After four months of community input, including two town hall meetings, an informational brochure and three different surveys, the Carroll ISD Board of Education is poised to make a decision on high school grade configurations. The Board will meet on Monday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the school administration building, 1201 N. Carroll Avenue. Just one of the agenda items for this regularly scheduled meeting is a decision on high school configurations. Trustees have been studying three different options for housing secondary students: two 9-12 high schools; a 9-10 campus and an 11-12 campus; and a 9th grade center with a 10-11-12 campus.

Community Written Survey Says. . .

On Monday, Trustees listened as two independent survey companies shared the results of three different surveys on the topic. Larry Kennell of NCS Pearson in Irving, presented the results of two written surveys, one conducted of registered CISD voters and one conducted of CISD professional and paraprofessional employees. The survey consisted of four questions approved by the Board of Education. Results of the two surveys were kept separate. When asked by Trustee Steve Harold about the security of the survey, NCS officials confirmed that there were binary codes printed on the surveys to ensure no duplications as they were counted by the machine. Only four duplicate codes were noted and all were caused by jams and rejected, according to Mr. Kennell. School officials confirm that they can document how many surveys were printed, how many were mailed and have maintained strong security over the surveys during the entire process. The written survey was sent to 16,798 registered voters. A total of 6,295 (37%) responded. When asked which grade configuration option the registered voters most preferred, 33.3% chose two 9-12 schools, 14.7% chose a 9/10 and 11/12 split configuration, and 52.1% chose a 9th grade center.

Staff Written Survey Says. . .

A total of 797 surveys were mailed to CISD employees; 395 were returned (50%). When asked which grade configuration option the employees most prefer, 19.3% chose two 9-12 high schools, 25.6% chose the 9/10 and 11/12 split configuration, and 55.1% chose a 9th grade center.

Community Telephone Survey Says. . .

A scientific telephone survey of registered voters was also conducted by Raymond Turco and Associates of Arlington. Mr. Turco told Board members that 1,202 randomly selected registered voters participated in the survey during a three week period. He reported that when voters were asked which option they most preferred, 37% chose two 9-12 high schools, 20% chose a 9/10 and 11/12 split configuration, and 37% chose a 9th grade center.

Survey Results Available For Public Review

Additional questions were asked on each of the surveys. Copies of the complete results have been attached to this electronic newsletter for public review. The files are in PDF form and require Acrobat Reader to view. Those who do not have Acrobat Reader, can visit the CISD web site at http://www.southlakecarroll.edu for a free one-time download of this software.

DAC Studies Drug Survey Results & Proposed School Calendar

Members of the District Advisory Committee met November 5 to review results of the 2001 student drug survey and to study proposed calendars for the 2002-2003 school year. A copy of the drug survey results is attached to this E-mail for public review and is also available by visiting the District Committee link (Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee) on the school district web site. Curriculum Coordinator Dinah Chancellor said although drug and alcohol use continues to be a problem for the youth of this community, survey results show a slight decline in drug and alcohol use among students. This is the first time in several years that the percentages showed a decrease - something school and community officials hope to see become a trend in the future.

Calendar Comments Welcomed

Members of the DAC reviewed school calendar options in light of recent legislation requiring Texas schools to begin school sometime the week of August 21st. The later start date affects the placement of holidays and breaks, according to Dr. Nancy Rindone, Director of Staff and Program Development. The calendar most favored by DAC members begins with the first day of school on Monday, August 19. Dr. Rindone said elementary teachers usually prefer a shorter first week for younger students who have trouble adjusting to being back in school a full day. However, literacy assessments at the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year will result in a modified early release schedule for kindergarten, first and second graders. The later start date also results in a reduced three-day break the week of Thanksgiving, but instead, students and staff will get a fall break near Columbus Day in October. This three-day student holiday break could also be used by families to attend the State Fair of Texas. Bad weather days will be scheduled for Good Friday and the following Monday, but might need to be changed due to the state's TAAS testing calendar. The proposed calendar most favored by DAC members is attached to this newsletter for public review. Comments on this proposed calendar may be sent to jthannum@cisdmail.com. School officials hope to take a calendar to the School Board for consideration in either December or January.

CISD Students & Staff Celebrate With Ribbon Cuttings

If you visit Old Union Elementary today, you may find yourself transported back to scenes from the early 1900s. Students and staff at that campus are celebrating the rich tradition of early education by dressing in costumes and carrying their lunches in tin pails. The day features a silent auction, black and white family photographs and a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. to officially "cut the ribbon" to the future. Selected students were chosen for their essays and artwork on "Why I want to cut the ribbon" and will mark the official opening of CISD's fifth elementary. A total of about 400 students attend school at Old Union, which was named after a one-room school house in that area in 1903.

