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Saturday, August 13, 2016 • Vol. 62 • No. 33
About Us 3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd Suite A (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.
Buying Or Selling
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Gamel Hartman
713.305.5036
Heights Opera’s last note? Without injection of funding, Oh! will not be able to start a new season
By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader For 20 years, Opera in the Heights, (also known as Oh!) has been offering high-quality operatic performances, fostering emerging young artists, working with our children in local schools, and making residents of the Heights proud. Now, this treasured member of the community is at dire risk of going dark. Due to a downturn in Houston’s economy, a few of the theater’s corporate funding associates have withdrawn their help. Similarly, a previously granting foundation, suddenly changed its mission.
Opera of the Heights has hit a financial crunch that could stop production for its fall season. The group has until next week to raise the money needed to continue. At left, Julia Engel plays Lucy The Telephone.
These two facts have launched Oh! into a need for immediate help. “We have until Aug. 19 to raise $26,000 or we can’t start the new season,” stated Oh! Executive
(Deji Osinulu Photography)
See Opera P. 9A
eileenhartman@kw.com
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INSIDE.
Harvard Elementary students win prestigious Ellen O’Neal Art Scholarship
Read about it • 6B
What about math? As parents get ready to take their children back to school, our publisher discovers the one thing more important than any subject
Read about it • 7A
FOR SALE. OAK FOREST: 3-1 with a large den. Appliances furnished. $1,695. 713-503-0282. (TF) FOUND CHIHUAHUA: Antoine/Afton Village. Call to identify. 713-688-6104. I WOULD LIKE TO CLEAN YOUR HOUSE. References. Betty, 713-699-1077. FREE PICKUP/DELIVERY: Clothes don’t fit? Alterations. Charlotte, 713-694-0003. GARAGE SALE: Saturday, Aug. 13, 1618 Candlelight Lane. Futon, clothes, shoes. Your back to school sale. Miscellaneous.
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Because of torrential rains in early summer, construction at Waltrip High School is behind schedule and won’t be complete by the time students report for school. Earlier this week, crews were hard at work, and HISD has brought in extra crews to work weekends in anticipation of the first day of school. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
Rain slows high school work; GOM good to go By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com With the start of school approaching – and construction still very much underway on the $30.1 million bond projects at Waltrip High School – the clock is ticking for HISD. “Significant rains in the past several months have been a challenge for the Waltrip project,” said Sylvia Wood, general manager of bond communications at HISD. “However the contractor has brought on an extra crew and the team is working weekends to ensure the building will be ready to
The INDEX. Church....................................................... 8A Classifieds.............................................. 7B Coupons. ................................................. 6B Food/Drink/Art................................... 9B Obituaries.............................................. 6B Opinion. ................................................... 7A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 7A Sports. ....................................................... 4B
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A city ordinance almost forced GOM to pave its Spark Park to provide more parking spaces.
welcome students on the first day of school.” Wood said that the new main entry
to the building will be open for use on the first day of school, but probably not before that. This means that Waltrip staff, students, and visitors will continue to be routed through the north end entrance until then, including for registration and for the Ram Rally on August 18. The new circle drive, parent dropoff, and front parking lot, along with the new band hall, 1st and 2nd story classrooms, and administration area will also be open for the start of school, but it is expected that crews See Bond P. 9A
More Back to School Inside Throughout the pages of today’s edition, we look at new faces, new places and pieces of advice as our young people head back for another year of school.
New Katherine Smith principal treating her teachers like royalty • Page 3A
Stevens adding an ‘A’ to its already rich STEM program • Page 5A
Clifton digging out some of the concrete for green space • Page 6A
Local doctors offer their tips for getting kids off to healthy start • Page 1B
When urban designer and Heights resident Kent Marsh recently wrote a letter to The Leader about the design that MFT Interests submitted to the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission for the former Heights post office on 11th Street, he took umbrage with the “suburban retail” aspects of the building – with parking in front of set-back buildings – and said it “indicated a complete disregard for the historic, moreurban, 2-story, brick commercial prototype similar to that located at the corner of 12th Street and Yale, across from the historic Heights Fire Station.” Now Glenn Clements with MFT Interests says that they have abandoned their previous design and layout According to Glenn for something Clements, MFT Intermore urban ests has scrapped their plans for a suburban feeling. for Heights Cen“Most peo- look tral Station and will ple didn’t real- create something more ize [the appli- urban feeling, includcation] wasn’t ing having minimal complete,” said setback from 11th Clements. “Af- Street and parking in ter feedback the back. from the neighborhood, we’ve flipped the site and put parking in the back. The plans are for minimal setback so pedestrians on 11th will be able to walk right up to the doors. The material of the building will most likely be red brick to fit in with other buildings in the area.” Clements said plans still call for a 1,200 square foot freestanding coffee shop on the southeast corner of the property. “We’ve had some interest from an indie coffee shop,” he said. The public hearing on the updated application will be at the end of the month. Clements also is developing the site of the former Texas Cafeteria, 2400 N Shepherd Dr., and said that after long permitting delays, they are 30 to 45 days out from finishing the shell of the new modern inspired structure. “Nobody has signed yet, but there’s been a lot of interest,” said Clements. “We’re still in a dry area so that’s a consideration for food service tenants. It’s a great location and near a stoplight. We say if we build a pretty building, they will come.”
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County Attorney sues to close clubs Correction Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan filed a lawsuit last week to shut down two businesses in one northwest Houston retail center: a strip club for promoting prostitution and a game room for illegal gambling. The suit was brought as the result of numerous undercover investigations by the Houston Police Department, which yielded arrests for prostitution and illegal cash payouts. The lawsuit seeks to stop the illegal activities at the Glamour Girls Cabaret and RMCT Game Room, located at 14428 Hempstead Highway. The suit states that the defendants are harboring criminal activity by knowingly tolerating it and failing to take reasonable steps to stop it. “Simply put, Glamour Girls and RMCT
In the Aug. 8, 2016 edition of The Leader, the article entitled “Former Tradewinds manager Brian r e m e m Alexander bers friend” printed an incorrect date for the featured event. Note, the correct event details are for a private event at Bear Creek Skate Center from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 510 Hwy. 6 North. Donations are suggested for $10 and include skates.
Game Room are owned, operated and maintained as common nuisances,” County Attorney Ryan said. “Evidence clearly shows that patrons go to Glamour Girls for the purpose of soliciting prostitution. Additionally, patrons go to RMCT Game Room for the purpose of illegal gambling.” Named in the suit are Glamour Girls owner Texley Incorporated, RMCT Game Room owner Sharif Kasim Ali and strip center owner Chong Chul Choe. The County Attorney’s Office is asking the court to issue a temporary injunction requiring the defendants to stop the illegal activity, as well as a bond to ensure this is done. If the County Attorney wins at trial the two businesses will be closed for one year.
