Student
Shines
Deaf Color Guard in
HAPPY DAY
YouTube | Dr. Smith’s Thanksgiving Message
Stay connected with us to get the latest district news and events. Visit fortbendisd.com and connect with us on social media.
The FBISD Magazine is produced by the Fort Bend ISD Communications Department.
This season, our superintendent offers a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who supports our schools.
2025-26 FORT BEND ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Kristin K. Tassin ........................................ President
Angie Hanan ...................................... Vice President
Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam Secretary
Adam Schoof Member
Afshi Charania .......................................... Member
Addie Heyliger ......................................... Member
Angie Wierzbicki Member
Dr. Marc Smith, Superintendent of Schools
As we close out a successful fall semester, I am proud to share this edition of the FBISD Magazine with you. Our district continues to move forward with purpose, and the progress we have made together reflects the strength, commitment, and determination of our entire community. This year, we achieved meaningful gains in our state’s accountability ratings, a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families.
For the 2025–26 school year, our focus is clear: We will Level Up. This is more than a phrase. It is a call to action. It challenges each of us to take the next step in our pursuit of excellence, to set higher expectations, and to embrace every opportunity to grow, achieve, and lead with confidence.
To our students: Your achievement, resilience, and curiosity inspire us all. Every success story in our classrooms and campuses reflects your drive to learn and push beyond limits. Keep striving. Keep believing in what you can accomplish.
To our teachers and staff: Thank you for the passion and dedication you bring every day. You set the standard for excellence and create the environment where students thrive. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen partnerships, align our efforts, and build on the strong foundation you have created.
Message from Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith
To our parents and families: Your involvement matters. Attendance is essential to student learning, and your engagement makes a powerful difference. Thank you for supporting your children and playing an active role in our district community.
Across FBISD, there are countless stories of success, perseverance, and innovation. These moments showcase who we are and what we can accomplish together. I am proud of our progress, proud of our people, and excited for the bright future ahead.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in Fort Bend ISD.
Digital Defenders
Learn how to use digital tools like social media and podcasts in a smart and safe way.
New Program Unique ExperiencesLearning for Elementary Students
FBISD is testing a new program at a few elementary schools that gives students fun, hands-on learning experiences during the school year. Students will go on field trips and do cool activities based on their school’s special theme.
This year, schools will explore five themes:
Energy Explorers
Learn how Houston gets its energy and how we can use cleaner, greener energy in the future.
Service Sentinels
Learn to be leaders by helping others and working as a team.
Gulf Guardians
Explore the plants, animals and land of the Gulf Coast and what makes it special.
To learn more, visit fortbendisd.com/premieropportunities or follow Premier Opportunities
Discover earth-friendly ways to get around, like biking, buses and electric cars.
Fort Bend ISD Levels Up Learning for its Earliest Learners with Launch of Pre-K3 Program
At just three years old, Ridgemont Elementary student Camila Melara is already showing what it means to level up. Enrolled in FBISD’s new Pre-K3 program through a partnership with BakerRipley, she is breaking barriers and inspiring those around her.
Camila was born with a condition called abnormal gait, which affects the way she walks. She wears braces on her legs that support her mobility and allow her to participate more fully in daily activities. While these challenges hold some children back, Camila approaches each day with determination.
Her teachers, Monica Calderon and Jessica Marquez, have seen remarkable growth.
“In the beginning of the year, Camila cried when she arrived at school and showed difficulty separating from her family,” Calderon said. “Little by little, she has adapted to the school environment and now participates with more confidence.
She follows routines, socializes with classmates and even takes part in dances and physical movement activities with enthusiasm.”
FBISD Early Childhood staff and BakerRipley program managers work side by side with teachers and principals, offering coaching and professional development to ensure the highest quality learning experience for students. Camila’s family utilizes additional FBISD resources that are in place to help families thrive, including speech therapy services.
For Camila’s mother, Roxanne Melara, the impact of the program goes beyond academics.
