Involvement Is Key

Carrollton-Farmers Branch Schools do a remarkable job of educating your students, but the educational team does not work alone. We have many supportive organizations, businesses and individuals who work ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ with us to help our students and families. One such supporting organization is the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The local school PTA units along with the C-FB ISD Council PTA compose the largest child advocacy organization that the district has. The C-FB ISD Council PTA currently works with 37 PTAs, including 3 early childhood PTAs, 24 elementary PTAs, 6 middle school PTAs, and 4 high school PTSAs. The council provides training, information and services to local PTAs.

Volunteers

We want parents and other adults to be actively involved in the schools. Volunteers provide much expertise and assistance for the faculty and staff. Individuals may assist in classrooms, libraries, offices -- it just depends on the needs of a campus and the skill of the volunteer.

If you know of businesses and other organizations that may be willing to support your school through volunteers, share that information with your school’s PTA president and/or your school principal. We know that a personal contact can open the doors to volunteers and partnerships.  If you are donating your time as a volunteer, thank you for helping the district focus on its goal of "high achievement for all students."

The local school PTAs are key connectors as they work with families, students, faculty and staff.  These involved parents and family members are always looking for ways to help families support their children’s education. Most C-FB ISD schools are finishing up their PTA membership drives, but it's never to late to join. Click on PTA Sites to find more information about local PTAs or your individual school.


Two Council Projects
Two Council PTA projects that benefit C-FB ISD in huge ways are:

• The Clothes Closet -- A long-time project of the council, the Clothes Closet, assists district students and their families with "gently-used" clothing items. The Closet is not-for-profit and is maintained solely by local volunteers. The PTA is always in need of monetary donations and volunteers to maintain the closet. For more information, you may email the Council PTA or visit the Clothes Closet website page.

• Gently Used Book Sale -- Now in its eleventh year, the sale is the Council's main fundraiser.  The book sale also increases the organization's community awareness and promotes literacy as well as provides funds for grants and scholarships.  If you have items for donation, you may drop them off at any campus. Visit the Book Sale website for information. 

Other Parent Involvement
Take time to visit with your child’s teacher(s) so that you know what your child needs academically to be successful this school year. If you have not already signed up, check out the district’s Parent Self Serve. It is an online information system for parents/guardians.

Through the system, parents can check student attendance and academic progress. For more information about Parent Self Serve, click on its website: Parent Self Serve.  If parents have any concerns with the district's Parent Serve, they should contact the district's Technology Help Desk (972-968-4357).

The work of the PTA and volunteers assist C-FB ISD in providing a safe and caring environment as well as support systems for families. These partnerships enable the district to meet its strategic objective: "continuously improve the learning environment for students and staff." By combining our resources and efforts, we make sure that our schools are places where students feel accepted and challenged to learn.

Summer School Extends Learning; 2012 Dates Set

At every regular School Board meeting, our Educational Services Division presents a report focused on our district's goal of high achievement for all students.  At the September meeting, Tracy Smith, executive director for School Improvement, gave an overview of the district's summer school program.


In C-FB ISD, we are fortunate to provide an extensive summer school that accommodated 4,574 students in 11 different programs. In our summer school, we have similar services found in C-FB ISD during the regular school year.

As educators analyze the research of what happens to the achievement of most students after summer break, we find that their test scores are usually one month lower in the fall when they return to school. The analysis also suggests that the summer regression is more pronounced in math than in reading.

Through summer school, students improve their academic skills or even explore new learning. This past summer, we modified our program in some instructional areas to strengthen academic achievement. One such change was to institute a fifth and eighth grade retest center for the students who were attending summer school because they did not pass TAKS during the school year. The teachers did excellent work focusing on the specific instructional needs of these students. Although we saw mixed achievement results, the students were better prepared for this school year.

We are also pleased with BRIDGES, a new program created to assist students who are struggling with their learning. This three-week program held just prior to the start of school gave students an academic boost and helped them with goal setting for the 2011-12 year as well as with leadership skill development.

