Director’s Blog

12/16/21

Announcements

6K had their first round of competition for Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO).  All groups presented to independent judges, we had eight team who will advance to the San Antonio Civics Fair in January.

7K are finishing their pen project and their ornament project this week and will plan their next rocket for launch after the first of the year.

As you know, 8K students who successfully complete KSAT receive automatic admission into the Engineering Technology Academy at Roosevelt (ETA).  I have been asked to provide our 8k students with the attached Smore to provide the students with information about the program and a link to the Google Form where the students can indicate their interest in accepting the seat at ETA. This form needs to be completed by January 29.  If you would like to investigate ETA, visit their website at https://www.neisd.net/eta . Contact ETA with additional questions.

Important dates:

Recruiting season began in late October.  The next recruiting event is the KSAT Open House on January 19, 2022- 5:30-7:30 pm in the Krueger Cafeteria.  Encourage anyone you know who is interested to come that evening.  The application can be found at www.neisd.net/ksat  .  The deadline to apply for all magnet programs (middle school and high school) is February 7.

Tomorrow is the last day of the 1^st semester. The first day back from the break and the beginning of the second semester is January 3, 2022.

Final Thoughts

In my last blog, I announced my retirement at the end of the semester.  That day has come.  My daughter is graduating with her Masters tomorrow at Dallas Baptist University so I will not be on campus tomorrow.  This time before my retirement has been bittersweet. I have reflected on many wonderful memories and have reconnected with old friends and colleagues.

I told the faculty yesterday that NEISD has changed a great deal since we moved here.  1604 from 281 to I 35 was a two-lane road affectionately known as the death loop because there were several intersection where the road turned directly into the sun which made seeing the traffic signal very difficult.  North of 1604 was ranch land and rock quarries.  Windsor Park mall (currently Rackspace for those who are new to the area) was a happening place. The Spurs played in Hemisphere Arena.

The world is a different place now. When I started my masters, we still used the card catalogue and microfiche to look for books.  I remember the first time I connected to the internet using a dial up modem. I thought was really cool.  Today, that connectivity is required to function. Technology is moving rapidly and at times, I have struggled to keep pace. It has also challenged me as an administrator because I have seen the good and the bad of the world wide web.

I was thinking about my various campuses.  I have worked at the newest campus in the district and several of the oldest. The consistency I found across all the campuses was the quality of the teachers and the instruction they provided. The same quality is here at KSAT.  I told a parent yesterday that the teachers and the kids make this program work.  My goal has always been to select quality teachers and quality students so the success of KSAT continues well beyond my time as director.

It will be weird after 34 years of working in education to get up in the morning and not go to school. The part that scares me the most is that I know I will miss the people, both students and adults. Over the years, I have enjoyed watching students grow up and thrive as adults.  It has been my hope that I have contributed to their success.  My plan is to fill the days with travel and golf as much as I can while I try to figure out what “I want to be when I grow up”.  

Thanks again for entrusting your children to me and KSAT.

God Bless. 

Stephen Watson Ed.D.

Director of the Krueger School of Applied Technologies

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Director’s Blog

December 3, 2021

Announcements

6K is hard at work on their Speak Up, Speak Out presentations. Students will present on our campus on December 14 with the top teams advancing to Texas A&M San Antonio on January 19.

7K had a launch this week.  They had 45 successful rocket launches. Semester exams for high school courses are coming during the next two weeks.  Check with your child for specific dates and help them prepare for these important exams.

8K Student Launch students will be presenting at Oak Meadow’s STEAM Fest on December 7^th. Similar to 7K, 8K students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding on semester final exams in their high school credit courses over the next two weeks.  This is important preparation for the challenges they will face in high school.

On Monday December 13^th, ETA will be visiting our students in Mrs. Thomas’ classes to discuss automatic admission into the ETA program our 8K students receive.  Look for more information over the next couple of weeks and month for information on how to claim that seat at ETA. If you would like to investigate ETA, visit their website at https://www.neisd.net/eta .

Important dates:

Recruiting season will began in late October.  There is only one middle school magnet night and one high school magnet night left.   If you have 4^th or 5^th grade children or friends,  or if you have an 8^th grade students looking for a high school program that fits their interest, please encourage them to attend one of the Magnet Nights found at the link.

