ALL six campuses in Friendswood ISD are rated EXEMPLARY, according to the Texas Education Agency who announced official results this month.
    In FISD, that means the following:
Cline Elementary - Exemplary Campus
Westwood Elementary - Exemplary Campus
Bales Intermediate - Exemplary Campus
Windsong Intermediate - Exemplary Campus
Friendswood Junior High - Exemplary Campus
Friendswood High School - Exemplary Campus
   Superintendent Trish Hanks congratulates the students, the teachers, the staff, and the principals for their exemplary work in making this happen.
   "Hats off to the FISD School Board for their continued support of initiatives and programs that not only benefit our students but also put us in the top percent of Exemplary schools in Texas," Hanks said. "Thanks also to the supportive parents and community members who help FISD continue to be Leading to Achieve Excellence."
   Hanks sighted scores from each campus from  the TAKS testing in 2007-2008 school year, part of the criteria used to determine the ratings, on  a recent  Podcast. Check out the information at www.fisdk12.net.

   Motivational speaker, author and longtime educator Riney Jordan was the keynote speaker for the Friendswood ISD convocation August 14, 2008 in the FHS auditorium.
   Utilizing first-hand experiences over this 30-year career in public education, Jordan touched all of the staff's emotions during this fast-paced, heart-hitting talk. His humorous stories of family and career that involved being a teacher, principal, school public relations director, and assistant to the superintendent as well as a parent of three helped the FISD faculty and staff re-enter the world of children with renewed enthusiasm and appreciation.

   New FFA teacher at Friendswood High School, Trevor Reifel, spent much of his summer helping the FFA students with their heifer projects and preparing for the new school year. Hardworking students in the FFA program were there as well.
   During the summer,  these FFA students are ...

 

   A subscription (or renewal) to the Houston Chronicle is not only a good way to know what is going on in the world but also a way to offer more innovative teaching programs for kids in FISD. This is done through a Chronicle program that benefits the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation.
   Each time someone orders or renews (no matter what part of the subscription area one lives in) a check for $15 is sent to the FEF.  Local residents as well as relatives and friends from the Greater Houston metroplex can be part of the plan.  Those interested should go to www.chron.com/share  (Be sure to specify the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation).

   Filing is still underway for the trustee election in Friendswood ISD. The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 to elect four trustees to fill a four-year term of office for Positions 1,2,3,and 4 and to replace Position 5 to complete the final two years of a four-year term.
    Filing for Positions 1-4 began July 28, 2008, ending at 5 pm Aug.26, 2008.
    Filing for the unexpired term, position 5, began July 30 and will end August 29, 2008 at 5 pm.
    Current trustees in these positions include Mike Shaw in Position 1, David Hearn in Position 2, Rebecca Hillenburg in Position 3, and John Ring in Position 4. Ralph Hobratschk previously held Position 5 but resigned in July.
   Early voting by personal appearance for all five positions  begins Oct. 20, 2008 and ends Oct. 31, 2008. Voting times are 8 am to 4 pm on week days except on Oct. 20 and 31 when voting will take place from 8 am to 7 pm.    
   Applications for filing for the position of school trustee may be picked up or mailed from the Administration building.    Applications are filed in the Office of the Superintendent at 302 Laurel Drive in Friendswood.
   On election day, Nov. 4, 2008, voting will take place from 7 am to 7 pm.

   Colleen O'Brien of the Reporter News and Amy Birkhead of the Friendswood Journal newspapers were named to the Media Honor Roll, a program sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives statewide who deserve recognition for fair and balanced reporting of news about public schools. Media Representatives from approximately 450 Texas newspapers and radio and television stations were honored by their local school district.
   Criteria for the district selection included Colleen and Amy's efforts to get to know the superintendent, board president and the district's mission and goals; report school news in a fair, accurate, and balanced manner give a high profile to positive news about schools; visit the schools; and maintain a policy of no surprises by sharing information with school officials.
   Both reporters were honored at the July 15 meeting of the Friendswood ISD Board of Trustees.

FISD welcomes new Friendswood Junior High Assistant Principals Diane Jones and Fletcher Weston.

Windsong Intermediate welcomes new Assistant Principal Jan Lane with her principal Nelda Guerra.



FISD welcomes new Transportation Director Mike Jones from Lufkin ISD. He is joined by Assistant Superintendent George Rodgers.