Fairfield - October 2022

BOARD MEMBER LISTING

Fairfield Village Community Association

The “Master Board” is comprised of one representative from each Neighborhood Association

Billy Sutton (Fairfield South) President

Jan Bertoli (Fairfield Central) Secretary/Treasurer

Darlene Sedelmyer (Trails of Fairfield) Director

Kate Conrey (Lakes of Fairfield) Director

Fairfield Central Neighborhood Association

Louis Iselin (President) louis@kipatents.com

Patricia Powell (Vice President)

Jan Bertoli (Secretary/Treasurer) JLB8848@gmail.com

Dianna Roark (Director) ldroark66@aol.com

Douglas Scott (Director) mrdougscott@gmail.com

Fairfield Village South Neighborhood Association

Brian Mcdonough (President) Bmcdonoughdpt@gmail.com

Mark Stine (Vice President)

..................................................... Mark.Stine@gmail.com

Billy Sutton (Secretary) blsutton@sbcglobal.net

Larry Kohler (Treasurer)

Dietrich Gaitz (Director) Dietrich.gaitz@mail.com

Inwood Park Neighborhood Association

Marc Newman (President).......................................... marcnewman1957@comcast.net

Doug Waterman (Vice President) waterman_doug@hotmail.com

Harriet Tunick (Secretary) htunick00@gmail.com

Gloria Whitaker (Treasurer) gloriawhitaker1@yahoo.com

Sarah Boson (Director) sboson05@sbcglobal.net

Table of Contents

Around Fairfield

4 Cheerleading

8

10 Entreprenuer Spotlight

11 Fairfield Women's Club

11 Fairfield Crime Stats

12 Safety On The Streets!

12 Keeping Active, Involved

13 Cypress-Tomball Democrats

13 Fairfield Republicans

14 Traveling Seniors

Lakes of Fairfield Neighborhood Association

Patrick Wong (President) pcwong1@earthlink.net

Kate Conrey (Vice President) kateconrey@gmail.com

Dana Adams (Secretary)

daadams888@gmail.com

Diana Gee (Treasurer) diana.gee@att.net

Nikole Cales (Director) Ncales13@gmail.com

Trails of Fairfield Neighborhood Association

Darlene Sedelmyer (President) facofficemgr@sbcglobal.net

Kris Cherry (Vice President) kfcherry@gmail.com

Janet Sherrill (Secretary) janetsherrill@comcast.net

Matthew Mann (Treasurer)

.................................................. mmann0330@gmail.com

Quentin Hinds (Director) Qhinds@gmail.com

FAIRFIELD VILLAGE MANAGEMENT

First Service Residential Help Desk

713-932-1122, contactus.tx@fsresidential.com

Portfolio Administrator

Amanda West

Fairfield Project Manager

713-332-4763

Jennifer Sailer 713-332-4761, Jennifer.Sailer@fsresidential.com

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Ambulance/Fire/Officer 911 Poison Control 800-222-1222

NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Fire/Ambulance 713-466-4073

FBI 713-693-5000

Harris County Animal Control 281-999-3191

Harris County Precinct 4 281-376-3472

Vacation Watch .281-401-6200

MISCELLANEOUS NUMBERS

Fairfield Athletic Club (FAC) 281-373-0834

Harris Co. Library 281-890-2665

Harris Co. Mosquito Control .713-440-4800

Harris County Hazardous Waste 281-560-6200

Courthouse Annex 281-859-0685

Driver’s License 281-449-2685

Post Office.............................................................................................. 281-373-9125

Voter Registration 713-224-1919

UTILITY NUMBERS

Reliant Energy (Electricity) 713-207-7777

Center Point (Gas) 713-659-2111

Inframark (Water, Trash) 281-398-8211

Best Trash 281-313-2378

Comcast ................................................................................................. 713-341-1000

SCHOOL NUMBERS

Bus Information 281-897-4380

Cy-Fair Administration 281-897-4000

Cy-Ranch High School 281-373-2300

Bridgeland High School..........................................................................281-213-1619

