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RECOGNITIONS

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

• Athletes from the Cypress Creek, Cy-Fair and Cypress Woods high school swim teams for their first- and second-place finishes at the state swim meet in Austin. Kathryn Eckhart of Cypress Creek was the state champion in the 50 Freestyle, Hudson Rains of Cy-Fair was second place in 1-Meter Diving and Seraphina Van of Cypress Woods was second place in the 200 Individual Medley;
• Cy-Fair High School wrestler Jacob Ekster, who placed second at the state wrestling meet;
• Choirs who were selected as TMEA All-State Honor Choirs:
• The Labay Middle School Boys Choir is made up of students Troy Anderson, Gavin Argha, Erick Bateman, Ryan Bradshaw, Luke Campbell, Michael Chica, Blake Coleman, Jacob Cooley, Christopher Devitt, Christopher Diaz, Mohammed Elkhalil, Justin Faecher, Noah Fernandez, Conner Freidhof, Erick Garcia, Justin Garcia, Woodrow Hardy, Andrew Harris, Ryan Hile, Tyler Hollingsworth, Demuul Javkhlan, Deondre Johnson, Scott Johnson, Akash Joseph, Dylan Lipps, Anthony Macias, Thomas Malinowski, Anthony McDonald, Evan Moynihan, Trevor Naselroad, Alec Peck, Mason Perez, Jackson Phillips, Luis Quineche, Trevor Reagor, Omar Romero, Jordan Ronquillo, John Rooney, William Rutan, Dylan Salazar, Nicholas Salazar, Joseph Spillane, Scott Stevelman, Michael Stewart, Gabe Tan Buenaventura, Thomas Valedez, Gilberto Victoria III, Paul Yacoub, Aaron Yanez and Brandon Zachary;
• The Goodson Middle School Boys Choir is made up of students Cody Conlon, Ryan Curry, Max Fennis, Cody Hatch, Hamilton Hoang, Peyton Howard, Eric Johnson, Justin Jones, Collin Kennedy, Logan LaMontagne, Ryan Lucker, Colin McDade, Michael Ney, Dylan Niemuth, Dylan Norris, Chase Oriji, Jacques Powell, Anthony Reyes, Mason Roberts, Andrew Vo, Kyle Wagner, Seth Whitten, Cameron Wright, Avery Yebernetsky and Dylan Zagger.
• The Langham Creek High School Acapella Choir is made up of students Gency Alas, Adrianne Bailey, Hannah Beaugh, Chelsea Bey, David Burns, Ki Jason Byun, Jeana Casady, Nancy Castillo, Mario Cordova, Remi Davis, Sarah Dixon, Joshua Donaldson, Jenna Fahle, Michael Fischer, Margaret Gerety, James Gillock, Erin Gorman, Tanicia Griep, Perla Gutierrez, Egalhy Guzman, Lindsay Harrell, Valeria Herrera, Kelsey Hyde, Ashley Jacobs, Ryan Joseph, Callie Limes, Sarah Mckirahan, Kristina Miller, Anthony Monroe, Cameron Mousighi, Dustin Ngo, Derek Nguyen, Carlos Ochoa, Alexandria Ojeda, Keith Packman, Shelby Paradissis, Priyanka Patel, Sara Patronella, Alison Richardson, Andrea Siceluff, Mark Silkwood, Tashekia Smith, Jordan Suchon, Siri Svay, Melanie Swetlick, Benjamin Taylor, Verlie Trevino, Heather Watts, Sarah Wheeler and April Zambrano.
• Mike Jarrar of Jarrar & Company, Inc., for being the annual Top Volume Buyer from the 2009 CFISD Livestock Show. Jarrar invested $77,350 in student projects this year;
• Mayra Curiel of Cypress Falls High School, who was selected as the High School Student of the Year by the Texas Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TAER);
• Students from Cypress Woods High School who won 2009 National Scholastic Writing Awards: Lindsay Oncken won a Gold Award and Samantha Katsounas and Hannah Tucker won Silver Awards;
• Students from Cypress Woods High School who placed second at the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) State High School Programming contest: Austin Baker, Kevin Thrift and Bradlee Burrus;
• Students who were selected and participated in All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra. All-State Choir selections are: Katelyn Freeman, Sarrah Galentine, John Dorin and Evan Key, Cy-Fair High School; Kevin Smith, Krystal Hargrove and Tyler Meyer, Cypress Creek High School; Owen Amadin, Lindsay Lymer and Chaz Robilotto, Cypress Falls High School; Eliodoro Castillo, Cypress Lakes High School; Sean Stultz, Cypress Ridge High School; Sierah Ayala, Cypress Springs High School; Kathryn Bannon, Jakora Frazier, Alex Jensen and Sid Quinsaat, Cypress Woods High School; Alison Moscoso, Alex Bruce and Matt Mazzola, Jersey Village High School; and Andrew Burns, Langham Creek High School. All-State Band selections are: Paul Norris, Langham Creek High School; Ian Paige, Colin Lee, Luke Holt and Amanda Weise, Jersey Village High School; Robert Lares, Ryan Finke, Brandon Custer, Ashley Scrambray and Kelsey Carpenter, Cypress Woods High School; Jaren Reyes and Alan McAda, Cypress Springs High School; Elaine Lowry, Cypress Ridge High School; Sarah Guhl, Cypress Ranch High School; and Tim McMillan, Luke Lehman, Daniel Cruz and David Trujillo, Cypress Creek High School. All-State Orchestra selections are: Audrey Lee, Cy-Fair High School; Angela Li, Cypress Falls High School; Andie Roeder, Windfern High School; and Amanda Hogan and Joseph Sliepka, Jersey Village High School; and
