Community Forum Notes

Community Forum on Growth

Heritage HS Auditorium 10-7-13

Notes taken by Susan Baker 248-921-6234

These are not complete but what I felt was important enough to write down and retain.  If you have questions please ask.  Do not be a part of the rumor mill.  When  in doubt seek the truth.  Please and thank you.

Primary presenters were Dr. Jeremy Lyon FISD Superintendent and Richard WIlkinson FISD Deputy Superintendent

The meeting started out with lots of arts and charts and visuals of the current school zones by level (Elementary, Middle and High School)

The charts showed growth rates historically and projections as well as how we compared to other districts in the nation.  Head and shoulders above everyone to summarize.  Also talked about the Dallas Morning News Article referencing that 8 of the 10 best neighborhoods  in the greater DFW area are in Frisco.  

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20130401-10-best-neighborhoods-for-schools-in-dallas-fort-worth.ece?nclick_check=1

Frisco is 68% built out or planned so there is 32% left.  

3 land owners own 60% of the unplanned area

Current enrollment sits around 46,000 and should top out between 70,000-80,000

I asked the question about building too much too quickly then seeing unused schools when the population ages and doesn't move.  The community may be desirable enough that people just want to linger here.

Dr. Lyon agreed that it is certainly a concern but felt like we had two things in our favor that is the perceived expectation of "replacement families" and the fact that as a community Frisco is not reliant on an one industry.  With the diversity of the economic contributors the financials of the community should remain strong for many years to come.

Mr. Wilkinson echoed the sentiments and also mentioned that our current school model is one that has the potential to be used for something other than a school.  Centers for the Chronologically Gifted may be need as the population ages and our schools could be transformed into something like that.

Furthermore there may be needs to expend early childhood programs and our current schools could easily meet this type of need.

They then moved on sharing some specific information about the next 2 HSs

Independence HS

Opens August 2014

9th, 10th and 11th grades

4A Classification with varsity  sports immediately

Zoning Process looks like this...

October 2013 School Board Meeting - First Reading of the proposal.  THis will be the first opportunity the public and the school board has to see the proposal that is done by an outside demography group.  This initial draft proposal is presented and not discussed.

November 2013 School Board Meeting - Second Reading of the proposal and structured opportunity for public input. 

December 2013 School Board Meeting - Decision made by the school board and is firm and fast.

Reedy HS

Opens August 2015

9th and 10the grades

4A No Varsity sports

Zoning Process looks like this...

October 2014 School Board Meeting - Frist Reading

November 2014 School Board Meeting - Second Reading

December 2014 School Board Meeting - Decision

and elementary schools...

4 new elementary schools 

Newman, Scott, McSpedden, #37

Zoning Process looks like....

November 2013 School Board Meeting - First Reading

December 2013 School Board Meeting - Second Reading and community input

January 2014 School Board Meeting - Decision

The opening of these 4 schools could impact 12-15 current zones.  The ripples will be wide.

There is a committee in place working on the May 2014 Bond Program

There are looking to fund

? Elem Schools

? Middles Schools

? High Schools

CTE Expansion

Land requisition 

Stadium  (Cross this one out!)

Details will be released in the spring on this plan.

When you consider that in 1998 the ISD only had 7 schools and now has 56 you can feel assured that they are getting pretty good at the rezoning process.    It is never easy and there will be people who are dissatisfied.  

There has been a solid historic record of NOT allowing exceptions and grandfathering of any kind once lines are drawn (I think they mean specifically with HS as we all know that if an elementary isn't 90% full that parents can opt in to said school)  

The  goals of the ISD include continuity of great quality throughout the district so that as kids get moved, and kids will be moved, that they are not losing out on anything that could be perceived as a building specific benefit.

The BEST sources of ACCURATE information are

www.friscoisd.org and the FISD Communications Dept

469-633-6060

Other topics brought up by parents included but were not limited to...

1. Advocacy for support for One Voice by the district

2. Professional Development across and among schools

3. Methods used to evaluate teachers

4. Concern for students who have had many siblings graduate from a particular school who may be shifted due to new lines and how unfair that is to the student and family who has invested in their school for so many years.