Salyards Middle School .281-373-2400

Ault Elementary .281-373-2800

Keith Elementary 281-213-1744

Spillane Middle School........................................................................... 281-213-1645

Swenke Elementary 281-213-1200

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Public Safety Committee -

Fairfield Area Swim Team Team-president@swim4fast.net

Fairfield Women’s Club fairfieldwomensclub@gmail.com

JENNIFER SAILER - Fairfield Project Manager

FirstService Residential 16055 Mason Road/Cypress, TX 77433

Phone: 713-332-4761/ Toll Free: 800-932-9449

Email: Jennifer.sailer@fsresidential.com

Around Fairfield

Cheerleading: A supreme commitment and a competitive sport.

By Jackie Devine

If asked, you probably would have guessed that the roots of cheerleading are closely tied to those of football. According to Epic Sports, the first intercollegiate game was played between Princeton University and Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1869. By the 1880s, Princeton had formed an all-male pep club. Princeton graduate Thomas Peebles took the cheers to the University of Minnesota, where football and fight songs became very popular. In 1898, U of M was on a losing streak. A student named Johnny Campbell assembled a group to energize the team and the crowd. Picking up a megaphone, he rallied the team to victory with the first organized cheer: "Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-U-Mah! Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Minn-e-so-tah!”

It wasn't until 1923 that women were allowed to cheer at the University of Minnesota. Cheerleaders eventually added tumbling and acrobatics to their routines. Then, when college-aged men went off to fight in World War II in the 1940s, young women joined collegiate cheerleading squads in large numbers.

Fast forward to 1964, the year I graduated from high school. Back then, all it took to become a cheerleader was to be the girlfriend of the team's captain - whether it was football, basketball, or baseball—a cute smile, and one well-rehearsed routine performed in the auditorium in front of the entire school. It was little more than a popularity contest. There weren't a lot of cheerleading responsibilities, and the squads usually didn't have more than six or seven members. They simply showed up with their short skirts and cheered at the games.

That's not the case today. The game has changed, the stakes are high, and the investment can be pretty daunting. Mentally and physically demanding, cheerleading is now considered an endurance sport that requires performing gymnastics without the bars or beams and putting in the same hours and work as other 'high-risk' sports, such as football, soccer, and basketball. For example, one cheerleading routine can be compared to running the 1000m hurdles, as the body is simultaneously dealing with stress, muscle fatigue, and shortness of breath.

An article from Livehealth.chron.com contends football and cheerleading pose unique dangers to the participants, but which sport is more dangerous has often been debated within athletics. Regarding catastrophic injuries, cheerleading is hands down the most dangerous sport for women, while football is the most dangerous sport for men. Depending on the study you are reviewing, or the physicians surveyed, either sport can top the list.

Intrigued by the latest photos of our Bridgeland Cheerleaders sent to me by local photographer Thomas Coffman, I realized there had to be a story behind those beautiful faces and healthy, fit bodies—one that many of our readers might not know. So, I went on the hunt for a willing cheerleader and her mother who were open to sharing with the community what it is like to be a 2022 Bridgeland High School Cheerleader and a cheerleading mom.

Around Fairfield

Cheerleading- continued from Page 4

Amber Thompson and her daughter Cassidy stepped up to the plate. After brief introductions, my curiosity got the best of me, and I jumped right in, asking Cassidy when she first discovered she wanted to become a cheerleader.

"I began tumbling when I was about seven years old," Cassidy explained. "There were some cheer teams in the same gym, and I saw what they were doing, and I knew right away I really wanted to do that."

Amber added, "As she was taking tumbling classes, she would stare at the cheerleaders and say, 'Mom, that's what I want to be.' She begged me to put her in a cheerleading class."

