Photo Gallery The Bright staff gathered at the first of the year for FISD's Convocation. The school is very excited to have been named a distinguished campus, Principal Susie Graham says. This St. Philip's Bright Summer Reading volunteer is just one of many Bright Zone volunteers giving time and talent to Bright students.

The Texas Education Agency recently awarded Bright Elementary the designation as a No Child Left Behind “distinguished performance” school. This is the first such award for a Frisco ISD school.

At the Monday night school board meeting, Superintendent Rick Reedy introduced Susie Graham, principal of Bright Elementary, speaking to her leadership and accomplishments at Bright. Ms. Graham introduced the following support members from Bright and thanked them for their service to Bright: Laurie Richmond (4th grade teacher), Julie Parker (PTA president), Lisa Dominy (3rd grade teacher) and Audie Adkins (Community Resource Liaison) and Becca Bustillos (Assistant Principal). Ms. Graham described the partnerships with the community which helped with the success at Bright, including St. Philips and other community partners. Three years of data is evaluated in determining receipt of this award including student performance on TAKS, meeting Adequate Yearly Progress, and being an Exemplary/Recognized school. To be considered, 40 percent or more of a school’s student population must be on free and reduced lunch. The Bright attendance zone is an area with great economic and cultural diversity.

“It is an honor to receive the Title 1 Distinguished School award. The faculty and staff at Bright work here because they want to be here. They do not teach for the accolades; however, when you do receive an award like this it makes you very aware of the impact you are having on the future ,” Graham said upon learning of the award.

“Our teachers work hard each and every day to make sure all students are making progress. Bright's partnership with St. Philip's Episcopal Church has had a tremendous impact on our students and families. They (St. Philip’s volunteers) help lead our Summer Reading Program, ESL classes for parents, Job Fair, Band of Brothers, Circle of Sisters and Bright Readers,” she said. She also noted individual volunteers, the Assistance League of Greater Collin County, which volunteers with the homework club, and the various groups and businesses that donate time and funds to assist needy students.

“Our PTA has been instrumental in helping us raise money to defray the cost of field trips for all students, presenting our students with a different program each and every month, funding special projects and volunteering numerous hours for teachers,” she added.

“This award not only goes to our faculty, staff and students, but to all the volunteers and mentors who have helped us along the way,” she said.