Category: Education

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Education

Six Tips to Get Ready for Back to School in Kyle, Texas

Parents and guardians of students attending Hays Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) will be celebrating on August 15 when school starts. No doubt, they will be a few sleepy kids dragging after changing their sleeping schedule for the summer.

Whether or not your family is excited about school, it’s always hard to change your routine and leave the dog days of summer behind. You can ease the transition and avoid scrambling at the last minute with these six tips.

  1. Check registration and related paperwork

You may already have already completed the required school district paperwork. The due dates vary based on district and schools. Ensure you register your child or contact the school.

Visit Hays CISD’s registration page for information about registration for new and returning students. Like most schools, HCISD requires proof of address, immunization records, and other documents.

If your student has medical needs, then contact the school nurse to ask about the process to make sure the child can receive treatment or medicine at school.

  1. Access online accounts

HCISD requires parents and guardians to register for the school year online as covered in No. 1. The district has a parent self-serve portal (PSS) for checking the student’s academics, contact information, attendance, and transportation information.

You can also sign up to receive notifications about missing assignments or absences and alerts from the principal, school, and district. Verify you can access your account and that all the information is current.

  1. Update your calendar

Review the Hays CISD calendar, so you can enter all the important dates into yours. If you haven’t already, you might create a family calendar that everyone can see every day. Better yet, set up a private online calendar that everyone in the family can access on their devices and computers.

  1. Pick up school supplies

If you haven’t shopped for supplies yet, you’re in luck! Texas Tax-Free Weekend is August 9 – 11. And many retailers hold sales on clothes and school supplies before, during, and after tax-free weekend. You might find more savings opportunities online at RetailMeNot, Rakuten (formerly Ebates), and Honey.

Some schools and PTAs sell school supplies where you just pay one fee for the entire packet. This can be cheaper than shopping because they get bulk discounts. Treat your kids to one cool or colorful school item of their choice to get them excited about school.

  1. Kick-start bedtime routines

The fact is that kids’ sleeping schedules fall off track in the summer. It takes three weeks to create a new habit. The first day of school will go better if students start their school bedtime routine at least a week before school starts.

Start small. Put them to bed 15 minutes earlier for a few days. Then move it back another 15 minutes until they return to their school bedtime. Do the same with wake-up time. Wake them 15 minutes earlier for a few days and so on.

  1. Designate a study space

Creating a study area to help the kids make it a habit to study in that area without any distractions. Stock the space with pens, pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, and other supplies. This prevents “I don’t have what I need” syndrome.

About Hays CISD for Kyle, Texas Residents

Students living in the Crosswinds community attend the following Hays CISD exemplary schools:

The district serves 18,000 students on 22 campuses. Residents have excellent post-secondary options in Austin Community College and its nearby ACC Hays Campus, Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin, St. Edwards University, Hutson-Tillotson University, San Antonio College, Trinity University, and University of Texas at San Antonio.

Be sure to take pictures on the first day of school. It’s amazing how much kids grow in a school year when you compare the first day and last day pictures. If you follow these tips, you’ll have a great first day of school in the growing Hays ISD in Kyle!

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Education

What You Need to Know About Texas Tax-Free Weekend

It may still be July, but it’s almost time to start thinking about shopping for school supplies, clothes, and shoes. That’s because the Texas Tax-Free Weekend is coming up Aug. 9 – 11, 2019. Planning for the Texas sales tax holiday will ensure you pick up what you need without overspending.

Back to school shopping during the tax-free weekend can also help older kids involved in extracurricular activities. These often have added expenses. The nice thing about not paying sales tax is that you pay the exact price for qualifying items and save on taxes.

Say you want to buy a $19.99 shirt and only have a $20 bill, you’re golden. You don’t have to worry about looking for change to cover the taxes. Hey, some people still pay cash for items.

The best part? The sales tax holiday applies to everyone, not just families with school-aged kids. Keep these things in mind as you prepare for the tax-free weekend:

  • Stores do not give out rainchecks.
  • Items costing $100 or more do not qualify for the tax break.
  • Hang on to those receipts.

Here are four tips to help you make the most of tax-free weekend and back-to-school shopping.

  1. Review the official list

Use the Comptroller of Texas’ official Sales Tax Holiday list as your tax-free shopping bible. Beware that some resources refer to this list, but they don’t always describe the rules correctly.

Not all school supplies and clothing qualify for the tax break. Again, any item priced $100 or higher does not qualify regardless of what it is. Some shoes aren’t exempt from taxes.

