Circle your calendars for Tuesday, Oct. 25.

That鈥檚 when the window for enrolling students for specialized programs for the 2022-23 school year opens.

And what better way to kick off that window than with a big event. And this year鈥檚 Explore 91制片厂 is bigger than ever.

That鈥檚 what happens when you continue to provide new opportunities for students.

This year鈥檚 Explore 91制片厂 in-person event is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 25, for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.

Explore New Opportunities

Explore 91制片厂 gives students and parents a chance to find out about all the specialized programs the district offers. For the 2022-23 school year, that will include two more options with the new Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) early college high schools opening at Sam Houston and Seguin high schools.

Both will have the school within a school model like the P-TECH programs at Bowie and Lamar high schools. Students will be able to participate in traditional high school activities while also having the chance to earn an associate degree and prepare for a career in a specific field thanks to the support of an industry partner.

P-TECH at Sam Houston students will focus on a pathway in logistics and manufacturing. P-TECH at Seguin students will focus on mechanical engineering and computer-aided design.

鈥淥ur district provides students exceptional opportunities to pursue their passion, wherever that path takes them,鈥� 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. 鈥淭hese are two more outlets for students to follow their passion. We want our students to be engaged, and these offerings, like the others at our Explore 91制片厂 event, provide that opportunity.鈥澨�

Explore 91制片厂 will also give parents and students a chance to talk to representatives from Corey and Jones academies of fine arts and dual languages, Crow Leadership Academy, Pearcy STEM Academy, Wimbish World Language Academy, Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy, Arlington College and Career High School, Arlington Collegiate High School, the STEM Academy at Martin High School as well as our four P-TECH schools.

Representatives from the CTC and the Center for Visual and Performing Arts will be there as well. Plus, you can get questions answered about everything from pre-K to dual credit classes.

Application window opens Oct. 25

Explore 91制片厂 marks the opening of the application window for our specialized programs. That window opens at noon on Oct. 25 and closes on Jan. 18, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Register to attend Explore 91制片厂 .

It was another busy year for 91制片厂鈥檚 bond programs. The 2014 Bond came to a close and the 2019 Bond launched more projects. All of it was and is geared toward giving students access to a remarkable education and world-class opportunities. And all of it is thanks to you. Your support makes these bond programs possible and is having a direct impact on tens of thousands of students today and for generations to come. So, thank you!

Here are 10 of our top bond stories from the year that was in no particular order:

1. New playgrounds

The 2019 Bond includes new playground for all elementary schools, and 17 of them got their new playgrounds in 2021. This story is about the first new playgrounds to open at Pearcy Elementary. And here鈥檚 another fun one from Bebensee.

2. Center for Visual and Performing Arts opens

This was a big deal! After years of planning and construction 鈥� and then COVID-19 鈥� the district鈥檚 new Center for Visual and Performing Arts finally opened for students. The final project in the 2014 Bond program is a state-of-art facility that is catapulting the district鈥檚 fine arts program 鈥� already nationally recognized 鈥� to an even higher level. Unique among school districts, the facility has garnered a number of awards, including the top spot in Dallas Business Journal鈥檚 Best Real Estate Deals of 2020 in the Community/Neighborhood Impact category.

3. District launches swim club

Right next to the CVPA is the new Athletics Center, another 2014 Bond project and home to the district鈥檚 first-ever natatorium. Though this facility opened in late 2020, this year, 91制片厂 launched its own aquatics club based at the natatorium and started an elementary water safety program for all district third graders. Learn more about the .

4. New Band Trailers

Back in March, brand new band trailers 鈥� one for each traditional high school 鈥� rolled up in front of the CVPA. The six full-size semi-trailers 鈥� each bearing the name and logo of a district high school 鈥� are designed specifically to transport marching band equipment like instruments and uniforms.听

5. Webb Elementary students have front row seats to construction of their new school

A new Webb Elementary is being built right next to the current Webb Elementary, one of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond. With construction next door, Webb鈥檚 students enjoy watching and keeping up with the construction progress of their future school home. Construction of the new Webb kicked off back in April with a听groundbreaking ceremony听where Webb students in hard hats helped turn the ceremonial dirt.

6. District breaks ground on new Berry and Thornton elementary schools

Technically, this is two stories, but the groundbreaking ceremonies for Berry and Thornton were only one week apart earlier this month. The original schools 鈥� now demolished 鈥� were built the 1950s, so it was just time to replace them. The new schools have been carefully designed to inspire Arlington students and give them every opportunity to learn and succeed in the 21^st century.

7. Design starts for new Carter Junior High

In addition to Webb, Berry and Thornton, the 2019 Bond is also going to build a new Carter Junior High. Design kicked off in November with several design charettes, which are intensive design and planning meetings. In the first charette, the architect team met with Carter teachers in the current Carter library to get their input and hear their hopes and vision for the new building.

8. Crow Leadership Academy鈥檚 additions open

Crow isn鈥檛 being replaced by the 2019 Bond, but it has had some major changes. There鈥檚 a kitchen addition, a new parking lot, a new classroom wing and finally a new gymnasium. And the new spaces all opened in time for the beginning of this school year.

9. Food and Nutrition Services building gets major renovations

While most people will never go in the building, the improvements and freezer addition to the district鈥檚 food headquarters on Arkansas Lane, funded by the 2019 Bond, were significant and badly needed for a district that provides 37,500 lunches on an average school day, not to mention thousands of breakfasts.

10. Bond buys new shuttle buses

School buses may not be flashy, but they are crucial to making sure kids get to school 鈥� and to all of the opportunities offered in 91制片厂 schools. And the bond is crucial to making sure 91制片厂 has not only enough buses, but good buses that are safe for students and drivers.

BONUS: Gunn project ahead of schedule

It鈥檚 hard to limit a list of bond stories to just 10, because there are so many projects going on. And you can鈥檛 leave out this story about Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts Dual Language Academy because it鈥檚 pretty unique. A construction project ahead of schedule is practically unheard of! But that鈥檚 what鈥檚 happing at Gunn, which is getting a huge addition and renovation to the existing building.

On to 2022

2021 was a great year. But now, it鈥檚 on to 2022 and even more Bond 2019 projects! Don鈥檛 forget, you can always learn more about the 2019 Bond program at aisd.net/bond2019.

Let's go down memory lane!

So many great things happened in the 91制片厂 in 2021. It鈥檚 hard to pick our favorite, so we didn鈥檛. Instead, we picked a few of our Favorite Things of 2021 to give you an idea of all the awesome stories that come through our district. Thank you for doing great things and making it easy for us to spread the word. Here are a just a few of our favorites from 2021 in no particular order.

1. Perfection at Arlington High

Arlington High senior Ladasia Rhone set an attendance bar that can鈥檛 be topped. That鈥檚 because Rhone, who graduated in June, capped her 91制片厂 career with perfect attendance from kindergarten through 12th grade. That included navigating a senior year that was interrupted by COVID-19 concerns.

2. Record-Setting Mum

If you鈥檙e not from Texas, you might not know how seriously we take our Homecoming mums. But even if you are, sometimes things defy explanation. The mum created by our special education department to raise awareness for breast cancer did just that. It received attention from around the world 鈥� literally. According to Guinness, it was the world鈥檚 largest Homecoming mum.

3. First-pitch fun

Dunn Elementary teacher Audrey Simmons knew she鈥檇 be representing teachers when she attended the first home opener in front of fans at Globe Life Field. What she didn鈥檛 know was that she鈥檇 be throwing out the first pitch. But that鈥檚 what happened when Simmons was called on in relief after a last-minute scheduling conflict.

4. TV star librarian

Well, maybe Peach Elementary librarian Michelle Quigley wasn鈥檛 exactly a TV star, but she is a district star for sure. Quigley was in the virtual audience for a taping of the 鈥淜elly Clarkson Show.鈥� She was there because she was awarded a grant from the Laura Bush Foundation of America鈥檚 Libraries. That was just one of two grants Quigley won, bringing in more than $11,000.

5. Graduation surprise

What would the holidays be without some tears. For the 91制片厂, those were provided at Martin High School鈥檚 graduation when Allie Shaffer was surprised by her United States Marine brother Triston.

6. Elementary student helps save dog

Zoey the dog is having a happy holiday season. That might not have been the case without the help of Wood Elementary kindergartener Hunter Pollard. Hunter lent rescue

workers his skateboard to help free Zoey from a storm drain. It helped make a difference as Zoey was rescued and Hunter was honored for his efforts.

7. Sportsmanship at Seguin

Seguin High School senior Ali Gutierrez wasn鈥檛 thinking about herself at a cross country meet when she saw an injured athlete from another school. Instead of worrying about her time, Gutierrez made sure the other runner was OK and helped her get to a trainer.

Remember you can always keep up with happenings in the 91制片厂 on our Looped In blog.

Workout Wednesdays with Duff Elementary physical education teacher Matt Bostick don鈥檛 take a break for the holidays.

If you鈥檝e been a little too jolly with the Christmas cookies or a little too cold to go outside and get your exercise in as we close out 2021, Bostick has you covered. And he may be a miracle worker.

With his Countdown to Your Resolution workout, Bostick can make those who have been a little too jolly over the break get 2022 started on the right note.

His 10-exercise workout can be modified however you need. all you need to do to kickstart 2022.听

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYORu3-wCSI

Countdown to Your Resolution听

10 jumping jacks

9 jump squats

8 mountain climbers

7 sit ups

6 walking lunges

5 push ups

4 plank walkers

3 burpees

2 squats

1-minute plank

We hope you enjoy the final Workout Wednesday of 2021 with Matt Bostick! Have a great winter break!听

Winter is here. With temperatures dropping, we all know how to bundle up. But what about your pets? They get cold, too. That鈥檚 why 91制片厂's Ag center students have several tips to help you take care of your pets in the cold winter months.

Do you have a dog or a cat? Or even a bunny? Our three animal experts have you covered.

If you have an outdoor cat, Martin High School senior Kenzie Feist shows you how to easily construct an insulated shelter to keep your cat 鈥� or stray cat hanging around your home 鈥� warm.

The cold can be too much for some dogs, especially little ones without much fur. So, Martin senior Taylor Foster suggests making a sweater for your little furry friend out of a warm sock. Just cut off the toe section of the sock and cut a couple of holes for the front legs, and your pooch is good to go.

A sock won鈥檛 work if you have a rabbit for a pet though. But according to Arlington High School senior and rabbit expert Ryan Smith, it鈥檚 just as important to keep pet bunnies warm. He says to protect rabbits from the wind and provide them straw or hay so they can build themselves a warm nest.

No matter what kind of animal you have for a pet, it鈥檚 important to understand how they respond to the cold and what needs they might have to stay healthy throughout the winter. So our tips!听

91制片厂鈥檚 ag students wish you 鈥� and your pets 鈥� happy holidays!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOBohTwi4X4

Pumpkin isn鈥檛 just for Halloween or Thanksgiving. At least not the way advanced culinary student Tristan Johnston does it. Johnston, who is a senior at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center, has the perfect pumpkin recipe that just about anyone can do over the winter break. His recipe for pumpkin pie bars is simple enough that you don鈥檛 have to be a top student like Johnston is and tasty enough to impress any foodie.

All you have to do to make them is watch Johnston work his magic and .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rfbeSUAxsM

Pumpkin Pie Bars (makes 8-10 servings)

Ingredients

1/2 c unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature

1/2 c light brown sugar

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

For the filling:

1 1/2 c pumpkin pie mix from a can, not puree

1 large egg

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Prepare an 8" square pan by greasing the sides and the bottom. Line with parchment paper. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

Add melted butter and mix until crumbly dough forms.

Reserve about 3/4 c of the mixture for the topping.

Press the remaining dough into prepared pan. Set aside.

Place all filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl or a stand mixer and mix until all combined.

Pour over crust.

Sprinkle with the topping mixture.

Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

Cool completely in pan. Cut into squares.

Christmas is coming and Dunn Elementary art teacher Nicole Miller wants to make sure you鈥檙e ready. That鈥檚 why she鈥檚 showing everyone how to make a Star Picture Frame.听

Whether you want to clip the frame to a Christmas tree to give to a relative or put it on a shelf or mantle for all to see, the frame is a do-it-all kind of gift this season.

And the Star Picture Frame is not too hard to make. If you , you can bring some magic to the holiday season in less than 30 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsrr-gkiVfA

Materials needed:

Markers

Mini clothespins

Jumbo wood craft sticks

Glitter and sequins

White glue

Solid color yarn or ribbon

If your Christmas tree needs a little pop, have no fear. Corey Academy of Fines Arts and Dual Language art teacher Samantha Uribe has you covered. With just five essential items and some imagination, anyone can turn their tree into a personalized masterpiece thanks to Personalized Yarn Ornaments.

The activity is for all ages and can be done in less than 30 minutes!

In this video, everything you need to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qp2GYhp-yc

Materials needed:

Thin Cardboard

Yarn

Glue

Scissors

Tape

Items to decorate (glitter, pom poms, buttons, etc.)

What's the Buzz at Webb?

The students at Webb Elementary are all abuzz. And it鈥檚 not just because of the holidays. It鈥檚 because their new school 鈥� under construction next door to their current building 鈥� has gone vertical.

