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Hays CISD Bond

On February 2, 2020, Hays CISD Board of Trustees has issued an election order calling for a bond election in May that will impact the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. Hays CISD consists of 25 campuses serving more than 20,000 over 221 square miles. Students living in Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, and surrounding communities attend schools in Hays CISD.

Here’s what you need to know about the bond proposal.

HAYS CISD 2020 BOND PROPOSAL

The 2020 bond proposal, worth $217.3 million, contains the following propositions:

  • A: Accommodating school district growth
  • B: Maintaining district assets
  • C: Expand stadiums at two high schools
  • D: Improvements to the stadium as well as baseball and softball complex
  • E: Constructing a new administration building and renovating central office
  • F: Add storage to the district network and add mobile devices for teaching, learning, and assessments

Proposition A has the highest price tag as it calls for expanding all six middle schools, building a new elementary school, and renovating and expanding Live Oak Academy.

The only proposition not receiving a unanimous vote from the Board of Trustees is Proposition C. Its purpose is to increase the capacity at two stadiums with an estimated cost of $12 million. Community Impact Newspaper reports one of the trustees felt it was too much to ask of taxpayers.

The Board of Trustees says that any unspent funds from the projects in the proposal will go toward paying down debt.

HISTORY OF HAYS CISD BONDS

The last bond package is from 2017, which provides $250 million to build two elementary schools and a high school, increase career and technology education, complete maintenance projects, and develop a transportation facility. View the 2017 Bond Progress Chart to see the current status.

The bond package in 2014 consists of building one middle school, improving the technology infrastructure, making security upgrades, improving telecommunications, transportation, and CTE, and upgrading mechanical systems. The bond is 92 percent complete. The only items remaining are security, telecommunications, and technology upgrades.

MAY ELECTION

Here’s an interactive Hays CISD Election Map that lists early voting and election day voting locations. Also, up in the May election are three Hays CISD board seats. If you’re a Hays CSID resident, be sure to vote. Want to send your kids to the growing and thriving Hays CISD? Here are new homes in Kyle.

Learn more about Hays CISD and living in Kyle by connecting with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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How to Create A Homeschool Space

This is an unprecedented time for everyone. Public and private schools around the country have closed for more than three weeks. Many schools are scrambling to set up online learning. As for Kyle’s Hays CISD, the district says that teachers and campuses will provide information about online and at-home instruction.

Meanwhile, some parents are looking into setting up a homeschooling space to complement their students’ education. It can help keep kids busy and their minds challenged. Even if you don’t homeschool, setting up a homeschool classroom can give students a place where they can concentrate on their studies, do some work to stay on top of their learnings, and engage their creativity. Here’s how you can get started.

DESIGNATE SPACE FOR LEARNING

Choose a room or an area that you designate as a space for studying and learning. That way whenever students enter that space, they know it’s time to focus on learning. When they leave the space for lunch or at the end of the day, they know they’re on a break from school.

What you put in the space depends on the children’s ages. Most ages can use a table with chairs. This gives them an easy-to-clean hard surface for coloring, writing, and doing sticky projects. Beware the table may eventually get markers and glue all over it. So, you don’t want to use a fancy table that needs to stay pristine.

The students need to be able to get in their chairs without much struggle. You’ll want the table to be low enough that they can rest their arms on it while writing and coloring.

SETTING UP THE HOMESCHOOL SPACE

You can never go wrong with a bookshelf as books are always central in a classroom. Perhaps, a combination of a bookshelf with storage bins would make good use of space. You can store school supplies in the bins and books on the shelves without the bins.

When it’s time to do art, you can pull out the bin with the art supplies and bring it to the table. After they finish, they can put all the supplies in the bin and put it back on the shelf. Each bin can cover a different subject. For instance, you might have calculators, rulers, protractors, and compasses in a math bin. Magnets, snap circuits, and other materials for science could fill the science bin.

For preschool and elementary school-aged kids, you could put up the letters of the alphabet as a border. Hang posters with multiplication tables, sight words, planets, and maps. Again, go for age-appropriate content. If you don’t have any of these posters or signs, order them online or print your own.

If you want to go the extra mile and create learning stations, do a search for “classroom learning stations” for ideas. You may want a separate station for math, science, art, writing, and creativity.