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Saturday, August 13, 2016 • Page 3A
School Contacts
Miller knows teachers can make a difference By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Dr. Queinnise Miller knows what a difference a good teacher can make. As a child at Oak Cliff Elementary in Dallas, Miller was in Julie Roland’s first grade classroom. The experience is something that she says made all the difference in her life. “I still remember how she smelled,” said Miller. “She changed my life. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be who I am today.” As the new principal of Katherine Smith Elementary, 4802 Chrystell Ln., Miller wants her teachers to know that the impact they have – whether good or bad – never goes away. For the teacher’s first day back to school, Miller brought in Dallas motivational speaker Tommy Jones. It was part of a royalty themed event intended to celebrate teachers. It’s important to treat our teachers like royalty as this job is challenging and no one works as hard as teachers,” said Miller. A former elementary and secondary teacher herself, as well as an assistant principal in various districts, Miller joined the HISD team three years ago and served as a senior manager for Leadership Development and director in the Office of School Leadership. “[Leadership] is my wheelhouse,” she said. “I love to teach, grow and coach leaders.” In her time at the position, Miller worked with Roland Fryer from Harvard University on a two-year project that involved 30 campuses and examined how data drives instruction as well as the kind of culture that both kids and adults need to make a school thrive. Miller said that when she first came to HISD she wanted to be a principal and that the desire never went away. When the leadership project came to a close, she said she was ready to “put theory into practice.” “I wanted to come and do the work,” she said.
Dr. Queinnise Miller says she wants to make her teachers feel like royalty as she takes the helm at Katherine Smith Elementary. (Photo contributed from HISD)
After doing a lot of research on various schools to see what would be a good fit, Miller actively sought the job at Katherine Smith which has over 900 students, 83 percent of whom are classified by HISD as economically disadvantaged and 80 percent termed “at-risk.” “It’s bursting at the seams with potential,” she said. Miller liked that the school building was new, so that kids could just focus on learning. The fact that it was a large campus also appealed to her, as did the fact that the school had benefited from stable leadership – longtime principal Gloria Salazar retired from the district this summer. The school’s Leader in Me program, which applies The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, was a big draw too. “There was already a structure in place. I knew I could utilize my skill set of growing and developing teachers,” she said. “And I wanted to serve economically disadvantaged and linguistically diverse scholars.” Miller has a bachelor of arts in Spanish, her masters in Educational Administration, and a doctorate of philosophy in Educational Leadership. She says that being bilingual will be an asset because she wants to be able to communicate with everyone in their native language. This communication started with teachers. Miller has been meeting with everyone she can to target areas of improvement.
“I want to know what we need to do differently,” she said. One of the first questions Miller asked was if Katherine Smith was a magnet. The answer was no, but from the feedback she’s gotten, Miller thinks it would make sense for Smith to be designated as an arts magnet. “It’s a common trend that scholars need more fun,” she said. “We have teachers with the right skill set and the build-
Hamilton Middle School – Wendy Hampton – whampton@ houstonisd.org
ing is set up for it.” In the meantime, Miller seeks to beef up the school’s music program and add clubs that speak to the arts. Another area of improvement is the school’s Vanguard, or Gifted and Talented, population. “We have 59 Vanguard scholars out of 900. That’s unacceptable,” she said, noting that a much higher number of students at Katherine Smith are excelling in the classroom and that teacher identification of gifted students needs to be a priority. Miller recognized that not all Smith parents may have the opportunity to volunteer at the school, but she aims to increase their level of involvement, maybe by having more school events and performances. “Everyone wants to see their baby shine,” she said. She wants to encourage the community at large to get involved as well – whether that be a donation of their time or talent.
BACK-TO-SChOOl SPeCiAl
Frank Black Middle School – Paolo Castagnoli - pcastagn@ houstonisd.org Hogg Middle School – Angela Sugarek– asugarek@houstonisd. org Lutheran North – Dana Gerard – danagerard@ lutheranhighnorth.org St. Pius X – Carmen Garrett Armistead – morattom@stpiusx. org St. Thomas – Rev. Kevin Storey – Kevin.Storey@sths.org Reagan High School – Connie Berger - CBERGER@houstonisd. org Waltrip High School – E. Dale Mitchell – emitch5@houstonisd. org Scarborough High School – Diego Linares – dlinares@ houstonisd.org Harvard Elementary – Laura A. Alaniz - lalaniz@houstonisd.org Durham Elementary – Amy Poerschke – apoersch@ houstonisd.org Oak Forest Elementary – April Williams – awilliam@ houstonisd.org
Stevens Elementary – J. Barrientez – jbarrie1@ houstonisd.org Wainwright Elementary – Christina Aguirre-Olivia – caguirr1@houstonisd.org Benbrook Elementary – Dana Darden - ddarden@houstonisd. org Smith Elementary – Queinnise Miller – qmiller@houstonisd.org Love Elementary – Robert Chavarria - rchavarr@ houstonisd.org Browning Elementary – Julia Elizondo – jelizon2@ houstonisd.org Travis Elementary – Thomas Day - tday1@houstonisd.org Memorial Elementary – Maria Garcia – mgarci86@houstonisd. org Crockett Elementary – Caludia Chavez-Pinto – cchavez1@ houstonisd.org
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A Long Term Commitment to Youth Sports Continues The Oaks Dads’ Club has provided youth sports in the Oak Forest area since 1954. We celebrated our 60th Anniversary last April. In the last 5 years alone we have had over sixteen hundred boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 16 years old participate in Baseball, Softball, Football and Soccer. In March of 2015, the Oaks Dads’ Club acquired the use of the Candlelight Fields at 6500 Rena Street. The addition of these fields will ensure the continued growth of our youth sports programs for years to come. For example, we see a rapid expansion of our newly invigorated soccer program. The Oaks Dads’ Club is more than just youth sports it’s about family and dedication to the community. In fact, many of the parents and grandparents of current players at the Oaks Dads’ Club were players here themselves!! Our motto, “as the twig is bent, so grows the tree,” is a reflection of our commitment to the growth and development of our youth.
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Page 4A • Saturday, August 13, 2016
St. Rose of Lima School announces appointment of Drabek and Tellier The St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Total Board of Education, along with Pastor, Rafael Becerra, announced the official appointment of Bernadette Lombardo Drabek to the position of Principal effective July 1, 2016. Mrs. Drabek, a St. Rose alum and parishioner, has served as the Interim Principal for the past year, succeeding Cathy Stephen, who left St. Rose to serve as an Associate Superintendent for the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston. As her first major change
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returned to the school as a teacher in 2010. After several years of teaching, Mrs. Tellier spent two years as lead early childhood teacher, mentoring the PreK through 1st grade faculty. The Drabek/Tellier team is excited to welcome 335 students for the 2016-2017 school year. This is the highest enrollment in several years and is a testament to the strengthening of the academic curriculum and values based learning offered at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.
