FriscoParents Blog

HB 55 – Mobile Phone Use While Driving Through a School Crossing Zone Effective Date: September 1, 2009 Code Sections Impacted: Amends Texas Transportation Code §545.425 HB 55 prohibits the use of a wireless communication device while driving through a school crossing zone unless the vehicle is stopped or the operator is using a hands-free device. The bill requires a municipality, county, or other political subdivision that enforces this law to post informational/warning signage at the entrance to each school crossing zone. Exceptions to the prohibition include making an emergency call to certain entities, and if the required signage was not posted. The law does not apply to operators of emergency vehicles while on duty, and operators licensed by the Federal Communications commission. An offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $50.

Once again, our Frisco ISD Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) has been featured in the news. I invite you to read the full article on the Dallas Morning News web site.

When asked about his recent trip to Frisco’s CTE center, Larry Anderson, the founder and director of the National Center for Technology Planning, said “The whole of greater Dallas should take pride in what has happened in Frisco. Not only has the school been built beautifully but there is a social and cultural shift that has the potential of elevating the nation.”

For at least the last decade, Frisco ISD has wandered the metroplex for an indoor facility large enough to accommodate our graduations.  As a rule of thumb, count on ten guests for every graduating senior. So for a class of 400, you had better count on 4000 guests. Once you find a facility large enough, you have to get in line with all the other schools in our area for desirable dates. For the last several years we have utilized the Garland Special Events center which is approximately 25 miles from Frisco.

On a Wednesday evening, September 26, 2007, that began to change. At a joint meeting of the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees and the Frisco City Council, both entities voted to proceed with negotiations regarding a public-private project with the Dallas Stars to expand the Dr. Pepper Star Center. Jim Lites, president of the Dallas Stars, presented the concept plans to the leaders with assistance from representatives from HKS Partners architects.

Under the plan, the entire facility would be reworked, along with adding a 1,000 car parking garage. The conceptual plan showed everything being upgraded – lighting, acoustics, video capability, and mechanics. Capacity would increase to 6,000 seats, including floor space. Jim Lites stated that the timeline for completion was May 2009.

On May 5, 2009 Frisco High School held their graduation as the first event in the updated facility.  Centennial, Liberty, and Wakeland held their graduations the next day.

I wish that all of you could have been there to witness the sense of gratitude and pride so evident in our students, parents, and educators as four senior classes graduated in style and with dignity. So many attendees remarked as to how pleased they were to have access to such an awesome facility in such close proximity.  Each ceremony was an unqualified success and our students will enjoy the benefits for many years to come.

This past Sunday, parent organizations from all four Frisco High Schools hosted the traditional Baccalaureate Services. These services are parent sponsored events, funded and hosted by senior parents and are not affiliated with any High School or Frisco ISD. This has been a parent tradition at Frisco High School since 1948 and the Charter Class of Liberty High School started their new tradition this year.

These services are held the Sunday before commencement services. Thus all four Frisco High Schools held their services on May 31st at locations graciously donated by area churches.

• Frisco High School: Stonebriar Community Church
• Centennial High School: Stonebriar Community Church
• Wakeland High School: Preston Trails Community Church
• Liberty High School: First Baptist Church

The origin of the Baccalaureate dates back to the middle ages when meaningful symbols were associated with the attainment of an achievement. Each student participating is given a rose, a symbol of their life. We tie a continuous ribbon to each rose. This ribbon represents the unity of the class as they traveled down the same path in education. As each student cuts this ribbon, it symbolizes that they are moving on from their childhood friends and their readiness to follow their own personal dreams.

The Frisco events were well attended and the students certainly made their parents proud. And yes, it is an emotional time for both students and parents.

Today, the school board and senior administration had the honor of attending the annual Frisco ISD Top Ten Luncheon.

It has become a tradition in Frisco ISD to have a luncheon for the top ten students in each high school and their Honored Teachers.  The tradition first started around eight years ago when Frisco ISD only had one high school. This year, Liberty High School became the fourth Frisco High School to attend this event as they prepare to graduate their charter class.

Not only is it a huge honor for the students and their parents to celebrate being ranked in the top ten students at their schools, it is also a big honor for certain teachers.  You see, the students are allowed to invite one teacher to serve as their Honored Teacher. These teachers have distinguished themselves in the eyes of their students.  The message from the students was consistent. These teachers went above and beyond just teaching them a subject. They have taught them about life and also served as both a friend and mentor.

Visit the Frisco ISD Web Site for a list of the top ten students from each school.

Here is a picture of the Liberty High School top ten students and their honored teachers (although a couple of the teachers missed the photo op).

My wife has been serving as the President of the Liberty High School Senior Parents committee this last year and at this time of the year it seems like a full time job. But thanks to a dedicated and energetic group of parents, combined with a great staff, over 200 LHS Seniors enjoyed a day at six flags.  All in all, I was very impressed by the mature and responsible behavior of our seniors.

These events would not be possible without the help and leadership of our parent volunteers. I know full well that it is a lot of work, but it is also very rewarding. Please consider volunteering at your school.

Here are just a few pictures of the LHS event.

There is a very influential group impacting Frisco ISD that most people do not know about, the Superintendents Student Advisory Committee.

Each high school campus nominates four students who will normally serve on this committee for the remainder of their high school career. They usually meet once a month over lunch to discuss any issues on their mind directly with the Superintendent, Dr. Rick Reedy.  Dr. Reedy has stated that the first year, most of them are pretty quiet and just listen. But by the time they are seniors and they all know each other better, they don’t hold anything back.

During any given discussion, you will often find Dr. Reedy explaining why things are done a certain way and the students challenging him with what they feel would be a better way. Having had a daughter serve on this committee for three years and watching it as a board member for seven years, I can tell you that they really are a positive change agent for our district. Dr. Reedy has admitted that he learns a great deal from these spirited discussions.

Here is a picture of this year’s committee as they gather for their final lunch meeting of the year at Babe’s.