Two Destination ImagiNation (DI) teams from Mittelstädt Elementary School earned the opportunity to advance to the state level contest.
 
The Improv team achieved a perfect score for their skit created with seven minutes of preparation. The topic for the skit was to show which of ten endangered things should be saved or allowed to become extinct.
 
The Structure team was required to use newspapers and glue to create a structure weighing no more than 75 grams to hold the highest possible weight. In practice, the Mittelstädt structure held 500 pounds. At the competition, it held 370 pounds.
 
The Mittelstädt coaches were Ms. Kasie Kline, Ms. Michelle Asselin, and Ms. Nia Sestak. They encourage students to participate in DI to learn how to stay focused on solving a problem, to display creativity, to work as a member of a team, and to think on their feet.
 
The success of this year’s teams reflects the willingness of students to make sacrifices of time to attend team meetings before and after school.
 
^{Other Klein ISD teams advancing to the state DI contest are as follows: Hassler (two teams), and one team from Kleb, Klein Intermediate, Hildebrandt, Strack, and Schultz.} 

 

Schools in the KISD Name Teachers of the Year

At each Klein school, teachers vote to select the teacher of the year. One secondary and one elementary teacher will be chosen later in the spring to represent the district as teachers of the year. 

At the high school level, the following teachers were named teachers of the year: Petra Drumwright at the Annex, Karin Canipe at Klein High, Bradley Froebel at Klein Collins, Karen Watson at Klein Forest, Ed Giles at Klein Oak, and Janet Moulton at Vistas. 

Intermediate school teachers selected for campus honors were the following: Cathy Fishburn of Doerre, Kristi Cook at Hildebrandt, Malinda Gonzales at Kleb, Dana Walton at Klein Intermediate, Sandi Dillon at Krimmel, Judy Linvelle at Schindewolf, Rebecca Porter at Strack, and Matt Maudlin at Wunderlich. 

The elementary schools selected the following teachers: Patricia Day at Benfer, Roe Ann Kidd at Benignus, Isabel Lara at Brill, Karen Nunnally at Ehrhardt, Judy Lucadou at Eiland, Madelyn Villegas At Epps Island, Leticia Holberg at Frank, Rhonda Stowe at Greenwood Forest, Stacey Smith at Hassler, David Duty at Haude, Laura Bisso at Kaiser, Bettina Harris at Klenk, Brandi Giessinger at Kohrville, Shelly Gunhouse at Krahn, Kathryn Elder at Kreinhop, Bethany Iselt at Kuehnle, Toni Desormeaux at Lemm, Kellie Haayer at McDougle, Carrie Thorne at Metzler, Kali Giebel at Mittelstädt, Kristy Matholslah at Mueller, Selina McLaughlin at Nitsch, Diana Rodriguez at Northampton, Chantale Schrader at Roth, Sue Sobin at Schultz and Jodi Cole at Theiss. 

Melanie Smith, a fourth grade teacher at Roth Elementary School received the Sue German Award from Abydos (formerly the New Jersey Writing Project) International at its annual conference.  Additionally, Teressa Voltz, the KISD Associate Director of Curriculum & Instruction/Instructional Officer of ELA, earned the Sue German Award. This award is given annually to recognize and honor the trainer and/or leader who provide exceptional support and leadership in the area of writing.  The award is named after Sue German, a stellar long standing Abydos trainer who passed away and whose legacy continues through this award.   

When Ms. Smith prepared to attend the conference, she was told by Dr. Joyce Carroll of Abydos to make sure Ms. Voltz would be at the awards presentation. Additionally, Ms. Voltz was told to ensure that Ms. Smith would attend. Both were surprised when the names of Ms. Smith and Ms. Voltz were called to receive the award. 

Ms. Smith has been in the KISD for her 17-year teaching career with time at Schultz and Haude elementary schools.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and master’s degree in writing from Fontbonne University. 

Ms. Voltz has been in the KISD for 18 of her 24 year teaching career serving as a teacher, Reading Specialist, Assistant Principal and currently as the Associate Director of C&I and Instructional Officer of ELA.  Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees were earned at Sam Houston State University.  

