School Priority Day Showcases CFISD Campuses to Community
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD welcomed more than 100 business partners and community members, including elected officials, to see public education in action during the third School Priority Day on Oct. 25.
The event began at the Berry Center with a welcome message from Dr. Mark Henry, superintendent of schools, Leslie Martone, president of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, and Stephen Bailiff, lead pastor of Second Baptist Church Cypress. Visitors were then transported via school bus to and from one of three campus tours to take student-led tours of school buildings over approximately two hours.
“This is an ideal opportunity to show the community and our elected leaders how vital a quality public school system is to the community,” said Dr. Henry. “Our teachers and our principals and the staff on the campuses are helping meet the needs of our students academically and emotionally. Great things are happening in CFISD.”
Community members Stephen Bailiff, lead pastor at Second Baptist Church Cypress, and Butch Milks, sales professional at Balfour All-American, take the walkway between Cypress Park High School and Rowe Middle School during their tour of the two campuses on School Priority Day, Oct. 25.
District 130 State Rep. Tom Oliverson, left, joins Jerri Vanwunnik, McGown Elementary School instructional specialist, in participating in a sundial activity at McGown’s outdoor learning space during School Priority Day.“I enjoyed the kinesthetic Spanish lab experience. I’ve never seen that before,” said District 130 State Rep. Dr. Tom Oliverson. “They explained that moving while you’re learning a second language improves your comprehension at an early age.
“I love coming to the schools and seeing how our tax dollars are spent to make sure that our kids are given the best opportunity to be our future leaders for the next generation. It’s a point of personal pride for me as a state official to be able to come out and see that in action,” Rep. Oliverson said.
The third tour highlighted flexible learning, the pre-kindergarten program and outdoor garden learning at Rennell Elementary School and fine arts, a learning courtyard and a CTE manufacturing lab at Anthony Middle School.
Rennell Elementary School kindergarten student Sara Delpilar gives a high-five to District 135 State Rep. Jon Rosenthal during School Priority Day on Oct. 25.Leslie Martone also toured Rennell and Anthony. She came away impressed by the safety and security upgrades funded by the 2019 bond program.
“After participating on the bond committees, it was neat to see that in action,” Martone said. “We observed additional security around the portable buildings, additional doors and locks.
“People who move to this community are looking for a good school district where their kids are going to fit in. They may not all be high-level students; some of them are in special ed programs, some of them have other challenges, but they know they’re going to get a great education. That’s what draws people to CFISD.”