“It is a great honor for me that my daughter is part of this program, which is allowing us to create a meaningful and lasting story,” she said. “A story enriched with values, support, understanding and love from the program’s members and her dedicated teachers, who guide her growth and learning each
day. Although the journey has not been easy, witnessing Camila’s development in knowledge and skills makes every effort worthwhile. We remain committed and will not give up.”
Camila’s journey is a powerful example of how FBISD’s Early Childhood programs help students and families thrive. When schools, families and community partners work together, it’s a win to be in Fort Bend ISD.
Last spring, FBISD’s Board approved a partnership with BakerRipley to expand early learning opportunities across the district with a focus on building literacy, math and socialemotional skills. Together, they launched 11 Pre-K3 classrooms on six campuses, each with a co-teaching model that gives students the benefit of two educators in every room. BakerRipley also provides families with valuable services including parenting classes, job training, career counseling, immigration legal services, citizenship classes and leadership programs.
What Is Career and Technical Education (CTE)?
CTE prepares students for the workforce and/or continued education in a wide range of industries.
Fort Bend ISD’s CTE courses offer free industry certifications; work-based learning; connections with industry professionals; internships and job shadowing; hands-on learning; and real-world experience.
For more information, visit fortbendisd.com/CTE
CTE courses are offered at all 12 of the district’s high schools. In addition, FBISD has four CTE Academies that provide unique project-based learning experiences. Students can apply to attend the Medical Science; Engineering; Digital Media; and International Business and Marketing academies.
The James Reese Career and Technical Center serves students from every FBISD high school and is home to three student-run businesses that are open to the public. The community can visit The Grill, The Salon and The Shop. In addition, advanced courses are offered in the following pathways.
• Automotive
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Diagnostic and Therapeutics
• Digital Communications
• HVAC
• Networking Systems
• Teaching and Training
• Veterinary Medicine
• Welding
CTE PROGRAM AREAS
• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
• Architecture and Construction
• Arts, A/V Technology and Communications
• Business, Marketing and Finance
• Education and Training
• Engineering
• Health Science
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• JROTC
• Law and Public Services
• Manufacturing
• Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
YOUR SEAT, YOUR SUCCESS
Matters Attendance
Missing a day here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up!
When a student misses DAYS A MONTH:
2
They will miss 18 DAYS A YEAR.
They will miss 132 HOURS OF INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
They will miss over 1 YEAR OF SCHOOL BY GRADUATION.
When a student misses DAYS A MONTH:
4
They will miss 36 DAYS A YEAR.
They will miss 264 HOURS OF INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
They will miss over 2 YEARS OF SCHOOL BY GRADUATION.
D I D Y O U K N O W ? TEXAS requires all students be present each day at school at “snapshot” — this is 10 a.m. for elementary and high school students, and 10:15 a.m. for middle school students.
Special Education Programs Build Confidence, Connection and
a Culture of Belonging
In FBISD, Partner PE and Special Olympics offer students with disabilities meaningful ways to stay active. Both programs help students discover their strengths, develop friendships, build confidence and create opportunities for every student to shine.
A New Kind of PE
Launched as a pilot last spring at Sartartia Middle School, Partner PE is a physical education program that pairs students with disabilities with their general education peers.
Each class is designed to meet individual needs and abilities, bringing students together through sports and activities that help both groups learn and grow.
The hope is to expand the program so more students can experience inclusion.
“The goal is that students with disabilities become more included in everyday school life, while their partners gain empathy, leadership skills, and a deeper respect for others,” Program Manager for Student Support Instructional Services Alexis Rosales said. “Sartartia Middle School is doing an outstanding job of building and nurturing the program to grow it into something great!”
To hear more about Partner PE, tune in to Dr. Marc Smith’s SuperIntentional Podcast.
Competing With Heart
For students ready to take their athletic experience beyond the school gym, FBISD’s Special Olympics team, the Fort Bend Falcons, offers another way to connect, compete and grow.
