Parent Involvement: A Key Ingredient to Student Success

What is the recipe for student success and achievement in school?

A common formula is: Reading + writing + arithmetic = student success. As an educator for over 30 years, I would argue that there are many key ingredients that can go into the recipe for student success. This is an important topic to our C-FB team because we have one goal – high achievement for all students.

Encourage Your Child

One point is clear in the research about student success – parental involvement is a crucial ingredient to the success of students in schools. A parent or guardian that invests their time in their child’s education will make a lasting impact. In today’s busy world, families have so many activities and commitments competing for attention. Imagine you are the parent of a middle school child driving them around to piano lessons, soccer games, karate class, cheerleading practice, art club, and a National Junior Honor Society meeting. This doesn’t include the daily chores of cooking, cleaning and HOMEWORK. When you hear the request to help with the PTA, you might say, “I can’t do one more thing!”

Volunteer in the Gently Used Book Sale

Remember this - your investment of time into your child’s education will make a difference. I encourage you to make the time to be involved. You might ask, “What should I do? How should I be involved?” The answer is quite simple. Be active. Get involved.

I am going to let you off the hook a little - you don’t have to do everything. Pick one or two ways to be involved. Start small. If you are already involved then encourage others around you to be involved also.


What can you do?

• Join PTA 
• Talk to your child each night about their classes and homework 
• Help your child with their learning by encouraging them, designating a space in your home for studying and school work, reading with your child, monitoring homework, and reviewing their classwork at home. 
• Get connected through our online grading system called Parent Self Serve so you can stay informed of your child’s grades 
• Volunteer in the school 
• Stay connected through communication 
• Sign up for an enewsletters
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Follow us on Twitter 
• Read the website(s) of your child’s teacher 
• Read your elementary child’s take home folder or campus newsletter 

So, here’s my charge to you. In order to help your child be more successful this coming school year, make a decision today to be involved in your child’s education.

Don't Let Your Brain Stop Learning

Summer School Fun - The Learning Continues

Summer usually means vacations, no homework, relaxation, and pool time.  But some students took on a challenge and engaged their brains this summer. Students across the district continued their quest for knowledge in one of our summer school programs.  I had the pleasure to visit several programs and activities that showcased the student's achievement.  

Students in the SAGE and Exploration Academy Programs auctioned
off their work to help raise money for the Educational Foundation.

Learning the Language Summer Program at Carrollton Elementary

View more photos from our Summer School programs here.

Don't Let Your Brain Stop Learning

Even though school is out for the summer, I encourage all of us to keep our minds engaged.  One great way to do that is to read.  I have been reading several books this summer. One of the best that I am reading is called Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey, MD. In the section called "The Mind-Body Connection," he writes "It's about growth versus decay, activity versus inactivity. The body was designed to be pushed, and in pushing our bodies we push our brains too."  Well, this summer, let's push our brains and our bodies.  We need to make the time to exercise our bodies through fun summer activities like swimming, golfing, running and walking, but we also need to push our brains to learn more through reading. 

Over the next several weeks, I will share some of what I am reading and learning in this blog and on Facebook and Twitter.  I encourage our students, parents, and community members to share with me what books you are reading. Send me an email to cfbinfo@cfbisd.edu or post it on Facebook or Twitter.  I will share some of the books you are reading also.  So get started reading. 

Strong Words About a Strong District

What do you think of when you hear the words "strong," "indispensable value," and "capable"? Well, you should think of C-FB!

“C-FB ISD has proven itself a strong, capable, environment that encourages growth,
outreach, and the indispensable value of a first-class education which aims to produce
ready and confident citizens of the world.” - C-FB ISD Alumnus

I came across this testimonial submitted by an alumnus when I was reading through over 100 stories collected this year about the great things C-FB is doing through our "Share Your Story Campaign." I think this former student says it best! I am proud of C-FB ISD and the incredible work our staff does every day impacting the lives of students and families in this district. I want to invite you to join me in telling the community, the Metroplex, the state and the nation about our great district.

We are offering training sessions on how to be Community Ambassadors for C-FB ISD and Texas public education - to help you do just that. We had our first session in June. The next two sessions will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on

• July 19
• August 9

We will meet at the Administration Building, 1445 North Perry Road, Carrollton 75006.  All meetings will include lunch.  Please join us for these important sessions. Or, if you know someone who will be an excellent Ambassador, encourage that individual to attend.

Why Community Ambassadors?

