School Adoptions

Local companies and organizations partner with CFISD through school adoptions arranged by Leslie Francis, director for marketing and business relations for the community engagement department. These partnerships provide additional support to staff at CFISD campuses. As 2014 comes to a close, we are highlighting school adoptions that took place over the past year. 

Black ES
adopted by H-E-B Grant Market
Dec. 2014
Read the press release.

Gleason ES
adopted by Harvest Christian Fellowship
Dec. 2014
Read the press release.

Goodson ES
adopted by Grace Life Baptist
March 2014

Read the press release.

Kirk ES
adopted by EagleBurgmann
Oct. 2014
Read the press release.

Thornton MS
adopted by Lone Star College - CyFair
Dec. 2014
Read the press release.

Truitt ES
adopted by Bayou City Fellowship
Nov. 2014
Read the press release.

Windfern HS
adopted by Raising Cane's
Sept. 2014
Read the press release.








If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss partnering with CFISD, please contact Leslie Francis at 281-894-3951.

Super Senior Breakfast

CFISD recently hosted a breakfast event at the Berry Center for seniors that live in the CFISD community. Approximately 40 people attended the event and enjoyed freshly-baked pastries, fruit and coffee.

Presentations were made by Dr. Mark Henry, superintendent; Teresa Hull, associate superintendent for governmental relations, communication and chief of staff; Nicole Ray, assistant superintendent for communication and community relations; and Leslie Francis, director for marketing and business relations. Handouts were given that provided details about the Super Senior program and the free resources CFISD offers to the senior community. Dr. Henry presented his State of the District that included a video and booklet as supplemental material.

Dr. Mark Henry talks about CFISD's achievements during a State of the District presentation at the recent Super Senior Breakfast.

Nicole Ray explains the benefits available to CFISD residents who hold a Super Senior card.

SchoolMessenger Launch

CFISD is pleased to announce the launch of SchoolMessenger, the district's new mass notification system, to keep CFISD families informed about:

• district and campus activities;

• attendance; 

• transportation; 

• food service; and, most importantly, 

• accurate, real-time information during an emergency situation.

With the previous communication system, families were only contacted at one phone number—usually a landline. The new system is designed to send phone calls, emails and text messages, allowing users to select how they prefer to be contacted. This way, CFISD can be in contact with you where you are during any time of the day—no more important missed communications. Users will be able to update contact information themselves, ensuring that the most current information is on file. They can also add contact information for multiple people, choosing which alerts they will receive. The system works like a mailbox, giving users a place to review messages they may have missed.

A letter was mailed home to CFISD families on Sept. 10 explaining the process for signing up. Each letter contained the individual login information for each student. If you did not receive this letter, or need help signing up, please contact the CFISD Customer Care Center at 281-955-4030. This phone number is specifically for members of the community seeking assistance with SchoolMessenger. The Care Center’s operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Matzke WatchD.O.G.S. Program Launch

Photo by Scott Moore

The Matzke Elementary School WatchD.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program got off to a great start with a pizza night for all the Matzke fathers on Sept. 15.

More than 100 WatchD.O.G.S. and their children showed up for the event, where they signed up forWatchD.O.G.S. days to volunteer at the campus throughout the school year.

Matzke received donations from H-E-B, McDonald’s and Dattz Pizza for the program launch.

“The best part of the night was when one daddy signed up next to another one, and they shook hands and introduced each other and kept chatting about the program,” said Matzke assistant principal Kyla Mote. “We brought the community together. Many dads volunteered to help more than the one day that we asked of them. It was a total success!”

Senior Computer Classes

Residents of CFISD who have a Super Senior card can participate in CFISD's Seniors and Technology (SAT) classes. Those who would like to participate need to register in advance. Participants must present their Super Senior cards at the training. 

Call 281-897-6443 to register. Class locations can be found on the technology department's section of the CFISD website.  

Please call if you have previously registered, but are unable attend.

School Messenger and eNews

CFISD has implemented an updated notification system, School Messenger, to communicate with CFISD residents. School Messenger will be used to send notifications about the most significant issues directly impacting CFISD. These communications are now called eNews and replace the Key Communicator system.  eNews includes general information such as Community Connect and letters from the Superintendent, as well as urgent and emergency alerts, such as weather alerts or school closings. 

Depending on the nature of the notification, School Messenger will be used to contact individuals through email, phone and/or text message. The use of this system ensures prompt and orderly communication between CFISD and the community. To stay updated, it is important to subscribe to eNews on the district website. 

Become a Mentor

The CFISD Mentor Program is a cooperative effort of volunteers designed to encourage elementary, middle and high school students to finish school and focus on future education and career goals. A mentor is a suitable role model committed to helping a student with her or his academic and social development. 

In the 2013-2014 school year, over 400 mentors were matched with students.

Jim Black, a senior vice president at Caldwell Companies, commented on his CFISD volunteer experience: 

"I've only been involved with the mentoring program for a short time, but it provides me a great opportunity to build into a young man's life.  The experience is challenging at times, but is ultimately extremely rewarding. That moment when you "break through" with the student and develop a bond of trust is a game changer.  Very pleased to be in the program and would highly recommend it to other potential mentors."

To become a mentor you must:

• attend a training session;
• complete a global volunteer/mentor application; and
• consent to a criminal record check.

Dates for training sessions can be found on the district website. If you would like to schedule mentor training at your place of business, contact Leslie Francis by email or phone, 281-894-3950.

Welcome!

The beginning of the 2014-2015 school year is right around the corner. Teachers, administrators and staff members are working around the clock as they prepare to “Lead the Way” for students to have a successful school year. As summer vacation comes to a close for parents and students, and as they begin to get ready for the start of school on Aug. 25, the district is launching yet another new and innovative medium (following suit of the new district website) to keep parents informed.

Community Engagement Volunteer Opportunities

If you would like to donate your time and energy to help CFISD students, Community Engagement is here to help you get started. Community Engagement is the CFISD department responsible for several volunteer programs. Bus Buddies is one program that is currently in need of volunteers.

Bus Buddies is a partnership between volunteers and CFISD to provide assistance to elementary students to help them get off the bus at the correct location. You can sign up to become a Bus Buddy by filling out and submitting an application. No formal training is necessary.  Upon receiving your application, Community Engagement will send you the Bus Buddy procedures that volunteers need to follow.

Another way to volunteer is to become a mentor. All schools are in need of mentors. Mentors are suitable role models committed to helping students with academic and social development. More information can be found on the Community Engagement section of the website.

There are many other opportunities to volunteer with CFISD, and it is easy to get started. Parents, grandparents or legal guardians of CFISD students can sign up to volunteer by filling out the online Volunteer Registration Form. All others must fill out the Global Volunteer Application. Both applications can be found on the volunteer section of the CFISD website. All visitors are required to present a valid driver’s license or other valid government-issued ID in the main office. The complete list of guidelines can be found in the school policy.

For more information on how you or your company can partner with CFISD, contact Leslie Francis at the Community Engagement department, 281-894-3950.