Cy-Fair ISD is still looking for volunteers to help out with the Bus Buddy program come this August. Bus Buddies is a three-day volunteer program where volunteers ride on school buses with elementary students to help them get off at the right stop.
The program requires one “Bus Buddy” per elementary bus the first three days of school. The approximate time commitment is from 2:45– 4:45 p.m. Aug. 23-25.
Duties include assisting the bus driver with getting the children off the bus at their correct stops.
Requirements include attendance at one of the training sessions, if not previously trained; arrival and sign-in at the assigned school where campus staff will assist you; and enjoying helping the kids and the driver.
Training sessions will be held at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Posted on Aug 03, 2010 | Tagged in: nature , community , Bridgeland
The Bridgeland community is hosting a public seminar about the many birds of prey that both migrate through and reside in the area 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Lakeland Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing.
The event also will include a guided field trip through the community 7-11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, to view the raptors firsthand.
The class will provide an overview of native and migratory birds of prey. Students will learn when to watch for raptors, where to find them, which binoculars are best for birding and other principles and techniques for identification.
Teaching the class is Glenn Olsen, one of the Houston area’s authorities on birds. Olsen teaches bird identification, gardening and nature-related classes at Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. He is an instructor for the Houston Audubon Society’s birding classes and has served as vice president of education for the organization. He also leads professional birding and nature tours for groups and individuals both locally and to popular nature destinations such as Big Bend, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands.
More than 140 species of birds have been identified in Bridgeland, which is located along the eastern boundary of the Katy Prairie. Several of the identified birds are raptors, including the great horned owl, red-shouldered hawk and Eastern screech owl, which reside in the community all year, and the bald eagle and peregrine falcon, which can be seen more frequently during winter months. With 3,000 acres of open space, Bridgeland follows a sensitive land plan that preserves and enhances several natural areas within the community, maintaining the abundant plant and animal wildlife indigenous to the area.
Cost for the class is $30 per resident and $40 per non-resident. To register, click here.
Posted on Aug 03, 2010 | Tagged in: Lonestar College , education , community , Bridgeland
Interested in a great experience with like-minded people for whom learning has never gone out of style? Join the Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) at Lone Star College-CyFair.
For adults ages 50 and older only, A.L.L. offers a variety of leisure classes, lectures and informal activities. An annual membership fee of $20 (September 2010 through August 2011) entitles members to student discounts and the use of the college’s fitness center.
The fall session will include a diverse set of classes in areas such as gardening, travel, history, health care, photography, woodwork, art and many others. A few classes have limited enrollment, so register early.
Fall registration will be held 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 28, in the Conference Center on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Barker Cypress.
For information, go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair-all or call the Continuing Education office at 281.290.3460.
From the Lone Star College-CyFair website
Preliminary 2010 TAKS results indicate that Cypress-Fairbanks ISD will retain its status as the largest Recognized district in Texas for the third consecutive year.
Based on TAKS performance, 74 of CFISD’s 76 campuses (97 percent) are
Recognized or Exemplary using the standard accountability system—an increase from 85 percent in 2009.
The district achieved Exemplary status in 23 of the TEA’s 25 TAKS indicators, while the other two indicators are at the Recognized level. This is an increase from 18 of 25 indicators in 2009.
The district’s TAKS results are even more impressive considering that CFISD’s 2010 testing population includes 2,850 more students taking TAKS or TAKS-A over 2009.
“We are tremendously pleased with our students’ TAKS gains across the
board—namely increasing the number of indicators reaching the Exemplary level. Ninety-two percent of the 25 areas measured were at or above the Exemplary threshold,” said Roy Garcia, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction and school administration. “We credit our students for their dedication to personal academic achievement, as well as our teachers and administrators who were committed to making these advancements.”
The official 2010 Accountability Ratings will be released on July 30, 2010.
Posted on Jun 17, 2010 | Tagged in: lifestyle , events , community , Bridgeland
Young local thespians will present "Abracadabra Aladdin!" June 23-26 at the Houston Family Arts Center, 10760 Grant Road.
This adaption of the popular fairy tale is full of adventurous fun and engaging music, three genies, the whimpering "Ali Bubba," the haughty sultan's wife, and — of course — Aladdin and Jasmine.
Performances are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at www.houstonfac.com or by calling the box office at 281/685-6374.
"Abracadabra Aladdin!" is part of the arts center's summer performance camps for children, where campers learn to create their own sets, props and costumes, and rehearse and perform a show in front of a live audience. Upcoming performances include "Kung Fu Kitty," July 21-24, and "Hansel and Gretel," Aug. 11-14.
Posted on Jun 16, 2010 | Tagged in: lifestyle , events , community , Bridgeland
Cirque du Soleil Alegria — a baroque ode to the energy, grace and power of youth — comes to Cypress in eight performances at the Berry Center June 16-20.
The themes of the show, whose name means "jubilation" in Spanish, are many. Power and the handing down of power over time, the evolution from ancient monarchies to modern democracies, old age, youth and more. Characters such as minstrels, court jesters, beggars, old aristocrats and children take the audience on a fanciful journey through time.
