NEWS from FRIENDS

The state's school financial accountability rating system, known as the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), ensures that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and that they improve those practices. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.

The 2018/2019 ratings are out; 99.02% of Texas public shool districts earned a passing score.

Source: https://tealprod.tea.state.tx.us/First/forms/AdminStats.aspx

SAFETY TIP: A proper school security plan requires coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies and schools. During an emergency, how will schools contact first responders? A plan that includes layers of communication (alert system, radio bridge, video sharing) is often the best one. Contact Mutualink to learn more - 866-957-5465.

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year from all of us at Friends of Texas Public Schools! With a new year, for that matter, a new decade, there is a new opportunity to make sure we share all of the great things happening in your local public schools. We search the web every day looking for things to share through our social media sites and our monthly newsletter. Friends has close to 30,000 followers on social media and our monthly newsletter is sent out to 60,000 people. Our influence of sharing great things goes far and wide. I hope you will take the opportunity to “forward” and “share” our posts and newsletter with anybody that supports public education. If we do not tell our story, who will? Why not us? Why not you!

Sincerely,

Blake Cooper

Executive Director

Share the "great things" happening in your district or on your campus by tagging @FriendsTX on Facebook or email your story to Friends@fotps.org and we will feature it on our social media!

The College of Education and Human Services at Texas A&M University-Commerce forges into 2020 intent on making their great teacher education even better through an external evaluation process being under taken by all eleven A&M System universities. We are proud to say that, “We Teach Texas!” Also the department of Educational Leadership continues their legacy of principal and superintendent production under the new leadership of Department Chair, Dr. Pam Winn. Our Educational Leadership faculty has also teamed up with the other A&M System institutions to create cutting edge curriculum and approaches to address the newly implemented evaluation system for principal certification. We are excited about our partnerships with public schools and with the Friends of Texas Public Schools and expect great things in this new year. Learn more here.

DK Roofing provides our clients with a full-service roof offering. Since 1991, we have worked with Texas public schools to provide service, maintenance, restoration, and re-roof options, as well as to navigate insurance claims and board approvals. Our CenterPoint software provides instant service dispatch and access to all findings. 866-DRY-IT-IN

To become a Friends corporate partner, click below to join online. If you have any questions or would like to discuss additional partnership opportunities, please contact Executive Director, Blake Cooper at 903-453-5412 or bcooper@fotps.org.

Our Mission

"To facilitate respectful conversations about Texas public schools through honest communication, productive dialogue, and relentless encouragement."

Email: Friends@fotps.org
Website: www.fotps.org
Location: 108 Wild Basin Rd. South #250 Austin, TX 78746
Phone: 512-334-6555
Facebook: facebook.com/FriendsTX
Twitter: @FRIENDStxps