An Innovative Leader in Learning

On May 2, 2008, eSchool News published an article called "Study: Creativity is important but neglected" featuring a report called "Ready to Innovate: Are Educators and Executives Aligned on the Creative Readiness of the U.S. Workforce?," released by the Conference Board and Americans for the Arts, in partnership with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). In that report, researchers surveyed 155 superintendents and 89 business executives about creativity and innovation.

In the eSchool News article, Meris Stansbury writes, "Educators and employers agree that creativity is increasingly important in U.S. workplaces, according to a recent report. Yet, the report suggests a disconnect exists between what survey respondents say they believe and how they act: In fact, findings indicate most high schools and employers provide creativity-conducive education and training only on an elective or 'as needed' basis" (2008).

I am happy to say that this report doesn't reflect the culture of C-FB ISD.

C-FB ISD is "An Innovative Leader in Learning." We, as a district, are continually seeking new strategies to teach through innovation and creativity. We believe that when teachers model and use innovation in their teaching that students are more engaged and are encouraged to be creative and innovative themselves.

How are we accomplishing this task, you might ask...well, here's how:

• Innovation and creativity are an integral part of the culture of C-FB. They are interwoven into the organization as a whole as well as the curriculum and teaching. For example, our Student Nutrition Department created the very first Virtual Cafeteria.


• The district was named for the third time to the Best 100 Communities for Music Education. With 23,000 students participating in fine arts activities, C-FB ISD continually sets a high standard for developing creativity and innovation through fine arts education.


• Students use, experience and learn with the latest technology including iPods, laptops, wikis, blogs, video conferencing, our virtual campus (vCampus) and more. Check out our video series called "Living in a Dot Com World" to see exciting examples of innovation.


• Teachers are using Web 2.0 tools like wikis to share innovative ideas with one another and encourage creativity.

I truly believe that C-FB ISD is "An Innovative Leader in Learning" through a culture and vision that actively engages students.

A New Year Begins

Every year, I look forward to the start of school. I just love the feeling a new school year brings - excitement, anticipation, and a fresh start. I love seeing all the school supplies at the store this time of year!

I know that this will be a great year. Our teachers have been working diligently getting ready for our students on Monday, August 25.

This week has been filled with great excitement. Our Convocation on Tuesday, August 19 was such a wonderful time for the staff of C-FB ISD to come together and celebrate our accomplishments and plan for this year. I also celebrated with the PTA at their First Annual Kick-Off event on Wednesday, August 20.

I wish each and every student a wonderful year. Let make this the best year yet! See you at school on Monday, August 25.

Back to School for the 2008-2009 School Year

I am so excited about the beginning of this new school year. I know this is going to be an incredible year!

In C-FB ISD, we value each child, embrace innovation, believe in the richness of diversity, create a caring learning environment and celebrate every achievement. We are an innovative leader in learning. From videoconferencing to our virtual campus, we are finding innovative ways to make learning rigorous and relevant for every student.

I hope you visit our website, www.cfbisd.edu, and see it's new look. You will find all the latest back-to-school information including registration, school supplies, bus routes, and much, much more.

This year will be filled with innovation, rigor, learning and fun. Throughout the year, remember to check out our accolades section of the website to see the amazing accomplishments of our students, campuses and staff.

I wish you and your family a great school year. Let the learning begin!

We are a Recognized School District

I am ecstatic that we are once again a Recognized School District.

Our teachers, staff and students have worked so, so hard for this...and we have accomplished it. Yea!

Our teachers and staff take the District’s vision to heart - preparing all students to be college-ready. Every student can achieve at very high levels if we work together as a team. And we proved it again.

Our district is an innovator leader in learning and that’s why we are so successful. Our team is always looking for ways to make our school district better for our students.

I am so proud of our campuses. We have more exemplary campuses than we have had in three years. Eight of our campuses were rated Exemplary. Fourteen of our campuses were rated Recognized. This is a such a great accomplishment!

When the official TAKS data and accountability ratings are released from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in August, we will continue the celebration of our successes. I hope that you will join me in congratulating our students and staff for a job well-done.

Strengthening Our Nation

As I reflect on Independence Day and all that it means to our country, I want to say "thank you" to our military men and women for strengthening and securing our nation - you give us the gift of freedom everyday.

I also want to say "thank you" to our nation's public educators for strengthening our future – our children.

To the C-FB ISD staff - Thank you for embracing our district’s vision of preparing all students to be college-ready. It is evident that you believe in our vision and have passed that belief onto our students.

John F. Kennedy once said, "Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation."

In the 2008-2009 school year, C-FB ISD will endeavor determinedly to develop the limitless abilities of C-FB ISD students and ultimately, strengthen our nation.

Extraordinary Accomplishments

C-FB ISD is an innovative leader in learning. Our innovation and leadership result in great success for students. During this past school year, we have made giant leaps. We have seen increased student achievement; we finished bond construction projects; and we initiated new instructional programs. I am so, so proud of our many accomplishments!

• The Texas Public Policy Foundation honored R. L. Turner as a High Performing Math and Science High School. Only 18 schools in Texas were named “shining examples of places where students are achieving success in math and science." WOW!
• The Texas Public Policy Foundation honored Creekview as a High Performing Math High School. Only twenty-eight schools in Texas received this honor. Great, great, great!
• The Texas Business and Education Coalition announced that six C-FB ISD schools had earned recognition on the 2007 TBEC Honor Roll. The TBEC Honor Roll is the most prestigious award for sustained, academic excellence in Texas. The schools named were Blalack, Kent, McCoy, McKamy, Rainwater, and Country Place. Awesome job!
• Texas Monthly Magazine published its list of the Best Public Schools in Texas. C-FB ISD had 14 schools make the list - an increase from eight schools on the list in 2006. Schools making the list are: Blanton, Good, Kent, Landry, McCoy, McKamy, Blalack, Barbara Bush, Vivian Field, Long, Polk, Creekview, Smith, and Ranchview. Way to go!
• Our district earned national recognition for controlling pests safely and efficiently from the IPM Institute of North America. We are one of only two districts in Texas and one of only 33 districts in the nation to receive the Integrated Pest Management Star certification. Congratulations Team!
• Most importantly, preliminary results from the Texas Education Agency show that C-FB ISD will be a Recognized School District. Yea!

My heart fills with pride every time a teacher, student or campus receives accolades. I am blessed to work in a district with such wonderful professionals, families and community members.

Parenting – A Team Effort

Yesterday (which was Father’s Day) as I reflected on fatherhood, I remembered a quote by Thomas L. Friedman in his book, The World is Flat. He wrote

The only way we are going to keep our standard of living rising is to build a society that produces people who can keep inventing the future. But as knowledge hurtles forward, inventing the future becomes a harder and harder task – one that takes more of the right education, the right infrastructure, the right ambition, the right leadership, the right parenting. We need to get our whole country focused around meeting this challenge. The future won’t wait for us, and if we don’t invent it, someone else will (2005).

I believe Friedman gives us a clear picture of our role – as educators and parents. We are to be a team – one united force – who collaborates to educate each child. Together, we can make a difference in our world – one child at a time.

Friedman talks about the “right parenting.” I know that I don’t have all the answers. I made mistakes as a parent, but I do know that when parents share ideas as well as struggles, and help each other then everyone benefits. I would encourage you to join your local PTA when school starts, participate in a parenting class offered by the district, join a parenting book club, or find a group of friends that you can confide in, share with and support through your parenting challenges (or “opportunities” as I like to call them.)

The district is here to support you. You can reach our Parent Education Office at 972-968-6500.