11 Katy ISD Must Knows for Parents

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

August 6, 2024

By Natalie Cook Clark

Katy ISD students return to school August 14, 2024 and everyone is prepping for the new academic year. Katy ISD has released important information to help Katy families prepare for the new year. Here is what you need to know.

Don’t miss out on important Katy ISD information ahead of the new academic year. From bell schedules, understanding the new device policy, meet the teacher information, how to track your bus rider, and more.

1. Enrollment Information/ Schedules Available

Enrollment is still open for new Katy ISD students. All current families should have received an email with information regarding their Annual Student Update. This provides parents with the chance to easily update and verify information. Even if you don’t have any changes, all families must complete the Annual Student Update.

You can access both the new student enrollment and the Annual Student Update at the website.

Student teacher assignments and schedules will be available Monday on the Katy ISD's Home Access Center. Remember that even though junior high and high school schedules will be shared there, they aren't final until the first day of school.

2. District Device Implementation (NEW)

New this school year, Katy ISD will launch its CLASS 1:1 Student to Device Implementation, equipping each student in grades 3-12 with a Chromebook for school and home use.

“We are excited about equipping every third through 12th grade student with their own device through the CLASS 1:1 program,” said Dr. Sanée Bell, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in Katy ISD. “This means consistent access to learning tools and resources, maximizing valuable classroom time. The CLASS 1:1 initiative will enhance teaching and personalized learning experiences, empowering students to reach their full potential.”

Each campus will have its own distribution plan for Chromebooks and families are encouraged to contact their student’s school directly with questions.

Families may also purchase insurance for their student’s device through PowerSchool. The cost is $20 per student device per school year and covers the cost of two repairs or one replacement device. Lost chargers and broken Chromebook cases are not covered by insurance.

Families may contact the District’s Family Technology Resources and Support line for help with their device or other technology needs. Visit the CLASS 1:1 webpage for more information and video tutorials on how to use the device.

3. SMART Tag Bus Rider ID System Replaced by SMART Tag App (NEW)

This school year, the SMART Tag web-based Parent Portal will be replaced by the SMART Tag app, which will send push notifications to registered mobile devices and tablets, providing parents with instant updates about delays, route alterations, or emergencies.

The SMART Tag app will provide families with real-time information compared to the web portal because the information will come directly from the app instead of through parents’ mobile carrier,” says Roy Kloeber, Associate Director for Transportation in Katy ISD.

Every Katy ISD bus is equipped with a tablet that reads the ID cards of student riders when they board and exit a bus. The system also helps drivers to verify the identity and bus route of each rider.

Parents who already have a SMART Tag account will be able to use the same log-in information on the app.  

Parents may download the app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

4. Know Your School's Schedule

Katy ISD’s elementary bell schedule staggers their start times in effort to maximize bus routes, minimize service delays, and accommodate for ongoing driver shortages. This schedule only affects elementary campuses, the bell schedule for junior high and high school remains the same.

Know Your Schools Start Time

Tier A Elementary Campuses First Bell: 7:43 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 7:50 a.m.; Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.

· Alexander

· Campbell

· Cimarron

· Faldyn

· Hayes

· Hutsell

· Mayde Creek

· McRoberts

· Memorial Parkway

· Rhoads

· Rylander

· Sundown

· Winborn

· WoodCreek

· Youngblood

Mid-Tier Elementary Campuses First Bell: 8:03 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 8:10 a.m.; Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.

· Bear Creek

· Bethke

· Bryant

· Exley

· Fielder

· Franz

· Golbow

· Griffin

· Holland

· Katy

· McElwain

· Morton Ranch

· Nottingham

· Randolph

· Shafer

· Stanley

· West Memorial

· Williams

· Wilson

· Wolfe

Tier B Elementary Campuses First Bell: 8:23 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 8:30 a.m.; Dismissal: 3:40 p.m.

· Creech

· Davidson

· Jenks

· Kilpatrick

· King

· Leonard

· Pattison

· Robertson

· Schmalz

· Stephens

· Wolman

This elementary bell schedule was new to many school last year, bime this year it remains the same. Next year Katy ISD will open two new elementary schools so times could adjust again.

Junior High Schools: First Bell: 8:48 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 8:55 a.m.; Dismissal: 4:05 p.m.