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The Leader is collecting school uniforms for area schools The Leader is collecting gently used (or new) uniforms for the following elementary schools. Durham Elementary: Navy, red, or white collared tops; khaki or navy jumpers or bottoms Katherine Smith Elementary: Red and blue collared shirts; khaki bottoms Stevens Elementary: Any solid color collared shirt; blue or khaki pants Wainwright Elementary: Navy, green, and white collared tops; khaki bottoms Drop off box in the lobby
of The Leader office, 3500 T C Jester Blvd # A, in the building next to Oak Forest post office. Please bring uniforms by Friday, August 19 for delivery by first day of school but we will take them through the 26th. Questions? E-mail betsy@ theleadernews.com Also please note that The Houston Heights Women’s Club is doing a uniform drive for Heights schools. See http://www.houstonheightswomansclub.com/UniformDrive for information.
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Saturday, August 13, 2016 • Page 5A
Stevens Elementary rolling out STEAM for 2016-2017 By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com A local elementary school already gearing up for the school year with a curriculum program which aims to diversify a student’s thinking and learning processes is adding yet another tool to their repertoire. Houston ISD and Oak Forest area Stevens Elementary, which was approved as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) magnet school for the 2016-2017 school year last spring, will also be adding an Arts portion to the program for the upcoming academic year. Now labeled STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), the curriculum is designed to integrate such disciplines into the classroom within day-to-day activities and lessons. Stevens Elementary Principal Jennifer Barrientez said the school hopes to instill in its students an unquenchable desire to devise creative, innovative solutions in an environment which encourages students to think outside the box. She added that such a program serves to propel students forward into
Contributed photo
Stevens Elementary students during last year’s STEAM week. The program will be introduced full time in 2016-2017.
21-century learning through projects which meld the concepts of hands-on education and critical thinking. “[Our hope] is that through hands-on project-based learning, we encourage students to be creative, collaborative and critical thinkers,” she said. “Most importantly our hope is that our STEAM program inspires and challenges our students so that they love learning.” A collateral effect includes the opportunity to increase the school’s visibility with the community. “The STEAM program al-
lows us to showcase to our community the already great things that are going on at Stevens,” Barrientez said. “We also hope STEAM allows us opportunities to serve and give back to the surrounding community with service projects and community partnerships.” Stevens Elementary Librarian Leslie Novak echoed Barrientez, saying the program increases the school’s ability to market itself. “For many years we were just this little neighborhood school people did not notice that much,” she said. “[But] we’re starting to change some
things with the outside appearance, and with the magnet designation we’re incorporating more of the 21st-century skills other schools are providing across the city.” Barrientez said the designation of STEAM aligns with the school’s overall mission of providing its students with handson instruction that ignites a passion for learning. “Becoming a STEAM Magnet offers more resources and funds to train teachers and bring in technology and educational resources to our students,” she said. “We have already had a team of teachers attend a variety of STEAM training (sessions) from HISD, Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy and Offshore Energy Center.” She also told The Leader the art portion of the program focuses on visual arts as an avenue for students to collaborate and be creative in their problem solving. She noted Stevens’ consistently strong art program (with students from Stevens placing in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Contest, receiving Best In Show and Honorable Mention)
How to create a great study environment at home For The Leader A student’s academic performance is influenced by a host of factors, including the learning environment both inside the classroom and at home. While students may have only limited control over the environment in their classrooms, they and their parents can do much to create home study environments that are conducive to learning. - Create a distraction-free zone. Today’s students are inundated with distractions. Whereas students were once most distracted by radios, televisions and the great outdoors when studying at home, nowadays kids must also find time to focus on their studies with their tablets and smartphones just a stone’s throw away. When choosing a study area at home, parents can designate a distraction-free zone where no televisions, radios, tablets and smartphones are allowed. Chil-
dren are increasingly dependent on their smartphones and tablets, and while such devices can sometimes prove useful to students, that benefit is often outweighed by the distraction they present. When kids study at night, be sure they turn off their smartphones and only use their tablets as study aids. - Emphasize organization. Various organization tech-
niques can help kids be more efficient when studying. Encourage kids to separate their learning materials by subject, and keep a calendar or daily planner at home listing when their assignments are due and which days they will be tested. Encourage youngsters to keep their home study areas tidy as well, as unorganized areas can make it harder to focus or force kids to spend some of their study time cleaning up. - Establish quiet hours at home. Quiet hours at home while kids are studying can help them better absorb their coursework, and that may lead to improved performance in the classroom. While it is important that kids’ study areas remain distraction-free, it can also help if distractions outside those areas are minimized. If you want to catch up on a favorite television show or watch a movie, do so on your tablet instead of the television, connecting earphones so kids
are not overhearing anything while they are trying to study. - Keep healthy snacks on hand.
as proof that a foundation for incorporating the program into new disciplines such as STEAM has always existed within the confines of Stevens’ DNA. “This is why STEAM was such an easy direct for our magnet program, in addition to being unique,” she said, noting that Stevens’ new STEAM program will be one of just two in the Houston Independent School District. Barrientez additionally ex-
plained the school’s outside partnerships as ways in which the arts program has been infused with atypical learning and visualization techniques, a practice they fully intend to continue as the STEAM program develops in the coming years. Students can register by visiting http://www.houstonisd. org/Stevens-es and clicking on the “Academics” tab.
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Why music education matters For The Leader Come the 2016-2017 school year, the music and arts budget in the Los Angeles Unified School District will reach its highest point in a dozen years. While that’s great news for students, it also illustrates the sad fact that arts and music programs have taken a considerable hit in recent decades, when arts education fell victim to budget cuts. The National Association for Music Education lists the following benefits among the many reasons to support music education in schools. - Music training helps develop language skills. Studies have shown that music training contributes to the physical development of the part of the left side of the brain associated with processing language. A 2005 study from researchers at Stanford University found that mastering a musical instrument may also improve reading skills, which can benefit
students both inside and outside the classroom. - Music training can improve hand-eye coordination. Studies have linked long-term music training to improved hand-eye coordination. That is likely connected to the motor skills children develop when playing musical instruments. Without those instruments, those motor skills may not develop as strongly. -Music improves concentration. Even students who cannot play a musical instrument can still benefit academically
from simply listening to music. In 2007, a research team from the Stanford University School of Medicine found that music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention. - Music can help students’ emotional development. A 2003 study commissioned by Chorus America found musicians are more likely than the average person to be involved in charity work as volunteers and donors. - Music can improve self-esteem. In a study examining 117 fourth grade students attending public school in Montreal, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin found that children who received piano lessons weekly for three years had higher self-esteem than children who were not given piano lessons during the same period. Neither group had participated in formal music instruction before the study, and students in both groups reported similar levels of selfesteem.
