Blog entries tagged Friendswood ISD

Friendswood Schools Score A+ Rating

Melissa Burnham — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:12:36 +0100

Friendswood ISD schools have officially made the move to the front of the class! The district recently earned the coveted Exemplary rating as a result of their high scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Just last Friday, the Commissioner of Education, Robert Scott, held a press conference in Austin to announce the Texas Education Agency’s 2010 state accountability ratings.

In order of merit, the TAKS test rankings are Exemplary, Recognized, Acceptable, or Unacceptable. A total of 2,624 schools in 239 districts received Texas’ highest rating of Exemplary. Additionally, 3,153 schools in 597 districts achieved the second highest score of Recognized.

The TAKS test is an assessment of the state’s education standards and measures each student’s aptitude in core subjects such as reading and math. TAKS testing is initially administered in the third grade, and passing scores on the TAKS exit exam are required in order to graduate high school.

Congratulations to the all the high achievers attending all of the FISD schools!

Find 2009-10 TAKS campus ratings at TAKS Performance Report.

Source: FISD

$6.5 million FISD Natatorium Set to Open

Daphne Hager — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:05:41 +0100

Friendswood Independent School District held a public grand opening for their new $6.5 million dollar Natatorium on Monday, July 5 after the 115th Annual Fourth of July parade.

“It’s been a while coming,” said George Rodgers, FISD Assistant Superintendent for Business Services. “We expected it a little bit sooner than this, but we’re going to have a quality facility once it is turned over to us and that’s just the first step of trying to get everything at the high school done. So, we’re excited.” “It’s what they call a stretched 25. It’s 40 yards long and 25 yards wide.”

“You can have divers practicing on the short end of the pool and swimmers swimming on the other end,” he said. “It’s a very nice facility. It’s got men’s and women’s dressing areas and the nice lobby out front. It’s got seating for probably 250 in the raised area and then on the opposite side is where the competitors will have some bleachers.”

The district plans to provide lifeguards and cap the number of swimmers accordingly.

But, in the meantime, Patricia Hanks, District Superintendent, is in discussion with the City of Friendswood to see if they will assist with the costs of hiring these lifeguards.

The construction of Friendswood High Schools new state-of-the-art facility was financed by the school bond issue passed by voters three years ago and is sure to be well utilized by students and residents alike!

Friendswood to “Get Tough” on Elementary and Intermediate School “Part of Day” Absence

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:39:32 +0100

Friendswood Independent School District is making some attendance policy changes for the 2010-2011 Student Handbooks.

“The biggest changes are for elementary and intermediate,” Deputy Superintendent Sherry Green said at the FISD Board meeting on Tuesday, June 8.

“High school and junior high take attendance by period and elementary and intermediate don’t do that,” Green said. “What we’ve done is we’ve added a part of day attendance procedure that is going to be brand new that we know we’ll get phone calls on.”

The changes boil down to tougher part of day absence rules, which according to both teachers and administration, are out of hand. The students will now only be allowed three parts of day absences per semester (9 week period) and on the fourth part of day absence, lunch or after school detention will be given to the student.

“Part of the day absence is coming 20 minutes after the tardy bell rings, or picking your child up 20 minutes before the end of the day. These are un-excused,” Green said. “Doctor’s appointments, being sick, those things don’t count. These are un-excused personal business.”

“When we talked about this, it was like, yes, we’re punishing the child and we realize that. I understand that’s going to make some mommas real upset, but that’s OK,” said Green. “The child’s not driving, but yet we have principals say we have fourth and fifth graders that walk in [late to class] carrying Starbucks!”

It may take a little getting used to for those parents who are less than morning people, but with our children’s education and futures on the line, there isn't much room to complain. So, get ready to set your alarms a few minutes earlier this fall and ensure the prompt arrival of your kids!

Friendswood High School Ranked Among America's Best High Schools by Newsweek Magazine

Cheryl Perry — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:40:23 +0100

The Friendswood Independent School District is again earning attention for its outstanding schools with the most recent focus on Friendswood High School, just ranked among Newsweek magazine’s list of America’s Best High Schools 2010.