5. Apathy for the forum itself - I would estimate that if there were 20 FISD staff and school board members there were 15 residents.  I was sitting in front though so I may have estimated low.  There was at least one reported from the Dallas News there reporting.

6. What components/priorities will be considered when drawing the new zones?  Having never been through a rezoning I was curious. 

I mentioned numbers of students, staff, busing, infrastructure etc and they responded yes to all of those as well as the most prominent need to reduce over crowding in the three HSs on this side of town.

Answers to the above questions were brief and often included directives to the individuals asking to specific staff members or protocols to get specific answers.

Overall the tone of the forum was positive.  Dr. Lyon thought that the fact that there were so few people in attendance was a testament to the fact that the district is in good shape right now.  If more people had been there it would have been to air their grievances.  If they weren't there perhaps the number of, or types of, issues are low and minor.

Everyone is welcome to be involved in the process of the rezoning through the public comment time with the school board and of course through appropriate channels such as email and rational personal discussions.  The growing pains that we face are unique but ultimately our children are being given amazing opportunities at every facility in our district and with every FISD staffer they encounter.  The kids will be okay.  The parents... well, we're another story.

Climbing out on all fours!

It has been a decent week around here. I am forgiving myself and taking steps to improve my situation and to strive for HAPPY each and every day.

The Dr. wasn't too hard on me, not as hard as I was on myself, and encouraged me to work at it and get back on track. I was grateful.

I felt well enough yesterday to grab an extra 1/2 day sub job then find out that it was a SUPER EASY assignment in 1st grade WITH a student teacher AND I was done at 10:35 because it was teacher appreciation week and parents took over recess and lunch duty.  WINNING!  That gave me a break between elementary and then a middle school assignment in the afternoon. After school I ran kids around a bit then even had the energy to make dinner.  Granted it was just Hamburger Helper but it was a start.

I work up this morning feeling well and was greeted by sunshine and opportunity.  I turned down a couple of sub jobs today to be a mom/chaperon for Will's trip to UIL Band Contest.  My guilt about saying no is lessening. I want to be the "yes" person but I also want to spend time with my kids when they are achieving and flourishing and having fun!  THAT is my priority. I will say no over and over again if it means spending time with my boys.  The district probably doesn't want to hear that but it's the truth.

Fred has put us in a situation where I do not have to work. I could never sub another day and we will be okay.  I enjoy subbing and like the feeling of contributing and sometime use it as a great excuse to say I DESERVE something or another but if I didn't get another paycheck this year we'd be okay.  That is such a good feeling.  It makes me HAPPY.

So today I am going to cheer on my boy, eat lunch at my least favorite pizza place, Gatti Town, and enjoy the time being just a mom.  That makes me feel like I am on a beautiful peak far far away from the ditch I was wallowing in last week.



image from peakery.com

I fell off the wagon and landed in a ditch.

February was a rough month. I always get a little blue in January and generally pull out of the funk by February but this year it seems to have lingered.

As I was getting my day started today I stepped on the scale and saw a VERY yucky number. What's worse is that I am headed to the Dr. tomorrow for blood work and prescription refills and of course I'll have to step on HER scale which is never as nice as my own scale and if MY scale is ugly then hers will be HIDEOUS! Ugh.

That led me to a bit of contemplation and a realization that my funk was on an extended stay and I needed it to GO HOME NOW!

I wrote myself a little note (5 pages) and tried to put to paper what the BIG things were that were challenging me.  Some were me wallowing. Some were out of  my control. And some need to be addressed with the usual culprit(s).  All are significant but minor in the whole scheme of life.

I know that I am beyond blessed.  I have a healthy family and for times when we are less than healthy we have health care.  We have amazing friends nearby who support us in good times and bad. We have family across the globe who would come to our rescue if we needed it. We don't need it but they can still come and visit ANY TIME THEY WANT!  We drive nice cars, attend a faith filled church, our kids are getting a fab education and we have a roof over our heads that many would envy. We are okay.  We are better than okay. I have no good reasons to wallow. I have no good reasons to be sad or lackadaisical.

