So It’s Time to Go Back to School

August 17 2011

Summer is almost over and I am sure you are trying to get in as much fun is as possible before you start back to school.  Sometimes you might feel excited and other times a little sad that summer is over.  A lot of new things are coming: new friends, new teachers and maybe even a new school. You might feel nervous or even little scared on the first day and that’s OK.  The good thing is that new worries only stick around a little while.  Let’s find out more about going back to school.

The First Day

You will probably see some kids you played with over the summer and others you may not have seen for a while.  Make a point to say hello and also to kids you don’t know.  Go ahead, make the first move. You and your new friend will both be glad you did!

Most teachers start the school year by introducing themselves and going over all of the things you will be doing that year.  They might ask you to tell the class about something you did over the summer.  Be ready just in case.

On the first day, teachers will go over the classroom rules so you will know what is and is not allowed.  Be sure and pay close attention so you will know what to do.

Get Oriented

The first day of school is your chance to find your way around a new school, or learn the pathways to new classes in your old school.  It is a lot to learn in one day, so don’t be surprised if you need a reminder or two.

Maybe make a few notes to yourself, so you will remember the important stuff, like you locker combination and when lunch starts.  It will not take long before your finger will fly as you open your locker and you can trash those notes you made.

A Bad Start

What if you hate school by the end of the first day?  Give things so a little time to sort themselves out.  Once you get adjusted to a new routine, you know your way around the building and your classes you will probably feel better.  If not, talk to your parents, teacher or school counselor.

Get a Positive Start

Make the first day a good one by seeing friends you have not seen for a while.  You can make the day special by wearing an outfit you like or a T-shirt from a summer vacation.  If you were a uniform, you could were a favorite watch, or piece of jewelry to show your style.

Be prepared!  Make sure you have all of your school supplies.  The schools usually have a list of supplies on their school website or a supply packet you can buy on an open house night.  Once you have covered the basics, it is always a good idea to carry a little extra money just in case.

Backpack stuffing is very important.  Make sure the night before you put what you will need for the next day in your backpack.  This will prevent morning panic when things like your lunch or homework seem to go missing.  Whether it is the first day or the middle of the term, your lunch is something else that can make you feel good at school.  Spend a little time with your parents the night before and help pack your lunch if you don’t want what is on the menu from the school cafeteria.  Try and get in a variety of foods.

Final Tips

• Get enough sleep.

• Eat a healthy breakfast.

• Try your best.

• Write down your assignments in an agenda planner.

• For heaven sake, turn in your homework on time.  Points off or a 0 on homework will cost you 1 to 2 letter grades.

• Take your time with school work.  If you don’t understand ask a teacher.

• Keep a sense of humor.  Have fun and laugh a little.

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Back to School in Katy

August 17 2011

After a fun summer break families are refocusing on back to school preparations. From school supplies to immunizations, there are resources available to help families navigate through the requirements.

School supply shopping is always high on the to-do list.  A complete list of grade-appropriate Katy ISD school supplies can be downloaded at www.katyisd.org/parents/Pages/SchoolSupply.aspx. A few PTA or PTOs may offer prepackaged and reasonably-priced school supply bundles. Check with your child’s campus to see if these convenient packages are available. Also, be sure to look for flyers from stores like Walgreens, CVS, Office Max and Office Depot offering promotions on every thing from loose leaf paper to glue to erasers. Walmart will offer their usual deeply discounted notebooks, binders, pencils and everything else on your list.

This year Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller, announced that our annual back to school tax-free weekend falls on August 19, 20 and 21 and can save shoppers around $8 on every $100 they spend. Check out the supplies, backpacks, lunch kits, clothing and shoes that fall under the sales tax exemption at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html.  August often ushers in a mecca of clothing sales that coincide with the tax-free holiday. The malls from Memorial City to Katy Mills, as well as local boutiques, will be crowded. But savings await if you can tolerate the lines. For devoted bargain hunters, Plato’s Closet, The Children’s Carousel, and other used or consignment stores offer deeply discounted apparel that may just suit your picky shopper.

Are you new to the area? The required school enrollment paperwork can seem daunting, but check out Katy ISD’s information page at www.katyisd.org/parents/Pages/NewToKaty.aspx for zoning, campus, busing and so much more. This link covers food services and Special Education, as well.  Registration dates and time can be found at www.katyisd.org/parents/Pages/Registration.aspx.  Registration can be done online, although parents must still attend the August campus registration events in person.  Scroll down the registration website page to find Immunization requirements.