• Students who rated Superior or Excellent in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) and Scholastic Art competitions:
• Cy-Fair High School – Thao Nguyen, senior, Superior, Electronic Media, Jaw Swing; Hannah Olson, sophomore, Superior, Photography, Leaf and National Silvery Key, Photography, Unspoken Innocence; Joo Byun, senior, Superior, Mixed Media, Mirror, Mirror on the Wall; and Renke Yang, junior, Superior, Painting Moiety;
• Cypress Creek High School – Elyssa Salcido, senior, Superior, Photography, Waterpolo Break; Linh Hoang, sophomore, Excellent, Drawing, Van Me; Alicia Marquez, sophomore, Superior, Mixed Media, Heart on a Tether; and Chad Maydwell, senior, Superior, Mixed Media, Hedonism;
• Cypress Falls High School – Laila Alkhuli, junior, Superior, Photography, Dark Escape; Sarah Glogowski, senior, Excellent, Photography, New York Nights; Katherine Hintze, senior, Excellent, Photography, Reflection in Antique; Laila Alkhuli, junior, Superior, Electronic Media, Shattered;Sophia Martin, senior, Superior, Electronic Media, Through the Looking Glass; Carla Farfan, senior, Superior, Sculpture, Raven and the Lion and Superior and Gold Seal, Jewelry, Nature’s Way Pendant; and Cassandra Hines, junior, Superior, Sculpture, Man With Horns;
• Cypress Ridge High School – Helen Han, junior, Superior and Gold Seal, Drawing, Three Children and Superior and Gold Seal, Drawing, The Old Woman at the Airport; Kelsey Brinson, senior, Excellent, Mixed Media, Symmetry of a Thought; and Ida Shalilian, junior, Excellent, Photography, Ballerina;
• Cypress Springs High School – Justin Merkey, junior, Excellent, Photography, Hangin’ In There; Miguel Martinez, senior, Superior, Printmaking, Reciprocal Pain; Rebecca Ortiz, junior, Superior, Mixed Media, Love of Music; and Valeria Arauz, senior, Superior, Ceramics, Tea Pot Fantasy;
• Cypress Woods High School – Taylor Brewer, senior, Excellent, Ceramics, Beverly; Emily Charlton, senior, Superior, Sculpture, Fill In The Blank; Amanda Davis, junior, Excellent, Ceramics, The Space Ship; Sarah Head, senior, Superior, Ceramics, More Than Floral; Marielle Lambrou, junior, Superior, Ceramics, Nike; Nikki Rogan, junior, Excellent, Sculpture, Oops!; Lindsey Sheely, senior, Superior, Ceramics, Clarity; Austin Dale, Excellent, Photography, Villa Franche; Kathryn Elizondo, Excellent, Photography, Sun Beam; Meredith McCain, Excellent, Photography, Empty Bottle and a Full Evening; William Hackney, senior, Excellent, Photography, Ship Wrecked; Shana Hagemeyer, junior, Superior and Gold Seal, Photography, Reminiscing; Kalyn Oden, junior, Excellent, Photography, La Porte Rauge; Clarisse Tangdol, sophomore, Superior, Photography, Infinity; Nicholas Voyer, junior, Excellent, Photography, Bent in Proportion; Sarah Zannoni, junior, Superior, Photography, After the Storm; Emily Aitken, senior, Superior, Sculpture, Beautifully Broken; Kenneth Bassey, junior, Superior, Mixed Media, Mind Warp; Chris Bitter, senior, Superior, Mixed Media, Locks; Amy Brackney, freshman, Superior, Mixed Media, Mystical, Whimsical Dreamland; Alex Judie, junior, Excellent, Sculpture, Zyon; Megan Lesmeister, senior, Superior, Mixed Media, Leaf Me Alone; Kole Lugar, senior, Superior (2), Mixed Media, Urban Influenza and Domo Ari Gato Mr. Roboto; Bridgette Mendoza, senior, Superior, Mixed Media, Girl With The Raven Hair; Jonna Miller, senior, Superior, Mixed Media, Neuro Suspension; Kourtney Molen, junior, Excellent, Drawing, Can Opener; Sarah Nielsen, freshman, Superior, Drawing, Cut It Out; Sean Oakes, senior, Superior, Gold Seal, Drawing, Rusted French Horn; Camila Ruiz, junior, Superior and Gold Seal, Drawing, Voltage; Camila Ruiz, junior, Superior, Mixed Media, Maria Maria; Jared Selcoe, senior, Superior, Drawing, I’m Your Biggest Fan; Taylor Vail, senior, Superior, Drawing, Cold-blooded; and Jennifer Valdez, junior, Superior, Painting, Scorched; and
• Jersey Village High School – Leeann Lo, senior, Excellent, Photography, Untitled.

