0503 The Connection - INSIDE CFISD.NET Home Page

Vol. 6, No. 6 · Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District · March 2005
CY-FAIR HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY ENJOYS
DAY OF CELEBRATION WITH PHYSICS TEACHER
Cy-Fair
High
School
students, former students and
staff members recently joined
dozens of friends and family
members for a day of celebration
and support for physics teacher
and Student Council sponsor
David Eshelman.
David was diagnosed with
pancreatic and liver cancer in
December. He and his wife,
Kerri, attended the party and
talked with the dozens of friends,
past and current students who
attended the event which featured
a dinner and silent auction and
raised more than $8,000 to help
with medical costs.
The idea for the surprise
birthday party/ benefit came
from Student Council members
and was organized through
the combined efforts of CyFair and Arnold Middle School
employees.
“Mr. Eshelman is a wonderful
person and is one of the greatest
teachers in the world. I’m so
glad that so many people turned
out for the party. He was truly
surprised,” said Jackie Hyland,
Student Council president.
Jill English, who teaches
English at Cy-Fair, has assisted
Student Council members with
their activities this school year.
She, along with Krystal Love,
who also teaches English,
Tammie Ogrowics from the
Preparing to enjoy birthday cake with David Eshelman on his
birthday are (left) Jill English, teacher at Cy-Fair High School
and Jackie Hyland, Student Council president.
attendance office and principal’s secretary Tanya
Pridgeon, pitched in to finalize the details of the
party.
The group shared their ideas with staff
members from Arnold, including Kerri Eshelman
and Melissa Dunne, principal’s secretary, who
sold dinner tickets to the Arnold faculty and staff
and received donations that were given to David’s
family to help defray some of the medical costs.
Cy-Fair High School continues to receive
donations for David, and his many current and
former students have sent cards and letters of
support for him.
“With his caring and compassionate nature,
David has touched many lives — lives that would
not have taken the same path without the impact
that David made while not only teaching them, but
inspiring them,” said Pridgeon.
THE CONNECTION
Answers to Retirement Questions
Employees considering retirement may refer to this handy question and answer sheet provided by the Human Resources Department. The HR department recommends that employees considering retirement check with the Teacher
Retirement System of Texas (TRS) for specific information. Any employee with additional questions should contact Betty
Rennell, assistant superintendent for human resources, at (281) 897-4162 or via email.
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Are you interested in retiring?
Go to the TRS website at www.trs.state.tx.us and to the CFISD Handbook, pages 93-96. It is the
responsibility of the employee to stay informed.
Is the district required or obligated to rehire retirees?
No
May a retiree be recommended for rehire?
Yes, following TRS rules.
When can a retiree be recommended for a position?
A retiree returning as a substitute or as a bus driver may be recommended at any time. The district
may offer employment even before the date of retirement for these two (2) positions. All other
retirees wishing to return to employment may not be offered employment prior to their retirement
date or prior to the required separation period.
What if I am interested in retiring and want to return to work in CFISD?
TRS rules are:
• No promise or guarantee of future employment may be made verbally or in writing prior
to the required one (1) month separation period;
• The employee must have a one (1) month break in service following the month in which
they retire. Example: retire in June, stay out all of July, reapply in August;
• The employee may reapply/reactivate for full-time employment by contacting human
resources following their month of separation;
• The retiree will become part of the applicant pool;
• The retiree may be considered for employment only after the separation period;
• If these steps are not followed, the retiree’s TRS benefits could be jeopardized.
Are retirees hired in critical need areas?
If an employee returns following a one (1) month separation, for any area, they will follow the rules
described above. A classroom teacher certified in a critical need area, an assistant principal, or
principal may return full time after a 12-month separation and not be required to forfeit any of their
TRS payment. The critical teaching fields identified by TEA and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD are:
• Special Education – all levels
• Science – secondary
• Bilingual / ESL
• Foreign language (languages other than English) – secondary
• Mathematics – secondary
• Technology Applications
What about appraisal and staff development requirements?
If rehired, retirees are not exempt. They will follow the district appraisal and staff development
expectations and requirements.
Who must have a break of service?
All retirees must have a minimum of (1) month (Ex: all of June or all of July, etc.) break in service
before returning to employment in a public school system.
