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!

An All-Star Team

In C-FB, we have an all-star team of dedicated employees who work diligently serving the students in our community. Andrew Carnegie said, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” The C-FB team works towards one goal: high achievement for all students.

In the 2011-2012 staff survey, over 90 percent of employees responded that they like the work they do, feel good about their accomplishments, and feel that their work is meaningful and challenging. Our staff is highly engaged and committed to C-FB students and parents and our goal of high achievement for all students.

While our teachers are the heart of the district, the backbone is a group classified as full-time auxiliary, paraprofessional, and non-campus-based support professional team members. At our June School Board meeting, we celebrated several of these star employees through the MVP (Making the Vision Possible) award. The MVP award recognizes these employees for helping “Make the Vision Possible” - they support our classroom teachers so our students can achieve to the highest level possible. Employees were nominated by fellow employees for exhibiting leadership, innovation, service, cooperation, and teamwork. During the school year, nineteen employees were nominated.

Congratulations to these 19 MVPs for their commitment to teamwork and to C-FB. We applaud you for your efforts and accomplishment.

2011-2012 MVPs:

Aaron	Prado	Technology Department
Debbie	Grindell	Division of Support Services
Debbie	Sparks	Blair Elementary
Dee	Canada	Personnel - Human Resources
Elizabeth	Castaneda	R.L. Turner
Jeanne	D'Amico	Advanced Academic Services
Kim	Kockritz	Technology Department
Maria	Cadena	Vivian FIeld Middle School
Marilyn	Bell	Ranchview
Mendy	Barajas	Ranchview
Micaela	Vargas	R.L. Turner
Misty	Grimm	Warehouse
Patty	Parker	Advanced Academic Services
Paul	Wilson	Strickland Intermediate
Paula	Morrow	Educational Services Division
Paula	Arrington	Blalack
Ricardo	Manzanera	DeWitt Perry
Rick	Sands	Technology Department
Robbie	Barkley	Technology Department

Nominate a MVP for the 2012-2013 school year

View photos of the 2011-2012 MVPs

Watch the June Board Meeting online

Promoting A Healthy Lifestyle

We in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District believe that our four strategic objectives are interdependent, and each helps us achieve our goal of "high achievement for all students."

The strategic objective "improve the learning environment for students and staff," is such a crucial piece to the puzzle when it comes to success.  The environment encompasses so much including teaching our students about healthy lifestyles.

This includes our work that we have done through the years to promote positive student character traits, decrease out-of-school suspensions and increase attendance among our students. Last year, the C-FB ISD team implemented a newly formatted Student Code of Conduct that we believe was clearer and easier for parents and students to understand.

Along with these types of environmental changes, our Student Nutrition Services Department provides students healthy and delicious meals and works with other C-FB ISD staff to provide facts and materials about nutrition and eating right.  Although there are new school meal requirements for the upcoming school year, our Student Nutrition Services group has been moving our school menus toward these requirements.

In C-FB ISD school cafeterias next year, you will see three different serving sizes in the amount of calories and number of ounces of grains and meats:  Kindergarten-grade 5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.  Currently, you will find in our cafeterias broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce, carrots, sweet potatoes and other vegetables each week.  Our Student Nutrition staff also offers fresh fruit at least twice a week as well as frozen fruit in addition to canned fruit in natural juice whenever possible.

Now that it's summer, we know that most of our students are at home, and Rachelle Sherrin, director of our Student Nutrition Services, and her team have placed on the Student Nutrition website several articles, including:

• Healthy Snacks for Summer
• 10 Best Outdoor Exercises
• Grilling 101

The website provides links to the "top 10 nutrition sites."  Ms. Sherrin recommends the website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for tips for families: website  The academy also offers another website: Kids Eat Right; it often has recipes that adults and children can make together.

The Student Nutrition department is also going green. This year families can apply for free or reduced lunch online.  The application will be available in August on the Student Nutrition website.

Another C-FB ISD resource for families is Pinterest, an online pinboard.  The district's address is pinterest.com/cfbisd.  We currently have two pins related to healthy eating.

• http://pinterest.com/cfbisd/healthy-eating/
• http://pinterest.com/cfbisd/kids-in-the-kitchen/

All of us in C-FB ISD believe in the goal "high achievement for all students."  And, it takes everyone in C-FB ISD working together to accomplish this goal.  That is why, we must use every tool possible to work on our four strategic objectives.  We appreciate the work of our Student Nutrition Services team.  And, learning about nutrition does play an important role in student achievement. 

