COVID-19 UPDATE (3/16/20)

For the last 55 years, I have either attended, taught or served in public schools. I understand the significance and comfort that the routine of the school calendar provides students, staff and our community. In addition, I know the importance of academics, athletics, fine arts and extracurricular activities. That is why, with great sadness and reluctance, I must share with you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel in-person classes for students from March 23 until April 9, following consultation today with local and state health officials, the Centers for Disease Control and other Region 4 superintendents. Our instructional team is making plans for long-term delivery of instruction and continues to navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation.

On Monday, March 23, staff will resume duty with a modified work schedule and location as assigned and detailed by your supervisor.

Although today is only the first day of instruction that our 118,000-plus students are missing due to COVID-19, I am proud that we have been able to quickly provide valuable resources for our students, and we will continue to do so. The district website (http://www.cfisd.net/covid19) has details regarding the following resources and will continue to be regularly updated.

• Curbside meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for children 18 years or younger, Monday through Friday, began today.
• Arnold MS, Bane ES, Cy Creek HS, Cy Lakes HS, Cy Park HS, Cy Ridge HS, Cy Springs HS, Danish ES, Francone ES, Frazier ES, Holbrook ES, Horne ES, Kirk ES, Langham Creek HS, Thornton MS (Goodson MS begins Tuesday, March 17)
• Houston Food Bank mobile food truck at Cy-Hope’s Hope Chest (12015 Barker Cypress) on Wednesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Families will need to sign in to receive food.
• Extended Learning Resources to support reading, writing and math for Early Childhood through 12th grade. Long-term delivery of instruction will be greatly expanded next week.
• A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that will be updated as we receive additional information on COVID-19 and its impact to our CFISD families.

Today, we also learned that the Texas Education Agency has waived all STAAR tests for the 2019-2020 school year. I expect that more information regarding other tests will be announced soon.

I will continue to participate in frequent calls and meetings with local and state health officials and will update you regularly as we receive new information. We are all committed to providing resources for our students and staff during this time. 

Please stay safe,
~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.