Leadership TASB

Leadership TASB member Sonya Raney of Lamesa ISD meets students in Cypress Falls’ New Arrival Center during the Jan. 29 visit to CFISD.

The 2015 class of Leadership TASB, a specialized leadership development program designed by Texas school board members for Texas school board members, visited CFISD on Jan. 29 as part of session three of the yearlong professional development schedule. 

Trustees from throughout the Lone Star State arrived in the morning at Cypress Falls HS, touring the building and observing dynamic programs such as the New Arrival Center, culinary arts and child guidance. The group then visited Anthony MS to take in the state-of-the-art learning facility that opened in August 2014 before concluding the day at the Berry Center. 

Leadership TASB takes a new class of school trustees from Texas to study successful and struggling schools, hear dynamic speakers and take on a research project to become better trustees.

CFISD Board member Bob Covey, who graduated from Leadership TASB in 2011, hosted the 2015 group after years of sharing the success of the district and its programs. 

“It was a great pleasure to host this year’s class in CFISD,” Covey said. “I could not have been more proud of our district. The class was overly complimentary, leaving with some innovative ideas and a positive perspective on our strong, capable district that is LEADing the way to an excellent education for ALL our students!"

Leadership TASB members take a tour of the Berry Center during their Jan. 29 visit.

Anthony MS principal Sherma Duck greets Leadership TASB visitors at the brand-new CFISD facility.

Anthony MS principal Sherma Duck greets Leadership TASB visitors at the brand-new CFISD facility.

Dr. Mark Henry, superintendent, speaks to Leadership TASB guests during lunch in “The Zone” area of the Berry Center.

Cypress Falls principal Becky Denton shares some facts about her campus to the visiting trustees. 

Voting Experience at New Arrival Centers

Students from the NAC program at Thornton MS prepare to enter the gymnasium that served as a polling location on Election Day, Nov. 4. 

Students in the New Arrival Center (NAC) foreign language immersion program at Thornton MS had a firsthand experience of the United States democratic process of voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.

As the Thornton gymnasium was being used as a polling location, Precinct Judge Skinner walked the students from NAC teacher Rosario Brigitte Hernandez’s class through the voting area and explained each step of the voting process.

“She was so excited about explaining the responsibility of voting to our recent arrivals,” Hernandez said. “The students listened attentively and respectfully. It turned into a writing, civics and good citizenship lesson.”         

According to Dr. Laura Perry, Thornton MS principal, the tour helped familiarize the students with voting privileges.

“I think it was a great idea,” she said. “These students will remember this experience when they obtain citizenship.”

Thornton MS New Arrival Center students learn about the voting process on Election Day. Pictured (L-R) are Emily Parra, seventh grade; Maria del Mar Gomez, sixth grade; Luis Perera, sixth grade (Hopper MS); Fernanda Martinez, eighth grade; Thaimy Sabio, sixth grade (Hopper); Claudia Torres, seventh grade; Elias Gonzalez, eighth grade (Hopper).

International Visitors at CFISD NACs

CFISD recently had special visitors from China to observe two New Arrival Centers (NACs). Dr. Linda Macias, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction and accountability, organized the event. She escorted the visitors to Hairgrove ES where they were met by principal Darynda Klein. The purpose of the visit was to observe ESL classrooms and teaching strategies. The visitors were introduced to staff and students and taken on a tour of the school, observing classroom activities and a teacher planning session. Dr. Macias also led a tour of Cy Ridge HS to observe its NAC program.

"They were very interested in the way we educate with group work instead of having the students sitting in rows of desks," Klein said, "and how we meet the individual needs of each student within the same classroom."