2014 Heart Walk

CFISD had 51 teams of staff, students and family members participate in the annual Heart Walk on Nov. 8, raising approximately $14,000 to date. Donations are still being accepted at www.nwharrisheartwalk.org.

Cy Ridge HS students hand out water bottles at the community event on Nov. 8.

Students represent PALs, Peer Assistance and Leadership program, at the 2014 Heart Walk.

Event attendees join CFISD high school dance groups near the DJ stage, one of the attractions at the event. 

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).

CFISD Leadership Initiative

Hopper MS academic achievement specialist Charlene Davis-Norris and Watkins MS assistant principal Felicia Hayes work together in the CIP: Roadmap to Success course.

Twenty-one participants took part in the Campus Improvement Plan: Roadmap to Success course on Oct. 21 as part of the CFISD Leadership Initiative, the first in the inaugural set of courses to target groups who either aspire to or currently serve in an administrative leadership role.

The course helped leaders gain a deeper understanding of: 

• why campus improvement plans (CIPs) are created and who is involved in the process;
• how the parts of the CIP are interrelated to form a living document that positively impacts student achievement; and
• ways to reflect on the campus planning process and how to become involved at their home campus.
  

Lieder ES Staff Tailgate Event

(L-R) Lieder Principal Dr. Karen Stockton, instructional specialists Nina Campbell and Jennifer Dove prepare for the Oct. 24 tailgate with all the necessary supplies. 

In order to culminate the celebration of College and Career Readiness Week, the Lieder ES administrative team hosted its second annual tailgating party for all staff on Oct. 24.

“We serve traditional cuisine including hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, pulled pork sandwiches and bacon-wrapped shrimp,” said Dr. Karen Stockton, principal.

Teachers and staff enjoyed a variety of grilled items prepared by husbands of A-team members while the A-team served the food. The Lieder staff all wore collegiate apparel to commemorate the occasion.  

Dr. Stockton prepares a cheeseburger for staff members Blanca Warner and Adela Stokes at the tailgate.

Lieder teachers go through the food line at the second annual tailgating party on Oct. 24. 

Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit

The Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit (MOLU) traveling exhibit visited five elementary schools during the week of Oct. 27-31, sponsored by Chevron. 

MOLU kicked off the week at Andre’ ES, then visited Keith, Kirk and Willbern before closing out the week at Post ES.

The exhibit featured six self-contained, hands-on learning centers with curriculum-based activities about energy and the technologies and sciences involved with the oil and natural gas industry. 

The curriculum for each of the 24 activities was based on the TEKS, the state's academic standards. 

“Fifth-grade students participated in the day’s rotations and were eager to share all they learned during this amazing learning opportunity,” said Kirk ES principal Onica Mayers. 

Future MOLU visits are planned for Lowery, Bang, M. Robinson, Farney, Wilson, Adam, Birkes, Danish and Jowell elementary schools. 

Read more about this event on CFISD's website.

Fifth-grade students at Kirk ES learn more about the oil and natural gas industry during a visit by the Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit (MOLU) on Oct. 29. 

Mother Goose at Jowell ES

Continuing an annual tradition at Jowell ES, Principal Dr. Julie Manuel dressed up as Mother Goose to recite Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes to prekindergarten and kindergarten students this month. 

“Here at Jowell, everybody does their part with teaching students the skills required for each grade level,” said Jowell librarian Alpha Cruz Lopez. “Everyone works diligently and fervently for the progress of the students.”

In addition to reading, Dr. Manuel teaches the students about rhyming words and how the nursery rhymes fit into song form. 

While Mother Goose consultants and presenters can cost more than $1,000 to hire to present at schools, Jowell has an inside track. 

“Jowell Elementary is immensely lucky to have such a loving and giving principal as Dr. Julie Manuel, a.k.a. Mother Goose,” Cruz Lopez said. 

Cook MS Rally

The Cook MS administrative team rewarded its students for reaching their tardy reduction goal by taking pies to the face during the first Ranger Rally of the school year on Oct. 30.

The Cook team set a goal to reduce tardies by 25 in each grade level over 17 days, and students shattered the mark.

“Each grade level exceeded its goal, with sixth- and eighth-grade cutting their tardies in half from the first 17 days for an overall reduction of 239 tardies campuswide,” said Cook Principal Maggie Wiley.

Joining Wiley in receiving a pie to the face were eighth-grade AP Lynn Blakeslee and counselor Le’Krystal Simon; and seventh-grade AP Chris Rose and counselor Lynna Gonzalez.

Pumpkin Extravaganza

Hancock ES recently displayed pumpkins decorated by students and their families. Students took inspiration from storybook and movie characters when making their creations. 