That means the steel is now being erected for the frame of the building. The construction site isn鈥檛 just a bunch of dirt and concrete now. Now, it鈥檚 starting to look like a real building.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be huge!鈥� said one fourth-grader.

鈥淚s it going to be two stories?!鈥� a third-grader asked.

鈥淲ill there be stairs?鈥� another chimed in.

鈥淲hat color will it be?鈥�

And it鈥檚 not just the students who are excited. Teachers are, too.

Teachers Chime In

鈥淭eachers and students are excited from watching the process of the new school being built,鈥� said Webb principal Evelyn Navarro-Gaspar. 鈥淪tudents said it seemed like the steel beams were put in overnight, and it's moving along so fast while teachers are intrigued at the process and try to guess with their students what section will be when it's done!鈥�

Webb is the first of four school replacements funded by the 2019 Bond, an effort to modernize the district鈥檚 schools and revitalize their neighborhoods. It鈥檚 all about providing generations of students with the opportunities they need to succeed in the 21^st听肠别苍迟耻谤测.

The new school building at Webb will replace the current building, opened in 1960 as a junior high. Webb鈥檚 current site is large enough that the new building is under construction on the property while the current building remains open. Once the new facility is finished in the fall of 2022, the Webb students and teachers will just move in from next door.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but now that construction has gone vertical, it feels more real, and Webb staff are starting to prepare for the new building.

The Process听

鈥淎s part of the 12 Days of Staff Appreciation in December, grade level teachers had the opportunity to review a map of their first or second story floorplan and their pod,鈥� Navarro-Gaspar said. 鈥淭hey got to work with their grade level team to choose their classroom! It was a neat process to get maps done to where teachers got to see where their classes are in relation to the rest of the floorplan. Now, we have to work with non-homeroom teachers to decide on their space at the new Webb! Pretty soon, everyone will have a new home there.鈥�

Ella B's is the Place to Be!

The holiday spirit was alive and well at in Arlington on Wednesday.

More than 100 people from 91制片厂鈥檚 Families in Transition (FIT) program enjoyed an upscale dining experience during the inaugural Ella B鈥檚 Generous Hands: Holiday Give Back Dinner, which featured a visit from Santa Claus, presents and pampering.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been able to partner with many different community groups to make sure that our students and families in transition have an opportunity to have a nice dinner before the holidays, where they can sit and be served,鈥� said Kecia Mays, president of the 91制片厂 Board of Trustees. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about them this evening.鈥�

The sit-down meal was served by an army of volunteers from across the community, including 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos and members of 91制片厂鈥檚 student outreach services team. The holiday meal featured southern chicken, mashed potatoes, cabbage, yams and desserts.

According to Mays, the collaboration of several community partners allowed the event to be provided to families at no cost to them.

鈥淲e鈥檙e really grateful for the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, the City of Arlington, UTA and some of the groups that have come together to help serve and provide the food, and especially to Ella B鈥檚 for providing the food and location,鈥� she said.

What it's all about

The event wasn鈥檛 just all about the food, either. Every student who came left with toys, free shoes from Metro Sports Fieldhouse and bags of groceries donated by Food for the Soul.

For board member Sarah McMurrough, seeing the gratitude in people鈥檚 eyes and on their faces was a reminder of how important it is to connect with others, especially during the holidays.

鈥淚t鈥檚 all about giving back,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a former 91制片厂 student. It feels really good to be able to give back to our community. We鈥檙e all here for our students and their families.鈥�

Patrick and Patricia Whitfield 鈥� Ella B鈥檚 owners 鈥� have done charitable work in the region for more than 20 years, providing hot meals to people in need. When Patrick saw the kids鈥� reactions during the event, he knew it was a success.

鈥淪eeing their faces, it was priceless,鈥� Whitfield said. 鈥淚t is something my wife and I look forward to. My grandmother always instilled in me, 鈥業f you鈥檙e able to do, you do.鈥� It鈥檚 just a joy to be able to do something for someone else because we never know when we鈥檙e going to be in that position ourselves.鈥�

Families were able to enjoy an evening of fun and holiday cheer, even if it was only for a few hours. Regina Hawthorne, who is currently living in a hotel with her three grandsons, relished the event.

鈥淚t was nice to have a good meal and be treated with respect,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really enjoyed it.鈥�

Hawthorne credited Shar Thompson, a Families in Transition school social worker at 91制片厂, for inviting her family to the holiday dinner at Ella B鈥檚.

鈥淭hank you. Keep up the good work. Humanity, these days, is hard to come by.鈥�

Arlington Sunrise Rotary

Members of the spread joy and holiday cheer to over 1,200 elementary students at Thornton and Anderson elementary schools by surprising them with candy and stockings full of toys and goodies to enjoy over the winter break.

Stockings were filled with everything from toothbrushes and toothpaste to fidget spinners and Rubik鈥檚 Cubes. This is the fourth year the organization continued its holiday tradition of donating stockings to students and baskets of essential items to families in need.

鈥淒ays like these are the reason I joined the rotary,鈥� said Sheri Hall, Arlington Sunrise Rotary president. 鈥淭his effort has grown so much over the years because people have continued to bring their families and friends to help these kids out. It鈥檚 about giving back.鈥�

2020 was the first year the effort expanded to Anderson Elementary School. Families who needed essential items were able to sign up to receive a basket, and the baskets that were left over went to Arlington Charities.

About 140 baskets were filled with essentials and grocery items such as flour, sugar, rice, beans, canned goods, toilet paper and paper towels.

It takes the community听

鈥淪tuffing the stockings is my favorite part because it is truly a community effort and it reminds me that we need each other for our community to thrive,鈥� said Hall, a resident of Arlington for over 30 years and parent of two Arlington High School graduates. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to be able to see the kids鈥� faces light up and the joy that they have when they run up to us and give us hugs for making their day.鈥�

On Dec. 4, about 70 members of the rotary brought friends and family members to Thornton鈥檚 cafeteria to help organize and assemble every basket and stocking. A few Thornton staff members and students even went to stores with the rotary members to pick out items for each stocking.

鈥淲e have many needs and it鈥檚 nice for organizations like the Arlington Sunrise Rotary to come out and give back to the students,鈥� said Thornton Principal Alicia Rodriguez. 鈥淭hey have been supporting us for over a decade, and it鈥檚 nice to see the continuous love they give to Thornton year after year.鈥�

91制片厂 is appreciative of the Arlington Sunrise Rotary for their commitment to community and efforts to give love to students and families. This holiday season, remember to take an opportunity to give back and bring joy to someone else who needs it.

Practice makes perfect. Or at least way better, especially when it comes to major competitions. That鈥檚 true for Jordan Gorham, a senior at Arlington High School, whose thing is animals in general, steers in particular.

The seventh annual Winter Classic Invitational Buckle Show is a big deal, but it looms early in the animal showmanship season, and right now everyone is still trying to get their ducks in a row, so to speak.

Jordan is off to a pretty good start, based on her Grand Champion status during the cattle showmanship competition at the 91制片厂 Agricultural Science Center.

鈥淭hat was my first time ever winning grand,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淚t was pretty exciting. When I heard him say that, my heart jumped.鈥�

鈥淭he ultimate goal is to make a sale at a major stock show in Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, or at county shows,鈥� said agricultural teacher and FFA Advisor Kyle Durr, who invited FFA chapters from Mansfield, Crowley, Lake Worth and Arlington Heights of Fort Worth for the competition. 鈥淏efore then, like athletics, we do practice shows and get judges鈥� feedback. This is what you need to do with your animal, this is how much time you need to spend, XYZ. So, for us, we host this one right before the winter break for that. So our students are getting a little bit more competition than just the same kids they see every day.鈥�

Students showed cattle, sheep, goats, fancy poultry and breeding rabbits. Winners received buckles, ribbons, cups and lots of judge feedback on not just the animal but how the student showed the animal.

Instant, public feedback can be both exhilarating and heartbreaking as the judge, a microphone in hand, assesses the animals, right then and there, for all to hear. No secret ballots.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a kind of a checkpoint done in the last few weeks of the semester,鈥� Durr said. 鈥淭hat way, when they get back, the is the second week of January. This gets their animals ready to compete there.鈥�

Jordan was told her steer had good muscle definition and a strong loin. The only drawback was narrow hips.

鈥淥ther than that,鈥� Jordan said, 鈥�(the judge) said he was well composed and put together. Ready for market.鈥�

Arlington High junior Sammi Schrader鈥檚 goat earned the top prize in the lightweight division (two others got reserved, which is like first runner up), quite the accomplishment seeing that her time is so limited.

Sammi is also a varsity cheerleader.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been really hard especially with the number of goats I have, and we got a trailer just so I could go to more shows and win more,鈥� Sammi said. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 really been a struggle, but I feel like if you have a passion for something, you can find the time for it.鈥�

Like many of the other competitors, Sammi is an animal lover from way back, falling for goats early on and begging her mom to get her one.

鈥淚 thought they were so cute and cuddly,鈥� Sammi said. 鈥淭hey have always been my favorite. And I started winning showmanship at the start. Now I just feel like I have a talent for this.鈥�

As for winning at the event, 鈥淚 was really proud of my goats. She has come a long way because she was once tiny and having trouble eating.鈥�

She observed her goat a lot and changed her diet after watching what she ate and what she knocked to the side in displeasure.

It made her interested in nutrition as a career, but she also likes psychology. So, she started researching if she could combine her love of animals and psychology.

鈥淚 looked into animal psychology,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut apparently, it wasn鈥檛 really a thing.鈥�

Students now make adjustments to get their animals in better shape for the larger competitions coming up shortly. A few years ago, the rabbit of Martin junior Myra Thomas went through 鈥渁 rough patch鈥� where he was skinny.

鈥淚 did a lot of research, a lot of talking to other breeders,鈥� Myra said. 鈥淭he running breeds need high protein because they exercise. The Polish don鈥檛 need as much. I found a food that was a little of both and added things to them like black oil, sunflower seeds for their coat, some fruits for health, oats, mana for the protein for the tans. I just put a lot of time into it because it鈥檚 something I really love doing.鈥�

Her rabbit was crowned Grand Champion. 鈥淭he judge said he had a nice coat, nice build and liked the shape of his head and his posture.鈥�

Arlington High鈥檚 Jordan, whose 13,000-pound steer won the overall award, said she鈥檒l continue to feed her steer a mixture of sweet feed and other kinds of supplements that target certain things in the body structure. As for those narrow hips, 鈥渢hat鈥檚 how he鈥檚 built,鈥� Jordan said.

鈥淎s an owner, there are some things you can change,鈥� Durr said. 鈥淚f the judge is seeing I need more fat or more condition, I can change that animal鈥檚 diet. If that animal doesn鈥檛 walk correctly, well, there might not be a lot I can do with that animal. It just might have bad structure or bad bones. So that student can say, cool, I will go back and adjust and hopefully do better at another show.鈥�

First Annual Day of Dance

鈥淚 felt lost and did not have a care in the world.鈥�

Nellee Mejorado couldn鈥檛 help but utter those words after flailing her arms and gracefully gliding across a stage inside 91制片厂鈥檚 Center for Visual and Performing Arts last week. One might have thought Mejorado wasn鈥檛 actually dancing. However, the Sam Houston High School freshman was doing exactly what her instructor, Courtney Mills, wanted her to do.

Mejorado was learning improvisation 鈥� a dance that involves creating movement without pre-planning any steps or choreography. Mills, the director of a contemporary dance company that serves all 91制片厂 high schools, said that 鈥渋mprov鈥� could make a reserved teen feel 鈥渟uper small鈥� as he or she attempts the freestyle moves.

鈥淏ut I鈥檓 the type of person who likes to make things super-big,鈥� the charismatic and personable Mills told the students as they stepped out of their comfort zones.

Mejorado was among about 70 high school students who attended Mills鈥� first annual 鈥淒ay of Dance.鈥� During the free, 7-hour event last Saturday, the teens had an opportunity to explore various dance forms, from jazz to hip hop to step and more. 听听

Throughout a given week, Mills watches how well her students from different schools interact with each other and called it 鈥渢he coolest thing ever because they find commonalities.鈥�

Mills said, 鈥淪o I thought to myself that it would be so cool to have (dance participants from the entire district) come together and say, 鈥淲e all do this!鈥�

Led by the best

The classes were conducted by dance instructors from Seguin, Sam Houston, Martin, Arlington and Lamar high schools and Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy. The participants 鈥� mainly girls 鈥� were eager to learn what it takes to 鈥� one day 鈥� dance on the big stage.

Among them was Bowie High School sophomore Tiffany Vasher, who shimmied to the sounds of rappers such as Migos in her early morning hip hop class. After indulging in the pizza lunch that was provided, she was anxious for the start of her afternoon jazz dance class, anticipating that the moves would be 鈥渟assy.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge opportunity!鈥� Vasher said, referring to the event. She greatly admires Nicole Laeno, an actress with jazz, ballet and musical theater dance experience, and aspires to become a professional back-up dancer in the future.

