District Announcements

BOOK TITLES PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT DASHBOARD

KATY VIRTUAL SCHOOL

HOME ACCESS CENTER – PARENT-DEFINED GRADE NOTIFICATIONS 

Katy ISD Parents and/or Guardians can view their child’s grades in the Home Access Center at any time. On the Grades page, you can access your child’s most recent progress report (IPR) and report card grades. On the Classwork page, you can setup personalized alerts for your child’s class averages. Based on the parent-defined percentage (%), you will receive an alert when your child’s average falls below or rises above a certain threshold. Select here to locate Instructions on how to setup grade alerts. 

SAFE FIREARM STORAGE RESOURCES

House Bill 3, (88th Texas Legislature) requires the Texas School Safety Center, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), to provide school districts information and other resources regarding the safe storage of firearms, including information on section 46.13 of the Texas Penal Code, for distribution to parents/guardians and community.  

The Texas DPS has created a public relations campaign – Keep ’Em Safe Texas – that offers free downloadable resources to promote safe gun storage. Below you will find links to resources in English and Spanish.   

Program Overview 8.5 × 11 Flyer: English / Spanish 
12 × 18 Poster: English / Spanish 
How to Talk to Others About Gun Safety 8.5 × 11 Flyer: English / Spanish 
Ways to Safely Store Guns (Devices) 8.5 × 11 Flyer: English / Spanish 

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION/REVIEWS

LIBRARY BOOK NOTIFICATIONS

SECONDARY ELA CLASSROOM LIBRARIES

English Language Arts (ELA) classroom libraries offer independent reading material that supports the English Language Arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Parental consent is required for secondary students to check out books from their ELA classroom library. Parents may provide consent via the KISD Parent Option Portal located in MyKaty cloud. If parents do not provide consent via the KISD Parent Option Portal, their secondary student will be unable to check out books from their ELA classroom library. This is in addition to the Library Book Notification.  Visit the MyKaty cloud for a brief video instruction on accessing the KISD Parent Option Portal.

POWERSCHOOL 

All Katy ISD parents of returning students are asked to complete the Annual Student Update.

Parents/guardians of current Katy ISD students have been notified by email when each child’s Annual Student Update form is available. Parents with multiple students received an email for each child.  Parents are asked to please complete the Annual Student Update for each enrolled child prior to the start of school on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.  

MEALS CHARGE POLICY   

District charge policy allows students without meal money to receive the menu meal choice for a limited time with the expectation the parent will reimburse all meals charged. 

Parents will be alerted when their child charges for a meal by receiving a courtesy call and/or email through the district automated call out system, if the district parent information is correct and up to date. Parents are responsible for monitoring the amount of money in their child’s account and paying back any borrowed money in a timely manner. If a student owes money on his/her account, he/she will be allowed to purchase snacks and/or a la carte only with cash in hand for that purchase, or once the student’s negative account is paid in full and funds are available to cover additional purchases.   

SMART TAG ID SYSTEM- 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

This school year, a new SMART Tag bus rider ID system will be rolled out across Katy ISD school buses to help monitor the ridership of eligible bus riders. The system will enable parents, bus drivers, and school administrators, to review in real time, when and where a student is picked up or dropped off by a school bus. Student identification (ID) cards for eligible riders will include the SMART Tag ID information. Buses will be equipped with a tablet that will read each student’s ID every time they enter and exit their bus. Parents and guardians will also have access to the SMART Tag Parent Web Portal — a cloud-based platform that will enable them to monitor their student’s ridership and bus route. Parents and guardians of eligible bus riders will receive additional information about the Smart Tag ID system via the email address they have on file with the district. The Smart Tag ID system replaces Katy ISD’s Edulog Lite App.

DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES  

 
The 2023-2024 Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct was approved by the Board of Trustees on Monday, July 31^st.   