The Falcons represent the entire district, welcoming athletes from age eight through adult transition. Throughout the year, they participate in sports such as golf, softball, volleyball, bowling, basketball, track and soccer. The focus is not just on medals, but on moments that bring out the very best in teamwork and sportsmanship.
The program is free to join and flexible, allowing families to participate in as many or as few sports as they wish.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to increase social and motor skills, and for parents to engage with others in a fun and supportive environment,” Special Olympics Coordinator Laura Rivers said.
FBISD Expands Opportunities
for Student-Athletes
FBISD continues to broaden athletic opportunities for students. Two of the district’s fastest-growing sports—Girls Flag Football and Water Polo—are creating new pathways for studentathletes to compete, lead and excel.
Girls Flag Football: A Breakout Success
The district launched a girls flag football program last year to give female athletes access to one of the nation’s fastestgrowing sports.
“Participation exceeded our expectations,” FBISD Athletic Coordinator Ashley Grantham said. “Several campuses had more than 50 girls sign up to try out for a 25-player roster.”
The season concluded with a championship game hosted by the Houston Texans at their practice facility. Austin and Willowridge high schools faced off for the district title; Austin advanced to the Houston Area Championship Game and competed during halftime at a Texans game.
FBISD is preparing now for the second season. The program is available at all FBISD high schools.
Water Polo: Makes a Splash
This year also marks the fourth season of water polo in FBISD and the momentum continues to grow. Fueled by enthusiastic students, dedicated coaches and a growing community of supporters, ten district high schools now field both boys’ and girls’ teams.
Austin High School Girls Flag Football team advanced to the Houston Area Championship Game and played during halftime at a Texans game.
This year, FBISD hosted its first-ever water polo tournament: The Battle of the Brazos. The Travis Tigers claimed victory in the boys’ division.
Joseph Chen –A Full-Circle Encore
HOME HOME GROWN GROWN
From band kid to band director, he is proving that sometimes the best journeys lead you right back where you started.
Joseph Chen grew up, learned and was inspired in FBISD. He attended Barrington Place and Rita Drabek elementaries, Sugar Land Middle School and graduated from Kempner High School in 2012. One of his favorite memories as a student was performing in the band.
Chen is now the band director at Elkins High School, helping students succeed one note at a time. He was named Campus Teacher of the Year and became a 2025 District Teacher of the Year Finalist, an honor that reflects his dedication to teaching.
“Being a part of the Kempner Band program in high school inspired me to become a band director in order to give students the same opportunities that were afforded to me,” he said. “I am proud to be part of a district that values the arts and gives opportunities to thrive creatively.”
One of Chen’s biggest inspirations came from his former teacher and mentor.
“Mr. Jerome Muniz, who was both my AP Environmental Science teacher and private lesson teacher on euphonium, had a profound impact on me,” Chen said. “He helped me grow as a musician and inspired me to become an incredible, influential teacher like him. He was also the officiant at my wedding, having taught myself and my wife when we went to high school together.”
Chen says it’s a special feeling to work alongside some of the very educators who once taught him.
“One of our assistant principals here at Elkins High School, Mr. Michael Bennett, was actually my science teacher in the sixth grade at Sugar Land Middle School,” he said. “There are so many teachers in the district that had a profound influence on me and it’s an honor to be able to call them my colleagues.”
With his own daughter in the district and part of the Kempner band, the decision to stay in FBISD is even more personal.
“Being close to my family and my home is one of the biggest reasons I chose to work in Fort Bend,” Chen said. “The sense of coming back home has really resonated with me, especially since Elkins High School has the exact same floor plan as Kempner High School… just with a little more blue and gold.”
Jerome Muniz (Batman) posing with Joseph Chen (Robin), 2012.
Joseph Chen and daughter Julie Chen-Vargas.
Michelin-Starred Chef Got His Start in Fort Bend ISD
Before earning one of the culinary world’s highest honors—a MICHELIN Star—Chef Felipe Riccio got his start in a Fort Bend ISD kitchen.