Here is what you need to know for the week of December 6th:

-       Monday, December 6 – PTA Board Meeting @ 4:30 pm in room 105. Save the

        date for the next general PTA (and membership) meeting on December 14

        @5:30 pm prior to the KMS Band Holiday Concert.

-       Tuesday, December 7 - Picture retakes (uniforms are not required on this

        day)

-       Winter Choir/Orchestra Concert @ 6 pm in cafetorium.

The end of the first semester and the last day before the winter break is December 17.

The first day back from the break and the beginning of the second semester is January 3, 2022.

Final Thoughts

With the end of the first semester coming soon, review your child’s grades in SKYWARD Parent Access and if needed, work with your child and their teachers to improve their grades for the semester.

As the fall semester comes to an end, I want to inform you that I will be retiring from NEISD the last day of December.  A new director will take over in the spring. It was a difficult decision, but my family and I believe that it is time. I have been in education for 34 years and in North East ISD for 31 of those years.  I began in NEISD as a teacher at Eisenhower Middle School and have been an administrator for the past 22 years.  I came to KSAT in the fall of 2013.  During my time at KSAT, I enjoyed getting to know your students at lunch and as we have traveled to the Renaissance Festival, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, the TARC National Fly Off in Washington DC and too many rocket launches and other field trips to mention.  It has been a joy recruiting and working with the KSAT students and their parents over these past 8 years.  I will miss the kids and the teachers greatly.  KSAT is a wonderful place to work, and I hope that I have made at least some modest improvements during my tenure.  Several have asked what I will do after I retire. I hope to play golf frequently and travel with my wife to visit our parents in Colorado and North Texas. Beyond that, I am open to other adventures and opportunities that may present themselves along the way.

Thanks again for entrusting your children to me and KSAT.

God Bless. 

Stephen Watson Ed.D.

Director of the Krueger School of Applied Technologies

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube- Krueger School of Applied Technologies - KSAT

Director’s Blog

October 8, 2021

Announcements

6K had their first launch this week.  They were able to launch their bottle Rockets on the football field.

 

6K will begin the Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO) PBL on October 13 with special guest, Texas State Senator Jose Menendez and Heather Vaughn from the UT Moody College of Communications who sponsor SUSO.  Look for information about the requirements for this project from Mrs. Femmel.  The best projects at KSAT will advance to the local Civic Fair sponsored by UTSA for an opportunity to advance to the State Civics Fair. That competition is in February 2022 at the state capital in Austin.  The past few years, we have advanced teams to the state competition.

 

7K had their first launch on Thursday.  The weather was great, and we had a successful launch day. Their Garden Project will kick off soon.

 

8 KSAT students have been testing out on all general lab and power tool safety!  They are just getting started in the American Rocketry Challenge national competition.  KSAT has participated since 2007.  It is the world’s largest rocketry competition and KSAT has done very well over the years!  The students picked their teams and started using the engineering design process with engineering notebooks in early September.  After building their design in Rocksim, a CAD program used by NASA, each team ordered their parts.  They have just started construction of their team rockets this week. We are planning to launch towards the end of October and in mid November.

At 8K’s tour last week to the Engineering Technology Academy at Roosevelt, they entered numerous classrooms and saw all the unique electives, industry grade machinery, and complex projects that the high schoolers were working on.  Many KSAT Alumni enjoyed seeing their teachers and telling the students how their experience at ETA was a great extension from KSAT.  

 

Important dates:

• Next Monday, October 11 is a School Holiday.
• There will be early release on October 20 and 21. Students will be released at 1:50 pm.
• Picture day will be October 26. Mark your calendar.  More information will be coming about that day

Recruiting season will begin in late October.  If you have 4^th or 5^th grade children or friends,  or if you have an 8^th grade students looking for a high school program that fits their interest, please encourage them to attend one of the Magnet Nights found at the link.

Final Thoughts

October is a month where students should be settling into the school routine.  This is a time for students to work so they can have the grades they desire at the end of the semester.  Check the Parent Access often, and encourage your child to work hard to complete their assignments.

Enjoy the three- day weekend.

 

Stephen Watson Ed.D.

Director of the Krueger School of Applied Technologies

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube- Krueger School of Applied Technologies - KSAT

Director’s Blog

October 1, 2021

Announcements

The 6 weeks progress reports were handed out to the students this morning.  If your child did not receive or bring home their progress report, you may log into Family Access to see your child’s current grades. Reach out to the teachers if you have further questions.

