CYPRESS CREEK MODELS POSITIVITY WITH ‘FRED’ EFFORTS

The Cypress Creek High School faculty unites with Fred shirts that they will wear every Monday in the spirit of Mark Sanborn’s best-selling book, The Fred Factor. The effort will transform Cypress Creek into a FRED campus where everyone goes the extra mile to make the ordinary extraordinary.

Jan. 22, 2016—Inspired by Mark Sanborn’s best-selling book, The Fred Factor, Cypress Creek High School is working to become a “Fred campus.” Through teacher and student involvement, the campus seeks to make the ordinary extraordinary by going the extra mile.

Sanborn’s book, originally published in 2002, outlines exceptional customer service by introducing his former postal carrier, Fred, who continually went above and beyond his job description.

Best-selling author of The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn, spoke to Cypress Creek faculty members on Jan. 14 via Skype. He offered words of wisdom and encouragement and injected a lot of humor into his inspiring speech to the faculty.  

Cypress Creek READ 180 teacher Andrea Barnes began spreading Fred qualities across the school, and according to “Fred Finders” committee member and fellow READ 180 teacher Sandra Windham, the movement has taken hold.

Cypress Creek teacher Teresa Hughes, left, was named the faculty winner of the TRUE FRED award, earning $100. Pictured with Hughes are Fred Committee members (L-R) Sandra Windham, READ 180/dyslexia teacher; Christi Hames, chemistry teacher; and Ruth Cassidy, U.S. history teacher. 

Sanborn offered a complimentary 20-minute Skype session to the entire faculty on Jan. 14 to help motivate them for the effort.

“The Fred Factor is a great model of being the best you can be while remaining kind and respectful,” said Vicki Snokhous, Cypress Creek principal. “It is a great example for students, teachers and administrators. Cypress Creek is full of ‘Freds,’ and Cypress Creek wants to recognize all the positive people and activities going on at Creek. We hope the positivity continues to spread throughout the campus and community.”

Cypress Creek senior Gabriel Hendley, left, was awarded $100 for being a True Fred. Hendley is pictured with Fred Committee members (L-R) Sandra Windham, READ 180/dyslexia teacher; Christi Hames, chemistry teacher; and Ruth Cassidy, U.S. history teacher. 

Prior to the Sanborn chat, the Fred Finders committee—consisting of Barnes, Windham, chemistry teacher Christi Hames and U.S. history teacher Ruth Cassidy—awarded one student and one teacher a $100 bill for being voted as a “True Fred.”

Teacher Teresa Hughes was chosen as the faculty True Fred award winner for exemplifying Fred qualities by supporting her math team, providing professional development and being a positive influence for teachers and students alike. Senior Gabriel Hendley was chosen as the student winner for exhibiting the Fred philosophies of helping, listening, being kind and considerate and going above and beyond each day.

“This is a huge initiative for Cy Creek,” Windham said. “We are very proud of the Fred committee and the club president, Andrea Barnes, who has made all this happen.”