January 2012

Hildebrandt Student and KISD AlumnusGifts of Kidneys to be Featured by ABC

Dr.

Cain

’s Co

rner

The first semester is rapidly drawing to a close and the school year is nearly half over. The fall was filled with many outstanding accomplishments. One of the highlights for me was the percussion ensemble from Strack and Schindewolf that played at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. It was an outstanding event and the kids didn’t miss a beat as they impressed the audience with their many talents. This is just one example of the fine programs we have in the Klein ISD. New student testing begins as the STAAR test debuts this spring. As has been the case in the past, the new test will be more rigorous and will emphasize readiness standards important for success in the grade or course. I know each of you continue to prepare your students for success on this test, and I anticipate that we will have a great spring semester that is equally as productive as the fall.

Dr. Jim Cain, KISD Superintendent

Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. ~Goethe

Klein C nnects a monthly publication for Klein ISD employees

Klein C nnects

The extent of what parents will do for their child is often limitless. In the cases of former student Ryan Flores and current student Kimmy Witty, it was their fathers who, literally, saved their lives.

Ryan Flores received his father Mike’s kidney when he was just 16 months old, and when he was five Ryan was diagnosed with Stage IV lymphoma cancer. Fortunately, on April 15, 1999, he went into remission. During this time the Flores family recalled the tremendous amount of support they received from their family, friends and Ryan’s teachers at Roth Elementary. “It was the most incredible thing,” recalled Mike Flores, Ryan’s dad. “To this day, if you ask Mrs. Brooks what her favorite moment in teaching is, she will tell you the time she got to come and teach Ryan. We tell her, that is our favorite moment too. We are so thankful.”

Ryan grew up to be very active. At Klein Collins, he played basketball, was a four-year letterman on the baseball team, was a member of the National Honor Society, and graduated last year in the top 12 percent. His mother, Debbie Flores, became a teacher at Roth more than 10 years ago. She said the experience with Ryan and the positive support they received was what inspired her to teach.

“We’ve had a lot of great people pass through our lives in the Klein ISD over the years, and that has played an important part of Ryan’s inspiration growing up,” said Debbie Flores. “Ryan had such a hard start to life, and now all the blessings he has been given and to see him grow up and go off to college is just incredible.”

The Flores family started the Children’s Kidney Foundation. For more than 17 years, the Flores family alongside friends, family and members of the Spring/Klein community have raised money to support the initiatives of the foundation and provide opportunities for children needing kidney transplants. Due to his volunteer and service in the transplant community, Ryan was chosen by the Texas Children’s Hospital last year to serve as a representative on Team U.S.A. at the World Transplant Games in Sweden. At the Games, he competed alongside kids from 54 countries and won a bronze medal after participating in golf, tennis, team bowling, ping pong and a 5K marathon.

“The entire event was just special,” Ryan recalled. “Everyone there had been through a tough time just like me, but still had smiles on their faces. Another thing that stood out was that everyone I met was educated on organ donation and supporters of it. It inspired me to do my part.”

The hospital also nominated Ryan to be featured in an upcoming series on the ABC Network called Everyday Health scheduled to air on Saturdays beginning in February 2012. The series features those who overcame health adversities and became positive role models in their communities. His segment including Kimmy Witty will air on Feb. 25, 2012, on ABC. Last fall during his freshman year at Abilene Christian University (ACU) Ryan worked with the school and ABC to hold a walkathon to promote organ donation. The walkathon was a success with 150

participants and more than 40 who signed up to be organ donors. Click here.

Kimmy Witty, seventh grader at Hildebrandt Intermediate, was diagnosed with Stage IV chronic kidney disease in January 2011. Prior to the diagnosis, Kimmy was your normal and healthy child who was active in soccer, swimming and volleyball. When she found out the news, Kimmy was confused.

“At first I was shocked. I didn’t understand because one moment I was just a normal kid playing with my friends, and then all of a sudden I became a kid with kidney failure,” she said.

Although Kimmy’s older siblings never had any indication of the disease, it was found to be genetic. Fortunately for Kimmy both her parents, Ross and Cheryl, were near perfect matches as transplant donors for their daughter. After further screening, it was her dad who was the best match.

“It was huge to know that I was a match,” said 53-year-old Ross. “They put me through every test imaginable. In the end I was relieved to know that my two older children wouldn’t have to go through that and we wouldn’t have to wait long for her to get a kidney.”

