Administrators represent CFISD at University of Houston Career Fair

Cypress Ridge HS Principal Stephanie Meshell, center, represented CFISD on the principals' panel at the HATC University of Houston Career Fair on April 8. 

CFISD administrators joined the human resources team to recruit at the Houston Area Teacher Center (HATC) University of Houston Career Fair on April 8. 

Cypress Ridge HS Principal Stephanie Meshell represented the district on the principals' panel. 

CFISD administrators help recruit new teachers at the Houston Area Teacher Center University of Houston Career Fair on April 8. Pictured (L-R) are Hoang Pham, Cypress Lakes HS assistant principal; Teresa Baranowski, Truitt MS principal; Dr. Carrie Marz, Bane ES principal; and Onica Mayers, Kirk ES principal.

Dr. Eric Thomas motivates Cy Springs track and field students

Dr. Eric Thomas in action addressing track and field students on confidence, focus and effort.

Dr. Eric Thomas, one of the top motivational speakers in the nation, spoke to Cypress Springs HS teen leadership and girls’ track and field students in the auditorium March 3.


Thomas gave the students three main points to focus on:

1. Raise your expectations;
2. Stop giving up; and
3. Give 120 percent at all times.


“His most powerful point was a description of a study that was done on Navy SEALs that proved that when your mind tells you that your body can’t go any more, when your mind tells you that you have nothing left, you actually have the physical ability to go 40 percent further,” said Ruqayya Gibson, Cypress Springs track coach. “Ever since hearing that point, the girls keep reminding each other ‘Give me your last 40!’”


Dr. Thomas’s message applied to all aspects of being a student athlete by giving 100 percent in the classroom and in their sport.


Cypress Springs students wrote the following comments in letters to Dr. Thomas:

"No more excuses. I won’t keep blaming my past for why I am not successful. I realize it’s not what I did in my past but what I’m willing to do now to make my situation better...”

“Later that day after you left I had a track meet and I just kept repeating to myself 40%, 40%!”

“Your words have truly touched me—teaching me that I must set my standards high and that I can be the greatest if I keep going when I think I’ve given 100%...I must give my 140%!”

Dean MS students visit State Capitol, Kiwanis Builders Club

50 Dean MS spent a day at the Texas Capitol in Austin, TX. 

50 Dean MS students learned Texas history on a trip to the State Capitol on Saturday, April 9.   Students toured the State Capitol and participated in a scavenger hunt on the Capitol grounds. 

The trip moved on to the Bob Bullock History museum where students took in an IMAX film, "The Star of Destiny," following the chronology the history of Texas.

The day ended with a visit to the campus of the University of Texas.

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The Dean MS Kiwanis Builders Club pictured (back row L-R) Co-Sponsor Michele Jackson, Builders Club Secretary Catherine Vo,  Student Council Vice President Lisa Mach, Student Council President Laura Caballero, Student Council Secretary Stephanie Morales,  Kiwanis Advisor Gary Hopkins and Co-Sponsor Jillian Powell (front row L-R) Builders Club President Aly Bijani and Builders Club Historian Kemberley Osorto.

Dean MS recently celebrated their newly chartered Kiwanis Builders Club. George Crowl, service leadership program chair for the Kiwanis Club of Cy-Fair Houston and Kiwanis advisor Gary Hopkins presented Dean MS with their charter banner, membership cards, certificates and pins. 

Builders Club, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Houston, has been busy this year recycling, providing STAAR treats and supporting staff with motivational candy messages. Students also plan to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank in May. Each Builders Club works with the home, school, and community to make life better by serving those in need.

The organization boasts more than 45,000 members in 18 nations. By sharing their time and talent, Builders Club members have a positive influence on their communities.

McFee ES Rockets Reading Timeout

McFee ES students and staff attended the Houston Rockets basketball game as honorary guests part of Rockets Reading Timeout.

31 students and 13 teachers from McFee ES attended the Houston Rockets game on Sunday, April 10 to watch the Rockets play the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The students were selected earlier in the year to participate in a Rockets Reading Timeout where Rockets staff transformed the McFee ES library into a Rockets reading corner. The students played games and were surprised with a trip to a future game.

At the game, the students were surprised by Rockets mascot, Clutch, who came to their seats to throw out t-shirts. McFee ES was well represented by students and proud staff members in the Toyota Center.

National Volunteer Week -- April 11-15

April 11-15 is National Volunteer Week. Show how your campus or classroom is celebrating CFISD volunteers by using #CFISDvolunteer on social media.

Unsubscribing from SchoolMessenger

Did you know unsubscribing to a SchoolMessenger email will prevent you from receiving important district news? If you unsubscribe to a SchoolMessenger notice, you will be listed as a blocked recipient. 