That tiny seed of a desire blossomed into eleven years of comprehensive instruction and training with a myriad of nationally recognized coaches. When Cassidy was 7 years old her talent was recognized, and she was asked to join a competitive cheer team after two months of tumbling classes at a local gym. She had already completed 2 years of CyFair Sports Association as a sideline cheerleader, but this began her 11-year journey of competitive cheerleading. In addition to competitive cheer, she has now been a member of the Bridgeland High School Varsity Cheer team for three years.

It was apparent that supporting Cassidy's dream of becoming a high school cheerleader came with a hefty price tag, so I asked Amber: “If you had to calculate the cost, how much do you think you have invested so far?"

Amber responded, "It is tough to calculate. The hard facts are that it takes about $15,000 per year to cover the cheerleading tuition, competition fees, uniforms, practice wear, shoes, and traveling, including gas, plane fares, hotels, and food. In an altogether different category are private lessons, averaging about $100 per hour. For us, that included sticking with training at Woodlands Elite Cheer Company long enough for Cassidy to work herself up to a Level 6 - the level of athletes - which has amounted to about $10,000 over the last ten years. So, folks, that brings us to an investment of around $165,000.

"If one is cost-conscious," Amber continued, "that expenditure may not be worth it, especially considering the average cost of a public, four-year college might fall below that number. But if you are saying, 'I want to hand over to the next generation a competent citizen able to meet the needs of a new era,' we believe we have made a wise investment."

I asked Cassidy how she felt about her experience serving as a cheerleader. Her comments were priceless, something most parents and grandparents—especially those of us who are children of the Greatest Generation—would love to hear.

Cassidy was emphatic as she detailed the benefit of her experience cheering: "I learned the importance of responsibility, teamwork, time management, and to show up early, showing up on time is late! I know the significance of tolerance, respect, patience, and dedication to the

to Page 6

Around Fairfield

continued from Page

cause. Plus, I've learned to be resilient, willing to compromise, and to show up confidently in a small group or a crowd of 1000s.”

That led me to the question, “What next?” Cassidy responded, “I think I want the time and hard work I have spent getting this far to pay off with me cheering on a college field. I want to be able to compete in college and get amazing opportunities and unmatched experience, as well. I know of two cheerleaders from Bridgeland, Rylie Trent (2019), now at Texas Tech, and McKenzie McPherson (2022), currently attending the University of Oklahoma who have gone from competitive cheer to high school cheer to college cheer. I want to follow in their footsteps.

“Ultimately, I want to enter the medical field. I'm thinking about becoming a sports medicine physician working specifically with gymnasts and cheerleaders.”

To round out the interview, I asked Amber what she had learned as a cheerleading mom.

"Wow," was her initial comment, "I had no idea what my husband Garry and I were getting into when Cassidy started cheering. Clearly, my most significant contribution has been money. So first and foremost, I learned to be a banker. However, the other roles I had to master rather quickly were those of chauffeur, photographer, administrative assistant, teacher, beautician, cosmetologist, wardrobe assistant, nutritionist,

personal trainer, travel agent, psychologist, and even cheerleader when needed."

"Thankfully, I'm a nurse so I’ve been able to arrange my schedule around cheer. It is a given that being a cheer parent limits your social life. We are often overheard saying, 'I can't, I have cheer’, or ‘I can't, my kid has cheer!' You even see that message floating around on T-shirts; and it is so true."

Currently there are three cheer coaches at Bridgeland High School: Jocelyn Fall, Lexie Longmire and Lindsey Bienvenu Lee. Pictured on the cover are the Class of 2022 Senior Varsity. There are 17 cheerleaders on the Bridgeland Varsity Cheer team this year.

Amber and Garry Thompson reside in Fairfield. Cassidy has four sisters, and her little sister Carsyn is also a cheerleader.