Training in the Abydos process is very intense and structured.  Ms. Voltz brought back this training to Klein ISD five years ago when she moved into the curriculum department.  She organized the training of 8 teachers to become the KISD Abydos trainers and she has ensured that the curriculum reflects this writing process for the students.  She schedules the three week institute each summer in Klein and invites other districts to participate.  

The Klein ISD trains teachers in the Abydos process so that the teachers can become skilled writers who can lead their students to increase their writing skills. Ms. Smith is a trainer in the Klein ISD three-week training programs. 

Through her experiences with Abydos training, Ms. Smith changed as a writing teacher. She uses no gimmicks or formulas with her students. She treats them as real writers who understand structure and form. They and she write daily in the classroom. In the process of teaching her students to write, they discover that they can write well. 

Away from work, Ms. Smith enjoys writing as a hobby. She writes short stories for children in hopes of having one published.  Two of her research pieces on writing have been published. She also likes scrapbooking and taking photographs. Her son is a ninth grade student at Klein Oak High School where he is a member of the band. Ms. Smith is involved as a volunteer with the KOHS band. In the 90’s she taught the color guard of Klein High School. Her daughter will enter Roth next year as a kindergarten student. 

Klein Oak Students Receive President’s Volunteer Service Award

Because Klein Oak seniors Sarah Howard and Daniel Harrison give extraordinary service to their school and community, they are being recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards on behalf of President Obama. 

Sarah participates in a variety of service activities. She has been in the youth choir of her church, served as a volunteer at the Barbara Bush Library, assisted at the Abandoned Animal Rescue Center, volunteered at Girl Scout camps, served as a leader with the Klein Oak Relay for Life, gave time as a mentor at Benignus Elementary School, and with her mother gave service through the Junior Guild. School organizations in which she has been active are the following: Students of Service, Student Council, STARS, cheerleading as a cheerleader and as the manager, Fellowship of Christian Students, and Spanish Club. She has maintained an average that places her in the top 10% of her class. 

Sarah is the daughter of Ms. Ronnie and Mr. Jeffery Howard. 

Daniel, a National Merit Scholar, serves the community as follows: teaching the French language to students of Metzler Elementary School, making sandwiches for those who would not eat lunch without the support of St. Ignatius Church, serving as a youth soccer coach with his friend Ben Chilton, organizing retreats for St. Anne Church, and interning last summer at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. 

At school, Daniel who is ranked third in his class, is active in the French Club and serves as president of the National Honor Society and the treasurer of the Student Council. Daniel is an AP Scholar with Distinction. 

Daniel is the son of Ellen and Jeff Harrison.

Krimmel Students Hold Bake Sale to Support Family of Laura Grace Mash

To support the family of Laura Grace Mash, sixth grade girls at KrimmelIntermediate School held a bake sale. Shown are the participants: backrow, left to right are Kaylin Blancas and Kimberly Lyle. Front row leftto right are Hailey Thomas, Sammi Hall, Kristin Soza, Tori Christman,and Stephanie Fisher.  

Klein Oak Students Selected as Presidential Scholars 

Kevin Baker and Kevin Rozell, seniors at Klein Oak High School, are 2010 Presidential Scholars. With this recognition comes an invitation to attend a recognition ceremony in Washington, D. C. during June. Both students have been named National Merit Finalists by the College Board. 

 

Kevin Baker scored 2370 on the SAT, losing points only on the essay portion of the test. He enrolled in the Klein ISD International Baccalaureate (I at Klein Oak to experience a challenging course of study. He gained service hours, required as part of the IB requirements by assisting at the Barbara Bush Library and serving as a tutor. He discovered talent and a new interest through the KOHS theater arts department. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, the Drama Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. He will attend Texas A&M University.  He is ranked #9 in his graduating class. 

 

Kevin is the son of Ron and Beth Baker. 

 

Kevin Rozell attained a perfect score on the ACT. He is ranked #12 in his class. He plays saxophone in the KOHS band. He competes in mathematics contests through Mu Alpha Theta. He is an Eagle Scout having repaired Casa el Buen Samarita, a facility for persons awaiting medical care. As a member of the UM Army at his church, Kevin has organized Bible studies and participated in summer camps and mission trips. For the past two years, he has played in the orchestra for the musicals. He is active in the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. He will attend college to study chemical engineering. 

 

Kevin is the son of Sheila and Roger Rozell.