A Memorable School Year

Nine months ago, we were preparing to open our doors to students and staff. Instead, we opened them to first responders, displaced flood victims, volunteers and even the National Guard.

Hurricane Harvey certainly dealt us an unexpected blow at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, but as usual, we all came together and put Opportunity for All into action. Many heroes of the classroom, like Duryea Elementary School Principal Kenneth Henry, turned into heroes of Harvey.

The district showed its resilience no matter the obstacle or weather event (Mother Nature even threw a little freeze at us!). We came together, we rebuilt, we grew stronger as a result.

Our students never slowed down, earning incredible accomplishments in the classroom, concert halls and playing fields. While fine arts students gave gold performances…

The Cypress Falls HS honor choir performs as a TMEA Honor Choir at the state convention on Feb. 15. 

…UIL state champions tested the strength of gold medals!

Cy-Fair HS football players celebrate winning the state title at AT&T Stadium Dec. 23. 

Cypress Creek HS senior Samantha Billings won first place in feature writing at the UIL Academic State Meet May 4-5.

One of the stabilizing forces for CFISD this year was an award-winning school board, whose members are always seeking the best for our students, staff and taxpayers. It continues to be a pleasure to work with this group.

Our amazing Trustees celebrated the Bobcats’ state football title at the January 2018 Board meeting. 

While I don’t know what challenges await us in 2018-2019, I know that in November you will have the opportunity to select members of our own legislative body as well as state leaders who will determine the future of public education. I encourage you to become engaged. Keep tabs on our Community Leadership Committee. Vote for candidates who support universal public education!

Despite all the challenges the community has experienced, I encourage everyone to finish strong as we head toward the summer—then enjoy time with family, be safe and relax! We still have a lot to cheer about in this district, including 12 high school graduation ceremonies that are currently in progress! 

As 8,000 seniors walk the stage at the Berry Center, a school year that began with devastation will end with hope for a brighter future. That’s what I call #CFISDspirit.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.

Starting Over

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Welcome back to school—again! I realize we are starting 2017-2018 a couple weeks later than we originally planned, and I appreciate everyone’s patience during this difficult time.

Certainly, Hurricane Harvey has proven to be a dynamic and unprecedented event for the CFISD community. So many of our neighbors have been displaced from their homes due to flooding and damage, and we want to remember those folks in our thoughts and prayers and continue to provide support as they get back on their feet.

You may have heard that Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath has waived the nine student days we have missed due to the flooding. I can assure you that our teachers and staff are going to provide each student with the same outstanding curriculum and instruction they would have received had we started on Aug. 28.

The outpouring of support for so many of our friends and neighbors impacted by this tragic event has been inspiring to see. People from different backgrounds and zip codes have all come together to support this community. That makes me extremely proud, not only to be a CFISD resident but also an American.

Without a municipal government that covers the entire district, CFISD stepped up to provide temporary shelter, support other shelters and school districts with food and supplies and help operate our own point of distribution at the Berry Center that provided assistance to more than 5,000 community members. 

On a personal note, I want to thank you for your prayers, encouraging comments and emails during this difficult time. I have been a superintendent for 27 years, and this was the most challenging and dynamic event I have ever experienced in that role.

For most of us, this event will be in our rear-view mirror rather quickly. But for a significant group of people in our community, this was a life-changing event. The theme we live by in CFISD is Opportunity for All. Let’s make sure all of our community, with our continued support, has the opportunity to rebuild their lives this year.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.