2015 HORIZONS Student Showcase

The Berry Center hosted the 2015 HORIZONS Student Showcase on April 13. This annual event featured approximately 900 CFISD students representing grades 1-12 and 390 projects. Students demonstrated their advanced-level products to more than 4,000 visitors.

Additional photos from the event are available on the CFISD Facebook page.

Sampson ES Choir

The Sampson ES Stallion Singers Choir performed the National Anthem on March 21 at the Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns basketball game. They were led by choir director Adrienne Applewhite. The students were given the opportunity to enter the stadium through the players’ tunnel entrance, receiving “high fives” from the players as they walked by.

“The students were thrilled at the experience of performing at a NBA basketball game in front of the players and many adoring fans,” Applewhite said. 

Cy-Fair HS Symphonic Band

The Cy-Fair HS Symphonic Band traveled to Colorado during the last week of March to compete in the Winter Park Music Festival. Students from schools in four states gathered at the annual event to compete against one another. Out of the 15 bands, orchestras and jazz bands represented at the festival, Cy-Fair was selected as the best in the large school classification, as well as winning the top overall award for outstanding instrumental ensemble. 

Mark Veenstra, band director, accompanied the students on the trip, along with Radele Walker, Cy-Fair HS assistant principal, and several band booster organization chaperones.

Cy Falls HS Orchestra Teacher

Cy Falls HS orchestra director Dr. John Ricarte is a veteran of his field. He has worked as an orchestra director in CFISD for nearly twenty years. He currently leads a program of approximately 180 students and five orchestras and serves as chair of the fine arts department at Cy Falls.

Ricarte has conducted two semi-professional orchestras in addition to his work in education. Recently, he launched a new project, Grace Symphony Orchestra, a professional ensemble of local musicians. With a unique vision, the group creates performances that incorporate classical music, drama, dance and art. Grace Symphony Orchestra has already put on two performances at the Berry Center.

Ricarte earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting at the University of South Carolina. More information about Ricarte and Grace Symphony Orchestra, including upcoming shows, can be found at GraceSymphony.org.

Explore UT

A group of Thornton MS students attended Explore UT at the University of Texas at Austin on March 7. The annual, day-long event is advertised as the biggest open house in Texas and features many attractions for students of all ages. Campus tours, including education facilities and residence halls, provide students a chance to explore post-secondary education options. Students, educators and families are also able to experience museum exhibits, an interactive science presentation and the Children's International Festival, among other educational attractions.

Read more about Explore UT on the University of Texas at Austin website.

Carverdale Alumni

Former members of the Carverdale boys basketball team are honored before a recent Texas semifinal high school game, (L-R) Alan Hicks, Leonard Dunlap, Willy Hicks, Robert Santee, Frank Henry and coach Tommy Johnson. 

Alumni from Carverdale school were recently honored during the Texas high school basketball state semifinals on March 13, 2015. Several former members of Carverdale's boys' basketball team gathered on the Alamodome court in San Antonio with coach Tommy Johnson. The team was recognized for their success as state champions. This recognition is timely as the district celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Truitt MS Adoption in Action

Volunteers of all ages, from Bayou City Fellowship, fill goody bags in November to be distributed to Truitt MS staff. 

Bayou City Fellowship partnered with CFISD by adopting Truitt MS in November 2014. Members of Bayou City Fellowship have already already partnered with the campus to reach out to Truitt staff and student families on multiple occasions. Most notably, Thanksgiving baskets were assembled with donated foods shortly after the adoption. Laurie Waligura, Truitt academic achievement specialist, assisted with selecting the recipients of these baskets. Bayou City Fellowship plans to repeat this activity during the 2015 Thanksgiving season for an estimated 100 families.

Bayou City Fellowship uses positive themes when planning goody bag contents in an effort to encourage the teachers at Truitt.  

Volunteers help distribute Thanksgiving baskets in November as part of Bayou City Fellowship's partnership with CFISD through the adoption of Truitt MS. 

Father-Daughter Dance

Holbrook ES held its second annual father-daughter dance on Feb. 6. Nearly 300 girls attended the Valentine’s Day-themed event, accompanied by fathers, grandfathers, uncles and older brothers. This was an increase of almost 100 student participants from the previous year.

Superintendent Fun Run Registration

Online registration is still open for the Superheroes for Kids Fun Run, set for Feb. 21 at the Berry Center. The fun-filled community event will feature several food trucks, over 30 vendor booths and attractions for all ages, including a toddler’s sidekick race, bounce houses, bungee jump and rock wall. The event raises funds for the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation (CFEF) and generated over $34,000 during its inaugural first year. 

Participants can help raise additional money for the CFEF by taking a brief test drive of the new Ram 1500 truck at the event. For every test drive, Northwest Dodge will donate $20 to the foundation.

More information about this event can be found on the district website.

