Your Child Deserves the Best Education

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Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”  And I want you to be able to choose wisely about your child’s education.

If you don’t have school-aged children – please don’t stop reading. You are impacted by education as well – your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends – all deserve the highest quality education. And you need to know that your tax dollars are being used wisely to provide the best education possible for all students. 

As parents, we want our children to accomplish their dreams and to have a wonderful life filled with amazing opportunities. 

That life – those dreams – start in C-FB ISD. 

Over the next several months, I am going to share with you the best CHOICE in education for your child – C-FB ISD. It will be my own Top 10 list. As a superintendent and a father, I know that parents want their children to have a firm educational foundation so that they can have a bright, strong future. Your child will have that strong foundation graduating from C-FB ISD – I guarantee it.

Reason number one that your child will achieve their dreams in C-FB: Our school district focuses on one goal – high achievement for all students. We are single-minded in our determination and effort. We will not stop until every student succeeds.

And this is the first reason why C-FB ISD is the right choice for your child – HIGH ACHIEVEMENT.

High achievement doesn't just magically happen. It begins with a well-developed strategic plan. And the crux of that plan is hiring the very best staff. In C-FB, 100% of our teachers are highly qualified. We hire the best teachers with solid educational backgrounds and then we provide exceptional and on-going staff development to help them continue to develop their craft. Count on this: our instructional practice is top-notched and we have high expectations for our staff members.

Along with quality staff members, achievement comes through a quality and research-based curriculum. In C-FB ISD, we have developed our own curriculum which districts from around the state ask to use often. Our curriculum meets the ever-changing needs of all our students.


Achievement in C-FB is at an all-time high. We have top-ranked schools in the nation because of our commitment to our one goal – high achievement for all students. Did you know? According to the Education Resource Group (ERG), C-FB is ranked 8th out of the 200 largest school districts in Texas for our academic achievements and financial efficiency.

If you haven’t considered C-FB as an educational choice for your child – come explore your many options at one of our parent previews. Each campus will be holding events specifically designed for parents to explore the opportunities available and see how your child will benefit from an education in C-FB ISD. Choose C-FB!



Our menu of campus Parent Previews is available at www.cfbisd.edu/preview. Kindergarten Registration information is also available.

Visit our WHY C-FB section of our website for more information.

A Whole New World of Opportunities: Thank You C-FB ISD School Board

January is School Board Appreciation Month. The definition of a volunteer is “a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.” The seven School Board members in C-FB ISD are the ultimate volunteers. They give tirelessly in service of our students, staff and families. I thank them for their thoughtful leadership of this district keeping us on course towards high achievement for all students.

The theme of this year’s School Board Appreciation Month is “Rising to New Heights.” As I was contemplating the many ways that our Board helps our staff and students reach new heights, I was reminded of the possibilities – the opportunities – that our students have at their fingertips. The array of programs to meet the needs of our students is vast. And each and every opportunity helps our students reach the district goal of high achievement for all students. Thank you School Board members for your commitment to providing a world-class education for our students.

The dedication of our School Board does not stop there. They are also dedicated to the men and women who work in C-FB ISD. Time and time again, our Board focuses on making C-FB ISD the best place to work. Whether through the most competitive benefits package or top-notch staff development, they want to reward the amazing staff in C-FB for their commitment to our students and families.

We will celebrate our School Board members during the January 17 Board Meeting. Students and staff will honor their service and commitment. Please join us in thanking the seven volunteers elected to serve as the C-FB ISD School Board.

To find out more information, visit our School Board webpage.

View photos of the School Board Members in action:

Stay Connected Even in Bad Weather

Do you want to be one of the first people to know information about what’s happening in C-FB ISD? Do you want to be an informed parent or community member? We have the solution for you.

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cfbisd 

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/cfbisd 
Sign up for the district's E-Communications Network e-newsletters at www.cfbisd.edu/enews. You can choose to receive news and accolades in Innovation Details, special alerts, and more.


Visit this page for more information about the various communication methods in C-FB.

As we are relaxing over the winter holidays, it is a great time to review our procedures for bad weather.

How to find out if schools are closed
Cold weather has finally arrived, bringing with it the chance of icy roads and conditions. If those conditions make it necessary for C-FB ISD schools to be delayed or closed for the safety of students and staff, the district has procedures in place.

If schools are delayed or closed due to inclement weather:
• Families and staff will be notified through the district's mass notification message system called Blackboard Connect.
• A Special Alert email newsletter will be sent to subscribers advising them of the decision.
• An announcement will be posted on the district's website, www.cfbisd.edu, as soon as the decision has been made.
• We will post messages on Facebook, Twitter and our blogs.

C-FB ISD families and residents are advised to listen to local radio or television stations for updated weather reports. Local media outlets also post information on their websites, so families and other residents may want to check those sites for the latest weather information.

Media Notified about Inclement Weather
We will inform television and radio stations. It is their decision whether to air the information. Media outlets notified include:

Local Television Stations:
KDFW-TV Channel 4
KXAS-TV Channel 5
WFAA-TV Channel 8
KTVT-TV Channel 11
Univision 23

The district also posts closing information on its TV station. CFB-TV is available on Time Warner Channel 98 in Carrollton, Time Warner Channel 95 in Farmers Branch or Channel 38 on Verizon in Carrollton. CFB-TV is also streamed live on the district's website.
Find out more at www.cfbisd.edu/weather.

C-FB ISD Bad Weather Days
March 29 and May 24 are designated as bad weather/emergency make-up days for any days missed. These days are not considered holidays; they will be used as instructional days if the district closes for inclement weather or an emergency situation.

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.