As for a computer, you can set one up in the homeschool classroom. Just make sure it has a password that only parents know. And turn on parental controls to manage what they can do on the Internet. It may help to have a timer. That way you can tell them to work on math for 10 minutes or until the timer goes off.

Whether you homeschool your kids or enhance their learning, you’ll have a space that communicates they’re in learning mode. It’ll be a good place to do school work whether their school moves to an online classroom or opens back up. 

Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually. Questions? Contact our Crosswinds team.

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Resources in Kyle to Start and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

While some places are currently shut down, Kyle residents and future residents will be happy to know they have a wealth of health options in this small town near Austin and San Marcos. Whether you’re looking to continue your healthy lifestyle or make changes, you’ll find what you need nearby.

These places will be ready to welcome you after things settle down. Some may be offering virtual services. Check out their websites or contact them.

CROSSFIT HAYS

With over 3,000 square feet of space, CrossFit Hays (200 Lehman Rd., Ste. 500, Kyle, TX 78640) is an exercise and nutrition program that serves all ages and fitness levels from beginner to athletic. They provide modifications for everyone based on injuries and current fitness levels.

Their workouts represent 10 fitness domains: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. They also post a Workout of the Day (WOD) every day to provide additional help to experienced athletes while beginners can optimize results.

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS

Orangetheory Fitness Kyle (5940 Kyle Pkwy., Kyle, TX 78640) is a high-intensity training workout studio. Each OTF studio has three stations: treadmills, water rowers, and floor. A trainer coaches up to 24 or 36 members through each station.

The floor consists of dumbbells, medicine balls, ABDolly, Bosu, and TRX. The studio welcomes fitness levels of all types and sizes. No one needs to be a runner to benefit as it has many power walkers. The workouts change every day. While closed, the company is providing virtual workouts.

SOUL YOGA PC

How can you not smile when you see the tagline at Soul Yoga (140 Kirkham Circle, Kyle, Texas 78640): “We’re not hot!” In this case, we’re not hot refers to the temperature. Instead of hot yoga, they maintain room temperature between 72 and 78. Just the right temperature to avoid goosebumps while being warm enough for yoga’s deep movements and stretching.

TAG’S WORLD GYMNASTICS

Previously known as Waves Gymnastics, TAG’s World Gymnastics (1151 Bunton Creek Rd., Kyle, Texas 78640) is coming to Kyle soon. Initially, it was going to be 3,000 square feet. But now they plan to expand the gym to 6,000 sq. ft. The original TAG’s World Gymnastics is in Portland, Texas. The gym currently offers gymnastic and tumbling classes for all ages and genders.

WEUSI WELLNESS CAFE

Emily Tomlin-Weusi, owner of Weusi Wellness Café (2626 Hunter Rd Suite 101, San Marcos, Texas 78666), wants to provide a place for healthy food options and an environment where the community can relish positive conversations while challenging their physical and mental standards. They serve healthy prepared meals, coffee, smoothies, protein shakes, supplements with lots of love.

The café wants to be a place of hands-on learning and helping people set goals and create meal plans. They work to create delicious meals that range from the low carb chicken curry bowl to the cauliflower taco bowl. The café is partnering with Texas State University to bring in nutrition interns. The café is only a 15-minute drive from Kyle. As of this writing, they’re still open as they offer free curbside pickup.

HERE ARE MORE HEALTH AND FITNESS OPTIONS:

Looking for new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually. Questions? Contact our Crosswinds team.

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Get Creative with Egg Decorating Ideas

Here’s a fun activity to add a splash of color in your life and make everyone smile. These egg decorating ideas will have you doing more than just dipping eggs in the dye. Get ready to try something new!

MARBLED EGGS

This marbleized effect will amaze and astound everyone. Pour 1 cup of dye into a bowl. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and stir with a straw or craft stick. Roll the eggs into the bowl gently for a few seconds. Carefully pat the excess oil and dye with a paper towel and set it on a rack to dry. After it’s completely dry, use a dry cloth to wipe away excess residue.

You can create a marble effect with two colors. Dip the egg into a base color and let it dry. Then do the above with a second color.

BLACKBOARD EGGS

Cover the eggs with chalkboard paint and you have a canvas for chalk drawings. You can order chalkboard paint online. The cool thing is that you can erase the chalk and draw a new design.

