Back to School Buzz: Insights with Superintendent Roher

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 1 of Friendswood ISD’s The Podcast with Kelsey Golz and Sofia Armintor! We're excited to have Superintendent Roher with us to discuss all things back-to-school, including bond updates on new facilities, and event highlights. We'll introduce new employees, share the history of Under the Oaks, and provide details on upcoming events. Plus, hear about the first day of school traditions and new security measures. Join us for an exciting and informative episode!

Transcript

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Speaker 1 Have you been watching the Olympics? Speaker 2 I've been just doing the I like 6:00 highlight thing, so I don't I haven't watched any live. Speaker 1 Same thing. I kind of just get like the catalog highlights on my phone, on like Instagram or. Yeah, or whatever, wherever I get my news from and. Yeah, normally it's usually like a Olympian from Houston or they're talking about. No, that's pretty cool to see someone that, like, grew up not only in the same area, but someone that's close to the same age as me. Speaker 1 Yeah, know, that's wild. I know. Then they're like, talking about how old people are, and it's like they're 27. I'm like, I'm 27. Right? They're like, Wow, this. This is like an elder player in the Olympics right now. Speaker 2 That's what I. Speaker 1 Think about myself doing flips. And I don't think I've been able to do a flip since I was 12. So that kind of makes sense. I can't even do a cartwheel, so I'm very impressed with what they can do. Speaker 2 They were showing something like Simone Biles head is 12 feet high on the floor exercise. When she does all that stuff and she's like 411 or something. Speaker 1 She's crazy. I think she's I think she's four foot eight. Speaker 2 Yeah. So she's got there's some athletes in there and then I saw a middle blocker for USA is six eight girls volleyball. Oh yeah. That's yeah. Speaker 1 Three and six. Eight. So I played volleyball obviously. So I love it. I've watched, I think every single indoor and beach USA game. Men and women like I, I go back and watch the replays. Yeah. But I watched the whole game like not I love it. And anyway watch college volleyball and there was a couple of years ago, I believe it was Wisconsin. Speaker 2 It's her. Speaker 1 They had their three girls on their team. One was six foot ten, one was six foot 11 and one was seven feet tall. Freshman from Canada. Speaker 2 Oh. Speaker 1 Is that not wild? Yeah, but I'm like, What? Oh, what a time to be alive. What kind of volleyball is nothing to those girls, I'm sure I know. And they're not just like, tall and lanky like they're, they're, they're be so it's it's fun to I love watching all the volleyball. I know one of our men's teams sand ball they got knocked out but there is a guy batting Bettinger I think is his last name he was NBA. Speaker 2 Yeah the Rockets actually yes. Speaker 1 For seven seasons I think they said not for the Rock. He was on four different teams, but he was on the Rockets at one point and he had won like the slam dunk contest one time or like got second or something and they transitioned to sand ball. And anyway, they they made it to, I guess, quarter finals. They got knocked out though yesterday I went back and watch their game. Speaker 1 So but still very cool. Speaker 2 And I'm ready to move on from gymnastics. I've seen enough gymnastics now ready for you to get started. Speaker 1 Or did you see the one? It was the American. And I think the guy the other guy was from Jamaica. He's the guy from Jamaica's. The fast. Yeah, it was 5,000th of a second finish. That was the difference between first and second place. Oh, my goodness. And I learned they don't count when your foot crosses the line. It's when like your head first thing. Speaker 2 Right, Or something like that. Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 1 So anyway, that was fascinating. But yeah, they had to go back in. They, they couldn't even take it. They had the exact same time lists on the board but they had to take it. It was five thousandths of a second. Isn't it wild. Oh goodness. So crazy. But so people love watching sports. And anyway, we can transition now. Speaker 1 Welcome to season four Episode one of Friendswood Isd's The podcast with Kelsey goals and Sophia mentor. Speaker 2 Oh, some new faces. Unknown Yeah. So you hear a new name and a new voice. This is my. Speaker 1 Co-host, my new co-host of the podcast, and my new partner, communications specialist Sophia Arbiter. And I'm really excited to be here. You know, I specialize in talking, so this is right up my alley. Perfect. Well, we'll do lots of that today. Speaker 2 And congratulations to you, Kelsey, being our executive director of communications. I think some of you. Speaker 1 On the show. Unknown Well, I'll see. I'll get my own applause. But excited now. It's it's been great. It's definitely been a whirlwind so far. Speaker 1 We've been hitting the ground running and Sophia doesn't even officially start until Thursday. But I got her here then. Speaker 2 I think almost the whole I've seen her every day stuff. Speaker 1 And yeah, I've been desperate and sweet in the faces. So I'm. I'm on board. I'm