Season's Greetings

Congratulations to the annual CFISD holiday card winners:

by Katelyn Murillo
Emery ES
1st Grade
Art Teacher: Mary Pegg  

by Amel Gupta
Spillane MS
7th Grade
Art Teacher: Lisa Bennett

by Chi Nguyen
Cy Ridge HS
12th Grade
Art Teacher: Nicole Newland

Bang ES Basketball League

Bang ES has started the third year of its basketball league program (BBL). The program, spearheaded by Bang behavior specialist Rodney Garcia, was designed as an outlet for at-risk students who may have never participated in organized sports. Practices and games are staffed entirely by volunteers.

Many other sports programs for elementary-age children typically cost more than $100. Participants in the BBL pay only $15 to cover the cost of a uniform. Bang ES staff members can donate money to the program and, in return, earn jean passes or raffle tickets. Additionally, BBL team members spend time giving back to the community by holding fundraisers, such as car washes. The money from staff donations and fundraisers goes toward game snacks and to purchase uniforms for students who cannot afford the entry fee.

Games are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, November through February. A complete schedule can be found on the district website. Games are open to the community at no charge. For more information, contact Rodney Garcia at 281-517-2983. You can also follow the BBL's Twitter feed, @BangBasketball.

Participation in the BBL program is used as an incentive for maintaining good grades and behavior.

  

The BBL coaches are volunteers from Bang staff (L-R): Gennie Ray, Brock Singleton, Rodney Garcia and Rick Mace.  

Employee Feedback

Employee Connection readers have the option to leave comments on any blog post, with an appropriate online account. CFISD encourages this feedback as a means of culturing transparency in the district's communication. Comments will always be passed on to the appropriate departments, so concerns and questions can be addressed by the most qualified persons.

To leave a comment:

1. look for the comment box after the post;
2. type your comment;
3. select the online service you will be using to log in; and
4. click on the publish post button.

CFISD's policy on comments for all district social media sites is as follows:
CFISD reserves the right to delete comments that use inappropriate language, are defamatory or are otherwise unrelated to the CFISD posting.

PTO Pie Delivery

As part of a new effort to randomly show appreciation to staff throughout the district, the CFISD Community Engagement department recently organized a pie delivery to staff at Francone, Bane and McFee elementary schools. The volunteer group who collected and delivered the pies consisted of active PTOs from other campuses, global volunteers and retired CFISD employees. There are no PTO groups affiliated with the campuses selected to received the special treats. 

Singing Zoologist at Jowell ES

Jowell ES welcomed “The Singing Zoologist” Lucas Miller to their campus on Nov. 18, a legendary musician and author who gave fun and interactive science lessons in the school library to all grade levels.

Miller, who has composed his own music and written his own books, shared his extensive knowledge about animals and science while playing the guitar and singing for Jowell students.

“His knowledge about animals and science is definitely present throughout all of his music, books and storytelling,” said Jowell librarian Alpha Cruz Lopez. “Lucas’ love for the science of animals manifests itself so vividly through his love that reciprocates within the same love for children. He was awesome!”

Goofy hats were part of Lucas Miller’s repertoire, as he provided fun lessons about metamorphosis and many other interesting animal facts.

All grade levels had the opportunity to hear from the legendary musician and author Lucas Miller at Jowell ES on Nov. 18.

Children's Book Author at Jowell ES

Christina Elise Tinker, left, visited Jowell ES and principal Dr. Julie Manuel, center, along with Tinker’s mother, CFEF Chairman Linda Humphries. 

Children’s author Christina Elise Tinker, a former CFISD student, recently stopped by Jowell ES to read to and spend time with students.

Tinker, who attended Post ES, Dean MS and Cook MS before graduating from Jersey Village HS, released her first book, Oscar the Only, in March of 2014. The book, inspired by Christina and her husband Jonathan’s first-born child, Alex, explores the challenges and wonders of being an only child. 

Tinker dedicated Oscar the Only to Jowell Principal Dr. Julie Manuel, who welcomed her to Jowell for the recent presentation. Tinker was also accompanied by her mother, Cy-Fair Education Foundation Chairman Linda Humphries. Following her talk, the school surprised Tinker with a luncheon with nine fifth-grade students who are library volunteer helpers. 

“This was quite the treat for everyone to commingle and share wonderful conversations about writing and family,” said Jowell librarian Alpha Cruz Lopez. 

Tinker, who has plans to write more books, will continue to visit other CFISD schools as well as schools throughout Texas. 

“Jowell Elementary truly enjoyed and absorbed all that Mrs. Tinker had to share with her wonderful book so perfectly well-written for young children,” Cruz Lopez said. “ We look forward to her many other books.”

Fifth-grade students share a lunch with children’s author Christina Elise Tinker, a Jersey Village HS graduate.

Student Authors Honored

Six CFISD student authors were recognized for being published in the short story anthology I-Write: Short Stories By Kids, For Kids during a public book signing and luncheon on Nov. 1 at the Hilton Americas. 

The students were among 59 students in the Houston area to be published in the Texas-based literacy foundation, READ3Zero, publication. 

The following CFISD student authors were honored:

• Eric Dargan II, Arnold Middle School;
• Emily Green, Aragon Middle School;
• Sarah Young, Jacklyn Fleming and Douglas Taylor, Cypress Falls High School; and
• Megan Taylor, Cypress Ranch High School. 