What People Are Saying About C-FB ISD

Other Focus Points from 2011-2012 related to this objective:

Schools: Safe & Learning-Focused

Providing a Safe Learning Environment

We Had a Great Year; Relax and Get Ready for 2012-13

Thank you for a great 2011-2012 school year. The year was excellent from day one thanks to the outstanding preparation of our teachers, principals and entire educational team. We had an outstanding school year because everyone was focused on one goal: "high achievement for all students."

The Board of Trustees and I also want to compliment everyone for adjusting to the new school times. We know that this was a huge change for our entire school district. As I visited the campuses throughout the year, I saw engaged students and teachers. Our School Board members attended many school functions, activities, fine art and athletic events. All of us appreciate the "Bright Spots" that we saw in C-FB ISD.

Here are just a few "Bright Spots" from the 2011-2012 school year:

• The R. L. Turner High School Centennial Celebration which recognized all graduates from Carrollton and R. L. Turner High Schools for 100 years.
• R. L. Turner teacher Robyn Elliott being named the 2012 Texas History Teacher of the Year.
• Creekview High School teacher Robert Shepard was the twenty-first Speech and Debate Coach inducted into the Texas Forensic Association Hall of Fame.
• Davis Elementary Nurse Debbie Wise was named a finalist in the D Magazine's Excellence in Nursing Awards.
• Missey Head from Creekview High School was named the 2012 School Educator of the Year by the Texas Educator Theatre Association.
• Creekview High School teacher Brian Horn was the recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award by Humanities Texas.
• Creekview High School and Newman Smith High School received the "2011 College Readiness Award" from the Texas ACT Council for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness.
• R. L. Turner High School received a $502,250 grant from LBJ Express to encourage students to take more Advanced Placement (AP) classes).
• iTeach Texas, a private alternative certification program for teachers, named Bryan Kenney, a Dan F. Long teacher as its secondary Candidate of the Year. 
• In the 2012 C-FB ISD staff survey, 97% said the work they do is meaningful.

Good Elementary staff, students and families get
"sneak peak" at their new building in May.

We also want to salute the students, staff and families at R. E. Good Elementary School. For many months, their school has been "under construction." Their school, originally built in 1956, is being replaced with a completely new building. When the students, teachers and entire team return for the 2012-13 year, there will be a new R. E. Good Elementary. You can check out the progress at the  Sneak Peak at the "new" Good Elementary.

Although school is out for the summer, life in C-FB ISD is still moving forward. We are having summer school. Our teachers and administrators are running our summer After the Bell program. Hundreds and hundreds of our teachers  and educational team are participating in professional development classes. And, of course, our Human Resources Department will be hiring team members to replace those educators who chose to retire or leave C-FB ISD for other reasons. Our great Facilities Services team will get our schools in shape for our students and staff when they return in August. We also be conducting our first C-FB ISD Community Ambassador Academy; you can still sign up for three sessions.

While you are enjoying the summer months, this would be an excellent time for you to "share your story" about a C-FB ISD team member who has made a difference in your life or the positive impact that our district has made in your life.  Share Your Story Form 

Of course, we encourage everyone involved with the C-FB ISD to take time to relax, reflect and get ready for the 2012-2013 school year. The new school year will start back in full swing with our teachers returning on August 20. Students will return on August 27 with the exception of pre-kindergartners who will begin on September 4. We encourage you to stay in touch with us by checking in on http://www.cfbisd.edu/, Twitter, or Facebook.  By staying in the "know," you will be investing your time and energy in education -- an investment that always pays the best interest.

Read What People Are Saying About C-FB ISD People

 

Find Out How To Become A C-FB ISD Partner

 

2012-2013 C-FB ISD Academic Calendar

C-FB ISD Class Of 2012: Success! We Wish You The Best

It seems that every month is a blur of activities, but the spring months are non-stop especially for our graduating seniors. Senior events are fun-filled activities where the students are honored for their accomplishments during their four years of high school.

Dr. Burns, R. L. Turner Valedictorian Amy Stone,
Salutatorian Shohaib Virani
Principal Georgeanne Warnock

Our high schools hold honor breakfasts to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian as well as the top 10 graduates. The Senior Class also attends Senior Walks where students learn about scholarships, special awards and other tributes. And, finally, the really "Big Day" that students have been dreaming about all year:

 Graduation Day.

