Gifts

I am always so proud to be a part of this community, and never more so than when we rise up together in the face of adversity. I will never forget the immense support you gave to so many who lost their homes and possessions following Hurricane Harvey flooding in 2017. When we had to unexpectedly close schools last spring due to COVID-19, you all stepped up in one way or another to meet the needs of CFISD students.

And here again, as 2020 draws to a close, I stand amazed at the incredible undertaking that our first semester of hybrid instruction has been. Students, staff and parents have been asked to stretch the limits of their flexibility, and they have done so admirably. This has been a learning process for everyone, we’ve all made adjustments along the way, but we have reached the halfway point of this uncharted journey of 2020-2021.

As we enter this season of gift-giving, I want to give a special shout-out to all of our school personnel who have gone above and beyond to make this school year possible. From distributing curbside meals to disinfecting learning spaces to delivering remote and in-person instruction, our campus all-stars rose to the occasion to meet the needs of 115,000 students. We are forever in their debt.

To help brighten the season for these school heroes, let’s show them how School Personnel are a Gift. Download our graphic here, then post it to social media and tag the person you wish to recognize. Use the hashtag #CFISDGift to help us spread the cheer!

We have many things to cheer about as we head into winter break. Two of our marching bands, Cypress Woods and Bridgeland high schools, represented CFISD at the UIL State Marching Contest in San Antonio on Dec. 15. They both finished among the top 15 bands in the state during a very challenging and unusual year—kudos to the Wildcats and Bears!

 

By the end of this week, we will have completed distribution of Chromebooks to every student at all 12 of our high schools through the CFISD Learning Together Everywhere, or LTE 1:1, program. Our technology services team anticipates receipt of 36,000 additional devices by January, allowing us to expand distribution to middle school and elementary school students very soon!

During the December Board of Trustees meeting, our trustees unanimously voted to protect additional leave days for staff needing to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 that were set to expire from the federal government on Dec. 31. The Board also approved a LEAD Safely Retention Stipend for employees that will be deposited Thursday, Dec. 17.

Among the December Board meeting agenda items, we also viewed a presentation from PBK Architects on the Visual and Performing Arts Center that was part of the 2019 Bond package. This is going to be an incredible facility that will further showcase our robust fine arts in the school district when it is completed in 2022. I am grateful for a community that continually supports extracurricular enrichment and Opportunity for All!

2020 was a challenging year, but there is no community that I would have rather gone through it with than in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Thank you.

Please enjoy a safe and restful holiday break. Continue to follow safety protocols and avoid large gatherings so we can have a healthy return to a successful second semester. Responsibility for One = Opportunity for All!

I look forward to seeing you again in January 2021.

~ Mark Henry Ed.D.

Fine Arts for All!

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It’s no secret that our community is passionate about fine arts, and our universal public education system reflects this value. I was proud to report during my annual State of the District address to the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce that nearly 87,000 of our students participate in fine arts.

That number—representing nearly 75 percent of our enrollment—includes award-winning choir, orchestra, band, dance, theatre arts and visual arts participants from elementary through high school. Today, however, I wanted to specifically highlight the 2,675 students throughout our 12 high schools taking part in marching band.

The Langham Creek HS marching band in action!

The Cypress Ridge HS marching band performing at halftime!

Many of these students began learning to play their instruments as early as the sixth grade. In the years since, they have honed their marching abilities to match their refined musical skills. Marching band incorporates not only music, but dance, movement and theatrical and thematic materials to make an on-field ensemble that is beyond impressive.

We know that fine arts like marching band help students perform better academically, but I have also observed the added benefits of teamwork, discipline, leadership and time management that are crucial to a young person’s total education. 

The Cypress Lakes HS percussion section making spectacular sounds!

Bridgeland HS tuba players participating in their first-ever varsity football halftime!

It’s the fall, which means it’s marching band season! I have enjoyed seeing all the schools’ routines during halftime of our football games at Cy-Fair FCU and Pridgeon stadiums, and look forward to the upcoming competition season. As we are in an even-numbered year, Class 6A bands have the opportunity to advance to UIL regional, area and state competitions. CFISD bands routinely qualify for state, where they march against the top ensembles in Texas.

Here is a look at some of the upcoming local and UIL events that comprise marching competition season:

Sept. 29 – Pridgeon Processional (Pridgeon Stadium)

Oct. 13 – Battle at the Berry (Cy-Fair FCU Stadium)

Oct. 20 – UIL Region 27 Marching Contest (Cy-Fair FCU Stadium)

Oct. 27 – UIL Area I Marching Contest (Legacy Stadium, Katy)

Nov. 5-7 – UIL State Marching Contest (Alamodome, San Antonio)

More detailed contest information will be posted on the CFISD website during the week leading up to each event. I invite you to come watch these talented students in action during the 2018 marching season and witness Opportunity for All in action.

Our fine arts programs give us a lot to cheer about in CFISD! I plan on sharing more program-specific posts throughout the school year so you can join me in cheering on the outstanding accomplishments of these students.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.