Pictures on page 4: Team Picture: Back row, left to right: Abigail Ginther, Katie Clark, Kayla Lackey, Lauren Havens, Avery West, Cassidy Thompson. Middle row, left to right Halle Cheek, Telina Faulkner, Avery Laughlin, Alyssa Hardman, Kennedy Smith. Front row, left to right Jillian Sims, Brayden Shirley, Lauren Womack, Emersen Pollard, Mollie Ford, Faith DeSpain

Senior Picture: Top right, left to right Kayla Lackey, Cassidy Thompson, Faith DeSpain, Halle Cheek, Jillian Sims, Kennedy Smith

Coach Picture: Bottom right Jocelyn Fall, Lexie Longmire, Lindsey Bienvenu Lee (not pictured).

Around Fairfield

Update on My Bridgeland High Volleyball Career

Submitted by Kennedy Kays

In the 2020 September issue of the Fairfield Community Gazette, freshman Kennedy Kays appeared on the cover, along with her sister Karrington, holding their Varsity District Champions trophy. Going into her final volleyball season for the Bridgeland Bears, we asked Kennedy to update us on her progress and what's next in her amazing life as a volleyball player. She kindly agreed to share her latest experiences and tell us about her plans for the future.

Attending Bridgeland High School has been better than having a starring role in a Disney movie. Being the only freshman on the varsity volleyball team wasn't easy but having my sister on the team with me was a huge help. The memories I created with my sister playing next to me will last a lifetime. As a 14-year-old freshman, competing against 18-year-old seniors presented a few challenges. They typically were stronger and had a lot more experience and varsity games overall move along a lot faster.

I feel blessed and honored that I've had the good fortune to play alongside so many talented teammates and be mentored by such gifted coaches at BHS. They helped me hone my talent and surpass my expectations. Volleyball is such a team sport that no one can be great without great teammates.

I'll finish my career at Bridgeland with a school record for “kills” (an attack is unreturnable by the opposition and is a direct cause of the opponent not returning the ball) and I will be the first player in Bridgeland to surpass 1,000 kills. Our team has made the playoffs every

year I've participated. We went to the state semifinals in Dallas last year, finishing third in 6A out of 287 teams state-wide. I plan to be AllDistrict again this year, making me only the second 4-time all-district volleyball player at Bridgeland High School. My sister Karrington was the first 4-time all-district player.

Volleyball recruiting for the last two years has been very stressful and challenging for me. Many players now have extra years to play (currently, some can play college ball for six years) and the transfer portal (a database of every player interested in transferring from their current school) has made the recruiting process increasingly difficult for high school seniors.

I want to obtain a master’s degree in finance in five years and playing D1 ball for 45-55 hours a week would make that very difficult. So, I have decided to play D2, and not D1, volleyball. I narrowed my choices of the schools I wanted to attend based on the degrees they offered, their location, and the relationship the coaches have with their players. I am happy to say that I am committed to playing volleyball for the University of Texas at Tyler. Coach Mashe is the head coach, and her husband is the assistant coach. I love the head coach and the relationship she has with the players. UT-Tyler has a beautiful campus and the volleyball team finished 17th in the country last year among D2 colleges. I will only be three hours and fifteen minutes from Houston, so I can still see my family regularly and watch my sister play at the University of St. Thomas.

Karrington & Kennedy Kays 2020 cover

The fun of magic with Spellbound

If you attended the parade for the Fourth at Fairfield, you may have seen three lovely princesses riding through the streets on a white mustang, tossing smiles and festive headwear into the crowd. What you may not have seen was their driver, an entrepreneurial Fairfield resident, mother of four, and owner of two party entertainment businesses.

Rose Okonski will sometimes joke that she can’t be an adult yet–she’s never even received her first W2! An entrepreneur from teen-hood, Rose got her start in twisting balloon animals at restaurants for children’s entertainment, a skill she had learned in her church youth group that proved to be a valuable asset for her future. After receiving many requests to attend birthday parties, Rose created her first business cards and started advertising her services. Twist it Up was born!

