C-FB Bilingual Program Receives National Recognition

I want you to think of the number 11, 632. What does that number mean to you? Well, it is the number of current students who are or were part of the C-FB ISD Bilingual-ESL program.

Here is another number: 68.
There are 68 different languages spoken in C-FB ISD. Here are some of the top languages:

• English 51.30% 
• Spanish 39.44% 
• Vietnamese 1.67% 
• Korean 1.42% 
• Telegu 1.18% 

Did you know? The Center for Applied Linguistics recognized C-FB ISD’s Newcomer program in our secondary schools as one of the top in the state and nation. We were one of eight programs recognized in Texas.




Facts about C-FB ISD Bilingual and ESL programs:
C-FB ISD offers two types of Bilingual programs.

• One-Way Dual Language - Fluent Spanish speakers receiving instruction in two languages 

• Two-Way Dual Language - English & Spanish Fluent speakers receiving instruction in two languages; offered at Thompson, Stark and McWhorter 

The Two-Way Dual Language Program was extended this year to Field Middle School. These students will take 6th grade English Language Arts, 6th grade Spanish Dual Language and 6th grade Social Studies in Spanish. As these students move forward, they will take 7th grade Spanish Dual Language (Pre-AP) and then 8th grade Spanish II AP. The students have the opportunity to earn college credit in Spanish while in Middle School.

Watch the Bilingual/ESL Board presentation

The Heart of Team C-FB

When I read the poem “Heart of a Teacher” by Paula Fox, I was reminded that every member of Team C-FB is a hero for working diligently to positively impact the lives of students each day. It reads,

“All because a hero was there...

in the HEART of a teacher who cared

enabling the child to become much more...

than he ever imagined...or dared” 

Team C-FB – you are heroes for your commitment to high achievement and for the caring way you take care of the children in our community. Thank you for the gifts you give every day. Your gifts of talent, time, attention, encouragement, knowledge, service, support and your heart are invaluable. We are C-FB ISD because of you. Without Team C-FB we could not achieve the outstanding accolades we have received. You – our caring staff – go above and beyond. I am forever grateful for your commitment to our students and district.

During this holiday season, I want to encourage everyone to thank an employee of C-FB ISD for the gifts they give each and every day to our students and community.

Take time to rest, reflect and enjoy your break with friends and family. Happy Holidays!

Read Heart of a Teacher by Paula Fox

C-FB Students Care

If you listen to the news today, you might be frightened of the future. From falling off fiscal cliffs to high crime rates, we are bombarded by negativity in the media. But I want to reassure you that our next generation of leaders is caring, thoughtful and articulate. Rest assured – the students graduating from C-FB ISD schools are prepared to lead our nation and to tackle the challenges ahead.

John M. Richardson, Jr. said, “When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.”

I want to tell you a story of students exhibiting true character. They are making it happen. I was at Ranchview High School this week visiting their Coffee Shop. Students run a coffee shop each day learning about business and customer service. Students at Ranchview come in each morning and enjoy coffee and hot chocolate. And more importantly – they interact. As I observed the coffee shop, I was inspired. What makes this story unique? There were no barriers, boundaries, cliques, or groups. All students were treated with respect, kindness, and friendship. The day I visited, the class sold about 30 cups of coffee and hot chocolate. There were all kinds of students interacting with one another. What I saw in the coffee shop was a family. Each student in that coffee shop exhibited friendship and care for one another. I am convinced that most adults could learn a few lessons from our C-FB ISD students.

The students in C-FB ISD are making our future bright through their positive attitude, care, concern and empathy for others. I am so honored and proud to serve our students as their superintendent. Our students inspire me every day.

Take time this holiday season to encourage a C-FB ISD student. Thank them for being leaders now and in the future.

Here are a few of the inspiring stories of how C-FB ISD students are making a difference in their schools and communities:

• Freeman Elementary and Ranchview High School Partner to Feed the Homeless 
• Blanton Elementary Donated over 1,700 Cans/Boxes of Food to the North Texas Food Bank
• McCoy students cheer after they made 1126 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Dallas Union Mission. This project was led by Mr. Mango and the McCoy Student Council. 
• Smith Baseball Team Cleans Up Carrollton
• Ranchview Vocational Experience class volunteers every week at Irving
• NSHS & Lady Trojan Basketball Teams Help Joe’s Pizza Feed Carrollton Community
• RHS Wolves Volunteer at Riverchase Fall Carnival
• Creekview Cross Country Team Collected Items for the Austin Street Homeless Shelter
• Turner and Smith Basketball Supports Kacie’s Run
• McCoy Elementary Wins the District Pluck A Plastic Bag Challenge
• RLT Holds Pep Rally for All Stars Special Olympics Athletes
• Creekview Softball Team Members Serve Foster Kids Charity
• Perry Middle School NJHS Surpasses Food Drive Goal

Let's Connect

You might be surprised to know that Albert Einstein was wrong, and not about E=MC2 but when he said,

‘I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction." We should not fear this day.  His words reminded me of a truth – everyone wants to feel connected to something. Our children especially want to feel connected.

We live in a world of technology. From iPods and iPads to cell phones – we can’t escape our connected world. And it fills our already busy lives. That is why it is even more important now to connect face-to-face and one-on-one with each other.

As technology increases our lives seem to get busier and busier. Sometimes we think technology makes our lives simpler. But we still get busier. During this holiday season, I encourage you to take time to connect with those around you – especially our children.

What does this mean? Spend time together. 

Parents: Grab a cup of hot cocoa with your child and talk about their day, their dreams, and their worries. Maybe you don’t have children at home: you can connect with a neighbor that you haven’t talked to in awhile, or over the phone with a relative that lives miles away. Or maybe you want to begin mentoring a teen in one of our schools.

Spend time with one another. We need to slow down our busy lives and refresh our souls.

You might be asking, “Why does the superintendent care about us connecting?” Research shows that our students need to feel valued, appreciated and connected. Connection is a key to student achievement. And we need the help of every parent, staff member and community member so we can achieve our goal.

I encourage you to share with me what you are doing to get connected. Send me an email to Cfbinfo@cfbisd.edu, send me a tweet to @CFBISD or post a comment on our Facebook page. Let’s connect and begin a conversation about helping our students achieve at high levels.