Lamar High School junior Eric Mack also attended the event to get some pointers. The 16-year-old 鈥� a huge fan of dancing singer Chris Brown 鈥� said the event was a 鈥渂lessing.鈥� After all, he鈥檚 found dancing to be a positive outlet throughout his high school years.

At the event, Mack was not afraid to show off his moves and try unfamiliar techniques. He would become winded, and his legs would get tired. Yet, he remained determined to keep up with the ladies.

Mills applauded Mack and the other attendees and was extremely proud of the turnout. She said, 鈥淭o get them here, voluntarily, on a Saturday is always amazing. And just seeing them work together, today, has been awesome!鈥� 听

Holiday Spirit Galore

Carin Tufts of Burgin Elementary School arrived with a tiny snowman dangling from the top of her head, and Celina Kilgore from Pope Elementary School showed up in a red and white Santa Claus suit dress complete with a Santa cap. And Clarita Thompson of Sherrod Elementary? Draped with lights, she looked like a walking Christmas tree.

All three 91制片厂 principals came prepared to do more than simply read to children as part of the Reindeer Games at the last weekend.

They came to make the words come alive.

This array of guest readers, which also included principals Grecia Lopez from Johns Elementary School, Beth Anne Woodard from Little Elementary School, Manuel Trevino from Wimbish World Language Academy, Katina Martinez from Short Elementary School and Cindy Harbison from Duff Elementary School, were part of a whirlwind day of family activities that included arts and crafts as well as snapshots with Santa.

Shelly Osten, one of 91制片厂鈥檚 executive directors of elementary schools, who organized and oversaw the reading portion, figured elementary principals were perfect to fill a couple of hours as guest readers, partly because the patrons who congregate in the library鈥檚 children area is an elementary principal鈥檚 target niche.

The Fun Begins

Beginning at 3:30 p.m. and ending around 5:30 p.m., each principal was allotted 15 minutes to read library books or share with the children some of their favorites brought from home. They sat in a big, comfy chair sandwiched between a pair of tinsel Christmas trees. A small table full of holiday books was right there within reaching distance.

The 15 minutes was enough for each principal to read at least two books, depending on how much they got into character, bantered with their audience or asked pointed questions, which many of them 鈥� being educators and all 鈥� did from time to time.

鈥淚鈥檓 a former pre-K through second-grade teacher, so it comes out,鈥� Woodard, dressed in a sweatshirt that said Santa, Santa, Santa, said of how she approached her reading.

听鈥淭hey are on video games. You got to keep it going and keep them engaged. But for children, it鈥檚 just natural for them to love language and learn from it. If you have characters like Pug the Pig and Llama Llama Red Pajama, they love that.鈥�

鈥淧lus,鈥� Woodard added, 鈥淚 think the important thing is that they will remember books more when they hear the intonations of the story and they make meaning from it, too. No one wants to sit there and listen to a story that鈥檚 just so monotone that it puts you to sleep.鈥�

Teacher Favorites

That鈥檚 how Thompson felt. Reading 鈥淚 Wish It Would Snow,鈥� a witty picture book about a rabbit鈥檚 wish that the world becomes a winter wonderland, and 鈥淏ulldozer鈥檚 Christmas Dig,鈥� about a bulldozer that digs up an unexpected Christmas gift for friends, Thompson鈥檚 expressions were priceless.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 done this in a while,鈥� she said of reading aloud. 鈥淚 read to one person in a class a couple of months ago, and that was it. Mainly I just wanted to have a good interaction with the kids because it makes a difference when you鈥檙e reading to them.鈥�

Tufts brought a book that鈥檚 part of her children鈥檚 favorite series. She loves the 鈥淧ig the Pug鈥� series because it offers up lessons on everything from greediness to selfishness.

鈥淭his is kind of like the new Dr. Seuss to me,鈥� Tufts said of the series. 鈥淓verything is rhyming, and the kids really like the rhyming words.鈥�

Tuft, like many of the other principals, signed up for reading duty because she understands the importance of reading early.

Why We Read

鈥淚t helps them get excited about reading,鈥� Tufts said. 鈥淲hen we do academic reading, it鈥檚 not the most exciting, and they don鈥檛 necessarily fall in love with reading. It鈥檚 not something they picked to do. But if you instill the love of reading to them at an early age, with books they love, then they want to read on their own. They can鈥檛 wait to go to the library and pick out a book.鈥�

Lopez was that kid. For her, reading was like breathing.

鈥淚 was on a Battle of the Books team at school,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淚 did that from second grade through eighth grade. I was the captain for several years.

鈥淚 think events like this are important because it鈥檚 a fun event, first of all, but it鈥檚 really important that kids see how reading can be fun, not an assignment, not a to-do, just to really cultivate that love of reading. Let them see literacy in a different light.鈥�

Unlike Lopez, Thompson wasn鈥檛 a big reader early on.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until probably after college when I was able to read whatever I wanted,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I found the enjoyment of reading because I found some authors I enjoyed. But I鈥檓 a firm believer that reading is the foundation of learning and the continuation of learning. It鈥檚 everything.鈥�

This is why Thompson and the others volunteered their time.

鈥淚 want to make a difference and give back,鈥� she said, 鈥淚 mean, reading two books. How hard is that? And it was fun.鈥�

El Zapaton

From Adidas to Converse. Puma, Nautica, Fila 鈥� you name it. There were dozens of shoes in all colors and patterns last week at the Bob Duncan Center, located in Vandergriff Park on Arlington鈥檚 southwest side.

And they were all free for a select group of 91制片厂 students, as the nonprofit organization Hispanic Heritage Ambassadors DFW hosted its annual El Zapaton event to give back to the community. Mary Dominguez-Santini, a longtime area businesswoman who founded the group in 2013, was ecstatic to see the many families stop by the center for assistance.

鈥淲e have a big underserved community. A lot of times, they are embarrassed to ask for help,鈥� Dominguez-Santini said, explaining how students in need were identified at their schools.

Empowerment

Through her events, Dominguez-Santini鈥檚 organization aims to 鈥渇oster mutual respect and understanding for the perseverance of the Hispanic culture through educational forums and festivals,鈥� according to its website. It also strives to empower and educate women from communities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area through a wide array of programs.

Dominguez-Santini said her organization is always ready and willing to serve anyone who could use a helping hand. Emanuel Moreno, who took his three children to the event, said he truly appreciated the efforts made by the organization that night. Moreno lost his oil field job during the height of the pandemic. He has struggled to make ends meet after taking on various service jobs, including his current position as a GXO warehouse worker.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 make too much money. Every little bit helps,鈥� Moreno said.

Caring for three children has been quite challenging for the newly single father. Moreno鈥檚 eldest children 鈥� Hailie, 11 and five-year-old J.R., who both attend Miller Elementary School 鈥� did not need shoes on that evening. However, the dad was grateful to receive a bag of donated toys. Like his older siblings, two-year-old Eric was excited about the gifts: a toy helicopter, plastic construction cars, a T-ball set and more.

鈥淭hese types of programs help out a lot,鈥� Moreno鈥檚 sister Ruby Ramos said.

The event provided much-needed joy for her family, Ramos said, as her niece and nephew got their faces painted with Christmas symbols.

It takes a Community

A number of firefighters and police officers were also on hand to greet the attendees and help hand out gift bags that included donated items from Prosperity Bank and Lonestar-Bomberos.

Angie Franco, an Arlington Police officer for 26 years, was thrilled to assist with the event. The Hispanic police association, Amigos in Azul (Friends in Blue), donated $500 worth of toys for the event.

鈥淥ur mission is really to give back to the community,鈥� said Franco, a former vice president for Amigos in Azul, while students debated nearby about which shoes to choose from the many options available. 鈥淲e always tell patrol officers, if you see a dire need for help, reach out.鈥�

Are you Called?

Alyssa Gilmore was born to be a teacher. Well, maybe she wasn鈥檛 born to be a teacher,听 but it didn鈥檛 take her long to realize that鈥檚 what she wanted to do with her life.

鈥淢y bedroom was set up as a classroom starting in kindergarten,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ne side was a whiteboard, and one side was a chalkboard and my grandma gave me this old student desk. I had chalkboard paint on my wall, and I鈥檇 use that as a chalkboard. Teachers would give their extra worksheets, and I鈥檇 go home and play with them. I鈥檝e always loved it.鈥�

Gilmore got her first chance to be in a real classroom last spring when she began substitute teaching in the 91制片厂. It鈥檚 been the perfect fit for Gilmore.

Follow Your Passion

She鈥檚 an education major at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her mom is a teacher at Ashworth Elementary and her sister is a teacher at Duff Elementary, which is where Gilmore has done most of her subbing.

鈥淚 thought being a substitute would be a great experience in the classroom,鈥� said Gilmore, who graduated from Martin High School. 鈥淚t would allow me to see what teachers do, what life is like and also give me really good experience with all different grade levels to figure out where I feel comfortable. I thought it would really be a great idea.鈥�

Gilmore, whose goal is to be a teacher in the 91制片厂, has gotten everything she wanted out the experience.

鈥淕oing into it, I was a little bit, not necessarily hesitant but I was worried,鈥� she said. 鈥淒o I have the abilities? Am I going to get nervous? I think I鈥檝e gained a lot of confidence from getting to substitute inside the classroom because it鈥檚 really allowed me to see what life is going to be like when I become a teacher.鈥�

Take Action

She will make the transition to student teaching this spring and graduate from UTA in May. She said she鈥檚 going to be better prepared for her teaching career because of what she鈥檚 learned subbing in the 91制片厂.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 experienced subbing anywhere else,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt most comfortable in Arlington and that鈥檚 where I wanted to start because my experience here growing up and when it comes to teaching I would love to teach in 91制片厂.鈥�

Does Gilmore鈥檚 path sound like one you want to take? 91制片厂 is looking for substitute teachers. You can find out more information about 91制片厂 jobs here. You can also apply to sub and find out why it pays to sub in the 91制片厂.

The gray skies, chilly temperature and occasional drizzle could not dampen the mood.

As 91制片厂 broke ground this week for the construction of a new Berry Elementary, Berry principal Rose Ravin鈥檚 excitement and anticipation was contagious.

鈥淲e are excited about what this is going to bring to our community,鈥� Ravin said, 鈥渘ot just our district but especially in our east Arlington area. We know this building will provide opportunities for our east Arlington students. We are excited because they will be a part of making new history, new memories, new learning, new designs and new creations.鈥�

They will also continue a strong legacy that started when the original Berry school building opened in 1955. It鈥檚 a legacy of love and community, of outstanding students and caring teachers, that will carry into the new building.

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鈥淏erry Elementary holds a special place in a lot of our hearts,鈥� said 91制片厂 Board of Trustees Vice President Bowie Hogg. When Hogg was a high school student at Arlington High School, he served as a Berry Buddy, visiting Berry each week to help mentor elementary students.

鈥淚t has been a staple of the community,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is critical to our success in the entire City of Arlington.鈥�

That鈥檚 why the 2019 Bond is funding this replacement building for Berry, one of four school replacements in the bond program.

It鈥檚 Time

Though Berry is a great school, the original building was just too old. Ravin reminded everyone of that. With 18 years working in east Arlington elementary schools, she has served at Knox (built in 1960), Thornton (built in 1956), Berry and Roark (built in 1961), which is currently serving as the temporary Berry.

鈥淎s I reflect upon those four buildings,鈥� Ravin said, 鈥渁ll I can say is 鈥� it鈥檚 time. It is time!鈥�

Replacing Berry is part of a larger plan for east Arlington that is also replacing Thornton Elementary and Carter Junior High, along with building additions at Crow Leadership Academy (already open) and providing renovations at every other school. And not far from east Arlington, Webb Elementary also has a replacement building already under construction.

鈥淚t鈥檚 for you,鈥� said 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, speaking directly to the fourth-grade Berry students in attendance. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for your future. We know that if you have the right spaces and the right environment and the right teachers, nothing can stop you.鈥�

The New Berry

Ravin told the groundbreaking attendees that she asked Berry鈥檚 first graders what they want in their new school, and they gave her three things. A larger cafeteria with pizza, a larger playground and to learn more.

鈥淥ur experts have spoken up 鈥� our first graders,鈥� Ravin said, 鈥渁nd told us what they want out of a new school. So, we鈥檙e going to give them that and more.鈥�

A lot more.

The new Berry was carefully designed by with input from Berry teachers and staff, students and parents. The two-story school building with nearly 105,000 square-feet will feature five classrooms for each grade (pre-K-6), a media center, fine arts classrooms, STEM labs, makerspace, collaboration spaces, outdoor areas and more.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 important in these buildings is providing the learning opportunities for our young men and our young women and also providing the atmosphere for the teachers to provide the highest quality education for every single one of those students,鈥� Hogg said.

The new Berry will be built by on the site where the original Berry stood and is scheduled to open for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

Students at Arlington High School recently transformed the school library into Santa鈥檚 Village to create an afternoon of fun and games for faculty members鈥� children.

Now a decade-long tradition, Santa鈥檚 Village allows teachers and staff to bring their kids to school after operating hours and participate in holiday activities and crafts. There鈥檚 even a special appearance from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Arlie the Colt, the school鈥檚 mascot.