Important changes include:   

• Mandatory disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) placements for first-time offenses of e-cigarettes or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). (Students are no longer sent to the DAEP “on the subsequent vaping infraction” due to legislative changes in HB 114 that add e-cigarettes and THC as specific mandatory placements.)  
• Added permissive placements to the DAEP for:  
• Engaging in multiple assaults,  
• Engaging in a significant health or safety hazard, or   
• Violating the District’s safety and security expectations.  
• Dress for Success visual to assist students, parents and staff in understanding dress code expectations.  

Parents and students should review the Discipline Management Plan to be aware of the campus and District behavior expectations as well as the potential consequences.  

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

This resource directory was compiled as an aid to our Katy ISD students, parents and community members in locating local resources. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of services by district. This directory includes the most commonly used nonprofit, private, local, state and government resources available and is not intended to be complete. Directory information is rapidly changing and can become outdated. If you find any errors or have information on new resources for consideration, please feel free to contact KatyISDconcerns@katyisd.org.

Community Resource Guide- English/ Community Resource Guide- Spanish

KATY ISD DRESS CODE

The DRESS for Success visual is provided to assist students, parents and staff in understanding dress code expectations. Parents and students should review the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct to be aware of the campus and District behavior expectations as well as the potential consequences. 

ATTEND TODAY, ACHIEVE TOMORROW 

Did you know?

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT                             

Family Technology Resources & Support - Great information and orientation for district technology and how to receive support. 
Password Self Service Tool - Using this tool, you can retrieve your username and/or reset your password using a verification code. 
MyKaty Cloud - Portal for all district applications including HAC and Canvas. 

SOCIAL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) PROGRAM  

SSI provides monthly cash payments to help meet the basic needs of children who have a physical or mental disability. Children under age 18 can get SSI if they meet Social Security’s definition of disability for children and there is limited income and resources in the household. Visit the Social Security Administration website for more information about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children.

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION (ID) BADGES

REMINDER: Every student ID badge includes a unique student ID number that is used to check out library books and textbooks, to purchase food items in the cafeteria, to permit passage to certain club meetings, and to provide easy identification of students in common areas of the school. Secondary students must wear their ID badges at all times during school hours, while on school property. If a student loses the ID, a replacement must be purchased promptly from the designated school office/location. Failure to follow these procedures may be considered a violation of the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. For more information regarding student ID badges, please review the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. 

STUDENT ID INFORMATION

If you are looking for your student’s Katy ID, their ID and other pertinent information can be found on the student’s ID badge. It is located under the bar code and begins with an alpha character. Additionally, the Katy ID can also be found by logging into Home Access Center (HAC). Click on the Registration icon – Demographic Tab and locate the field called Student ID.   

SPEAKUP ANONYMOUS REPORTING APP     

             
SpeakUP is the anonymous reporting platform that students, parents, and patrons can use to report safety concerns, bullying, threats of violence, drug use, as well as any other concerns related to student physical or mental health. SpeakUP is available for download in the Apple Store or Google Play. It is also available on all District websites, computers and District devices. SpeakUP provides an opportunity for the Katy ISD community to anonymously provide valuable information to District administration and law enforcement that will help keep our students safe.            

#KatyISDSafety: CAMPUS EXTERIOR DOORS SAFETY SIGNAGE 

All campuses' exterior doors have safety signage indicating that exterior doors must remain closed and locked. The purpose of the signage is to reinforce and remind all staff and students to take the extra precaution of ensuring that doors are closed and locked at all times, and to not open a door for anyone trying to enter. All campus exterior doors already have signage directing all visitors to utilize the main entrance for access to campuses and not side entrances.  These stickers should be left in place, with the new yellow sticker above placed inside over this sticker, allowing the external message to remain outward.  All staff and students should avoid allowing anyone without a district identification badge to “tailgating” or following them into a district facility.  

