Celebrating Our Country's Independence

 The History Channel website. Retrieved 2:16,

June 20, 2012, from  http://www.history.com/photos/july-4th.

Photo Credit: Ariel Skelley/Corbis

We, in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District, along with rest of the United States will be celebrating the Fourth of July or Independence Day: the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Many of us will celebrate by attending parades, hosting backyard barbecues, or watching city firework shows.

Like our country, C-FB ISD has a rich history that reveals a story of continued growth through decades of change. When our students walk across the graduation stage and receive their high school diplomas, we want them to be prepared for college, the work force or the armed forces, but we also want them to understand "what counts." That is why our goal of "high achievement for all students" along with our district's character values is so vital to our district's culture. 

With the help of community leaders, teachers, administrators, parents and students, the C-FB ISD School Board identified seven character values believed to be the cornerstones of our community and nation. The School Board adopted the character values in 1996 and then reaffirmed their importance in 2008.  In doing so, Trustees acknowledged learning goes beyond the "standard academics" in C-FB ISD.

The seven character values are:

• citizenship
• cooperation
• integrity
• pride
• respect
• responsibility
• service

R. L. Turner ROTC
from Veterans Day 2011

As we celebrate our country's 236th Independence Day, we in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District want to salute our graduates who have chosen to serve their country. Since 2003, we have asked our high school counseling offices to give us information on their graduates' plans. In that 10-year span, 30 C-FB ISD graduates have received appointments to the military academies and almost 300 have joined the armed forces. We thank all of our graduates and staff who have served in the military for their commitment to service and country.

During the year, our students reflect on the C-FB ISD character values and salute our country in so many ways.  Schools host Veterans Day program annually, provide warm welcome to our Veterans and remind students about service, patriotism and responsibility.  Service projects are the norm not the exception in C-FB ISD schools.  You will find our students not only helping one another, but they go out of their way giving back to their community and others.  They "care about their school, their community, and their country."  We are USA Proud and C-FB ISD Proud!

We in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District thank our students for the work they have done this year in promoting the seven character values. These values have been infused in public education since its inception; and these values are clearly reflective of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District as a community.  And, they are an integral part of the United States and democracy.  Thank you for supporting public education and C-FB ISD.

Happy Fourth of July!