Nearly fourteen years later, Twist it Up now provides work for over twenty artists in the Cypress and Houston area and entertains at hundreds of parties and events every year! A professional balloon artist and face painter herself, Rose was the lead artist until recent years when her two youngest children came along. Never able to be idle, Rose could not only stay at home with the little ones and manage the party and event business–she had the itch to start something new!

After some research and planning, Rose launched Spellbound Character Company as a sister company to Twist it Up, providing costumed characters for parties and events. Still in its infancy, Spellbound is growing daily, not only with clients, but also with new characters being added to the roster! The actresses who perform are young women with theater and musical talent, including a high school student located right here in Fairfield! The girls love singing, performing, but most importantly, they love making the children smile as they meet their favorite characters!

What Rose loves the most about running these businesses is the people. Not only making a client’s day special, or seeing the smiles lighting up the mirror when children catch their first glimpse of their magically painted face, but also the artists and performers who make the companies successful. There’s a wonderful feeling in helping artistic people have an outlet to not only follow their dreams, but to also put food on the table for their families by earning a living with their art. Providing an avenue for others to be successful is probably the most rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur.

But if she’s being honest, the playing dress-up with princess gowns, crowns, and sparkly shoes is a pretty great perk too!

For more information: https://www.spellboundcharactercompany.com • (832) 777-5088

Around Fairfield

Fairfield Women’s club met in August and hosted Nick Leluika to learn more about the inclusive playground project at Swenke Elementary. We all had the honor to meet his son Josh and hear from Nick, about this amazing project. We want to help get the word out about his important initiative and do what we can to help it along. After Nick’s presentation, we had a great time socializing and talking about what types of events and activities are important to the membership. We also had the opportunity to welcome new members and get to know some prospective members as well.

This time of year, brings exciting events to Fairfield. By the time this reaches you we will have had our annual Fall Garage Sale and be gearing up for the return of the Fairfield Christmas Market and Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2022. We will be returning to the Good Shepherd UMC parking lot for the amazing Christmas market from 9AM to 2pm. Come see and experience many creations and products from local artists and businesses. If you are interested in being a vendor, contact us at fairfieldwomensclub.org/holiday-market.

The annual Christmas parade starts at 5:30pm at Ault Elementary. Come decorated in your finest Christmas cheer.

WE WANT YOU! Be a part of something really special in our beautiful neighborhood. Join us for our monthly meeting at Bradford Street clubhouse on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00. Our October meeting is when we get to present grants tour community partners. This is a big part of the WHY we do what we do. We would love to host you as our guest and introduce you to the fun and great work that is done by this organization. Visit us at fairfieldwomensclub.org or on Facebook.

Around Fairfield

Safety On The Streets!

Constable Mark Herman swore in six new deputies their new assignments on Tuesday, September 6, 2022! Congratulations to all!!

Keeping Active, Involved

Fairfield Village Homeowner’s Association. The October meeting time and date has not been determined. When scheduled, it will be at the Lakeside Trails Clubhouse at 8:30 AM. For more information, contact First Service Residential at 713-332-4763.

Fairfield Village South Homeowner Association. The last meeting was September 13, 2022. The next meeting has not been scheduled but will be at Central Park Clubhouse, 15015 Heath Green Circle near Salyards School at 4:30 PM. First Service Residential has information about this and other Village meetings and can be contacted at 713-332-4763.

Pictured left to right: Deputy Michael Cantu, Deputy Datrevion Singletary, Deputy Glen Francis III, Constable Mark Herman, Deputy Sheterika Anderson, Deputy Eric Muniz and Deputy Hershel Hunt.

Follow them at Facebook.com/Precinct4 and download our new mobile app “C4 NOW” to receive live feeds on crime, arrests, safety tips, traffic accidents and road conditions in your area.

Municipal Utility District (MUD) #396. The October meeting is in Fairfield at the Bradford Creek Clubhouse, and the date has not been determined. Meetings begin at 10:00 AM and are less than one hour. If you plan to participate or reside in a different Fairfield MUD, call 713-651-5345 for the date. Or, you may contact Bill Wilson at 832653-5146. This is your opportunity to talk with the Directors and our Attorney about any concerns, requests, or issues you have with water and trash service. Also, you will hear reports about the operations and financial condition of MUD #396 and review supporting documents.