Where can a person obtain reliable information about TRS and Social Security?
TRS - 1-800-223-8778 or check the website at www.trs.state.tx.us
Social Security -1-800-772-1213 or check the website at www.ssa.gov
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THE CONNECTION
Students, Parents Enjoy “Taste of Cy-Fair” at Annual Event
Students from every grade-level joined parents and staff
members to taste a variety of food during the annual product taste
testing February 9 at the Food Production Center.
This event gave the more than 150 people who attended the
opportunity to taste and grade more than 50 products from vendors.
Participants tasted each food item and rate it on taste, texture and
appearance. Students were able to try everything from chicken to
juice products to breakfast pizzas.
“The product testing grows each year. This annual event gives
us useful feedback on what types of products students and parents
like and helps tremendously with the lunch and breakfast menu
every year,” said Lisa Wiedner, nutrition education coordinator. “I
encourage more employees to join us next year for this event… but
come hungry!”
Hancock Elementary student Jacob English (right), gets some help
from his mother as he prepares to sample some tasty treats during
the annual tasting event at the Food Production Center.
Aragon Band Director Receives
KPRC’s ‘Sunshine Award’
Aragon Middle School band director Chuck Kingsley is the district’s most recent
recipient of KPRC-TV’s “Sunshine Award.” News2Houston Daybreak meteorologist Wes Hohenstein (pictured at right with Kingsley) arrived at Aragon the morning of February 17 to surprise Kinsley and present him with the award on KPRC’s
morning news show. Kingsley has 29 years of experience in education, including
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15 years in CFISD. He has spent the
last four years at Aragon.
According to KPRC’s Website, the
Sunshine Award is given to outstanding
individuals who go above and beyond
the call of duty— special people doing
extra special things— for Houston-area
students and schools.
“Receiving this award was very cool
since it was given based on the nomination of my students. It is very gratifying to know that the students really
know that you care for them, look up
to you as a role model, and take your
guidance seriously,” said Kingsley.
“Chuck is loved by his band
kids. When we first announced his
award to them, the look of pleasure
and pride on the students’ faces told
the whole story. We are all thrilled
by the experience of having the Sunshine Award be presented to Chuck,
he is very deserving of the recognition,” said Vicki McComas, principal
at Aragon.
THE CONNECTION
District Names Four Principals
as an assistant principal.
Following the approval of
Dr. Hatcher has 18 years of
employee transactions during
experience
in education. He began
its regularly scheduled meeting
his
teaching
career in the Houston
for the month of February,
Independent
School
the
Cypress-Fairbanks
District
where
he
taught
Independent School District
music at Codwell and
Board of Trustees recognized
Lovett
elementary
current Copeland principal,
schools.
He then
Lesa Cain, as the new
moved to the Alief ISD
principal
of
Hairgrove
as an assistant principal
Elementary; current Yeager
at the Alief Learning
Elementary
assistant
Center and then Elsik
principal, Laura Harman,
High School.
as the new principal for
Dr. Johns began her
Moore Elementary; current
22 years of experience
Cypress Ridge assistant
in education at Klein
LESA CAIN
principal, Robert Hatcher,
High School in Klein
as the new principal for
ISD before coming to
Cypress-Fairbanks
Campbell Middle School;
ISD in 1986 as a
and current Jersey Village
ROBERT HATCHER s p e e c h / d e b a t e
associate
principal,
teacher at Cypress
Cheryl Johns, as the new
Creek High School.
principal for Labay Middle
She transferred to
School.
Cypress
Falls High
The four administrators
School
as
a teacher
will
replace
current
prior
to
being
promoted
Hairgrove principal, Sandra
to the position of
Oliver; Moore principal,
director of instruction
Barbara Fine; Campbell
at Truitt Middle School
principal, Gary Kinninger;
in 1995, where she
and Labay principal, Marvin
served for six years. In
Webster who were named
2001, she transferred
at the January 18 Board
to Jersey Village where
meeting as the principals
N
A
M
R
she
served as director
A
H
A
R
LAU
to open Danish Elementary
of instruction for one
School, Lee Elementary
year before moving to
School,
Spillane
Middle
her
current position of
CHERYL JOHNS
School, and Kahla Middle School,
associate principal.
respectively.