Newsweek selects the best high schools in the country each year, based on the hard work of school staffs and their challenge to students with advanced placement college level course and tests. This year, just over 1,600 schools – only 6 percent of all public schools in the United States made the list.

Friendswood High School was developing its AP program less than 10 years ago, and today, according to the magazine, the percentage of students enrolled in the AP courses compared to the number of seniors, earned the school its coveted ranking.

The Friendswood Independent School District reports that what Newsweek did not measure that is equally important, is how well students perform on the exams.

An impressive 77.4 percent of the total of Friendswood High School AP test takers (831) earned a 3 or better on the AP exams, thus qualifying to place out of college level classes.

For the past two years, more than 75 percent of FHS students graduated from high school with at least 12 hours of college credit completed.

This latest ranking is a part of a long list of honors and awards earned by Friendswood Independent School District schools, students and teachers and one of the many reasons for the continued success of West Ranch. Friendswood High School and all schools in the Friendswood ISD which serves students in West Ranch are ranked Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency.

Friendswood Students Honored in Senior Division at Exxon Mobile Science Fair

Greg Rivera — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:27:28 +0100

Two Friendswood students were honored at the 2010 ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair held in San Antonio at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center. Madeline Landon, a 10th grade student at Friendswood High School, received first place in her environmental sciences and analysis category and Gabriella Quintana, a ninth grade student received honorable mention in the same category.

With more than 1,100 entries, it was an honor to be selected to compete, but to achieve first place requires true skill and knowledge in their field. Senior division Grand Prize winners received all-expense paid trips to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair May 9–14 in San Jose, Calif.

“For the past 10 years, we have valued this opportunity to recognize and encourage the brilliant minds of the future,” said Truman Bell, senior program officer for education and diversity, Exxon Mobil Corporation. “Whatever their professional aspirations may be, it is clear they will be celebrated leaders in their respective fields. We hope this event serves as an exciting stepping stone to their bright future.”

Congratulations Madeline and Gabriella!

Friendswood I.S.D. Keeps Connected

Greg Rivera — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:27:54 +0100

Tech-savvy West Ranch parents interested in keeping up with their Friendswood I.S.D. students will find recent updates in New Media useful for staying informed. In addition to maintaining their consistently updated Web site and newsletter, Friendswood I.S.D. now has a Twitter page and YouTube channel for your convenience.

Friendswood I.S.D. launched their Twitter account to help inform the community of events and important news. The YouTube channel has been launched as an outlet that is even of use to students, who can practice communication skills and experiment with technical creativity in a supervised environment.

Follow Friendswood I.S.D. on Twitter @friendswoodisd.

Sign up for the Friendswood I.S.D. newsletter. [http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001PhdQ1BjzXNRjm5Y6hvgaCw==]

View the Friendswood I.S.D. YouTube Channel. [http://www.youtube.com/fisdtv]

You Can Support the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation

Cheryl Perry — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Did you know: YOU can donate to the Friendswood Education Foundation, a non-profit that benefits Friendswood ISD students and teachers through scholarships and grants, by subscribing to the Houston Chronicle?

Each month they send us a check that consists of a portion of the donated subscription money when subscribers named us as their CHARITY OF CHOICE.

How?

Go to www.chron.com/share
Select FRIENDSWOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION

It is always such a nice surprise to get a Chronicle check and the donor gets his Chronicle. Win-Win!

Friendswood Students Living CLEAR

Greg Rivera — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

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!”

For more information about CLEAR, how to join or how you can support their efforts, you may contact sponsors on each campus: Friendswood High School - http://www.fisdk12.net/hs/organizations.html, Friendswood Junior High - http://www.fisdk12.net/jh/FJH_Clubs.html, or you can contact Lynn Shigekawa (Coordinator of the Friendswood Alliance for Youth and Families) at 281-482-1267 ext 237, or by email at lshigekawa@fisdk12.net

Source: www.hcnonline.com/friendswood_journal

Friendswood Independent School District Receives "Superior Achievement" for Financial ...