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

• Employees and students who participated in the 70th Annual Employee Service Banquet at the Berry Center on Monday, April 20. CFISD’s honorees were entertained by student performances. Robert Douglas and Ren Patrick from Cy-Fair High School sang “Kokomo;” the Cypress Woods High School girls chamber choir sang “What a Feeling;” Cypress Creek High School student Tyler Galindo sang “We are the Champions;” and Langham Creek High School student Andrew Burns sang “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” After the district’s retiring employees were honored, Loretta Bourn, CFISD elementary music coordinator, serenaded the crowd with a song she wrote, “Thanks for the Memories.” Dr. Anthony thanked students and employees for their participation in this event;

• Sampson Elementary School students who represented CFISD at the World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA) World Championships in Denver, Colo., in April, claiming eight medals and one world record. The Sampson Chargers won gold medals in all three relay events, breaking the world record in timed relay, and all team members placed in the top 10 in the world in their individual events. Team members are Garret Martin, Benjamin He, Charles St. Clair and Emma Slabach. The Sampson Sharks won gold in all three relay events and team members Blake Weldon, Colby Brennan, Danica Gubic and Alejandro Montoya placed in the top 10 in the world in their individual events. Danica Gubic also won a silver medal in the Cycle event. The Sampson Blazers won a bronze medal in their timed relay event. The team members are Austin Gallagher, Alex Niall, Nirav Lalsinghani and Christian Taulli. Alex Niall also placed 10th in the world in the Cycle event;

• Danish Elementary School fifth-grade student Manuel Martinez, who was one of three Best of Show winners for his artwork “Come Visit the Hayloft” in the Reliant Energy Power of Art People’s Choice Voting Contest, part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The award included more than $2,000 in art supplies for Danish and for CFISD, plus more than $100 in prizes for Manuel;

• Michelle Smith, Cypress Ridge High School English teacher, who recently earned the Anti-Defamation League’s Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award. She was honored on May 6 during a ceremony at the Westin Galleria;

• Lida Woodul, Board of Trustees member, who was named Willbern Elementary School’s Volunteer of the Month for May. She has faithfully worked with some of Willbern’s young students every Tuesday;

• Jim Wells, Cypress Creek High School principal, who was selected to attend The Principal’s Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education through Raise Your Hand Texas, a non-profit organization committed to the support of public schools in Texas. Wells will attend the Redesigning High School Program June 28 – July 3;

• Duryea, Hairgrove, Tipps and Warner elementary schools, who have received the Healthier U.S. School Challenge Gold Certificate award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. This award recognizes their food service programs for reinforcing the 3 Es for Healthy Living – Education, Exercise and Eating Right;

• Softball teams who qualified for the playoffs. CFISD’s district champions were the Cypress Woods Wildcats, and runners-up were the Cypress Creek Cougars. Third place went to Cy-Fair and fourth to Cypress Falls. The playoff pairings will be as follows:
• Cypress Creek played Round Rock Westwood beginning Monday, May 11 at 5 p.m. in a best-of-three series. The third game, if necessary, will be on Tuesday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at A&M Consolidated High School;
• Cypress Falls played Cedar Park Vista Ridge on Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Brenham High School;
• Cy-Fair played Round Rock Stony Point on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at A&M Consolidated High School; and
• Cypress Woods played Round Rock on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. at Bryan High School;