Stores charge taxes for the following types of shoes:

  • Cleats
  • Ski boots
  • Overshoes
  • Golf shoes

While soccer shoes and cleats aren’t tax-free, soccer socks are exempt. While golf shoes are taxable, golf caps, jackets, shirts, and skirts are not if they’re under $100 each. Tennis shoes, cowboy boots, and general-purpose boots are exempt.

Did you know that lunch boxes are tax-exempt? Many are surprised by this because people don’t see it as a school supply item. Here are other surprising tax-free items:

  • Pajamas
  • Robes
  • Swimsuits
  • Slippers
  • Adult diapers

So be sure to study that list from the Comptroller of Texas.

  1. Check store hours

Don’t work hard to get to the store as soon as it’s open to avoid the crowd only to find out that it opened an hour earlier than usual. That’s because many Texas shopping centers, malls, and stores extend their hours for the Sales Tax Holiday.

While the hours aren’t as wild as Black Friday’s, it still gives you more time to shop. So, confirm the store hours before you shop.

  1. Skip the lines

You can count on one thing with Sales Tax Holiday to have in common with Black Friday: long lines. Your best bet is to go as soon as the store opens. Some people still work on Friday, so that morning may have the least amount of traffic.

And some people like to sleep in on the weekend. First thing on Saturday and Sunday are the next best options after Friday morning. If anyone needs to try on clothing, start shopping for clothes first. It’s your best chance of shorter dressing room lines.

Another way to avoid the crowd is to shop online with stores that do business in Texas. They typically don’t charge taxes for the weekend. This gives you the chance to shop around and compare prices.

  1. Create a shopping list

Between the crowd and sales, it doesn’t take much to overspend. And when you’re away from home, you have no way of checking someone’s shoe size or whether anyone needs more pants. That’s why it helps to make a list of what you need and the sizes. Confirm sizes especially children who grow like weeds.

Check your supplies. Murphy’s Law has a way of striking. People buy a box of supplies only to find they have unopened boxes in the closet.

Considering you save $1.65 in buying a $20 item, it doesn’t feel like you save much in sales tax. The real bargain comes in stores lowering their prices for the sales tax holiday. A $20 item on sale for $18 saves a total of $3.65. The savings add up if you buy enough.

Follow these four tips to save yourself a lot of headaches. Residents who live in Crosswinds in Kyle, Texas have many shopping options. You can shop in Kyle and Buda. Or you can drive 20 minutes to South Austin or San Marcos’s fantastic outlet shopping centers.

 

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Education Lifestyle

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Winter Electricity Bill

From rainy days spent curled up near the fire to sparkling snowbanks, winter is a magical time of year. However, some of this magic diminishes when you receive your winter electricity bill in the mail.  This season, make sure your home is ready to combat the big chill without breaking the bank by following these energy-saving tips.

winter electricity bill, crosswinds, kyle, tx, homeowner tips

1. Switch your ceiling fan’s rotation

Have you ever looked at which direction your ceiling fan is spinning? If not, take some time to do so now because the blades’ rotation can actually help you save on heating costs. Ensure that your fan’s blades are rotating clockwise because this direction will push the warmer air down.

2. Upgrade your wood-burning fireplace

There’s nothing quite like curling up next to a crackling wood-burning fireplace on a chilly day, but this could be contributing to your high winter electricity bill. If you’re looking to save some money, consider upgrading your fireplace to an EPA certified-model or energy efficient insert. 

3. Let the sunshine in

During the day, take advantage of as much sunlight as possible. Open the blinds and curtains on south-facing windows to naturally heat your home. This not only eliminates the need for the heater during the day, it also opens your home up to a beautiful winter backdrop. 

4. Switch to LED light bulbs

If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, making the switch to LED bulbs could reduce your electricity bill tremendously, even after the winter months are long gone. LED lights use about 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and have a longer life span. 

5. Invest in a smart thermostat

Saving energy is a beautiful thing and smart thermostats can help you do just that. Smart thermostats allow you to select a comfortable temperature for when you get up in the morning and after you head out the door, you can lower the temperature right from your phone. Smart thermostats can adjust to your lifestyle and help you eliminate unnecessary electricity usage.

You don’t have to sacrifice your home’s comfort to keep your winter electricity bill low. Following these homeowner tips will help you save big on your electricity bill long after the winter chill is gone. Save even more on your winter electricity bill when you move into a brand new home at Crosswinds, complete with the latest energy-efficient home technology which will keep electricity costs down throughout the year. Contact Crosswinds today to stay up-to-date on other homeowner tips and to learn more about our master-planned community in Kyle, TX. You can also connect with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Image via Getty Images. Creative number 962705200.

