Mission Joy Toy Drive benefits Mission Arlington Christmas Store

This holiday season, 91制片厂 and its incredible community partners are on a mission to bring smiles and joy to local children with an exciting new event 鈥� the inaugural Mission Joy Toy Drive.

The drive benefits the Christmas Store, a program that helps families in need create magical holiday memories.

91制片厂 is proud to collaborate with the , the and the to make this vision a reality.

With collection boxes conveniently located throughout the city, including at more than 30 91制片厂 campuses, it鈥檚 never been easier to join the effort. Simply donate a new, unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and help brighten someone鈥檚 holiday season.

Donations are being accepted now through Dec. 10, so there鈥檚 still time to get involved and make a difference!

The grand finale of the Mission Joy Toy Drive is something you won鈥檛 want to miss 鈥� a festive drive-thru toy drop-off celebration happening from 5鈥�7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts. It鈥檚 more than just a chance to give back 鈥� it鈥檚 a full holiday experience!

Here鈥檚 what you can look forward to:

• Live Performances: Enjoy holiday music and entertainment from talented 91制片厂 students.
• Special Guests: Meet Tillie Burgin, Mission Arlington鈥檚 executive director, and her team as they prepare to distribute the toys.
• Holiday Spirit: Celebrate with your community while making a meaningful impact.

The toys collected will stock the Mission Arlington Christmas Store, which opens on Dec. 11 to provide families in need with an opportunity to choose gifts for their loved ones.

Let鈥檚 come together as a community to ensure every child experiences the magic of the season. To find a drop-off location near you or learn more about the Mission Joy Toy Drive, click here.

Mission Joy Toy Drive benefits Mission Arlington

This holiday season, 91制片厂 and its community partners are bringing extra joy to local children with something new and exciting 鈥� the first-ever Mission Joy Toy Drive! This special event will support the , which helps brighten the holidays for families in need.

But the district isn鈥檛 doing this alone. We鈥檝e teamed up with the City of Arlington, the Arlington Fire Department and the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce to make the magic happen. With drop-off locations across the city, it鈥檚 never been easier to spread some holiday cheer. Just grab a new, unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and drop it off at one of the many collection boxes, including at more than 30 91制片厂 schools.

Donations are being accepted until Dec.10, so there鈥檚 still time to make a difference.

The grand finale of the Mission Joy Toy Drive is a drive-thru toy drop-off event happening from 5鈥�7 p.m. at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts. It鈥檚 not just about giving back 鈥� it鈥檚 a celebration! Swing by, drop off a toy and soak up the holiday spirit with live performances from 91制片厂 students. You鈥檒l even get to meet Tillie Burgin, the executive director of Mission Arlington, along with her team, who鈥檒l be there to collect and prepare the toys for the Christmas Store opening on Dec. 11.

Don鈥檛 miss your chance to bring smiles to the faces of kids in your community. To learn more about Mission Joy and find the drop-off location nearest you, click here.

Let鈥檚 come together to make this holiday season unforgettable for everyone!

Canon representative is a CTC grad

When Aleksandr Thomas went to the 91制片厂 Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center last week, he had to go in the front door and sign in as a visitor.

A little different than last year when he鈥檇 come in the student entrance.

Last year at this time, he was an Arlington High School senior taking classes at the CTC. Now, Thomas is a field technician with .

He joined other Canon employees on a visit to the CTC to announce a new partnership with seniors at the school.

鈥� Skilled Professionals at Rising Canon 鈥� offers seniors an opportunity to see and explore rewarding careers at Canon outside of the conventional higher education track. SPARC introduces the future graduates to various career options in the technical installation, maintenance and repair fields.

鈥淥ur goal is to provide opportunities to you for a career with Canon America,鈥� said Steve Lucas, Canon Solutions America vice president of service central zone, to dozens of seniors in his pitch about SPARC at the CTC. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to help you think about your future and what鈥檚 coming up very quickly for all of you.鈥�

Lucas is passionate about the perks of a career with Canon, and his palpable enthusiasm for the SPARC program stems from his own experience. He started with Canon 39 years ago as a tech trainee, and he loves his job and the company he works for.

鈥淔ind something you like,鈥� he told the students. 鈥淚f you find something you like to do, you will be good at it. If you love to do it, you鈥檒l be great at it.鈥�

For seniors who might be interested in following in the footsteps of Lucas or Thomas at Canon, the SPARC program can get them there.

The program runs through May and includes field trips to Canon鈥檚 Dallas regional office and a customer site, product demonstrations, meetings with industry experts and finally an opportunity to interview with Canon.

Lucas wasn鈥檛 the only Canon representative who touted the opportunities the program offers.

Henry Mceachin, a Canon branch sales director, traveled to Arlington from Indiana to share his experience with the students.

鈥淚鈥檓 currently living my dream,鈥� Mceachin told the students. 鈥淭he opportunity to just get your foot in the door with a company like Canon 鈥� 200,000 employees, $30 billion 鈥� you can go from sales to service to support, parts to logistics to business analysts 鈥� we鈥檙e in so many different things.鈥�

Thomas got his foot in the door last summer with an internship that turned into a full-time job.

But it wasn鈥檛 through the SPARC program. It didn鈥檛 exist in Arlington yet. This is SPARC鈥檚 third year, but just the first in Arlington. It鈥檚 now available at only five schools in the country.

Nonetheless, Thomas was eager to promote SPARC to his former fellow students because of how much he has enjoyed his budding career at Canon.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a wonderful opportunity,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淚f you have an interest in anything,鈥� he told the students, 鈥渢hey [Canon] probably have a position for you.鈥�

Students interested in participating in SPARC need to write a letter about why they should be selected for the program and submit it to Canon via Kari Winters, 91制片厂 practicum specialist at the CTC.

鈥淭his is a very unique opportunity,鈥� Winters said to the students as she encouraged them to write an application letter.

Farmers Market

91制片厂鈥檚 Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center is one of the host sites for the Tarrant Area Food Bank's Neighborhood Farmers Markets this summer.听

The CTC hosts the market the first and third Wednesday of each month this summer, with the next one coming tomorrow, June 15, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

These markets are opportunities for families to purchase fresh, local and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Cash, credit/debit, WIC FMNP vouchers and the Lone Star Card are all accepted at the market.

WIC participants may be eligible to receive a one-time-per-year $30 voucher booklet to purchase fruits and vegetables. Vouchers can be picked up at the market with a current WIC benefits list.

SNAP recipients using their Lone Star Card double their dollars for fruits and vegetables with Double Up Food Bucks, a program made possible through North Texas Healthy Communities and Blue Zones Project.

For more information on the market, visit the Tarrant Area Food Bank site . The Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center is located at .

91制片厂 prepares students for success after graduation, but the district can鈥檛 do it alone. Community partners like the University of Texas at Arlington work side-by-side with the district to provide opportunities unique to students. UTA鈥檚 Upward Bound program is one that makes a huge impact.

Upward Bound at UTA

Upward Bound at UTA is a year-round program. It offers at-risk youth the chance to receive SAT and ACT prep, after-school tutoring, college tours, scholarships and so much more. Since 1982, Upward Bound has been providing services to students at Arlington, Bowie, Lamar, Sam Houston and Seguin high schools.

鈥淭he program provides consistent mentoring from eighth grade until senior year and opportunities for scholarships that give at-risk youth an even playing field with students that may have access to more resources,鈥� said Marsha Fountain, behavior support interventionist at Carter Junior High.

Fountain is passionate about reducing dropout rates at Carter with the help of programs like Upward Bound. To qualify, students must be in eighth through 11^th grade, a first-generation U.S. college student, qualify as low-income and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Through cultural field trips, team-building activities and academic lecture series, students get exposure to resources. and opportunities that may not be available to them at school or home.

Upward Bound sets you up for college!

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have gone to college without this program,鈥� said Micheal Frausto, educational advisor for Upward Bound. 鈥淚f you want to go to college but don鈥檛 know which exact path you want to take, then we鈥檙e the program for you. No matter the path, we walk students through scholarship and grant applications, so they don鈥檛 have to worry about finances while they鈥檙e trying to advance their education.鈥�

Not only do students get the chance to advance academically, but civically, too. Upward bound's community service projects and volunteer opportunities helps build their resumes. If students choose to participate in the summer bridge program, they鈥檒l be one step ahead of their classmates by getting the feel of what it鈥檚 like to attend college and stay on campus.

has plenty to offer students, so learn more about the program and specific qualifications online. If you鈥檙e ready to jump in the program now, fill out an interest form and get ready to take your education to new heights!

91制片厂 seniors, don鈥檛 forget the deadline to apply for the Chamber of Commerce scholarships is this week, Friday, Feb. 25. The Greater Arlington Chamber is giving out scholarships to 13听91制片厂 seniors worth more than $30,000.听

听As a local partner of the 91制片厂, the chamber is committed to developing the community鈥檚 future by providing graduating seniors with unique opportunities to pay for college. The chamber has provided more than $306,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors in the 91制片厂.

听鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to be able to offer these scholarship opportunities to 91制片厂 students again this year,鈥� said Alicia Collins-Butler, the director of education, workforce and community development. 鈥淥ur goal is to champion economic and community prosperity, which includes making sure the opportunities are available to students. Now it鈥檚 the students鈥� turn to take advantage of these resources.鈥�听

Innovation Scholarship听

Sponsored by the Pettinger Foundation, the Innovation Scholarship is a STEM-based scholarship that aims to help students pursuing a four-year degree in science, engineering or mathematics from UTA. Two $5,000 scholarships are for 91制片厂 students in a STEM-related career pathway. Applicants should complete an online application for consideration.听

Greater Arlington Chamber Scholarship

Seven $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from each traditional high school and Arlington Collegiate for the Greater Arlington Chamber Scholarship. Unlike the Innovation Scholarship, students who receive this scholarship can attend a college or university of their choice. Applicants should complete an online application and write an essay on the topic provided.听

American Dream Scholarship听

In partnership with the M.E.T.A. Foundation, the American Dream Scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors who are first-generation college students and of Latino/Hispanic descent. Four $1,000 scholarships are for students looking to attend Tarrant County College or the University of Texas at Arlington.听

Apply Now

That鈥檚 over $30,000 in scholarships, so don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to apply. Both scholarship applications are due February 25, 2022, at midnight.听

听If you or an 91制片厂 student you know may be interested, share this blog post with them and take a few minutes to apply for these scholarships today! To learn more about the scholarships or apply, visit the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 website at

Duff Elementary physical education teacher Matt Bostick isn鈥檛 above props, and he proves that with his latest Workout Wednesday exercise plan.

To start the second six weeks, Bostick wants everyone to get a soccer ball or any other ball and incorporate that into the exercise routine.

In his Soccer Ball Workout, Bostick has four exercises that can be done in around 10 minutes and either add to your fun or pain.

Here鈥檚 Workout Wednesday No. 4.

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Soccer Ball Workout (as many reps as possible for 8-12 minutes)

• 10 soccer ball side lunges
• 10 soccer ball jump squats overhead
• 30 second wall sit holding the ball in lap or overhead
• 10 soccer ball plank passes or pushups

In case you鈥檙e looking for what Bostick has done for Workout Wednesday in the past, here are this year鈥檚 plans.

(20 seconds of work, 10 seconds rest, older students can repeat for more work)

• Shuffle taps (pick the daisies)
• Squat walks听
• Plank hold
• Crab toe touch
• Lunges
• Pogo stick squats (good calf work too)
• Dead bugs
• Leg lifts

(hit a stopwatch and switch every minute)

• jogging
• squat punches
• frog jumps
• front kicks
• crab kicks
• squat jacks
• planks (high or low)

(pre-K-2 repeat once, 3^rd-6^th grade three total rounds)

• 30 marching/high knees
• 30 alternating arm and leg jacks/jumping jacks
• 5-10 slinky squats to cobra
• 30 sprint shuffles
• 30 climb the ropes

Create the future for 91制片厂 students by helping to develop the district鈥檚 next five-year strategic plan at an upcoming Community Summit.听

At one of these Summits, you鈥檒l hear from a panel of students about what鈥檚 important to them, and professional facilitators from engage2learn will guide you through a series of thought-provoking questions and purposeful group interactions. Your feedback will be gathered and incorporated into the district鈥檚 strategic plan scheduled for completion in December 2021.听

Community Summits听(session options):听

• Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1-3 p.m., Professional Development Center, Room 301, 1111 W. Arbrook Blvd., 76015 (English/Spanish translation provided)听
• Tuesday, Sept. 14, 6-8 p.m., Professional Development Center, Room 301, 1111 W. Arbrook Blvd., 76015 (English/Spanish translation provided)听
• Wednesday, Sept. 15, Virtual,1-3 p.m. (English only).听.听
• Wednesday, Sept. 15, Virtual, 6-8 p.m. (English only).听.听

听听Join parents, teachers, students, staff members and community stakeholders to help shape the future.

'It was surreal'

Dunn Elementary fifth-grade teacher Audrey Simmons had a great story to tell her students when classes resumed at Dunn Tuesday morning.

Simmons was supposed to be on the field for Monday鈥檚 Texas Rangers home opener representing teachers as frontline workers. But when the original plan for the ceremonial first pitch changed Monday morning, the Rangers went to Simmons to be the relief pitcher.

Just like all 91制片厂 teachers during the pandemic, Simmons delivered a perfect strike in front of nearly 40,000 fans in the first home opener with fans at Globe Life Field.

鈥淚t was surreal,鈥� said Simmons. 鈥淚t was very exciting, and I wasn鈥檛 as nervous as I thought I would be because I was representing teachers. That was the most exciting part, representing teachers because of all their hard work. It wasn鈥檛 about me. It was about everybody working together to create a great learning environment for the kids. It was a great opportunity.鈥�

And a last-minute one, too. Simmons, the 2019-20 teacher of the year at Dunn, found out last week she鈥檇 be on the field before the game. But five minutes before she was leaving for the game Monday she got asked to throw out the first pitch.

That gave Simmons and her husband Robert enough time to throw a few pitches in the backyard before going to the park. She got a few tips from the organization once she got there, and then she made her toss to a nurse from Dallas before the Rangers lost to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The day was filled with other highlights for Simmons, too.

鈥淚 got to meet George W. Bush beforehand,鈥� said Simmons, who returned to Dunn Tuesday morning as the school opened for students for the first time since the winter storm in February. 鈥淚 was just about to practice with the nurse and we got to meet him. We shook his hand and took pictures with him. It was a great day. It was fun seeing all the behind-the-scenes stuff. It was surreal being a part of history.鈥�

Being at the ballpark has been a part of Simmons鈥� life. She used to go to Arlington Stadium with her late father. That tradition continued at Globe Life Park, where Simmons took her children. Monday she had her husband and her daughter and son-in-law with her for the game.

鈥淪he [her daughter] is a teacher in Dallas,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淭hey all had great memories of going to the games. She鈥檚 had a year being a teacher, too. This will be something we will never forget.鈥�

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CICVXsC6LuI&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=voter%20approval%20tax%20rate%20election&utm_term=vatre&utm_content=082820vatrepost[/embed]

91制片厂 Board of Trustees has called for a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election on Nov. 3, 2020. If approved, the VATRE would generate approximately $56 million in additional revenue for the district. 鈥淧assage of the VATRE would provide our district millions in state funding that we could not access otherwise,鈥� said 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. 鈥淭he money would be used to improve compensation for teachers and staff and to address operational day鈥恡o鈥恉ay expenses.鈥�

91制片厂 has identified three primary uses for the VATRE:

1) Teacher Pay

91制片厂 has lost ground in competitive market pay for teachers over the last several years.听Competing districts with more revenue can effectively attract and retain quality educators through higher salaries. A VATRE would be used to increase teacher compensation.

2) Access to additional state funding

The additional pennies of tax authorized through a VATRE are weighted in state funding formulas. The proposed tax rate increase would generate approximately $18 million in state aid to be used for teacher salaries and instructional programs.

3) Staff Pay

Like pay for teachers, 91制片厂 would use the VATRE to increase pay for support staff.听 This includes approximately 4,000 staff members who provide educational support services for students, drive buses, clean and maintain schools and provide security services.

91制片厂 has never had a VATRE. In fact, the district鈥檚 Maintenance and Operations tax rate has remained the same or declined in each of the past 15 years. 鈥淭he majority of school districts in our area have already passed VATREs,鈥� said 91制片厂 Board of Trustees President Kecia Mays. 鈥淏y not passing one ourselves, we are leaving millions of dollars of state aid on the table. We have outstanding teachers and staff. The VATRE would be used to increase their salaries in the future.鈥� If the VATRE is approved by voters in November, the total tax rate would increase 8.84 cents. The new tax rate would cost the owner of an average home in Arlington, which is valued at $208,985 according to the Tarrant Appraisal District, an additional $162.70 annually, or $13.56 per month. Taxpayers over age 65 would incur no tax increase unless they make substantial improvements to their home.

More information is available at aisd.net/vatre.

Construction at Gunn Junior High Will Impact Future Learners

Most schools are quiet right now as students started the school year learning online from home. But not Gunn Junior High. It was even louder than a normal first week of school with demolition, renovation and new construction 鈥� plus instructional development 鈥� all going on at the same time.听 The Bond 2019 project to renovate and build an addition to the school turned Gunn into a busy construction zone throughout the summer and now into the fall. With the addition and renovations, Gunn will become home to a new junior high fine arts and dual-language academy while continuing to serve the 7^th听and 8^th听grade students zoned for the school.听

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

If you come to Gunn 鈥� and many parents and students have visited recently to pick up devices and school supplies 鈥� it looks like nearly every corner of the building and site has work going on.