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A SPARK Park for Clifton is a step forward By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com While Clifton Middle School recently scored a coup by being one of a handful of middle schools to be selected for a SPARK park site, they are still one of very few middle schools that don’t have their own field to play football or baseball, or to run track. Instead they use the city owned Forest West Park and are dependent on the parks and recreation department to maintain it. Still, Principal Rosa CruzGaona says that the SPARK School Program, which works with schools and neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school grounds, is a big step in the right direction. “We were hesitant to apply,� said Principal Rosa Cruz-Gaona. “They are rarely awarded to middle schools. It’s exciting for the school to have some greenspace.� Principal Cruz-Gaona explains that Clifton is landlocked and that the backside of the school, which faces Forest West Park is all concrete. The construction beginning this month will take out a sig-
Cruz-Gaona says that she sometimes gets complaints about issues with the field because people assume that it belongs to Clifton.
nificant chunk of existing concrete to add vegetable gardens and an outdoor classroom area with a pergola. The old tennis courts will be refurbished. There will also be a designated area for the pools used by the sixth grade students who work with the Galveston Bay Foundation, transporting marsh grass from the coast each fall and growing it at the school to repopulate the grass in Galveston come spring. “We raised $5,000 last year and the SPARK program will cover the rest,� said Rosa Cruz-Gaona.
Forest Pines resident Shepherd Ellis, whose daughters attended Clifton, has also started a grass roots effort to lobby the city for Clifton to have control of Forest West Park. He thinks that Clifton is put at a disadvantage, compared to a middle school like Frank Black, by not having their own fields and track. “This will mean better facilities for the students and community, better lighting and HISD patrol,� he wrote in a Next Door post to neighbors. Now there are manmade entrances from the surround-
ing apartment complexes to the field. Cruz-Gaona says that she sometimes gets complaints about maintenance or litter issues but that her hands are tied. Both Ellis and Cruz-Gaona think that having the park annexed to Clifton would be a boon for the surrounding community and for the school. Clifton could determine the access points, HISD could take over upkeep and the community would be encouraged to use the facilities. For more information on how to get involved e-mail Cruz-Gaona at RCRUZGAO@ houstonisd.org or Shepherd Ellis at shepherd.ellis@tokiom.com.
Internet connectivity Students most often connect to the Internet using their mobile devices. Many schools have replaced their older computer labs with tablets and other mobile devices. Students can simply sit at their individual desks and connect directly to the Internet. Once online, students can access shared drives where assignments can be found or homework can be posted. Tech homework Rather than homework in the traditional sense, students
Personal mobile device access In addition to tablets, students also have access to Internet-connected smartphones, which may even be their own phones when personal phones are allowed in the classroom. In a 2013 Speak Up Survey from Project Tomorrow, 89 percent of high school students have access to Internet-connected smartphones, while 50 percent of students in grades three through five have access to the same type of devices. Those numbers only continue to grow.
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The Topics. Saturday, August 13, 2016 • Page 7A
Don’t parents care about math anymore?
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hroughout the pages of today’s newspaper (if you’re one of those old miscreants reading this in print), you’ll find stories upon stories prepping you and your children for a return to school. As long-time readers of my column know, I have a son, whose name I need to protect this week because if his classmates – and specifically, their parents – stumble upon this piece, he will not be invited to any birthday parties until he graduates trade school. Of course, his classmates aren’t yet 3 years old, so if those rug rats can get past the word “miscreants,” I don’t want my son attending their nerdy parties anyway. My son, like all brilliant children, has graduated from one class to a new one. At his age, that means he will move from drinking water colors in one room to eating finger paint in a new room. Actually, they don’t call it “graduating” at such an early age. The school he attends calls it “Transition Day,” and I was summoned to a lecture hall in order to hear about all the new and exciting flavors of finger paint he would sample over the next 12 months. OK, I’m kidding. We didn’t talk about paint at all, but let’s get back to that in a minute. You know, my wife and I have spent a lot of time over the past few
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years worrying about our son, as I’m sure most first-time parents do. We worried if he would ever eat his food, rather than just spit it at my glasses. Would he walk? Would he ever say his first words? Would he even know we were his parents? We moved past those fears and now spend most of our time reminiscing on when he couldn’t walk and when he couldn’t talk. And then we sigh, catch our breath, and go grab the screwdriver he’s shoving in his ear. Now we wonder about other, seemingly more important things, like whether our son will ever be able to read. You know, will-ourson-be-smart kinds of questions. Which gets me back to the orientation I attended for Transition Day. The Director of my son’s school is a very smart woman. I don’t know how long she has done this sort of work for a living, but you just kind of get the sense she knows what the heck she’s doing when it
comes to a bunch of crazed children running around her complex. When I looked across the room at the other parents assembled for their annual instructions, I kind of figured they thought the same thing I did. You could tell in their eyes they were all ready and willing to find out what this preschool would do to make their children Rhodes Scholars. I was wrong. The Director lady walked us through the important stuff first. Please pay each month’s tuition by the third of the month. Drop your kids off at this gate if you get here before 9 a.m. The children will be spending their outdoors time at this playground. We do not serve any nuts at our school – pretty sure she meant food. And please pay each month’s tuition by the third of the month. Next, the Director skimmed over a page of the actual curriculum for our youngsters over the next year, and you’d think this would have been the most important segment of the orientation, right? Here’s the math your children will learn. Here’s how we’ll teach them how to begin writing letters. This is where our children are supposed to begin their steps to the Ivy League. When the Director asked if there were any questions, not a single parent raised his or her hand.
Lynn Ashby Columnist
headed their way, nooses and rifles in hand. For these reasons, and probably the lack of windows, the Constitution was brief (less than 6,500 words). So what did these men agree on? The usual stuff when creating a brand-new nation: two chambers of Congress -- Senate and House -- a president and judges. Ministers and priests were ineligible to hold public office. Because the delegates didn’t like bankers, debt collectors and IOUs, imprisonment for debt was abolished, and monopolies and primogeniture were prohibited. The document specified that the president would serve three years and could not succeed himself in office. So Houston served as the republic’s president, sat out a term, then served again from 1841 to 1844, all perfectly legal. That’s no doubt where Vladimir Putin got the idea to do the same thing. The president would be the commander in chief of the army, navy, and militia, but could not “command in person” without the permission of Congress. No doubt they put that in with Houston in mind. Members of Congress would serve one-year terms. Senators were to serve threeyear overlapping terms, with one-third elected each year. The constitution legalized slavery but prohibited foreign slave trade. Immigrants from the United States could bring slaves with them. Free blacks could not live in Texas without the consent of Congress. Citizenship was granted to all, with “Africans, the descendants of Africans, and Indians excepted.” The amending process was so complex that none was ever adopted. Incidentally, Article Fourteen of the Declaration of Rights reads, “Every citizen shall have the right to bear arms in defense of himself and the republic.” None of this “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state” foggy interpretation. Texans could pack heat. Period. A citizen who had not received his land grant was guaranteed “one league and one labor of land” if the head of a family; single men over 17 were assured of “the third part of one league of land.” These guys weren’t through. (This stolen from Compano Bay Press): Later in 1836, from October through December, 44 men (no women present) convened in a drafty clapboard house in the town of Columbia. Many were the same men who had met back in March. It was the first session of the first Congress of the Republic of Texas, and the gang drafted some interesting
The Director – much too kind, in my opinion – said no, someone will take your daughter. “So what does she need to do? Just tell a teacher when she needs to go?” Kind Director: “That will be fine.” Another antsy mother chimed in: “I don’t know if you realize this or not, but I think once the children see other children going to the potty, they’re all going to want to go at the same time.” Agitated Director: “We’ll handle it.” Antsy Mom: “OK, because I just want to make sure you all are ready for this.” This collection of what seemed like educated parents didn’t ask a single question about food, safety or curriculum. But when it came to doing wee-wees, these parents turned maniacal. Eventually, we were led to our children’s new classroom. Any guess what the parents wanted to see? “So where are the potties?” one father asked. The Director pointed to a small room in the back, with four kiddie krappers in a row. “Oh, that’s great,” he said. Really? What a bunch of miscreants. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com
The reader.
