Dateline CISD: September 28, 2001

cisd School News Online

Trustees Finalize Format For Community Input

School Board members met Monday to finalize plans for the community input process for the high school grade configuration decision. Trustees agreed on four survey questions that will be sent to each CISD registered voter in mid-October. The deadline to return the survey to NCS Pearson, Irving, will be October 31. In addition, the district has contracted with Ray Turco and Associates, Arlington, to conduct a scientific telephone survey of community attitudes toward the three proposed high school grade options. Option A is for two 9-12 high schools. Option B is for a 9/10 and 11/12 split. And Option C is for a 9th grade center. The phone survey began this week. Earlier this month, the Board put final touches on an informational brochure that will be mailed to all CISD taxpayers. The document outlines details about each option, along with cost analysis and demographic information. A final decision by the Board is expect Nov. 12.

Town Hall Meetings Scheduled

Plan now to attend one of two Town Hall meetings on high school grade configurations. The school-sponsored meetings will be held Monday, October 8 at Carroll Junior High and Tuesday, October 16 at Carroll High School. The meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Following a brief presentation by the CISD Administration, the microphone will be turned over to Audience for Guests. Each speaker will be required to sign up on a list as they arrive. Speakers' names will be drawn randomly throughout the evening, giving everyone an equal opportunity to be heard. Speakers will be limited to one turn for three minutes. Comment cards will be available for audience members who prefer to give the district written comments on this important issue. Questions about the Town Hall format can be directed to the CISD Communications Department at 817-949-7080.

Web Site Launched

CISD recently launched a new web site design, featuring easier to locate links and more comprehensive school information. Among the new links launched this week is an informational web site on the high school grade configurations. To read more about CISD options for high school grades, click on the "High School Options" link at www.southlakecarroll.edu. Trustees will be accepting written comments by E-mail to jthannum@cisdmail.com. All correspondences will be shared with each Board member and Central Administrator. E-mail correspondences on the high school topic will be accepted until November 8th.

Title IX Response Accepted

Trustees accepted the CISD Administration's response to the Title IX Committee Report. Superintendent Dr. Ted Gillum finished presenting the Administration's recommendations at the Sept. 24 Board meeting. The first part of the response was reviewed with the Board back in May. Trustees asked for an action plan report at the January Board meeting and an annual update on Title IX progress at the May School Board meeting. Dr. Gillum thanked members of the Title IX Committee for their time and effort to help improve athletics for all CISD students.

Volunteers Needed For Revenue Enhancement Committee

Carroll ISD invites local citizens to participate on a Revenue Enhancement Committee that is forming as a subcommittee of the district's Budget & Finance Committee. The members of this group will be charged with finding ways to increase the district's revenue as we become a Robin Hood district. Interested participants should contact the Superintendent's office at 817-949-8222.

National Merit Semifinalists Announced

Three students from Carroll High School have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Lauren Christensen, Joseph Halbouty and Gina Upperman were among 16,000 students in the United States to earn the Semifinalist honor. Congratulations to these fine students for earning this national recognition. They now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,000 Merit Scholarship Awards. Finalists will be announced in February.

District Rejects Statewide Health Plan

Carroll Trustees voted not to participate in the statewide plan for employee health insurance at the September 17 School Board meeting. School officials had to make a decision before September 30 whether or not to give up their own health insurance program and join the state's plan or reject participation for the next three years. School officials said details of the statewide plan have not yet been finalized. CISD would have had to make a decision to join without knowing who the insurance provider would be or which doctors would be included. The final cost estimates showed that the state's richest plan was most comparable to CISD's current health insurance program. The district will have the opportunity to reconsider participation for the 2005 school year.

A Hero In Action

During a time when Americans are focused on a national tragedy made better by the heroic acts of many firefighters, rescue workers and police officers, one local teacher shows that heroes can often be found close to home. A job well done to Rockenbaugh Elementary second grade teacher Patti Klaus who did the Heimlich on a child choking on a piece of hard candy. We're proud of Mrs. Klaus and thankful the student recovered quickly!

