The Klein ISD Education Foundation awarded $62,057 in grants to KISD educators for improvements such as added classroom equipment and supplies to launch new programs.

The big picture: The individual grants—awarded for the 2025-26 school year—ranged from $983-$23,556. Two of the largest grants given were for multi-campus projects: a donation-fueled closet providing clothing and supplies for KISD students and families in need; and a hands-on program to teach students engineering and construction using Lego bricks.

The multi-campus projects received:

• $14,856 for the “Klein Kloset”
• $11,996 for the “Lego-ndary STEM Builders in the Science Classroom” initiative

Officials with Los Cochinitos restaurant said the Mexican dining venue opened on Nov. 20.

The details: Los Cochinitos serves authentic Mexican food including carnitas, enchiladas, tamales and quesadillas, per the business website.

• 21005 I-45, Spring

With a unanimous vote on Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners reauthorized 100% property tax exemptions for qualified child care providers for 2026 onward in a move that is expected to save thousands of dollars for providers, county officials said.

The full story: Commissioners first approved the 100% property tax exemption for qualified child care centers in March 2024, with the stipulation that the exemption would expire every two years unless commissioners voted for an extension. With the December vote, commissioners also approved removing the expiration clause, which allows the exemption to continue without requiring the two year reapproval from Commissioners Court.

Latest update: Eligible child care providers can apply for the exemption Jan. 1 through March 1.

Quote of note: “Today’s unanimous vote shows that every single one of us on commissioners court, regardless of political party, understands the importance of protecting access to high-quality, early childhood education and supporting the providers who make those opportunities possible,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news release.

Allayah Beamon, founder of A1 Academics K-12 Tutoring Service, said the mobile tutoring center has plans to expand to Atascocita, Cypress, Humble, Katy, Kingwood and New Caney on Jan. 10.

The details: A1 Academics K-12 Tutoring Service offers services for children in kindergarten through 12th grade with individual in-person and virtual sessions, according to the company's website.
Tutoring subjects offered include:

• Spanish ESL
• Hebrew
• Math
• STEM
• Science
• Reading and writing
• Critical thinking skills
• Test prep/study habits
• Language arts/ELA
• History

• Expanding Jan. 10