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Education Uncategorized

Crosswinds Schools in Hays School District

Crosswinds understands that when it comes to your children, their education is top of mind. Lucky for you and your little ones, our new homes in Kyle, TX feed into some excellent schools in Hays CISD. Not only is the teaching and curriculum second to none, Hays CISD offers some of the most exceptional extracurricular opportunities in central Texas with award-winning programs, including band, choir, visual and theatrical arts and athletic programs. Here are some things to know about the amazing schools our master-planned community in Kyle feeds into.

Hays CISD, Crosswinds schools, master-planned community in Kyle, Pfluger Elementary School, Chapa Middle School, Lehman High School

Pfluger Elementary School

Plfuger Elementary School’s mission is to encourage students to take educational risks and be accountable to themselves and others. You know how fantastic the school is if your child currently attends Pfluger Elementary School. If your child is about to start kindergarten or you just moved to Crosswinds, you’ll instantly fall in love with this school. Pfluger supports kindergarten through fifth grade.

Chapa Middle School

The grades of 6, 7 and 8 make up a transitional time in a child’s life. Review the electives offered at Chapa Middle School to help your child discover a new activity they’ll love in middle school. At Chapa, there is an emphasis on building pride through Character, Opportunity, Unity, Generosity, Accountability and Relationships.

Lehman High School

Home of the Lobos, Lehman High School is a 6A school serving students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Hays CISD has plans to open a new high school for the 2019 – 2020 school year, and the district has said class sizes at Lehman High School will be the smallest of all three Hays CISD high schools. This reduction in class size will give the students better chances to learn while continuing to provide award-winning programs in music, theater, athletics and more.

When it comes to your children, Crosswinds knows that their education is of the utmost importance, which means the schools Crosswinds feeds into are important. If you’d like to learn more about our community and our new homes in Kyle, TX, contact Crosswinds today.

Image via Getty Images. Creative number 858667816.

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Education

Education in Kyle, Texas – Growth on the Rise

Opportunities for education in Kyle seem to be growing as fast as Hays County itself! After being named the 4th fastest growing county in the US by the Census Bureau last spring, there has been a lot of news about education that may impact or be of interest to many of our Crosswinds families. Take a look at these trending topics about the education in Kyle, including news about Kyle schools and HCISD.

Education in Kyle with HCISD

Plans for Growth by HCISD in Kyle Communities

HCISD expects to exceed 20,000 enrolled students for the 2018-19 school year. An increase of almost 20 percent from the 2012-13 school year. Even though HCISD is set to increase their capacity in the next year, demographic projections show that in the 2027-28 school year, HCISD expects to enroll more than 25,000 students. This means that more schools are needing to be built in order to keep up with population trends.

New Alternative Schools in Kyle 

IDEA Public Schools, a statewide charter school network, opened its new campus in Kyle, south of Steeplechase Park, last month. The location will have two IDEA schools, the Academy and College Prep, and operate under the philosophy that all children should have the opportunity to go to college. The tuition-free charter school campus in Kyle serves K-3 and 6-7 grade levels. IDEA Public Schools holds a random lottery to ensure equal access for all applicants

Meanwhile, the Florida-based Doral Academy plans to open its Kyle/Buda campus for the 2020-21 school year. This tuition-free facility will focus on science, technology, engineering and math. Though it will enroll about 600 students K-6 to start, Doral Academy Texas plans to expand to serve K-12. The enrollment process is also determined by a lottery system.

ACC Hays Campus Opens State of the Art Public Safety Training Center

Back in August, Austin Community College opened a $22.4 million Public Safety Training Center at their Hays campus in Kyle. The PSTC will train students to become first responders in law enforcement and emergency medical service roles. The state-of-the-art facility includes an indoor firing range, emergency vehicle operation course, emergency situation simulation facility and a swift-water rescue course.

The ACC Hays campus opened in 2014, four years after HCISD voted in favor of joining the college system’s taxing district. Last year, it enrolled nearly 1,700 students. ACC Hays also has a co-enrollment program with Texas State University.