like, Let's go. Let's do some stuff. Perfect. Well, that's what we needed. So anyway, we are glad that you have decided to tune in and join us today on the podcast. We talk about all things friends. What I ask you whether you're a student, parent, community member. Speaker 1 We are glad that you have decided to listen in today and it's a great one to listen to because we have the man, the myth, the legend, Superintendent Thad J. Rower Yes, right here. This is extra special because this time last year you weren't here. Speaker 2 No, there was no podcast going on. And actually last year I had yesterday, a year ago yesterday, just gotten out of the hospital after having a really surprise five bypass surgeries, but happy to report I'm back. He's back. I'm back at full strength. Back and better than before the doctor. I've gotten all the tests and they said I'm ready for another 100,000 miles. Speaker 2 Couldn't be better. Feel great and ready to go for 2425. Speaker 1 It's amazing what a good oil change will do, Right? Just keep on running. Well, you know, last year, Flat Thad was very present in all things back to school. But I will see you wasn't the best podcast. Guess he didn't say a whole lot. So we're grateful to have you in the flesh here today. Speaker 2 Good to be here. Speaker 1 Yes. So does does not being a part of all of the things last year, does it change the way you feel about the beginning of this year? Speaker 2 Totally, totally excited for, you know, the typical things. This is a start of my eighth year. So, you know, think about like New Teacher day one, like getting up that morning after eight years. You're kind of but it's like exciting and convocation. Yes yesterday just excited and a new perspective on the people and the places and the impact that this wonderful school district, the parents, community members, all things friends would make. Speaker 2 And so yeah, it's kind of like, you know, you remember in COVID when we didn't have any fans in the stands and all of a sudden you heard applause again. It was like, I missed that so bad. Yeah, same thing. Speaker 1 Just don't realize the impact until it's gone. For a moment. Speaker 2 The first day of school, I can't wait. Speaker 1 It's going to be the. Speaker 2 Kids coming like I missed that so bad. Like looking out the curtains and watching the busses drive by and the kids and just knowing you weren't going to be there. I am all about getting ready for that. So it's going to be fun. Speaker 1 That's what you do in it for to see, to see these kids go off and learn. So I think to be able to see them on the first day of school. Speaker 2 Is really. Speaker 1 Special. And I'm glad you get to see that this year. I'll tell you what I'm extra excited for. This year is actually at the high school, the kids reaction to the new facility. So tell us a little bit about that. Give us a bond update. Speaker 2 I can't wait for y'all to see. It's amazing. And and the those of you listening, it's yours. They are your facilities kids. They are yours. And we have built them and worked on them and jumped over hurdles and been kind of a tough go. Getting there. But man, you walk in and you are just going to be so excited for the learning that's going to take place in those places. Speaker 2 I walked yesterday, the teachers were there and a lot of tears of just like seeing their spaces after being run around last year. And it was tough place at the high school last year for being prolonged air conditioning, messed up, fire alarms going off all the time, dust all the things. It usually shouldn't be that long, but we have a brand new performing arts center that we all got to be in yesterday. Speaker 2 And just standing there watching the faces of the people walk in and see their auditorium and their performing arts center the same way it will be for those of you who come up and see it like it made all the hassle, like no one, I can't even express the hassle. This is on this podcast. Without using words it probably wouldn't be able to edit. Speaker 2 Yeah, the big function. But that and then you know the choir on the stage first song national anthem in that place. No microphones just sounded awesome. And seeing those kids and just thinking about this, you know, the fall pop show and the, you know, what it's going to be like when we pull the we pull the shells in around them and just really project it out. Speaker 2 Seeing the first musical, I can see it, you know. Yeah, it's going to be it's going to be really cool. We for the pack, we're going to be working on a date here, you know, in the next month or so. We want to get everything put, everybody in, everybody's settled. We want to have a program in the park just as a grand opening and then just let people go walk and see. Speaker 2 We'd like to coordinate it with the volleyball game if we can. So if you want to go see a game or you want to go see something else, so stay tuned that day, it's coming. You know, you do not want to miss. Speaker 1 We'll make sure you you know about it whenever we get that. Speaker 2 New culinary just ready coffee bar you can see totally whole new look A great place for learning for those kids. New audio visual plays. Old one was about as big as this room ran like, which. Speaker 1 Is not very big for the