Greg Rivera — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

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.

CLEAR Starts Third Year at Friendswood I.S.D.

Greg Rivera — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

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.

Friendswood H.S. Gets Patriotic

Daphne Hager — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Friendswood High School students who want to show their love for
America aren't alone; the Patriot Club was formed at Friendswood
High School this year. The purpose of the club is to provide a
positive outlet for American patriotism and to encourage love of
America without partisan bias.

Membership is open to all Friendswood High School students
regardless of nationality, or political affiliation, in-line with
their mantra of non-partisan bias.

The Patriot Club activities proposed so far are participation
in the Fourth of July parade and festivities, raising money to
distribute small American flags during the Fourth of July parade,
and collecting money to replace worn flags for Friendswood
residents during patriotic holidays. They also plan on
assisting local homeowners and businesses with worn flag
disposal.

The founding president of the Patriot Club is senior Alex
Lovely, with Robert Wise acting as the faculty
sponsor/representative. They will host a minimum of quarterly
meetings of student membership. To learn more about this club
please call 281-992-0150.

West Ranch parents might consider encouraging their children
to look into this positive club. In Friendswood I.S.D., clubs and
extra-curricular activities that promote camaraderie, community
service, and learning are encouraged for all students to
consider!

Source: Chron.com

Back to School News: New Immunization Requirements for Texas Kids

Daphne Hager — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Texas kids are getting ready to go back to schools, and for many children, preparation includes getting a few more immunizations. This year, big changes have been made in immunization requirements which will impact incoming kindergarten and seventh grade students.
The changes to the requirements were made to bring Texas into line more closely with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices recommend. These changes started on August 01 and include: Hepatitis A Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.Measles, Mumps, Rubelle (MMR) Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten and 7th grade will be required to have two doses of the Varicella vaccine. However, a written statement from the parent/guardian, school nurse or physician attesting to the child already having had chickenpox may replace the vaccine.Tetanus, Diptheria and acellular pertussis-containing Vaccine (Tdap): All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. Students in the 7th grade are required to have a booster shot of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose. Students in grades 8-12 are required to have a booster shot of Tdap if it has been ten years or more since their previous dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine.Meningococcal Vaccine: All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine. For more information on immunization requirements for Texas kids:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/IMMUNIZE/

Beginning of School Traffic at Friendswood High School

Daphne Hager — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

West Ranch residents visiting and attending Friendswood High School this Fall semester should be aware of potential traffic congestion in the area. Friendswood I.S.D and the City of Friendswood have issued the following warnings as a convenience to the community:

Traffic around FHS at the start and end of the school day will be congested. Parent drop-off is the same as last year and will be done on the right side of the building (senior parking lot). Students will enter the school through the first set of double doors. Parents will not be allowed to drop-off at any time in the bus drop-off and new teacher lot (left side of building). Seniors who will park in the front senior lot will still need to enter off Greenbriar Avenue. We are encouraging our juniors and seniors who will park in the football stadium lot to enter and exit on the new drive off Falling Leaf, next to the Natatorium construction.

We will still have overflow parking for juniors on Mustang Road and for seniors in the field next to the new teacher lot.  Please allow extra time in the mornings to get to school. Please be patient with our traffic challenges as we kick-off another great year at FHS! 

City Construction Alert: As of Wednesday, August 19, 2009, Falling Leaf is closed between Sunset Drive and Greenbriar Avenue. Please contact the city for a re-open date and please plan accordingly.

West Ranch also wishes FHS students and teachers and excellent school year; have a great one and stay safe on those roads!

Friendswood High Saves Trees

Daphne Hager — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

They said it couldn't be done. Friendswood school district reps were told it was too expensive, and that the trees would never survive the move. However, they were all wrong. In an effort to save mature trees on the campus of Friendswood High School, Davey Large Tree Moving successfully moved 10 trees to another part of the campus. Originally, many of the trees were thought to be lost causes. Thankfully, that is when Curt Smith of the Davey Company stepped in.