鈥淭his is one of my favorite traditions we have at Arlington, and every year we feel more and more like a real family,鈥� said Suzanne Kelley, teacher and Mrs. Claus. 鈥淚t amazes me to see my work family鈥檚 kids grow up right in front of our eyes each year.鈥�

Children had the opportunity to create wooden snowflakes, color Christmas-themed handouts, decorate an edible Christmas tree made out of ice cream cones and frosting, and participate in a holiday scavenger hunt. And a holiday party wouldn鈥檛 be complete without lots of candy canes and hot chocolate.

鈥淲hen the kids finally see Santa, their faces light up the room,鈥� said publications teacher Emily Miller. 鈥淭he pure joy and excitement they have just makes my heart smile.鈥�

Those big smiles couldn鈥檛 happen without the help of a group of students making the program happen. Arlington High鈥檚 student organization PALs, Peer Assisted Leadership, played a big role in setting up, organizing and engaging with students throughout the evening. Each week, the organization goes to elementary schools throughout the district to mentor students and assist them with their schoolwork.

鈥淢aking the kids smile, hearing them laugh and getting them ready for the holiday season is why we all love to help out with the village,鈥� said senior Sydney Stewart.

Santa鈥檚 Village may have only lasted for a few hours, but the memories made will last a lifetime.

鈥淪tand up, if you believe that dreams do come true!鈥�

Those were the words that motivational speaker and financial education book writer Diana Rochin told a large crowd last week while welcoming them at her first .

The founder of (The Success Club) had invited guests to the Mediterranean Villa 鈥� a banquet hall on Arlington鈥檚 north side 鈥� to celebrate the accolades and community service work of various local Hispanic leaders. Among the honorees were 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos.

Guests of the bilingual, black-tie event were treated to live music, dancing and a speech from Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. The grand affair was vital, Rochin said, to show that the contributions of local Hispanics are crucial to the area.

In Rochin鈥檚 opening address, she described how the club鈥檚 first award ceremony had come to fruition after seven years, and she praised Cavazos for 鈥� as his plaque stated 鈥� being 鈥渁 role model in leadership and education for our Latino community.鈥�

During his acceptance speech, Cavazos reflected on his humble beginnings. He recalled how he spent many childhood days in south Texas picking okra in the summer to earn money for clothes and supplies for school. Today, Cavazos oversees a district that serves 57,000 students and has undergone numerous, massive changes under his leadership.

鈥淭he mission to serve students and to help them really realize their potential and their dreams 鈥� that is the biggest motivator for me. It always has been,鈥� Cavazos said.

Dr. Natalie Lopez, assistant superintendent of research and accountability, who was also in attendance, said Cavazos鈥� recognition was 鈥渨ell-deserved.鈥�

A district employee for five years, Lopez has witnessed Cavazos鈥� impact on students across the district鈥檚 75 campuses. She said he is a great example for the region鈥檚 Latino community, particularly Arlington鈥檚 youth. After all, 46 percent of all 91制片厂 students are Hispanic.

Dedicated to education, service

Cavazos 鈥� who holds a bachelor鈥檚 and a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Texas-Pan American and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin 鈥� began his career in education in 1990. His first position: an English teacher for Mission Consolidated ISD.

Cavazos later taught for McAllen ISD and eventually took on leadership roles for Mercedes ISD and San Benito Consolidated ISD. In 1998, he began working for the Texas Education Agency Department of School Finance and Support.

A year later, Cavazos joined 91制片厂 as associate superintendent for instruction. By December 2012, he was selected for the district鈥檚 highest position of superintendent.

Cavazos was also the perfect choice for Rochin鈥檚 award because of his extensive community service. He has served on boards for United Way of Tarrant County, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, River Legacy Foundation, Salvation Army Youth Education Town and more. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Arlington and the Knights of Columbus. He also serves as an associate member of the Greater Arlington Lions Club and as a Lifetime Supporting Member of the Texas Lions Camp.

More accolades

This is just the latest honor for Cavazos. Earlier this year he was selected as one of three . TRIO provides educational opportunities to everyone regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstances.听听听听听听听听

Cavazos spent hours in high school researching what he wanted to do with his future, and TRIO opened up doors for him.

鈥淭RIO鈥檚 vision is to support, create, develop, improve and extend educational, financial and cultural opportunities for every TRIO participant to develop to their full potential,鈥� Cavazos said. 鈥淭hose words don鈥檛 just ring true for me; they have been something that I鈥檝e carried with me professionally when I look at the opportunities we have for our 57,000 students in the 91制片厂.鈥�

During his speech for that honor, he stressed the importance of extending opportunities for 91制片厂 students and pointed to facilities like the new Center for Visual Performing Arts, the district鈥檚 early college high schools and the Career and Technical Center as some of those outlets.

鈥淭he more options we extend to our students, the more chances they have to reach their full potential,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that was instilled in me as a child, something that was reinforced in my involvement with TRIO and something that I鈥檓 happy to see we weave into everything we do with our students in the 91制片厂.鈥�

Christmas is less than three weeks away! Help make sure all Arlington kids have a special Christmas this year by donating a gift to Toys for Tots!

91制片厂 is providing two ways to help you donate this year to the program. Toys should be unwrapped and for newborns to 17-years-old.

1. Bowie High School

The district鈥檚 main toy collection point is at Bowie High School. Toys for kids can be dropped off at the main office through Dec. 10.

2.

91制片厂鈥檚 archery team is aiming to spread Christmas cheer by collecting as many toys as possible for local Arlington kids. Marines will be on hand to help collect during the team鈥檚 district archery tournament on Dec. 7 and 8 from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. at 4215 Little Rd., Arlington, TX 76016.

Toys can also be dropped off at the archery center (4215 Little Rd.) during school hours and during open range hours (3 p.m. 鈥� 5:30 p.m.) Monday-Thursday. December 8 will be the last day to drop off.

We're听looking for you!听听

Do you have a passion for innovation? Are you constantly thinking of new ideas and projects? Well, the What鈥檚 Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest is just for you.听In partnership with 91制片厂, the听 announced the听guidelines and听timeline for the contest created for elementary,听junior and high school students.听

Elementary and Junior High Entries听听

For third through eighth graders, the contest challenges students to think of a new business or product they could own and operate in Texas or the world. Student entries can be submitted in the form听of an original听essay or artwork.听

High School Entries听

Contest guidelines for high school students vary slightly from the elementary and junior high, and students will participate in teams rather than individually. Student teams of three to five听members听must听pitch their听solution to one challenge presented by the City of Arlington听in a creative, three-minute video presentation.听Team members must be enrolled in one of the eight 91制片厂 high schools, but they do not have to attend the same school; grade level and ages can also vary.听

High School Criteria听听

Details for the challenges are listed below. Student teams can only choose one challenge.听

• Research current national or regional anti-littering campaigns to consider partnering with and/or create your own unique awareness campaign for Arlington.听
• Create a solution to engage the Arlington community's youth in positive, non-academic activities.听
• Come up with a plan to put together and distribute emergency packs that can help one or multiple senior citizens to be better prepared for the unexpected.听

Winners听

First-, second-听and third-place elementary and junior high school winners will receive prize packages, and the first-place winners will receive a scholarship to attend the听BI听Idea Lab Summer Camp where students will learn what it takes to become an entrepreneur.听

High school winners will win a prize package including an iPad or laptop along with gift certificates to local restaurants and entertainment. The idea also has the potential to be implemented as a city-wide initiative.听

Enter today!听听

The entrepreneurship contest is open now, so start thinking about your big idea and assemble your team of innovators. The deadline for elementary and junior high students to enter is Friday, January 14, 2022. The deadline for high school students to enter is听Friday, March 4.听Mark your calendar for the awards ceremony on听Saturday, April 30,听2022,听at the University of Texas at Arlington鈥檚 College Park Center.听

For听information, guidelines and more听on the听,听check out听听

Your big idea can change the future!听听

The holidays have officially kicked off, and the season of giving got off to a great start as 10 91制片厂 schools were awarded the 鈥淓verybody Belongs鈥� grant to encourage kindness in schools.

Choose Kindness Foundation听

,听based in Eugene, Oregon, selected the district schools to share the $75,000 grant over the course of two years. Sam Houston and Seguin are the high school recipients, Carter and Workman are the junior high recipients, and Bebensee, McNutt, Moore, South Davis, Swift and West are the elementary recipients. Each participating campus will receive $3,750 each year to develop and implement kindness programs and activities designed to increase positive behavior and kindness in schools.

鈥淜indness doesn鈥檛 just happen,鈥� said foundation president Doug Carnine. 鈥淚t requires intentional teaching, and when those objectives are implemented, kids become more kind in and outside of school.鈥�

The grant was originally $5,000, but when 16 91制片厂 schools showed more interest in the grant than any other district in the country, the foundation decided to offer the grant opportunity as a pilot project and funded a greater amount.

鈥淲e certainly appreciate the generous gift from the Choose Kindness Foundation,鈥� said 91制片厂 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. 鈥淭hank you for your commitment to kindness because it is definitely something we can use a lot more of in our community and our nation.

鈥淓very role in the district supports the success of our students, and opportunities like this show us that it鈥檚 crucial to work together and treat each other well in order to empower our students every day.鈥�

The mission

The mission of the Choose Kindness Foundation is to increase well-being and happiness in individuals, organizations and communities by providing 鈥渒indness grants鈥� in four focus areas: schools, workplace, social services and public safety. In partnership with the Choose Kindness Foundation, 91制片厂 will promote kindness and reinforce positive behavior to positively affect the well-being of students.

To learn more about the foundation and explore the work the organization does, please visit .

New Beginnings

The weather was gorgeous, unseasonably warm for a day in December, and everything was set up and ready to go for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Thornton Elementary School. The chairs were in line. The pile of dirt, shovels and hard hats were all there, and all the important guests had arrived. The mayor, city council members, school board trustees. There were even two large, beautiful oak trees behind the podium dropping colorful fall leaves in the breeze.

The scene was almost perfect. But one thing was missing.

That鈥檚 when a big yellow school bus rolled up and students and teachers from Thornton joined the celebration.

Now it was perfect.

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Thorton's New Legacy听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 for them,鈥� 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said about the students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not for us, not for the adults. It鈥檚 for them today, tomorrow, for their future, for their siblings and for generations for years to come.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥� is a new school building for Thornton Elementary School. The original building, which first opened in 1956, was demolished this fall, and a new school will be constructed on the same site. Thornton鈥檚 students and teachers are currently housed in a temporary location until the new building opens in the fall of 2023.

鈥淎 state-of-the-art brand-new building will definitely elevate our school and our community,鈥� said Thornton principal Alicia Rodriguez, 鈥渂ut we need something else.鈥�

That 鈥渟omething else鈥� is something they already have. That 鈥渟pecial ingredient,鈥� she said, is the people, the wonderful teachers, students, parents and community that have made Thornton an incredible place for 65 years.

鈥淲e can hardly wait to see what our new school will look like,鈥� a Thornton student told the audience before Thornton choir students sang a song about their school pride. 鈥淏ut we know it will be great because what really counts is on the inside.鈥�

Thank you Bond 2019!

91制片厂 Board of Trustees President Kecia Mays agreed as she talked about the strong Thornton community that has existed for decades.

鈥淭he building here will be new, but that same pride, that same culture of the community and the staff of Thornton Elementary will continue to make this building yours to inspire students and open up a world of opportunity for many, many generations to come.鈥�

The new Thornton building, funded by the 2019 Bond, has been designed by with input from district administrators and Thornton teachers, students and parents. will serve as the general contractor and will begin earthwork in early 2022.

鈥淭he 2019 Bond is allowing us to transform our district with rebuilding four of our schools that need it most,鈥� Mays said. 鈥淭he new school at Thornton is part of our plan for east Arlington that is transforming all of our schools in the area to make sure every student gets an outstanding education in a facility designed to inspire and promote learning.鈥�

Next week, 91制片厂 will also break ground for another school rebuild 鈥� this time for Berry Elementary School. And the design process for rebuilding Carter Junior High, another aging east Arlington school, started last month as architects held planning charettes with Carter students, parents and teachers to help plan their new facility.

In addition to Thornton, Berry and Carter, east Arlington鈥檚 Crow Leadership Academy recently opened a new classroom wing, gymnasium and kitchen. And nearby, the 2019 Bond is also building a replacement facility for Webb Elementary. Construction on the new Webb began in the spring and much of the slab is now poured. The new Webb will open in time for next school year.

Carson Cares

Carson Bold remembers the first time Bailey Junior High School hosted 鈥� annual Season of Giving project where students fill dozens of shoe boxes with daily necessities and toys for children who wake up to very little, or nothing at all, on Christmas morning.

鈥淚t went really, really quick,鈥� Bold recalls. 鈥淭he most important part of the project for me is seeing the kids having fun and taking their time to fill the boxes. I want them to experience this, not just get it done.鈥�

This time around, Bold, who started the non-profit service organization while at Duff Elementary and is now a senior at Southern Methodist University, took the microphone at the beginning of the box-stuffing festivities to dole out pieces of advice.

Go slow, he said. And have fun.

