Thankfulness

As the Thanksgiving break approaches, I am reflective of all that I have to be thankful for. Family, friends, faith and good health are all near the top of the list, but right behind those blessings is this incredible school district. I am grateful to serve as your superintendent, where I have had a front-row seat for so much growth and achievement over the last 11 years.

I am proud of what we have already accomplished in the 2021-2022 school year. Students and staff have responded tremendously to so many changes to their routines over the last couple of years, yet still continue to perform at a high level. Parents have also been instrumental to student success, and we have been happy to welcome you back for many more on-campus activities. Thank you all for your patience through a challenging time.

At the beginning of this school year, I gave our district leaders and staff a three-word challenge, Check Your Corners, which served as a reminder to check on students, colleagues and families who may need additional help. We also want to make sure we take a personal inventory of how we can improve ourselves. Three months into the school year, I have been so pleased with everyone’s additional efforts to make our campuses and district stronger. Although the work isn’t complete, I want to thank all of our staff for giving a little extra, on purpose (that’s lagniappe!) to help CFISD achieve its full potential.  

This next week, I encourage you to take some “you” time. Surround yourself with those you love, eat and be merry, rest your mind and body and count your blessings. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break, and I look forward to welcoming you back on Nov. 29 as we finish the semester strong.

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.

Thankful

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As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches next week, I encourage you to take a moment to count your blessings. To lead by example, I have created a short list of things I am thankful for during this season of giving.

I cherish my CFISD family and the way it comes together for every occasion. Recently, when challenged to get out and vote, staff and students alike organized major efforts to make their voices heard. I was so proud to see that when #CFISDvotes, it votes big!

I am thankful for the courageous veterans who have defended our freedoms for 242 years. I was humbled to meet the families of Cypress Creek HS graduates SPC Scott Quentin Larson Jr. and Cpl. Scott A. McIntosh, who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom, during the unveiling of Cypress Creek’s Fallen Warriors memorial on Oct. 9.

Heroes are all around us. My friend Walter Grice, pictured below with his wife Mary, is a Purple Heart recipient from World War II. He served more than 70 years ago in his youth so I and others could be free today.

I am thankful to work with a Board of Trustees who are aligned with the vision of Opportunity for All. These seven servant leaders truly cheer all students to succeed!

Family is everything. I was raised by great parents who have been married for 65 years and continue to set an incredible example for me to this day. My wife, Cindy, is my rock and I am so grateful for her. Blessings continue to multiply in the form of beautiful grandchildren. I am now up to five following the arrival of Homer Sutton on Oct. 3. I am blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with all of them.

Too easily we forget how much we have to be thankful for. During this Thanksgiving break, briefly hit the pause button and reflect on those blessings. Enjoy the time off, and I will see you back on Nov. 26!

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.

Thankful

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Although it is important to do throughout the year, the Thanksgiving season has a way of reminding me about the things I am thankful for—both personally and professionally.

I am thankful for the people in our school community who stepped up and helped those in need during Hurricane Harvey. I appreciate the continued support and assistance from individuals and faith-based organizations for the families that lost so much during that devastating storm.

I am thankful for the courageous veterans who have protected this country for 241 years. Service men and women like Cypress Creek High School 2005 graduate Kevin Jensen, husband of Cypress Ridge High School counselor Jessica Jensen. I recently learned of Kevin’s heroism as he saved his captain’s life following an IED explosion in Afghanistan, and I was incredibly proud of his representation of our country and CFISD.

I am thankful to have great parents who set a positive example for me and continue to do so. They have been married 64 years. I take great comfort in knowing that in my 57 years on this earth, they have prayed for me every day.

I am thankful for my school family, who through some of our most difficult times as a school district continue to support me and send kind notes that make a difference.

I am thankful to work with a Board of Trustees whose every decision is based on how they can best help the students and staff of the CFISD community—a group of men and women who believe that all children should have a chance to be successful.

Finally, I’m thankful for three outstanding children who have made me proud for the past 32 years, as well as four beautiful grandchildren who bring me joy every time I see them. I am blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with all of them. 

Sometimes we can lose sight of how blessed we are. Certainly, things are not perfect and could always be better. In the grand scheme of things, however, to live in this country and experience the freedoms we have is a blessing that only 5 percent of the world’s population enjoys.

I encourage you to take a moment to count your blessings, as well. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break and I’ll see you back on Nov. 27!

~ Mark Henry, Ed.D.