October 2011

Autism affects one in 110 children, and an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States. For Klein ISD teachers and parents Gregg and Angela Blanchard, autism hit home more than four years ago.

Their sons, seven-year-old Grayden and three-year-old A.J., were both diagnosed as autistic. The Blanchards have been teaching for more than 31 years combined at Kleb Intermediate. Gregg, who

was born and raised in Klein, teaches history and coaches football, track and tennis. In addition to being a full-time mom, Angela has been teaching for 15 years and is the science department chair. Admittedly, working full-time jobs and raising two autistic boys is no easy task.

“With my hectic schedule and the hours I’m away from home, my incredible wife holds down the fort,” complimented Gregg. Despite 18 years of experience, he admits that having two kids with autism has made him more aware as a teacher and a coach. “Teaching is a blessing, and because I have autistic children at home, students with special needs mean a little bit more to me.”

Angela noted that since Grayden was diagnosed, she too has developed a different point of view. “I see it from the parents side not just the teaching perspective, which has made me more compassionate and understanding.”

Statistics show one in 70 boys nationwide are diagnosed autistic, and 80 percent of autistic children are male. Additionally, when an older sibling is autistic then the odds the younger sibling is also autistic increases. The Blanchards recalled that Grayden’s signs were evident, but that the diagnosis of A.J. came as a surprise.

“A. J. is one of those kids that if you saw him, you would’ve not known,” recollected Angela. She said the resources at Klein ISD for parents are great and not only assisted them in identifying

their sons as autistic, but also trained them as educators to work with autistic children.

“We’ve been teaching for years and have been around many kids. As a parent and a teacher, I now have a better understanding in the unique differences in autistic children,” she said.

The Blanchards team annually with family, friends and fellow KISD employees for the Houston Walk Now for Autism Speaks held on Oct. 22, 2011 at Reliant Park. In its third year, G-Man’s Crew has set goals to have 75 walkers and raise more than $2,000. Click here to learn more.

“Raising two autistic boys is very challenging, yet very rewarding,” said Gregg. “There are families out there that may not have the resources or support to handle an autistic child. We do our best, and are trying to help others understand the importance of having a network of family and friends to help during challenging times.”

There are several known groups of autism spectrum disorders. The Klein ISD special education department provides assessment services, and several campuses also offer programs such as Making Connections and Reaching for Success. Making Connections is unique in that it too has roots at Kleb. Kathy Ruehlman leads the program and the Blanchards have credited her to providing them with tremendous support and resources. They said the support they receive from their colleagues and district is what has made all the difference.

Despite the fact their sons are autistic, Gregg and Angela expressed that they wouldn’t have it any other way. “They are who they are and it defines their personality. What they lack in some categories they excel in others,” said Angela. “They are the heart and soul of this family,” expressed Gregg.

Kleb Parent/Teacher Duo are Making Connections Through Autism

Dr.

Cain

’s Co

rnerAs Klein ISD holds its first Anti-Bullying Week October 24-28, I encourage

each of you to take an active role in showing our students that bullying is not an accepted behavior in the classroom, on the bus, on the playground, or outside of school. With more than 46,000 students districtwide, we cannot know or see everything happening in our schools. Help empower your children to become upstanders rather than bystanders, by being a friend and/or telling an adult, if they see another student being bullied. We want our staff and students to feel safe at work and school. Your role in helping end the bullying cycle is vital. Working together, we can continue to provide a safe environment for our students to grow and learn.

Dr. Jim Cain, KISD Superintendent

The highest result of education is tolerance. ~Helen Keller

Klein C nnects a monthly publication for Klein ISD employees

Klein C nnects

The Klein ISD food service department provides nutritional information for all meals served in the school cafeteria on its website. You can check to see how many calories, carbohydrates and more are in the meals before you eat them. You can even see how many Weight WatcherTM points an item has on the teacher special menu. This is great for those watching caloric intake while trying to lose weight. Click here to learn more.

Oct. 13: College NightOct. 14: KHS HomecomingOct. 18: Klein Education Foundation Golf TournamentOct. 20: Board of Trustees Candidates’ ForumOct. 24-28: Red Ribbon Week Anti-Bullying WeekOct. 29: Wunderlich Farm/ Klein Museum Open

KISD activity calendar, click here

T-60s (Technology in 60 Minutes)Bringing Technology Training to Every School

This school year there will be three T-60 sessions offered at each campus by a district Ed Tech teacher. To support the type of thinking and reasoning skills that students will require for the new STAAR test, and to increase educator skills with the analysis of data, the T-60’s this year will focus on multiple components of visual learning. Sessions include manipulating graphics, visual communication of data, and graphics and instruction. Be on the lookout for upcoming dates on your campus!

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Employee Spotlight

In honor of National Custodian Appreciation Week (Oct. 10-14), we salute one of Klein ISD’s outstanding and hard-working custodians.

“I have been working for Klein ISD for more than nine years. What I like the most about working here is the total support I receive from my plant operation supervisors and the compliments I get from the Strack faculty and staff. These are just some of the factors that inspire me to work harder every day.”

Liandro’s favorite memory: “When a student asked me one day if I liked my job. I responded, ‘I love my job,’ and the student replied, ‘My mom thinks the same way about her job.’ I really feel comfortable working for Klein performing what I like the most; cleaning and doing something good for the school district.”

Liandro BarraganCustodian • Strack Intermediate

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Pam has two passions in her life – teaching and nature. Not only is she responsible for initiating a wildlife habitat in Klein ISD at Kaiser Elementary, she is also a dedicated education advocate serving as a member of VIVA (Voices, Ideas, Vision, Action). Kingdon was one of 10 VIVA representatives chosen to attend NBC’s Education Nation Teacher Town Hall in New York City.

““It was a fantastic experience,” said Kingdon. “Being there with other teachers was really eye-opening because I came to realize that the entire nation is experiencing the same issues we are here in Texas.”

Kingdon has been teaching at Kaiser for more than 10 years. She is also renowned for starting a Nature Club on campus to offer more opportunities to her students.

To read more of her story, click here.

Pam KingdonSpecial Ed. Teacher • Kaiser Elementary

UpcomingEvents

EmployeeDiscounts

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

Tone Zone is a fitness center for women, and KISD employees get 25% off the enrollment fee.

At 2920 Car Wash, KISD employees get 30% off regular price for wash and detail packages, and 20% off regular price for lube services (excluding inspections).

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

The Board of Trustees approved TRS-ActiveCare as the district health insurance plan effective January 1, 2012. TRS-ActiveCare is the statewide health coverage program for public employees. Of more than 1,200 public entities eligible for TRS-ActiveCare, 1,100 entities use this program for their health insurance. TRS-ActiveCare utilizes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Medco.

The Board approved a plan with an increased district contribution that now averages $266 per employee per month, but contribution amounts differ based on the type of coverage (employee only, employee and children, etc). TRS-ActiveCare has four different plans that you may choose from for your coverage. The premium amounts differ for each plan, as do the benefits, so employees will need to choose the plan that best fits their needs. To offset premium increases, the Board approved a $250 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for each employee on TRS-ActiveCare.

The Benefits department will host health plan information sessions for every campus and department in October so you may get additional information and ask questions. Click here for an informational Web page on knet that has also been created with a breakdown of the various TRS-ActiveCare plans and premium amounts, as well as frequently asked questions. You can also find more information about TRS-ActiveCare on the TRS website, click here.