From KISD re:Swine Flu

Over the last several days, local and national media sources have been reporting the growing outbreak of swine flu across our nation, state, and now in the area. As of the morning of Thursday, April 30, Katy ISD does not have any confirmed cases of swine flu in our schools. We are, however, taking this threat seriously and will continue to monitor our campuses.

While all Katy ISD schools remain open, at this time the district has canceled all student travel outside Katy ISD until May 11. In addition, the University Interscholastic League has canceled all UIL athletic and academic competitions statewide per the Department of State Health Services.

In addition, the district has activated its incident management team and is working closely with state, and public health officials. The team is in contact with these officials on a daily basis to ensure we have the most accurate and current information on which to make decisions.

Symptoms of Swine Flu
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean swine flu. Additional information on swine flu can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm.

What you can do
While there is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illness like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

* Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Washing hands with soap and water for approximately 20 to 30 seconds (tell young children to sing the Happy Birthday song twice) will help protect your child from many different germs. When soap and water are not available, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used (the gels should be rubbed into your hands until they are dry).
* Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
* Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
* Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

If you have reason to be concerned that you or your child may have swine flu, please contact your family doctor as soon as possib

From HAR's The Edge:

Houston took the number three spot in fDi Magazine’s North American City of the Future 2009/10 Awards. The ranking is based in part on the large number of foreign direct investment (FDI) and out of the city projects, the number of megaprojects, as well as its large base of post-secondary students.

In the same awards, Houston ranked as follows in the Major Cities category:
#1 Top Five Best Business Friendliness;
#2 Top Five Best FDI Strategy;
#4 Top Five Best Infrastructure;
#5 Top Five Best Economic Potential; and
#5 Top Five Best Human Resources.

• FastCompany magazine has named Houston one of the country’s fastest cities – noted for “their exemplary initiatives” in “improving neighborhoods, transforming lives, and helping build better, faster cities for the future.” Houston got big kudos for Discovery Green.

School Closings

More local school districts have canceled or delayed classes for the day. Below is an updated list.

HISD will have classes today, but TAKS testing will be pushed back one day.

ALIEF ISD: Closed Tuesday
CLAY ROAD BAPTIST: Closed Tuesday
CY-FAIR ISD: Closed Tuesday
TOMBALL ISD: Delayed 2 hours
FORT BEND ISD: Closed Tuesday
KATY ISD: Delayed 2 hours
SPRING BRANCH ISD: Closed Tuesday
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC: Delayed 2 hours
KINKAID SCHOOL-HOUSTON: Delayed until 10AM
MEMORIAL HALL SCH: Closed Today
MEMORIAL HOUSTON LUTHERAN: Closed Tuesday
POPE JOHN XXIII HIGH SCHOOL-KATY: Delayed 2 hours
THE KINKAID SCHOOL: Delayed opening until 10am
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL: Closed Tuesday
WEST HOUSTON CHARTER SCHOOL: Closed Tuesday

KISD Swine Flu Info

Swine Flu Information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials are investigating swine influenza cases in people in several U.S. states, including Texas. Katy ISD is currently monitoring these developments. While there is no immediate known threat in Katy ISD, the district has activated its incident management team and is working closely with state, Harris County and Fort Bend County public health officials. The team is in contact with these officials on a daily basis to ensure we have the most accurate and current information on which to make decisions.

Consistent with the district's infection control program school nurses are monitoring student illness and teachers are stressing the importance of good hygiene practices such as hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.

Parents can help by reinforcing these good hygiene practices with children at home. The CDC recommends the following steps in order to slow down the spread of influenza:

• Students who are ill should stay home. Students have to be free of fever for at least 24 hours before they return to school.
• Avoid close contact
• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Stay healthy, get rest, and drink plenty of water

Additionally, parents can also help the district monitor the situation by keeping the school informed if your child misses school because of an illness. Thank you for helping prevent the spread of influenza.