record. I know you dropped by ten. I thought it was very glamorous, this podcast room. It's not now. Speaker 2 It's not. And so you can see the the set from the windows outside new band hall. Massive great sound excited about our new band director Macy Meyers taken taking our kids into that place multiple large ensembles room. And then there's the engineering brand new robotics playing space Monster ES Labs with all kinds of, you know, great things in it for kids to work on their rocketry and their, you know, independent study projects and then choir there, you know, they're the best and they're going to have a room that's going to sound great and just be a real, real treat for them. Speaker 2 And then we've we've done a lot of upgrades in the the new gym. A lot of people are going to get to see the new gym and want to just mention the first volleyball game on the 13th wide open doors come no charge. We just want you to come and see your your brand new gym is going to be the most intimidating gym to play on and Galveston County or maybe the state so yeah, just come bring all your kids. Speaker 2 Come watch a few sets if you want to. I'm not sure what time it starts. Freshman is usually like 430 or something and we just kind of work our way down to seven or something like that. Speaker 1 Jordan, I think said earlier 4:00 Freshman 530 JV 630 Okay. Is varsity so and and rumor has it, if I was supposed to be pretty darn good. Speaker 2 State ranked they have division one athletes on there they are going to be really good really good. So you're coming not only just to see that but some outstanding volleyball players, which I know is near and dear to your heart. Kelsey Yes, for sure. Speaker 1 And Sophia, actually, like volleyball is close to her as well. Yeah, I played for a little bit and then I realized that was not my gift. But, you know, I loved it so much that I stayed a volleyball manager for the team and I got to learn all the stats and write the book and stuff. Speaker 2 And I even have a little plaque. You're the servant. You're the servant where you go. And as I love, I love volleyball. Speaker 1 I love watching it. And I'm more excited to see everything because I've never gotten to see anything that friends with us put on. But walking around and seeing all the new facilities, I want to participate myself there. That exciting. Yeah. So, I mean, you know, if you're in a program here, definitely stay in. And if you're not, get in one, because I think that it's going to be a lot of fun utilizing the new facilities. Speaker 2 So the one thing that we're just still waiting to open up is there's a set of locker rooms, meeting spaces, a new weight room, and it's just a matter of time for that. So man would love to by the time kids show up, have that opened up, But it was the last one really to focus on because of the numbers. Speaker 2 But we'll we'll get it and it'll be it'll be ready to go and got some you know new lockers for the varsity football team and lockers for those kids. Some new meeting spaces that are going to be really cool. So yeah spaces to to meet up with with the level of performance and expectations of the community really excited for them to come. Speaker 1 See everything has just been it's just immaculate. And kind of to echo what Dad said to thank you so much voters, this was a bond you passed in 2020 when really Bonds probably shouldn't have been passing because of all the other chaos that was happening in the world. And so we just thank you for believing in our schools and trusting us with your kids and allowing us to build these facilities that will help just provide the best environments to take them to the next level. Speaker 2 That's right. That's right. And it's it's been, like you said, 20, 20, it's five years. And our commitments mean we're going to revisit facilities every five years. So this will be a year for us to gather back together again and kind of see where we are. Yeah. And so stay tuned for this spring when we step into to looking at that. Speaker 1 Absolutely. While pivoting to Friday, we actually welcomed all of our new employees, the education Foundation, as always, did a beautiful job hosting the new employee luncheon. What is it like getting to meet all of those new faces? Speaker 2 It's you spend the whole spring seeing their names on paper and hearing their stories from our h.r. Directors or principals and when you see them face to face, it's just like like christmas kind of morning, opening the package up to see see these folks and step them in to what we do, i think especially well in friendswood is just connections of to our community and to our beliefs system and to who we are. Speaker 2 And for them to start to adopt that beginning that day. And like you said, the Education Foundation throws an amazing party. Hmm. I mean, it's like a wedding reception. I mean, was really my big I got to start telling you this. Speaker 1 Before was next level. It is. Yeah. Speaker 2 You are going to go home and say I picked the right place. And when you hear the words of the people I know you're you're like, is this really for real? But then just to watch it lived out over this year and then you take that on as a new employee to it's your responsibility. You know, it's our 85th year big