Upcoming student holiday and campus closure

The upcoming student holiday begins Nov. 23 and ends Nov. 27. 

All CFISD campuses will be closed Nov. 25-27.

The next issue of Employee Connection is scheduled for Dec. 7.

Cypress Woods computer science teacher receives Inspiration Award

Cypress Woods HS computer science teacher Stacey Armstrong received the 2015 CS Inspiration Award on Oct. 30.

Cypress Woods HS computer science teacher Stacey Armstrong received the 2015 CS Inspiration Award from the University of Texas at Dallas computer science department on Oct. 30. The award recognizes teachers and counselors who have inspired one or more UT-Dallas undergraduate computer science majors.

Dr. Gopal Gupta, UT-Dallas computer science department head, presented Armstrong with the award. Armstrong was also joined at the awards luncheon by 2015 Cypress Woods graduate and current UT-Dallas student Darrin Wiley, who nominated his former teacher for the award.

Cypress Woods graduate and current UT-Dallas student Darrin Wiley congratulates his former teacher on receiving the 2015 CS Inspiration Award.

Armstrong pictured with Gupta on stage as he receives his award.

Holbrook ES READ 180 students achieve reading goals

Two READ 180 classes at Holbrook ES achieved reading goals as a part of an initiative to encourage the enjoyment and understanding of the importance of reading.

Chelsea Hill's 4th-grade READ 180 class celebrates reading 1 million words.

Karri Saxton's 5th-grade READ 180 class celebrates reading 2 million words. 

Emery ES Parent Symposium

Parents learned important parenting skills from a guest speaker and CFISD psychologists. 

Emery ES held its 6th annual Parent Symposium on Saturday, Oct. 17. Two CFISD psychologist interns, Brittany Whipple and Christopher Drapeau, and Emery ES psychologist Dr. Sara Glennon presented on parenting topics. The symposium also featured Ruben Perez consultant from Aha! Process, Inc.

Emery ES students performed a dance for parents and staff at their 6th annual Parent Symposium.

“The Parent Symposium is one of our favorite events to have each year," said Emery ES principal Michelle Merricks. "Our parents enjoy going to all the classes and getting information about academics, social skills and seeing their children perform at the end of the event."

Young adult author inspires students at Salyards MS

Terri Hosea's READ 180 class listens to young adult author Jordan Sonnenblick talk about his work as an author and the importance of reading.

A class of eighth-grade language arts students at Salyards MS participated in a Skype session with young adult author Jordan Sonnenblick on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Salyards MS eighth-grade language arts teacher Terri Hosea set up the Skype session as a way to inspire her students to enjoy reading.

Sonnenblick writes novels for young teenagers to encourage them to read and expand their imagination. Students in Hosea's READ 180 class were able to ask questions about why reading is important, and where he gets his inspiration.

"The kids really enjoyed talking to Jordan," Hosea said. "They asked great questions and he told them of his love for reading when he was their age. Many students were inspired by how much time and effort he put into writing his first book, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie."

Reed ES 50th Day of School

Reed ES celebrated the 50th day of school on Thursday, Nov. 5 with a 1950s-themed dress-up day. Reed ES staff enjoyed Coke and root beer floats provided by the school hospitality committee and participated in a costume contest. 

Reed ES staff members (L-R) Francisca Torres, Chayanie Panomwan, Samantha Moss and Francesca Santiago pose in their winning costumes to celebrate the 50th day of school.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11. Show your appreciation for our country's veterans and your patriotic spirit by sharing your photos on social media using #CFISDvets. You can also send pictures and details of your Veterans Day events to austin.dunson@cfisd.net.

American Diabetes Awareness Month

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month. Let's raise awareness and help join the cause to 'stop diabetes!' Post photos promoting healthy eating habits on social media using #EatWellCFISD or send your photos to austin.dunson@cfisd.net.

For more information about American Diabetes Month, visit the American Diabetes Month web page.

CFISD schools participate in Red Ribbon Week

CFISD schools participated in the nationwide Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 26-30. Many schools implemented themed days such as 'Team up against drugs' and 'Sock it to drugs' to promote their anti-drug stance.

Salyards MS students celebrate Red Ribbon Week by asking, "orange you glad you are drug free?"

Salyards MS students say to drugs, "you can't see me!"

Two Cypress Falls HS staff members team up against drugs as video game characters Mario and Luigi.

Two Cypress Falls students partner up with matching shirts to celebrate Red Ribbon Week.

Hemmenway ES students show off their crazy socks as they 'sock it to drugs.'

Hemmenway ES students show that their future is bright by sporting sunglasses and shirts from Houston Community College.

Jersey Village HS staff members team up against drugs, dressing as the popular television commercial character Jake from State Farm.

Keith ES Sock Hop

Keith ES first-grade student Carter Lilley competes in the hula hoop competition at the Sock Hop.

Keith ES hosted its 12th annual Sock Hop event on Oct. 23, welcoming hundreds of families to the community for a ’50s-themed bash.


The school raised approximately $30,000 through the Sock Hop for classroom technology, staff development and instructional materials for students.


“We are fortunate that HEB Fairfield Market, Cypress Fairhaven Animal Hospital, Geometris LP, Pediatric Specialists and Knapp Chevrolet all donated to make it a successful fundraiser,” said Cheryl Fisher, Keith principal.


