percent increase on average. The "most-likely" growth projection shows average annual increases at 4.31 percent for the first five years and 3.46 percent over the next five years.

This "most-likely' scenario represents a conservative use of the data gathered. The "most-likely" scenario indicates that the district's enrollment in 2016 will be 60,919 compared to the 2007 enrollment of 43,306.

Long-range planning for new facilities considers the capacity of each facility compared to the enrollment projections for that facility. According to the demographic data, the district will need to open ten elementary schools, three intermediate schools and two high schools within the next ten years."

Got this just now from Klein ISD.

If what crone is saying is true, then the PASA report's projections are based upon false data, and therefore, the potential growth pattern in the district may be something entirely different.

Crone, when you write that the State of Texas permits transferring from one district to another, what are the requirements that have to be met? I don't think it's really as easy as you say, because the folks living in Northgate would like to transfer into Klein from Spring and were not allowed to do so. I'm thinking there are more stringent requirements than just signing a paper. Plus, could 300-500 Klein Forest students really be at Cy-Fair schools claiming that that live somewhere else and no one in administration sees a red flag?