Inside the existing building, renovations for the fine arts rooms include dance, piano, theater and music. The band, choir and orchestra rooms are almost finished, and the theatre and dance spaces are underway. Outside, a new parking area on the west side of the building is now open. Construction of a new fire lane loop is complete on the west side and continues around the north side of the building. Work on the north-side parking lot should be finished by mid-September. The athletic field is getting resurfaced with field turf and will be ready in September as well.听听听听

Work on the additions is also ongoing. The piers for the main addition on the south side of the building and for the addition between the two existing buildings (the main school building and the cafeteria and gym building) have been set and foundation work continues. The two additions will open next school year.听听听

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRESS

Construction and COVID make for a unique mix of challenges, but Gunn principal Dr. Matt Varnell sees them as opportunities. The new normal has Varnell and the Gunn faculty looking at things differently. 鈥淲e are challenging teachers to rethink how they deliver instruction and how students demonstrate learning,鈥� Varnell said. 鈥淲e are re-envisioning how kids show us what they learn.鈥�

The Gunn teachers are considering and implementing tools other than the standard test that can demonstrate learning. For instance, video recordings, interactive online collaboration tools and even students designing their own animations all offer students ways to engage with the material and demonstrate their comprehension and mastery. Using creative ways to assess student learning is more engaging and often allows students to extend beyond the limits of traditional tests. 鈥淥ur teachers are really embracing this,鈥� Varnell said.

Impact and inspire

The new mindset fits perfectly with the philosophy Varnell already champions."We are changing the question from 'How smart are you?' to 'How are you smart?' Every student is smart in some way. The key is tapping into their interests, identifying their strengths and inspiring them to learn. Construction really is going on in every corner of Gunn, and not just on the buildings. The new tools and philosophy that Varnell and Gunn鈥檚 teachers are exploring during this unique phase in Gunn鈥檚 history are helping build a new instructional model that will impact and inspire students long after the pandemic has passed and construction crews have gone.

91制片厂 Honored with 2020 TASB Risk Management Fund Excellence Award

91制片厂 has been selected as a recipient of the .

The 91制片厂 was one of 10 recipients of the award which recognizes members that implement innovative solutions to risk-management challenges facing organizations.

鈥淭his was a strong collaborative effort introduced by the safety committee, who worked hard to develop the plan,鈥� said 91制片厂 environmental and safety coordinator Corey Robinson. 鈥淥ur supervisors, foremen and managers followed through by assisting with the implementation. This was truly a major team effort and all deserve recognition for their contributions.鈥�

The award is usually presented during the TASB members鈥� conference in April, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The district will receive a $1,000 honorarium in support of risk management initiatives.

91制片厂 is committed to growing whole and well-rounded young adults who are prepared to excel in college, career and beyond. The district鈥檚 mission is that every one of its more than 57,000 students will graduate exceptionally prepared for college, career and citizenship. With top educators, an outstanding core curriculum, a growing number of specialized programs and state-of-the-art facilities, the opportunities for all students from pre-K through high school are endless.

Five Reasons Online Pre-K is Worth it

Pre-K is the beginning of a child鈥檚 educational journey. It鈥檚 about getting children ready for kindergarten through purposeful play, fun songs, hands-on exploration and interaction with others. It鈥檚 about inspiring curiosity and building confidence.

But can all that happen if Pre-K is online? Is online Pre-K even worth it?

For the first time ever, three- and four-year-olds in the 91制片厂 are embarking on their educational journeys completely online. Due to COVID-19, 91制片厂 is starting the school year virtually and will offer an online option to any who prefer it for the entire school year.

鈥淎s educators, we all know that there is no better option than face-to-face instruction,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淗owever, we have been preparing all summer for virtual Pre-K, and we are ready to deliver the best online early childhood learning experience possible.鈥�

The district鈥檚 online Pre-K is going to include live instruction every day, plus small group activities, circle time, art and lots of fun experiments.

鈥淓xploration and creativity will be embedded in all the lessons,鈥� Orsini said.

So, yes. 91制片厂鈥檚 Pre-K online will be well worth it!

Here are five of the many reasons online Pre-K through 91制片厂 will be a fantastic educational experience for our youngest learners.

1. Online Pre-K will still offer high-quality instruction

The instruction won鈥檛 change just because it鈥檚 online. The program will continue following the and expectations and will use the district鈥檚

comprehensive early childhood instructional model, which is enriched by using Frog Street Pre-K curriculum.

鈥淲e have carefully planned a curriculum that includes a combination of virtual and hands-on learning opportunities for our students,鈥� said Dr. Hildelisa D铆az, AISD early learning coordinator.

Through daily live and recorded lessons, teachers will provide meaningful learning experiences to all students, opportunities for active exploration through thoughtfully planned activities and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

鈥淭eachers will be able to model what instruction looks like for the skills being taught at home,鈥� said Nadia Azari, AISD early childhood instructional specialist. 鈥淭hese 鈥榟ow-to鈥� lessons will serve as guides for students and families.鈥�

2. Online Pre-K will inspire curiosity

Pre-K teachers, who are creative by nature, are designing lessons specifically to promote exploration and inspire curiosity.

鈥淟essons and activities must be engaging and intriguing enough to stimulate curiosity,鈥� said Ken Foster, AISD early childhood instructional specialist. 鈥�One of ways we're doing this is by using the classroom and home environments as 鈥榲irtual labs.鈥欌��

Foster explained that teachers will broadcast lessons from their classrooms or home and show students how they can turn their own homes into a perfect setting for exploration. The teachers will draw connections and demonstrate activities that pique curiosity about a particular topic. They will model activities, art projects and fun experiments that kids can do with materials they have at home, like toys or things in the kitchen.

鈥淏ehind the scenes, all of our Pre-K teachers and staff are working very hard to make online instruction effective and engaging for our little ones,鈥� said Serena Webb, Berry Elementary Pre-K teacher. 鈥淲e are finding creative ways to extend real classroom learning experiences to our students in their homes.鈥�

3. Pre-K teachers are prepared for online teaching

鈥嬧�淥ur certified teachers received significant amounts of early childhood professional development hours during the summer in early childhood learning and are now well-prepared to deliver high quality online instruction,鈥� Orsini said.

But it鈥檚 not just the training that has Pre-K teachers ready to teach online. It鈥檚 who they are. Pre-K teachers are dedicated to their students and will go to any length to inspire them.

鈥淧re-K teachers teach Pre-K because they have a passion for young children,鈥� said Kelly Schrader, Pre-K team leader at Miller Elementary. 鈥淭hey eat, breathe and sleep Pre-K. The way that Pre-K teachers deliver quality instruction is different than any other grade levels. Make up a silly song and do a crazy dance? Of course, we will! Read a story with all animated voices? You bet we will! Just because we will be doing online instruction will not change the love we have for early childhood education and the extra steps we will go to make our students feel engaged, encouraged and excited for learning.鈥�

4. Pre-K students will interact with their teachers and fellow students

Pre-K students may be at home, but the Pre-K program will transport them virtually to school and make them feel like they are part of a class. They will see and interact with teachers and classmates in daily live and recorded sessions. Though strangers on the first day of school, they will quickly get to know each other and become friends.

鈥淭here is nothing better than getting to see your students and teachers face every day,鈥� Schrader said. 鈥淭he love that Pre-K teachers and their students have is indescribable. Even though virtual Pre-K looks different than in-person Pre-K, the daily interaction is so very important.鈥�

Interaction with teachers and classmates 鈥� even in the virtual classroom 鈥� cultivates growth, understanding and confidence. Foster explained that students perceive value and worth through their classroom community.

鈥淭his establishes a good foundation for learning.听The student is听much more interested听in what their teacher says听if the student feels valued,鈥� Foster said.

5. Paper packets will supplement online learning

Paper packets with activities to supplement online learning will be available for each unit. Parents will pick them up at the campus before the beginning of a new unit and use them in conjunction with online learning.

鈥淭hese packets are thoughtfully planned out to extend online learning and reinforce material learned virtually,鈥� Schafer said.

It鈥檚 going to be a great year in 91制片厂 Pre-K no matter what! Whether it鈥檚 online or in-person, the teachers are ready and eager to inspire our youngest learners!

It鈥檚 not too late to register your child for Pre-K. Register online here. And if you need an iPad for your child to go to school online, sign up for one on our technology resources page.

91制片厂 Honored with Financial Reporting Award听

91制片厂 was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by the .

The award, for the fiscal year 2019, goes to districts that have met the program鈥檚 standards for financial reporting and transparency. Moreover, by participating in the program, school districts demonstrate their commitment to financial transparency. Similarly, participating districts submit their comprehensive annual financial report, which is reviewed by听a team of financial professionals who provide feedback to improve future documents.

In addition, a district鈥檚 participation in the COE program can facilitate bonding rating and continuing bond disclosure processes.

鈥�91制片厂 strongly believes in the importance of proper financial reporting,鈥� said 91制片厂 chief financial officer Cindy Powell. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we are transparent with our stakeholders and community. We鈥檙e honored to receive this award.鈥�

91制片厂 is committed to growing whole and well-rounded young adults who are prepared to excel in college, career and beyond. The district鈥檚 mission is that every one of its more than 57,000 students will graduate exceptionally prepared for college, career and citizenship. With top educators, an outstanding core curriculum, a growing number of specialized programs and state-of-the-art facilities, the opportunities for all students from pre-K through high school are endless.