Fun Indeed听

The students did, laughing and talking and dancing to Christmas tunes blaring in the school cafeteria, which was lined with tables of shoeboxes boiling over from soaps and toothbrushes, footballs and teddy bears. The students moved about like a human assembly line, first receiving a box and then walking alongside tables filled with items to stuff them. Once a box was completed, they placed it on the stage only to do it all over again.

Two hours later, 429 boxes were stacked high on the stage.

For the past 14 years, Bold, who along with his mother, LaShaunn Bold, has organized this event in conjunction with Samaritan鈥檚 Purse, the non-profit that works with local churches that receive the boxes from organizations and schools like Bailey. The boxes are then shipped to children in need around the world.

Bailey became home base for Carson Cares, which is made up of young people conducting service projects, because Bold was a student there. Carson Cares began when Bold wanted to raise money for SafeHaven, the women鈥檚 shelter, where his mother had close ties. He raised $22 from a lemonade stand.

鈥淎nd that was it,鈥� said LaShaunn Bold.

Now the organization is made up of some 91制片厂 students from elementary to high school. Arlington High School, where Carson Bold graduated, is a big part of it now as well, holding a toy drive to contribute to the boxes.

Season of Giving

Season of Giving has become one of Bailey鈥檚 most cherished events, partly because it pays dividends not just for the children receiving the items but for the students, some of whom are just learning the gift of giving.

鈥淢ostly, what it does is teach our kids how to appreciate what they have,鈥� said Bailey AVID teacher Catholene Buckles.

Each year Buckles is all in when it comes to Season of Giving and, in fact, uses class time to hit the neighborhood dollar store where her eighth graders, armed with $5, buy items for the shoeboxes.

鈥淲hen they find out that they are buying a bar of soap for someone who may not have soap, something they use every single day without really thinking about it, it just blows their mind,鈥� Buckles said. 鈥淚 had one girl who brought a baggie with a bar of soap and wash cloth and wrote a touching note in it. When they find out this Christmas, this shoe box, and that鈥檚 all they are getting for Christmas, something stirs in them. It鈥檚 really great to watch.鈥�

Before getting started, students were able to watch a couple of videos, one which explained the overall objective of the Season for Giving, and another that showed its impact: an orphaned girl talking about receiving the shoebox and how she would later dedicate her life to service.

Testimonies听

AVID student Aniyah Butler was inspired by it.

鈥淚 think a lot of us, especially at our age, think we can鈥檛 do things like this, we can鈥檛 make a big difference because we鈥檙e just a kid,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his sort of thing gives us the opportunity. You don鈥檛 know exactly how to help even if you want to and this gives you a chance to do that and really feel like you鈥檙e making a difference in someone鈥檚 life.鈥�

Butler was also 鈥渂lown away鈥� by their volunteering in terms of its global outreach.

鈥淚t connects everyone together, from one part of the world to another part of the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven if we speak different languages and have different cultures and backgrounds, it connects us all. We are just helping each other.鈥�

Savanna Roman and Kaylee Savoie, both seventh graders who wrote notes in greeting cards, felt a similar way.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe someone in another part of the world will read this and get something out of it,鈥� Savanna said.

Buckles wasn鈥檛 surprised by the number of students who showed up to help with Season of Giving. The cafeteria was packed, and on a school night, no less.

鈥淚 think because we are excited about this our kids are excited about this,鈥� Buckles said. 鈥淚 tell them stories about times in the past and they get excited about it. A lot of my seventh graders participate, and it builds their anticipation for next year.鈥�

Buckles knew they, too, were all in when a number of them showed up in droves on not just a school night, but unaware of the treat awaiting them. Pizza.

鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 even know they were getting pizza,鈥� Buckles said. 鈥淵et here they are.鈥�

Carter Junior High STEM Club students recently got to see what their future could be like.

GM officials and members of helped the program return after the pandemic hampered plans during the 2020-21 school year.

The STEM Club students were treated to dinner and dessert and got to listen to the officials talk about the importance of STEM and education.

The club wouldn鈥檛 be possible without great partners like GM and LULAC. To find out more about the program and the partnership, watch this video.

[embed]https://youtu.be/ueDU5lPUeFI[/embed]

91制片厂 Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution giving all full-time employees a one-time payment of $500 after taxes Monday night.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a reward for their efforts every day to help us in our vision to become a premier school district and leader in education,鈥� 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. 鈥淭hey do the work in the classroom, on buses, in warehouses, cafeterias and everywhere else in our district. This payment is a thanks for their hard work.鈥�

The $500 payment after taxes is also for substitutes, part-time employees, and 91制片厂 temporary employees who have worked at least 20 assignment days this school year. All other active subs, part-time employees and temps who haven鈥檛 reached that threshold will receive $250 after taxes.

The payment falls in line with recent 91制片厂 board decisions impacting employee compensation. The board approved pay increases of 4% of the market median for teachers, librarians and other employees on the teacher salary schedule in 2020 and 2021, ensuring that 91制片厂 teachers are among the highest paid in the DFW area.

鈥淲e value all the hard work everyone in the district does and this is a way to show it,鈥� said Kecia Mays, president of the 91制片厂 Board of Trustees. 鈥淲e know people don鈥檛 get into the education business for the money. They are in the kid business. This is something we were very thrilled to be able to do.鈥�

91制片厂 has openings in departments throughout the district. If you want to learn more and apply, you can visit our jobs page here.

Sometimes, smaller is better 鈥� even when it comes to the $966 million 2019 Bond. And even when it comes to school buses.

2019 Bond

The 2019 Bond is purchasing new school buses for the 91制片厂, including 87 big new buses, phased over the five years of the bond program. But the bond is also buying 22 new shuttle buses. Though much smaller, the shuttle buses are making a big impact on the district鈥檚 transportation.

The twelve shuttle buses ordered in phase one of the 2019 Bond program are now in service, and ten more ordered in phase two should arrive in Arlington early next year. That will make for a total of 40 shuttles in the district fleet.

The 14-passenger shuttles have a V-6 engine, video cameras and collision avoidance backup sensors. They are perfect for meeting the transportation needs of small groups of students when a large bus really isn鈥檛 necessary.

鈥淪ince the educational opportunities for students have expanded beyond the traditional school building, shuttle buses have become a more efficient and effective way of transporting small groups throughout the school day,鈥� said Guy Jones, 91制片厂鈥檚 fleet manager. 鈥淭hey are also helpful in transporting small athletic and academic groups versus using a large bus or multiple Suburbans.鈥�

Growth

The number of small student groups requiring transportation has grown in recent years as specialized programs and a growing variety of opportunities offered by the district have increased. Using shuttles instead of full-size school buses for these groups makes sense, is more comfortable for the students and is cost-effective for the district. The shuttles have better fuel economy than larger buses, are lower profile, take up less space to park and cost less to maintain. Plus, drivers are not required to have a CDL license.

鈥淭he shuttles are a good fit for the district due in part to their versatility to transport small groups and maximizing the capacity of all our routes,鈥� said Tim Collins, 91制片厂 director of transportation.

With more than 300 buses, plus the 56 shuttles, serving nearly 57,000 students, 91制片厂鈥檚 transportation department is always busy and always has job opportunities. If you love kids and like to drive, we have the perfect job for you. With the shuttles, you don鈥檛 even have to have a CDL. Visit 91制片厂鈥檚 jobs webpage today to apply.

91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning department helped students at Kooken Education Center get in the spirit of gratefulness as they put on the Pre-K Thankful Thanksgiving Show. Staff members participated in a short skit, 鈥淭urkey in the Brown Straw,鈥� and also sang and danced with pre-K students to turkey-themed jingles.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyd6KKmZA2o[/embed]

The show is a longstanding tradition at Kooken usually held during the week leading up to the Thanksgiving break. When instructional specialist Ken Foster worked as a pre-K teacher at Kooken, he would perform the show by himself. When he transitioned to the early childhood learning department, the team decided to make it a bigger production for the kids.

鈥淲e just finished evaluating our pre-K teachers and report cards came out, so it鈥檚 nice to be able to come and have a fun little break with everyone after an intense month,鈥� said Nadia Azari, instructional specialist. 鈥淲e love any opportunity to connect with students and help teachers out.鈥�

After dancing and singing, students were also given the opportunity to share what they鈥檙e grateful for, and the three-year-old kids鈥� answers ranged anywhere from apples to friends.

To close out the program, staff and students joyfully sang 鈥淭hank You for Being a Friend鈥� to the tune of Foster鈥檚 guitar. After performing at Kooken, the early childhood learning team packed up and headed to Rankin to perform the show there, too.

Registration for pre-K students for the 2022-2023 school year will begin in the spring, so get ready to enroll your little one into a program full of fun learning. 91制片厂 pre-K classes emphasize the perfect balance of education and play, so your student will be prepared for kindergarten while having the time of their life.

To find out which program is best for you and your little one, visit aisd.net/prek for more information.

Generosity is spreading throughout 91制片厂 as we celebrate receiving grants from various organizations to help further our students鈥� education. Today we highlight two -- the Rotary Club of Arlington & the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

The Rotary at Webb

As a longtime supportive partner of Webb Elementary School, has continued their generous acts of service by securing a $12,000 grant for Webb鈥檚 little scholars!

Since COVID-19 caused many schools, businesses and libraries to close, many students had trouble securing access to books to read.

鈥淲e were seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on 91制片厂 and realized that the students had limited access to the Webb library,鈥� said Rotary Club member Tom Ware. 鈥淲e believed that a greater library of eBooks would help the students continue reading at home. After this was confirmed by Julie Moore, 91制片厂 Coordinator of Library Services, we worked together to develop the grant. Our club is very proud of the results.鈥�

Since securing the grant, Webb鈥檚 librarian Karen Patterson has been able to add over 2,000 new titles to the eBook library collection. Students couldn鈥檛 be happier. The titles are made easy to read and access by SORA, a reading app for students.

鈥淥ur primary goal is to get students excited about reading and get books into kids' hands/devices so-to-speak,鈥� said Patterson. 鈥淏eing able to offer virtual options during the time our schools are closed (weekends, pandemic issues, summer, holidays, etc.) is especially helpful when kids aren't physically able to come to the library to check out print books.鈥�

Having eBooks available to students 24/7 is a fantastic way to keep them reading. In the past 30 days, students have checked out 545 books! All possible by our wonderful partnership with the Rotary Club of Arlington.

鈥淚 love our Rotary, and they love our kids,鈥� said Patterson.

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation, established in 1993, has awarded more than $200 million in grants to nonprofits, libraries and schools in 46 of the 50 states Dollar General services.

In September 2021, Lesley Cano, 91制片厂鈥檚 Library Services Department Specialist was awarded $4,000 from the Foundation to purchase 1,000 books for the Arlington Raises Literacy Outcomes (ARLO) Bookmobile project.

The ARLO Bookmobile focuses on providing relevant reading materials to students who struggle with literature and subsequently have low reading scores.

The new books purchased and added to the bookmobile will provide a range of diversity, inclusion and a variety of languages other than English that reflects 91制片厂鈥檚 demographic.

Each weekend for two hours at two rotating sites, students in grades pre-K-12 can select and check out books they deem enjoyable. During the two hours at each site, librarians will read stories and provide literacy activities for students.

"Getting books into homes that students choose themselves is key to building literacy in 91制片厂 and in supporting the district's literacy focus,鈥� said Cano. 鈥淟ibrarians are always looking for innovative ways to encourage literacy and reading with our students. The response from students has been phenomenal.鈥� To find out more about the ARLO Bookmobile and pop-up dates, follow our Library Media Services page on Twitter

Additional grants 91制片厂 were ecstatic to receive are displayed below.

91制片厂 is grateful to the following generous donors who support literacy for our students:

To Christian Dipert Jr., it was the coolest thing ever.

To his parents, not so much.

The Martin High School junior found a way to hack into his own computer system and completely shut down the router, wiping out virtually everything.

After a verbal scolding from his parents, Christian had an epiphany.

Maybe he could do this sort of thing for a living.

STEM Academy at Martin

As it turned out, Christian was already enrolled to take a cybersecurity course in the STEM Academy at Martin, which he is doing now 鈥渁nd learning tons of stuff,鈥� he said during Explore 91制片厂, the annual event held at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center (CTC) where students and parents learn about the district鈥檚 array of specialized programs. Well over 1,200 registrants attended, perusing tables set up to provide information on everything from the International Baccalaureate and early college programs to fine arts and world languages.

Next fall the district opens the doors for students to take an even deeper dive into the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity, as well as business.

P-TECH (Pathways to Tech)

The first batch of students will begin classes at Lamar鈥檚 P-TECH (Pathways to Technology) program where they can earn a high-level certificate for entry-level jobs in cybersecurity.

P-TECH is similar to Arlington Collegiate and Arlington College and Career high schools. It allows students least likely to attend college an opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and an industry-based certification and/or an associate degree with the added bonus of stockpiling up to 60 hours of college credit free from Tarrant County College Southeast.

What sets the P-TECH model apart from early college schools is its laser-focused career concentration and provision of work-based education. The program is aligned with regional workforce opportunities and allows students to gain experience through internships, apprenticeships and other job training programs.