How to run a government Our Congress is in recess. Again. They have more recesses than a kindergarten class and do less. At such times it might be a good idea to take a look at how we have done things here in Texas from the git-go. In a rented shack in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texans met in March of 1836 to set up a Texas that pretty well resembles the way our state government works today, except for part about barring preachers from holding public office, dividing up the booty from captured ships and being drafted for road work. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s set the scene and, no, this isn’t a history lesson, Pilgrim, it’s why you are no longer in Ohio and why today’s Congress members should take notes. Texas leaders had been considering independence, without Santa Anna’s blessing, you understand, for some time. Finally word went out over social media – smoke signals, tom-toms and what somebody said at the tavern – for elected delegates to gather at a mud village along the Brazos River. On the first day of March, Texans – eventually numbering 59 -- assembled in a convention. Twelve were natives of Virginia, ten of North Carolina, nine of Tennessee, six of Kentucky, four of Georgia, three of South Carolina, three of Pennsylvania, three of Mexico (including two born in Texas), two of New York, and one each of Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada. Two, including Sam Houston, had served in the U.S. Congress. They met in freezing weather in an uncompleted building (no windows) rented for use of the convention by a group of Washington business men who, incidentally, never got around to paying the rent. The convention declared all able-bodied men ages 17 to 59 liable for military duty and offered land bounties of 320 to 1,280 acres for service from three months to one year. Those men who left Texas to avoid military service, refused to participate, or gave aid to the enemy would forfeit their rights of citizenship and the lands they held in the republic. It authorized its agents in the United States to seek a $1 million loan and pledge land for its redemption. In a matter of days, Texas’ forefathers wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, organized the ad interim government, and named Sam Houston commander in chief of the military forces of the republic. Why so fast? Two reasons: Much of the wordage in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution was directly lifted from the U.S. documents. (See; Trump: Melania) The other reason was during the proceedings the Battle of the Alamo was raging and soon word reached the delegates that the Mexican Army was
Then, right before the Director took us on a quick tour of our children’s new classroom, she dropped one last question on us. “OK, how many of you are potty training your children right now?” In massive and ecstatic unity, nearly every hand in the lecture hall reached for the ceiling. Faces brightened. Mothers got fidgety. Fathers straightened their ties. We were all so proud that our children were beginning to learn basic, bodily functions that we couldn’t control our own. In squeamish detail, the Director told us how that would work. They have a room full of “potties” for the children, and the teachers will assess how far along each child is in the “process” and share that with the parents. I was completely satisfied with the Director’s explanation. The other parents in the room, I’m afraid, were not. “So are the children going to be using adult potties or child potties?” one parent asked. The Director was kind in her response. “We have both.” “Ok, because my son won’t use an adult potty yet.” Another mother caught the ire of the entire classroom. “Well my daughter is already potty-trained. Will she just have to go by herself since nobody else in the class is?”
articles. Again, no minister or priest could hold office in the national government. They granted Deaf Smith, Sam Houston’s trusted scout and spy, any house in San Antonio that was to his liking, so long as the government could find a legal reason to confiscate it. (Smith replied, “Eh? Eh? I don’t want a mouse.) Officers and men of the Texas Navy could divide booty amongst themselves after capturing an enemy vessel. They set the northern border of the Republic at the 42nd parallel, just south of present-day Wheatland, Wyoming. Also: “All free males, Indians excepted, between the age of 17 and 45 years” could be conscripted to work on the public roads. And that’s how they did it. Quick and simple. Wonder what would happen if we told today’s Congress that the Mexican Army was on the way? Ashby amends at Ashby2@comcast.net
Pinemont construction painfully slow
Dear Editor: I have a feeling that the construction project on Pinemont Drive, between Ella & N. Shepherd, will still be going on when the current 290 expansion is completed. So painfully slow. Bill Watson
The Harrison brothers, good men
Dear Editor: Thank you for writing the article about David Harrison and his brother. Such good men. They remind me of Dallas Police Chief David Brown, with whom I was so very impressed in the wake of the massacre of five police officers. I understand recruiting in Dallas is up. As Chief Brown said, “Get off the protest line and come fill out an application. We’ll train you how to go back in your communities and help.” This is what the two Harrison brothers are doing. Thanks again for your contribution. Diane Lowrey
Sad week for the USA
Dear Editor: After monitoring the media reports and quotes from the recent political convention, I’ve been able to simplify my reaction down to: ... It was a clown parade at the lectern, a national embarrassment by drunken delegates on the
floor, and a sad week for the United States of America’s prestige among civilized countries. Sad ... so sad. Bob Williamson
Olympic athletes Discover local success
Dear Editor: Wonderful article about Discover. The programs at Discover have really helped my 5 year old granddaughter to learn to focus and the discipline of the sport has helped her to learn about what’s important. Francisco has been her personal coach for almost a year and holds her to high standards. Thanks Discover. Keep up the good work. Fran Hickey
ISKCON of Houston undergoes plans for big development
Dear Editor: But when are you going to chant ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’. That should be [y]our only goal. Things seem to have branched off and the branches are getting thicker and not the trunk. Tulasi Kashyap Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
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1. Engine additive 4. Recipe measurement (abbr.) 7. Tooth caregiver 10. Hawaiian dish 11. Retirement account 12. Basketball player Ming 13. Say suddenly 15. Carbon isotope ration (abbr.) 16. Frasier CraneÕs brother 19. Framework over oil well 21. Edible mollusk 23. Handy 24. Japanese banjo 25. Microwave 26. Double-reed instrument 27. Covered 30. Leaseholders 34. Master of business 35. Herb 36. Blood clot 41. Route 45. Reach a higher position 46. American state 47. Erases 50. Expunge
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Airport 20. Cucumber 22. Lovable pig 27. Woman (French) 28. Defensive nuclear weapon 29. Clutch 31. Seventh letter of the Greek alphabet 32. Records electrical activity 33. Car mechanics group 37. Speaking 38. A formal permission 39. Exploiter 40. Affixed 41. External genitals 42. Deity 43. Eat these with soup 44. Swerved 47. Connects two pipes 48. Challenger 49. Ranch (Spanish) 51. Righted 52. Fatty-fleshed fish 55. Prosecutes alleged criminals 58. Swiss river
WORD SCRAMBLE
Page 8A • Saturday, August 13, 2016
The calendar. BREAKFAST CONNECTION Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Come network with your fellow Chamber members. This month’s guest speaker is Louis Barton, Executive Vice President for Frost Bank. Barton oversees the enterprise-wide risk management and third party risk management programs, corporate privacy and cyber awareness. He is author of the book Check Processing Operations. Enjoy a hot breakfast from 6:45-8:30 a.m. Aug. 11, at Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. Guests and non-members are welcome. The cost is $20 each and non-members $25 each. Full tables of eight available for $200. Register online. Information: 713861-6735, heightschamber.com. BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR The Mainstream Connection The Mainstream Connection, 415 E. Crosstimbers St., will be hosting a Back to School Fair from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 12. There will be food, backpacks and moonwalk. Information: 832-831-1688, www.tmc-Houston.org. MOVIE NIGHT Oaks Dads Club Come by for free movie night with water slide and games at 6 p.m. Aug. 13. Snacks and drinks will be available to puchase. Donations are welcome. The movie “Rookie of the Year,� will be shown at Oaks Dads Club, 3410 W. T.C. Jester Blvd. Tickets are available at www.odcsports. com.