CHILD FIND

Child Find is a process designed to identify, locate, and evaluate individuals from birth to 21 years of age who may need special education and related services. If you are concerned that your child may have a disability, contact your student’s school for more information about the Child Find process or click on the following link: Katy ISD Child Find Information Page

NATIONAL CHILD ID PROGRAM

During the last legislative session, Senate Bill 2158 was passed, which requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide parents with an inkless, in-home child fingerprint and DNA identification card for children in grades K-8.  If ever needed, parents may submit this kit to federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement to help locate and return a missing or trafficked child. On behalf of the State of Texas, Katy ISD has distributed these in-home child identification kits to junior high and elementary campuses. Please understand that there is no obligation to use the kit, but if you choose, this will allow you to have a set of fingerprints and DNA for your child that you can keep at home and turn over to law enforcement in case of an emergency. Please do not return the kits (used or unused) to your child’s school.   

PARENT COMMUNITY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

In partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Crime Stoppers Houston hosts the webinar series: S.A.V.E. (Safety Awareness. Valuable Education). This series serves as a platform for discussion on many topics that concern the safety of our schools and community.  These topics include: mental health, human trafficking, social media and internet safety. Please see the link for upcoming webinars available. S.A.V.E. Webinar Series

2023-2024 STATE TESTING CALENDAR 

STAAR testing dates are posted on the Department of Research, Assessment, and Accountability website. For questions regarding local and state assessments, contact your Campus Testing Coordinator. 

CREDIT BY EXAM (CBE) TESTING

Katy ISD offers Credit by Examination for acceleration at every grade level and subject area offered in accordance with the Texas State Board of Education rules. A student is allowed to advance one grade level or one course per subject per academic year. Katy ISD offers four Credit by Examination testing windows throughout the year. Credit By Exam test results are entered in the Home Access Center (HAC) under the testing tab within six weeks of testing.   

2023-2024 KATY ISD SEMESTER EXAM EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS  

Semester exam exemptions will be offered during Fall & Spring Semesters for the 2023 – 2024 school year.  Below are the required semester exemption requirements. In KISD, Semester Exam Exemptions are offered as attendance and behavior incentives for students. Exemptions are determined by course.   

To qualify for an exam exemption in a course, a student must have met the following criteria per semester, per course:  

1. An average of 80 or higher for the semester.  

2. No more than FIVE (5) non-school related absences (see note below).  

3. No more than TEN (10) tardies; 

4. No N in conduct for the course and no U in conduct for any 

5. No ISS, OSS, OAC/DAEP Placement, or JJAEP Placement.   

6. No outstanding fees or fines.   

7. Must have been enrolled in the course by the 10^th day of instruction; and  

8. Meet campus specific requirements related to exemption submission deadlines and verification procedures for securing their exemptions.    

The number of available exemptions per grade level is as follows:  
 
Please note: The following absence codes do NOT count toward the five (5) allowable excused & unexcused absences:  

• P:  Present but not in class   
• S:  School-sponsored curricular and extra-curricular activity that is not UIL related  
• V:  UIL and other competitive activity   

Final Exam Exemption Clarifications:  

• Except for seniors, students may not exempt the same course final for both the fall and spring semesters.  
• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams:  
• Students enrolled in an AP course who successfully sit for the AP exam for that course may elect to exempt the final exam in the Spring semester.    
• The final exam exemption for an AP exam does not count toward the maximum number of exemptions for that student’s grade level.  

HCC Dual Credit & College Prep courses CANNOT be exempted.  

ADVANCED ACADEMICS    

The Katy Advanced Program (KAP) provides students with an opportunity to engage in above-grade level coursework in the areas of math, science, language arts, and social studies. KAP courses are available beginning in 6th grade and are open to all students. Every student is encouraged to take at least one advanced level course in an area of interest. Additional information can be found on the  Gifted/Talented & Advanced Academics Website    

CAREER EXPLORATION FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS MATH AND ACCOUNTING ACTIVITIES  

SECONDARY COURSE FEES 

The Course Fee List is located in our SchooLinks Online Course Catalog under student resources. Please note all new course fees will go into effect starting with the upcoming academic school year. Contact your child’s counselor if you have questions.    

