As part of Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s "New Beginnings, Lasting Success" series, the district is highlighting the journeys of former students and staff from Central, Furneaux and McCoy Elementary, as well as Long Middle School.

 

For Luz Dimas and Sarah Sanchez, the former principal and assistant principal at Central Elementary, the move to McWhorter Elementary wasn’t just a change of address — it was an opportunity to transplant a culture of success. While the consolidation process naturally brought several uncertainties, the pair had the opportunity to relocate together and have embraced the transition with a focus on positivity and building strong school pride.

“It has been incredible to see the systems that flourished at Central help students grow here at McWhorter,” said Dimas. “We are building on a foundation of community support to ensure every student has the tools they need to reach their full potential.”

The leadership duo hit the ground running by implementing several signature programs designed to boost student engagement and staff morale. One of their biggest strategies is the "Coyote Character Traits" program. The acronym COYOTE encourages students to be Collaborative, Organized, Trustworthy, Optimistic, Thinkers and Encouraging. Students who embody these values earn tokens for the school’s book vending machine, turning positive behavior into a rewarding experience.

“Our kids work tirelessly to succeed, and they are so proud to earn those tokens,” Dimas said. “They just want to be recognized and seen. Having our staff fully on board — recommending students and sharing in that excitement — has made all the difference in helping our kids feel valued.”

Beyond character building, the campus has launched the Coyote News Network. Spearheaded by librarian Olga Rodriguez, the student-led morning announcements help students build public speaking confidence and technical skills.

The transition was made smoother by the enduring partnership between Dimas and Sanchez. Moving to a new campus as a leadership team allowed them to maintain a unified vision during the district's reorganization. Dimas noted that sharing this journey with her longtime assistant principal has been a significant factor in their success, allowing them to navigate the new landscape with a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.

Sanchez reflected fondly on the relationships built at their previous campus while looking eagerly toward the future.

“I am so grateful for the connections we made at Central and how we always rallied together through the good times and the challenging ones,” she said. “Now, I’m excited to grow those same deep community bonds here at McWhorter and show our families just how amazing this school truly is.”

This spirit of growth inspired the school’s new hashtag, #McWhorterTransforms. New traditions have already taken hold, including a project where students submit original artwork to design the official school shirt. The campus has also introduced College Shirt Thursdays and McWhorter Spirit Fridays to celebrate the hard work of students and staff each week.

“It is heartwarming to see the sheer amount of love our teachers have for these families,” Dimas added. “They go above and beyond and show up every single day for our students.”

Sanchez also expressed gratitude to the community for its strong support.

“The amount of love shown to McWhorter by our community is overwhelming,” she said. “We are so grateful to have people in our corner who want to give back and support our school.”