Children and adults participated in activities for all ages and enjoyed delicious food from Raising Cane’s, Harris County BBQ and Papa Murphy’s.


“We appreciate all the parent donations for the auction items and our Cypress Ranch High School Key Club volunteers for helping to run different activities and clean up,” Fisher said.

Keith ES fifth-grade student Quentin Martin plays the guitar during the ’50s music performance on the day of the Sock Hop.

Led by music teacher David Kastor, all fourth-grade students performed a ’50s concert, including a fifth-grade guitar group and a band comprised of parent volunteers.

Keith ES music teacher David Kastor shreds on the guitar while parent volunteer Cindi-Lynne Rauch leads singers during the fourth- and fifth-grade student performance. 

“Although it is a fundraiser, the best part is that it is a family event that is fun for the whole community,” Fisher said. “Students and families attend the Sock Hop before, during and after they attend Keith.”

Keith ES fifth-grade student Carson Cocales, left, joins fellow guitarists in performing for other grade levels at a morning Sock Hop assembly on Oct. 23.

Cypress Ranch Key Club members volunteered at the Sock Hop to help make the event a success.

CFISD Trustee Bob Covey and Keith ES Principal Cheryl Fisher listen to the ’50s performance by fourth- and fifth-grade students at the Sock Hop.

Keith ES APs (L-R) Jennifer Vest and Shanie LaCoke and Instructional Specialist Lynlea Dickerson enjoy the Sock Hop festivities.

CFISD assistant superintendents for elementary administration Donna Guthrie, left, and Dr. Carla Brosnahan, right, join Keith Principal Cheryl Fisher at the Sock Hop preview performance on Oct. 23. 

Matzke ES Book Parade

Matzke ES Principal Cathy Jacobs, dressed as Snow White, leads the rest of her A team as the seven dwarfs before they participate in the annual Book Character Parade on Oct. 29.

Matzke ES students and staff dressed as their favorite book characters for the Book Character Parade on Oct. 29.

The annual event at Matzke encourages the love of reading and allows students to dress up in a costume at school. All students are invited to participate by dressing up as character from a book of their choice. The students carry the book in the parade and are able to wave to friends and family while showing off their chosen book. Families are invited to watch the parade of characters in the hallways.

Matzke’s administrative team highlighted the event by dressing as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Ault ES Pumpkin Contest

Ault ES had 112 competitive entries in its third annual Book Character Pumpkin Contest, held Oct. 28-30 in the school library.

Ten judges scored their 10 favorite pumpkins that students created in the shapes of their favorite book characters.

The winning pumpkin was made to look like Hedwig from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.


Watch a video of the pumpkin entries here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Ll785g8O0.

Four pumpkins shaped as the tree in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! made for one of the unique entries in the Ault ES third annual Book Character Pumpkin Contest.

A pumpkin on its side formed the abdomen of the dragon from Dragons Love Tacos!

This pumpkin was transformed into Flounder from The Little Mermaid for the contest.

Six miniature pumpkins created the body for The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Ault ES third annual Book Character Pumpkin Contest.

Hopper MS participates in Google Expedition

Students in Dennis Strang’s class at Hopper MS enjoy new landscapes with Mattel View-Masters that turn an ASUS smartphone into a virtual field trip through Google Expeditions.

 Less than a month after making their first stop in CFISD at Woodard ES, Google for Education representatives introduced the Expeditions Pioneer Program to students at Hopper MS on Oct. 26.

The engaging virtual field trip program provided kits consisting of ASUS smartphones, a tablet for the teacher to direct the tour, a router and Google Cardboard viewers or Mattel View-Masters that turn phones into virtual reality headsets.

Hopper teacher Dennis Strang uses a tablet to facilitate a Google Expedition virtual field trip with his students.

As the students tried out the new learning tool, comments such as “How can I make this?,” “I never knew that a teepee was so big inside!” or “I feel like I’m really in the rainforest!” could be heard throughout the room.

Hopper MS teacher Adrian Mouton displays what he sees on a tablet as students use Google Cardboard viewers to participate in Google Expeditions.

“Today was about more than introducing students to a new technology tool or teaching content; it was about inspiring students to look at their world in new ways and to realize that they can be creators of technology, not just consumers,” said Mary Patterson, Hopper science campus content instructional specialist (CCIS).

Hopper MS students use Google Cardboard to go on a Google Expedition virtual field trip on Oct. 26.

Schools unite against bullying

Two CFISD schools participated in No Place for Hate events to pledge a resolution of respect toward one another.

Holmsley ES united against bullying Wednesday, Oct. 21. Students and staff gathered outside around the playground area to recite the No Place for Hate pledge.

Holmley ES students and staff gather outside of the school in orange anti-bullying shirts, provided by Holmsley ES PTO, to take a stand against bullying.

Andre ES students and staff circled the campus to recite their No Place for Hate pledge on Monday, Nov. 2. CFISD Board member Bob Covey visited Andre students to read an anti-bullying story and talk about the importance of respect.

Andre students and staff form a circle around the entire school to recite their No Place for Hate pledge.

Board member Bob Covey reads an anti-bullying story to Andre students.