Roy Garcia, associate superintendent for school administration and leadership development, attended the event to support the CFISD students. 

“It was exciting to join in the celebration of honoring our student authors and illustrators at the READ3Zero Luncheon and Book Signing on Saturday,” Garcia said. “The CFISD students recognized exemplify the importance of promoting creativity and connections through literacy. We are extremely proud of our honorees and thank them for representing their schools and our district in such a positive manner.”

Jersey Village HS AFJROTC Skit at Kirk ES

The Jersey Village HS Air Force Junior ROTC awareness presentation team (APT) paid a visit to Kirk ES fifth-grade students during Red Ribbon Week to perform a memorable skit.

The purpose of the awareness presentation team (APT) is to promote positive messages to local elementary schools and day cares on topics such as bullying, smoking, drinking and anything positive to encourage children to stay in school and reach their highest potential.

The team will also perform Christmas carols for local nursing homes during the holidays to lift spirits and reach out to the community.

Under the leadership of C/2 Lt. Lindsey Donaldson, their commander, the APT shared a performance for the fifth-graders at Kirk ES during Red Ribbon Week about remaining drug-free, peer pressure and how such involvement can quickly affect a student's grades, friendships at school and their relationships at home with their parents.

“We are grateful to Major Martinez and Sgt. Campbell, their instructors, for allowing them to share such valuable information with our students,” said Kirk ES Principal Onica Mayers.

Kirk ES Principal Onica Mayers thanks the Jersey Village HS AFJROTC APT for visiting the school during Red Ribbon Week. 

Employee Access Center

As employees change campuses or assignments or make other life changes, it is necessary to update employee contact information through the Employee Access Center (EAC). The communication tools used by the district—Outlook and SchoolMessenger—pull information from the EAC.

To access the EAC while at work:

1. From your district computer, open the Internet browser.

2. Go to inside.cfisd.net. 

Celebrating CFISD Retireees

CFISD would like to recognize the following retiring employees in appreciation for their many years of service.

Maybelline Carpenter
Principal
Adaptive Behavior Center
36 years with the district

Melissa Ehrhardt
Principal
Walker ES
43 years with the district 

Larry Matysiak

Director Fine Arts

Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration

Nine years with the district

Susan Tyler

Director of Middle School Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration

21 years with the district

Carol Billingsley

Technical Analyst

Technology Systems

14 years with the district

Beth Crist

Math Helping Teacher
Curriculum and Instruction
22 years with the district

Janet Epresi

Science Helping Teacher

Curriculum and Instruction

28 years with the district

Connie McCain

Secretary to the Director of Health Services

Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration

11 years with the district

Shelley Rogers

Math Helping Teacher

Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration
30 years with the district

Information for Retiring Employees

If you are retiring mid-year, and will be receiving a standard annuity from TRS, you may be eligible to be paid for your accumulated local, (old) state sick and state personal leave days. If you have purchased years of service in order to receive a standard annuity payment, you will need to provide a copy of your TRS-25L to the payroll department in order to qualify for this payment. The maximum amount you will be paid is $125 for each day up to 150 days. You will be contacted via mail 3-4 weeks after completion of your contract to complete paperwork. Payout information will not be available until this time. An Election Form will be mailed to you and must be completed and returned to the business services department for payment to be issued. Please see the Retirement Information and Check List in the Benefits section of the Employee Handbook for payout options, qualification guidelines and further information about this benefit.

Vacation Carry Over Days

All employees on 250+ contract days who are eligible for vacation are reminded that their Vacation Carry Over balances must be used by Dec. 31, 2014 as they will expire after that date. Please submit these absences through Aesop by Dec. 31, 2014. You can confirm your vacation carry-over balance by visiting the Employee Access Center and selecting Leave Information then Leave Banks.

Policy Changes to Employee Email

As part of the district’s initiative to standardize CFISD's profile in the new Cloud-based email system (O365), the following standards and guidelines for employee photo, confidentiality notice and signature will go into effect Dec. 5, 2014.

Virtual FIeld Trip at Hamilton ES

Fifth-grade students in Chervondria Ferrell’s class at Hamilton ES took a virtual trip to sea on Nov. 10 when they spoke to OCEARCH expedition leader and founding chairman Chris Fischer via Adobe Connect.

Fischer, a scientist based out of Utah, has been tracking the movement and habits of sharks.

Hamilton ES librarian and technology liaison Jennifer Lucas helped facilitate the session.

“I enjoyed watching the excitement of Ms. Ferrell’s students as they talked with Mr. Fischer. He encouraged the kids to never be satisfied—always reach for more because then you begin to do things you never thought possible,” Lucas said.

Fischer shared his excitement at seeing scientists, fishermen and corporations working together to reach a common goal and vision.

“My favorite part was how he encouraged students that whatever they do in life, to make a positive impact on the world and to do something that gives back to others,” Lucas said. “Thanks to technology provided, they were able to hear some outstanding words of wisdom!”

Technology allowed Hamilton ES students to connect with the Utah-based scientist from the school library. 

Fischer encouraged the Hamilton fifth-grade students to never be satisfied and always reach for more than they thought possible.