In C-FB ISD, that day is Saturday, June 2 for Creekview, Ranchview, R. L. Turner and Newman Smith seniors. The Early College High School (ECHS) on the Brookhaven College campus held their graduation on May 25. ECHS became our fifth high school in 2006 and is an educational choice for students beginning ninth grade.

Dr. Burns, ECHS Valedictorian Katherine Resa,
ECHS Principal Rosa Oliveira 

Part of the Texas High School Project, ECHS gives students the option to earn two years of college credit tuition-free while earning a high school diploma.

Dr. Burns, ECHS Salutatorian Jessica
Vazquez, ECHS Principal Rosa Oliveira 

This year, 23 ECHS students graduated from Brookhaven College the same year they received their Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD high school diploma. Many other ECHS graduates earned college credit while in high school. These students really do understand the district's goal of "high achievement."

Graduation Day is an exciting time. Parents, grandparents, siblings, other family members, friends, and educators always watch proudly as our high school seniors walk across the stage and receive their high school diplomas. There are many stories of dedication, effort and determination in the Class of 2012.

Although our graduating seniors are finishing their public education career, just as Dr. Seuss says in his book Oh, the Places You'll Go!, their time has just begun. Their learning has just begun. Whether they are off to college, to work or to serve their country, we in C-FB ISD believe that that they will always be learning.

Since our district's goal focuses on "high achievement for all students," it is important that we salute those students who earned scholarships.

Ranchview Principal David Hicks,
RHS Valedictorian Ted Tak, Dr. Burns

Newman Smith Principal Joe Pouncy,
NSHS Valedictorian Tanya Rajan, Dr. Burns

This year's class received over 15 million dollars in scholarships from colleges, universities, companies and other organizations. We want to thank our local service organizations, businesses and local community members for presenting scholarships to our students. Your support is allowing Carrollton-Farmers Branch students to pursue their dream of going to college. For some C-FB ISD students they are the first one in their families to go to college.

Ranchview Principal David Hicks,
RHS Salutatorian Sanat Valecha, Dr. Burns

Newman Smith Principal Joe Pouncy

NSHS Salutatorian Melissa Smith, Dr. Burns

We also have graduates who have chosen to serve their country as well as those who have received appointments to our country's military academies. To serve in one of the armed forces is such a great honor.  All of us in C-FB ISD are inspired and thank those who protect our freedom. We wish these C-FB ISD graduates well as they join the other men and women who protect and serve our country.

Creekview Salutatorian Soo Kim
Creekview Valedictorian Jill Gerberich

We honor all of our 2012 graduates, and we salute the valedictorians and salutatorians of our five high schools. They have "risen to the top." These 10 scholars are outstanding young people. They are not "bookworms" 24/7; they are involved individuals who give their time to their school and community.

They live by this William Arthur Ward statement: "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it."

As the 2012 Senior Class fulfills their dreams of high school graduation and begin the next chapter of their lives, they are on a remarkable journey whether they are off to college, work or military service.  All of us in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District wish the Graduating Class of 2012 the very best. 

Celebrating Athletic & Fine Arts Achievements

When we talk about high achievement to students, families, business leaders and community groups, we emphasize that high achievement in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District is not just in the academic area.  Arts and athletics play vital role in students getting a well-rounded education, and doing you best to achieve to your highest potential is important.  

Once again, it was a banner year for our students who participate in our athletic and fine arts programs. We are extremely proud of the trophies, medals, awards and scholarships brought home by our students, coaches and directors to their respective schools and C-FB ISD.

Usually, we recognize our state and national award winners when the athletic and fine arts departments give their annual presentations at our monthly School Board meeting; however, the number of students being recognized was so large last year we divided the student recognition into two segments: one for athletics and one for fine arts. Since the success of both programs continues to grow, we held for the first time a special Fine Arts and Athletic Recognition Celebration on May 17.  On that evening, we honored everyone in athletics and fine arts who received state and national recognition and even international recognition during the 2011-2012 school year.

Our students spend many long hours preparing for their competitions. These young people learn so much through these experiences.  The College Board, an organization that oversees the SAT and Advanced Placement exams, reports that colleges and universities look for applicants who have done more than academic work in high school. In C-FB ISD, our students meet that qualification. They excel inside and outside the classroom.