A Work of Heart

Campuses throughout the district celebrated CFISD's Board of Trustees in January for School Board Recognition Month. The School Board is a team of seven individuals, each elected by the CFISD community for a four-year term. Board members receive no salary for their service to the community.

A few of the ways CFISD campuses recognized Board members in January are listed below.


Hopper MS 

Eighth-grade student Treyvon Taylor reads one of the new books donated to Hopper MS library in honor of the School Board.

To show its appreciation for the CFISD Board of Trustees during ‎School Board Recognition Month, Hopper MS dedicated books focused on career choices to the school library in the Board's honor.


Watkins MS

Board member Kevin Hoffman visits with eight-grade students from Carol Barron's class at Watkins MS after being presented with a certificate recognizing the donation of a book to the school library in his name. 

Several campuses chose to donate a book dedicated to a specific Board member. Watkins MS selected Kevin Hoffman, who was honored to make a visit and meet with some of the students.

Jose Martinez, Watkins principal, presents Hoffman with a certificate recognizing the donation of a book to the school library in Hoffman's name.

Birkes ES

Birkes ES students created works of art to demonstrate the school's appreciation for the CFISD Board of Trustees. More photos are available on the district's Twitter page.

Keith ES

Several students at Keith ES created mixed-media portraits of the CFISD Board members which were displayed at the school. Some of the artwork is available to view on Twitter and Facebook.









Bane ES


Board member Bob Covey was visiting the offices of the CFISD communication department when several over-sized "thank you" cards and posters were delivered from students and staff at Bane ES. 

Board Meeting 

 During the Jan. 20 Board meeting, banners, posters and cards from several campuses were displayed in the board room and halls of the ISC. Certificates, student art and various tokens of appreciation were delivered to the Board members at the beginning of the session. In addition, Jersey Village HS choir students, led by choir teacher Neena Taylor, performed a song and dance routine.

2015 Elementary Spelling Bee

Jenifer Jones, grades 2-5 English/language arts/social studies curriculum coordinator, congratulates Ellie Jung and Zayn McGhee at the Feb. 3 event. 

McFee ES fifth-grade student Zayn McGhee won first place in the 23rd round of the annual districtwide Elementary Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word existential. Ellie Jung, fifth-grade student at Kirk ES, was runner-up. McGhee and Jung will compete in the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee on March 28. 

The full list of champions representing CFISD elementary schools is available in the press release on the district website. 

#CFISDFunRun Giveaway

You could win a football signed by Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger! Simply use the #‎CFISDFunRun hashtag through Feb. 20 and tell us your Real-Life Superhero using Facebook or Twitter. Your name will be entered into a drawing for the ball at the 2nd Annual CFISD Superintendent Fun Run, Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Berry Center. Limit one entry per person. 

Online registration is still open for the Superheroes for Kids Fun Run. More information about this event can be found on the district website.

Bedtime Story Night

Lowery ES recently hosted Bedtime Story Night, an annual event for Kindergarten and first-grade students and their families. During the event, parents had the opportunity to observe their child’s teacher modeling a Read To, with an opportunity to ask questions. Parents were then encouraged to have one-on-one time reading a story with their child.

"Reading improves with practice," said Lowery ES principal Brenda Trial, "Our kids read Just Right books everyday in the classrooms, and reading at home, for 15 to 30 minutes, helps to build this very important skill."

Storyook Theatre visits Jowell ES

The Storybook Theatre of Texas performing group culminated its winter season with a performance of “Two Pigs and T.H.E. Wolf” at Jowell ES in December, featuring a holiday connotation.

“The teachers and students of all grade levels were completely mesmerized with the colorful costumes, props and wonderful actors,” said Alpha Cruz-Lopez, Jowell librarian and technology liaison.

Storybook Theatre was founded in 1991 and continues to tour with their blend of theater arts and storytelling designed to promote literacy among youth. The troupe completed a touring performance invitation via China Cultural and International Tours, Inc., in the fall, performing in eight cities including Beijing at the 4th Annual China Children’s Festival. 

“This troupe is sensational, always promoting that reading can be fun and exciting,” Cruz-Lopez said. “The students and staff really enjoyed this performance and were in for an exciting treat!”

Superhero Mondays

Willbern ES staff (L-R) William Freemon, LIFE Skills aide; Kathi Bailey, attendance secretary; Michaela Krotofil, teacher; and Jolene Bruklis, teacher go through line to receive their free The Backyard Grill lunch, provided by the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation. The CFEF gave the entire campus’ staff free lunch on Jan. 23 as a thank-you for its high participation rate in the Donate to Educate program.

The entire staff at Willbern ES earned a free lunch courtesy of The Backyard Grill and drinks courtesy of Raising Cane’s on Jan. 23 due to having the top elementary participation rate for Cy-Fair Educational Foundation’s “Superhero Mondays” Donate to Educate program.

