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.

More committee appointments

Yesterday I posted about the new chairman of the House Public Education Committee, Rep. Dan Huberty, and one of his committee members, District 138 Rep. Dwayne Bohac.

I also wanted to update you on the other committee appointments by our local constituents who represent Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

District 126 Rep. Kevin Roberts earned a coveted seat on the House Appropriations committee, which devises the House’s proposed state budget. Rep. Roberts was also assigned to the County Affairs Committee that oversees all 254 counties in Texas, as well as the Speaker Straus-appointed House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation and Infrastructure. This is a big economic development opportunity for Houston and the entire state.

District 130 Rep. Tom Oliverson was asked to serve on the House Administration, Insurance and Public Health committees. As a practicing physician, I know Dr. Oliverson will be well-utilized in these capacities!

District 132 Rep. Mike Schofield will serve on the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee, as well as the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues committee. The former attorney will certainly be an asset to these two groups.

District 135 Rep. Gary Elkins will chair the Government Transparency & Operation committee. He will also serve on the Urban Affairs committee. A veteran legislator since 1995, the Jersey Village resident has been a dedicated leader to our community and I wish him well.

In the Senate, District 7 Sen. Paul Bettencourt will have an essential role on the Education committee. Sen Bettencourt has been very complimentary of CFISD in the past, will continue to support us in this key role. The former county tax assessor and collector will also serve on the Senate Finance committee.

I pray for all of our local leaders in the difficult task they have in the months to come. To stay tuned to 85^th Legislative Session and how it impacts CFISD, I encourage you to check out the Community Legislative Committee webpage on our district website, and give the CLC a follow on Twitter -- @CFISD_CLC.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.