Posted on Oct 26, 2009 | Tagged in: Friendswood ISD , education , community
CLEAR – Clean Living Encouragement and Responsibility – is a student led group club that encourages Friendswood students to stay away from drug and alcohol use. The club is now in its third year at the Friendswood Junior High and High Schools and continues to have a positive impact on the community.
This group challenges students to take a step up and out into the light letting other students know that it is not the norm to do drugs, but rather many students prefer to live a drug free – a clear – life. In this way students become leaders and create an awareness of the positive opportunities and lifestyles that result from staying away from substance use. By participating in this voluntary program students show their commitment by volunteering to be randomly drug tested.
Each group must find sponsors from among their teachers to help support students in planning substance free activities, educating the community and guiding the students on this path by answering questions, addressing concerns and fears, and supporting them in their healthy choices.
Teachers Megan Marshall, Corey Dalton, and Lindsay Hutchins enthusiastically filled the role of sponsors at the Friendswood Junior High. Megan Marshall was actually in CLEAR when she was in high school and stands behind the program. Sophie Wostal, Paul Tucker and Kristen Castillo have come forward as sponsors at the Friendswood High School because they believe in the program and the positive effect it will have on students’ lives.
“I know every year these kids are propositioned about drugs and alcohol at an earlier age. CLEAR is a program worth fighting for! Having a group that gives students an outlet to express concerns, questions, fears, etc about substance abuse, peer pressure, stress and anything else they want is amazing!”
Friendswood Independent School District has raised the bar in financial accountability - they have received a rating of "Superior Achievement" from the Texas School's FIRST Rating System. This is the Financial Accountability Rating System of Texas (FIRST), which is in its seventh year of awarding ratings. "It shows that our district is making the most of our taxpayers' dollars. This shows that FISD's schools are accountable not only for student learning, but also for achieving these results cost-effectively and efficiently," said George Rogers, FISD's Assistant Superintendent of Business.
The FIRST rating was developed by the Texas Education Agency as a standard accountability system for Texas school districts to ensure they achieve the highest quality in managing their financial resources. The rating system designates a rating based on data quality, with the highest rating being "Superior Achievement," followed by "Above Standard," "Standard Achievement," and "Substandard Achievement." If a school district has serious data quality problems they may receive an additional rating of "Suspended - Data Quality."
"We are very pleased with FISD's School FIRST rating," Rogers shared. It is an achievement that Friendswood families and taxpayers can also be proud to share in as they move forward in the coming academic and fiscal year. They have set a standard that will hopefully spur on other school districts and continue to raise the bar for Texas school’s financial responsibilities.
Posted on Oct 9, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare , education , community
Money Magazine and CNN/Money recently named Friendswood, TX as one of the country’s “Best Places to Live.” It was one of only six Texas cities to be awarded the title, and it was ranked number 32 out of 100 cities in the U.S.
The 2009 list focuses on smaller communities that offer the best economic opportunities, great education, a safe environment, and a range of activities that draw the community together. In 2007 Friendswood ranked number 51 out of 100. In both instances, Friendswood was the only community in the greater Houston area to be awarded this title.
The winning cities were chosen based on criteria of populations between 8,500 and 50,000, job growth, cost of living, housing prices, education, arts, leisure activities, safety, diversity and health care. With these factors weighing in their favor, West Ranch residents can enjoy their community and be proud to hold this title for the second time in three years.
For the complete list of cities, visit http://money.cnn.com
Source: www.ci.friendswood.tx.us
Posted on Oct 9, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare , Friendswood ISD , education
Students at Friendswood Junior High and Friendswood High School have the opportunity to take a leadership role in reducing alcohol and substance abuse among youth in their community by becoming members of a student-led group called Clean Living Encouragement and Responsibility (CLEAR). By becoming members, they help to change student norms and perceptions by making others aware that the majority of students do not do drugs, but prefer to live a clean and clear life.
In order to assist students in their activity planning, schools must find teachers who will volunteer to become CLEAR sponsors.
"It is the mission of our schools to provoke quality instruction for our students in a safe and secure environment. These dedicated sponsors help us to secure and promote a healthy environment," Superintendent Trish Hanks said.
As CLEAR begins its third year at Friendswood I.S.D., educators have volunteered to serve as sponsors and have agreed to share some personal reasons for their commitment to Friendswood I.S.D. youth.
Posted on Oct 6, 2009 | Tagged in: events , education , community
On Monday, October 12th, the charitable organization Julia F. Thompson, Inc. is having its 9th Annual Pink On The Green Golf Tournament.
This fundraising event will take place at the Timber Creek Golf Course on 4554 F.M. 2351 in Friendswood, Texas. Funds will help volunteers assist elementary school children with their reading skills, and secondary students with their math and science skills.
The competition will be heated, as the putting contest sponsored by Keller Williams Realty is awarding $5,000 to its winner. The Hole-in-One prize also raises the stakes by offering a chance to win a 2009 automobile, donated by Bayway Lincoln-Mercury.
The prices are $150 per golfer, $600 for a foursome, and $10 for the putting contest. Visit golfdigestplanner.com/11301-PINKONTHEGREEN to register for this event. For more information on the Julia F. Thompson, Inc. charity group and the event, visit their website at www.jftcharities.org.
Source: CultureMob.com and jtfcharities.org