Another P-TECH enticement: unlike Arlington Collegiate, it offers more of a traditional high school experience, which allows students to participate in extracurricular activities like sports and band.

As for its curriculum, 鈥淲e will be more specific in our content,鈥� Lamar Assistant Principal Carolyn Longoria.

鈥淔or instance, we are pitching the business portion to students who one day want to own their own business. We will teach them the skills to help to organize and manage that business.鈥�

Students Thoughts on Programs

Students who lined up to visit its information booths were told how the business portion will include both business management and accounting.

Not interested in cybersecurity or business? P-TECH is already in its second year at Bowie High School where students can choose among four career pathways in the medical field, including pharmacy technician.

鈥淚鈥檓 really interested in pharmacy,鈥� said Sydney Tucker, a Gunn Junior High eighth-grader visiting the P-TECH booth with her mother.听 Sydney isn鈥檛 sure if college is in her plans.

鈥淚 guess I just like the idea of working behind a counter and helping people get the right medicines they need to help them with whatever they are having trouble with.鈥�

Dr. Cavazos Speaks

This annual information smorgasbord of 91制片厂 specialized programming is essential, said Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, partly because students are often encouraged by the prospect that their future doesn鈥檛 have to include college if, like Sydney from Gunn, it is not on your radar.

On hand at Explore 91制片厂 were instructors of CTC classes where students are able to earn industry certifications in fields like welding, veterinary assistance, patient care and emergency dispatch. All are jobs they can step into right after leaving the graduation stage.

"We all have different plans, different pathways,鈥� Cavazos said. 鈥淚t is important that each student within our district is being met where they are and then help them find their path. These specialized programs are a great way to do that.鈥澨�

There鈥檚 a lot to choose from, and many start early.

Parents who feel that a better academic fit for their child is an IB curriculum that focuses on molding well-rounded, self-motivated students no longer have to wait until high school to get that type of education.

Crow Leadership Academy starts with kindergarten.

鈥淭he IB framework is about student ownership of their own learning and developing that critical thinking that鈥檚 going to set them up for success in that high school program,鈥� said IB Coordinator Jen Ruby. 鈥淲e develop the curriculum for a free base framework involving questioning about their learning, creating plans and drawing connections. So they own that process. The other way is through service and leadership. What makes it a little different from high school is that it is for every child at our school. It is not a program within the school.鈥�

Connecting specific learning throughout a child鈥檚 educational career is the goal, whether it is technology, the sciences, or fine arts.

Fine Arts and Dual Language Academies

In fact, kindergarten students starting the fine arts and dual language programs at Jones and Corey academies can now continue that educational thread at Gunn听Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy, and eventually, high school.

鈥淭hey are able to take piano, dance, all the things they can take at Jones and Corey,鈥� said Gunn principal Dr. Matt Varnell. 鈥淪tudents from both of those schools are meshing together very well.鈥�

Varnell鈥檚 educational philosophy at Gunn also covers the overall philosophy of 91制片厂鈥檚 specialized programming and touches on Cavazos鈥� 鈥渄ifferent pathways鈥� approach to education.

鈥淭he question education asks is how smart are you?鈥� Varnell said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the wrong question. What we do in these academies is we ask, how are you smart? If we don鈥檛 teach a kid that being artistic is a way of being smart, or being athletic, or being scientific or a writer or a strong communicator, those are all ways of being smart.

鈥淲e鈥檝e always known that. But for some reason we don鈥檛 always send that message. So, we strive to send a message loud and clear that there are lots of ways for you to be smart and successful.鈥�

If one of our specialized programs interests you, you can find out more information on our specialized programs page. You can also join us for a virtual meeting on early college high schools and P-TECH Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. You can register for that

Carter Junior High is going to be rebuilt, and the design of the new building is officially underway.

After meeting last week with senior district administrators to hear their desires for the new Carter, Corgan, the architect hired to design the new school, hosted the first of three design charettes. In the first charette, the architect team met with Carter teachers in the current Carter library to get their input and hear their hopes and vision for the new building.

鈥淭his really works when you get involved,鈥� Kelly Horn, 91制片厂 assistant superintendent of facility services, told the teachers at the beginning of the meeting. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to speak up and give your ideas. There will be things that we take from today that will be in the new school.

鈥淭ell us what you envision, even if it鈥檚 George Jetson-like.鈥�

The new school is a 2019 Bond project needed because of Carter鈥檚 age. Opened it 1958, the school wasn鈥檛 built for modern technology, HVAC, lighting or today鈥檚 education models. In addition, the site is undersized, and erosion in the adjacent creek impedes site use. There is no room for a track around the football field or ample parking.

That will all change with the new building. The school will be relocated to the site of the former Knox Elementary (and now the temporary Thornton Elementary), a site that is more centrally located to the Carter student population and large enough to accommodate all program offerings.

But first, the new school needs to be carefully and purposefully designed to match Carter鈥檚 needs and enhance the educational experience for seventh and eighth graders.

鈥淲e know there is a rich culture at Carter, and we want to make sure that is supported as we move into the new building,鈥� said Chloe Hosid, an education researcher with the Corgan design team.

The meeting鈥檚 intent was to tap into the teachers鈥� expertise, experience and insight, and they delivered. With lively conversation, they shared their ideas and hopes for everything from collaboration spaces, libraries, classroom and lab designs to furniture, colors, access to technology, floorplans, site layout and more.

Next, it will be Carter students鈥� turn. Student representatives will meet in the second design charrette with Corgan architects to share their input and desires followed by a third charrette with Carter parents.

Corgan will use all the input from teachers, students, parents and district administrators to finalize plans for the new building鈥檚 design. The Corgan team will then present the design to the 91制片厂 Board of Trustees in the spring of 2022.

Today may officially be , but students across the 91制片厂 got memorable visits from heroic veterans last week.

Two Medal of Honor recipients 鈥� Major General Patrick Brady and Command Sergeant Major Robert Patterson 鈥� visited six campuses and talked to students about their experiences and also gave them advice.

The visits were set up by the , which is slated to open in Arlington in 2024.听听

[embed]https://youtu.be/uH8Op0XGg4A[/embed]

Major General Patrick Brady

Brady, who earned his Medal of Honor as a helicopter ambulance pilot, talked with fourth-graders at Little Elementary, listened to the fourth-grade choir at Duff Elementary and spoke with student-athletes and members of the JROTC at Sam Houston High School.

His message at all three campuses was the same. He stressed the value of courage and sacrifice. He also told the students at all three locations that while there are no kings and queens in the United States, veterans are nobility in the U.S.

鈥淭his is what we do,鈥� said Brady, who received his medal for his actions on Jan. 6, 1968. 鈥淚f we don鈥檛 take time to spend with our young people based on our experiences in life and what we鈥檝e done, what good are we? We need to try and pass on some of the values we鈥檝e learned. You can鈥檛 believe some of the questions we get.鈥�

Brady had to be ready for all kinds of questions, whether it was how old he was (85) from a student at Duff to his thoughts on Afghanistan, Colin Powell and communism from students at Sam Houston. He also talked about how he ended up in the Army and continually talked about courage.

鈥淓veryone is equal in courage,鈥� said Brady, one of 66 living Medal of Honor recipients. 鈥淔ear is an emotion. Courage is a decision. The key to success in life is courage.鈥�

Command Sergeant Major Robert Patterson

Patterson, the son of a poor dirt farmer, earned his Medal of Honor in the infantry in Vietnam in 1968. When his army squad was pinned down by fire from enemy bunkers, he singlehandedly destroyed five bunkers with his rifle and grenades, allowing his platoon to continue its advance.

But last week when he arrived at Seguin High School, Key Elementary and Shackelford Junior High, Patterson was armed with only his infectious smile and North Carolina drawl.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to talk about you,鈥� he told each student group. 鈥淵ou have one responsibility. Come to school and learn. But I also want you to have fun.鈥�

He told the students how they are all building a house 鈥� the house that is their life.

鈥淩ight now, you鈥檙e building the most important part,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e laying the foundation.

Patterson urged the students to get good advice from parents, teachers, counselors and others and to live the life they want to live.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e the only one that can live this life. Don鈥檛 let anyone tell you you can鈥檛 do something, because you can.鈥�

Patterson also urged the students to live differently than he lived as a high school student and young man. He was honest about his bad choices and bad behavior. After dropping out of high school before 12^th grade, Patterson joined the army, where it didn鈥檛 take long for him to earn three Article 15s 鈥� discipline for misconduct.

But Patterson learned from his mistakes and got his life in order. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he earned a college degree, was awarded numerous medals, rose to the highest rank for an enlisted soldier and served in the first Gulf War.

The 73-year-old鈥檚 talk elicited a wide variety of questions from the elementary, junior high and high school students. And while he answered everyone, Patterson continually returned to his theme.

鈥淵ou can do anything with your life,鈥� he said. 鈥淒o something with it. It鈥檚 yours. Only you can live your life.鈥�

Students from across the district brought down the house at the Junior High One Act Process Festival, a two-day event hosted by the 91制片厂 Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

The theater department from each 91制片厂 junior high had the opportunity to perform one act from a play of their choice at the inaugural event. Each school had exactly 10 minutes to set up and break down their set, which is the same amount of time given at the contest.

The festival was split into two zones with five schools in each. On the first day of the event, Ousley, Shackelford, Young, Nichols and Boles presented acts. Barnett, Carter, Workman, Gunn and Bailey performed on the second day.

鈥淭his has been a dream of a lot of our theater directors that鈥檚 been in the pipeline for a while now, and I鈥檓 glad we鈥檙e finally making it happen,鈥� said Micah Green, fine arts coordinator of theatre and dance.

Green began planning the festival in August, and professional development sessions on the one-act process for teachers started as early as June. Students and teachers have been preparing for the show since the start of the school year.

鈥淭hese kids have worked so hard to get to this point, and it showed in their performance today,鈥� said Geoffrey Grissom, an Ousley teacher who filled in for director Ana鈥橪eese Provau. 鈥淓ven when their director couldn鈥檛 make it to the performance, the kids still put their all into it and showed us why it鈥檚 important for us to keep supporting them as they pursue their passions at such a young age.鈥�

Overall, about 320 students participated in the festival.听 There were 10 junior high theater teachers, as well as three high school theater teachers involved to help make the show possible.

Fine arts programs are offered throughout the district, and there are specialized programs that can integrate arts into every element of their curriculum. 91制片厂 offers many opportunities for students to cultivate their passions and prepare for a bright future, whether that means going to college or starting a career.

If you鈥檙e ready for your star student to shine in a specialized program, please visit aisd.net/specializedprograms and apply today.

91制片厂 continues to garner recognition for its financial reporting.

For the 42^nd-consecutive year, the district was honored with a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association. The award was for the district鈥檚 annual financial report for the year ending June 30, 2020.听

To receive that honor, the district published a comprehensive annual financial report that was easy to read and efficiently organized. The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

If that wasn鈥檛 enough, the district also received a Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Financial Reporting by School Systems from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). This marked the 32^nd-consecutive year the district has received this award.听听听听听听

The ASBO honor goes to school systems that have voluntarily submitted their comprehensive annual financial report for a panel review.

The award reflects the district鈥檚 transparency and high-quality financial reporting.

鈥淭he COE鈥檚 mission is to promote and recognize excellence in financial reporting,鈥� ASBO International Executive Director David Lewis said. 鈥淭he Comprehensive Annual Financial Report informs stakeholders about the financial and economic state of the district, making it an important communications tool for building trust and engaging with the school community.鈥�

Monsters Inside Me is a long-running documentary series about infectious diseases where you could watch a man develop a strange growth on his wrist or a pregnant woman fall dangerously ill with flu-like symptoms, yet in the end, it鈥檚 not the flu at all.

Instead, it鈥檚 parasites eating up the body. That medical phenomenon is what fascinated Dewey Saracey, a Martin High School junior, back when she first watched this series with her mother at the age of 10 or 11.

鈥淚t was just so interesting to me for some reason, even at that age,鈥� Dewey said.

Not much has changed. Dewey plans to study parasites in college, as a microbiology major, which explains why she recently trekked through the rain to attend the annual 91制片厂 College Night held in the on the University of Texas at Arlington campus.

This is the annual event where students have the opportunity to visit with college recruiters to hear firsthand about majors, campus life and what makes their college experience unique. Parents are usually along for the ride and often lead the charge shortly before the college fair begins by sitting in on workshops explaining the ins and outs of the current financial aid environment.

The number of college attendees was smaller than in year鈥檚 past because of COVID concerns, but a number of representatives were there, from schools such as Wichita State University in Kansas and the University of Alabama to military installations like the United States Army. There were also specialized colleges such as KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts.

Michael Schrader, a senior at Sam Houston High School, is interested in Texas A&M but came away impressed with a school he had never heard of. Dallas International University prepares students for what it labels as cross-cultural service with degrees in fields such as Abrahamic Studies, Linguistics, Scripture Engagement, Translation and World Arts.