6K will begin the Speak Up Speak Out PBL in the next two weeks.  Look for information about the requirements for this project from Mrs. Femmel.  The best projects at KSAT will advance to the local Civic Fair sponsored by UTSA for an opportunity to advance to the State Civics Fair. That competition is in February 2022 at the state capital in Austin.  The past few years, we have advanced teams to the state competition.

7K is waiting for the weather to cooperate so they can launch their first rocket for the year. With the recent rain, we are hopeful this will happen soon. They also recently visited the Botanical Garden to begin their Garden PBL. More information on the project will be coming soon.

8K visited the Engineering Technology Academy (ETA) at Roosevelt this week.  All KSAT students who end the year in good standing, receive automatic admission to ETA. To complete the busy day, the students began a new Minecraft Engineering Project. The task was to form a team of 3 or 4 “Minecrafttronauts” that had to use a variety of skills and knowledge to work their way through a series of teacher-designed escape rooms. Upon completion, they “traveled” to Mars in a rocket and were greeted with a set of tasks that included the design/construction of an escape room complex and a special mystery task awaiting them in the center of NASA’s Mars settlement.

Important dates:

• October 11 is a School Holiday.
• There will be early release on October 20 and 21. Students will be released at 1:50 pm.
• Picture day will be October 26. Mark your calendar.  More information will be coming about that day

Recruiting season will begin in late October.  If you have 4^th or 5^th grade children or friends,  or if you have an 8^th grade students looking for a high school program that fits their interest, please encourage them to attend one of the Magnet Nights found at the link.

KSAT on Social Media

In addition to the KSAT Twitter page and the Facebook page, KSAT has a YouTube Channel. We are working on new video content to post for this year.

Final Thoughts

We are at the end of week 7. September went by very quickly.  At this time, I feel like we are in a good rhythm and students are acclimated to being back on campus. Remember to reach out to the teachers for specific grading questions.  If there are situations you feel needs my attention, certainly send me an email as well.

Have a great weekend.

 

Stephen Watson Ed.D.

Director of the Krueger School of Applied Technologies

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube- Krueger School of Applied Technologies - KSAT

 

Director’s Blog

September 3, 2021

Week 3 is complete.  KSAT is off to running start.  7K and 8K received their Chromebooks this week.  6K teachers have Chromebooks to use in the classroom. 7K will take our first field trip next week. We will launch our first rockets in late September and early October. We have exciting things happening on campus.

Announcements:

Monday, September 6^th – Labor Day Holiday – No School

Tuesday, September 7^th - Information on upcoming Progress Reports

• Grades are due by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 7^th
• Progress Reports will be available in Family Access on Friday, September 10th

Friday, September 10^th - Early Release: Student release time: 1:50 p.m.

Wear your Red, White, and Blue in honor of Patriot Day.

Saturday, September 11^{th -} Patriot Day on September 11th honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Each year Americans dedicate this day to remembering those who died and to the first responders who risked their own lives to save others. 

Tuesday, September 14 – PTA- Meet the Teacher/ Greenback Night.  The PTA Meeting will begin at 5:00 pm followed by an opportunity for you to walk your child’s schedule and meet all their teachers.  PTA will have a marketplace set up so you may purchase spirit items for your child to wear on Fridays and to join PTA. For more information about PTA, you may go to their website at https://krueger-pta.square.site/.

Absences - Students who are absent need to bring a note to the attendance office when they return. Completion of work in Google classroom may keep your student from falling behind on schoolwork, but they must follow up with a parent or doctor’s note so the attendance office can appropriately code the absence.

For information about the district’s COVID Protocol, visit the Critical Updates page. If you have questions about quarantine protocols, call Nurse Pitts, our school nurse, at 210-356-4703.

More calendar information is posted on the campus and KSAT home page, including football and volleyball schedules and KSAT Field Trips and Launches. 

Repeat Announcements

Bell Schedule

Monday has a different bell schedule than Tuesday through Friday. On Monday, the students get out at 3:20 pm.  Tuesday through Friday, the students are released at 3:50 pm. Click the link to see the bell schedule:  KMS/ KSAT Bell Schedule

Transportation

The KSAT magnet shuttle bus schedule can be found at the following link: KSAT Bus Schedule .If your child rides a Krueger bus, click this link for the Krueger bus routes.