Many of you read Focus Points regularly so you know that the district has one goal: "high achievement for all students."  

We believe the Community Ambassador Academy will help increase support of our school system.  If our citizens are united around their district's purpose, they will have a greater understanding of what is happening with the students and educators in their neighborhood public schools.

Will you be C-FB ISD Ambassadors in your neighborhoods, your grocery stores, your place of business, your faith community -- basically everywhere you go? We need your voice of confidence and support.

“Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring long-term competitive advantage.” - Gary Kelly, President and CEO, Southwest Airlines

Like Southwest Airlines, C-FB ISD is an outstanding choice because of the people who have chosen Carrollton-Farmers Branch for their families and as their professional home. This is one of the many reasons that C-FB ISD ranks consistently in the top 9% in academic performance of the 200 largest school districts according to the Education Resource Group (ERG).

And, we need you to help spread the word about the positive work of C-FB ISD teachers and students.  We invite you to be part of our team as one of the first C-FB ISD Community Ambassadors.  

What People Are Saying About C-FB

The District's Report Card

For many years, parents and community members have looked to the state to provide a report card on the academic progress of schools. In years past, many parents have waited anxiously to see what rating their child's school would have (exemplary, recognized, acceptable, unacceptable). This year, though, the state accountability is in flux with the change from the old TAKS test system to the new STAAR system and there will be no new ratings.

Should we count this year as a free pass? Or treat it like a senior skip day and take the year off? No.

In C-FB, we use an independent performance management company to grade us each year on how we are doing academically and financially. This year is no exception.

Out of the 200 largest districts in the state of Texas, when we rank both our academic performance and financial strength – we are 8th which is the top 4%. That is something to celebrate! Recently, the district administration provided an update about STAAR testing to the Board. Below is the PowerPoint from that Work Study session.

Want to know more about STAAR? Click here. 

Missed past articles about STAAR? Check them out:
Update On STAAR: State Testing Program
New State Assessment System: STAAR

2012 June Board Work Study

Share Your C-FB Story

Amazing.
Encouraging.
Loving.
Goes the extra mile.
Never gives up.
Goes above and beyond.

What do these words describe? C-FB staff members.

C-FB ISD parents, students, and staff have shared their stories about what makes C-FB great with us. We have received over 100 testimonials this year celebrating the wonderful staff and campuses in our district. That means we received one testimonial every four days. Our teachers, staff and campuses are amazing and we have the stories to prove it!

Here are just a few stories:

"We had our son enrolled in a private school when we heard about the wonderful things that are happening at R. L. Turner High School. We moved him to Blalack Middle School in his eighth grade year just so he could apply to be in the AMAT (Academy for Media Arts and Technology) program at Turner. He received a great education at Blalack, but he has had the most amazing experience ever at Turner. He has enjoyed the staff, students and atmosphere that Turner provides." - C-FB Parent

"My husband works in Addison so we were looking to move to an area that would make his commute less than 20 minutes one way. The schools and school district were the deciding factor in where we ended up. I did my homework and looked at accountability ratings and other school and rating information for many C-FB ISD schools and the district overall. The stats were quite impressive. My kids ended up going to Kent, Blalack and now Creekview. I feel these schools have provided my children with a private school education from a public school. Their experiences in these schools are preparing them for success in life and I am very thankful to every teacher, administrator and volunteer who has contributed." - C-FB Parent

"I taught in the district, and then we moved to another state for my husband's career. We came back over a year ago because I wanted to be an educator again in C-FB ISD, and my husband and I wanted our children to be in C-FB schools. C-FB puts students first, no matter what, and gives the most amazing opportunities for teachers to continue growing professionally. Students achieve at great levels in this district because they have educators who believe they can achieve at high levels." - C-FB Teacher

You can find these and other stories in a special section section on our website called Share Your Stories. This section is available for anyone but especially for prospective families and future C-FB ISD team members to hear from "real C-FBers" on what makes our district special for students and of course, families. And, we believe C-FB ISD is one of the best professional homes for educators too!

We also have video stories from parents, teachers and students. Check out our new Video Testimonial Channel.

Do you have a story to share?

We want to know how the spirit of our district, the C-FB ISD team, and educational opportunities have impacted your life. If you do, we've made it really easy for you. We've created a form where you can write your story. Share Your Story Form

We know that C-FB ISD is a great place to learn and to work. We have outstanding students. We have a great community. We have a wonderful team who believes in high achievement for all students. We encourage you to share your positive story about C-FB ISD today!