Special Delivery

Our newest little Dragon joined the CISD family on Sept. 14. She is Evelyn Grace Semler, daughter of CJHS coach Hank Semler and his wife. "Evie" weighed 8 pounds. Congratulations also to Linda Pfleger of Old Union Elementary. She is the proud grandmother of a new baby boy, Austin Lee. He weighed seven pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 and one half inches long.

CHS Curriculum Night Rescheduled Oct. 1

Carroll High School will host Curriculum Night for parents on Monday, October 1. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Parents are encouraged to attend. The event was rescheduled due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

CMS & CIS Students Celebrate Freedom

Students from Carroll Middle School and Carroll Intermediate School joined together in the old Dragon Stadium this morning for a Celebrate Freedom Rally. The star spangled event featured patriotic music by the CMS band and choir. Students were dressed in red, white and blue as they celebrated the freedom this country enjoys. The students waved flags and released several hundred red, white and blue balloons. At Johnson Elementary School today, students also wore red, white and blue to celebrate a patriotic Koalaty Kid awards ceremony.

Eubanks Students Make A Difference

The students of Eubanks Intermediate completed their "Coins for Care" fundraising event by raising $3,829.50 for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Effort. The money was delivered by the newly elected EIS Student Council officers: President Kayli Burnett, Vice President Jessica Colvin, Secretary Kyndrea Head, Treasurer Alyssa Brown and Historian Jenna Domaszek.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Carroll ISD employs 632 professional employees and 388 auxiliary and support staff for a total of 1,020 employees? A beginning teacher in Carroll ISD makes $35,750 thanks to a five percent salary increase approved by the Board of Education. The hiring schedule adopted by the Board helps keep CISD competitive among its Northeast Tarrant County neighbors. The maximum teacher's salary in CISD is $58,000.

Employees & Spouses Eligible For Flu Shots

Agape Clinic will offer flu shots to CISD employees and spouses on Thursday, Nov. 8 and Friday, Nov. 9. Cost for the flu shot is $15. Pneumonia shots are $25. Cash or checks should be made out to Agape.

CJHS PALS Collect Donations

Students at Carroll Junior High School involved in the Peer Assistance Leadership Skills (PALS) program collected about $2,000 for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The money will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Campus Chats at CHS

Campus Chats are informal campus visits where students get to meet with college and university admission counselors and representatives. These admission counselors bring information from their schools and answer student questions. The Campus Chats take place in the Carroll High School College and Career Center. On Friday, October 19, the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels are scheduled for Campus Chats from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.

Kudos Korner

Congratulations to Hollie Grosklos, band director at Eubanks Intermediate School. She recently earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas. A job well done Dr. Grosklos!

Teacher Earns Regional Honor

Carroll Middle School teacher Judith Rylander has been named the Region XI Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year. She was nominated by Vicki Reese. Congratulations!

JES Earns Honor

Johnson Elementary School's name appears on the list of high-performing schools developed by Just for the Kids. To qualify for the list, schools had to demonstrate high levels of student achievement over a three-year period when compared with other schools with equal or harder-to-educate students. Johnson was honored for both reading and mathematics.

With Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Greg Oglesby (CHS) on the recent death of his mother.

Online News Correction

We recently recognized the outstanding Advanced Placement scores for composite science incorrectly. The article should have said Computer Science. A job well done to the students in Computer Science A at Carroll High School and to their teacher Stacey Armstrong. Thanks also to reader Denise Strauss for helping us give credit where credit is due!

Homecoming Activities Slated

Don't miss your chance to enter the 2001 Homecoming Parade, scheduled for Wednesday, October 17 at Town Square in Southlake. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. For information, contact Jeremy Werts at Carroll High School 817-949-5800. In addition to the parade, the public is invited to a homecoming carnival at Town Square. The carnival begins at 4 p.m.

