Stepping up for students

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It was not too long ago that many of us wondered what the 2020-2021 school year would look like: Could we make face-to-face instruction work? Could we provide an enhanced online school experience? Could extracurricular activities be a reality? Three weeks into the fall semester, thanks to our operations team, campus leadership and staff, and especially the herculean work of our teachers, the CFISD community has been able to return to some sense of normalcy in our lives.

Since our much-anticipated school year launch on Sept. 8, we have been proud of our students and staff for following health protocols and maintaining safe learning environments on our campuses. Between masks, desk shields and signage, the scenery in CFISD classrooms certainly has changed—but the educational experience remains first class!

I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible work by our teachers, administrators, coaches and support staff to make this school year launch successfully. Their jobs are difficult without the additional obstacles they have faced in 2020, and I have admired their commitment to show extra effort—lagniappe—for our students, parents and community.

Another difference in our classrooms is the students who are simultaneously participating online through CFISD Connect. Improvements are being made every day to this virtual environment; please continue to show patience for our teachers as they learn and become proficient in a new instructional technique.

Parents and guardians received an email on Wednesday about the ability to change your student’s learning option for the second grading period. A follow-up letter will be sent on Monday, Sept. 28 providing instructions for making a change during the selection window—Sept. 28 – Oct. 4. The changes will take effect on Oct. 19 (middle and high schools) or Nov. 9 (elementary).

 We were very excited to see our student athletes return to competition in September. Many sports, including volleyball, cross country, tennis, swimming and cheer, are underway, and football games kicked off this week. Fine arts like marching band and dance are also back, and I was proud to see our talented performers shine under the lights on Thursday evening. I have to be honest: my heart filled with joy upon seeing the excitement in their eyes, knowing there were smiles behind their masks.

It also makes me proud to see everyone in our entire school district working together to bring us closer to the sense of normalcy we all need. I knew in April that this school year would be the most challenging year for all educators. I’m so thankful that they have stepped up to this difficult task and made good things happen for students. Our progress to get to this point has been incredible—let’s keep the momentum going and continue to provide Opportunity for All in CFISD.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.