Education

Katy Independent School District - September 2021

September 03 2021

Dates to remember

September 6^th: Holiday - Students and Staff

September 24^th: Professional Learning Day - Student Holiday

September 27^th: 2^nd Secondary Grading Cycle Begins

Katy ISD Smart Restart and SpeakUp Campaigns

Recognized by State and National Organizations

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) recently recognized the Katy Independent School District Communication Department with a Golden Achievement Award for its exemplary work on the District’s Smart Restart - Return to School campaign, which was executed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign focused on educating and engaging students, parents, staff and community members on the return to school plan, safety protocols and evolving initiatives impacted by the pandemic.

Also this year, the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) awarded the Communications Department with a Gold Star Award, the highest school public relations honor in the state, for the District’s SpeakUp Safe Schools campaign - a multi-level marketing and communication initiative designed to build awareness around safety topics; encourage the use of the SpeakUp anonymous reporting app; emphasize student ownership of safety protocols; educate parents; and reinforce drug and alcohol awareness. Print and promotional materials included posters, public service announcements (PSA) videos and website and social media messaging. Additionally, a Best of Category Award was earned for the Department’s scripting, editing and filming of the PSA video titled “Vaping, It’s Up to You,” which was part of the campaign.

“Clear, concise and timely messaging for our school community has always been a key component to our District’s outreach efforts,” said Dr. Andrea Grooms, Chief Communications Officer. “While our Communications team is small, their responsibilities are immense and their outcomes, far-reaching. They are an extremely talented and dedicated group of professionals - always prioritizing the informational needs of Katy ISD families and staff, no matter the time or circumstances,” added Grooms. The Katy ISD Communication Department was recognized during the annual TSPRA and NSPRA conventions this year.

Katy ISD Saves Over $4M by Implementing Energy Saving Strategies

Twenty-four Katy Independent School District campuses have earned the Energy Star Certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and have saved the District over $4 million to date due to their efforts. Since 2019, Katy ISD has partnered with Cenergistic, a Texas-based company that helps school districts conserve energy through strategies that include fine-tuning air conditioning (AC) run times, identifying unused AC/lighting schedules, overnight equipment checks, updating technology and other protocols.

“Through approved bond projects, the Katy ISD Operations Division has been able to install new equipment that is both energy-efficient and more reliable for campuses and District facilities,” said Chief Operations Officer Ted Vierling. “Small changes such as upgrading lighting from old technology to light-emitting diode (LED) to larger adjustments such as replacing boilers and chillers have improved efficiency for both energy and water consumption,” added Vierling.

Over the past three years, Katy ISD has committed to making energy conservation a priority due to the rising cost of electricity, gas and water. Every dollar saved on these utilities amounts to greater funding that can be redirected to classrooms, teachers and students.

Looking to sustain conservation efforts now and well into the future, all new Katy ISD facilities are built with energy-efficient components such as LED lighting, automatic shut-off switches for classroom lighting, upgraded control systems and utilization of natural light whenever practical.

The following campuses have been awarded the Energy Star Certification:

Elementary Campuses:

Alexander Elementary

Bear Creek Elementary

Cimarron Elementary

Creech Elementary

Davidson Elementary

Fielder Elementary

Golbow Elementary

Griffin Elementary

Hayes Elementary

Jenks Elementary