CEF Toast A Huge Success

A special thank you to members and supporters of the Carroll Education Foundation who raised $106,000 for CISD teacher grants and scholarships at their recent Celebrity Toast. Another $5,000 was donated to the American Red Cross. The highlight of the evening, which honored Southlake Mayor Rick Stacy, was the auctioning off of an American Flag that flew over the state capitol. The flag increased the donation to the Red Cross by $11,000. Featured "toasters" were Sports Director Scott Murray, State Representative Vicki Truitt, Past Mayor Gary Fickes, Founding CEF Chair Brad Bradley and White's Chapel Minister John McKeller. Radio personality Norm Hitzges served as emcee. CEF committee members met this week to consider grant applications from CISD employees. The grants help fund innovative projects not included in the regular school budget.

Eubanks Library Opens

The Eubanks Intermediate School library welcomed the first class of students on Tuesday, September 4. The library opened with 6,247 new books. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this grand opening possible! The Fall Book Fair is Oct. 8-12 with Scholastic Books.

Quest Partners To Meet

Please plan on attending the first Quest Partners organizational meeting on Monday, October 15. Quest Partners is the name of the Carroll ISD support group for parents of gifted and talented children. The district's GT coordinator and teachers will be on hand to help with the initial organization and agenda for this year. The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the CISD Administration Annex, 3051 Dove Road.

Dragon Golf Classic 2001

The Dragon Golf Classic 2001 benefiting Carroll High School students, teachers and athletics is scheduled for Monday, October 15 at Timarron Country Club. Cost per individual is $125. Registration and putting contest will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. The shotgun start will be at 9 a.m., with a 1:30 p.m. awards luncheon and a 2 p.m. presentation of trophies and special drawings. Sponsors include Deep South, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Hawaiian Aifam, Mesco Metal Buildings, Prestige Gunite Inc., SNAPS, Trans Trade, Wyndham Properties, National Motor Club of America Inc., H & H Tile & Coping, Holt Family and Wells Fargo. For more information, call 817-481-6960 or 817-481-1618.

American Heart Walk This Weekend

The American Heart Walk is this Saturday, September 29 at 8:30 a.m. at the Texas Star Sports Centre off of Highway 10 in Euless. Heart disease is still the number one killer of Americans. Contact your campus representative about making a donation or call Gail Prince at 817-949-8222.

CHS Band Plans Car Wash

Members of the Carroll High School Band would love to shine your car during a fundraiser car wash from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southlake Kroger October 6th. Stop by and show your support for the Dragon Band!

Belles Offer Holiday Poinsettias

Starting October 15, the Carroll High School award winning Emerald Belles are offering poinsettias for holiday decorating and gift giving. The plants are $10 each with a delivery date of November 28-30. Please contact an Emerald Belle or sponsor Melissa Bartosh at 817-949-5800 for more information.

A Message From the Southlake Women's Club

It has come to our attention that some of the highlighters and markers which were in the school supply packs sold at the Aug. 11 Southlake Women's Club School Supply Sale were defective. The supplier has given SWC replacement markers for grades K-8 to be used as needed. The supplier apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused the teachers and students. As always, the Southlake Women's Club appreciates your support.

Mark Your Calendars

Carroll High School Musical:

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opens at Carroll High School at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 6. Performances can also be seen at 2 p.m. on October 7 and 7 p.m. on October 8, 9 and 10. The production is a collaboration of the Carroll Fine Arts Department. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, call 817-949-5913.

Showmakers Clinic:

The Show Choirs at Carroll High School will host the 2nd annual Showmakers Clinic on Saturday, October 6. It is open to all students in grades 2-6. For more information, call 817-481-6649. Participants will perform during the Fall Concert on Monday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. The registration fee is $30.

Red Ribbon Week:

Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated in Carroll ISD October 22-26. This week-long observance will celebrate drug and alcohol free lifestyles. A variety of activities have been planned at CISD campuses.

Student Holiday/Staff Development Day:

There will be no school for students on Monday, October 29. Employees will participate in a staff development day.

Next Board of Education Meeting: Monday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m.

CHS PTSO Fall Craft Fair:

The PTSO Fall Craft Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 10. Admission is $1. Proceeds will benefit Project Graduation.

Submit articles and news for School News Online to jthannum@cisdmail.com or call the CISD Communications Department at 817-949-7080.