It’s easy to see that education opportunities inside Kyle communities are on the rise. Give your kids the best educational opportunities and make the move to Crosswinds today. View our available homes and find your new breathtaking home today. To stay up to date on education in Kyle, or our master-planned community, be sure to follow Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Education

Back to School with Hays CISD

Sadly, summer break is coming to an end and it’s time to start getting ready to go back to school. For all our Crosswinds students and parents, here are some things to note for going back to school with Hays CISD and the specific Kyle schools that our master-planned community feeds into.

back to school, Hays CISD, Pfluger Elementary School, Chapa Middle School, Lehman High School, Crosswinds, Kyle Crosswinds schools

Going Back to Pfluger Elementary School

If your child is returning to Pfluger Elementary School, then you already know how great of a school it is, and if your kid is just now about to start Kindergarten or you just moved to Crosswinds, you’ll instantly fall in love with this school. At Pfluger, their mission is to encourage students to take educational risks and be accountable to themselves and others. To make sure your kiddos are all set to go back to school, here’s the Pfluger Elementary School supply list for all grades.

Going Back to Chapa Middle School

Middle school is a transitional time in a child’s life. Help your child find an activity they’ll love by looking at the great electives offered at Chapa Middle School. At Chapa, the Cougars put an emphasis on building pride through Character, Opportunity, Unity, Generosity, Accountability and Relationships. Get your middle schoolers all set on supplies with the Hays CISD general middle school supply list.

Going Back to Lehman High School

Time sure does fly! One moment you’re taking them to their first day of Kindergarten and the next they’re in high school. With even more opportunities for students to take classes that peak their interest, Lehman High School offers a wide array of electives and extra-curriculars. You and your teen can check them all out on the Departments page of the school’s website. For your high schooler’s school supplies, Hays CISD doesn’t have a standardized supply list for grades 9-12. For their first day of class, students should bring basic supplies like pens, pencils and paper. Each teacher will inform the students of the supplies they’ll need for that specific class.

While it can be sad when summer break ends because that means less opportunities for impromptu family time, we hope this helps you get your kid ready and pumped for another great school year at Hays CISD. To stay in the know about fun things regarding Hays CISD or the family-fun lifestyle of our master-planned community, be sure to follow Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Amenities Education Homebuilder Lifestyle

Crosswinds at a Glance – Crosswinds FAQ

Crosswinds, new homes at Crosswinds, homes near Austin, master-planned community in Kyle

You’ve probably heard a lot about Crosswinds, our new master-planned community in Kyle, or maybe you haven’t, but either way you want to know more. Get to know more about our community and the new homes at Crosswinds with the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Why is Crosswinds the perfect place to call home?

As a picturesque master-planned community in Kyle, Crosswinds is the ideal location for families who want to be close to Austin but not actually live in the city. Essentially, Crosswinds is the perfect place for you to stretch out your arms and take in a deep breath of fresh air.

What is there to do at Crosswinds?

The community amenities at Crosswinds are excellent for families that want to spend time together outside. More than 130 acres of parks, trails and greenbelts provide plenty of space for biking, jogging, picnics and so much more! Let’s not forget about the newly opened Windy Point Amenity Center, which features a resort-style pool to help you beat the summer heat.

What school district is Crosswinds in, and what schools will children attend?

Our community of homes near Austin is part of the renowned Hays CISD. As for the specific schools, kindergarten through fifth grade attend Pfluger Elementary, sixth through eighth grade attend Chapa Middle School and ninth through twelfth grade attend Lehman High School.

Who are the homebuilders, and what are their lot sizes?

We have three exceptional builders that create the beautiful new homes at Crosswinds: Highland Homes, Meritage Homes and Pacesetter Homes. As for the lot sizes, Highland Homes builds on 50’ lots and 60’ lots, Meritage Homes builds on 50’ lots and Pacesetter Homes builds on 40’ lots and 50’ lots. We know that it can be hard to pick a builder, and that’s why we wrote a little guide to help you figure out which builder is the one for you!

What are the yearly HOA dues?

For our master-planned community, the yearly Home Owner Association dues are $575 and include maintenance of the community amenities and common areas. Our HOA is also managed by Guardian Associate Management.

Who handles utilities and cable?

The City of Kyle handles the water, sewer and trash collection. Natural gas is handled by CentralPoint Energy and electricity is handled by Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Lastly, internet, phone and TV are handled by Time Warner Cable.

We hope these answered some of your questions about our lovely master-planned community in Kyle! Now, if you still have some questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the new homes at Crosswinds. You can also get a feel for our community by connecting with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Education

Top 4 Things to Know for First-time Homebuyers

For all those first-time homebuyers out there, it can be difficult when you’re starting your search for new homes in Kyle, TX when you don’t know what you don’t know about home buying. That’s why our master-planned community has put together this quick list for first-time homebuyers.