鈥淚t just sounds really interesting, kind of different from the other schools,鈥� said Michael, who is undecided about a major. 鈥淪o, yeah, I鈥檒l look into it.鈥�

When it comes to the whys of attending 91制片厂 College Night, students are all over the map in terms of vision and preparation, said Lamar High School counselor Dorian Jansen. He spent a majority of his time at the fair stuffing bags full of college brochures and trinkets to take back to his students.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just great to see students in here,鈥� Jansen said. 鈥淟ast year a lot of students decided to not to go to college because of the lockdowns and restrictions. They said 鈥業 just want the college experience,鈥� and that wasn鈥檛 it.鈥�

Jansen said many of his students are motivated this year to attend, feeling 鈥渢he on-campus environment will be freer for them,鈥� he said. 鈥淧lus, a lot of universities aren鈥檛 requiring SAT and ACT scores so that motivates kids to try for colleges based on their GPA and their extracurriculars. We try to encourage them to do more. You don鈥檛 have to be completely well-rounded but it鈥檚 good to be committed to something. Something that鈥檚 big and motivates yourself that is different from others so that you can stand out.鈥�

Others know exactly what they want. Mark Regalado, a Martin High School senior, is interested in photo journalism. His mother, Tricia Regalado, is a veteran journalism teacher at the school.

Mark is interested in the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, where his mother earned an undergraduate degree, and the University of New Mexico.

鈥淚 have applied early because I want to be ahead of the game,鈥� Mark said.

So does Zachary Atlas, whose graduating class is 2023. The Arlington High School student has his sights on UT Arlington where he wants to learn automotive engineering and be a part of the school鈥檚 famed car racing team.

鈥淗e knows more about what he wants to do than I did at his age,鈥� said his mother, Suzanne Atlas, a counselor at Sam Houston. 鈥淚 made the big sister come to this her junior year, too. He was a lot less argumentative about it than she was.鈥�

While Zachary and others like Tien Le, a senior at Bowie who is laser-focused on attending UT Arlington鈥檚 College of Engineering, want to stay local (鈥淚 like the idea of it being close to home,鈥� Tien said) others want to ship out. Way out.

That鈥檚 why Dewey, the parasite aficionado, is seriously looking at Penn State, some 1,300 miles away, and Maryville University in St. Louis (about 600 miles). Martin classmate Mark insist that early choice the University of New Mexico 鈥渉as a good journalism program, and New Mexico is really pretty.鈥�

It鈥檚 also nearly 700 miles away from his home.

鈥淵eah, it is,鈥� Mark said, smiling.

91制片厂 quiere que sus estudiantes alcancen su m谩ximo potencial a trav茅s de experiencias de aprendizaje relevantes, innovadoras y rigurosas.

Los tres aspectos comienzan en la escuela primaria en 91制片厂, y no hay nada m谩s innovador que los programas especializados de la escuela primaria que ofrece el distrito.

Los estudiantes de kindergarten en 91制片厂 pueden comenzar a hacer lo que m谩s les gusta, ya sea liderazgo, bellas artes, lenguaje doble o ciencias, tecnolog铆a, ingenier铆a y matem谩ticas (STEM, por sus siglas en ingl茅s). Cualquiera que sea el camino que un estudiante quiera tomar, 91制片厂 puede guiarlos por ese camino y comenzar a prepararlos para su futuro comenzando desde el kindergarten.

鈥淪abemos cu谩l es la importancia de brindar oportunidades鈥�, dijo el superintendente de 91制片厂, Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. 鈥淒ebemos permitir que los estudiantes puedan seguir sus sue帽os. Esto no comienza en la secundaria ni en la preparatoria. Debemos conocer a los estudiantes a una edad m谩s temprana e involucrarlos. Eso es lo que hacemos en 91制片厂".

Entonces, 驴cu谩l es el camino correcto para su estudiante? En 91制片厂 se trata de opciones.

LENGUAJE DOBLE Y BELLAS ARTES

91制片厂 ofrece dos escuelas primarias biling眉es y de bellas artes, convenientemente ubicadas en el norte y el sur de Arlington para que los estudiantes puedan permanecer m谩s cerca de sus hogares. El plan de estudios en las Academias de Lenguaje Doble y Bellas Artes Corey y Jones es el mismo. Los estudiantes aprender谩n dos idiomas y se beneficiar谩n de una experiencia de 鈥渁rtes para todos鈥�. Ya sea que su pasi贸n sea el piano o la pintura, los estudiantes de estas academias pueden perseguir sus sue帽os. Los estudiantes pasan la mitad de sus d铆as aprendiendo en ingl茅s y la otra mitad en espa帽ol. Tambi茅n tienen la oportunidad de explorar su lado creativo con clases de danza, piano, teatro y artes visuales. Los estudiantes de ambas academias ahora tendr谩n la oportunidad de continuar sus sue帽os en la Academia de Lenguaje Doble y Bellas Artes en la Secundaria Gunn. Una escuela preparatoria de bellas artes abrir谩 pronto.

LIDERAZGO

驴Es el servicio el llamado para su futuro estudiante de 91制片厂? Entonces la Academia de Liderazgo Crow es la respuesta a ese llamado. La escuela es uno de los pocas en el Programa de la Escuela Primaria del Bachillerato Internacional en el estado. El liderazgo y el servicio comunitario son los sellos distintivos de Crow. Acabamos de completar un projecto de de Bonos que incluye una nueva ala de salones de clase, una cafeter铆a renovada y un gimnasio. Crow construye l铆deres desarrollando estudiantes que pueden inspirar e influir en otros, tomar la iniciativa, responsabilizar a los dem谩s y animarlos. Si desea que su hijo crezca y desarrolle esos dones mientras aprende a conocer y preocuparse por el mundo que lo rodea, entonces la Academia de Liderazgo Crow es el lugar para ellos.

CIENCIAS, TECNOLOG脥A, INGENIER脥A Y MATEM脕TICAS

Todo el mundo sabe lo importante que son los futuros de STEM en el mundo actual. En la Academia STEM en Pearcy para estudiantes de k铆nder a sexto los estudiantes recibir谩n la fundaci贸n en una de las primeras 20 escuelas en la naci贸n en ser certificada por el Instituto Nacional de Educaci贸n STEM. Los estudiantes de Pearcy trabajan con una docena de maestros STEM certificados para ayudarlos a crecer. Los campamentos STEM de verano y el plan de estudios STEM diario son solo parte de los conceptos b谩sicos en Pearcy. 91制片厂 tambi茅n se da cuenta de lo importante que es para los estudiantes poder explorar lo que quieren. Por eso tambi茅n se incluyen el arte, la m煤sica y la educaci贸n f铆sica. Tambi茅n lo es la oportunidad de tomar espa帽ol o aprender un instrumento de cuerdas. Si a su estudiante le encantan los LEGO o construir su propia computadora, entonces la Academia STEM en Pearcy STEM es la opci贸n ideal para ellos.

IDIOMAS DEL MUNDO

驴Su futuro estudiante entrante a kindergarten habla franc茅s? Probablemente no. Pero, 驴es eso algo que quieres que tengan la capacidad de hacer? Si esa respuesta es s铆, entonces la Academia de Lenguajes del Mundo Wimbish (WWLA) es la opci贸n adecuada para usted. Tampoco se trata de ser biling眉e en WWLA. Se trata de ser bialfabeto. Los estudiantes est谩n inmersos en una pista de franc茅s / ingl茅s o espa帽ol / ingl茅s en Wimbish con clases b谩sicas de matem谩ticas y ciencias que se ense帽an en el segundo idioma. Las clases electivas de lengua extranjera comienzan en segundo grado. 驴Por qu茅 esto es importante? Queremos que los estudiantes de WWLA tengan conciencia cultural. Este programa los prepara para navegar a trav茅s de una comunidad diversa en un mercado global.

ENCUENTRA TU CAMINO

No importa cu谩l sea su camino, 91制片厂 tiene uno que lo lleva al 茅xito universitario, profesional y de por vida. Inf贸rmese sobre estos programas y complete su solicitud hoy mismo para uno de los programas especializados de 91制片厂.

91制片厂 quiere preparar a los estudiantes para su futuro y tiene los programas para hacer precisamente eso.

No importa si el futuro es la universidad o una carrera, 91制片厂 lo llevar谩 all铆 a trav茅s de sus ofertas de programas especializados que a menudo incluyen la oportunidad de obtener cr茅ditos universitarios gratuitos.

鈥淣o todos tienen los mismos planes cuando terminan la escuela preparatoria鈥�, dijo el superintendente de 91制片厂, Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. 鈥淣uestro trabajo es conocer al estudiante y ayudarlo a encontrar su camino. Nuestros programas especializados son una de las formas en que podemos hacer eso ".

驴Quiere tener la oportunidad de obtener hasta 60 horas de cr茅dito universitario gratuito? Nuestras dos preparatorias de universidad temprana pueden llevarte all铆 al mismo tiempo que te grad煤as. 驴Qu茅 es de las certificaciones para desempe帽ar un trabajo? Tenemos eso cubierto. 驴Est谩 interesado en nuestras escuelas preparatorias Pathways in Technology para negocios o en el campo de la medicina? Lo tenemos. 驴Es STEM (ciencias, tecnolog铆a, ingenier铆a y matem谩ticas) tu camino? Tenemos una escuela para eso, tambi茅n.

驴No puede tomar esa decisi贸n sin obtener m谩s detalles? Aqu铆 tienes tus opciones.

ESCUELAS PREPARATORIAS CON UNIVERSIDAD TEMPRANA

El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Arlington se trata de opciones y eso tambi茅n incluye nuestras escuelas preparatorias con universidad temprana. Los estudiantes pueden asistir a Arlington Collegiate High School (ACHS) o Arlington College and Career High School (ACCHS). Ambas escuelas ofrecen a los estudiantes la oportunidad de graduarse con su diploma de escuela preparatoria y su t铆tulo de grado asociado sin costo para ellos. En ACHS, los estudiantes pueden participar en el programa Lion Scholars en asociaci贸n con la Universidad de Texas en Arlington y la Universidad Texas Wesleyan. Ese programa gratuito los acerca a煤n m谩s a su t铆tulo universitario. En ACCHS, los estudiantes pueden obtener certificaciones laborales en una variedad de campos en Tarrant County College.

P-TECH

Al igual que nuestras escuelas preparatorias de universidad temprana, los estudiantes de 91制片厂 tambi茅n tienen opciones P-TECH. Tenemos la nueva apertura de Lamar P-TECH en el oto帽o de 2022 que coloca a los estudiantes en el camino hacia una carrera en seguridad cibern茅tica o administraci贸n de empresas. Si est谩 m谩s preparado para las ciencias de la salud, Bowie P-TECH es el camino. All铆, los estudiantes pueden diversificarse en cuatro 谩reas diferentes en el campo de la medicina y tener la oportunidad de tomar clases de nivel universitario con nuestro socio del programa, Medical Center Arlington. Tal como en nuestras escuelas preparatorias de universidad temprana su estudiante puede obtener un grado asociado en nuestro programa P-Tech. Adem谩s, puede participar en las actividades extracurriculares disponibles en la escuela preparatoria.

CIENCIAS, TECNOLOG脥A, INGENIER脥A Y MATEM脕TICAS

La Academia STEM (ciencias, tecnolog铆a, ingenier铆a y matem谩ticas) en la Preparatoria Martin ofrece otra opci贸n para los estudiantes de preparatoria que desean seguir la universidad o una carrera en el campo STEM. 驴Sue帽as con ir al MIT? Dos graduados recientes de la Academia STEM est谩n all铆 ahora. 驴Quiere trabajar para Lockheed Martin? Tambi茅n tenemos estudiantes de la Academia STEM trabajando all铆. Los estudiantes de la Academia STEM pueden obtener cr茅ditos universitarios tempranos de la Universidad de Texas en Arlington. Tambi茅n hay mentores profesionales y oportunidades de pasant铆as. Y al igual que nuestros programas P-TECH, los estudiantes de la Academia STEM pueden participar en actividades extracurriculares tradicionales de la escuela preparatoria que se ofrecen en Martin High School.

ENCUENTRA TU CAMINO

No importa cu谩l sea su camino, 91制片厂 tiene uno que lo lleva al 茅xito universitario, profesional y de por vida. Inf贸rmese sobre estos programas y complete su solicitud hoy mismo para un programa especializado de 91制片厂.

National School Psychology Week (NSPW) is here, and it鈥檚 time to celebrate the important work school psychologists do year-round to help students succeed. This year鈥檚 theme for the week of November 8-12 is 鈥淟et鈥檚 Get in Gear,鈥� and 91制片厂鈥檚 licensed specialists in school psychology are ready to help educate staff on best practices to engage in and advocate for access to mental health resources.

鈥淲e really enjoy working with students and supporting them in their mental health,鈥� said Mondie Childress, licensed specialist. 鈥淎 lot of times we are dealing with some of the toughest behaviors, and we鈥檙e the ones people turn to when no one else has answers.鈥�

鈥淲e can have the most resilient students, but when you throw environmental changes at them, the recovery process is usually longer. It鈥檚 our job to plan for the future and provide services to help students recover in the best way.鈥�

Outside of offering evaluations, counseling services and targeted interventions, the team of specialists is focusing on educating and bringing awareness to two elements: autism spectrum disorder and disciplining students with disabilities. Newsletters and handouts were distributed to campuses to initiate conversations with staff, students and families throughout the district.