DISCO EGG

Channel Donna Summers and turn your egg into a disco egg by diluting craft glue with an equal amount of water. Completely paint the egg with the solution. Pour superfine silver glitter into a bowl and roll the egg around in it. Put it on wax paper to dry completely.

OUT OF THIS WORLD EGGS

Space fans will love this one. Start with a marbled egg. It could be blue and purple or some other color. After the egg dries, brush it with gold luster dust and glue on stars, planets, and other space décor.

PERMANENT MARKER EGGS

You won’t have paint, dye, or glitter to clean up with this one. And you most likely have a permanent marker in your home. Grab a few fine-tipped permanent markers and draw patterns. You could do just black for a monochromatic look. Try stripes, polka dots, diamonds, and abstract for slick-looking eggs.

BABY CHICKS EGGS

Dip the front of an egg length-wise in yellow dye. (Not quite half of the egg.) After it dries, use a fine-point permanent marker to draw its face, arms, and legs.

VOTIVE EGGS

These eggs make great decorations. Poke a hole at the top of the egg large enough to empty it out. Let the empty eggshell dry. Carefully break the top one-third of the shell with a spoon to create a bowl. Dye the egg and allow it to dry. Once dry, insert a tea light candle inside. If you’re concerned about accidental fires, you can order battery-operated tea lights.

WASHI TAPE EGGS

Like the permanent marker eggs, this one requires no dye, glitter, or anything that makes cleanup harder. Pick up a variety of Washi tape designs. Cut them, mix them, and stick them on the egg. And ta-da! Colorful eggs!

Share your egg decorating ideas with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website.

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Things to Do Near Kyle, TX

Small town living in Kyle isn’t so small as you have plenty of things to do around town and in neighboring cities. The place to start is by finding the right community.

The Crosswinds community in Kyle, for example, offers many options for things to do without leaving the community. The Windy Point Amenity Center features a giant pool with a splash pad, shaded structures, a playground, and a grilling area.

It also has hike and bike trails interwoven throughout the community. Whenever you want to get your heart rate up or simply take a stroll, you’ll be able to do that right in Crosswinds.  Here are some more things to do outside of the community.

Play Games and See Movies

EVO Entertainment Kyle has everything you want in a movie theater and then some. This includes bowling, billiards, an arcade, and a bar and grill. They have happy hours Monday through Friday until 6 pm where they serve drafts, spirits, and wine. While you can catch all the latest movies at EVO, you can see old favorites or movies you missed with Flashback Cinema.

Explore New Parks in Buda

Buda City Park is undergoing an overhaul that will add small and large children’s playgrounds with ADA compliant playground equipment, a splash pad, pavilion improvements, new restrooms, and games and grilling areas. It’ll have a new amphitheater for concerts and festivals. The city’s goal is to hold arts festivals and plays in the park.

The city hopes to have a larger trails system that connects the City Park to nearby green spaces, such as Stagecoach Park, Bradfield Village Park, and the Downtown Greenbelt. The plan is to complete the construction in time for the 2020 Weiner Dog Races.

Next door is the future John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park. Buda’s vision for Garison Memorial Park is to highlight the beauty of the naturally-preserved landscape for future generations to enjoy.

It’ll be an outdoor adventure area with its trails, nature center, restrooms, canoe loading dock, rentable pavilion facility, and bird watching stations. The master plan for the park includes camping with a fire pit, bathhouse, fishing, picnic areas, and a treehouse.

Yell “Fore!” at Plum Creek Golf Course

Golfers will love Plum Creek Golf Course (4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, TX 78640), a Par 71, 18-hole course on 200 acres of land. Visit the website for a great bird’s eye view of the golf course. It possesses a top-notch practice facility with three acres of short game scoring areas and an acre of practice tee surface.

You’ll find many opportunities to improve your game. And after you finish your game, have a cold one and a bite to eat at the remodeled Glenn’s Bar and Grill.

Jump Around the Jumpy Place

The Jumpy Place (241 Weldon Johnson Way, Kyle, TX 78640) is a socks only facility where children and adults can have good, clean fun jumping everywhere. You can hold parties there or just work off the bundle of energy.

