Friendswood parents group tours campuses, meets staff

Friendswood ISD parents and community members toured several campuses Tuesday, kicking off a program to give the public a firsthand look into the district’s learning environment.

The group of 25 people was selected by a lottery system to be part of the Friendswood ISD Focus Team. The project includes four scheduled sessions during which the group will convene to discuss various aspect of education, curriculum and programs, and visit schools.

The committee members met with district staff, including teachers and administrators on the first of several visits that will take place throughout the 202324 school year. They visited multiple facilities including the Transition Center, Windsong Elementary, Cline Elementary and Friendswood Junior High.

The goal of the Friendswood ISD Focus project is to allow the public to experience day-to-day curriculum and programs as they play out in a live classroom setting.

“It was a privilege to walk with a group of parents on a tour of our schools, where they had the opportunity to engage with our incredible students and dedicated teachers,” said Superintendent Thad Roher.

Friendswood ISD Focus was initiated with a letter the district sent to parents at the beginning of 2023, inviting them to participate in the group in which members would be selected through a lottery system.

The group’s focus spans from prekindergarten through 12th grade. District officials hope to give parents and members of the community direct insight into the district’s educational priorities by classrooms and hearing from staff, teachers, coaches and administrators.

The district also hopes to give the parents perspective on how education has evolved since their own experiences and provides connectivity to students’ daily lives.

“Witnessing our schools’ special programs and support firsthand, I am reminded that education is a collaborative journey, and together, we are shaping a bright future for our children,” Roher said.