This means that any time there is an email notification, such as inclement weather, that is sent out to the entire district via SchoolMessenger (our district's mass notification system), you will not receive an email notification. 

Additionally, unsubscribing from SchoolMessenger prohibits you from receiving other important district news such as the Messages from the Superintendent, Employee Connection, Community Connect, insurance/payroll and death notices. If you have any questions regarding SchoolMessenger, send an email to communication@cfisd.net.

Cy Falls Men of Honor

Tyrone Smith, motivational speaker and retired NFL player, encourages Cypress Falls HS students during the Men of Honor breakfast on March 25.

Motivational speaker and former NFL player Tyrone Smith spoke to male students at Cypress Falls HS on March 25 during the Men of Honor breakfast.

Blending energy, charisma and real-life stories from his playing career, Smith shared a passionate message about how to overcome adversity to define personal success.

Cypress Falls’ culinary students prepared the food for the Men of Honor breakfast.

The Cypress Falls Men of Honor join speaker Tyrone Smith for a photo in the commons after his March 25 talk.

Cypress Falls Principal Becky Denton thanks Tyrone Smith for visiting her campus.

Thornton Art Superintendent Recognition

Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent, presents Thornton MS eighth-grade student Laura Gonzalez with the Superintendent’s Challenge Coin at a recognition ceremony on April 4.

Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent, visited Thornton MS on April 4 to present eighth-grade student Laura Gonzalez with the Superintendent’s Challenge Coin.

Dr. Henry recognized Gonzalez with the esteemed recognition for her victory in the Junior High Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Student Art Contest on March 5. 

Gonzalez was joined by art teacher Jennifer Quintavalle, Principal Reginal Mitchell and several classmates at the ceremony.

Thornton MS eighth-grade student Laura Gonzalez is recognized for her award-winning artwork at the school on April 4. Pictured, from left, are Reginal Mitchell, Thornton principal; Leticia Segundo, mother; Laura Gonzalez; Jennifer Quintavalle, art teacher; and Dr. Mark Henry, superintendent.

Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent, acknowledges eighth-grade student Laura Gonzalez’s achievement in front of her fellow art students during a recognition at the school on April 4.

CFISD spellers compete in Houston Public Media Spelling Bee

Aragon MS seventh-grade student Gabriel Bolanos, pictured with teacher Teri Tidmore, placed fourth overall at the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee.

Four CFISD spellers were among the 53 spellers to compete in the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee on April 2.

Aragon MS seventh-grade student Gabriel Bolanos finished fourth overall, lasting through eight rounds of competition before missing a word in round 9.

The competition ended with two co-champions emerging after 11 rounds of difficult words.
Truitt MS seventh-grade student Asha Lamba advanced to the seventh round of the competition before bowing out.

“I am so proud of Asha Lamba for representing Truitt Middle School in the Spelling Bee,” said Teresa Baranowski, Truitt MS principal. “Thanks to Asha for all your hard work preparing to compete!”

Other spellers included Andre’ ES third-grade student Kwamina Onumah and Kirk ES fifth-grade student Arman Mahmud, who both exited in the second round.

Cy-Hope Shoe Drive

Cy-Hope is hosting their annual shoe drive through July 15. Donation boxes will be placed conveniently throughout the Instructional Support Center (ISC) for anyone who would like to donate new or gently-used shoes. 

Cy-Hope will receive $0.40 per pound of the shoes collected that will go toward helping CFISD students in need. The shoes that are collected will be sent to developing countries.  

If you have any questions, contact Donnetta Lowry at 281-897-4079.

In memory of Donald O. Thornton

Thornton MS namesake Don Thornton (left) and Thornton MS principal Reggie Mitchell (right) during Thornton's most recent visit to the school.

The memorial service for Donald O. Thornton, former superintendent of schools (1986-1992) and namesake of Thornton Middle School, will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 7 at Sam Houston Funeral Home located at 1700 Normal Park Drive in Huntsville.

Don, who passed away on March 30, was loved and respected by many and has been described by those he worked with as innovative, dedicated, hard working, caring and loyal. A distinguished CFISD 75th Anniversary honoree, Don began his career as a CFISD teacher in 1964 and assumed leadership roles of assistant superintendent and assistant deputy superintendent before being named superintendent of schools.

Don and his wife, Dixie, were well-respected, dedicated employees who helped in shaping the outstanding direction of our school district. In honor of his love and dedication to CFISD, we are asking the CFISD family to wear school t-shirts on April 7.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation in his honor.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Thornton family.