Fairfield Republicans. This is the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. For information about the meeting date, location, and time please contact Bill Ely at 832-919-4999.

Saturday, October 22, 2022, Cypress Texas Tea Party (CTTP). This is the regularly scheduled fourth Saturday of each month meeting. The meeting begins at 12 Noon and is at Spring Creek BBQ, 25831 Northwest Fwy, Cypress, TX 77429 (phone) 281-758-1450. CTTP does not charge a fee to attend the meeting and does not have membership dues. You do not have to purchase a meal to attend although most do. Please check the CTTP website for confirmation of the scheduled meeting, location, and speakers.

Monday, October 24, 2022, Early Voting Begins for the November 8th Election. Voting locations can be found at harrisvotes.org or contact your precinct chair. This is the most critical election in our country’s recent history, please vote. For general information about voting and candidates, contact your precinct chair.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, Yellow Rose of Texas Republican Women. This is the regularly scheduled meeting on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Harris County Smokehouse, 14243 FM 2920, Tomball, TX 77377 (phone) 281-351-4060. The meetings begin at 6:30 PM. You are not required to be a member to attend nor are you required to purchase a meal. Arrive early if you plan to have a meal.

Cypress-Tomball Democrats

October Speaker: Liz Hanks –Moms Demand Action

The Cypress-Tomball Democrats will hold its next monthly meeting, Monday, October 17, 2022 at Rudy’s Grill and Cantina, located at 11790 Grant Rd, Cypress, TX 77429. There is a meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. The general meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. For More info, visit our website at cytomdemocrats.org.

Our speaker will be Liz Hanks – Texas Chapter Lead – Moms Demand Action.

Liz Hanks is the volunteer lead for the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. She is a born and raised Houstonian and currently works as in-house counsel for a local tech company. She, her husband, and two girls live in the Heights, and their free time is filled with gun violence prevention activism, beekeeping, karate, and couch-surfing.”

All are welcome to attend and to join this growing club, which meets on the third Monday of every month.

For more information email us at cytomdems@yahoo.com, go to our Cypress-Tomball Democrats Group on Facebook, or visit the club’s Website at cytomdemocrats.org.

Around Fairfield

Fairfield Republicans

Fairfield Republicans are a group of conservative like-minded neighbors residing in Fairfield and neighboring areas. While we are predominately residents of Fairfield and the adjoining subdivisions, we welcome people from other precincts to attend our meetings as well. Our group meets every month to provide information to our community about current legislative priorities and other pertinent information. We can be found on Facebook under the heading of Fairfield Republicans. Please check those pages for confirmation of the upcoming meeting dates. In addition, you may contact Bill Ely at 832-919-4999 for more information.

Around Fairfield

or desert. We provide the turkey. See you at noon at Lakeside Trails Clubhouse.

November 22: Good Shepherd Brookwood Tour. Tour the facilities; poinsettias will be in full bloom. Lunch included in the Tea Room $30.00. The bus leaves FBC at 8:30.

December 13: Zoo Lights Dinner at Cleburne's on your own. Price TBD. We won't know the price until November. Leaving FBC at 5:30 pm.

Day Trips

October 13: Halloween Potluck & Bingo. Dress festively! The fun begins at noon.

October 22: Renaissance Festival: The bus leaves at 8:30 from FBC. $27.00

November 15: 1940 Air Terminal/Longhorn NASA project. Lunch at Bubba Gumps on the Kemah Boardwalk, on your own.Leaving at 10:00 from FBC. $5.00.

