Klein Independent School District

Zwink Elementary Zebras Ready for First Day of Classes

New Klein ISD campus welcomes more than 800 students on Aug. 27

Aug. 21, 2012- As summer dwindles down, the Klein ISD is ready to open its 28th elementary campus in Zwink Elementary, located at 22200 Frassati Way, Spring, Texas 77389. The new school is a part of the 2008 Bond project that was devoted to address growth, renovations, safety and security, and technology in the district.

The zebra mascot for the campus was voted by students earlier in the year, and fits the exciting and unique culture Jenny McGown, campus principal, has built already. Zwink’s motto is “High Expectations…High Support!,” which she explained isn’t just for the students, but for the whole community.

“We have high expectations for ourselves and everyone, including parents, students and staff members,” McGown said. “Support has to be given by all to ensure success, and here at Zwink we are focused on having this at the core of our accomplishments.”

Zwink encompasses 125,000 square feet and was built to meet the standards of a Texas Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Verified campus. It is the first building with the new design by PBK architects, which contains seven classrooms grouped into separate wings per grade level, and is first in the district to have enclosed elementary classrooms for the students. Zwink is the second Klein ISD campus to be built to the TX-CHPS requirements and is the first constructed from start to finish under these standards.

The campus is considered “green” and includes a water harvesting tank, low-flow plumbing fixtures, light shelving units, use of daylight for reduced lighting fixtures, a cool roof, and interactive displays of real-time utility data. Zwink is also technology driven and includes several interactive monitors that allow students to view things such as weather and is also equipped with interactive smart board learning centers. Zwink is also happy to participate in the district’s iPad pilot, allowing first and second graders to experience the device as part of differentiated instruction.

The campus has won several grants to date, including a $1,500 North Harris County Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) grant to support a project titled Operation 2030. Zwink was also awarded a $12,000 landscaping grant by Trees for Houston.

The staff at Zwink consists of new and current Klein ISD teachers and employees, 17 of which are former district and campus employees of the year. McGown feels she has established a strong foundation of excellence for the new school.

“I am proud to have such a phenomenal team of educators here at Zwink,” McGown said. “They are incredibly positive, and kids learn best around people who are purposefully enthusiastic, smile and are just plain glad to be here. This kind of positivity is the environment that I wanted to create at Zwink.”

Photos from the public open house available on Flickr. Click here.

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