Photos from the Arts & Athletics Complex Show Updates to the Facility

Check out the latest construction photos of the new 91制片厂 Arts and Athletics Complex, home to the future Center for Visual and Performing Arts and the Athletics Center. Specifically, significant progress has been made since last month鈥檚 video tour, like the installation of the arena floor and the removal of scaffolding in the concert hall.

July Photos: 听 听

Moreover, the Center for Visual and Performing Arts is dried-in, has permanent power and the air conditioning is on. The high ceilings are almost all complete now, and the concrete floors in the visual arts area are being polished. In the concert hall and theater, construction crews are working on the sloped floors and steps. The administration offices and the visual arts, keyboarding and instrument repair classrooms are being painted and the ceilings installed.

The Athletic Center is also dried-in, it has permanent power and the air conditioning is on. The arena wood floor has been installed and is acclimating. In the natatorium, the pool liner and bulkhead are being installed and the seats are going in. The pool will be filled with water in a couple of weeks.

Outside, the courtyard sidewalks between the two buildings are complete and irrigation and landscaping are being put in now.

These two facilities mark the completion of the 2014 bond package approved by Arlington voters in 2014.听

91制片厂's State of the District to be Held August 7听

The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce will host the tenth annual 91制片厂 State of the District address featuring Dr. Marcelo Cavazos this Friday, August 7. Because of COVID-19 this year鈥檚 event will be held live on the Chamber of Commerce .

In a Q&A format, Dr. Cavazos will answer questions about the district鈥檚 Return to School plan. Moreover, he will share information about new initiatives including PTECH and the new Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

Everyone is invited to attend virtually. Similarly, everyone is asked to sign up on the Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 听or join听their page at noon on Friday.

The Presenting Sponsor is Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital Arlington. The Virtual VIP Reception Sponsor is LBL Architects. Platinum Sponsors are Peyco Southwest Realty, Inc. and Stripe-A-Zone.

91制片厂 is committed to growing whole and well-rounded young adults who are prepared to excel in college, career and beyond. The district鈥檚 mission is that every one of its more than 57,000 students will graduate exceptionally prepared for college, career and citizenship. With top educators, an outstanding core curriculum, a growing number of specialized programs and state-of-the-art facilities, the opportunities for all students from pre-K through high school are endless.

Crow Leadership Academy Getting a New Look

The early stages of construction for a major Bond 2019 project at Crow Leadership Academy is now underway. Rough grading has begun for an addition and new parking lot.

鈥淲ith every bond project, it helps us continue to move forward and serve our students even better,鈥� Crow Principal Jamie MacDougall said.

MacDougall believes there is a connection between the physical space and student achievement.

鈥淭he better the physical space, the more we can elevate our instruction and learning.鈥�

Crow has been elevating for years now, improving the physical space through 2014 Bond projects and growing academically. Crow is now the first International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme elementary school in 91制片厂 and only the second in Tarrant County.

The projects planned for Crow through the 2019 Bond will continue that elevation. The addition will house classrooms for Pre-K and alternate curriculum.

鈥淲e are excited to have spaces specifically designed for our youngest learners and our alt-curriculum learners,鈥� MacDougall said.

The addition will also include a new, full-size gym. The old gym, which will be demolished, is much too small and can鈥檛 even accommodate basketball goals. At the cafeteria, a new kitchen will add a much-needed second feeding line.

Along with the additions, renovations throughout the existing building will include new classroom doors, ceiling fixtures, toilet fixtures and more.听

Outside, the current playground is not covered and is not geared toward the youngest students. But a separate Bond 2019 project will give Crow two new covered playgrounds, one for younger students and one for older students.

Bigger Buildings for Student Growth

The new spaces and renovations are slated for completion by August of 2021. At that time, Crow鈥檚 student population will grow as part of an east Arlington master plan that will rezone the entire area, replace Berry and Thornton Elementary schools with new, bigger buildings and close Knox and Roark Elementary schools. (.)

鈥淚鈥檓 a big believer in the importance of the physical space,鈥� said MacDougall.

Updated, colorful and friendly interiors and exteriors encourage students to do their best and communicate to the community that the school takes its mission seriously.

鈥淲e really have a comprehensive vision through IB of helping our students become community and world changers as they grow in leadership and service,鈥� MacDougall said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to have spaces that support that vision.鈥�

Bilingual Pre-K Delivers English and Spanish Instruction

Where can a four-year-old learn to read and write in Spanish while also learning English and having a lot of fun? 91制片厂鈥檚 bilingual Pre-K program, offered at 25 elementary schools.

鈥淚n 91制片厂 we embrace and respect other cultures and celebrate diversity,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淥ur early childhood department is committed to meet the educational needs of each student whose native language is not English through our bilingual and ESL Pre-K programs.鈥�

But what is bilingual Pre-K? Many people understandably confuse the bilingual program with ESL Pre-K. Both programs serve students whose first language is not English, but they are not the same.

Pre-K Students and Teachers are Bilingual

In ESL classrooms, students speak any number of languages, so the teacher instructs only in English. In a bilingual classroom, the students are Spanish speakers. Teachers speak both Spanish and English and teach in both languages.

鈥淭he Pre-K bilingual program connects directly to your child's language and experiences, incorporated in a rich and rigorous bilingual curriculum,鈥� said Dr. Hildelisa D铆az, 91制片厂 early childhood learning coordinator. 鈥淚t is a high-quality program that respects and draws on the language and culture of your child to further the linguistic, social and academic growth.鈥�

The bilingual Pre-K curriculum is identical to all other 91制片厂 Pre-K programs, but literature and social studies are taught in Spanish, and math and science are taught in English 鈥� all by the same teacher. During a typical day, the teacher will use books and songs to help transition from one language to the other. As a Spanish speaker, the teacher can offer support to the students when they struggle with English.

鈥淭he students are going to learn to read and write in Spanish,鈥� said Nadia Azari, a bilingual Pre-K teacher for the last 17 years at Morton Elementary and now an instructional specialist in the early childhood learning department.

Fluency is the Goal of Pre-K

The goal is to slowly add more and more English so that students become fluent and can eventually transition out of the bilingual program, usually later in elementary.

鈥淭hat starts from day one,鈥� said Azari, about incorporating English into the curriculum. 鈥淪ometimes the students feel intimidated because they don鈥檛 understand what the teacher is saying, but that鈥檚 where the Spanish support comes in.鈥�

鈥淚n the beginning of the year, I used a lot more Spanish because the students feel more intimidated,鈥� said Nynyve Sanchez, a bilingual Pre-K teacher at Crow Leadership Academy. 鈥淪o, I would just say things in English and repeat it back in Spanish so they understood. It didn鈥檛 take long. Within weeks they felt comfortable and would say, 鈥業 can speak a lot of English now.鈥欌��

By the end of the year, the students make tremendous progress in English while also learning Spanish and growing in confidence.

A major reason for the growth is something all 91制片厂 Pre-K programs have in common 鈥� passionate teachers devoted to their students.

鈥淥ur highly-qualified and amazing Pre-K teachers help second language learners explore, discover, analyze and learn through fun hands-on activities in a warm and loving environment,鈥� Orsini said.

Azari and Sanchez are two great examples.

鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 be in Pre-K this long, but I loved it,鈥� Azari said.

Sanchez just finished her first year as a Pre-K teacher at Crow, but she has eight years in the 91制片厂, including four years as a bilingual sixth-grade teacher.

鈥淚鈥檓 not leaving Pre-K now for sure,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is where I鈥檓 going to retire. This is it.鈥�

Pre-K registration is open now. Register today.

Blanton Elementary Wins Statewide Recognition听

91制片厂鈥檚 Blanton Elementary is the biggest loser! And that鈥檚 a great thing.

Blanton placed first in the 2019 Battle of the Buildings by reducing its energy consumption from one year to the next more than any other school facility in the contest.

The statewide contest, sponsored by the , tracked energy consumption from the second half of 2019. They compared it with data from the same period in 2018.

Blanton鈥檚 more than 20 percent reduction was the greatest percentage decrease of any Texas school in the contest. Not far behind, 91制片厂鈥檚 Morton Elementary placed third, and in the 鈥淎ll Facilities鈥� category, 91制片厂 finished second.

鈥淒oing as well as we did is excellent news and a nice reward for all of the hard work our district has done to save energy and put resources back into the classroom,鈥� said Danny Helm, 91制片厂 energy manager.

91制片厂's Commitment to Energy Reduction

It is excellent news, but not surprising given the emphasis the district places on energy conservation. 91制片厂鈥檚 energy management program, started in 2011, is making a huge impact on energy consumption. Major accomplishments include reducing the amount of electricity the district uses per square foot by 28 percent since 2011.听 In addition, the district has earned the ENERGY STAR certification for 47 district buildings.