Top 4 Things to Know for First-Time Homebuyers

1. Start Your Search by Location

First things first, you want to start your search for a new home by location. If you’re trying to live in a larger city, such as Austin, it may be more beneficial for you to start your search with smaller surrounding cities. That’s the easiest way for you to find new homes in Kyle, TX and the other surrounding areas that will better fit your first-time homebuyer budget.

2. Calculate Your Possible Home Loan Mortgage

Once you’ve found a couple of homes that you like, it’s time to start preemptively crunching some numbers. This nifty home loan mortgage calculator from Realtor.com will help you to accurately estimate what your home loan mortgage payment will be every month.

3. ALWAYS have an Inspection

Even when it comes to our new homes in Kyle, TX, you should always have a home inspection! While all the exceptional homebuilders in Crosswinds have exemplary records of quality construction, having your own inspection done is always a smart move and will give you an extra level of peace of mind.

4. Start Gathering Your Documents Early

One of the biggest things first-time homebuyers don’t realize is how many documents they need to complete during the home buying process. You’ll need virtually everything from the last two years, including pay stubs, bank account statements, W-2s, tax returns, statements from current loans and credit lines and that’s just the start.

Being first-time homebuyers can be a little scary, but we hope this quick list will help you be a bit more prepared. If you’d like to learn more about our breathtaking new homes in Kyle, TX, please contact Crosswinds today to schedule your community tour.

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Education

Education Highlight: Crosswinds Schools

Hays CISD
(Image via hayscisd.net)

Crosswinds understands that when it comes to your children, their education is top of mind. Lucky for you and your kiddos, our new homes in Kyle, TX feed into some excellent schools in Hays CISD. Here are some things to know about the educational opportunities near our master-planned community.

About Hays CISD

Located in North Central Hays County, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District has 23 campuses that serve roughly 20,000 students. They have two high schools, six middle schools and 13 elementary schools, as well as an alternative high school for students seeking a non-traditional educational setting. Hays CISD offers exceptional extracurricular opportunities with award-winning programs, including band, choir, visual and theatrical arts and athletic programs. The district also features a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center.

The Crosswinds Schools

Two Hays CISD elementary schools serve Crosswinds: Pfluger Elementary School and Science Hall Elementary School. Both of the elementary schools serve students kindergarten through fifth grade. For grades sixth through eighth, students will be able to attend Chapa Middle School, and for high school, students will be able to attend Lehman High School.

Secondary Education Opportunities

For any older children getting ready to leave the nest and pursue secondary education, our new homes in Kyle, TX are also near some excellent 2-year and 4-year colleges. Austin Community College Hays Campus, Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin and St. Edwards University are all located a short drive away from our community. Even if your child isn’t quite ready for college, it’s never too early to start planning for the future!

When it comes to your children, Crosswinds knows that their education is of the utmost importance. That’s why we’re building our master-planned community in Hays CISD. If you’d like to learn more about our community and our new homes in Kyle, TX, contact Crosswinds today.

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Amenities Area Attractions Education Family Fun Homebuilder

Reasons to Buy New in Crosswinds

Have you and your family started looking at new homes in Kyle, TX? Look no further than our new master-planned community – Crosswinds! Here are a few things you should know about our new community and the Crosswinds homes.

Location

Located just south of Austin, in Kyle, Texas, Crosswinds residents will experience small town charm at its finest. If you work in Austin, you can easily commute from our master-planned community using I-35E! Crosswinds gives you all the benefits of living in a small town, while still having access to the city fun.

Homebuilders

Three astounding homebuilders – Highland Homes, Meritage Homes and Pacesetter Homes – will be building Crosswinds’ homes. Our hand-picked builders have been crafting excellent homes in the Austin area for decades and have a proven track record of quality construction and customer satisfaction. Our new homes in Kyle, TX will be built on 40’, 50’ and 60’ homesites using distinctive home designs and versatile floor plans.

Amenities

For the family that loves the great outdoors, Crosswinds is the perfect place to call home! Miles of hike and bike trails will connect residents to all the great things our master-planned community will have to offer. The Windy Point Amenity Center will feature amenities such as a kids’ pool and splash area, various playgrounds for children of all ages and a full-size sports court.

Education

We understand that education is extremely important. The youngest residents of Crosswinds will attend schools in the outstanding Hays County ISD. Students can attend the Pfluger Elementary School, Science Hall Elementary School, Chapa Middle School and Lehman High School. As for secondary education, Crosswinds is also near esteemed public universities and community colleges such as Austin Community College and the University of Texas at Austin.

These are just a handful of the many wonderful things about Crosswinds and our new homes in Kyle, TX. If you’d like to learn more about our master-planned community, contact Crosswinds today.

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