KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 8, 2022
By Natalie Cook Clark
The first Katy ISD summer school session had a rough start this week with scheduling issues, navigating the new HB 4545, and safety concerns. The District asks parents to reach out with questions and/or concerns.
A Summer School Message Went Out in Error Causing Crowding
This week Cinco Ranch High School opened the District’s first summer school session with confusion and large crowds. According to the District, a message requesting all summer program students to report to the school went out in error last week. This resulted in overcrowding as students not scheduled to start Monday arrived for their classes.
Katy ISD Offering Several Summer School Programs
“The District is offering a number of summer school programs this year,” says Maria Corrales DiPetta Manager, Media Relations and Multimedia for Katy ISD. “As part of the new HB 4545, for instance, districts are required to provide accelerated instruction for eligible students who did not pass the spring STAAR.”
According to Texas Education Agency (TEA,) House Bill 4545 was passed during the 87th legislative session and calls for acceleration instruction practices required during the 2021-2022 school year for all students. TEA has provided guidance and support for local education agencies.
In addition to their summer school programs, Katy ISD will also offer Credit Recovery for eligible students beginning June 14.
According to the District, 3,000 students are currently enrolled in summer school programs. They currently do not have a break-down District STAAR test results.
Katy Teachers Express Safety Concerns
Teachers who reported to Cinco Ranch High School this week express concerns over the safety they saw. One teacher described many students being let in without ID checks. Teachers told Katy Magazine that at least three fights have broken out during the first two days of school.
One teacher got the call to work over the weekend. She was excited to make some extra money. She says that 20 or more classes were added at the last minute to accommodate HB 4545. This left the District seeking teachers at the last minute.
“The safety issue is urgent in my eyes,” says one Katy ISD teacher, who didn’t want to use her name. “I hope there are no more fights today, as those can turn deadly.”
Katy ISD's Anonymous Reporting App Operates Year Round
As always, the District offers their Speak UP app , a free anonymously reporting app. The app functions year-round and allows students, parents, staff, and community members to anonymously report tips or dangerous situations to the District.
“The District looks forward to serving our students this summer and asks parents to contact campus programs directly with any questions or concerns,” says DiPetta. Katy ISD asks that parents reach out to them with any summer school questions and/or concerns.
For general inquiries Email: summerschool@katyisd.org
For elementary inquiries Email: elementarysummerschool@katyisd.org
For junior high inquiries Email: juniorhighsummerschool@katyisd.org
For high school inquiries Email:highschoolsummerschool@katyisd.org