Looking Back on a Great First Week of School

At David Anthony, Ed.D. MS with (L-R) associate superintendent Teresa Hull, Anthony principal Sherma Duck and school namesake Dr. David Anthony, former CFISD superintendent.

We celebrated an incredible first week of school in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. I was fortunate to visit seven schools last week, including our brand-new middle school—David Anthony, Ed.D. Middle School—in Towne Lake on the first day of school.

The other schools I stopped by were Cypress Ranch and Cypress Springs high schools; Salyards Middle School; and Duryea, Frazier and Kirk elementary schools. I loved seeing all the energy at these campuses. Our buildings looked wonderful, clean and ready to go!

At Duryea Elementary School with retired administrator Janet Hoover and principal Kenneth Henry.

Kirk Elementary School assistant principals Susan Blowey, left, and Debbie Parker were ready to go for the first week of school.

Our campuses have done a remarkable job of getting students in classes and getting late arrivals scheduled very quickly. Our transportation department adapted to the expansion of bus service by serving an estimated 12,000 additional students. I'm proud of the way everyone came together to make for a smooth transition back to school.

Bus Buddy Sharon Brown with a Hairgrove Elementary School student.

I also want to thank the 200-plus community volunteers who made the 8th annual Bus Buddies program a success—helping our many first-time riders get off at their proper drop-off points during the first three days of school.

I caught up with Board President Don Ryan and former Galena Park ISD superintendent, Dr. Gerald Cobb, at the Cy-Fair High School football game at the Berry Center.

There was no better way than to cap a great academic week than by enjoying the excitement of high school football at the Berry Center, as the Cy-Fair Bobcats opened with a 9-0 win over The Woodlands on Friday night. While there, I got to catch up with former Galena Park ISD superintendent Dr. Gerald Cobb, the chairman of the board for Woodforest National Bank.

We have 37 more great weeks of school ahead of us, but thanks for starting us off on such a high note in CFISD!

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.