The biggest loser achievement at听

Blanton is tied directly to the 2014 Bond. The bond funded a project that replaced Blanton鈥檚 old chilled water system with new high-efficiency roof-top units. It also provided electric controls for the HVAC system.

鈥淏lanton is one of the district鈥檚 oldest schools, originally built in the 1950s and added on to through the years,鈥� said Richard Flores, 91制片厂鈥檚 staff architect.听 Flores is also the project manager for the bond construction project at Blanton. 鈥淣ew highly-efficient HVAC technology combined with highly-sophisticated Energy Management System controls allow individual classroom control without having to turn on a central plant system for the entire building to comfort one or two occupied spaces.鈥�

Blanton Principal Joshua Leonard is pleased with the upgrade as well. It allows him to be strategic in his planning and management of funds and energy.

鈥淚 can precisely control when and where energy is used, instead of having to turn a whole building on for a few rooms,鈥� Leonard said. 鈥淭his upgrade allows me to turn an old building into a high-functioning component in the work to save energy.鈥�

Blanton was just one of many schools in the district that received high-efficiency HVAC replacements and upgrades through the 2014 Bond, and the work to improve energy efficiency districtwide will continue through the 2019 Bond.

Final 2014 Bond Project Nears Completion

You might feel like you need a hard hat for this tour. Get a close-up, in-depth look at the future 91制片厂 Arts and Athletics Complex, now the home to the Center for Visual and Performing Arts and the Athletics Center. Follow Kelly Horn, 91制片厂 Executive Director of Facility Services, as he walks you through the busy construction site. In this 20-minute video, he's joined by Athletics Director Eric White in the Athletics Center. After that, Fine Arts Director Dr. Christopher Anderson joins Horn in the Center for Visual and Performing Arts to help describe the new facilities and update the construction progress.

[embed]https://youtu.be/GxNiICXQwK8[/embed]

Construction of the Arts and Athletics Complex is the final project of the听2014 Bond. The facilities are scheduled to open this fall.

The听Center for Visual and Performing Arts will serve the entire district. Grades Pre-K-through-12 will enjoy world-class performance and demonstration venues. The CVPA will include a 1,250-seat concert hall, 425-seat theater, classroom space, art and dance studios, instrument repair center and art gallery.

The听Athletics Center will give the district its first-ever natatorium. The AC will include a 50-meter pool with moveable bulkheads, a diving area and a warm-up pool. Plus, it will include seating for 1,000 spectators. In addition to the natatorium, the Athletics Center will house a 1,200-seat arena for competition wrestling, basketball and volleyball. Finally, space will also be used for a new elementary gymnastics program.

Johns Elementary Pre-K Gets a New Look Thanks to 2019 Bond Voters

Johns Elementary has a new Pre-K patio. The first construction project of the 2019 Bond to be completed, this project at Johns replaced an old patio that was falling apart.

.

鈥淭he patio had been falling and detaching from the building,鈥� said Johns Principal Dawn Zdrojewski. 鈥淥ver the years the patio had been patched multiple times but continued to pose some safety concerns.鈥�

The patio is used as a play area for Pre-K students and for parent drop off and pick up. But damage and patches were making it unsafe, and attempts to fix the patio in the past had failed.

鈥淚t was severely damaged by settling of the concrete and poor drainage, and the district had made several attempts to contain the damage,鈥� said Steven Baze, 91制片厂 general maintenance supervisor. 鈥淭he bond program funding enabled us to finally correct the situation permanently.鈥�

It was during planning for the 2019 Bond that Pre-K teachers and Zdrojewski expressed concern about the patio to the district.

鈥淲hen Mr. [Kelly] Horn came to the campus to discuss the bond program, I asked him to come see the patio,鈥� Zdrojewski said. 鈥淗e noted the concerns and said he would work on it.鈥�

The 2019 Bond passed in the November election, and by end of the school year, construction crews were on sight to demolish the old patio and build the new one.

The patio is part of the site paving work planned for Johns in the 2019 Bond, but the patio piece was pulled forward to ensure it would be ready for the next school year.

鈥淭he new patio looks great and is much safer than before,鈥� Zdrojewski said. I messaged the Pre-K teachers to let them know and they were happy.鈥�

Learn more about the 2019 Bond.

Community Delivers Input on the Future Design of 91制片厂's Berry Elementary

Students, parents and teachers recently helped architects kickstart the design process for the future Berry Elementary School. They met with architects and 91制片厂 administrators via Zoom to discuss their desires for the new building.

Demo-Day Approaches

Berry Elementary opened in 1955, and the nearly 65-year-old building has reached a point where it needs to be replaced. The听, approved by voters last November, is providing the funds to demolish the current building and replace it with a new school on the same site.

To begin, the architect, HKS, hosted a series of five design charrettes with 91制片厂 staff, students and parents. The intent of the interactive, conversational meetings was to set the vision for the new campus. The meetings are part of a pre-design phase that is developing the concept and model for the school which the architects will then infuse into the schematic design.听听

Designer Buildings for Deserving Students

The entire east Arlington area will be rezoned, including Berry, Blanton, Crow, Johns, Knox, Rankin, Roark and Thornton elementary schools. Roark and Knox will permanently close while Berry and Thornton will be razed and rebuilt. Berry will receive much of Roark鈥檚 student population so merging the two student bodies and cultures is an important dynamic.

Staff, students and parents from Berry and Roark joined the charrettes to help architects understand how to bring the best of both together. Students, teachers and parents have met in three separate groups to give their best ideas for the future design.

As Dr. Steven Wurtz, 91制片厂 chief academic officer, told the students that their input will have a lasting impact.

鈥淲 build a school to last 50 years. One day your grandkids could go to this school and you can tell them that you helped design what it looks like,鈥� Wurtz said.

Building in a Little Fun, Too听

Students got to talk about what they like at Berry and Roark and what their dream school would look like. One girl鈥檚 request for a zip line might not make it in the new school, but her suggestions about the importance for a school to feel fun resonated with the architects.

Teachers echoed some of the student鈥檚 thoughts about the value of outdoor spaces. They also touched on many other topics like collaboration spaces, the never-ending need for storage, walls to hang student work on, windows, floorplans, school culture and much more.

The parents talked about the culture and history of the schools as well. One mother who attended Berry herself wants to see Berry maintain its history but become even better for her children who now attend. Parents also talked about parking, security, drop-off/pickup, natural light in the school and a family-friendly atmosphere.听

Seeing the Future

When asked what they envision for Berry in 10 years, one parent commented, 鈥淚 would love for Berry to be known as a school where there are top-notch academics, including STEM-focused activities and events, and a focus on fine arts and sports.鈥�

That vision is on track to become a reality thanks to the input and advice from students, parents, and teachers, paired with a dedicated team of architects and 91制片厂 administrators.

鈥淚 know for a fact that this building will be awesome,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 91制片厂 executive director of Facility Services, at the charrette with teachers. 鈥淚 know that we鈥檝e got the right design team, and we鈥檝e had the right kind of input from you and students and parents.鈥�

Now that the charettes are complete, the design phase will begin. The design phase takes about one year followed by approximately 16 months of construction. The new Berry will open for the 2023-2024 school year.

Berry is one of three elementary schools that will be replaced thanks to voters in the 2019 Bond election. Webb Elementary and Thornton Elementary will also be torn down and rebuilt. Read about Webb鈥檚 third charrette听and听Thornton鈥檚 second charrette.

A Closer Look Inside The New Arts And Athletics Facility听

Windows are going in, sheetrock is going up and the pool鈥檚 frame is in place. Check out the construction progress of the future 91制片厂 Arts and Athletics Complex 鈥� which includes the Center for Visual and Performing Arts and the Athletics Center 鈥� in this virtual tour video.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/9bTwqWWDT4o[/embed]

The Center for Visual and Performing Arts is nearly dried-in. The roof is complete, and the exterior window systems are almost finished. The building has permanent power, and mechanical systems have been started and are circulating air in the theater and concert hall so that installing finishes can begin. The concert hall still has scaffolding up so baffles and lights in the ceilings can be installed. When that is complete, the scaffolding will be removed and work on the high wall finishes and balconies will begin. In the theater, workers are completing the walls and balcony and will then start installing the finishes. In the administration and teaching areas, crews are finishing the above ceiling work and starting to frame the ceilings.听

The Athletic Center is also nearly dried-in. The roof is complete and the exterior window systems are being installed. The ceiling and walls of the arena are being painted now. In the natatorium, the area around the pool frames have been filled in, and work is beginning to pour the pool deck. In the lobby and locker rooms, crews are finishing the above ceiling work and framing the ceilings.

Construction of the Arts and Athletics Complex is the final project of the 2014 Bond.

The听Center for Visual and Performing Arts听will serve the entire district, grades Pre-K-through-12, with world-class performance and demonstration venues. It will include a 1,250-seat concert hall, 425-seat theater, classroom space, art and dance studios, instrument repair center, and art gallery.