Born to a father from Naples, Italy, and a mother of Spanish heritage, Riccio moved to the Houston area from Mexico as a teenager. He enrolled in FBISD’s Culinary Arts program, where he began turning his dream of becoming a chef into reality and laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career.
Offered through FBISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department, the program provided Riccio with early access to professional training, mentorship, and a space to explore his passion for food.
Today, Riccio stands among the culinary elite. His Houston restaurant, March, is one of the few in Texas to receive a MICHELIN Star—an honor reserved for restaurants demonstrating exceptional quality, creativity and execution.
Alyssa Gutierrez Don’t Count Her Out
Don’t think deaf people can’t play or do something, Gutierrez said. We can do anything!
About the Brazoria-Fort Bend Regional Day School Program for the Deaf
FBISD is home to the Brazoria-Fort Bend Regional Day School Program for the Deaf and has an elementary, middle and high school site which serves students from FBISD and 10 surrounding school districts.
“We are lucky to have such supportive administration and staff that are open to learning and understanding deaf culture,” DHS Deaf Education Team Lead Justin Kirk said. “It helps our students have a sense of belonging within the Viking community and provides experiences like any other student.” Participation in activities like color guard help students develop confidence and self-advocacy skills.
DDeaf education student Alyssa Gutierrez first discovered color guard when high school students performed at her middle school. From that moment, she knew she wanted to be part of it.
Color guard performers rely heavily on music to keep tempo and synchronize their routines — a challenge for someone who is deaf. But she didn’t let that stop her.
Gutierrez is a freshman at Dulles High School, which hosts the Brazoria-Fort Bend Regional Day School Program for the Deaf and serves more than 300 deaf and hard of hearing students.
For Gutierrez, the most challenging part of color guard is staying on count.
She uses visual cues and signals and mirrors other members of the color guard. She stays on tempo by feeling the vibrations from the music and counting steps internally.
“I encourage the whole team to watch their peers and learn from each other,” DHS Color Guard Coach Avery Cart said. “This helps them learn in different ways. I notice Alyssa picks up certain performance qualities from her friends. It’s exciting to watch.”
Gutierrez’s campus interpreter, Brittany Bradshaw, plays a key role in ensuring accessibility by maintaining regular communication with the color guard coach about practice and game information. Bradshaw even goes beyond the role of an interpreter by participating in
the choreography to be sure Gutierrez comprehends the movements.
“I absolutely love that Alyssa is a part of our color guard,” Cart said. “I can’t wait to continue watching her grow.”
From District Aide to Future Teacher, FBISD Employee Shows the Meaning of ‘Level Up’
Trenette Williams began her FBISD journey in 2013 as a district aide at Lantern Lane Elementary.
“During this time, I learned a lot and grew tremendously,” she said. “I was often the first person to welcome families and community members. I discovered that great customer service begins with active listening and understanding others’ needs.”
Williams thrived as a district aide for years, until Principal Nikki Roberts - who was stationed at Lantern Lane while her new campus was under construction - encouraged her to take on new challenges that pushed her beyond her comfort zone.
“I was very comfortable as a district aide,” she said. “But then I met Principal Nikki Roberts. She saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. She would assign me tasks or ask for help with things I didn’t think I could do. Her motivation and belief in my abilities made me feel important and capable of anything.”
That belief gave her the courage to follow Roberts and help open Sonal Bhuchar Elementary. It also built her confidence to say
yes when Principal Justin Kowrach invited her to return to Lantern Lane Elementary as his executive assistant.
“I was ready to grow further,” Williams said.
The transition was not without challenges, but Angelica Del Toro, the former executive assistant and long-time coworker helped her adjust to her new role.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone from being a front office staff member to becoming an executive assistant was like learning a new language,” she said.
Later, Kowrach shared information about a degree program that inspired her “to take the next step.” Williams enrolled at Grand Canyon University through FBISD’s partnership and is currently working toward a degree in education to become an elementary teacher. She hopes to inspire the next generation of learners just as others have inspired her.