If you have any questions, send me an email, or contact transportation directly.

Social Media- Stay connected to KSAT through our social media accounts:

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Nkk_JH4x20RptyLw33OQA

If you have not done so, please connect with the SKYWARD Parent Access.

 

Have a great weekend.

Stephen Watson, Ed.D.

KSAT Director

Director’s Blog

August 27, 2021

It has been a great two weeks with the kids back on campus.  Here is some information that may be helpful.

PTA Greenback Night will be September 14- 5:30- 7:30 pm.  This is an opportunity for you to walk your child’s schedule to meet all their teachers.  PTA will have a marketplace set up so you may purchase spirit items to wear on Fridays and to join PTA. For more information about PTA, you may go to their website at https://krueger-pta.square.site/.

More calendar information will be coming out soon including football and volleyball schedules and KSAT Field Trips and Launches.  Check the KMS/ KSAT Calendar on our home page

School starts at 8:20. Breakfast begins at 7:45. After Breakfast, all KSAT students will report to the MPC until the entry bell rings.

Here is some information for this school year I sent previously about this year.

Bell Schedule

Monday has a different bell schedule than Tuesday through Friday. On Monday, the students get out at 3:20 pm.  Tuesday through Friday, the students are released at 3:50 pm. Click the link to see the bell schedule:  KMS/ KSAT Bell Schedule

Transportation

We had some hiccups the first week, but I belief those have been worked out. The KSAT magnet shuttle bus schedule can be found at the following link: KSAT Bus Schedule .

If your child rides a Krueger bus, click this link for the Krueger bus routes.

If you have any questions, send me an email, or contact transportation directly.

Social Media- Stay connected to KSAT through our social media accounts:

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Nkk_JH4x20RptyLw33OQA

If you have not done so, please connect with the SKYWARD Parent Access.

To keep parents up to date on the district’s COVID response, NEISD has a link to Critical Information Updates.

As I previously mentioned,  I have a new assistant who started on the first day of school ,August 16.  Rose Gonzalez is her name, and her number is same- 210-356-4706. Her email address is: rgonza22@neisd.net . Please reach out to her with any questions.

Have a great weekend.

Stephen Watson, Ed.D.

KSAT Director

Good Evening KSAT Parents,

Welcome to the 2021- 2022 School Year.

We are so excited to have all the students back on campus.  From our Falcon Camp attendance, it appears that many of you are ready as well.  We had a great turn out and hope you enjoyed the activities of the evenings.

School starts at 8:20 each day. Breakfast begins at 7:45.  On Monday, students will report to their 2^nd period classroom as soon as they finish breakfast or arrive on campus if they are  not eating breakfast at school.  Our first day procedures will be conducted in the 2^nd period.

After Monday, KSAT students will report to the MPC after breakfast or when they arrive on campus until the entry bell rings.

Here is some information for this school year.

Bell Schedule

This year, Monday has a different bell schedule than Tuesday through Friday. On Monday, the students get out at 3:20 pm. The bus schedule indicates the earlier release time.  Tuesday through Friday, the students are release at 3:50 pm. Click the link to see the bell schedule:  KMS/ KSAT Bell Schedule

Transportation

The KSAT magnet shuttle bus schedule can be found at the following link: KSAT Bus Schedule . Please note the different time on Monday compared Tuesday through Friday.

If your child rides a Krueger bus, click this link for the Krueger bus routes.

During the first few days of school, the buses often run late.  Be patient.  If you have any questions, send me an email, or contact transportation directly.

Social Media- Stay connected to KSAT through our social media accounts:

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Nkk_JH4x20RptyLw33OQA

If you have not done so, please connect with the SKYWARD Parent Access so you can check on your students academic progress.

 Mask Mandate: New information about masks came out late this afternoon. Effective tomorrow (August 16), face coverings for NEISD students and staff are optional.  However, the District strongly encourages everyone to wear a mask inside all District facilities in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For more information, NEISD COVID information can be found at the link to Critical Information Updates.

Finally, I have a new assistant starting on Monday (August 16).  Rose Gonzalez is her name, and her number is same- 210-356-4733.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Stephen Watson, Ed.D.

KSAT Director

Our office is open again.  Here is some information I would like to share with everyone as we move towards August 16.

