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March 2007

RECOGNITIONS

The Board of Trustees recognized the following students and staff members for their achievements:

• Members of the Thornton Middle School Varsity Treble Choir, who were selected from hundreds of groups to perform at the Texas Music Educator Association’s clinic and convention. Directed by Michelle Willey and Miranda Wilson, the following choir members represented Thornton Middle School : Fabiola Alicea, Lyanne Alvarado, Michelle Alvarado, Estephanie Andrade, Hannah Babin, Angela Banzon, Patricia Barton-Dejean, Sylvia Bernier, Rachel Caskey, Sheniece Chappell, Cassandra Cruz, Kasandra Cruz, Priscilla Cruz, Nataly Del Riego, Sarah Desegura, Jon Dreneque Dove, Nicole Escareno, Montana Gray, Kelcee Guerra, Zenhessi Guerra, Andrea Guevara, Kallye Klekar, Sierra Koudelka, Ashlee Kyser, Aimee Laurich, Star Miller, Hania Molina, Natalie Mungavin, Brittany Myers, Citlalin Ossio, Emily Pereyra, Tiffany Quach, Kalyla Rainey, Alyssa Richard, Stephanie Richerson, Amber Robinson, Robin Rodriguez, Valerie Salas, Kathy Shum, Vanessa Silva, Chayenne Skeete, Shelby Sparkman, Asia Thompson and Brittani Wicks;
• Jersey Village High School Gold Dusters director Betty Buchner, who was inducted into the Texas Dance Educators Association Hall of Fame on Jan. 11. Buchner’s drill teams have collected more than 600 awards throughout her 25-year Texas coaching career;
• Students from the Langham Creek High School Women’s A Cappella choir, who were selected to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association clinic and convention on Feb. 15-16. Directed by Cathy Wafford and Jason Bowers, the following choir members represented Langham Creek: Kelsey Brown , Jeana Casady, Grace Chang, Sarah McKirahan, Shelby Paradissis, Sara Patronella, Tiffany Reinders, Julie Sabol, Andrea Siceluff, Heather Watts, Darcy Armstrong, Clara Dreyling, Jenna Fahle, Erin Gorman, Kelsey Hyde, Vicky Leal, Chanta’l Lillie, Megan Mason, Kristina Miller, Allison Pratho, Alison Richardson, Jordan Suchon, Melanie Swetlick, Sarah Wheeler, Hannah Beaugh, Megan Calahan, Lindsay Calvert, Erin Dogett, Nina Garcia, Rachel Lacy, Jennifer Maul, Alex Moore, Emily Sappington, Chelsea Bey, Casey Colston, Alex Gates, Shelby Hellums, Raquel Hernandez, Katherine Meinke, Sharon Park, Bethany Tiner and Kimberly Zbranek; and
• Students from the Langham Creek High School Symphonic Band, who were selected as the 5A Honor Band for the state of Texas. Under the direction of Scott McAdow and Gloria Ramirez, the LCHS band also received the Sudler Shield of Honor, awarded by the Sousa Foundation for outstanding marching bands in the United States, Canada and Japan. Band members are: Lexie Cooper, Jeff Song, Kristen Land, Erin Thomas, Caroline Coles, Maddi Keller, Taylor Ooten, Abby Yeakle, Emily Matza, Brittany Witt, Travis Milford, Jordan McNulty, Andrea Randazzo, Megan Moscoso, Stacy Ehrig, Tracy Delossantos, Brittany Meador, Ashley McLachlan, Stephanie Woomer, Matt Linn, Elise Harris, Emily Laird, Caroline Hartmann, Ali Speller, Austin Beatty, Andrew Salinas, Lee Redfearn, Stephen Matza, Tim Dyess, Mason Redmond, Charlie Humphrey, JonathanWiese, Jeff Smith, Andrew Boylan, Zach Cornish, Zach Alcantara, Kevin Murillo, Walter Anderson, Nick Kass, Dafydd Bevil, Blake McAdow, Amberley Motz, Tim Halsor, Meagan Neumann, Katie Booth, Bobby Struzick, Ben Mercado, Daniel Heki, Andrew Liner, Ethan Landefeld, Derec Stanislav, Tyler Bailey, Sean Edmunds, Daniel Rubio, Grant Johnson, Ryan Kruse, Will Godkin, Nick Davy, Daniel Shiu, Clayton Macalla, Micah Chester and Keith Rodriguez.