Performance dates are 7:30 p.m. June 16 and 17, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. June 18 and 19, and 1 and 5 p.m. June 20. Ticket prices range from $32 to $95.
The Berry Center is located at 8877 Barker-Cypress Road. For tickets to Cirque du Soleil or information on upcoming events, visit http://www.berrycenter.net/.
Posted on Jun 07, 2010 | Tagged in: sports , events , Bridgeland
(Cypress, TX – May 25, 2010) Baseball fans will be crying “Take me out to the Bridgeland community,” July 10 to see HomeAid Houston’s 2010 Project Playhouse, “The Vintage Astros Dugout” and enjoy a day of baseball-themed fun.
The event, set for 10 a.m. to noon, showcases the playhouse, built in honor of the Astros’ 45th year as a ball club. It is the perfect getaway for the young baseball fan, including bench seating from the Astros dugout in Minute Maid Park (complete with cleat marks), a wall-mounted 32-inch HDTV, a Nintendo Wii, a DVD player and an 8,000 BTU air conditioner with remote control.
Raffle tickets will be on sale for the playhouse for $5 each. Raffle ticket holders also will have a chance to win a ball or hat signed by Lance Berkman, Jeff Bagwell, Hunter Pence and Brad Mills, or four tickets to an upcoming game. Astros’ mascot Junction Jack will be in Bridgeland for the event, as will the Cy-Ranch High School baseball team. Visitors also can participate in a free batting clinic and enjoy complimentary hot dogs, refreshments and giveaways.
Project Playhouse is a major fund-raising event for HomeAid Houston, which works to provide shelter for the homeless in the greater Houston area and to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. David Weekley built the 10-foot by 10-foot playhouse with donated materials, labor and services from members of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA). The playhouse will debut at the GHBA New Home and Remodeling Show in Reliant Park June 12 and 13. In addition to being in Bridgeland, the playhouse will be on display at Minute Maid Park July 23 through Aug. 19. Bridgeland is a lead sponsor of this year’s project.
For more information on Project Playhouse, visit the HomeAid Houston website at http://www.homeaidhouston.org/index.html.
Posted on Jun 02, 2010 | Tagged in: nature , education , community , Bridgeland
Bridgeland is inviting area residents to two upcoming classes, an introduction to bird watching and a seminar on organic gardening.
“Birds of Bridgeland” will begin with classroom training 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Lakeland Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing, and continue with a guided bird-watching tour of Bridgeland 7-11 a.m. Saturday, June 26.
During the class and field trip, participants will discover the common birds that make Bridgeland their home, as well as the many birds that flock to Bridgeland during migration. They will learn the basic principles of bird identification and receive advice about binoculars and other tools for bird-watching.
Cost for the class is $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents.
The organic gardening class will address planting for both the landscape and the vegetable garden 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 14. Topics to be discussed include why soil is key to organic gardening, how to improve the soil for healthier plants, which organic practices to use in landscaping, pest management and tips and techniques for the long-term health of the landscape and garden. Cost is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents.
Protection and fitness will be the focus of a series of self-defense classes slated in Bridgeland this summer. The classes are open to the public.
Classes are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 9; 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26; 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7; 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17; 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4; and 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. Classes will be held at the community’s Lakeland Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing.
Key points of the class include how to fight more than one person and win, how to increase your chances of surviving a home invasion or carjacking, the most effective way to get a 250-pound person off of you in seconds and the additional weight loss and strength-building benefits of self defense.
Cost for a single class is $40 per resident or $55 per non-resident. Residents can register for multiple classes at a reduced rate: $70 for two classes; $110, three classes; $150, four classes; $190, five classes; and $210 for six classes.
Teaching the classes is Terry Tom, a certified self-defense instructor who has 15 years of experience in the fitness and martial arts field. Tom specializes in counter-assault for women, Jeet Kune Do concepts, escrima, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, jiu-jitsu boxing and Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Posted on Jun 02, 2010 | Tagged in: sports , health and fitness , community , Bridgeland
Soccer fans will get a kick out of Bridgeland’s summer schedule with a series of soccer camps planned.
Session dates are June 14-18, June 21-25, July 19-23, July 26-30, Aug. 2-6 and Aug. 9-13. The camp, which will be held from 5:15-8:15 p.m. Monday through Friday at Bridgeland’s Soccer Park, will introduce and reinforce soccer drills and skills. Participants will play a World Cup-style tournament during the week, culminating in a championship game. Each camper will receive a T-shirt and soccer ball.
The camp is open to Bridgeland residents and non-residents ages 6 to 13 years old. Cost is $100 per resident or $110 per non-resident. The registration fee is discounted $10 when registering for both sessions. Campers must bring shin guards and soccer cleats.
The soccer camps are part of Bridgeland’s busy summer calendar, which includes several other activities open to the public. For more information about the soccer camps or other events, visit www.bridgelandlife.com. Also register online at Bridgelandlife.com/registration.