Help the Community

There are many volunteering opportunities with nonprofit organizations. The Community Impact has a comprehensive Volunteer Guide for organizations in Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos. The guide lists opportunities to support children, take care of the environment, feed residents in need, serve seniors, and help animals.

Hunt for Antiques

Head to New Braunfels this weekend for the Antique and Postcard Show at New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center (375 S. Castell Ave.). There, you can find dealers from 19 states and one from France. Parking is free. The event is put on by Heritage Event Company.

Want more ideas of things to do? Check these out:

Want to get the scoop on all things Kyle? Connect with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Best Public Parks in Kyle, TX

With summer in full throttle, it’s time to get out and enjoy the weather! Be sure to visit the public parks in Kyle to soak up the sun. Whether you’re spending time with family, playing with your dog, or taking time for yourself, we have the perfect Kyle park for you. Check out our guide and find your new favorite park near Crosswinds!

public parks in kyle, kyle parks, crosswinds, master-planned community, new homes in kyle, things to do in kyle

  1. Steeplechase Dog Park

Does your furry friend need to socialize? Or perhaps you’re looking to socialize with animal lovers like yourself! Steeplechase Dog Park has you and your dog covered. Located near the intersection of Lehman Road and Hailey Drive, this public park in Kyle includes separate sections for large and small dogs. Don’t worry about putting on and taking off your dog’s leash, there’s a transition zone between the leashed and unleashed areas of the park. Water fountains and shaded areas are also available!

  1. Gregg-Clarke Park

Gregg-Clarke Park is a multi-use park that provides the Kyle community a great spot to host recreational and special events. Anchored by the Kyle Pool, the park includes softball and football fields, tennis and basketball courts and covered playscapes. In addition to the wide-open spaces, the walking trails are great for a morning stroll. Check out the Parks and Rec calendar of events to see all of the planned family events at this park. The ‘Movies in the Park’ summer series is sure to be a hit!

  1. Lake Kyle Park

Looking for things to do in Kyle? Lake Kyle Park is your place. If you want to get out on the water, canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing and swimming are all available here! With four different nature trails, we promise you will find your favorite path. Keep an eye out for birds, fish, turtles, beavers and more at the wildlife viewing area. Lake Kyle Park also includes picnic tables, playgrounds and a pavilion.

  1. Steeplechase Park

Family fun can be found at Steeplechase Park. Baseball and football fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts and a disc golf course are great for a little family competition. The 31-acre park also includes open spaces with trails and playscapes. Plum Creek runs through the heart of this Kyle park, providing the most picturesque views. What more could you ask for?

We hope one of these public parks in Kyle takes care of what you’re looking for! If you are interested in learning more about Kyle, TX and our master-planned community contact Crosswinds today. You can also connect with our master-planned community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image via GettyImages. Creative number 958658988.

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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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Five Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Kyle, Texas

It’s November, and that means Thanksgiving is right around the corner. With so much to do and prepare for when it comes to  Thanksgiving in Kyle, Texas, your friends at Crosswinds decided to put together a list of the top five things to do to celebrate the holiday this year.

thanksgiving in kyle, new homes in Kyle, Crosswinds, master-planned community

Cook for the Family at your New Home in Kyle

One of the oldest and most standard of Thanksgiving traditions is cooking and eating a meal with loved ones.  What better excuse is there to invite your friends and family over to enjoy food, drinks and good company with you at home in Crossroads’ master-planned community?

Go Out to Eat

If you don’t feel like hosting a large get-together, you can always organize an evening out at a restaurant. Several options in and around Kyle stay open on turkey day, many with special menus crafted especially for the Holiday. Skip the long day cooking and all the cleanup and enjoy time with those you love.

Go see a movie at EVO Entertainment

Another tradition observed by several families is going out to see a movie together before or after having Thanksgiving dinner. There is no better place to watch movies this Thanksgiving in Kyle than EVO Entertainment. With movies, bowling, an arcade and restaurant on top of the concession stand, EVO 11 in Kyle is the place to spend your Thanksgiving this year.

Football and Turkey

If it’s Thanksgiving in the U.S., it also means its time for some football. Yet another beloved tradition, especially in Texas, Thanksgiving brings a lineup of three NFL games that last all day long. Set up camp in your favorite seat, sit back and watch every game unfold while spending time with those you love most, even if they root for the wrong team.