KSAT Falcon Camps

 

Thursday August 12 6K (6th KSAT )* 5:30 pm – 7:00pm

Friday August 13 7K and 8K 5:30 pm – 7:00pm

*KSAT students will on need to attend the camps for KSAT and do not need to come on Saturday.

 

During the camp, students will be given a tour of the campus, receive a tentative schedule and the KSAT teachers will provide students with information to help you be ready for August 16 and beyond.

 

Check out the KSAT Website (neisd.net/ksat  )for more information about dress code, bell schedules, backpacks (which do not have to be clear this year) and school supplies.

 

Stephen Watson, Ed.D.

Director of Krueger School of Applied Technologies (KSAT), Krueger Middle School

Email: swatso1@neisd.net

Phone: 210-356-4733  Fax: 210-650-1124

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Nkk_JH4x20RptyLw33OQA

 

 

 

Director’s Blog

April 1, 2021

Announcements

Tomorrow, April 2 is a school holiday for Good Friday.  Enjoy a three-day weekend. We also have a holiday on April 23. This was originally scheduled for the Battle of Flowers but is now just a student holiday. 7K has the STAAR Writing test on  Tuesday April 6th.  

KSAT is launching rockets again.  Our first launch, on Tuesday this week, went very well. Check out the pictures and video of our 7K launch on Twitter and Facebook. 6K and 8K have several launches scheduled over the next few weeks so look for permission slips from your child. 

KSAT on Social Media

In addition to the KSAT Twitter page and the Facebook page, KSAT now has a YouTube Channel.

On YouTube, search for “Krueger School of Applied Technologies – KSAT” or try the link below:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Nkk_JH4x20RptyLw33OQA?view_as=subscriber

We are posting content as new videos become available. So, subscribe to get notifications of new posts.

KSAT on the NEISD webpage-  Check out the article on the NEISD webpage about our all-female CyberPatriots teams.  Find the article at:  https://www.neisd.net//site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=250&ModuleInstanceID=21391&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=194594&PageID=1238

Recruiting

We are still accepting applications for the KSAT program 21-22 school year.  I receive calls every week from parents who are just now discovering the program.  Often the parents have heard about the program from their neighbors and friends.   Parents and students who share their experiences in the KSAT program are often the best recruiters. Please encourage interested families you know to apply. Even though we are past the initial deadline, we will consider them as we work through the waitlist.  More information about the magnet programs and the online application can be found at  https://www.neisd.net/magnetprograms or feel free to contact my office directly at 210-356-4706.

 

Final Thoughts

Summer will be upon us quickly.  We still have some work to do with testing and the final push to cover all the curriculum.  So encourage your child to continue to work until the last day of school.  Then we can all enjoy a break from this crazy school year. We hope to see the COVID numbers continue to decline so we can enjoy the summer fun we traditionally have during the break. 

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Stephen Watson Ed.D.

Director of the Krueger School of Applied Technologies

Twitter : @SWatsonKSAT

Facebook: @KSATNEISD

Youtube- Krueger School of Applied Technologies - KSAT

Director’s Blog

March 5, 2021

 

Announcements

 

Spring Break is next week from March 8-12.  It looks like the weather will be nice so hopefully you and your family can have some outdoor time.

Today is the last day of the 3^rd nine weeks.  Teachers will finalize grades on the 15^th and 16^th. Check your child’s grades in the Parent Access portal.  We have one nine weeks to get all the final year grades up to an acceptable average.

 

KSAT was on the NEISD Webpage highlighting the parent of a current student who was in the first KSAT class in 1998.  Read the story  titled “ KSAT celebrates first second-generation student” at the link below.

https://www.neisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=21391&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=193472&PageID=1

KSAT Aerospace Teachers were highlighted for their efforts to continue providing opportunities for students to build rockets during these times of COVID.  See the story titled "KSAT teachers problem-solve just like students" at the link below.

https://www.neisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=21391&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=193404&PageID=1

 

The week we return from the break, we will have our KSAT Virtual Signing Night for current 5^th grade/ incoming 6K students.  This event will be held on March 17^th at 6:00 pm.  Those who have accepted seats will be notified with access information to this event.

 

This spring has been tough on everyone and I hope you and your family are able to get some rest so we can finish the year strong.

 

Stephen Watson, Ed.D.

Director of the KSAT Magnet Program