Have a budding athlete? Katy ISD has a variety of vibrant athletics programs. For a list of athletic directors and coaches (and the sports they sponsor) go to www.katyisd.org/athletics/Pages/AthleticStaff.aspx.

Many families are interested in enrolling their children in local charter or private schools.  The following websites offer school bios, registration information and applicable tuition:

Pope John XXIII High School – http://www.pj23.org

Westlake Preparatory Lutheran Academy – http://www.westlakeprep.org

Faith West Academy – www.faithwest.org

Katy Adventist Christian School  – www.katyadventistschool.com

Aristoi Classical (formerly West Houston Charter) – www.aristoiclassical.org

Calvin Nelms Charter School – www.cnchs.net

For home schoolers, Katy is has a local group that networks together. Contact www.katytexashomeschoolinggroup.ning.com to connect with other home schooling families and find out about curriculum options and outings.

All in all, the school year is upon us and we look forward to another year of learning. Whether your child is in public, private, charter or home school, the staff of Katy Christian Magazine is prayerfully asking God’s favor for an enriching 2011/2012. Don’t forget – we love to profile Christian students in all our issues.  Do you have a Christian son or daughter who would like to share their bio, favorite scripture, and a picture?  If so, contact the publisher at joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com.

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Letter from the Publisher

August 17 2011

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,

The fruit of the womb is a reward. – Psalms 127:3

Around 10 years ago a horrific event was reported in such detail and through so many consecutive news cycles that I stopped tuning in to local news and radio programming. It was around this time that Andrea Yates tragically murdered her five kids by drowning them in the bathtub. Stories like this, especially involving children, leave me feeling extremely depressed.

I think the story hit me especially hard because I have four children of my own that were close in age to the murdered children. I just can’t fathom how people can do such horrible things to their own kids.  I know that the Bible tells us “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Yes, desperately sick. Jeremiah wasn’t kidding. The Yates children weren’t even buried before the so-called ‘experts” and talking heads were on television racing to the mother’s defense as they tried to explain why she did what she did. I heard blame assessed to everything from mis-diagnosis of mental illness to postpartum depression to the burdens her husband placed on her. Indeed, Andrea Yates snapped . . . but perhaps this terrible tragedy is a symptom of a larger issue.

As I ponder this phenomenon of crimes perpetuated against children it occurs to me that there is an explanation for the madness. Removing God from our society and replacing it with an abortion on demand culture have so devalued life that some no longer look upon children as what they are, a gift from the Lord, but rather a yoke upon their necks that prevents them from chasing their dreams and having fun. Look at the recent Casey Anthony trial, for example. I truly believe, as do most people, that she murdered her baby Caylee. Not only is she walking away free, but she will most likely make millions of dollars from book and television rights about her story! I wish that cases like these were isolated events but, unfortunately, they are not. You can’t watch the news or listen to the radio for long without hearing similar stories, or even worse.

I believe the road back to sanity lies in the culture we once knew. We seldom, if ever, heard of anything like the present day atrocities  happening 100 years ago, did we? It’s not like people of that era had less children or less hardships placed on them. In fact most people had more than five children and life was extremely challenging compared to modern times. But people in those far-away days had an anchor. Most planted their lives in a society of worship and a nation founded on Godly principles. The erosion of faith has its consequences.

The good news . . . is the Good News! We, the Christian people, are reclaiming our status as a nation built on God. We have witnessed the fallout of abandoning Christian values. And we have had enough. To all of you who keeping the faith, I commend you. To those who are fighting the good fight in the voting booth, I thank you. To those who reject moral relativism and justification for abusive acts, I applaud you.

And to those who cherish and appreciate your children, may God bless you richly. God bless us all, and may these blessings become apparent in the media.

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Letter From the Publisher

August 18 2009

Not too long ago I had lunch with a friend of mine who is in the medical profession. Like so many people in her field, she is scared to death about what is happening with this government controlled healthcare bill that seems destined to pass this fall. This is only the latest in a series of challenges that have plagued our country in recent months.

Despite these trying times, God has continually reminded me that He is still in control. As the Lord promised Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV.

As bad as things might seem right now, they pale in comparison to challenges the early church faced under the leadership of Nero. During difficult times, it is always helpful to remember how fortunate we are to live in a country where we are free to practice our faith openly. God’s Word reminds us that we were born for such a time as this. None of us is here by mistake. God has a plan for each of us. So stand strong in the Lord and He will sustain you.

On a lighter note it’s hard to believe that this summer is almost over! My prediction for this school year is Katy Tigers football team will win their third straight state championship. Go Big Red!

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