deal. Speaker 2 Yes. Celebrating 85 years of friends. What I ESD and building on the shoulders of those who've gone before us. So it is looking at those new employees and thinking that's that's what they're that's the next go round, you know, of of folks who are building on on the shoulders of those who've gone before. So it's it's great to see them and we got a great crop this year we got some outstanding new people. Speaker 2 I'm really I can speak to that firsthand. Speaker 1 I'm thinking being excited about was once again right here with us. The ones I met to at the luncheon were just phenomenal. Everyone's been so great. And I mean, just like little things like Kim Cole, she's one of our assistants. She has her daughter who has come and is going to Austin Cole teaching for, I think, Holy Cross. Speaker 1 She's at the junior high rise. Speaker 2 She's at the junior high. Yeah. Kristin Cole, She spent some time at the Rose House, too. She's a good friend of Maggie's. And so, yeah, you have those combinations and people you've never heard of before or seen, but you get to shake their hands and start to hear their stories. I met a lady from Kansas who has Kansas connections like I do, and some coming over. Speaker 2 I met a lady from Christy who said Soon as I met with your principal at Bales place, I wanted to come so it's all those stories kind of coming, coming to fruition. And last year we did a lot of work on surveys and gathering data on what is it you need as a new employee. So this year we really serve those those needs and so I'm proud of that. Speaker 2 I'm proud of our team. Kim Cole actually is the one who puts that together for us. But, uh, serving the this is how I need this would help me to be a better new employee. So they're raring to go. I just walked through the campuses. Their rooms are looking good, and we're getting ready for some kids. Speaker 1 Yes, that's. And that's that. The kids like the are teachers in the classrooms and facilities like they are great, but the kids are where the magic's at. So we just can't wait for kids to get back into our into our seats and into our our classrooms. That'll be great. So before we have the first day of school, we actually have our Under the Oaks event, which is on Thursday, and that is our community pep rally kick off to the start of the new school year. Speaker 1 So we're excited and we have some performances by Wrangler, which we have a new Wrangler at structure Tractors, so that's exciting. She just had knee surgery, so she's hard to miss right now. Speaker 2 Stephanie Dusky Yeah, and she, she was actually a wrangler at, at Friendswood. Her parents sit in front of me at football games, our season tickets. So I'm really pumped to sit behind her mom because she now has a new show on the field. Yeah, yeah. She's a picture take her to, so she'll really be shooting the pictures. But I just have been really impressed with her so far. Speaker 2 So yeah, she'll be trotting some new Wrangler vets out onto the field to watch, which is pretty cool. Speaker 1 It'll be great. We also have the drumline coming, which again, we have a new band director. So Missy Meyers, we're excited for for her and her new role. And then we have our cheerleaders. So and we do have a new face there too, who's one of the assistant coaches and he's super nice is so anyway, just excited for those performances. Speaker 2 National champion. National champion cheerleaders, by the way. Yes. They're the national champions. And second in the will overall. So I'm quickly learning. Speaker 1 A lot of people here are champions. Yes, yes, yes. In fact, the friends with high school, they have a mural that says we're we're champions. Walk the halls. Yeah. Oh, and it's literal. It's. They mean it. Yeah. Yeah. It's not figured if it's there's actual humans. Yeah. So we'll be there too, as a new face. Yeah. It'll be interesting for me to, for the first time, see the dance team in the drumline. Speaker 1 Yeah. It's always fun. And we've got. I think we have. I know we have 18 tables. That doesn't mean 18 groups. So we've got a lot of groups coming out. Different CEOs, education Foundation, different groups from the city, all who will have information or selling merchandise that you can buy, and that's literally set up under the oak. So we block off the street starting at 630. Speaker 1 Event starts at seven. Just love for you to come out, interact with everyone. Speaker 2 Let's not forget the kettle corn. Speaker 1 Kettle corn is very good. This is my favorite story and for the second year in a row we will have our together truck there, which is our our special education that was a teacher, Ashley Nailer, a couple of years ago. She got that started. She actually lives in Louisiana but still comes down to help run this truck. Speaker 2 That's how important under the oaks is. Speaker 1 Important it is so they'll be there and that is that is something that you'd pay for. But it's such a great thing to be. I mean, well, what better thing to get your money to your race? So sorry. Speaker 2 Eighth year of doing this. Yeah. So it's ah, it's a great tradition and it's under where we everything started and it really is just a gathering fun time. Come and go. Um, will have principals, directors will have 85th anniversary shirts