November 17: Thanksgiving Potluck & Kitchen Towel Exchange. Bring a side dish

December 18: from 2 to 4 pm Cookie and Gift Exchange. Pay upon sign-up. Extended Excursions

October17-20, 2022, Dallas: 3 nights/4 days $495.00 double occupancy. Bus leaves at 8:00 from FBC. Request details from jackie. devine@comcast.net.

February 19, 2023: 7 Night Western Caribbean with Mexico Cruise from Galveston. Princess Cruise Lines. Sail Date: Sunday. Prices fluctuate call Hanna at 1.800.427.8473 ext: 81826..

May 13-21, 2023, Garden of the Gods, The Royal Gorge, and Colorado Springs, Colorado $995. Eight nights lodging 4 consecutive nights in scenic Colorado, 14 meals: 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners. Departure: Fairfield Baptist Church at 8:00 am.

More Fun

Second and Fourth Thursday: Cards with Karen Cervenka: 5 Crowns, Lakeside Trails Clubhouse 1:00 to 4:00.

Second and Fourth Friday: Hand and Foot with Jim and Shirley, Lakeside Trails Clubhouse 1:00 to 4:00.

Wednesday Breakfast, House of Pies: Between 8:30 and 9:00.

Breakfast at Denny's: 1st and 3rd Friday at Denny's on 290.

Must be 50 years of age to ride the Harris County Bus. Tickets are non-refundable. For more info: Jo Ann Lambert: pstlgrl@gmail. com or Jackie.devine@comcast.net.

Whether a student is into scholastics or sports, music or machinery, we encourage them to be the best they can be. And our amazing teachers are there every step of the way to help them achieve their goals. Be a part of the school district that is bringing out the best in all students.

Register today at cfisd.net

Opportunity for All.

CONDENSED WIDE - WHITE

Bridgeland HS senior selected as 2022 NASSP ambassador

Sept. 8, 2022—Bridgeland High School senior Anish Basappa was selected to serve as one of nine 2022 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) ambassadors.

Basappa, who is the only student ambassador from Texas to be selected for the program, is helping the organization by serving on the Student and School Leader Survey Team. As part of the team, Basappa worked in collaboration with experts from an independent research firm, principals and his fellow ambassadors to help formulate survey questions about different topics including student experience, mental health and wellness, school safety, student equity and the impact of COVID-19 on schools before sending the survey to school leaders and students across the country.

After receiving the survey results, Basappa helped sift through the data. The survey was conducted to help school leaders identify student needs and opinions.

“Although the pandemic has been hard for all of us, some positive innovations, like virtual classes and more ways to connect with peers online, have actually come out of it,” Basappa said. “We have an incredible opportunity to reimagine how schools can work best for both students and educators.”

NASSP is the leading organization of middle and high school principals, along with other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.

Visit the NASSP website to view Basappa’s work and survey results.

Photo: Bridgeland NASSP Ambassador: Bridgeland High School senior Anish Basappa was chosen as one of nine 2022 National Association of School Principals (NASSP) ambassadors to serve on the Student and School Leader Survey Team. Basappa worked with experts to help formulate different survey questions covering a variety of topics to help school leaders better understand students’ needs and opinions on school-related issues.

CFISD earns $34,500 in school supplies from Kroger supply drive

Sept. 7, 2022—Cypress-Fairbanks ISD earned $34,500 worth of school supplies through Kroger’s “Backpack Boosters” school supply drive in August. The total was enough to supply every Title 1 elementary campus with 5-6 boxes of supply kits.

The Kroger school supply drive was held over a two-week period in August, with area stores selling lowcost, pre-packaged school supply kits. The kits, which are prepared for elementary-aged students and include markers, pencils, paper, crayons, a ruler and other supplies, are available for purchase by customers, who then donate the supply kits.

The school supplies are then collected and distributed at no cost to local participating school districts.

CFISD received 3,400 supply kits. Ten pallets of boxes (15 supply kits per box) were delivered to the distribution center and then distributed to 41 Title 1 elementary campuses during the first week of classes. In total, Kroger distributed nearly $304,000 worth of school supplies to six Houston-area school districts and local KIPP Texas Public Schools.