Eubanks Family To Be Honored

At 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 9), students and staff at Eubanks Intermediate School will celebrate the life and memory of former CISD custodian and School Board member Cleburne Eubanks. Members of the Eubanks family have been invited to witness the celebration as students and staff cut the ribbon to officially open the district's newest fifth and sixth grade campus. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will feature music by the EIS choir and memories of Mr. Eubanks shared by CISD graduate and teacher Chad McCoy.

Aquatics Center Grand Opening

The third and final ribbon cutting of the week marks the opening of the long anticipated CISD Aquatics Center. A ribbon cutting ceremony at the new 50-meter pool is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will feature information about future aquatics programs and recognition of the State Champion Carroll High School Boys Swim team. The event will feature a swimming and diving exhibition by CHS students and an open recreational swim time for CISD and Southlake residents. The free swim period will last from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Counselor Darla Chupp (CES) on the birth of her granddaughter, Hallee Loree Chupp. She was born on October 31, weighing in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches long. Hallee's father, Bryan, is a 1991 graduate of Carroll High School.

Best of Luck!

Best of luck to the CHS girls cross country team and coach Robert Ondrasek. They won first place at the regional meet and will compete at state! A job well done by the CHS volleyball team, which ended an outstanding season with a loss in Abilene on Tuesday. Congratulations to Wyvonne Walling and her staff for an excellent and exciting season. Thanks also to Ron Behrends and the CHS Marching band for making CISD proud. They competed as one of the top 20 4A bands in Texas, taking 13th place after securing first place honors in the district and area competitions. We are proud of you!

Band Students Advance

Band students from Carroll Junior High and Carroll Middle School auditioned recently for the All-District Honor Band. The students competed at CJHS against musicians from Boswell, Azle and Brewer. Students had to prepare 10 scales for memory, master two etudes and sight-read. Percussion students also had to memorize nine rudiments on snare drum. A total of 24 CJHS students and 47 CMS students were chosen for the Honor Band. These students will rehearse on Jan. 11 and 12 and perform an evening concert at CHS. A complete listing of CJHS and CMS Honor Band participants can be found on the district web site under the News & Notices link.

Student Artwork Featured in Great Scots Magazine

Carroll Intermediate teacher Evangeline Gant's love for Scottish Terriers led her class to submit drawings on the topic of world peace to Great Scots magazine. The Nov./Dec. 2001 edition of this magazine features color artwork by seven of Mrs. Gant's students. Her Scottish Terriers, the late "Tag" and her current Scottie "Logan" figure prominently in Mrs. Gant's classroom decor and lessons. The artwork depicts peace on earth led by Scottie love and the children of the world.

CISD Campuses Celebrate Veteran's Day

Students and staff at all CISD campuses have scheduled classroom and/or campus-wide activities to celebrate Veteran's Day. Some of the schools will celebrate with assemblies, guest speakers and flag-raising ceremonies, while others have incorporated Veteran's Day lessons into classroom discussions. Several schools have Walls of Honor bearing the names of students' relatives who have served their country. Carroll Middle School's assembly is Friday, Nov. 9 at 3:05 p.m. Eubanks Intermediate is having its first Veteran's Day program on Friday, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. in the cafeteria. Keith Rosenkranz, a Gulf War veteran and published author of the book "Vipers in the Storm" will be the guest speaker. Carroll Intermediate students will participate in a flag pole ceremony from 8:40 to 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. In addition to patriotic songs, students will place white carnations at the base of the flag pole while "Taps" is played. Durham Elementary and Intermediate students will celebrate with separate assemblies and flag raising ceremonies on Monday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. Carroll High School will have a school-wide assembly in the gym, with three guest faculty speakers who are military veterans. A color guard will be presented by the U.S. Marine and the choir will sing patriotic songs. The assembly is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 in the CHS gym. Carroll Junior High's assembly will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. The event will feature music by the CJHS band and choir, as well as a keynote address by Lt. Col. John Wendell, retired from the U.S. Air Force.

November Proclaimed Selective Service Registration Awareness Month

Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed November to be Selective Service Registration Awareness Month in Texas. All young men are required by law to register with Selective Service when they turn 18. Proof of registration is a prerequisite for obtaining federal student loans, job training, federal employment and citizenship.

Fall Break

Carroll ISD schools and offices will be closed November 19-23 for fall break. Regular office and school hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 26.