BEER 101 Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Join an instructor from the Saint Arnold Brewing Company for an introduction to the delicious world of beer. Learn how beer is made and how different combinations of simple ingredients lead to many different tastes. The workshop is from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 13. The cost is $40 member, and $65 nonmember. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is located at 4501 Woodway Dr. Information: 713681-8433, houstonarboretum. org. COMMUNITY DANCE SPJST Lodge 88 The SPJST Lodge 88, 1435 Beall St., will host the Dujka Brothers, Polka and variety of music, from 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Aug. 13. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are suggested, but not required. Enjoy complimentary dance instruction before all Saturday night dances, starting at 7:30 p.m. and during intermission. Reservations held only 30 minutes past start of dance. Information: 713-869-5767, lodge88.org. BIG EVENT SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING Booker T. Washington Alumni Association The Booker T. Washington Alumni Associations’ annual “Big Event� Scholarship Fundraising Activities will be Aug. 19 and Aug. 20. The free Meet and Greet Social Hour is 7 p.m. Aug. 19, at the
Houston Sheraton BrookHollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. A Blue and Gold Reunion Prayer Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 20, at the Booker T. Washington school cafeteria, 119 E. 39th St. A $25 donation is requested. The Scholarship Banquet is at 5 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Houston Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel. A $60 donation is requested. Call to purchase tickets. Information: 281-2172674, 713-726-6531. STEAK NIGHT American Legion Post 560 Come by the American Legion Post 560, 3720 Alba Rd., for a delicious steak dinner and live entertainment, Aug. 19 (third Friday of each month). Steaks will be served from 6 p.m. until sold out. The cost is $15 per plate. Information: 713-682-9287, facebook.com/AmLegionPost560/, americanlegionpost560.org. MODEL SEARCH American Girl Fashion Show This is the final year for the American Girl Fashion Show, produced by HITS Theatre. The theatre is seeking approximately 125 girls to model historical, contemporary and Bitty Baby fashions during four fashion shows to be held Nov. 5 and 6. Model searches wil be held at the American Girl Store, Memorial City Mall, 303 Memorial City Way, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 20. Visit website for other audition dates. Information: hitsfashionshow.com, 713-904-3777.
EL NOGALAR (THE PECAN ORCHARD) Obsidian Theatre El Nogalar is set on the TexasMexico border and follows one family’s struggle with a violent, changing world. El Nogalar was written by Mexican-born, McAllen-raised playwright Tanya Saracho. The show will run through Aug. 20. Obsidian Theatre is located at 3522 White Oak Dr. Purchase tickets online. Information: 832-889-7837, obsidiantheater.org. FALL SALE 2016 Just Between Friends Just Between Friends Central Houston will have their Fall Sale 2016, and is looking for consignors. Average consignor makes $300 - you price it, we sell it. The sale will be from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 19, and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 20. Most items are half price. Information: www.centralhouston.jbfsale.com/ MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR Heights Young Professionals Network, socialize and make direct connections with area professionals. This month’s event will be hosted by Little J’s Bar, 5306 Washington, from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 25. The cost is $10 for nonmembers before Aug. 25, and $15 non-member at the door. Register online. Information: info@heightschamber.com, heightschamber. com, 713-861-6735.
Guest speaker Dr. David Klinger at First Church Heights Dr. David Klingler PhD., will be a guest speaker at the 10:15 a.m. worship service, Aug. 14, at First Church Heights, 201 E. 9th St. Klingler was an AllAmerican quarterback at the University of Houston and first round NFL draft for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992. He earned two degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and currently serves as Associate Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary. Call 713-861-3102 or visit www.fbcheights.org for information.
Family Fun Night at St. Stephen’s All are welcome to attend Family Fun Night, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall, featuring back-to-school banana splits. Students of all ages as well as educators are welcome to bring backpacks, book bags and briefcases to the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services for a special blessing before the start of the new school year. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org and the church’s Facebook page.
gram will hold its 2016 Fall Semester Registration from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 25, in the All Saints Church Parish Hall, 215 E. 10th St. The Fall Semester will begin Sept. 12 and will conclude Nov. 18. Late registration will be available from 9-11:30 a.m. the first week of the semester. TALC offers a variety of classes such as woodworking, computer, exercise, watercolor, quilting, scrapbooking, stained glass, small appliance repair, line dancing and more. New this semester will be a bilingual U.S. Citizenship Preparedness class coordinated by Aurora Leal. The class will be offered on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m.-noon. Also offered during the semester are monthly parties, seminars, birthday celebrations and day trips. A full course hot lunch, cooked on-site, is available Monday through Friday during the semester at noon for $2. For lunch reservations or program information, call 713248-1277.
Free seminar at Zion Lutheran Zion Lutheran Church, 3606 Beauchamp, will hold a free seminar by Lawyer Loura Jennett from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Aug. 14. She will talk about things that should be in order before one dies, such as Medical Power of Attorney, a directive to physicians and wills. Call 713-869-1493 for information.