Angelina Ballerina

Charlotte's Web

Despicable Me

Frozen

Anthony MS Dedication

CFISD recognized the opening of its 18th middle school on Nov. 2 with a dedication ceremony honoring namesake Dr. David Anthony. Anthony was superintendent of CFISD from 2004-2011. CFTV produced a video recognizing his years of leadership. It premiered at the event and is now available on the CFISD Youtube channel.

David Anthony, ED.D. stands with Sherma Duck, principal, at the dedication of Anthony MS on Nov. 2. 

David Anthony, Ed.D. tours Anthony MS with two of his grandchildren at the dedication of the new school on Nov. 2.

Principal Coaches Meeting

Lilian Chastain and Cindy O’Brien participate in an interactive exercise during the first Principal Coaches meeting of the year. The meeting allowed the coaches to process and share the value of being a compassionate leader.

The CFISD Principal Coaches, consisting of retired district principals, met for the first time this year on Sept. 11. This marks the fifth year for the program and training sessions to take place.

The interactive meeting allowed the coaches, who mentor current district principals, to process and share with each other the value of being a compassionate leader.

“The training was based on a book by John Hoyle titled Leadership and the Force of Love,” said Donna Guthrie, assistant superintendent for elementary curriculum and instruction. “The lesson learned is that you will gain more from your employees if they feel they are valued as individuals.”

The Principal Coaches meetings will be held two to three times throughout the 2014-2015 school year. The Principal Coaches roster is made up of:

• Sharon Barnes; 
• Dr. Robert Borneman; 
• Lillian Chastain; 
• Dr. Debbie Emery; 
• Phyllis Hamilton; 
• Janet Hoover; 
• Dr. Cheryl Johns; 
• Cathy Jones; 
• Cindy O’Brien; 
• Betty Rennell; 
• Suzanne Thompson; and 
• Anne Wilcox.

Associate superintendent for school administration and leadership development Roy Garcia observes as Principal Coaches meeting participants (L-R) Suzanne Thompson, Dr. Debbie Emery and Sharon Barnes write descriptors for the acronym “COACH.”

Sock Hop

Keith ES celebrated its annual Sock Hop family event on Oct. 24. Principal Cheryl Fisher said it was the largest and most profitable to-date. Through donations from sponsors and a fundraising auction, the event generated approximately $27,000 for classroom needs and staff development. Keith ES staff plan, organize and run this event each year. 

The event started during the school day as students and staff dressed in 1950s-inspired outfits and enjoyed the rehearsals of the fourth- and fifth-grade music classes. In the evening, parents were invited to participate in a music program. This year, music instructional specialist David Kastor taught his 5th-grade students how to play a selection of 50s songs on acoustic guitar. 

"The Keith Sock Hop is not your typical school event," Fisher said. "It is a family experience that all ages enjoy. We celebrated our 10th Anniversary at Keith in August, and our annual Sock Hop is a tradition that the whole Keith community comes together for." 

Parents join fourth- and fifth-grade students for a musical program during the Keith ES Sock Hop on Oct. 24.

Pink Out

Two CFISD schools recently held events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Warner ES staff and students took part in a large photoshoot for the campus yearbook.

Emmott ES staff honored those battling breast cancer during the week of Oct. 14-17 by raising awareness and donating $340 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help support the fight.

Emmott staff members participated in fun “Pink” activities throughout the week, with a “Pink Out” day on Oct. 17.

“The student body was included on Friday for our ‘Pink Out’ day, and it was known that Emmott Elementary had a passion for pink,” said principal Jessica Hernandez. “Way to go Eagles!”

Third-grade language arts teacher Leslie Goree, left, and third-grade math and science teacher Stephanie Casas go all out on “Pink Out” day at Emmott ES on Oct. 17.

Hispanic Heritage Night

Sheridan staff members (standing, L-R) Anne Wilcox, Angelica Trejo, Joyce Boin, Melvina Dobard, Felicia Kucera, Elena Tackett and Veronica Gonzales; and (kneeling) Cindy Locke and Maria Hottensen prepare for a fun evening at Hispanic Heritage Night. 

The Sheridan ES parents, staff and students gathered at the school on Oct. 6 to celebrate the second annual Hispanic Heritage Night.

The event featured a mariachi band, Zumba and the Sheridan fifth-grade choir. The parents and students shared food, costumes and cultural fun facts from various countries. 

“It was an enjoyable evening,” said Anne Wilcox, Sheridan interim principal. “Sheridan celebrated the significant contributions that Latinos have made in the United States.”

Sheridan ES staff member Adriana Ramos dresses the part for the school’s second annual Hispanic Heritage Night on Oct. 6. 

Sheridan fourth-grade student Mahdiya Igbal and her family participate in Hispanic Heritage Night.

Sheridan fourth-grade student Caleb Daigle and kindergarten student Alexandra Daigle dress up for Hispanic Heritage Night.