• Baseball teams who qualified for the playoffs. CFISD’s district champions were the Cy-Fair Bobcats and the runners-up were the Cypress Woods Wildcats. Third place went to Cypress Creek and fourth place went to Cypress Ridge. The playoff pairings will be as follows:
• Cy-Fair will play Round Rock on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at A&M Consolidated High School;
• Cypress Woods will play Leander on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Leander High School;
• Cypress Creek will play Round Rock Stony Point on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Bryan High School; and
• Cypress Ridge will play Georgetown at on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Georgetown High School; and

• Teachers who were named Spotlight Teachers during a special-called Board meeting Monday night, May 4, at the Berry Center. Dr. Anthony gave special recognition to those Spotlight Teachers who were unable to attend the May 4 event:
• Jacqueline Roberts, fifth-grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Horne Elementary School;
• Kerry Watson, fifth-grade math and science teacher and science liaison at Yeager Elementary School; and
• Carol Barron, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade READ 180, basic reading and special education teacher at Watkins Middle School.

ELEMENTARY GRADING PERIODS

The administration gave a report on the recommendation to move from a six-week to a nine-week grading period for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Through unanimous input from elementary school principals, a nine-week period provides extended time to reach concepts and skills to mastery. Experts such as Dr. Willard Daggett recommend having grading periods that are long enough to measure the impact on instruction. This also meets the guideline for reduction in paperwork.

Interim progress reports shall be issued for all students in elementary school after the fourth week instead of the third week of the reporting period. Parents will be informed of their students’ academic progress with enough time to impact grades before the end of the grading period. The system will save time for teachers, because reports will be generated through CFISD’s report card system rather than filled out by the teacher.

BOND UPDATE

The Board approved construction proposals and contracts paid from bond funds to the recommended contractors and authorized the superintendent or designee to execute all necessary documents related to such contracts as follows:

• Package E-2009 Miscellaneous Renovations at Owens and Wilson elementary schools;
• Package G-2009 Miscellaneous Renovations at Ault, Lowery and Willbern elementary schools;
• Package H-2009 Miscellaneous Renovations at Windfern Annex, Falcon Transportation and Food Production Center;
• Package L-2009 Miscellaneous Renovations at Matzke Elementary and Windfern High School; and
• Elementary School No. 52 Site Preparation Package.

The Board authorized the superintendent or designee to enter into miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the following projects:

• Package G-2009 – Miscellaneous Renovations at Ault, Lowery and Willbern elementary schools;
• Package H-2009 – Miscellaneous Renovations at Windfern Annex, Falcon Transportation and Food Production Center; and
• Package L-2009 Miscellaneous Renovations at Matzke Elementary School and Windfern High School.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

Dr. Anthony recognized CFISD school nurses in honor of National School Nurse Day on May 6, 2009. He extended his appreciation to nurses for providing dedicated and caring medical support to the students and the district. Along with teachers, counselors and administrators, the school nurses provide their expertise to further a healthy learning environment essential to student’s success. The district shows appreciation for school nurses, not just on this official day of recognition, but throughout the entire year. CFISD nurses have been on the front line with the H1N1 virus, helping schools and families stay healthy.

As part of the Student Success Initiative, CFISD’s fifth- and eighth-grade students who did not pass the first administration of the TAKS tests, taken in early April, will have a second opportunity to take it on May 19. Fifth- and eighth-grade students in Texas public schools must pass both the math and reading TAKS tests in order to be promoted to sixth and ninth grade. For students who pass the second administration, a third and final opportunity will be offered June 30 for math and July 1 for reading.

District facilities will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday to commemorate those who have given their lives for freedom. 

The last day of classes for students in the 2008-2009 academic year is June 3, while Thursday, June 4, is a professional day for district employees. Dr. Anthony wished students, teachers, administrators and support personnel a well-deserved, restful, healthy and fun-filled summer vacation. Although the district has faced many challenges, CFISD personnel and many volunteer community members have shown that dedication to educational excellence continues as the CFISD standard.