Job and career fair to be held at Greater First Baptist Church Greater First Baptist Church, 4441 Haygood St. 77022, will host a free Community Job and Career Fair, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 20. There will be onsite interviewing with several employers expected to attend. Companies will be looking to fill full-time and part-time positions. Computer, internet and printer access will also be available. Come prepared with plenty of resumes and dress professionally. Call 713-695-7061 for information.
Eat, Pray, Read! book club meets at Oaks Presbyterian The summer book selection for the Eat, Pray, Read! book club is Frog Music by Emma Donoghue. The historic novel is set in 1876 San Francisco during a record-breaking heatwave and the smallpox epidemic. The book discussion and dinner will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 6. Oaks Presbyterian Church is located at 1576 Chantilly Ln. For information, visit www. oakspresbyterian.org or call 713-682-2556.
Religious education class registration at St. Ambrose St. Ambrose Catholic
All Saints TALC to hold fall registration All Saints Third Age Learning Center (TALC) senior pro-
Comedy and music show at St. Matthew’s Come by for a night of laughs with the Christian
comedy/music duo of Phil and Debi Jones, from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 10. Call the church office for ticket information. The event is free, however a love offering is appreciated. A light snack/supper is included following the performance. The Fall Festival, Oct. 22, will feature a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, face painting, food, games and booth featuring crafts and services. Call the church office if interesting in hosting a booth. The church welcomes Pastor Wall back from an extended vacation in her homeland of Trinidad. Sunday morning worship starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by 10:30 a.m. Sunday School. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. For information, call 713-697-0671 or visit www.stmatthewsmethodist. org.
B.I.R.T.H. FAIR United Way The 15th Annual B.I.R.T.H Fair (Bringing Information and Resources to Houston), an event about pregnancy, and labor will be at the United Way Center, 50 Waugh Dr., from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 1. Information: info@houbirth.org, www.houbirth.org.
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Pastor C. David Harrison 201 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 www.fbcheights.org
GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Reverend John Cain, Pastor Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m. Member of MANNA
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West 34th St.
Weekly Sunday Services
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Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the office of: Chase Baker, D.D.S., 3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.
(Between Ella & T.C. Jester)
First FirstChurch Church
1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942
s school gets back into session it’s the perfect time to review some dental tips to keep your student’s smiles bright! To begin with, it’s a great time to schedule for your child’s dental check-up! The American Dental Association recommends that children are seen every six months for a regular cleaning and exam, and the first of the school year is a perfect time to make that happen. It’s important to stress to your child about making healthy snack decisions while they are at school. Lunchtime outside of your watchful eye it is great to know that your student is enjoying snacks that are low in sugar to keep those dreaded sugar bugs from making a home in their teeth. I always recommend that your child rinse well with water after eating lunch or any snacks. This helps to wash out any food sugars that might accumulate on their teeth. If your child is old enough that they are wearing braces, I highly encourage that they bring a toothbrush to use after they’ve eaten. Braces tend to collect food more readily around the brackets and can very easily lead to decay which may not be detected until after the braces are removed. It’s no fun to have really straight teeth that have cavities all around them because they weren’t kept clean! Finally, for those little athletes out there, be sure that they are wearing a mouthguard to help protect their teeth from any impacts. This can keep them from an unnecessary emergency dental visit. Good luck this year to all of the little scholars as they begin this semester. With a few easy tips, we can make sure our children are smiling until next summer!
Aztec StorAgeS
ChurCh Guide
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5315 Antoine@ Pinemont
713-688-9625
Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
Love Is Better shown than saId
L
ove is sometimes more clearly shown in actions than in words. Small acts of kindness or generosity are often better expressions of love than flowery words. There is nothing wrong with telling others that we love them, but, we should be sure that our words are not contradicted by our actions. It is easy to say that we love our families, friends, and our fellow human beings while showing utter contempt or disregard for them. Often the more time we spend with people, the harder it may be to act in a kind and loving manner towards them. The man who must isolate himself in order to stay on good terms with his fellow man probably lacks the loving disposition of the saint who can actually live in the world amongst her fellow humans and still show them kindness and love. We would all do well to work harder at showing our love, especially to those who may be difficult to love, instead of merely saying those three easy words. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed andin truth. New K.J.V. 1 John 3:18
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Ad # 22283 Sunday-- Bible BibleStuday Study For Ages .. 9:30am Sunday For All All Ages..9:30am MorningWorship.............10:45am Worship............ 10:45am Morning Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed.- Prayer Meeting & Missions Wed. Prayer Meeting & Missions Organization......................6:15pm Organization .....................6:15pm
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from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 27. Bring the kids for food, fun and prizes. Information: 713-869-6117.
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Church, 4213 Mangum Road, will have open registration for Continuing Christian Education classes for grades 1 through 12. Registration deadline for the Communion, Confirmation and Children’s Catechumenate programs is Aug. 15. Call the CCE office at 713686-3857 for information.
www.gethsemanelutheran.org
BOOK SIGNING The Book Scene Kate Sloan author of “Baby House Adventure The Big Move� will be signing her book at The Book Ad # Scene, 301111820 W. 43rd St.,
FISH FRY American Legion Post 560 The Ladies Auxiliary Unit 560,
From the Pews. Blessing of the Backpacks at Hope Episcopal Students, teachers, parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring backpacks, tablets and lunch bags to get blessed at the 10:30 a.m. service Aug. 14, at Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd St. Don’t have a student at home? All are welcome to purchase a new backpack and bring it to the blessing and drop off at the church office. Call 713-681-6422 for information.
3720 Alba Road, will host their monthly Fish Fry and live entertainment Friday, Aug. 26 (fourth Friday of each month) from 6 p.m. until sold out. The cost is $8 per plate. Information: 713-6829287, facebook.com/AmLegionPost560/, txlegion560.org.
Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor
713-864-1470
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St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA Member of MANNA
• Worship (English)..... 10:00 am - 11:00am • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm
1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577
Saturday, August 13, 2016 • Page 9A
Is your child ready for kindergarten? Kindergarten can be a pivotal time in a young child’s life. Although many kids attend preschool or receive guided learning at home, kindergarten marks students’ first official foray into the classroom. This is an exciting time for kids and parents, and also one that may be fraught with nerves. That is especially true for parents who are not quite sure if their children are ready to begin their academic careers. While many school districts mandate that students must be at least five years old to begin kindergarten, age is not the only factor to consider when gauging kids’ readiness for school. Child-education experts note that there is no single factor that determines kids’ readiness for school, but rather there are a host of factors that, when taken together, can help parents determine if their youngster is ready for the rigors of the classroom. The following are some factors parents can consider as they try to determine if their children are ready to enroll in kindergarten. • Separation anxiety: Does your child handle separation well, or is he or she prone to meltdowns each time you leave for even a short period of time? School
requires kids to spend several hours away from home and away from their parents, and parents might need to take steps to increase youngsters’ comfort levels away from home before school begins. • Follows instructions: Experts at BabyCenter.com advise that children who are able to listen to simple instructions and follow them will be more apt to thrive in classroom settings. They also will be more capable of keeping up with teachers and peers. • Self-sufficiency: Has your child exhibited signs that he or she can be selfreliant? This includes putting on his or
her coat, dressing himself or herself and being able to use the bathroom on his or her own. If not, then you might need to work on the child’s self-sufficiency before school begins. • Cursory knowledge of letters/numbers: While children on the verge of entering kindergarten need not be experts in language and mathematics, kindergarten curricula has become more rigorous thanks to the implementation of new standards. As a result, children should be able to recognize some letters and numbers before starting school. They do not necessarily have to enter school knowing them all or being able to read fluently, but the more familiar they are with language and mathematics the more likely they are to have a successful year in kindergarten. • Coping strategies: Parenting experts affiliated with Care.com say that children on the verge of entering kindergarten should be able to control their emotions to a certain extent. While children may occasionally cry in the kindergarten classroom, it’s important that your child be able to cope with some of the ups and downs of classroom life without shedding tears.