Trustees
also
recognized
Marney
Cain has 16 years of experience principal of Copeland Elementary
in education. She began her teaching where she has served for the past Collins Sims as general counsel
for the district. Sims received her
career in Slaton ISD at Stephen F. four years.
Austin Elementary. In 1990, she
Harman, also a 16-year veteran bachelor of science in criminal
joined CFISD as a teacher at Horne educator, has taught elementary justice in criminology and corrections
Elementary.
students at Bane and Metcalf from Sam Houston State University
In 1995, she was promoted to the Elementary. In 1996, as a result of and a doctorate of jurisprudence
position of assistant principal at Horne her leadership, she was promoted from University of Houston. Sims
where she served for five years. As a to assistant principal at Francone has six years of experience in
education law with Bracewell and
result of her demonstrated leadership Elementary where she served for
Patterson, LLP where she advised
skills, Cain was then named the eight years before moving to Yeager
several
area
school
districts.
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THE CONNECTION
Health Screening for CFISD Employees
Employees may download the entire Interfit Health packet by clicking here. Although this service has been
offered to CFISD employees since January, the remaning schedule for health screenings in March is listed
here:
CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD MARCH 2005 HEALTH SCREENING SCHEDULE
PAGE 5
THE CONNECTION
Instructions for Making a Name Change
Thanks to the intranet it is now easier than ever for employees to inform our Human Resources Department
of a name change. All forms required to complete the process of a name change may be downloaded from the
district’s intranet at http://inside.cfisd.net. Employees wishing to make a name change must complete all of the
following documents and include a copy of the legal documentation indicating the reason for the name change:
• Change of Name Notice
• Change of Beneficiary Form Card for Basic Life Policy
• Change of Beneficiary Form Card for Supplemental Life
• Group Medical Insurance Change Form
• W-4 Employee Withholding Allowance Certifciate
• TRS Name Change Notice
• *TRS11 - Designation of Beneficiary (must be notarized)
Teachers and paraprofessionals have the option of changing their name on the Texas Teaching Certificate.
Those wishing to do so may contact the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) at 888-863-5880 or by
visiting www.sbec.state.tx.us. Feel free to call the following with any questions regarding a name change or with
any of the forms:
• Professional Employees - Karen Weiser - 281-897-4038
• Hourly Employees - Adriana Nuncio - 281-897-4396
• Paraprofessional Employees - Joanna Wickham - 281-897-4033
PASTA
PAGE 6
THE CONNECTION
Instructional
Aide Brings Joy
on Valentine’s
Day
Carol Mathews, instructional aide
at Hairgrove Elementary, knows
how to bring joy to people for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions like Valentine’s Day.
Carol is part of the singing quartet
“Cutting Edge” that travels around
the local area bringing smiles at
local businesses and schools. The
quartet arrived at the honorees
place of business, sang two songs
and delivered either a rose or box
of chocolate.
Cutting Edge, which is a Registered Quartet of Sweet Adelines
International and The Houston
Horizon Chorus, sang “Let Me
Call You Sweetheart” and “Goodnight Sweetheart” for Valentine’s
Day 2005. Sweet Adelines is a
worldwide organization of women
singers committed to advancing
the musical art form of barbershop
harmony through education and
performances.
Carol, who has spent the past 12
years at Hairgrove, has a life-long
interest in music. She was involved
in the chorus while in high school
and college and sang a cappella at
her church. It wasn’t until her sister
who lives in Kansas, Cindy Harlow,
told her about Sweet Adelines International that Carol became involved
in the organization.
“I’ve enjoyed a love of music
throughout most of my life and this
quartet gives me
a wonderful opPASTA
portunity to sing with an excellent
group and to bring smiles to the
faces of so many people,” Carol
said. “One of the highlights of my
three-year career with Cutting Edge
was singing to the Hairgrove faculty
and staff.”
Her daughter, Erin Mathews
graduated from Abilene Christian
Univeristy in December and is a
teacher at Hairgrove.
PAGE 7
Cutting edge members (l-r): Kathy
Parker, Cathy Railey, Karen Ruiz and
Carol Mathews visit the pre-school
of Katherine Ruiz (Karen’s daughter)
on Valentine’s Day
THE CONNECTION
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