“My sister-in-law, Elizabeth Williams, always encouraged me to pursue my teaching aspirations,” she said. “I enjoy working with
young children and want to make a positive impact during their foundational years.”
Balancing school, work and family hasn’t been easy, but the flexible online format has made it possible. Her final class is in March 2026.
“My motivation to reach my goals keeps me focused,” she said. “With every class I complete, I am more convinced that pursuing a degree in education is the right path for me.”
Williams hopes her story inspires others.
“It’s never too late to pursue your dreams,” she said. “Keep pushing, keep trying, and remember that every chapter is an opportunity to grow and become stronger.”
Through every level of growth, one thing has never changed…her devotion to students.
“Many students are often perceived as having behavioral issues, but I believe it’s something deeper; they just need to feel loved and valued,” Williams said. “One girl cried because no one had ever told her that she was loved. That moment reminded me why I do this.”
Executive Assistant Trenette Williams with Principal Justin Kowrach at Lantern Lane Elementary.
Honoring the Past,INSPIRING THE FUTURE
District Dedicates Three New Campuses
This fall, FBISD dedicated three new campuses… Allen Aldridge Jr., Mission and Ferndell Henry Elementary Schools. All three opened in August 2025.
Funded by the 2023 Bond, each campus was built on a foundation of excellence, education and community pride. They honor the people and communities that shaped them and carry forward a proud legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Mission Elementary
Home of the Astronauts – honors the rich history of two proud communities, Mission Bend and Mission Glen. The merging of these two schools, each with its own traditions and legacy, reflects a shared commitment to student success.
The new campus serves as a hub for growth where students are encouraged to dream big and reach for the stars.
Ferndell Henry Elementary
Home of the Rams - honors the late Ferndell Henry, a dedicated Fort Bend ISD biology teacher who taught for nearly 40 years and inspired countless students to see the world through the lens of curiosity and care.
The newly renovated campus, which previously housed the Ferndell Henry Center for Learning, brings new life to a space already rich with history and hope.
Allen Aldridge Jr. Elementary
Home of the Defenders – honors the late George Bush High School Head Football Coach and former NFL player who passed away in September 2024. He was a coach and a mentor who gave his all to the game, his players and life itself.
The newly built campus serves the Blue Ridge-Briargate community, where Aldridge’s lessons of discipline, compassion and commitment will continue to guide students toward the end zone of success.
EFort Bend ISD is proud to partner with organizations like the Houston Food Bank and Brighter Bites to ensure students and families have access to essential resources. Recently, the district hosted a food distribution event with the Houston Food Bank, providing vital support to families facing food insecurity and uniting volunteers from across the community. Our partnership with Brighter Bites has grown over the years, providing more than 192,000 pounds of fresh produce to nearly 1,500 families last year. These initiatives promote student success and well-being by reducing barriers to learning and fostering healthier lifestyles, demonstrating the lasting impact of strong partnerships led by the Department of Collaborative Communities.
Meet Fort Bend ISD’s New Chief of Police – Anthony Sanders
Chief Anthony Sanders joined the district for the 2025–26 school year with more than two decades of law enforcement experience, including roles as a field training officer, lieutenant, district captain, and commander of a police academy.
He oversees district-wide safety operations and collaborates closely with local law enforcement to maintain secure facilities and a supportive learning environment for all students. Chief Sanders is also committed to strengthening relationships between the police department and the broader school community.
“I am honored to join Fort Bend ISD and look forward to serving its students, families, and
staff,” Chief Sanders said. “My focus will be on fostering trust, transparency, and a culture of safety across the district.”
Before joining FBISD, he served as Deputy Chief of the Corpus Christi Police Department, where he led the department’s K9 Program, Crime Prevention Unit, and METROCOM Communications Center.
Chief Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Excelsior College and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Lamar University. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) Session #82 and the FBI National Academy Session #264.
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