KISD drive lends holiday helping hand
Kicking off their 14th annual Food for Families program, Katy ISD Partners in Education have joined area businesses to help provide food this holiday season to district families in need.
According to district officials, principals of KISD schools are asked to provide the names of students and their families who might be struggling for life’s bare necessities.
“Partners in Education facilitates the program, which includes all KISD schools, and does the coordinating,” said Partners spokesperson Tammy Stringer. “Last year we were able to raise $26,000 and provided $50 HEB gift cards to 500 families. People here are just really generous.”
At presstime, district students and residents, faculty and staff are being joined by two Papa Murphy’s Take and Bake pizza shops and an area McDonald’s who are donating a portion of their sales to the program.
“This is a neat program to get into,” said Don Huff, owner of Papa Murphy’s at south Mason Road and Highland Knolls. “Feeding families in the local school district is a great idea. This is the second year we’ve done it. We had a good response last year, and I think this year will be fantastic.”
Huff’s Papa Murphy’s is to be joined by Matthew Maule’s Papa Murphy’s at north Fry Road and Morton Ranch Road in giving the Food for Families program $2 for every pizza purchased during “Spirit Week”, Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, the owners said.
In addition, Stringer said the McDonald’s eatery at 7104 S. Fry Road, plans to donate a portion of its sales on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
According to district officials, the program ends Dec. 10 and gift cards are to be distributed before the district’s winter break begins.
Those interested in participating in the program may make donations in person or by mail at Katy ISD ESC, Room 1520, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, TX 77494. Checks may be made payable to Katy ISD Food for Families.
Beck Jr. High goes around the world
Students at Katy ISD’s Beck Junior High School hosted 16 countries recently as part of Beck’s sixth-grade students’ International Day bazaar, school officials said.
Chaired by PTA volunteer Usha Machiraju, who was assisted by more than 30 parent volunteers, the Nov. 6 event featured the culture, food and history of each country presented by students’ parents as the young scholars enjoyed a “trip around the world.”
“International Day is such a valued tradition at Beck Junior High because it truly embraces the many (cultures) represented here,” said Beck’s Principal Carra Fleming.
“I also love the way it brings in volunteers we would not normally see because they truly feel valued and have much to contribute in this area,” Fleming continued. “I learn and grow as much as the kids do through this event each year.”
Among those countries represented were the U.S. (featuring Hawaii), India, Belgium, Ireland, China, Singapore, Korea, Israel, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Columbia.
Schools announce holiday schedules
Area schools have announced next week’s Thanksgiving holiday schedule for local students.
All Katy ISD schools are to be closed Nov. 25-27, with students returning on Monday, Nov. 30.
Students in Faith West Academy, St. John XXIII Preparatory and St. John Paul II school are scheduled to be out of classes for Thanksgiving week, Nov. 23-27, according to school officials. Classes return to the regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 30.