Roth Student Gains Support for Kenya

Andrew Jefferson, a fourth grade student at Roth Elementary School, was named an honorary Friend of Freedom at the Klein ISD Culture Fest. After Andrew participated in a mission trip to Kenya with his church, Northside Christian Church, he solicited funds for a water well for the families of a Nairobi slum. So far, he has collected $20,000.

When Andrew and his mother Keri made the trip to Kenya, his five year old brother and father Sheldon remained in Spring. When asked about his church’s sending someone so young on a mission trip, Andrew responded, “At my church, it’s what is in the heart that is more important than a person’s age.” 

Andrew was touched by the difficulty families experienced in obtaining water and saddened by the fact that water was often not clean. He decided that his church needed to do something to solve those problems, and he would be the person to ask for support for the project. In reporting on the mission trip, Andrew made the appeal for donations.

When the funds began to grow, Andrew’s vision of what he might accomplish also grew. He wants to expand from one section of Nairobi, to Kenya, to all of Africa, and beyond so that all people can have clean water to drink. He anticipates returning to Nairobi on a second mission trip in 2011.

Away from school, Andrew anticipates being on a football team next year; he likes to play video games; and he really enjoys reading.


Schindewolf Teacher Writes Book for Sports Illustrated

By writing a book about the science of playing soccer for Sports Illustrated, Ms. Suzanne Bazemore, a guidance counselor at Schindewolf Intermediate School in the Klein ISD found a way to combine her personal interests. She majored in biochemistry at Texas A&M University and taught chemistry early in her teaching career. She likes to write so much that she attended a conference of the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators. And she began playing soccer as an adult.

The book, Soccer How It Works, is the result of a call in January 2009 from Sports Illustrated inviting Ms. Bazemore to write this book targeted for sixth grade readers. It is part of the Science of Sports Series.

Ms. Bazemore stated, “I have always loved writing and science. This book gave me a way to combine the two. I love the opportunity to show the quality of education I received in the Klein ISD.”

Ms. Bazemore, a Klein Oak High School graduate, has been on the staff of Schindewolf since it opened. Previously she was a counselor in the Aldine and Conroe school districts and at Klein Collins High School. Her husband is an avid soccer player. They are the parents of a student at Roth Elementary School and a student at Schindewolf. Her son plays soccer and her daughter plays the violin.

While at Klein Oak, Ms. Bazemore reflected her love of science and writing. She participated on a Science Olympiad team that advanced to the national level, and she was a member of the staff of the Panther Press, the school newspaper.

In reflecting on her career as an intermediate school counselor, Ms. Bazemore noted that she still misses the day-to-day relationships with students in a classroom. However, she enjoys watching her students mature from the sixth through eighth grades.


And The No Place for Hate Award Goes Too...

"Ms. Yolanda Garcia"

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) named Ms. Yolanda Garcia, the guidance counselor at Lemm Elementary School in the Klein Independent School District, as a 2010 winner of the Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award. Ms. Karen Kulhanek-Rochin, an associate principal at Doerre Intermediate School in the KISD, also received this recognition.

Ms. Garcia’s leadership of Lemm’s No Place for Hate initiative has resulted in the school’s earning five annual recognitions from the ADL. Initially, only Lemm and McDougle Elementary School attained the recognition. As the program has continued at Lemm, teachers have initiated activities on their own to create an atmosphere in their classes as well as the school that rejects prejudice and regards diversity as a strength.

Ms. Garcia’s all-school efforts include the following: a March Against Hate that included support by students from Klein Collins High School, a musical program with songs from many cultures, a culture quilt, participation in the Holocaust Museum’s Butterfly Project, the implementation of the Nurturing Heart Approach for teachers and parents, peer mediation training, the Lion’s Pride group, and the O-Lemm-pics.

As a child, Ms. Garcia lived in Corpus Christi, speaking only English. Her bilingual parents chose English as her language, thinking that strong skills in English would help her achieve success in school. Because of some childhood conflicts about her heritage, Ms. Garcia is sensitive about helping all children develop cultural pride.

Ms. Garcia holds a degree from the University of Texas in Austin. She earned a master’s degree at the University Center in the Woodlands from Texas Southern University.

Student Works to Capitol Exhibit

Art work by five Klein ISD students will be on display at the Texas Capitol during March which is Youth Art Month. The students are as follows: Janie Lee, eleventh grade student of Ms. Dee Burgess at Klein High School; Clara Oberlaender, second grade student of Mr. Timothy Trammell at Frank Elementary School; Christalyn Pettus a seventh grade student of Ms. Loraine Millican at Doerre Intermediate School; Tara Stanley, an eighth grade student of Ms. Millican; and Eva Streckfuss, an eleventh grade student of Ms. Lesia Streckfuss at Klein Oak High School.

The Klein works will be showcased from March 6 – 13 with 95 other pieces of student art.

Students and their teachers are invited to the opening ceremony on March 7.


Epps Island Holds Kindergarten College Event

Epps Island Elementary School in cooperation with Klein Forest High School and Lone Star College provided an Early College Kindergarten Program. Each student received a shirt that states, “Future Graduate of Lone Star College.”

Students enjoyed orchestra selections from “Pirates of the Caribbean” presented by the KFHS orchestra, a skit presented by theater arts students, visits by school mascots, and a performance of the Golddusters.

Klein Forest counselor Ms. Linda McCharen stated, “We know the importance of an early push for college. We wanted to excite kindergarten students about school and college.”

In a drawing held for parents who participated in the early college program, Ms. Joceline Aguilar won a $300 scholarship at Lone Star College. Additionally, Ms. Stephanie Calvo, a teacher at Epps Island, also was the winner of a $300 scholarship to Lone Star College.


Klein Oak Students Create Dances

Students of the Dance Composition Class of Ms. Fayla Curry at Klein Oak High School, participated in the inaugural Houston Choreographer's-Generation Next sponsored by the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Houston.  On March 28, two pieces composed by three of the Klein Oak students will be performed at the JCC Kaplan Theater at 3:00 p.m. The pieces are a duet by Sandra Axt and Amber Julian and an ensemble piece by Katy Connor.

Dinner with the Superintendent
Dr. Jim Cain, the superintendent of the Klein ISD, invites parents of Klein students to attend the spring Dinner with the Superintendent event at Kleb Intermediate School (7425 Louetta Road, Klein 77379) on March 4. The pizza and salad dinner will be served at 6:30. The program will conclude no later than 8:00. Child care will not be provided. Music will be provided by students of Krahn Elementary School.

To RSVP, please call 832-249-4173 (English) or 832-249-4172 (Español) by February 25.