The听Athletics Center听will give the district its first-ever natatorium. The natatorium will include a 50-meter pool with moveable bulkheads, a diving area, warm-up pool and seating for 1,000 spectators. In addition to the natatorium, the Athletics Center will house a 1,200-seat arena for competition wrestling, basketball and volleyball. The space will also be used for a new elementary gymnastics program.

91制片厂 Recognizes Maintenance and Operations Staff

Thanks to a group of unsung heroes, the 91制片厂鈥檚 operations and maintenance personnel (super crew), 91制片厂 schools are continuing to be cleaned and maintained throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Though school buildings are closed, 27 campuses are providing meals for children each week, and all campuses still require maintenance and cleaning on a daily basis.

It鈥檚 a huge job made even more important 鈥� and risky 鈥� by the coronavirus. But the job is not only being done, it鈥檚 being done exceptionally well.

鈥淥ur task is a simple one 鈥� we are here to serve,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 91制片厂 executive director of facility services. 鈥淥ur folks have tirelessly reported for work every day as critical and essential members of the team.鈥澨�

The super crew, from custodians to maintenance technicians, often do their work when no one else is around to see it. But their work is foundational to everything the district does. The entire community relies on and benefits from their service.

鈥淲e owe a tremendous thank you to our operations and maintenance personnel for the incredible job they always do, but even more so right now during COVID-19,鈥� said 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. 鈥淭hough we always depend on them, now, more than ever, the work they are doing is critically essential. Without them, our school district simply couldn鈥檛 function.鈥�

These employees are extremely hardworking and serve selflessly and professionally.

鈥淭hey are some of the most generous and caring people that you will ever meet,鈥� Horn said.听 鈥淚 am blessed to call them my team!鈥�

Many also have children in 91制片厂 schools, which makes the job even more personal.听

鈥淜eeping our buildings safe matters to them,鈥� Horn said.听鈥淭hey clean and maintain our schools during the day, then go home to care for their family and help with home school at night.鈥澨�

By the Numbers

• 120 鈥� 91制片厂 has 120 custodians (out of 436 operations personnel during normal operations) on duty each day during the COVID-19 closure. The schools offering student meals require thorough cleaning each day. In addition, the district has one or more custodians stationed at each school daily to monitor the facilities and provide localized disinfection services whenever someone enters the buildings.
• 60 鈥� 91制片厂 has 60 maintenance technicians (out of 160 technicians during normal operations) on duty each day during the COVID-19 closure. They have continued the normal maintenance routine, including groundskeeping. In addition, they are taking advantage of the empty school buildings to service all HVAC systems and change out all filters. They are also investigating potential excessive water usage and leaks.
• 27 鈥� 91制片厂 continues to provide meals for students each week from 27 campuses spread across the district. Those schools, and particularly their kitchens, require thorough cleaning each day.
• 1,178,698 鈥� This is the number of meals that the 91制片厂 has provided to children in the community during the COVID-19 closure as of May 15. None of these meals would have been possible without the support and cleaning provided by the custodial staff.
• 77 鈥� There are 77 school campuses in the district plus administrative and service buildings, and each one still requires regular maintenance, even when students and teachers aren鈥檛 in the buildings.

Keeping schools clean

Even before COVID-19, the 91制片厂 had a high standard for cleanliness executed daily by the operations team.

鈥淲e approach cleaning the buildings with the same mindset that we have always had: a clean, well-maintained building is a safe building,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淥ur students and staff deserve a clean, well-maintained, safe building to learn and work in daily.鈥�

In fact, three years ago 鈥� long before COVID-19 鈥� the AISD added a disinfectant misting program to its cleaning process to guarantee germs get killed and schools are thoroughly clean.

Those practices and standards ensured the district was prepared when coronavirus struck.

鈥淲e still clean thoroughly from top to bottom, but during the current situation with COVID-19, we are focusing on a more aggressive and frequent process of disinfecting touchpoints like door handles, door jambs, light switches, counter tops and restroom fixtures,鈥� Horn said.

A round of applause

Despite their importance and value to the district, the operations and maintenance employees rarely receive the thanks and recognition they deserve.

But we can change that.

鈥淟et鈥檚 let them know that we see the work they are doing, and we know how important it is,鈥� Cavazos said. 鈥淲e are so grateful not only for the jobs they do, but for who they are, and for how they do their jobs with such great devotion and excellence.鈥�

Thank you to our operations and maintenance personnel. You are our dream of a super crew that exceeds expectations.听

Purposeful Play Builds Educational Foundation

Lots of playtime probably isn鈥檛 what comes to mind when you think about going to school. But for 91制片厂鈥檚 Pre-K students, purposeful play is a big part of every day.

鈥淪ometimes, when people hear the word play, they think it's a bad word, that students are unsupervised, running around, doing whatever they want,鈥� said Mallory Knox, a student support interventionist for Kooken Education Center and Community-based Pre-K. 鈥淚n fact, it's the exact opposite. Purposeful play in Pre-K is detailed, intentional, engaging, data driven and differentiated based on the learner.鈥�

The key word is purposeful. The play is incorporated into the curriculum and is designed to foster curiosity and encourage learning in the district鈥檚 youngest learners.

鈥淒evelopmentally-appropriate purposeful play is an engaging way to develop children鈥檚 intellectual, social, emotional and physical skills,鈥� said Nadia Azari, a Pre-K teacher at Morton Elementary. 鈥淚t encourages creative thinking while achieving intended learning outcomes.鈥�

Why play?

Play is how young children learn. They are innately curious, and they feed and foster that curiosity through play.

鈥淲e know that children are naturally curious; they are fascinated by how and why things work,鈥� said Nynve Sanchez, a Pre-K teacher at Crow Leadership Academy. 鈥淚f we combine play by building sensory-rich experiences for students to explore, discover and ask questions, it will develop the natural curiosity they have as children into becoming life-long learners.鈥�

That curiosity drives kids to explore. Through playful exploration, children discover the world around them and learn to make sense of it. When they find meaning and purpose in their play, they learn.

鈥淐hildren do this primarily with their five senses,鈥� said Ken Foster, a Pre-K teacher at Kooken. "What does it look like, sound like, smell like, taste like and feel like? To adults, it looks like playing. However, to the child, it is engagement in learning. The more sophisticated children become with using their five senses, the more efficient they become with adding new information.鈥�

The play in the Pre-K curriculum is structured to tap into that curiosity, engage the five senses, foster creativity and bring meaning to their activities.

鈥淧lay provides the vehicle for students to be able to grow and develop many skills,鈥� Sanchez said. 鈥淏y exploring and playing they are able to build their social and emotional skills, fine motor skills, problem solving skills, vocabulary and gain the confidence to try new things, making them more independent.鈥�

What does play look like in Pre-K?

Pre-K play can take many different forms, including singing songs, read-alouds, art projects and so much more. But, as Norma Cloud, a Pre-K teacher at Duff Elementary, said, it is 鈥渁lways intentionally planned to achieve set goals from district-based standards.鈥�

Cloud explained how the types of play can vary throughout the day.

鈥淭here are times that the play is very open-ended, such as STEM tubs or themed centers,鈥� she said. 鈥淒uring free choice center time, the students take the lead and the teachers are there to support the interactions. These have a learning goal but the path to get there isn鈥檛 as defined. There are also times throughout the day that are heavily teacher-led and structured but incorporate songs, dance and games. These are followed by activities that support the lesson and provide ample opportunities for the children to interact with a variety of materials, their surroundings and their peers.鈥�

Preparing students for the future

鈥淲hen asked what they did at school, my students might answer with, 鈥業 played!鈥欌�� Cloud said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not wrong. But there鈥檚 so much more to it.鈥�

Pre-K is about preparing young students to start kindergarten and kick off a life-long journey of learning. Purposeful play is designed to do just that.

鈥淧urposeful play teaches the whole child, meeting them where they are developmentally, and providing the building blocks for a solid educational foundation,鈥� Knox said.

Pre-K registration is currently open for the 2020-2021 school year. Learn more and register your child at www.aisd.net/prek.

Wimbish World Language Academy Upgrades Will Surprise Students When They Return

Students will hardly recognize the front entrance of Wimbish World Language Academy when they finally return to school after the COVID-19 closure. With a new canopy, landscaping and a wider sidewalk, Wimbish鈥檚 front entrance has a fresh and modern look.

This construction project, one of the last Bond 2014 projects, wasn鈥檛 just about improving Wimbish鈥檚 appearance though.

The landscaping was part of a project to improve drainage, while the new, wider sidewalk was built to help when school gets out in the afternoon. The old sidewalk wasn鈥檛 big enough to accommodate all the students as they exit the building. And the canopy will provide shelter during rain and on hot, sunny days.

鈥淭he new canopy is a great addition to WWLA in that it will provide students with the appropriate coverage needed to shield them from the unpredictable Texas weather,鈥� said Wimbish Interim Principal Manuel Trevino.

This was the second 2014 Bond project completed at Wimbish. The first, larger project included adding two new STEM labs within the building and renovations to the strings room, front-entrance security vestibule, reception area and the K-pod. Many windows and carpet throughout the building were replaced, and the campus received major mechanical renovations, including 56 new roof-top units, along with a number of other lifecycle and deficiency upgrades.

