February 2012

Epps Island, Greenwood Forest, McDougle and Schultz Tackle Childhood Obesity

Dr.

Cain

’s Co

rner

I hope that all of you are keeping your new year’s resolutions, but if not, there’s no time like the present to resolve to work towards a healthy lifestyle each day. Our kleinwell healthy living program is a great way to start and thousands of Klein employees have already reaped the benefits of this program. Kudos to Schultz, Greenwood Forest, Epps Island and McDougle elementary schools for initiating obesity prevention resolution programs designed to make changes and promote healthy eating among students, faculty and parents. We were one of six districts nationwide to receive School Nurse Childhood Obesity Prevention Education training resulting in $2,500 grants being awarded to each of these schools by the United Healthcare Foundation and National Association of School Nurses. We appreciate this partnership and look forward to these exciting programs that will help promote active and positive lifestyles.

Dr. Jim Cain, KISD Superintendent

To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. ~Buddha

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Four obesity prevention programs in the Klein ISD implemented school year resolutions to make changes and promote healthy eating among students, faculty and parents. Trim Epps Island Community (Epps Island Elementary), GWF Grizzlies Get Fit (Greenwood Forest Elementary), McDougle Grow Your Own (McDougle Elementary), and Shape Up Schultz (Schultz Elementary) began initiatives as a result of a grant during the 2011-12 school year.

The Klein ISD was one of six districts in the nation selected during the summer to receive School Nurse Childhood Obesity Prevention Education (S.C.O.P.E.) training. As a result of the training, the United Healthcare Foundation and National Association of School Nurses (NASN) awarded $2,500 S.C.O.P.E. grants to each campus to conduct obesity prevention programs for students.

“This training gave us the skills we needed to help shape kids lives,” said Yvonne Clarke, nurse at Schultz Elementary. “Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. and we have been constantly working on ways to empower our school community through active and positive programs, which this grant has allowed us to do.”

Shape Up Schultz, created by Clarke and a team of teachers, is designed to promote healthy lifestyle choices for families. They have already hosted two successful Family Activity Nights with another scheduled in April, as well as a bike rodeo, a student school lunch survey, a roller skating week celebration in the spring, a Turn off the T.V. Week challenge, and a jogging club. The jogging club has more than 100 parents and students who arrive at Schultz on Tuesday mornings at 7:15-7:45 a.m. to walk/jog the track. Students also log their miles throughout the year on a school tracker. Click here to read more.

Statistics show that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At Epps Island Elementary, nurse Brandy Bowlen and clinic assistant Juanita Paras recognized these effects first-hand, and have taken the challenge head-on to Trim Epps Island. This program is aimed at students and parents beginning in Pre-K to build a foundation for prevention.

“Today, younger kids often don’t have anything to do with what foods they eat,” said Bowlen. “Rather, it’s what is served at school or home that is prepared for them. Our main goal is to

educate parents which in return will hopefully resonate through to their children across all grade levels.”

Trim Epps Island includes a group of 99 Pre-K families for a six-session program held from Feb. 29-April 14, 2012. Participants will meet on Wednesdays at the school to listen to an array of health and wellness speakers, as well as receive supplemental materials purchased through the grant including Calorie KingTM manuals, pedometers and a log to track their progress. Click here to read more.

Linda Rosemeyer, school nurse and full-time mom of three kids, at Greenwood Forest is one of many who face the challenges of having a child who is at risk of being obese. As most children, her oldest son has a sweet tooth and loves junk food.

“One of the biggest incentives for me in starting an obesity prevention program at my school is my son,” she said. “I know how hard it is and go through some of the same struggles many of our parents do. But, I am fortunate to be in a unique position that I can have a direct impact on my students as well as my son.”

As the school nurse, Rosemeyer found the data from yearly health screenings showed that 21 percent of GWF students, kindergarten to fifth grade, are obese.

This, she noted, is higher than the national average of 17 percent. Their program Grizzlies Get Fit is in four parts, all in a combined school effort to address overcoming childhood obesity. Click here to read more.

The final of the four KISD programs is at McDougle Elementary. School nurse Sinead Lamb and her team of teachers and administrators at McDougle will launch

a program in the spring called Grow Your Own. Here the goal is to introduce more vegetables to the students, which they hope will carry home.

“Often time kids mimic what they see, and that includes food,” said Lamb. “Our goal at McDougle is to work together to get the kids and parents involved in a hands-on

project in which they can introduce more healthy alternatives and foods into their daily routines.”

While still in the planning stages, more about Grow Your Own will be available in the spring.

Black History Month: Kohrville Elementary has Unique Heritage

Former slaves came to the Klein community from Alabama and Mississippi after the Civil War and settled in the community that is Kohrville. History shows that 10 families saved money from lumbering and making charcoal. They then purchased land northwest of Houston along Cypress Creek called The Bottoms. The Woods family gave land to the community for a church, cemetery, the Farmers Improvements Hall, and a school to educate black students. This two-room schoolhouse now resides at the Klein Museum. To view a video featuring more information about Kohrville, click here.