on. Love to see some new faces there. We'll draw for Superintendent Box for first game which is like the most prized secluded, you know better than Luke Combs for this weekend you want these tickets and yeah so if you have any question I mean part of the reason why we're there is like, if you want to know anything, there's someone in a blue shirt who can help you or get you directed to the right Speaker 2 people. You can meet so many. I always meet somebody new who's just moved here. That's part of it. But it gives you a good feel for what you're moving into and what what we're all about. Speaker 1 For sure. And I think it's important to note, So wind is kind of some background. So under the Oaks started your first year as superintendent as a way just for you to kind of meet the community or be introduced as superintendent and it's just been a great tradition ever since. One of the things that we always do under the Oaks is it's in front of the original school building. Speaker 1 So it's the Friendswood School Museum, and I would love to mention to Cheryl Boykin, who we recently lost, she was a big part of getting that up and going and running it. So we we definitely miss her. But look forward to honoring her with the museum throughout the year. But it's a really cool thing, especially with it being our 85th year. Speaker 1 It is such a it houses just all of that history and kind of a nod to what we've built on. Speaker 2 And it'll be opened. So if you haven't seen it, this is the time I have it. And that was one of the. Speaker 1 Things that I really liked about Friendswood was the fact that y'all are so history oriented in your own community. It's it's fun to learn about history, even when you're not in the area. But whenever you can go visit the places that these people have stepped into. Oh yeah, it's a different kind of feeling. Speaker 2 So I'm excited to go inside the museum. Anniversary conditioned inside the museum. So that's always good. That's a that's. Speaker 1 A bonus for sure. Yes. No, it's it's great. And again, just that nod to there's an importance of the foundation and frontline in the city, in the schools. And it's just such a it's such a symbol of that to have all of those things together. So we're excited just inviting you out after that. Two days later, on August 10th, we have Meet the Mustangs that you want to talk about that a little bit. Speaker 2 This is our he'll be his second year as athletic director, Jordan Johnson, who just glad to have him as part of our team and has really embraced the community basically opens up in Winston Stadium and it's just a run around the field. There's coaches there. There's uh, it's kind of the same thing. Groups there meet our football players, meet our all kinds of different sports that are there. Speaker 2 So great places to take pictures for our, our little guys looking up to these athletes and coaches. Great chance to meet the coaches and their families. They'll be a part of it. Um, and we'll get the water. The lights turned on and the water tower lit up and that's it on. It doesn't get any better than that. On a Friday, on an evening in Texas in the fall up at the stadium. Speaker 2 So it's a great event. Don't miss it. Speaker 1 Very true. Yeah. And I believe Coach Johnson said all but like one group will be there. So you have a really good shot at meeting pretty much any athlete for for Friendswood so it'll be it'll be great. I think also just interacting with our coaches, any of our staff, you get a chance to learn about their hearts and why they do what they do and just know that your kids are in good hands. Speaker 1 All right, so first day of school, so you're right. Yeah. A week from. Speaker 2 Today we call today. Today, A week from today. Speaker 1 As crazy as that sounds so weird. Speaker 2 I know. Time flies and having fun. I'm flies when you're having fun and it talk about fun. You know, school's a good thing, but it's no fun until those kids show up. And so first day of school, um, watching kinder moms take their kids down the aisle and dads, what am I saying? I did the same thing down at Klein and Wind Song and at Westwood. Speaker 2 Um, going to get on the bus in the morning. That's kind of my my thing. Yeah. I think I'll be there with you. Are you going to join? Speaker 1 Yes, I'm excited about it. Speaker 2 I saw my blue backpack out, Got full of pencils. Yeah, I'm ready for my first day, just like everybody got my my Mustang backpack. And so that just. I always get to meet somebody fun on the bus and at the stop at some of the stops and then end up at Westwood and ring the bell, which is another one of our traditions, Westwood was our first stand alone elementary, and we have a true school bell there. Speaker 2 So we ring the bell. We'll have board members that'll be welcoming you at each school, you and your kids. Traffic will be the worst ever you'll have. It'll take a while, but just be patient and enjoy the kind of the celebration of it. Um, uh, of that first day of school. It'll, it'll, it'll balance itself out. Speaker 1 So there's definitely a buzz about the first day. There's just an energy that's different. First day of school is, is so fun. And we'll be, we'll be excited to capture that pictures, videos and share that out because if