Listening

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This has been a week of conflicting emotions for me as a school superintendent and an American citizen. While I have been immensely proud of our Class of 2020 graduates as they walk across the stage and accept hard-earned diplomas, my heart aches from the tragic death of former Houstonian George Floyd and the resulting division that has occurred in our nation. The cries for justice and awareness have been loud and clear, and I stand beside you as you express your feelings.  

I continue to believe that public education is the equalizer for all children. One of the reasons I sent my children to public school is I knew they would be surrounded by a diverse community that better reflects what the world looks like. I truly believe that they are more understanding people because they went to school with people who did not look, think or believe exactly like they did. The more we know each other, the better off we’re going to be.

Something I have shared with our graduating seniors this week is that for those of us who have not experienced discrimination, the most important thing we can do is listen to others. Just because we haven’t experienced discrimination doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I don’t need to tell you how you should think; I need to listen to how you feel.

I want each of our students to feel safe and welcome in our schools. Despite the many challenges we have faced in recent months, I am optimistic that we will emerge stronger and more unified than ever before. Each new class of students is more diverse, more accepting and more committed to making our country a better place. I look forward to being a part of the future shaped by the Class of 2020 and beyond.

In CFISD, our motto, Opportunity for All, is our pledge to do our best to offer an exceptional education to every student without regard to race, creed or family background. I recognize that CFISD can always improve as an organization, and I am committed to increasing our understanding and becoming more racially and culturally sensitive.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.

COVID-19 Update (April 17, 2020)

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At noon today, Gov. Greg Abbott extended the closure of all Texas schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year; however, distance learning will continue. While I am disappointed that we will not be able to close out the school year in ways that we usually do, we must follow the directives issued by the governor so that we can safely come back together sometime soon.

Here are some of our key priorities as we continue to navigate the challenges brought about by COVID-19:

• Learning at Home program: Although our classrooms are empty, we are committed to supporting student learning through the dedication of our campus staff and teachers as they connect with their students and provide additional instructional support. The CFISD Learning at Home program will continue to be enriched and enhanced each week.
• Curbside Meals: We will continue to provide Curbside Meals each weekday at 19 campuses. To date, CFISD has provided more than 400,000 meals to our students.
• Class of 2020 seniors: Like you, I am holding out hope that graduations will be held in May or on  our alternative dates in July. Gov. Abbott indicated today that Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath would soon provide details about how school districts should proceed and how they could conduct graduation ceremonies. We will provide you with more information once available.
• Grading, GPA and semester averages: Now that it is certain we will not be returning to in-class instruction this school year, we will finalize plans regarding grade calculations and communicate this to you soon.
• Student and staff items: Campuses will be developing and communicating a plan with you on when you may return to campus to retrieve personal belongings safely.
• UIL: In response to the extended closure of Texas schools, the UIL has suspended all practices and contests (extracurricular academic, athletic and music) for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Our departments and campuses will continue to take your calls between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as through email. On behalf of all of the staff in CFISD, we miss you and look forward to the time when we can safely be together again.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.