91制片厂 Teachers Share The Advantages Of Free Full-Day Pre-K

Pre-K will be full-day for all 4-year-olds next school year in the 91制片厂 for the first time. That鈥檚 exciting news for Pre-K teachers because they know how much the extended school day will help the district鈥檚 youngest learners.

鈥淓xtending our academic program for 4-year-old students to full-day Pre-K will give us better opportunities to prepare children for kindergarten,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91制片厂 director of early childhood learning. 鈥淥ur students will learn and have fun as they explore, discover, interact with other students and build self-confidence.鈥�

The additional hours in the school day will听give teachers the opportunity to teach language and cognitive skills, promote social and emotional development, and boost Pre-K students鈥� pre-math and literacy skills at a new, higher level.

This has 91制片厂鈥檚 Pre-K teachers very excited about next year. Check out what five Pre-K teachers from around the district think is the best thing about full-day Pre-K and what they are most excited about for next year.

And don鈥檛 forget that Pre-K enrollment is open now. Visit to register and find out more details.

Debbie Modawell 鈥� Moore Elementary

The best thing about Pre-K becoming full day is the opportunity to provide a strong foundation for learners to engage in purposeful play which anchors their classroom learning in a creative and meaningful way. This opportunity builds their social-emotional skills and allows them to problem solve alongside their peers.听

As a teacher of half-day Pre-K and now going to full-day Pre-K, I am incredibly excited about building relationships with learners and their families! It is going to be an amazing adventure full of purposeful play nurturing their creativity and imagination while developing their language and communication skills! It's going to be a great year in Pre-K!

Kelly Schrader 鈥� Miller Elementary

One of the best things about full-day Pre-K is the opportunity to form a strong bond with students. The students are really allowed to grow socially as well as academically. I am most excited to meet my amazing new class and get started making memories that we will always cherish.

Nora Cloud 鈥� Duff Elementary

I'm finishing my fourth year in full-day Pre-K, and it is the best! I love starting their educational journey in a听rigorous, curriculum-based program that doesn't lose focus on what's important to the overall development of the children. In a full day, we have time to play and explore as we learn. We have time to develop those oh-so-important social and emotional skills.听We establish routines, build stamina, and create life-long memories and relationships.听I think that by this time next year we will see a new generation of learners who are even more prepared and excited to learn than ever before.听I can't wait to start the journey again next fall and to hug my former students, as well!听

Mallory Knox 鈥� Kooken Education Center

The best advantages of full-day Pre-K are the ability to build relationships with your students as well as extended time for learning. Teachers and students have ample learning time to teach, explore, play and fully grasp concepts that will be built upon as the school year progresses. Full-day Pre-K gives students a solid educational foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond.听

Kim Higbee 鈥� Little Elementary

One of the most exciting things about becoming full-day Pre-K is that we will be able to focus on the whole child. Having extra time in class will allow us to focus on strong academics but more importantly the social and emotional wellbeing of our youngest learners. It is our role as educators to build a strong foundation for the growth of our children and equip them with the skills to be kind and compassionate people.听听

91制片厂 Future Of Swimming Is Taking Shape

There鈥檚 no water yet, but the big concrete hole in the ground is starting to look like a real pool. Construction crews positioned most of the side panels last week, giving shape to the 91制片厂鈥檚 future swimming 鈥渉ome.鈥�

鈥淲e are very excited to see the 91制片厂 natatorium come to fruition because our swimmers will finally have a place to call home," said Suzanne Dangelmaier, 91制片厂 aquatic coordinator听and Arlington High School head varsity boys and girls swimming coach. 鈥�We will not only be able to train in a world-class facility, but we can build our champions from a young age through our water safety program.鈥澨�

The pool is part of the district鈥檚 future Athletics Center, a 2014 Bond project that includes the natatorium and an arena for basketball, volleyball, wrestling and elementary gymnastics and is located next door to the district鈥檚 future Center for Visual and Performing Arts

The first-ever natatorium for the 91制片厂 includes the 50-meter pool with moveable bulkheads, a diving area, warm-up pool and seating for 1,000 spectators. And it gives the district鈥檚 swimmers the 鈥渉ome鈥� they鈥檝e never had. They will no longer have to squeeze their practices in at the University of Texas at Arlington and Tarrant County College Southeast pools.

Natatorium A First For The City And 91制片厂

The natatorium is also a first for the City of Arlington, which has partnered with 91制片厂 to host large, high-level swim competitions like intercollegiate and national club meets in the future (Learn more).

While this pool will be worthy of those major competitions, it will primarily offer 91制片厂 students daily workouts and swim meets in a world-class pool. Manufactured by in Italy and shipped in pieces to Texas, the pool will give swimmers the best possible experience. The pool鈥檚 unique design minimizes wake and gives all swimmers clean water.

鈥淲e chose Myrtha Pools as they are the number-one choice for the Olympics and FINA World Championships because they provide pools that are lighter, stronger and faster,鈥� Dangelmaier said. 鈥淎dditionally, Myrtha Pools provide lasting durability through their state-of-the-art design for competitive pools.鈥�

In fact, the majority of current world swimming records were set in Myrtha pools.

鈥淭he high school swimmers are eager to invite competitors to our home where new pool records will be set, all because of the support from our community,鈥� Dangelmaier said.

The new natatorium is scheduled to open this fall.

Go From Your Backyard To Space With Books听

Reading books often takes you to far off places and on adventures you can only imagine. Exploring the World Without Leaving Home can be easy with books 鈥� so finish your work through the then join us while we Explore: Book edition.

Arlington Public Library

1. Our very own Arlington Public Library, which started ,听 has read-alouds and art lessons every week on its . The library also posted these fun recently.

Stay At Home Story Time

1. 鈥淭he Day the Crayons Quit鈥� fans: you鈥檙e in luck! Author Oliver Jeffers on Instagram Live and saved them on his website for all to enjoy for Stay at Home Story Time.

Harry Potter At Home

1. J.K. Rowling brings the magic of Harry Potter right into your home with her new website that launched April 1 called . Quizzes, puzzles and more will keep first-time and long-time Hogwarts students happy.

Coloring Pages And More

1. Childhood favorite Eric Carle has his own website with . You can even listen to 鈥淭he Very Hungry Caterpillar鈥� being

Out Of This World Stories

1. What happens when children鈥檚 books are sent to the International Space Station? You get ! Tune in for astronauts floating around part of the space station and reading a book for all to enjoy.

91制片厂 Police Academy Students Keeping Fit During Shutdown

91制片厂 Police Academy students haven鈥檛 let the COVID-19 school closure keep them from staying in shape.

鈥淎fter the closure, I emailed the students asking what optional resources they would like access to during our brief break,鈥� said Officer Fred Kemp of the Arlington Police Department and the instructor of the 91制片厂鈥檚 Police Academy. 鈥淚 had a very positive response when I offered optional workouts in Zoom.鈥�

91制片厂 Police Academy normally meets at the AISD Career & Technical Center and is a hands-on learning experience for those considering a career as a police officer.听The year-long program for seniors from all AISD high schools is run in partnership with the Arlington Police Department (learn more).

Weekly Workouts Online

To help keep students engaged and active during the school closure, Kemp began offering weekly workouts via Zoom several weeks ago. Now that students are receiving online instruction for all courses, including the Police Academy, Kemp includes a prerecorded Zoom workout for each week in Canvas (the online school platform) so that students can do the workouts when it fits in their schedule.

Workouts consist primarily of body-weight exercises, but Kemp has some variety planned.听

鈥淚 plan to throw a chair and some additional household items in for kicks later in the six weeks,鈥� he said.

Typical exercises include pushups, situps, squats, flutter-kicks jumping jacks and a lot of burpees.

鈥淢y favorite workout that we do involves a deck of cards,鈥� said Oscar M., a senior from Sam Houston. The symbols (hearts, spades, diamonds, or clubs) would mean either pushups, situps, squats or flutter-kicks. The numbers on the card would show how many reps we had to do, and the face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) would be 10 burpees.鈥� 听 听 听 听

For Oscar, the workouts are more than just exercise. They are motivating and serve as a way to connect with his fellow students.

鈥淭hey remind us that it doesn't matter how hard times can be, there will always be a way to keep fighting and stay strong together,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t's a lot of fun working out with my classmates from 91制片厂 Police Academy, even when we are not close.鈥�

Managing Stress

The workouts also help with stress.

鈥淭he importance of the workouts stems from our own training as officers dealing with stress on the job,鈥� Kemp said. 鈥淲hen under a great deal of stress, one of the best ways to keep a healthy mental state is to stay physically active.听Workouts can be used as a healthy way to approach the circumstances the students are facing due to the quarantine.听Workouts are free, your body-weight and running are readily available to everyone, and it is a good way to combat stress and depression.鈥�

The COVID-19 closure has been very stressful for students, and particularly for seniors who are missing out on their final semester in high school. They have lots of unanswered questions about graduation, senior events and ultimately what happens next.