Willbern ES had 52 of 98 staff participate in “Superhero Mondays,” in which CFISD staff who donate a minimum of $100 annually to the CFEF can wear jeans and a CFEF t-shirt the first Monday of each month. 

“Our staff was very generous,” said Dr. Carrie Marz, Willbern principal. I am very proud of their participation. They have really generous hearts. They have received the benefits of the CFEF through grants, Spotlight Teacher programs and all the things that have touched our school. We’re very excited to have this free lunch as a result.”
CFISD staff can learn more about the Superhero Mondays program and download a Donate to Educate form from the CFEF website.

Willbern ES teacher Donna Knigge dishes up lunch provided by The Backyard Grill, donated by the CFEF on Jan. 23.

Willbern ES campus secretary Elizabeth Brocato, left, and bilingual aide Itza Paramo enjoy their free lunch from The Backyard Grill and Raising Cane’s.

Willbern ES teachers (L-R) Laura Hoyland, Mari DeLeon, Lisa Harris and Kimberly Brown enjoy the free lunch, a result of the campus’ high participation in the CFEF Donate to Educate program. 

Willbern ES principal Dr. Carrie Marz, left, and teacher Tresa Weisz select food options from The Backyard Grill for their free lunch courtesy of the CFEF. 

CFEF representative Madelan Polesko prepares a vegetable tray as Willbern ES pre-K aide Emelita Cespedes dishes up some food on Jan. 23. 

Emergency Notification Test

In emergency situations, campus and district administration will send out critical communications using SchoolMessenger, the district's mass notification system. To ensure that this method of communication is functioning correctly, there will be a districtwide test on January 28.  

The emergency test message will include a phone call, text message and email. It will take place after school hours. Instructions will be included in each message on how to sign up for all three methods of communication (phone, text and email). There will be two versions of the test, one for employees and one for families. CFISD employees who have children in the district will receive both versions of the test. 

In order to ensure the success of the test, employees should do the following: 

1. Update contact information in the Employee Access Center. Detailed instructions are available on the Employee Connection blog. 

2. Sign up for SchoolMessenger with the simple, two-step process, as explained on the Employee Connection blog. 

3. Use SchoolMessenger's Contact Manager to select which communications you would like to receive. Instructions on accessing Contact Manager can be found on the district website. Note: The default selection for emergency communications is by phone call to the main number on file.  

4. Help raise awareness for SchoolMessenger at your campus. Resources are available on the Community Connect blog and on the district website by clicking on the large SchoolMessenger block. 

Fun Run Spirit Day Fundraisers

The Grant Road Orange Leaf and Copperfield Peter Piper Pizza are partnering with CFISD to help support the 2015 Superintendent Fun Run. Please join us in supporting this cause. Mention the Fun Run when visiting on the dates below.


Orange Leaf
January 16 and 19
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
View the Flyer

Peter Piper Pizza
January 22
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
View the Flyer

2015 Fun Run Sign Up Deadline

Online registration is open for the Superintendent Fun Run. The cost is $40 (non-students) and $20 (students) for the 5K, $15 for the 1-mile run and $20 per family for the family walk. 5K participants will earn a goodie bag filled with prizes and a Fun Run beanie, event lanyard and t-shirt; 1-mile participants will receive a goodie bag; and family walk participants will receive four event lanyards. Extra t-shirts and event items are available for pre-order. The 5K will be timed and medals will be granted to age group winners. The deadline to guarantee these items with sign up is January 31.

For more information, visit the district website at www.cfisd.net.

School Board Recognition Month

January is School Board Recognition Month. CFISD would like to recognize the women and men who sit on the district's board of trustees. Please join us in expressing appreciation for the work that the CFISD school board does.

The Board meets twice monthly in the Board Room of the Instructional Support Center located at 10300 Jones Road. During these meetings, the Board focuses its actions on policy making, planning and evaluation. Members of the community are welcome to make presentations to the board during a special segment of the meeting. This is an important part of the decision making process as it provides a direct link between the board members and the community they serve.

School board members are elected by the CFISD community.  Each serves a staggered four-year term so that the entire Board is never up for election at the same time. All registered voters who reside within the district’s boundaries are eligible to vote in any Trustee Election. Board members receive no salary for their services to the community.

In addition to the seven elected trustees, there is an eighth member of the team: the superintendent. The superintendent of schools is appointed by the Board and acts as its executive officer in administering its policies in the operation of schools. The superintendent also acts as an advisor in keeping the Board informed of the needs and progress of the schools.

More information on school board functions, board meeting dates and biographies of current board members are available on the district website under the About Us section.

Dean MS Leadership Forum

Dean MS held its inaugural Mustang Men Leadership Forum during the first semester. Students and parents met with two dynamic speakers for five Thursdays with a culminating exercise on the last day of the forum.

"The purpose of the forum was to equip our students and parents with principles and tools to maximize the leadership potential in each of our students," said Dean principal Chris Hecker.