Convenience Big Store: Katy ISD considers requiring teachers to report transgender students to parents

It's hurricane season for the Gulf Coast. Are you prepared?

I've been so preoccupied with the crippling drought and record-setting temperatures that I completely forgot it's also hurricane season.

It wasn't until Sunday when my dad called me to let me know he'd pulled the generator out of storage and added fresh gasoline that I remembered we now have more weather concerns to add to our water shortages and dangerous heat.

Fortunately the Chronicle's weather team did not forget about hurricane season, and they've been busy putting together a guide on what to know for everyone's least favorite weather phenomenon.

Start out with their checklist on items you need in case severe weather hits.

Get your home ready to weather potential storms with this guide.

In the event that a hurricane does make landfall in Houston, make sure you're as prepared as possible with this rundown of what you need to do immediately.

For real-time flood updates throughout the Houston region, keep an eye on our Texas flood map.

I sincerely hope that the hurricanes stay far away, and the weather team's excellent reporting was for naught, but it's always best to be prepared.

Let me know your thoughts on our coverage. Did we miss anything? Are there any other hurricane preparations you make each year? Fill me in.

Claire Goodman, Katy reporter

claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com

Education

The Katy ISD board of trustees considers a school bond on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Photo by: Claire Goodman/Staff Photo

Katy ISD board proposes policy requiring teachers to report transgender students to parents.

A proposed policy requiring staff to tell parents if a child asks to be identified as transgender divided the Katy ISD board of trustees at Monday's work study meeting.

Students ride school buses to Russell and Cindie Faldyn Elementary on the first day of school for Katy ISD, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Katy.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

A Katy ISD student was dropped at wrong bus stop, and found by strangers.

The mother of a kindergarten student in Katy ISD says she still has questions for the district after her 5-year-old son was dropped off at the wrong bus stop.

Openings and Closings

Stacks restaurant is now open in Katy Mills Mall near Bass Pro Shops. Established in 2019, Stacks is a locally known food joint that serves up burgers, chicken wings and fries.

Shout out

Don't forget to vote for the best happy hour specials in Katy. The winning establishment will be announced in Monday's newsletter.

Cast your vote!

One last thing ...

Taylor Swift fans, if you've ever thought, "I wish I could somehow get academic credit for my love for Taylor Swift," then this class at Rice University is for you.

"Miss Americana: Lyrics and Evolution of Taylor Swift" is a student-led class that kicks off this week, my colleague Ryan Nickerson reports.

Unfortunately for would-be Swiftie scholars, the class is already full and has a waitlist.