you're not there, it's just hard to it's hard to explain. Now, again, you talked about riding the bus. Now, how did that tradition start? Speaker 1 Cause you also wave off the busses and then you get on one, Right? Speaker 2 It kind of just happened. My first year waved out the busses and just decided I'm just going to get on a bus and go ride the route and meet the kids who who get on the bus and get off at the bus stops and people are a little bit surprised to see me kind of jump off there and do that. Speaker 2 But it's just a way to connect with our kids and our bus drivers. They have a they have a big job. You know, they're they're hard to find, hard to fill position. They many of them have been here a long time. And so we're just grateful for their lives and their ministry to our kids and what they what they do. Speaker 2 And so. And who doesn't want to ride a yellow bus right? Speaker 1 You're right. I always wanted to ride the bus growing up, but my my, my parents would bring me straight to school. But that was like, the coolest thing to me was to ride the bus. Yeah, bus. And it's super fun when the kids like when the doors open and they see, oh, my goodness, there's the superintendent is. Speaker 2 A tall guy walking off the bus, getting. Speaker 1 Out, pencils left and. Speaker 2 Right. That's right. Speaker 1 See one of our housemates? I can. Speaker 2 Tell. Speaker 1 So is it is it, is it a secret or can you give us an inside scoop? Do you know which route you're taking? Speaker 2 I don't actually know right now. It's a little surprise. Yeah, it'll be a surprise. Speaker 1 Because more it can be anyone then all just like. Speaker 2 I'll be ready. Speaker 1 So with the first day of school, we do have one big change to safety this year with our police officers. And do you just want to kind of. Speaker 2 Yeah, just working through some House Bill three requirements, but probably more so just the partnership that we have with MPD. Yeah. To provide a safe environment. Uh, at each of our campuses, we've, we've for an, you know, a long time have had school resource officers that have been through MPD at Friendswood High School and then Friendswood Junior High beginning I think sometime around 2018 or maybe a little bit before that. Speaker 2 In fact, chief, our chief, who's an outstanding man and outstanding chief of police, Josh Rogers, he was a school resource officer with me. I did ask that. Yeah, I was an assistant principal and he was a school resource officer. So look at us now. Very cool. But working with them. So we'll we'll, we'll maintain that to school resource officers at the high school, uh, one at the junior high and we'll still maintain the roving officer, uh, Sergeant Kimberly, who will be going to multiple schools and then, uh, we've worked together with an organization called Tabby that helps to employ off duty, active duty police officers, uniforms, trained, tical certified weapon. Speaker 2 The whole thing to to be the security at those campuses. So these are true police officers we've been to have. PD. JT Patton is our director of operations and security and he's he's been there I think we'll have a majority of Friendswood police uniforms there, maybe some from surrounding law enforcement agencies. But we will have an officer at every campus all day. Speaker 2 Um, Bales and Westwood, since they're joined together. One campus basically, we'll have one there. Um, but everybody else will have an officer. And, uh, that's not real common. Um, a lot of people kind of share between inmates, but we'll have one officer at each campus to provide protection for our students and also just to support them to, to be another person to relate to and, um, get to know and look up to, uh, on the campuses for our, our teachers and our, our kids. Speaker 2 And then, um, uh, Kimberly will still be the roving, so he'll still be part of working with all those officers to make sure we're doing what we need to do and stepping into places that we need to, to go. Um, we all have, we've actually Friendswood Estes employed the crossing guards this year. Speaker 1 That was a hot topic at the end of the year. Last year. Speaker 2 So we'll be employing them. And the purpose from that is we can use them for multiple multi-tiered approaches for safety. So we will have our crossing guards at the locations that we had last year with the exception of Friendswood Lakes where it crosses West, we've provided transportation to the area cross and that area is actually open thoroughfare now. Speaker 2 So a lot more traffic crossing over there than what we've had before. So and then traffic officers will remain the same to try and do the best to get people in and out of school easily and as easily as we can with schools are in the middle of neighborhoods, which is kind of part of choosing to live in Friendswood. Speaker 2 That's part of what happens. So we're we're excited to have those officers there and for the coordination with SFPD to, um, to do a lot of things behind the scenes that keeps our district safe. Speaker 1 Absolutely. Yeah. We're we're excited. We're grateful for the partnership for sure. So I think kind of our lesson. You already talked about the volleyball game that's coming up. Let's talk football. So we've got two games. One is