The TEA announced on Monday that we earned the highest
possible rating of Met Standard in
the annual accountability system for the fourth consecutive year.
All of our campuses met all four index targets, a very
impressive feat amid rising standards and a new state testing contractor.
I hope you have enjoyed a great summer. It was so
exciting to watch two of our graduates, Chris Brooks of Cypress Creek High
School and Cammile Adams of Cypress Woods High School, competing in Olympic
gymnastics and swimming, respectively. Their performances and achievements made
me proud to be both a CFISD and American citizen.
We have been busy preparing for the first day of school
on Aug. 22. A total of 38 new
construction and renovations projects are underway valued at $720 million. You
may notice some changes at your child’s campus when you return to school. Some
of the more extensive projects will take some time to complete and we thank you
for your patience as we work to create the best possible learning environment
for our students.
Speaking of impressive learning environments, our 11th
comprehensive high school, Cypress Park High School, opens its doors Monday on
Westgreen Blvd. near the Grand Parkway. Satterfield & Pontikes Construction
did an incredible job building our first-ever three-story high school that will
eventually be part of an educational village with a forthcoming middle school
and elementary school.
We are also excited to re-open a freshly renovated
Pridgeon Stadium for football fans this fall, along with a new on-site
natatorium that is expected to open in January. New agricultural and
transportation centers and a school-based health clinic will serve students in
the southwest portion of our district when they open near Cypress Park this
fall.
Our theme for 2016-2017 and going forward is CFISD For All, words that remind us that
ALL students deserve the best possible education we can give them. I truly love
being part of a district that ensures quality facilities and resources in all
CFISD neighborhoods.
When you leave those neighborhoods on Monday, remember
that roads will be more congested with school buses and back-to-school commuters
as we prepare for 115,000 students. Please exercise caution and patience as you
travel while we adjust to the new traffic flow.
This is going to be another great year in CFISD. I am
excited to get started, and thank you for joining us on the journey ahead.
~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.