I AM HAPPY!  Remember, that is my word! HAPPY!  I had forgotten my own word!

So starting today I am hitting the snooze bar less. I plan on attacking my mornings with GUSTO and purpose and I am going to make everyday HAPPY on some level and maybe even EVERY LEVEL.  I'll slip, I'll struggle but I will keep on keeping on and with God's grace and the support of friends and family I will be HAPPY and I will share that with all those I know.  It's only right.

4 for 4!

I am 4 for 4 for my LOAD213 challenge.  Saturday I had a terrible migraine, yesterday I struggled with The Crud and today I am still recovering BUT despite the minor challenges I have completed 6 pages and am really happy with the results. They make me smile.

Scrapbook a perfect day



Showing off my IMperfect tile with a "t" from an "f" and not enough room on the card.

Scrapbook something important but often overlooked page 1



Scrapbook something important but often overlooked page 2

Scrapbook a Goal page 1

Scrapbook a goal page 2

We also bought a new toy this weekend, a Kindle Fire 8.9".  I am wanting to get an iPad Mini but Fred is looking for an open box deal at Best Buy.  We trekked around on Saturday and didn't catch a deal on a mini but did find the Kindle a little cheaper. It's a fun little toy and will be my answer for a while until I get a deal on a mini. I think I want something just a little smaller.

WHOHOO! Creativity lives!

I am so excited to be participating in LOAD213.  This is an online challenge where I am given a daily prompt to inspire a LayOut A Day for the month of February.  I received the first challenge last night before I went to bed. They are sent via email at midnight Eastern so I get them at 11PM and am usually still awake. I rarely act on the prompt until the next day but it is fun to go to sleep thinking about what COULD be.

This was a tough one. I was supposed to scrap a page WITHOUT WORDS!?  Um, not my speciality.  I'm kinda chatty. I searched my photo stash and came across a 5X7 picture of the ladies who helped me celebrate my 40th birthday. It isn't a great pic because it is from a cellphone but I still LOVE it and the ladies IN the picture so I forged ahead. 12x12 is quite a bit of real estate to cover when you have no words so I found another photo of the night that I like and added it. My reaction when my cake caught on fire... PRICELESS!

At a band boosters auction last December I bid on and won a basket of Stampin Up goodies. One of the items was a flower creation kit with die cut flower pieces and bling that you could layer. It was PERFECT for this fun night and the different patterns and colors worked well with the background.  I felt like there was a bit too much blank space in the upper right corner when I got done and was SOOO excited to use this washi tape that I had recently added to my scrap stash.  I wish I had had yellow chevron or some sort of stripe that resembled one layer of flower but alas I only have 3 rolls so I went with the pattern mixing flow and used what I had.  I anchored it all on a nice sheet of plumb card stock and am sincerely pleased with the results.

I hope the rest of the month goes as well. LOAD213 is going to be a challenge with all that is going on this month but it is FAR from unreasonable to think that I can spend 30-60 minutes creating something beautiful!  It will surely make me HAPPIER!

Checking in...

I wrote this a week ago but due to technical difficulties that day it never posted.  Better late than never I always say!

Monday and the boys are home from school.  Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States for a second term today and although I did not watch the event I am still a proud American. Sometimes I get very frustrated with my FB friends who post insults and harassment about the President because I am of the opinion that no matter if we like him or not we should respect the office of POTUS and the person who represents our country to the world.  The months leading up to the elections were a difficult time on FB because people were so committed to their beliefs.  That in itself was a great thing. The mudslinging and rudeness was not.

I spent my morning curled up on the couch reading this. It is on my list of things to accomplish in January and I am really close to finishing it.  I have enjoyed the book and writing down some aha moments. I want to compile my own list of Rules of Adulthood sometime.  I want to be an adult a little longer before I do that.