a scrimmage, the first one and it will be at home versus Dawson August 23rd. But the first home football game is Willow Ridge, September 6th. Speaker 1 How are you feeling about that? Speaker 2 I'm I'm calling for a big win for the football team here. First, I'm I'm not just predicting. I'm guaranteeing well, we're putting. Speaker 1 It out there. So much pressure on you guys. Willow Ridge listeners, you. Speaker 2 Here's this here's here's the thing. Here's the thing. I don't know that I've ever told this story before, but it's true about Friday nights. So last year I was, you know, healing up for four weeks and the first football game rolls around, you know, the first part of August. I can't I can't stay home. And so I snuck up to the stadium and drove in back behind the scoreboard. Speaker 2 My dad and I and I went wore like white t shirt and. Speaker 1 Your. Speaker 2 Incognito shirt, you know, Mustang gear crawled up on the sideline for I can't remember who was I think it might have been Texas City and sat in their stands and just watched a football game from an alternative viewpoint across the field. And I just sitting in a visitor saying and watching their things but looking across at the sea of blue. Speaker 2 Yeah, the Wrangler. That's the band. I mean, when you do the math of how many kids are involved, the ag kids doing the cook out in the parking lot area. Wow. Color guard cheer. Who am I missing? The crew, Video, video tech kids running the scoreboard with me. Running the scoreboard, all of those things. You're just so proud. Speaker 2 And so I'll never forget watching it from from that vantage point. But this year, back on the sidelines again. Speaker 1 We're at. Speaker 2 Home. Home again? Yeah, It's it's it's great. Everyone says that. But in Friendswood, it truly is a different experience. Speaker 1 It is. I was just telling Sophia that just I remember the first game I went to thinking, Wow, like the whole community really shows out for this like that. And you said not just it's not a high school or high schoolers. Yeah, everyone coming into the game was like, totally spirit. Like, it's not uncool to be, like, all in. Speaker 1 Yeah, And I just love that. I love that's part of the charm of this, like one high school town and district and yeah, we love it. So it's, it's great. We can't wait for those Friday night lights to come back on. And yeah, especially since I've graduated college, you know, and I still root for my cougars, but, you know, I haven't really been to a football game since, so it'll be really fun to get back into the spirit and stuff like that. Speaker 1 There's something. There's just something about high school. I think it's. It's so fun, such a. Speaker 2 Good time, so many groups. You know, we have a I'm sure we'll have a group of team kids for sure. Go to state and cross country. Yeah, our tennis team will win district. Uh, they will move on to regionals and do, you know, amazing things. Our water polo teams have done. Outstanding. They start that this fall, so it's about to go down oh at 702 Greenbrier and they're. Speaker 1 Taking note. Speaker 2 And and every place else you know the junior high, uh, they have, you know, won their district multiple years. They start football on the first day of school and volleyball and they do an outstanding job down there, Mr. Drew and his his crew not only educating kids, but just getting them involved in things that then can move up, you know? Speaker 1 Yeah, it's it really is. It's it's been such a great watch of the junior high and the high school partnership on some things. And even though the classes that are starting to be introduced at the junior high in preparation for kids to come up to the high school and continue that, it's it's awesome. So lots of amazing happening in Friendswood. Speaker 1 Esty and with that town. Do you have any parting words here? Speaker 2 No parting words, just grateful to our community for their support. And, you know, in an environment where public education seems to be under attack and and we're approaching up on a legislative session, uh, in January, um, just to say, you know what the importance of what we do every day. We're the largest employer in Friendswood. Um, we're the largest business. Speaker 2 Uh, we set the tone for this community, and we just relish, you know, the support. We're not perfect, right? And we make mistakes, and we're a business full of people, and people aren't perfect. And so if there's an issue or a problem, you know, Facebook in social media, like, no one can help you there. Um, but our principles, our directors, our assistant principals, our teachers, like, let us, yeah, have a shot at at working through whatever it is that may be an issue or man would love to just get a call and say good job celebration. Speaker 2 Yes. You're doing doing doing awesome. Yeah. Speaker 1 We want to hear good things too. Speaker 2 And that makes us different as a community than other places. And we don't want to be the same, you know, we want to be different. And so what might that look like? It'd be the challenge, I guess, to end today. Speaker 1 Perfect. Well, we are so excited for the launch of the 2425 school year. We hope that everyone has a great safe year ahead. Speaker 2 What's it gonna take? Care.