We know that when students participate in sports and fine arts groups they develop a team spirit and a sense of belonging.  They also learn about the value of fair play, honesty and trustworthiness.  In reality what happens is these groups emphasize our district's seven character values: respect, pride, integrity, service, responsibility, cooperation and citizenship.

In our Fine Arts Department, more than 40 percent of our middle and high school students participate in choir, band or orchestra each year.  Fine art students are in theatre, speech and debate, art, and dance annually as well.

Below is a list of the groups and individuals from the Fine Arts Department recognized on May 17.
May 17 Fine Arts Student Awards List


Below is a list of the students and coaches recognized on May 17 by the Department of Athletics.

C-FB ISD Athletic Accomplishments


We also salute our teachers, directors, and coaches because the lessons, skills and knowledge that they share with their students help them compete at the highest levels.  C-FB ISD continues to have educators recognized in their respective fields for their expertise and their commitment to students.  This year, Creekview's Robert Shepard was inducted into the Texas Association Forensic Hall of Fame for his continued excellence.  Missey Head also from Creekview High School was named the 2012 School Educator of the Year by the Texas Educator Theatre Association.  Congratulations to these outstanding teachers. 

We also had individuals selected as Coaches of the Year. These include: Pierre Barboza, Bunker Hill, Terry Wright, Eric Ognibene, Jon Cleveland, Wendy Bartlett, Stephani Perkins, Kevin Kelson, Barb Bennett, Christina Hicks, Andy Reinberg, Michael Kuban and Drew Maher.  All of these educators are C-FB ISD bright spots.

We have had much success this school year  -- especially in athletics and fine arts. Thank you for your effort, your dedication, your commitment to purpose and your support of our district's goal of high achievement.

You can see the photos from the Recognition Event on May 17, 2012 below.

Photos from May 17 Event

We Need YOU! Become A C-FB Community Ambassador

We are C-FB ISD Proud!

We know there are devoted citizens who believe in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District!  We invite you to be members of our first Community Ambassador Academy.

We are offering three two-hour training sessions on how to be Community Ambassadors for C-FB ISD and Texas public education.  The programs will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on

• June 14
• July 19
• August 9

Participants must make the commitment to attend all three sessions.  We will meet in the District's Board Room in the Administration Building, 1445 North Perry Road, Carrollton 75006.  All three meetings will include lunch.  If you are interested, please call 972-968-6186 or email cfbinfo@cfbisd.edu.  Or, if you know someone who will be an excellent Ambassador, encourage that individual to be a member of our inaugural academy.

When you call or email, we just need to know your name, address, phone number and email address.  We will then follow-up with all details regarding the academy.

Many of you read Focus Points regularly so you know that the district has one goal: "high achievement for all students."  And, to meet that goal, we have four strategic objectives. 

We believe the Community Ambassador Academy will help increase stakeholder confidence and 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.

At the same time, we want you to 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. 

The training will be provided by Friends of Texas Public Schools (FOTPS), an organization that formed in 2004 simply to bring more good news to light about Texas public education. The Friends organization believes that much can be accomplished when people understand what our classroom teachers really do. 

When people who believe in public school classrooms know how to promote the immense promise and possibility that exist within the classrooms, we gain confidence and support. FOTPS proudly embraces Texas schools and educators as their students meet higher standards. The organization's mission is to draw attention to the many untold success stories and zero in on the accomplishments of outstanding students, teachers, administrators, educational team members, and schools.

As you can see, their message is very similar to what we believe in C-FB ISD. We understand that what goes in the classroom is what counts; our teachers matter.  We are fortunate that we live in a community that believes in public education.  In a poll of registered voters in March 2011, C-FB ISD learned that 70 percent of those polled believe that C-FB ISD is an excellent public school system. When looking at registered voters with C-FB ISD students that number climbed to 90 percent.

However, that may not be true in other communities.  And, when people do not have a connection with their local public school district or the local school down the street, sometimes they either don't "have an opinion" or it isn't a a positive one.  And, that is where the C-FB ISD Community Ambassadors come into play.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch is a school district where families feel connected.  Our 2011 parent survey told us that 90 percent of our parents were satisfied with their child's campus.

“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.  Sign up today! cfbinfo@cfbisd.edu

What People Are Saying About C-FB

2010-2011 Online Annual Report