Additionally, the superintendent recognized a group of staff members for honors and achievements earned in recent weeks. Congratulations were extended to the following:

• Jane Ann Brown , bilingual kindergarten teacher at Francone Elementary, who was named Distinguished Elementary Teacher of the Year by Sam Houston State University in an awards ceremony on March 3 in Huntsville. Recipients of this award are selected based on demonstrated expertise or outstanding service in the classroom, school district and/or community. Brown has been at Francone for 25 years and has received many awards and recognitions throughout her career;
• District basketball teams that advanced to the postseason. The No. 1 state-ranked Cy-Fair Lady Bobcats defeated Eisenhower in the Region III Quarterfinals and later defeated Westside to win the regional championship. They took their 38-0 team to the state tournament last weekend in Austin and ended as state runners-up. Other teams recognized were the Cypress Falls Lady Eagles, who won their first round of playoffs, then finished their season with a 23-8 record as district runners-up; the Langham Creek Lady Lobos, who finished their season in third place in district; the Cypress Creek Lady Cougars, who finished in fourth place in district; the Cypress Falls Eagles, who won their area playoff game and advanced to the regional quarterfinals on Feb. 27; t he Cypress Creek Cougars, who ended their season as bi-district champions; and the Cypress Springs Panthers, who ended their season as district champions;
• District swimmers who medaled at the UIL Swimming & Diving Championships, Feb. 16-17 in Austin. The Cypress Falls boys placed seventh overall, and Neil Caskey of Cypress Falls was the only gold medalist from the district, claiming first-place finishes in the 200-yard medley and 100 butterfly. His teammate, Michael Dobson, had the only boys’ district silver medal in the 500 freestyle. The Langham Creek girls finished seventh and the Cy-Fair girls finished eighth overall. Cammile Adams of Cypress Woods earned the district a silver medal in the 100 butterfly; and
• District wrestlers who advanced to the state wrestling tournament, Feb. 23-24 in Austin . The Cy-Fair boys team finished in fourth place overall, and senior Austin McCain won his first state title. Cy-Fair junior Angie Murray won a state title and completed a 32-0 season for her girls team.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS AND PROMOTIONS

The administration announced a new principal for Watkins Middle School:

• José Martinez , assistant principal at Kahla Middle School, was promoted to his new position at Watkins. Martinez will replace Diana Lewis upon her retirement.

ADDITIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

The Board unanimously approved the following additional summer opportunities for students: ESL Enrichment; New Arrival Program Summer School; TAKS Remediation; Accelerate to Algebra; Moving Up in Math; Connecting to IP&C; Scholars’ Program (PSAT Prep); Carverdale Tutoring Program; Willow Green Apartment Tutoring Program; Somerset Apartment Tutoring Program; SAT Prep; Middle School Summer Special Education Reading and Math Program; and High School Summer Special Education Reading and Math Program.

BOND UPDATE

The Board unanimously approved the site, architect and completion date for Smith Middle School (No. 16). Per the administration’s recommendation, the school will be located adjacent to Cypress Ranch High School and Warner Elementary School at Fry Road and Cypress N. Houston. Smith Middle School will be designed by SHW Architects, with an opening date of August 2009. The school will provide enrollment relief for Goodson, Hopper, Spillane and Thornton middle schools.

In other bond-related news:

• The Board approved the execution of the plat for Elementary School No. 48;
• The Board approved the execution of the plat for Elementary School No. 49; and
• The Board approved the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC Blanket Utility Easement to provide electrical service for George Hopper Middle School (No. 15).

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

Third- and fifth-grade students recently took their reading TAKS tests, and the district expects those results to arrive by mid-March. Students who were not successful will have two other opportunities to pass. These students will receive small-group instruction in groups of 10 or fewer students with a teacher who has received specialized training. The teachers will study their students’ results and will address any areas of weakness prior to the second administration of the test, scheduled to be given on April 18.

Testing for students identified as limited English proficient will occur on March 21for those in grades 3-12 and an evaluation of all the LEP students’ proficiency by the teachers will also occur during the month of March.

