Dr. Annette Griffin Superintendent of Schools February 2007 en Español

Getting The Recognition They Deserve

Thanks to a community that believes in public education, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District serves as a beacon of public school success to our state and country. And, as C-FB ISD continues to celebrate its being a Texas Education Agency Recognized School District, it's always important that our campuses, staff and citizens who support public education are publicly saluted for their work for our students.

TBEC Honor Roll
I am so proud that five C-FB ISD schools are among the 270 schools honored by the Texas Business Education Coalition (TBEC). Charles M. Blalack Middle School, E. L. Kent, McCoy, Charlie McKamy, and Annie Heads Rainwater Elementary Schools made the 2006 TBEC Honor Roll. They are among one percent of all Texas schools being saluted for what Jack Lowe, Chairman of TDIndustries in Dallas and TBEC's Business Co-chair, calls, "the bottom line – results."

TBEC identifies the Honor Roll schools by analyzing three years of performance data for all Texas public schools. That means that, our five schools have had a high percentage of students meeting state standards on the TAKS tests in all subjects for a minimum of three consecutive years. More importantly, their students are meeting the state's highest standard – commended – on all tests.

TBEC's selection criteria takes into account student demographics, the number of subjects tested and the grades served.

In December, representatives from the five schools traveled to Austin for a "Share the Success" seminar and then a special ceremony and dinner. Our teachers and principals had a wonderful opportunity to learn from other educators who have worked hard to help their students achieve at high levels.

Now, other TBEC volunteers and I are going to the TBEC Honor Roll schools presenting the Honor Roll banner at local ceremonies so that students, parents, teachers and staff, and community members can join in the celebration.

I am so proud to see all of the wonderful work that our students are doing in these schools. Thank you for being excellence examples of public schools.

C-FB ISD's Most Ardent Cheerleaders
We are so fortunate that people who realize the importance of giving to others are found throughout this community. One such group is our C-FB ISD Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees provides the governance and policies to help our school district be a leader in public education not only in Texas but in the United States.

In January, Board member Pam Odino resigned because she and her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, as a result of a business transfer. Pam took her job seriously as School Board member. She did her homework; she attended regional and state trainings and participated in many school and district functions. Most of all, she believed in our district's vision and mission, and she loved C-FB ISD. All of us will miss Pam and her family.

I salute the individuals who serve as the elected representatives of our district. Your current School Board members are John Tepper, president; Nancy Strickland, vice president; Lynn Chaffin, secretary; James Goode, assistant secretary; Nancy Cline, member; Howard Fisher, member.

The individuals who serve as the C-FB ISD Board of Trustees volunteer hundreds of hours. They expend immeasurable energy to ensure that our schools are providing the best educational programming possible for our community's children. However, the time and energy given is worthwhile when they join with students, parents and educators to celebrate our many successes in academics, athletics and fine arts. Our School Board members are among the district's most enthusiastic cheerleaders.

Champion Awards
Congratulations go to Bobby Poorman and Renee Putter for receiving the 2006 Champion Award from the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Association for implementing the CATCH program in our district. Our district was one of nine honored by this state association.

The Champion award is given to individuals who have demonstrated years of enthusiasm for the CATCH Program as well as creating healthy environments for youth in their communities. These two ladies have been the driving force behind getting CATCH into every C-FB ISD elementary school.

CATCH was initially started at Central Elementary where Bobby Poorman teaches physical education through a C-FB ISD Educational Foundation campus grant. The success on that campus led to multiple grants from the Metrocrest Medical Foundation. The Metrocrest Medical Foundation's financial support plus funds from the Athletic Department and SportTime enables us to reach every elementary student.

CATCH, a Coordinated Approach to Child Health, is a multifaceted program for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The CATCH program addresses the whole child and the child's family for health and fitness. The program has four components: classroom, physical education, food services and family health.

Bobby and Renee's research is showing that the schools using the CATCH program are changing students' lives. Students involved in CATCH are exercising longer on average each day as they get older than students whose schools did not offer the CATCH program. And, their goal is now to move the program into our middle schools.

We are so fortunate that people who realize the importance of giving to others are found throughout this community. They are doing such worthwhile work and are making the world a better place not only for children but for everyone. That is the culture of our school district and our community. Thank you, C-FB ISD community for believing in public education. You are helping fulfill the dreams of our students – a quality education.

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