Fort Bend ISD Gifted and Talented students show improved performance, while bilingual students trail behind the overall district students.

In a nutshell: The district reviews bilingual and GT programs each school year using student growth, student achievement, instructional walkthroughs, program implementation and compliance, Chief Academic Officer Matt Warford said in a Nov. 9 presentation to the FBISD board of trustees.

Zooming in: GT students continue to excel past the district’s average performance, and while bilingual students also improved performance, they still fall behind average in some categories and struggle with achievement gaps, Warford said.

• Gifted and Talented: GT students scored higher on their Measure of Academic Progress scores compared to the district-wide scores, which also improved this year.

• Emergent bilingual programs: On average, emergent bilingual students scored lower on STAAR tests from third to eighth grade compared to overall district scores. However, third through 12th grade emergent bilingual students scored above the state average in the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

Third Space Boulders, a bouldering and climbing gym, has opened its doors in Sugar Land, owner Gladys Serafin confirmed.

What it offers: The bouldering and climbing gym, which is suitable for all ages and experience levels, offers climbing classes, coaching and youth programs as well as strength training and cardio equipment.

Mark your calendar: The business will host a grand opening celebration Nov. 14, featuring DJs, raffles, face painting, flash tattoos and local pop-up vendors, Serafin said.

• 2220 Eldridge Road, Ste. 800, Sugar Land

From local churches to statewide traditions, see which organizations are collecting donations to feed Houstonians this holiday season. This list is subject to change and not comprehensive.

Participating organizations:

• Cy-Fair Helping Hands

• St. John Vianney Catholic Church

• Prince of Peace’s Thanksgiving Loaves & Fishes

• 14th Annual Fifth Ward Fall Festival & Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

• Keep US Fed Montgomery County

• City Wide Club and CW 39 Super Feast

• Operation Turkey

• Montgomery County Food Bank

• East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry

Texas lawmakers and legislators-elect began filing new bills on Nov. 9, unofficially kicking off the 90th state legislative session. By noon, they had submitted more than 1,000 legislative proposals that they hoped would be considered at the state Capitol next year.

The overview: When the 90th legislative session begins Jan. 12, Texas will be led by all Democratic statewide officials. Democrats also won control of the Texas House during the Nov. 3 election, while Republicans retained Senate control.

Zooming in: Democratic lawmakers were the first to file bills in both legislative chambers, signaling some of the party's priorities as Texans prepare for the first Democratic-led state government and divided legislature in a generation.

State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, filed bills to expand who is eligible for Medicaid in the state, while Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, proposed tightening regulations on the booming data center industry.

More details: Lawmakers had filed at least 57 constitutional amendments before press time Nov. 9, including measures on property taxes, sports betting and term limits for elected officials.