Along with these modifications, we had "traditional" offerings such as our high school program where students earned credits either to accelerate or to recover credits.  Our high school students earned 1,246 half credits this summer.

Along with course credits and helping students improve their academics, we also had enrichment options.  Students participated in all types of fun classes through Exploration Academy, SAGE, and Amateur Naturalist.  The whole key of these programs is to learn reading, writing, math and science in innovative ways.

A long-time summer program, Learning the Language, continues to give our pre-kindergartners and kindergartners more time to hone their English.  The program focuses on student-centered activities and ends the summer with a special open house with students sharing the English they learned through songs and activities.

The district believes that our summer school is an important piece of the instructional program.  To reach the district's goal of high achievement for all, we know some students need more instructional time than what is available in the regular school year.  And, summer school is the answer.  For other students, summer school is time for them to take their learning above and beyond.  The teachers, principals and the instructional team who work in our summer school do an incredible job in creating a positive learning atmosphere.  Their efforts combined with the rest of the operational team allow our district to offer quality, diverse programs that meet individual learning needs.

The C-FB ISD instructional team is so committed to continuous improvement that plans are already underway for next year. The staff has begun curriculum planning as well as detetermined the dates for 2012 summer school.  By having the schedule set early, we believe that families and staff can plan ahead.

September Brings Lots of Activities

Now that school is underway, all kinds of activities abound in the district. From athletic to fine art events to PTA and booster club meetings, C-FB ISD has a wealth of involvement options. We encourage families and community members to join us to support students in their activities.

During football season, our four high comprehensive schools will have Homecoming Football Games. We invite alumni back to celebrate their high school days.The Homecoming Games are at Standridge Stadium, 1330 W. Valwood Parkway, Carrollton on these dates:

• September 30, 7 p.m., R. L. Turner
• October 14, 7:30 p.m., Ranchview
• October 28, 7 p.m., Newman Smith
• November 4, 7 p.m., Creekview

This year is extremely unique for R. L. Turner High School as it celebrates the 100th Graduating Class of Carrollton High School/R. L. Turner High School. The school will host an evening Homecoming Parade at 7 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 28. RLT Class of 1983 alumnus George Dunham from the KTCK 1310 The Ticket will be the parade's Grand Marshall. We are encouraging alumni to join the current students in the parade. If you are interested, meet in the R. L. Turner parking lot at 6 p.m. or along Valwood Parkway for the parade. Alumni with questions can contact R. L. Turner Principal Georgeanne Warnock warnockg@cfbisd.edu for more information.

If you are interested in attending any high school football games this season, the district's Athletic Department has the football schedules posted online: Athletic Schedules.  That link can also provide other high school sport schedules. We invite you to come out and support any and all teams. Right now, along with football, girls' volleyball, fall tennis and golf, and cross country seasons are underway.

Our fine arts groups are performing throughout the schools and community at such events as PTA and service club meetings. They are also engaged in performance-based contests during the school year. Their successes are frequently posted on the district's website under Accolades. You can also find information about performances on the district's event dates site, on the Fine Arts Department home page, or individual campus pages.

The district created the Advantage Card to encourage residents 60 years or old to attend school events. This free card provides free general admission seating to local C-FB ISD athletic events. The card holder may swim for free during the "public swim" time at the Natatorium. Card holders may also walk free on the Standridge Stadium track.

If you are a district resident and are 60 years or older, you can request your Advantage Card in person at the C-FB ISD Administration Building, 1445 North Perry Road, Carrollton and provide a photo identification to show proof of age eligibility. Once you have your Advantage Card, you may use the card for as long as you live in the school district.

Activities play an important role in the public education setting. Your support helps us reach our goal of "high achievement for all students."  When students see that parents, families and community are backing them by attending their events and volunteering at their schools, they understand that what they are learning and doing is important to their future.  We invite you to come be a part of C-FB ISD activities and support our students.