The crew at Davey Company carefully moved bare cypress, oaks, and river birch trees from the soccer field to other ends of the campus. Five trees were also moved along side the tennis court, and more was done to give a more landscaped, green look. "We are hoping to make that area nice and landscaped," said Trish Hanks, FISD Superintendent. "We really kind of like the idea of the high school being sort of a green fit in the neighborhood."

Future plans include a sidewalk and possible fencing in the area. This looks like a taste of things to come. Hanks has regularly checked on the status of the trees, and they all seem to be doing great so far. She receives phone calls from many people complimenting the trees and area, which makes the work all the more worth while.

The entire tree move took the Davey Company three days. Since many of the trees were around 12-15 years old, daily watering and care was necessary. Even with all that, the transplant was successful. Some trees hold sentimental value as well, like one memorial oak dedicated to a former student. It's a job well done by Davey Large Tree Moving. Friendswood students will be in for a nice tree makeover when they return to Friendswood High School this fall.

Source: The Journal of Frienswood

Image courtesy of The Journal of Friendswood

New State Law: No Cell Phones in School Zones

Daphne Hager — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

West Ranch residents should be wary when driving through Friendswood I.S.D.'s and other schools' school zones, as a new state law will prohibit the use of wireless communication devices while operating a vehicle in a school zone. Violators must pay a fine of up to $200 per violation.

House Bill 55 is set to take effect on September 1, and is intended to promote the safety of students. While the law has not taken effect in all areas of Texas yet, it is in effect in the Friendswood area.

A few facts about the law:

Provisions under the law will allow drivers to use cell phones in school zones with a hands-free device or when their vehicle is stopped.School bus drivers will be affected, too.The law is an amendment of the Texas Transportation Code, section 545.425. An additional exception is provided in emergency situations, when a driver needs to use a cell phone in a school zone to contact police, fire, or emergency medical personnel.We beg West Ranch residents to heed this new law, as it is designed with the safety of you and your children in mind!

Friendswood I.S.D. is "Exemplary"

Daphne Hager — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

West Ranch community students will officially be attending school in an Exemplary school district this 2009-2010 school year. With the recent release of Texas Education Agency ratings, all six Friendswood Independent School District campuses earned Exemplary status - the highest ranking possible.

This accomplishment surpassed last years ratings, which left all six still Exemplary, but the district overall as "Recognized."

Superintendent Trish Hanks claimed Exemplary was a "very challenging" rating to receive, and attributed the district's success to continued concentration on helping at-risk students, additional planning time for teachers, and an increased number of students who reached the commended level of proficiency on the state assessment.

To receive an Exemplary rating, at least 90% of a school's students must score passing rates in reading, social studies, mathematics, and science on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. Student subgroups at the high school level must also score a 90% passage rate in those four areas.

Learn more about the TEA's rating systems.

Source: Chron.com.

Back to School In Friendswood I.S.D.

Daphne Hager — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0100

West Ranch parents and children will soon have school on their mind, as the Friendswood I.S.D. 2009-2010 school year kicks off on August 24th. We hope to bring our community a bundle of resources for the new school year.

New Students/Enrollment

If your child is new to West Ranch and Friendswood I.S.D., registration is required, but an easy process. Simply assess which school your child will attend (West Ranch students attend Cline Elementary K-3, Windsong Intermediate School 4-6, Friendswood Junior High 7-8, and Friendswood High School 9-12), and register on location.

Cline Elementary: 281-482-1201
Windsong Intermediate School: 281-482-0111
Friendswood Junior High School: 281-482-7818
Friendswood High School: 281-482-3413

New registrants must have proof of residency (a sales agreement or utility bill), an original state birth certificate, a Social Security Card, Immunization records, and a driver's license of the parent/guardian enrolling the student.

View information on PreK and Kindergarten Round Up.