Feb. 16-18: FFA Project ShowFeb. 24: German Festival - KFHSFeb. 25: Wunderlich Farm/MuseumMarch 1: KISD Community DinnerMarch 5: Board MeetingMarch 12-16: Spring Break Campuses closed.

KISD activity calendar, click here

Dr. Susan K. Borg, the Klein ISD associate superintendent for instruction and student services, was named a 2012 Distinguished Educator of the Year as an administrator by the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) College of Education. The award honors SHSU alumni who have made a significant contribution to the field of education. Click here to read more.

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Employee Spotlight

More than 400 students benefit from the agriculture program Danny Reaves and his staff at Klein Collins have diligently built over the last 11 years. “It was a lot of hard work, starting new traditions and working to develop a good quality program,” he said.

Reaves is a product of KISD. He graduated from Klein High and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture science from Sam Houston State University. He has been with KISD more than 20 years, as his first position was at Klein High until KCHS opened in 2001.

Reaves is responsible for managing four agriculture teachers and the career technology education department. “It’s just been a real blessing to be here and to work in the district for as long as I have. It’s been a really good adventure,” he said.

Danny ReavesAgriculture Teacher • Klein Collins High School

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“I think of the counseling office as the heart of the school,” expressed English. “We help the kids navigate through those tricky waters of adolescence and help them discover who they are and how they belong.”

English has worked for the KISD for more than 30 years. She taught English, speech and drama prior to becoming a counselor at Hildebrandt. Once at Krimmel, she became the lead counselor and currently works with sixth graders. She said she is proud to work for a district that is intently focused on student success.

“KISD is such a student-centered school district,” she said. “I think that a lot of forethought about what is best for students and how to maximize the academic mission went into the planning process. All of this takes place while building a caring community within each school.”

Patty EnglishCounselor • Krimmel Intermediate

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EmployeeDiscounts

Many businesses offer discounts for KISD employees. Visit Knet for a complete list. Here are the latest offers:

Need a day away? All Klein ISD employees receive 15% off all services. Click here.

Teachers United is a member organization that provides teachers with useful resources to assist in their professional and private

lives. Click here to learn more.

Know a business that would like to advertise discounts to KISD employees? Click on the “Business Partnerships” link on www.kleinisd.net, to get more information.

School Snapshots now online!

Know of community members or prospective parents new to the Klein ISD? The communications and planning department in collaboration with each of your schools’ administration have designed a School Snapshot document for realtors and prospective families interested in seeking information on the wonderful schools located in KISD. In these documents, get a glimpse into each school from history to curriculum, parent involvement, counseling programs, and much more! Click here to see your Schools Snapshot.

Dr. Susan Borg Named SHSU

Educator of the Year

Benfer Elementary School

18027-B Kuykendahl roadKlein, Texas 77379-8116

Website:http://classroom.kleinisd.net/webs/bes.campus/home.htmPhone: 832.484.6000fax: 832.484.7850School Hours:

8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.rating: recognizedenrollment: 665Mascot: Bobcat

Principal: Loraine LambertAsst. Principal: rachel WallCounselor: Meghan Blakey

School HistoryHenry Benfer and his wife Elizabeth came by ship from Westfallen,

Germany, in 1866. The Benfers bought about 200 acres of land in the

Klein area, and had five sons and three daughters. Today, there are

over 300 living descendants of Henry Benfer.

Benfer Elementary is located on 39.414 acres and opened in 1977

with Susan Qualls as the school’s first principal. In 1978, fifth grade

students created a time capsule of writings predicting life after 1998.

Some of their predictions were: to call on a phone you will push a

button and just speak the person’s name; people will be able to see

you when you talk on the phone; homes will be solar heated; food will

be more expensive; and computers will be in schools.

School RatingBenfer Elementary is rated a Recognized campus in Klein ISD.

Counseling ProgramThe elementary guidance program assists students to develop the

skills they need to enhance their personal, social, educational, and

career development. The scope of the services provided by the

counselor includes: orientation to new environments; individual and

group counseling; guidance activities and class lessons; scheduling;

information dissemination; parental consultations; and referral to

outside agencies. Benfer has qualified as a No Place for Hate school each year since

2006. The counselor sponsors a variety of student activities that help

students develop tolerance for diversity to earn this honor. Anti-bullying

and positive affirmation themes are a cornerstone of the counseling

program. For more information, click here.Parent InvolvementBenfer has an active parent volunteer base working in partnership

with the staff to enrich the educational program for all students.

All volunteers must complete a background check. A wide variety

of volunteer opportunities are available; for more information call

832.484.6001 or click here.

School Snapshot