All CFISD graduation ceremonies will be held at the Berry Center, with free parking. According to Dr. Anthony, district administrators are proud of the more than 6,000 graduating seniors and wish them the best as they pursue their college and career aspirations. The schedule for this year’s graduation ceremonies is as follows:

• Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. – Windfern High School
• Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. – Jersey Village High School
• Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. – Cypress Creek High School
• Saturday, June 6
• 8:30 a.m. – Langham Creek High School
• Noon – Cypress Falls High School
• 3:30 p.m. – Cy-Fair High School
• 7:30 p.m. – Cypress Springs High School
• Sunday, June 7
• 1 p.m. – Cypress Ridge High School
• 4:30 p.m. – Cypress Woods High School

Tickets are required and will be issued through the graduating seniors. Parents and guests are encouraged to carpool due to the expected large number in attendance. Traffic on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be congested in the Barker-Cypress area. Participants in the graduation ceremonies should allow extra time for travel and parking. For those family members who will not attend, the graduation ceremonies will be broadcast live on Channel 16.

The first summer school session is scheduled for June 10-30 and the second summer school session will run July 13-31 at Cypress Ranch and Cy-Fair high schools and Cook, Goodson and Labay middle schools. Information on elementary general and special education, bilingual and ESL summer classes, as well as science summer camps and other enrichment programs can be accessed on the district website at www.cfisd.net using the summer school link. Summer School graduation is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 31 at the Berry Center.  

Mary Evans was recently named the new Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce president. A meet-and-greet event will be held at the Instructional Support Center (ISC) on Tuesday, May 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Board room. The Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce is a tremendous partner with the school district. The public is encouraged to attend and welcome Evans. For more information, contact the Chamber at 281-373-1390.

The district anticipates a great turnout for the Community Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berry Center. More than 90 vendors, health screenings, student performances, seminars, demonstrations (including cooking with Clive Berkman) and a recycling center will be available at the event. Activities for all ages will take place throughout the day, including bingo and a bicycle rodeo for grades K-5. For more information, please visit www.cyfairhealthexpo.org.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• approved the advanced courses for 2009-2010;
• approved the budget amendments for the period of Jan. 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009;
• approved the tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or Harris County Education District;
• approved bids and contracts to the recommended vendors and authorized the superintendent, respective associate superintendent or designee to execute all necessary documents related to such bids and contracts;
• approved the implementation of activities and the application for the Texas Statewide Tobacco Education and Prevention Grant;
• approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Houston-Galveston Area Council for the funding of replacement buses;
• approved an update of the district’s Hazardous Traffic Conditions Resolution which, pursuant to TEA requirements for the district to receive supplemental transportation funding, defines hazardous traffic conditions applicable to the district and identifies the specific hazardous areas which exist;
• approved on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policies:
• BJCF (LOCAL) SUPERINTENDENT NONRENEWAL;
• CI (LOCAL) SCHOOL PROPERTIES DISPOSAL;
• DFBB (LOCAL) TERM CONTRACTS NONRENEWAL;
• FD (LOCAL) ADMISSIONS;
• FDA (LOCAL) ADMISSIONS-INTERDISTRICT TRANSFERS; and
• FDB (LOCAL) ADMISSIONS-INTRADISTRICT TRANSFERS AND CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS;
• approved a request for a Texas Education Agency Application for Missed Instructional Days, 2008-2009 School Year as a result of one student instructional day lost due to flooding;
• approved a request for a Texas Education Agency Application for Missed Instructional Days, 2008-2009 School Year for Cypress Creek High School as a result of four student instructional days lost due to flooding and severe damage to the building;
• approved a request for a Texas Education Agency Application for Missed Instructional Days, 2008-2009 School Year for Yeager Elementary School as a result of school closure due to a confirmed diagnosis of a Yeager student contracting the Swine Flu;
• approved a request for a Texas Education Agency Application for Missed Instructional Days, 2008-2009 School Year for Horne Elementary School as a result of school closure due to a highly probably case of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) in a Horne Elementary student;
• approved on first reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policies:
• EIA (LOCAL) ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: GRADING/PROGRESS REPORTS TO PARENTS;
• approved the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate the continuing contract of Loruhamah Carter, a teacher in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, as presented in the superintendent’s memorandum of May 1, 2009; and
• approved the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate the continuing contract of Mary Selman, a teacher in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, as presented in the superintendent’s memorandum of May 1, 2009.

ADDENDUM – DISCUSSION

The Board discussed and received legal advice from the general counsel regarding the legal issues associated with school closures due to the H1N1 virus and associated matters on which the general counsel’s duty to the district under the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct clearly conflicts with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

ADDENDUM – ACTION ITEM

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the administration to compensate the district’s employees who were excluded from work due to a campus’s closure resulting from a confirmed or highly probable case of H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu) case at their regular rate of pay, according to their assignment or duty schedule, that they would have otherwise worked.