Katy ISD will continue to keep parents informed of developments and the district's efforts to keep students healthy and safe at school. Additional health information is available from the Texas State Department of Health Services Web site at www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu or at the call center at 1-888-777-532

Early Voting Infor for KISD link:

Link to Major News re KISD Organization:

Link to: KISD Parents of Gifted and Talented Forum Tonight:

KPGT has been sponsoring this public forum as a service to the Katy Community for more than 10 years. We invite all candidates running for positions on the Katy ISD Board of Trustees. The first few questions come from the KPGT Board and the rest of the questions are posed by our moderator from those submitted by the live audience. This is traditionally the only non-partisan public forum where voters can learn more about the candidates. In 2008, we videotaped the entire forum and made it available on our web site. We have made arrangements to videotape it again this year, but with technology sometimes being a challenge, we cannot guarantee we will be able to post it.

MCHS RAMPAGE:

Robert Greaney Playing Texas Borders this Sat!

Saturday, 4/25, 5pm - 9pm

Texas Borders Bar & Grill

19910 Park Row

Katy

281-578-8785

Weather Permitting. Located north of I-10W on Fry Rd @ Park Row. They have great food for the whole family, and a great atmosphere!

MCHS Varsity Softball Senior Night Reschedules

The Friday and Saturday Games were canceled due to weather! Please join us

Tuesday, April 21^st (same times) for the LAST HOME DISTRICT GAME and SENIOR NIGHT!

__________________________________________________________

Hi Everyone,

Friday is Senior Night for the Mayde Creek High Schools Varsity Softball Team …

and our goal is to FILL UP THOSE STANDS!!

If you want some cheap entertainment for the family

come out and support the Lady Rams.

Maybe you have a little softball player that would like to see the BIG GIRLS play or you know some of the GIRLS on the TEAM. You don’t need a reason and they would love the support!

J.V. starts at 4:30

Varsity plays at 6:00

Mayde Creek vs. Cinco Ranch

$5 Adult/$2 student

Concessions

See you at the Creek.. GO RAMS!

Feel free to forward this to anyone you know that would like to come out….

MCHS Track Team District Champs 2009

Congratulations to the Varsity boys track team who competed in the district championship meet this week. The team won the overall district title by over 40 points. Top competitors for the meet were:

Jessie Martinez, Dijon Johnson, Emerson Sanders, Devante Babin – 1^st 4 x100m

Dijon Johnson – 1^st 110 HH

Jessie Martinez – 1^st 400m, Tommie Cross – 3^rd 400m

Dijon Johnson- 2^nd 300 IH

Jessie Martinez, Dijon Johnson, Emerson Sanders, Tommie Cross – 2^nd 4 x400m

Tyler Thompson – 2^nd shot put

John Ford – 3^rd shot put

Jon Zepeda – 3^rd discus

Joseph Brillon- 1^st pole vault

Austin Blaha- 3^rd pole vault

Emerson Sanders- 1^st long jump, 2^nd triple jump

Devante Babin- 1^st triple jump, 2^nd long jump

Julian Duarte – 3^rd 3200m

Time to sign up for Swimteam Ya'll!!!!!! Link:

THE WESTLAKE GATORS SWIMTEAM REGISTRATION NEWS:

The full Registration Packet and 2009 Meet/Practice Calendar have been posted on the website at www.westlakegators.com!

Westlake Gators Swim Team registration will be held at the Mayde Creek Elementary Cafeteria on Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 6:30pm-8:30pm. We are trying to make registration as simple as possible this year. To make registration quick and easy, prepare your paperwork before you arrive. Please print, complete and sign all forms that are included in the registration packet. If you are registering multiple swimmers, you must complete one (1) WHALe Parent Consent Form per swimmer. This is a two (2) page form. If your swimmer is a registered USA Swimmer or 14 yrs or older, they must sign the 2^nd page of this form. There is only one (1) copy included in the packet, so you will need to print the appropriate number of forms for your swimmers. Copies of the registration packet will be available at registration, so don’t worry if you forget or don’t have a printer!

A-Gleam will be at registration with our team suit and other swim supplies available for purchase. If you plan on purchasing anything from A-Gleam, this will be a separate transaction.

Lots of KISD stuff goin' on!!