High Schools: First Bell: 7:08 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 7:15 a.m.; Dismissal: 2:35 p.m.

5. Secondary Book Notifications

Parents of junior high and high school students can set up a notification for when their student checked out a “young adult fiction” book from the library. Parents can elect this notification when filling out the Annual Student Update.

If a parent didn’t elect this notification and wishes to make a change they can still request the notification via email.

6. Free and Reduced Meals for2024-2025 School Year

Applications for families who may meet the requirments for their students to recieve Free and Reduced Meals this school year are now available and should be completed by September 26, 2024. If returning to this program, families still must complete an application to ensure they don't lose eligibility.

Students at the following campuses have access to free breakfast and lunch meals under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) designation, and families at these campuses do not need to complete the application:

• Bear Creek Elementary

• Bethke Elementary

• Cimarron Elementary

• Faldyn Elementary

• Franz Elementary

• Golbow Elementary

• Hayes Elementary

• Hutsell Elementary

• King Elementary

• Leonard Elementary

• Mayde Creek Elementary

• McRoberts Elementary

• Memorial Parkway Elementary

• Morton Ranch Elementary

• Rhoads Elementary

• Schmalz Elementary

• Stephens Elementary

• Sundown Elementary

• West Memorial Elementary

• Winborn Elementary

• Wolfe Elementary

• Youngblood Elementary

• Cardiff Junior High

• Haskett Junior High

• Katy Junior High

• Mayde Creek Junior High

• McDonald Junior High

• Memorial Parkway Junior High

• Morton Ranch Junior High

• West Memorial Junior High

• Mayde Creek High School

• Morton Ranch High School

• Opportunity Awareness Center

See if your student meets the requirements for free and reduces meals with Katy ISD online. All families must reapply for this program even if they previously met the requirements.

7. Communication and Technology You Need to Know

The District is offering "Technology Parent Webinars" on the following dates to help families get familiar with the technology used to ensure your student's success. All sessions will be on Zoom. Click on the time for the meeting link.

August 6, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

August 8, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

August 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

August 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

If you can't make any of these sessions, you can still learn from helpful videos here.

Home Access Center (HAC): This will be your main form of communication is accessing student schedules, grades, report cards, and more.

CANVAS: This is the parent and student guide to their year inside and outside of the classroom. This is important to understand and learn well to prepare for a successful year.

Student District Emails: Each Katy student has access to their own District email. This is how they will handle school related communication. Parents and students can access this through My Katy Cloud. If you have trouble logging in, contact your home campus.

Tech Support: Having trouble? Katy ISD offers Technology Support to assist families as we begin a new school year. Learn more about District technology, upcoming webinars, and support online.

8. Immunizations

According to the District, all students enrolled in Katy ISD must be in compliance with required state immunizations. Updated vaccine records must be submitted to the campus nurse prior to starting school. Junior High and High School students won't be allowed to pick up their schedule until that has been done.

9. Pay 'N' Go and Athletic Schedule

Get to know the District's Pay 'N' Go. This is how Katy families can maintain their school cafeteria payments as well as buy tickets to both athletic and fine arts events.

The Varsity Football Schedule is out. See when your team is playing. Tickets can be purchased online, at the high schools, and at the stadium box office.

Follow other Katy ISD athletic schedules online.

10. Discipline Management Plan/Dress for Success

The Katy ISD Board of Trustees passed issued a new Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct last year. The new disciplinary addressed a new State law regarding vaping. Vaping results in automatic OAC placement.

To help Katy families with back to school shopping, the District created an easy visual to explain the dress code that will be strictly enforced. Tax free weekend in this weekend August 10-11, 2024.

Graphic issued from Katy ISD last year, but still accurate.

11. Katy ISD Volunteers

The District requires all volunteers serving on campus during the instructional day to register with the district through its Raptor security system online.

After an individual is registered and approved, they can contact their school campus to volunteer and sign up for various activities. Volunteers can also submit and track volunteer hours through this system.

Additional Back to School Information

Meet this teacher is scheduled for August 12, 2024. Junior highs and high schools are holding times for students to walk their schedules. Check with your school campus for information. Follow Katy ISD online for more back-to-school information.

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