This week is an interesting one. I have some things on my calender that I am pumped about and a few things I am pretty unsure about.  The unsure one comes first. Tomorrow morning Nic and I are going to Children's Hospital in Plano to see a Nephrologist.  This is a doctor who specializes in kidney function.  We had no idea that there was anything wrong with Nic's kidney function, and there still may be nothing actually wrong but we were referred by his Dr. after his last well-child check-up.  He had some protein in his urine specimen and upon a return a few weeks later it was still there.  In actual truth there was protein in his urine last year too but there was never any follow-up.  I sincerely hope that is not a problem but I sincerely hope I find out tomorrow.  Specialist are a funny bunch of doctors and honing in on one body part seems like it would get old real fast but this is a pretty significant body part so I hope the Dr. has a good bedside manner and that he shares ANSWERS tomorrow.  I am nervous about the unknown.

Children's says that an appointment can take 1-3 hours. WOW what a window!  We are prepared for even longer but certainly hope to be on the short efficient side of the range while still walking away with INFORMATION and ANSWERS.

After the appointment Nic should go back to school and I will be prepping for a PTA meeting. Then I have carpool, William has a rehearsal with his pianist for his solo competition piece that he will play on Saturday and I will crash.  Fred is out of the country so at least I get the middle of the bed!  The little things bring me joy and happiness!

Another calendar filler that will make me smile is that I have a dentist appt on Thursday. Just a 6 month check-up with cleaning but those always make me smile. I LOVE the feeling of clean polished teeth and expect no big issues so it should be a wham bam thank you m'am!

I am working on Friday at the Middle School in 8th grade English. Should be an interesting day.

Happier

Happier

That's it! That is the word of the year!  It has taken a few extra days to decide but I am excited and looking forward to an even HAPPIER 2013.

So the year so far, 9 days in, is going really well.  Boys are back at school. Science Fair project is complete, turned in and is moving on to the school level from the class level competition. Nic is working on his next thespian foray and Fred is busy at work while also working on the details of our 20th anniversary trip to Paris and London in his free time.  I am hopeful that hotel/apartment details will be secured by this time next week.  Plane tickets have been purchased already!

I was challenged by a FB/Blogger friend to put some things down for reflection and inspiration about exactly what I hope to accomplish in the first 6 months of 2013. This idea appealed to me because cutting the year in half seems so reasonable. 182.5 days seems like a manageable chunk compared to 365.  So why not take it a step further and chunk it into what I hope to accomplish each month during those first 6 months?  Here goes.  This is totally off the cuff.  And by no means of complete list. Just a few for each month.

January -
1. Make great progress in cleaning up the piles around the house that replicated in late 2012. Specifically on my back hall desk and my scrapbooking desk. 
2. Finish reading Happier at Home
3. Attempt to participate 100% in bible study this month.
4. Walk

February -
1. Complete LOAD213 with 28-35 completed pages
2. Read another book from the armoire
3. Get all of the PTA stuff in order for a smooth transition for next year while finalizing this year (teacher grants)
4. Walk 20 miles

March -
1. Recover from LOAD213 by cleaning up the scrap desk and displaying some pages before putting them all in scrapbooks.
2. Take a whole week OFF from PTA while chilling with my boys on Spring Break.  Make some real memories and use technology less.
3. Read 2 books (one from the armoire and one from Kindle)
4. Walk 40 miles

April -
1. Get really busy mapping out daily itineraries for days abroad.  Begin packing list and shop for versatile clothing and shoes that will be comfortable.
2. Read at least 2 books (one from armoire and one from Kindle)
3. Begin working on the summer calendar of programs and plans for the Baker Boys
4. Walk 50 miles

May -
1. Put the time in the wrap up school year with PTA with a bang. Field Days, 8th grade treats & t's and other grade level fun
2. Read 2 books (one based in London and one based in Paris)
3. Hand write thank you notes to each of the boys' teachers and counselors to put into words how grateful I am for each of them.
4. Walk 50 miles

June -
1. Pack, prepare for and ENJOY my anniversary trip to Europe
2. Spend a day with my mom
3. Relax as much as possible


The walking thing was the last thing added and could certainly stand to be increased but we'll start with those numbers and improve as we can.

Okay, off to make beds with clean sheets and put my shoes on to start walking.  How far will I get walking while watching an episode of the ELLEN show?