“It’s the community that generously donated while shopping at Kroger,” said Dawn Tryon, CFISD director of community engagement. “This act of giving to students that need support this time of year speaks volumes for the Kroger customers.”

Photo: CFISD Director of Community Engagement Dawn Tryon, right, poses with Liz Colvin, vice president of Kroger Houston, during a check presentation on Aug. 30. Kroger distributed nearly $304,000 worth of school supplies to six Houston-area school district and local KIPP Texas Public School through its “Backpack Boosters” school supply drive. CFISD earned $34,500 worth of supplies through the campaign, where Kroger customers to purchase and donate pre-packaged school supply kits that are distributed at no cost to participating school districts.

Schools

SPOOKTACULAR FUN!

The Swenke PTO is excited to share some amazing events coming up in October at Swenke Elementary! Snow Leopards can stay up-to-date with all events by going on our website, Facebook and Instagram pages, and reading our bi-monthly newsletter!

OCTOBER EVENTS:

• Go Gold for Childhood Cancer

• Spirit Night at Spring Creek

• Spirit Night at Half Baked Cookies

• Red Ribbon Week

• And more!

Website: www.swenkepto.org

Contact: communications@swenkepto.org

Keith Elementary

Keith Elementary School enthusiastically invites the community to our 18th Annual Sock Hop, an evening of family fun, to be held on October 21, 2022, from 6-8:30 p.m.

Dress up in your 50’s best and come out to have a blast with games, moonwalks, face & hair painting, contests, cake & candy bar walks, musical sounds, dancing & more! We will also have tons of swell baskets and other items up for bid in the silent auction, which will be hosted online. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities will be available online through our School Cash system. We will need event sponsors, donations for prizes, cakes/cupcakes & candy, and classroom basket auction items.

Please contact Keith Elementary at keith@cfisd.net or 281-2131744 with questions, or for sponsorship opportunities.

Up-Coming Classic Adults Activities at Good Shepherd UMC

The Classic Adults ministry at Good Shepherd UMC on Cypresswood in Fairfield has some exciting programs & activities planned this Fall!

October...Mark your calendars for Monday, October 3rd at 11:45am in the Youth Room of Good Shepherd UMC for the “Philosophies of Phil”, an entertaining & inspiring presentation by Good Shepherd’s own Will Rogers, Phil Sharp!

Many times, we say “I don’t how a person faces this unless they are Christian.” Phil, in his engaging style, will talk about how our Christian commitments can help us face the divisions in this country. He will explain why he is a Christian in these divided times & will share his personal struggles & the lessons he learned from them.

Our meal will be a potluck

October evening event: Do you have other commitments that keep you from attending the 1st Monday luncheons? Would you enjoy a great catered evening event with some wonderful entertainment?

If so, circle Thursday, October 27th at 6pm on your calendar for a very special evening Classic Adults event of fun & fellowship for all!. We will have a catered dinner & great entertainment by the Wolfpack Jazz Quartet playing the best jazz from the 50's on into modern jazz of today. Other activities…In additional to our monthly luncheons & speakers, we have many other ways to get involved…a line-dancing group, Silver Liners, a men’s coffee group, Pickle Ball, great day trips & much more!

Call the church if you have any questions at (281) 373-2273 or visit the GS web site at www.goodchurch.us. If you want to be on our Classic Adults email list so you never miss another event, just send an email to michaelhagan48@gmail.com

second baptist

Community of Faith is proud to be an official host church for the 2023 Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. An estimated 700 churches around the world will host this event simultaneously on Friday, February 10, 2023. Location: Community of Faith, 16124 Becker Rd, Hockley, TX US 77447

For more information, please contact our Special Needs Director, Cassie Kraus, at specialneeds@COF.TV or 832-779-8325.To refer a company who would like to get involved: email specialneeds@cof.tv

TEENAGE JOB SEEKERS

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