Mayde Creek High School presents two encore performances of the award winning production

Mariner

By Don Nigro

Thursday April 16 at 7:30PM – special performance featuring our awesome understudies and alternates.

Thursday April 16 at 8:30PM – final performance of our award winning cast and crew

MCHS PAC



Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for adults

FROM KISD Update:

Latest News
Board Election Information Now Online

The Katy ISD Board of Trustees has called for a Board election to be held May 9, 2009. Election information including a list of candidates, as well as voting times and locations for both early and regular voting can be found on the Katy ISD web site.
Showcase Highlights Classroom Technology.


Want to learn more about how 21st century technology is being used by today's students? Then make plans to attend the Katy ISD Student Technology Showcase, Wednesday, May 6 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Merrell Center. Read more...
Katy ISD to Hold Teacher Fair Saturday, April 25.

Indiviuals interested in teaching in Katy ISD are invited to attend the Katy ISD Teacher Fair on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Leonard E. Merrell Center, 6301 South Stadium Lane.

Changes in Immunization Requirements for 2009-2010 School Year Affects Kindergarten and Seventh Grade Students

Recent changes to the immunization requirements for students attending Texas schools were will be in effect beginning the 2009-2010 school year. Read more...
2009 Katy Summer Academic Term (KSAT) for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Students.


The Katy Independent School District will offer intensive English language development summer classes for children who will be eligible for kindergarten and first grade in 2009 - 2010, and who are limited in their English language proficiency.

ComedySportz High School League Match

Mayde Creek High School Performing Arts Center

Wed Apr 15 at 7:00PM



Have a hilarious hump day and join us for ComedySportz High School League Wed at 7:00PM in the MCHS PAC as we compete against Langham. It’ll be laugh a minute as two teams of “actletes” compete for laughs and points. No two shows are ever alike! The squeaky clean show is great for people of all ages. Tickets are an affordable $5 and available at the door. Call 281-237-3803 if you’d like to reserve your tickets.

Friday is Senior Night for the Mayde Creek High Schools Varsity Softball Team …

and my goal is to FILL UP THOSE STANDS!!

If you want some cheap entertainment for the family

come out and support the Lady Rams.

Maybe you have a little softball player that would like to see the BIG GIRLS play or you know some of the GIRLS on the TEAM. You don’t need a reason and they would love the support!

Friday, April 17^th

J.V. starts at 4:30

Varsity plays at 6:00

Mayde Creek vs. Cinco Ranch

KISD Partners in Education News

From KISD Partners in Education:


"A Place Called Katy"
A Salute to Our Katy All-Stars

Thanks to our all-star cast for graciously sharing their personal hometown stories in our award-winning video, A Place Called Katy. The video featured community members Dr. Maria Sobarzo, Kelley Gaines, Tad Adams, Michelle Ballard, Doyle and Kaye Callender, Eric Bruchas, Stacy Ricotta, Tony Henny, Josh Guajardo, Siew-Ling Yap, Keith Carmichael, Greg Nunn and Kathy Miesner; school namesakes Ursula Stephens, Sharon Rhoads and Mike Griffin; and principals Jackie Keithan, Marlene Bourgeois, Becky Bracewell, Bonnie Brasic, Mindy Dickerson, and Olga Leonard. Thanks also to Sandy Buller with Sweet Spirit Productions for sharing his videography talents with Partners in Education.
A Place Called Katy recently earned a Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Star Award for best of category!
A Place Called Katy was produced for the 2008 Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Celebration Breakfast then used throughout the school year by our Katy ISD campuses. The video was recognized for its success in "using the first person style to tell the story" and for the effective use of music.
The Star Awards are presented annually by TSPRA to recognize excellence in school communications programs throughout the state. Our Partners in Education 2007-08 Annual Report was also recognized with a Gold Star Award.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Mariner which had an excellent performance at UIL One Act Play District Contest. The show was awarded the onsite crew award for Best Set. Additionally, the following students were individually recognized:

· Niza Riubi Outstanding Technician

· Nick Harwell Honorable Mention

· Danielle Rutherford Honorable Mention

· Tori Moore All Star Cast

· Eliza Coleman All Star Cast

Schmalz and Mayde Creek Teachers honored

Jennifer Iarussi, a fifth grade teacher at Schmalz Elementary, and Jessica Byles, a sixth grade reading teacher at Mayde Creek Jr. High, have been selected as Katy ISD’s Outstanding First-Year Teachers for 2009.