鈥淭his stressful buildup is leading students, including myself, to struggle with their mental health and become more unmotivated,鈥� said John L., another Sam Houston senior in the Police Academy. 鈥淚 chose to do Zoom workouts as a way to distract myself and relieve stress. Having yourself involved in some sort of physical activity can be the best way to relieve stress. Officers use physical training as a stress reliever all the time! There is no paid subscription to run a couple of miles or do a couple of pushups. It's completely free!鈥�

Find A Way To Workout

John thinks all students should be working out in some way.

鈥淚'd highly recommend any student perform some sort of physical activity at least once a day to keep their blood flowing. It doesn't necessarily mean that they have to perform an extreme workout, it could be something simple like chasing their dog in the backyard or playing tag with their siblings.鈥�

The online police academy workouts will continue until the end of the school year. Then, police academy members, which APD calls Hometown Recruiting Program members, will be invited to weekly workouts held each summer at the APD Training Center and CTC.

鈥淲e normally have a really cool overlap of students waiting to attend college working out with the students that are coming into the 91制片厂 Police Academy during their senior year,鈥� Kemp said.

Until then, the police academy will continue online.

鈥淭raditionally, this time of year is focused on true hands-on application of what these students have learned,鈥� Kemp said.听

APD personnel from a variety of fields visit the 91制片厂 Police Academy and share their expertise with the students.

鈥淲ith the circumstances as they are, I have received material from those specialists that would've been instructing and applied their content to the academy's online curriculum,鈥� Kemp said.听鈥淚f we can't meet in person, we'll at least cover the content those instructors felt is pertinent.鈥�

And the workouts will continue, of course.

The Future Of 91制片厂's Arts And Athletics Complex Is Coming Together

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Check out this of the future 91制片厂 Arts and Athletics Complex. Great progress is being made on the new construction of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts Center and the Athletics Center.

The buildings are now dried in, meaning the roof is on and they have permanent power. Exterior windows are being installed so the buildings can be sealed and conditioned, which will clear the way to start the interior finishes.

In the Athletic Center鈥檚 natatorium, the first pool panels were installed this week. Check back here next Friday for photos.

The听Center for Visual and Performing Arts听will serve the entire district, grades Pre-K-12, with world-class performance and demonstration venues. It will include a 1,250-seat concert hall, 425-seat theater, classroom space, art and dance studios, instrument repair center, and art gallery.

The听Athletics Center once new construction is completed will give the district its first-ever natatorium. The natatorium will include a 50-meter pool with moveable bulkheads, a diving area, a warm-up pool and seating for 1,000 spectators. In addition to the natatorium, the Athletics Center will house a 1,200-seat arena for competition wrestling, basketball and volleyball. The space will also be used for a new elementary gymnastics program.

91制片厂 Continues To Push Energy Management on 50th Anniversary Of Earth Day

Today is the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, a day designed to raise awareness about the negative impact our actions can have on the environment and to promote transformative change that benefits the planet. In the 91制片厂, pursuing the principles behind Earth Day is an everyday pursuit.

"The district's energy management goal is to continuously improve energy efficiency and reduce the resources we use by establishing and implementing effective energy-saving strategies districtwide while providing a safe and comfortable learning environment,鈥� said Danny Helm, AISD Energy Manager. 鈥淭hrough our districtwide energy committee, the program brings awareness to all of our students, faculty, staff and administration on the impact their actions have on our environment for future generations."听听

The district鈥檚 energy management program, started in 2011, is making a huge impact in the district鈥檚 energy consumption. Here are just four highlights of the program鈥檚 success.

1) Reduced electricity usage by 28 percent

The AISD has reduced the amount of electricity it uses per square foot by 28 percent since 2011. That equates to $20 million in cost avoidance.

鈥淲e save energy by managing it better,鈥� Helm said.

That management includes constant monitoring, districtwide energy audits and an energy committee with a representative from each district building. It also involves competitions among buildings to reduce energy, monthly energy report cards, and other energy saving activities and campaigns.

Check out the to see the district鈥檚 utility use, see how each campus compares to others, find your school and get tips for how to be green.

2) Net-zero Agricultural Science Center

The new Agricultural Science Center, a project of the 2014 Bond that opened in the fall of 2017, is the only net-zero facility in Arlington and may be the first and only net-zero agricultural school building in the country. The building utilizes a solar array and wind turbine to produce more energy annually than it consumes. On average, it produces more energy than it uses each day and pushes the surplus onto the local power grid. The facility also has four rain-water storage tanks and uses the collected water for irrigation and other purposes.

Learn more about the Ag Center鈥檚 net-zero capabilities and check out the , where you can see how much energy is being produced each day in real time.

3) 60 ENERGY STAR facilities

The AISD has 60 buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That means that 60 AISD buildings 鈥� and counting 鈥� are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide based on weather-normalized source energy performance and many other metrics, including occupancy, hours of operation and more.

The 2014 Bond was a major factor in earning this many ENERGY STAR certifications. The bond improved energy conservation by funding renovations at AISD campuses that significantly improved energy efficiency. Renovations included new exterior LED lighting, better insulation, dual-pane windows, and, most importantly, major mechanical replacements and improvements. Many new high-efficiency HVAC roof-top units and chillers were installed, and pneumatic controls were replaced with direct digital controls, giving the district much greater control over each campus鈥� mechanical systems.

The new 2019 Bond will continue the progress started by the 2014 Bond.

4) Watt Watchers

The AISD is part of , a state-sponsored STEM program designed to help boost energy literacy for K-12 students and help schools save money by saving energy. Through the program, students, teachers and families have access to energy-saving tips, activities and lessons.

The district鈥檚 energy committee members have Watt Watcher patrols in their buildings to monitor and reduce electricity usage. They also make morning announcements and use many of the resources available through the program to encourage students and teachers to 鈥渞educe, reuse, and recycle.鈥� 听

Next year, there are plans to expand Watt Watchers with a conservation program that will create "student patrols" to monitor utility use and encourage teachers to use the TEKS-aligned materials available to them.听Check out the contest-winning posters created by two fifth graders to promote the conservation program.

Learn more about the AISD鈥檚 energy management program at aisd.net/energy.

Six 91制片厂 Football Teams to Compete at Globe Life Park听

The 2020 high school football season for 91制片厂 teams will kick off with a tripleheader weekend at Globe Life Park, the former home of the .

That weekend highlights a 2020 season in which all six 91制片厂 teams will play at least one home game at the reconfigured park.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have all our teams playing games at Globe Life Park,鈥� 91制片厂 athletic director Eric White said. 鈥淭he reconfigured stadium sets up very well for football and will provide all of our teams a unique opportunity for our players, cheer squads, bands, fans and families. We wanted to be able to utilize the stadium and create experiences and this allows us to do that.鈥�

Not only will the 91制片厂 teams be the first high school teams to play football at the stadium, but they鈥檒l also do so with some marquee matchups.

The first game at the stadium will feature Lamar hosting Euless Trinity on Aug. 28 in a rematch of a playoff game won by Lamar last November. Martin hosts Lake Travis, which advanced to the Class 6A Division I state semifinals last year, on Aug. 29, and Seguin closes out the tripleheader with an Aug. 30 game against Dallas Carter.

Arlington and Bowie have games at Globe Life Park the next week with Bowie meeting DeSoto Sept. 3 and Arlington playing Cedar Hill Sept. 4.

Sam Houston is set to play Keller Central Sept. 17.

All of the games are slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

91制片厂 will no longer play games at UT-Arlington鈥檚 Maverick Stadium. Both Arlington and Martin will play all five of their home games at Globe Life Park.

2014 Bond Preserves Legacy of 91制片厂 Past While Upgrading For Future Alumni

If you etched your name into a girls鈥� locker room bench at Arlington High School in the last 40 years, it鈥檚 probably still there.

Thanks to a thoughtful 91制片厂 carpenter, recent renovations funded by the 2014 Bond included a little historical preservation. Instead of replacing the old benches in the girls鈥� locker room at Gym A, they were carefully refinished.

The benches are original to the gym, built in 1981, and made of maple, a very strong, durable wood that wouldn鈥檛 be used today because of its cost. New benches are typically oak, aluminum or metal.

Jerry Gray, an 91制片厂 lead carpenter, recognized an opportunity to reuse the maple on the benches, beat up over nearly 40 years but still strong and durable, and preserve the history etched into the wood by AHS girls.

鈥淚 just thought since no curse words were used, it would be cool at a 20-year class reunion if students might be able to find their little bit of mischief they did in their youth,鈥� Gray said. 鈥淎nd somehow it made sense to the powers that be.鈥�

The benchtops were removed and placed on the tops and sides, but not on the bottom so that the signatures underneath were preserved. The wood was sanded and refinished with sanding sealer, and the mounting posts were repainted prior to reinstalling.

In addition to the bench work, AHS locker room walls were repainted, the terrazzo floors were restored and new locker banks were installed 鈥� all part of the renovations at Arlington High School funded by the 2014 Bond.

Learn more about the scope of work at AHS and see photos.