The next TAKS testing will occurApril 3whenfifth-grade students are tested in math.

Gov. Perry signed a Proclamation setting aside the week of March 5-9, 2007, as Educational Diagnosticians’ Week. Dr. Anthony added his appreciation to the district’s Educational Diagnosticians who work diligently to evaluate and create personalized learning programs addressing the unique educational needs of students in the Special Education program. Dr. Anthony thanked the diagnosticians for the valued service they provide to students in this area.

The Eldridge Transportation Center will host this year’s Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District’s School Bus Safety Road-e-oon Saturday, March 24, 2007,from 7:30 a.m.until noon. Contestants will hone their driving skills through competitions that include diminishing clearance, parallel parking and offset alley events. Drivers begin their competition Friday afternoon with a written exam that will test their knowledge of traffic safety laws as well as the bus maintenance check. Dr. Anthony invited the community to join in the fun.

Spring break is the week of March 12-16. All schools will be closed and classes will resume on Monday, March 19. To contact the security department, the number for emergencies is 281-897-4337. Dr. Anthony would like to wish students and employees a safe, enjoyable and well-deserved vacation.

AGENDA ITEMS

In other action, the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board of Trustees:

• approved the District Textbook Committee’s recommendations for 2007-2008;
• approved bids and contracts from recommended vendors;
• approved tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and Harris County Education District;
• approved the long-range plan priorities for 2007-2008;
• approved first-reading additions, deletions or revisions to the following district policies:
• BJA (LOCAL) SUPERINTENDENT: Qualifications and Duties
• EHBL (LOCAL) SPECIAL PROGRAMS: High School Equivalency
• EK (LOCAL) TESTING PROGRAMS: delete
• authorized the Superintendent to finalize and execute annexation and related documents with Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 12 in order to annex the school district’s 15.428-acre site for Elementary No. 49 into MUD No. 12 for the provision of water, sewer and drainage services to the site;
• approved the superintendent’s contract recommendations for the school year 2007-2008 of teachers to: 1) issue probationary and term contracts for teachers; 2) issue probationary contracts for a fourth consecutive school year for teachers; 3) terminate probationary contracts for teachers; 4) non-renew term contracts for teachers; 5) give notice of proposed discharge from continuing contracts, with the intent of returning teacher(s) to probationary contract status; 6) discharge teachers on continuing contracts; and 7) accept resignations and/or retirements of teachers on probationary, term, or continuing contracts as presented in the Staff Recommendation Report (March 2007) and the superintendent’s memorandum of March 1, 2007;
• approved the superintendent’s contract recommendations for school year 2007-2008 of paraprofessionals to: 1) issue one-year (annual) contracts for paraprofessionals; 2) non-renew one-year (annual) contracts to paraprofessionals; and 3) accept resignations and/or retirements of paraprofessionals on one-year (annual) contracts as presented in the Staff Recommendation Report (February 2007), and the superintendent’s memorandum of March 1, 2007;
• approved the superintendent’s recommendation to ratify the discharge of paraprofessional Cynthia A. Hosseini, for abandonment of her annual contract as presented in the superintendent’s memorandum of March 1, 2007 .

SPRING EXEMPTION POLICY

The Board discussed the high school spring exam exemption policy related to student performance on TAKS and EIAA-R, which applies only to teacher-designed final exams. This policy does not impact district semester exams, Secondary Formative Assessments.

The spring exemption policy differs from the fall in that students who pass the TAKS and earn a 70 average or better in subjects where TAKS tests are given (English/Language Arts, math, science and social studies) can exempt teacher-designed final exams if they have three or fewer absences and good conduct. Freshmen are permitted two additional exemptions (English/Language Arts and math); and sophomores and juniors are permitted four additional exemptions (ELA, math, science and social studies).

During the fall, students can exempt semester exams if they earn an 80 average or above and no more than three absences. Freshmen are allowed one exemption per semester; sophomores, one exemption; juniors, two exemptions; and seniors, three exemptions during the fall semester and six exemptions during the spring semester.

All students may take any final exam that they, or their parents, choose for them to take. At the end of the semester, the Board will evaluate the new exemption policy for its effectiveness.