Friendswood Junior High Packet Pickup will be August 3rd-6th, from 8 am - 4 pm.

All Friendswood High School Students, including returning students, should visit this page for packet pickup scheduling.

Bus Schedules

West Ranch residents are serviced by Friendswood I.S.D. bus transportation. To find your child's bus stop and time, Friendswood I.S.D. provides an easy-to-use Bus Stop & Time Finder.

School Supplies

Cline Elementary School Supply List

Windsong Intermediate School Supplies:
4th grade
5th grade
6th grade

Friendswood Junior High
7th grade
8th grade

High school students do not have a required list, as supply lists are available from the individual teachers on the first day of school. It is suggested that students attending the high school take a pen or pencil and a small spiral notebook with them the first day of school.

School Calendar

Most importantly, parents need to know when students will be in and out of school. View the Friendswood I.S.D. 2009-2010 school year calendar.

Good luck to all West Ranch students and parents; our community wishes you a productive, fun-filled year!

Friendswood Earns National Recognition Among America's Best Small Towns

Cheryl Perry — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Friendswood, Texas has once again been recognized nationally as one of America’s best places to live. The new issue of Money magazine cites America’s top 100 best small towns, which were judged by readers in terms of a solid job base, affordable housing, great schools, and area attractions.

Friendswood, home of the new master-planned West Ranch community, was ranked No. 32 on the magazine’s list of the top 100 Best Small Towns. The magazine cites, “Friendswood was founded by Quakers and remains dry, but that doesn't mean its residents don't know how to have fun. The community hosts frequent parades, summer concerts in Stevenson Park, and an opening ceremony for the baseball season. Residents can travel north to Houston, south to the Galveston beaches, or east to the Kemah boardwalk; all are less than an hour away.”

Money lists major employers in the area: Boeing, Valero, BP, NASA as well as the busy Port of Houston. The magazine also reports, “Friendswood has a strong jobs base. And the housing market here is healthier than most.”

West Ranch, the master-planned community located in the city of Friendswood, is developed by Friendswood Development Company and features beautiful new homes by Trendmaker and Village Builders. Prices range from the $270,000s to the $700,000s.

This summer, West Ranch residents are enjoying their own pool and recreation center, in addition to the numerous summer attractions and activities that are close to home.

Students in West Ranch are served by the Friendswood Independent School District and attend exemplary rated schools at all grade levels.

Friendswood ISD Celebrates a Summer Christmas

Daphne Hager — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Two new gifts were recently bestowed upon Friendswood ISD. The Board of Trustees has officially and unanimously approved the purchase of three additional school buses, as well as repairs to the foundation of the Friendswood Junior High girl’s gymnasium.
"The number of buses in our fleet needs to be increased," FISD Superintendent Trish Hanks said. "The Transportation Department has had several times this past school year where they have had to combine routes because extra curricular trips were using buses that should have been on a route."

Repairs to the gymnasium will performed by DuWest, and plans for further maintenance will be reviewed in future meetings.

Several other plans are currently being developed, such as starting a junior ROTC program at Friendswood High school, as well as issuing improvements to the computer science program there.

Source: Friendswood Journal

City of Friendswood Named Best Affordable Suburb in Texas for 2009

Greg Rivera — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Business Week magazine has named Friendswood the Best Affordable Suburb in Texas for 2009.

Cities taken into consideration had to be within 25 miles of the most populated city in their state and have populations of 5,000 to 60,000 people, low crime rates and median family incomes of $51,000 to $120,000.

Other factors included commutes, education (test scores), crime, economy (job growth and income), green living and overall affordability.

City Manager Roger Roecker said that when people factor in the 20 percent homestead exemption and compare tax rates, they will understand why Friendswood is more affordable than other areas. He also said that tax rates remain low, the police department is one of the finest and the Friendswood citizenry is well educated.

In the heart of the city of Friendswood is the new Friendswood Development Company commumity of West Ranch, where new homes by top Houston builders are priced from the $300,000s.

View Business Week’s Friendswood feature.