Make DIY decorations for dinner

Like to overachieve? If cooking dinner and cleaning up are not enough for the go-getter in you, then try making your own fall decorations for the big meal. There are lots of fun ways to personalize your home in Kyle this Thanksgiving. Try this collection of fun and original DIY projects to make your home feel amazingly Autumn.

Contact Crosswinds today to stay up-to-date on other things to do for Thanksgiving in Kyle and for more information on things happening in our master-planned community. You can also connect with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Image via Getty Images. Creative number: 991888432

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Top Three Thanksgiving Side Recipes

Thanksgiving is a day for spending quality time with family, showing appreciation and most importantly, eating tons of delicious food. This year we are filling our plates with the best Thanksgiving side recipes we could find and preparing our families to leave the table full and satisfied. With these three side dishes on your table, your Crosswinds Texas home won’t be the only thing you are thankful for this year.

Slow Cooker Stuffing

Thanksgiving side recipes
(Image via tasteofhome.com)

No turkey is truly complete without the addition of traditional Thanksgiving stuffing. The celery, onion and bread concoction is sure to satisfy everyone at your table this holiday season. The best part about this stuffing from the slow cooker recipe is the ability to throw all of the ingredients into a crockpot and forget about them for a while. Aside from the occasional stir, this recipe practically cooks itself. It is especially handy when you run out of space in your oven and need to find an alternative method to cooking this Thanksgiving staple.

Ultimate Mac and Cheese

Thanksgiving side recipes
(Image via cullinarycory.com)

Nothing pairs better with elbow-shaped noodles than large amounts of melted cheese. Macaroni and cheese made our top three Thanksgiving side recipes for a good reason, everyone loves the stuff. Even the pickiest of children will love this slow cooker mac and cheese recipe, and you will love how easy it is to make. With a prep time of only 10 minutes, this is one of the most simple and delicious recipes to prepare for this year’s Thanksgiving.

Green Bean Casserole

Thanksgiving side recipes
(Image via foodnetwork.com)

While stuffing and mac and cheese will surely satisfy everyone at your table this year, it is important to include a few vegetables into the mix. This green bean casserole recipe will be one of the easiest and most rewarding items you make for your family this Thanksgiving. With this recipe coming from highly acclaimed chef and TV host Alton Brown, you know that it will not disappoint.

By serving these three side dishes this year, there is no doubt you will impress friends and family this Thanksgiving. Whether you’re in our master-planned community in Crosswinds Texas or on the other side of the country, we would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving this year. For more tips and tricks on Crosswinds living, visit our blog today!

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Explore Beautiful Parks Near Kyle

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, so head out to some of the parks near Kyle to have a fun family day in the great outdoors. Here are some of Crosswind’s favorite national and state parks near Kyle.

Parks near Kyle
(Image via austinot.com)

McKinney Falls State Park

Located in Austin, McKinney Falls State Park is like a hidden oasis within the capital. It has everything you could want from a park with their 9 miles of hike and bike trails, close to 100 campsites and cabins and on-shore fishing! Worried about walking the trails with a stroller? Their Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail has a hard surface, which makes walking with a stroller a breeze.

Lockhart State Park

Just a short drive from our master-planned community in Lockhart, Texas, the Lockhart State Park has all the things you love about parks and then some! Lockhart State Park also has a nine-hole golf course, making it the only staff-operated course in the Texas State Park System. They also have a park pool with a diving board so you and the family can have a blast splashing around.

Overlook Park

While it may be a little bit of a drive to get there, Overlook Park in Canyon Lake offers unmatched views of the beautiful Canyon Lake and Dam. Unlike the other parks on this list, Overlook Park is completely free and if a great place to take the family when you want to really just get away from it all.

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Now if you’re looking for a park that will allow you to truly get lost in the beauty of nature, the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin is the park to go! Of all the things to do near Kyle, TX, going to spend the day at Barton Creek Greenbelt is probably one of our favorites. Whether you want to hike, bike, swim, kayak or simply explore, you’ll surely love this great park.

These parks near Kyle are the perfect places to take the family for a fun-filled summer day. If you’d like to learn more about Kyle, Texas and our master-planned community, contact Crosswinds today.

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