MCHS Upcoming Athletic Events

MCHS next Booster Club Meeting is .....

Monday, April 6^th 7 p.m. in the Team Room

UPCOMING ATHLETIC EVENTS

MONDAY, APRIL 6^th

Baseball

JV Greenv. Cinco Ranch6 pm@ Cinco Ranch

JV Whitev. Cinco Ranch4 pm@ Cinco Ranch

TUESDAY, APRIL 7^th

Softball

JVv. Morton Ranch4:30 pm@ Mayde Creek

Varsityv. Morton Ranch6:15 pm@ Mayde Creek

Baseball

Varsityv. Cinco Ranch7 pm@ Mayde Creek

Tennis

JVDistrict Tournament

FreshmenDistrict Tournament

Boys Track

JVDistrict Championship

Freshmen District Championship

Girls Track

JV District Championship

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8^th

Tennis

VarsityDistrict Tournament

Boys Track

JV District Championship

Freshmen District Championship

Girls Track

JV District Championship

THURSDAY, APRIL 9^th

Softball

Varsity v. Seven Lakes 6:15 pm @ Mayde Creek

Baseball

Varsity v. Katy 4 pm @ Mayde Creek

JV Green v. Katy6 pm @ Katy

JV White v. Katy 4 pm@ K aty

Tennis

ALL QUALIFIERS

Finals @ Cinco Ranch

*Information obtained from KISD’s Master Schedules

MCHS RAM BAND NEEDS DONATIONS for RAM CHALLENGE Bike RIDE Fund Raiser!!!!

Please support the Band's Biggest Fund Raiser!

MCHS Football Team Car Wash for Kickoff Classic

As many of you know, the Mayde Creek Varsity Football Team was selected to play in the Dave Campbell’s Kickoff Classic in the Alamodome in San Antonio for our first varsity game next year against Brenham. We have to raise a large amount of money for this game. The football players are hosting a car wash this weekend at the Kroger Gas Station on Fry Road in front of the grocery store. The players will wash cars Saturday the 4th from 9a.m. till 3p.m. If you have any players in your class, they are selling pre-sale vouchers for a minimum donation of $5.00. If you purchase a voucher from one of the players, just bring the green voucher on Saturday to get your car washed. We are also welcoming drive-up customers as well if you want to pass on the information to your friends. Thank you for all you do for our student athletes.

MCHS Athletics News

GOLF - The MCHS Lady Ram golf team traveled to Weston Lakes Country Club in Fulshear Thursday to compete in the Lamar CISD Spring Girls Tournament and Jenny Kang brought home 3^rd place, shooting a 78 and losing a scorecard playoff for second place. Victoria Leal and Kelsey Oliver did not fare quite as well, struggling with the close out-of-bounds on the course .
The entire boys and girls teams will be at the district golf tournament on April 7-8 held at River Ridge.

The Mayde Creek Rams boys golf team played host to 24 other teams at the Mayde Creek Invitational on Monday, March 30^th at Pine Forest Country Club. We participated with two teams and the A team finished in a tie for 7^th with a score of 345, while the B team scored 350 to finish in 10^th place. Cameron Freeman from the B team had the best round for the Rams, turning in a score of 84.

POWERLIFTING - Chris Smith finished 2^nd in the 132 lb. class at the THSPA State Powerlifting Meet this past weekend. Chris set the state record with a deadlift of 540 lbs. Chris now owns the deadlift records in the 123 and 132 lb. classes. Please congratulate Chris on an awesome season. Thank you for all the support,

SOFTBALL - KISD JV Tournament on Thursday. 3 games at MCHS on Thurs. 4, 5:30, 7. MC will play at 4:30 and 7