SECONDARY IPR (Interim Progress Report) and Report Card Dates 

To view your student’s IPR/ Report Card, login to MyKaty Cloud and select the Home Access (HAC) tile: 

Select the “Grades” icon – IPR or Report Card Tab 

GPA EXEMPT COURSE INFORMATION

(Deadline to submit application Today, February 16, 2024, at 11:59pm)  

High school students are encouraged to pursue their areas of special talents and interest to enrich their academic experience. Students are encouraged to continue in their Fine Art, Athletic, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs as they continue to excel in their academic and extra/co-curricular endeavors. Once approved, students will receive credit for the GPA exempt course but will have their grade excluded from the GPA and class rank computation. Students must have a 4.0 or above GPA and maintain a B average in the GPA exempt course to qualify and maintain eligibility. This option is available to students in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th full year. View the GPA Exempt Course Information for a list of courses identified as GPA-exempt eligible for this school year.  

TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS

Current 9^th – 12^th grade and ALL alumni students will request high school transcripts through SchooLinks Transcript Request.  

Immunization records for the class of 2022 and 2023 can be requested via Schoolinks 

COLLEGE & CAREER INFORMATION

NOTE: Scholarship and event information is listed as a service to our community. The information provided through SchooLinks, campus websites, social media, Canvas pages, and district communication is a free resource. While we aim to keep the information up to date and accurate, information may change at any time without notice. For complete and updated information, always refer to the official website of the scholarship provider or organization. The inclusion of any link or opportunity does not imply Katy ISD’s endorsement or approval of the linked site, viewpoints, or content. Guardians and students are encouraged to do their due diligence before choosing to apply or participate. 

All featured scholarship opportunities can be found on the Scholarship Opportunities webpage. 

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE (CDL) CERTIFICATION AT RAINES ACADEMY  

Beginning in the fall 2023 semester, Katy ISD is offering a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Student Training and Licensing Program to rising 12th-grade students turning 18 and interested in obtaining a CDL. The Raines Academy CDL program will provides training and licensing for Class A (no additional endorsement) or Class A with a Class B Passenger/School Bus Endorsement. If you would like to apply for or request more information, please contact the Raines Academy College and Career Facilitator, Norma White, at normajwhite@katyisd.org or 281-237-2308.     

STUDENT WORK PROGRAM 

 
Students attending Raines Academy may take advantage of the flexible school day scheduling to also obtain employment with Katy ISD as a temporary student worker in either the Communications, Technology or Operations departments. Students taking advantage of this paid, employment opportunity will have access to transportation to their work location, a work schedule that is designed around their class schedule and the skills and experience to be a top candidate for full-time employment with Katy ISD following high school graduation. For more information about this exciting program, Raines students may contact the College and Career Facilitator, Norma White normajwhite@katyisd.org who coordinates the Student Work Program.   

ATHLETICS

Athletics Calendar of events

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) SERVICES

Katy ISD will offer Electrocardiogram or (ECG) services with our physicals. This is volunteer and not required to participate in UIL Activities. The cost will be $20 for the ECG and $30 for the Physical. These are separate charges. Below are some FAQ’s. This will kick off at our Cheerleading Physical date on February 20, 2024, at Legacy Stadium. Read through the Frequently Asked Questions flyer for more information on heart screening. 

FINE ARTS   

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 
Katy ISD Community Education is officially open for Spring 2024 registration. Our diverse array of classes, housed at Cinco Ranch and Taylor High Schools, includes offerings in art, dance, music, culinary arts, health & wellness, gardening, business, finance, retirement & long-term planning, computer skills, personal safety, and Spanish. Classes are open to adult learners in our community. Discover the possibilities by browsing our course catalog and register through the Katy ISD Pay-N-Go system.

VOLUNTEERS & RAPTOR REGISTRATION  

Katy ISD’s Raptor safety protocol requires volunteers to register (or re-register) annually thus creating a new volunteer profile each year. Our 2023-2024 school year volunteer registration process launched on July 1. The link is included in the district’s PowerSchool student enrollment and is readily available via campus eNews and on district and campus websites.   

 Learn more about the Raptor Volunteer Initiative on the district’s website. 

KATY ISD IS HIRING!

Bus drivers, food service, custodial, repair teams, teachers, aides and more! bit.ly/ApplyKatyISD