CFISD Communication Messages

The CFISD 2024-25 Districtwide Educational Improvement Council requests your feedback regarding two proposed versions of the 2025-26 Instructional Calendar. Please visit our website for the draft versions of the calendar and a link to the survey.  The survey will be active until Oct. 30 at noon.

Instructional Calendar Feedback Link

Dear parents/guardians of current 6^th-11^th graders:

You are invited to attend a public meeting (Wed., Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Cypress Ridge High School auditorium, 7900 N. Eldridge Pkwy OR Mon., Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Mark Henry Administration Building, 11440 Matzke Rd) to learn more about and provide feedback on the following proposed changes:

• Streamline graduation requirements to state requirements by discontinuing PACE and Health as CFISD graduation requirements. (potentially impacting students currently in grade 8)
• Class Rank and Top 10%. (potentially impacting students currently in grade 9-11)
• Remove the K-level option where there is an Advanced Placement or Dual Credit option. (potentially impacting students currently in grade 8)
• Create a Rank Grade Point Average used only for class ranking. (potentially impacting students in grade 6)

For more information, visit https://www.cfisd.net/academics/resources/public-meeting-information-for-course-selections-class-rank-gpa.

If you are interested in being considered for “Leadership CFISD,”, please review the committee purpose and membership requirements below and submit an application by Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Program Goals:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the district
• Gain new perspectives to better understand the complexity and operations of the district
• Engage with the district and community to help make a difference in the district and community and instill that desire in future participants
• Interact and develop lasting relationships with district leaders, parents, business and community leaders

Membership:

• Approximately 40 members will be selected annually
• Eligible candidates include CFISD parents and business and community leaders; no employees
• Members will be selected to represent different industries and geographic areas of the district
• District application

Meetings: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 10/23/24
• 11/12/24
• 12/10/24
• 1/15/25
• 2/13/25
• 3/21/25
• 4/23/25

Thank you for considering this new CFISD opportunity!

Please find below important information regarding:

• Libraries
• Anti-victimization
• Curriculum
• SCOPE Act
• E-cigarettes

HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Parents/guardians of a high school student may opt their child into the Adult collection of books at their campus library by visiting the Parent Portal and selecting “opt-in”. The description of the Adult collection is also available there.

If you do not want your student to access the Adult collection, no action is needed. Your student will have default access to the Juvenile and Young Adult collections of books unless you have opted your student out of the library.

You can visit the Parent Portal at https://my.cfisd.net. If you have any questions, please contact your campus librarian.

ANTI-VICTIMIZATION CURRICULUM

Texas law requires all Texas school districts to notify parents of their district’s decision regarding the instruction of topics related to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking. The district approved the instruction of these topics utilizing the Crime Stoppers-Safe School Institute curriculum for secondary school students along with other CFISD resources. The elementary school curriculum will use WHO (We Help Ourselves), developed by the Association of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas. 

Each lesson will define the topic, provide resources, and share tools needed to obtain assistance if necessary. All materials are designed to meet student needs and are age-level appropriate. Materials used in each lesson can be viewed on the CFISD Guidance and Counseling web page. Specific instructions for viewing the materials in person, if desired, are located on the same page.

Parents/guardians must “opt-in” for their students to receive instruction in these topics. At least 14 days prior to the lessons being taught, a notification will be sent asking for students to either “opt-in” or “opt-out” of instruction. Should you decide to not allow your student to attend these informative sessions, an alternate plan will be created by the campus staff. There is no disciplinary action or academic penalty imposed.

If you have any questions, please contact your campus counselor.

SCOPE ACT

Through the SCOPE (Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment) Act, parents have the right to direct and informed consent over their child's access to digital tools, software, and applications. Please visit the SCOPE Act web page for a clear explanation of the SCOPE Act and a list of software your child will be using as part of the CFISD curriculum. The Student Approved Software Lists are organized by grade level.

If you have any questions, please contact the Customer Care Center at 281-897-4357.

E-CIGARETTES

Texas law mandates that any student found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering an e-cigarette (a vape device) on school premises or at any school-affiliated event must receive a discipline consequence at the District’s Alternative Education Program.

How this might impact your student:

1. If your student possesses an e-cigarette (even if it contains nothing) or any component, part or accessory for any vaping device while on school grounds or at a school-related event, they will be recommended for a mandatory placement at the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) or Special Opportunity School (SOS).
2. It is important to note your student assumes responsibility for any item knowingly within their possession, even if it is not their own.
3. When at the ALC/SOS, your student is not able to participate in any school activities. Furthermore, they may face removal from specific student clubs or organizations as stipulated by each organization's rules and regulations.
4. Students with ALC placements do not qualify for semester exam exemptions.
5. Transportation is not provided to ALC or SOS.

Parent/Guardian's next steps:

1. Please talk with your student to ensure they are informed about the law.
2. Prompt your student to be aware of the contents of their backpack, vehicle, and personal belongings.
3. Remind your student not to allow friends to store prohibited items, such as e-cigarettes, in their backpack or vehicle, and discourage them from holding such items on behalf of others.
4. Talk with your student regarding the adverse health effects of vaping.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring that Cypress-Fairbanks ISD remains a safe, healthy, and thriving educational environment for all students. If you have any questions, please contact your campus administration.

Due to a recently issued Texas Board of Nursing (BON) opinion, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications administered by registered nurses in public school clinics now require parental consent and an order from a healthcare provider with prescriptive authority.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (CFISD) has always required an appropriate healthcare provider's order for prescription medications. However, as a result of the BON opinion, the district must also require parents and legal guardians to provide an appropriate healthcare provider’s order to administer OTC medications.

To eliminate the requirement for parents or guardians to provide an order for five commonly administered OTC medications, CFISD has obtained a standing physician's order that will meet the BON requirement. School nurses may administer the following OTC medications if parents provide the medication in an original, unopened container and sign their consent on a medication authorization form:

• Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen (e.g. Aleve)
• Diphenhydramine (e.g. Benadryl)
• Calcium carbonate (antacids)

All other requests from parents or guardians for the administration of an OTC medication must also include a complete healthcare provider's order.

We understand this is a change from our previous practice, but CFISD remains committed to supporting our students' health and learning needs while complying with the updated requirements set forth by the BON.

Please reach out to the school nurse at your student’s school if you have any questions.