The Witty family did not have to face the disease alone either as they were surrounded by tons of support from friends, family, colleagues, their church, and even the Flores family. Students in Kimmy’s youth group at Creeks End Church organized a fundraiser and sold teal t-shirts with the phrase “Team Kim Possible” with proceeds benefiting medical expenses for the Wittys. With a sea of teal supporters and lots of prayers, Kimmy and her dad underwent surgery in November at the Children’s Memorial Hermann Medical Center.

Both surgeries were successful. Although it will be a while before Kimmy can return to Hildebrandt and normal every day kid activities, Kimmy is optimistic about her future. “I’ve learned to never give up and to keep going, because one day, it will all be ok again,” she said. To see the full story of Kimmy and her journey, click here.

KISD Employees Lose 3,000 lbs in the Holiday Challenge!

For the third year in a row, the kleinwell Maintain Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge was a huge success. Once again Klein employees have exceeded expectations and not only maintained their weight over the holidays, but Klein employees lost almost 3,000 pounds during the six week challenge that started before Thanksgiving and ended the first week in January. Congratulations to everyone for a job well done!

Jan. 11: VIP Luncheon - McDougleJan. 12: Unite for Understanding Meeting Through Your Eyes CelebrationJan. 13: End of First SemesterJan. 16: MLK Holiday Jan. 28: Wunderlich Farm & Museum Feb. 8: VIP Luncheon - BlackshearFeb. 13: Board MeetingFeb. 24: German Festival - KFHS

KISD activity calendar, click here

The Vistas High School program celebrated its recent group of graduates at its Clap Out ceremony on Jan. 6, 2012. Vistas had 15 students who satisfied requirements and attained their high school diplomas. For a list of graduates and to see the latest culmination video, click here.

What’s New...

Did You Know?

Employee Spotlight

“I work with teachers who are passionate about their work and what they do for the kids,” said Clark, Klein ISD fine arts coordinator. Karri cares intensely about the program and the work she does to help art teachers throughout the district. For 22 years prior, she was an intermediate arts instructor and coach at Hildebrandt and Kleb. In her current role she assists art teachers in implementing technology in the classroom, is responsible for the elementary art program, and coordinates staff development for KISD art teachers. Karri also recently became a Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) division chair-elect for 2012-2013. “I love working with the teachers,” said Clark. “I am here to help and offer support to our art teachers, who are doing such excellent work for the kids in the KISD.”

Karri ClarkProgram Coordinator • KISD Fine Arts Dept.

.

Tim Myers works as the indoor air quality and integrated pest management maintenance supervisor for KISD. He began his career as an agriculture instructor in Montgomery and Conroe schools, prior to his position at KISD. “Our goal with pest management is to use the least amount of chemicals as possible to eliminate the insect,” he said. Myers works with more than 40 people to ensure both air quality and pest control goals are met. The department’s dedication to teamwork and protection of students and staff has garnered the group a national award, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Institute Star Award from the IPM Institute of North America in partnership with the U.S. Environment Stewardship Program.  “It’s a great team” he said. “We all work as a family.”

Tim MyersSupervisor • KISD Maintenance Dept.

UpcomingEvents

EmployeeDiscounts

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

Massage Envy at Gleannloch Farms offers KISD employees a group rate of $54 for a single service. Click here.

Just in time for New Years resolutions, Life Time Fitness offers KISD employees 20% off the enrollment fee. Click here.

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.

Cindy Doyle Named Director of the Klein ISD Education Foundation“I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Cain one time and afterwards I thought to myself, ‘one day I am going to work for Klein.’ And now, here I am.”

Cindy Doyle joins KISD as both the director of community relations and the director of the Klein ISD Education Foundation. She worked eight years as the director of community relations and the education foundation liaison for Spring ISD, where she helped to maximize business and community partnerships.

During her tenure the Spring ISD foundation raised more than $1.2 million. Cindy also assisted more than 70 parent organizations throughout this period.

Prior to Spring ISD, Cindy served as the executive director for Taking Education to Work and coordinated job shadowing experiences for up to 6,000 high school students and more than 500 teachers and counselors for five school districts in northwest Houston. Cindy, her husband Marius and daughter Marissa lived in Klein for 31 years. Marissa attended Ehrhardt, Doerre and graduated from Klein High. Join us and help welcome Cindy to the Klein ISD!

Vistas High Clap Out Celebrates

2012 Graduates