We are a family of band lovers. I was in band starting in middle school … and then taught color guard after high school for nearly 20 years. My husband is still teaching marching band after school 3-4 times a week. We love it because of what it’s given to us, but even more so because we love the kids in the group.

Band kids ARE the best (and brightest) kids in the world!

I was thrilled to receive this from our Superintendent. A terrible tragedy indeed, but great strides made by remarkable kids to make the best of a horrible situation.

A  Reason to be Proud

I have mentioned on more than one occasion that what makes Katy a special place isn’t the scenic vistas, but the people that comprise this community. Many times we have the opportunity to observe firsthand the positive aspects of our community, whether it be through our schools, churches or neighborhoods. There are, however, positive events that happen in our community  that you many not hear about. I received an e-mail this week from a parent who shared with me one of these positive experiences which, unfortunately, evolved out of a tragedy, and I want to share it with you.

As many of you know, a band student at Seven Lakes High School recently lost his life in a car accident. While this accident certainly impacted the entire Seven Lakes community, especially the band, it was through this tragedy that we got a glimpse of just how caring, compassionate and thoughtful our students can be.

At the marching competition the next day, the Katy High School band stayed late to cheer for the Spartan band to give them the extra encouragement they needed. At the same competition, the Mayde Creek band observed a moment of silence before their show, and at Saturday night’s game wore blue and orange ribbons on their uniforms. Last Friday, the Taylor High School band hosted an ice cream social at Seven Lakes after band practice and also re-wrote their drill for last week’s performance so that at the end they would have a  €˜7’ and an  €˜L’ intertwined on the field.

The way our young people responded in support of their classmates  €“ even those at different schools  €“ during difficult times demonstrates to me the values they’ve learned from their own families as well as from our school families. This is just one example, yet I know that every day students across our district are doing positive things to contribute to others. Their actions can make us all proud to be part of this community.

Alton Frailey