How to handle middle school transition A child’s school-aged years are filled with many different lessons and experiences. While in school, kids have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and meet new people. Many students will attend various schools before moving on to college, and therefore they must learn how to adjust to new schools. While many students attend elementary school together for years, students may not know their classmates once they make it to middle school, which tends to boast larger student bodies than elementary schools. That is because many middle schools’ student bodies are a combination of several elementary schools.
Making the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high can spark anxiety in students, but that does not have to be. The National Education Association says a common element of a successful middle school experience is a smooth and positive transition from elementary school. The following are a few ways students can handle their transition to middle school. • Participate in a school-based transition program. Middle schools frequently host open houses for elementary school students, who can take tours of the campus. Parents can take part in these events with their children.
If your schedule does not allow you to attend, then schedule a private tour with the middle school principal or a faculty member. Middle school guidance counselors or guest speakers also may make the rounds, visiting elementary schools directly. Be sure your student attends such information sessions so he or she can get an idea of what to expect during middle school. • Dispel any myths your youngster might have heard about middle school. Youngsters hear lots of things about middle schools, and much of what kids hear might be untrue. Ask kids what they have heard about the schools they will be moving on to,
and then do your best to dispel any myths. • Find a middle school buddy. Ask an older sibling or invite someone who is currently enrolled in the school to speak with your child and answer any questions he or she may have. Hearing directly from a fellow student may make your child feel more comfortable about what to expect. • Talk about any other fears. Engage in an open dialogue with your son or daughter about any additional fears he or she may have. If students are worried about academics, spend some time over the summer going over the curriculum.
Is there even a point to cursive? Cursive writing lessons were once mandatory in schools. Many adults can remember cursive writing lessons on lined paper and time spent practicing this aesthetically appealing style of writing. But thanks to technology and a growing reliance on computers to complete school assignments, handwriting skills are no longer stressed as much as they once were. In fact, some children never receive cursive writing instruction. The absence of cursive writing lessons has led to a heated debate. Some people feel cursive writing is archaic and a waste of time, while others believe it is a relevant skill. Here is a look at both sides of the debate.
cursive. • Typing on a keyboard should take precedence. Many parents and educators believe that cursive writing lessons do little to prepare young students for an increasingly digital
• Cursive writing may promote focus. Writing things down by hand forces a person to slow down and formulate his or her thought. • Cursive writing may help students with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a language processing disorder that can hinder reading, writing, spelling and sometimes even speaking.
The Pros • Cursive writing stimulates the brain. “Cursive writing helps train the brain to integrate visual and tactile information, and fine motor dexterity,”
The Cons • Cursive writing is only used in signatures. Cursive writing is seldom used except for signatures. Even then, e-signing and online transactions have removed the need to write in
tickets. And they can tell their friends to attend, or they can simply donate through our website,” the Executive Director said. “We welcome it all, big and small.” Notably, There is a bingo fundraiser scheduled for Oh! at Town in City Brewing Company, on Friday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m. to 10 pm, at 1125 Cavalcade St. Enjoy 10 rounds of bingo, live opera performances throughout the night, and prizes provided by Heights businesses. There is a $20 suggested donation for 10 rounds of bingo cards. For more information, go to www.operaintheheights.org.
Bond from P. 1A will be working to knock-out punch list items for several additional weeks. Wood said that any remaining work in areas being used by students, will be closely coordinated with the building principal to ensure safety and minimal disruption to students and staff. The ongoing work will continue on finishing out the new 3rd story classrooms, as well as the renovation and expansion of the 2nd gymnasium and the girls locker room. “These areas are expected to be complete mid-way through the school year, probably early in the first quarter of 2017,” said Wood. In other bond news, Garden Oaks residents may have noticed an off street parking variance request at Garden Oaks
Elementary, which received $26.6 million of bond money for additions to and general renovations of the existing facilities designed to accommodate 750 to 900 students at the Montessori school. Garden Oaks Montessori Principal Dr. Lindsey Pollock explains that in order to plan for the number of parking spaces the city was requiring, the school would have had to pave their Spark Park and lose their playground. “Fortunately, our request for a variance to have fewer spots was approved,” she said. “We anticipate construction will begin in November. The modular building is going in now to house classes that are being displaced during construction.”
have arrived!
Classes Start on August 22 • Indoor Training • Coach Memberships • Speed and Agility Classes HIT! provides indoor space for youth sports training and practice through offering team workout space, cage rentals, gym equipment, sport specific personalized training services, and youth sport camps in the heights, memorial, and spring branch community. 1544 Campbell Rd. Houston, TX 77055 Phone: 713-816-6048 • Email: info@hitindoor.com
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November 4, 2016
Friday Night Lights
5:30-8pm • Lions Footbal Field Come take a tour of our school and enjoy a live football game!
13
A+
Dual-credit/college, AP & honors classes.
Students Accepted to Top Colleges around the country.
Opera from P. 1A Director, Miriam Kahalili. Typically, ticket sales cover only about one-third of the cost of a performance, and the theater relies on other sources to make up the difference. Thanks to the efforts of the theater’s board of trustees, its artists, and staff, Oh! has already raised a portion of the funding lost this year. Still, more is necessary - and quickly. “The $26,000 will only allow us to launch the first scheduled performance of the new season,” Kahalili explained, “To make it through the year, we need to raise about $150,000.” How can the public help? “The public can buy season
world. • Digital texts make it obsolete. Some argue that those who do not know how to read in cursive can never understand historical texts or early manuscripts.
Hit Batting Cages
Leadership & Service Groups for all Students.
1-to-1 iPad program.
Award-winning athletics, band, choir & art.
National & international travel opportunities.
2016 LHN Lions Football Schedule September 2 September 9 Septeber 23 September 30 October 7 October 14 October 21 October 28 November 4
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