Unlike many may believe, autism is not a linear spectrum, and students could experience a variety of characteristics associated with the disorder. Because students with disabilities can demonstrate a variety of behaviors, traditional forms of discipline may not be appropriate for students. It is important to look at disciplinary systems and procedures from a broader spectrum when determining the best plan of action to take.

As staff and parents become more exposed to diverse learners and the best practices to engage in, intervention in students鈥� lives can happen earlier and learning environments can continuously be improved.

鈥淥f course we want students to be successful academically, but we need them to be socially and emotionally successful, too,鈥� said Childress. 鈥淭hey can鈥檛 learn in the classroom if they鈥檙e not in a good headspace, so we have to do what鈥檚 best to make sure they鈥檙e thriving in and out of school.鈥�

There are 22 licensed specialists in 91制片厂 qualified to diagnose students with emotional and behavioral disorders, and they鈥檙e dedicated to ensure students have the support and care they need to thrive mentally. The next time you see or interact with a licensed specialist in school psychology, don鈥檛 forget to thank them for their commitment to serving students and staff.

For more information on National School Psychology Week, please visit the official .

91制片厂 wants to set students up for their future and has the programs to do just that.

It doesn鈥檛 matter if the future is college or career, the 91制片厂 will get you there through its specialized programs offerings that often include the opportunity for free college credits.

鈥淣ot everyone has the same plans when they leave high school,鈥� 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. 鈥淥ur charge is to meet the student and help them find their path. Our specialized programs are one of the ways we can do that.鈥�

Want a chance for up to 60 hours of free college credit? Our two early-college high schools can get you there at the same time you graduate. What about workplace certifications? We鈥檝e got that covered. Interested in our Pathways in Technology high schools to hit business or the medical field running? Got it. Is STEM your path? We鈥檝e got a school for that, too.

Can鈥檛 make that choice without getting some more details? Here are your options.

Early college high schools

91制片厂 is all about choices and that includes our early college high schools, too. Students can attend either Arlington Collegiate High School (ACHS) or Arlington College and Career High School (ACCHS). Both schools offer students the opportunity to graduate with their high school diploma as well as their associate degree at no cost to them. At ACHS, students can participate in the Lion Scholars program in partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Wesleyan University. That free program puts them even closer to their college degree. At ACCHS students can earn work certifications in a variety of different fields from Tarrant County College.

P-TECH

Like our early college high schools, students in the 91制片厂 have P-TECH options, too. We have the new Lamar P-TECH opening in the fall of 2022 that puts students on a path towards a career in cybersecurity or business administration. If you鈥檙e better suited for health sciences, then Bowie P-TECH is the path. There, students can branch out to four different areas in the medical field and have a chance to take upper-level classes with our program partner, Medical Center Arlington Like our early college high schools, students can earn an associate degree from our P-TECH programs. They can also participate in regular high school extracurriculars at the campus.

STEM

The STEM Academy at Martin High School offers another option for high schoolers who want to pursue college or a career in the STEM field. Dream of going to MIT? Two recent STEM Academy graduates are there now. Want to work for Lockheed Martin? We have STEM Academy students working there, too. STEM Academy students can earn early college credits from the University of Texas at Arlington. There are professional mentors and internship opportunities, too. And like our P-TECH programs, STEM Academy students can participate in traditional high school extracurriculars that are offered at Martin High School.

Find your path

No matter your path, the 91制片厂 has one that leads to college, career and lifetime success. Learn more about these programs and apply for an听听today.

91制片厂 wants its students to reach their maximum potential through relevant, innovative and rigorous learning experiences.

All three of those aspects start in elementary school in the 91制片厂, and there鈥檚 nothing more innovative than the elementary school specialized programs the district offers.

Students in kindergarten in the 91制片厂 can start following their passion whether it鈥檚 leadership, fine arts, dual language or STEM. Whatever path a student wants to take, the 91制片厂 can lead them down that path and start setting them up for their future beginning in kindergarten.

鈥淲e know the importance of providing opportunities,鈥� 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. 鈥淵ou have to allow students to be able to follow their dreams. That doesn鈥檛 start in junior high or high school, either. We must meet the students at a younger age and engage them. We do that in the 91制片厂.鈥�

So, what鈥檚 the right path for your student? In the 91制片厂 it鈥檚 about choices.

Dual Language/Fine Arts

91制片厂 offers two dual language and fine arts elementary schools, conveniently located in north Arlington and south Arlington so students can remain closer to their homes. The curriculum at Corey Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language and Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language is the same. Students will learn in two languages and benefit from an 鈥渁rts for all鈥� experience. Whether their passion is piano or painting, students at these academies can pursue their dreams.听 Students spend half their days learning in English and half in Spanish. They also have opportunities to explore their creative side with dance, piano, drama and visual arts classes. Students at both academies will now have the chance to continue their dreams at Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy. A fine arts high school is also coming soon.

Leadership

Is service the calling for your future 91制片厂 student? Then Crow Leadership Academy is the answer to that calling. The school is one of just a few International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme campuses in the state. Leadership and community service are the hallmarks at Crow, which just completed new bond work that includes a new classroom wing, renovated cafeteria and gymnasium. Crow builds leaders by developing students who can inspire and influence others, take initiative, hold others accountable and encourage them. If you want your child to grow and develop those gifts while learning to know and care about the world around them, then Crow Leadership Academy is the place for them.听

STEM

Everyone knows how important STEM futures are in today鈥檚 world. At Pearcy STEM Academy for K-6 students will be able to get in on the ground level at a school that was one of the first 20 schools in the nation to be certified by the National Institute for STEM Education. Students at Pearcy get to work with a dozen certified STEM teachers to help them grow. Summer STEM camps and daily STEM curriculum are just part of the basics at Pearcy. 91制片厂 also realizes how important it is for students to be able to explore what they want to. That鈥檚 why art, music and physical education are also included. So is the opportunity to take Spanish or learn strings. If your student loves LEGOs or building their own computer, then Pearcy STEM Academy is the right fit for them.

World Languages

Does your future kindergartener speak French? Probably not. But is that something you want them to have the ability to do? If that answer is yes then Wimbish World Language Academy (WWLA) is the fit for you. It鈥檚 not about being bilingual at WWLA either. It鈥檚 about being biliterate. Students are immersed in a French/English or Spanish/English track at Wimbish with core classes math and science taught in the second language. Foreign language electives start in second grade. Why does all of this matter? We want students at WWLA to be culturally aware. It sets them up to navigate through a diverse community in a global market.

Find your path

No matter your path, the 91制片厂 has one that leads to college, career and lifetime success. Learn more about these programs and apply for an听听today.

Back in 2014, the Capital Needs Steering Committee (CNSC) worked to develop the program that would become the 2014 Bond. With about 40 members, including school district employees and volunteers from the community, the committee evaluated 91制片厂鈥檚 capital needs and worked to come up with solutions. Two of the district鈥檚 volunteer staff members on the committee could not have imagined at the time how much their work would impact not only the district鈥檚 long-term future, but theirs, as well.

Suzanne Dangelmaier was the head swimming coach at Arlington High School in 2014, and Micah Green was an Arlington High teacher soon to become the director of theater arts. Both joined the committee because of their passions, one for swimming and one for theater. And both shared a passion for giving students the best possible opportunities and education.

Fast forward seven years. The 2014 Bond program is complete, and two of its signature projects 鈥� the Athletics Center and Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), collectively known as the Arts and Athletics Complex 鈥� are open and impacting students. The district鈥檚 first-ever natatorium, housed in the Athletics Center, is now home to all district swim teams, the district鈥檚 and the district鈥檚 new elementary water safety program. And who is leading all of this? Suzanne Dangelmaier, now the 91制片厂鈥檚 natatorium director and aquatics coordinator.

Right next door, the CVPA is providing students a state-of-the-art arts fine education unavailable anywhere else. Among the professional-level spaces in the facility are a concert hall and theater. If you walked into the theater this week, you would get to witness the first annual Junior High One-Act Festival. And who would you see running the show? Micah Green, now 91制片厂鈥檚 fine arts coordinator of theater and dance.

Now that the Athletics Complex and CVPA are open, serving students and winning awards, it鈥檚 a good time to look back to 2014 and remember and recognize the efforts of Dangelmaier, Green and all of their fellow committee members. Their legacy actually extends well beyond these two new buildings, from the Career and Technical Center to new school buses, technology, musical instruments and so much more.

We asked Dangelmaier and Green to share some of their memories and thoughts:

Why did you serve on the CNSC back in 2013-2014 and what was your role in the district at the time?听鈥�

Dangelmaier: I started with the school district in 2002 as Seguin's head swim coach, and all the high school swim coaches desired to have our own natatorium.听Therefore, when the district was looking for people to serve on the bond committee, I wanted to be help 91制片厂 build the best natatorium that would support our students and athletes.听I applied to be on the bond committee and was so excited when I was selected to serve on this committee.听At the time, I was the Arlington High head swim coach and teaching science.

Green: At the time, I was actually the communications application teacher at Arlington High School.听 However, I knew that the following year I would be transitioning to the director of theater role at AHS.听I served on the CNSC because I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to create an exciting vision for something the district or community has never seen before.

Do you recall discussions about a natatorium and fine arts center at your CNSC meetings?听鈥�

Dangelmaier: There were several discussions about the natatorium at these meetings and I was able to provide a unique perspective as a long-time high school and USA swimming coach and a former assistant manager at another natatorium.

Green: I absolutely remember discussing the creation of a professional space for the students to experience, which ended up becoming the Center of Visual & Performing Arts.听I was inspired by the amount of energy in the room toward the importance of fine arts within the district.

Did you have any idea that your and your committee's work would lead to the Arts and Athletics Complex and to your current positions and office locations?听鈥�

Dangelmaier: When I applied and was selected to serve on the committee, I was eager to provide information and support needed to see such a project through to fruition, but I had a hard time imagining the actual magnitude of this project.听Then when I was selected to serve as the natatorium director/aquatics coordinator, I was even more excited to be able to continue the hard work of the committee by implementing the programs envisioned for the natatorium.

Green: Zero!听 But boy am I glad to have seen that come to fruition!

What's the best thing that came out of the CNSC and what is the impact on students?听听鈥�

Dangelmaier: The best thing that came out the CNSC was twofold: (1) each high school swim team has a place to call "home," and (2) the ability to provide the elementary water safety day where each third grader comes to the natatorium and learns about being safe in and around bodies of water.

Green: Quite honestly, the best thing that came out of the CNSC is the look on a child's face as they enter the CVPA for the first time.听Or hearing student voices inside the professional Robert G. Copeland Concert Hall.听To try to put it into words would do the experience disservice.

If you pay any attention to the news 鈥� or go to the grocery store 鈥� you know about the widescale supply chain issues across the country. Unfortunately, 91制片厂 is not immune, and the district鈥檚 food and nutrition services department has been especially hard hit.

91制片厂鈥檚 food and nutrition services department runs a massive operation, feeding breakfast and lunch to thousands of students each day. As shipments of food and non-food items, like trays and cutlery, have been delayed or are simply not coming, the district鈥檚 food service team has had to make adjustments and work long hours to make sure every student gets fed.

David Lewis, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of food and nutrition services, wants to make sure that students and parents are aware of the issue and understand that some of their meals may look a little different than in the past. But he also wants to assure everyone that the district is doing everything it can to provide every student with breakfast and lunch no matter what.

鈥淲e are still providing healthy, nutritious meals, and we will continue to do that,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淚t might just look a little different.鈥�

Lewis is confident they will handle every issue, but he is transparent about the challenges they face. They are dealing with many purchased orders that are delayed or simply not coming. Vendors keep pushing back delivery dates or even canceling orders altogether.

For example, the district ordered 450 cases of sliced beef. Eleven have been delivered. 300 cases of green beans were ordered. Eight have come in.

Non-food items are a problem, too. The district ordered 8,064 packs of trays (each pack has 500 trays) and none have come in. The standard cutlery packets are not available anymore either, forcing the district to improvise.

To make matters worse, the food and nutrition services department is also dealing with another nationwide challenge 鈥� a shortage of workers. With 167 open positions, the district recently upped the starting pay for food service workers.

All of this is adding up to significant changes in the cafeteria. A few of the changes students can expect include:

• Cutlery 鈥� While some other school districts are starting to serve only finger foods as they struggle to get cutlery, Lewis feels confident they have a solution. As the district鈥檚 standard cutlery packet is no longer available, they are moving to individual items. Instead of a plastic bag with every item in it, students will just pick up what they need: an individual fork, a napkin, etc.
• Food items may change 鈥� Some of the standards are changing, even items like burgers and pizza. The district has had to find new vendors and sometimes new products. Students will likely still see those items, but they may just look and taste a little different.
• Menu changes 鈥� Typically the food and nutrition services team publishes monthly menus but has now been forced to issue menus just one week at a time. And even the weekly menus may change on a daily basis based on what supplies the district has each day.
• Changing breakfast menu 鈥� With a shortage of trays, the breakfast menu is being changed so that no tray will be required.
• Fewer choices 鈥� There are fewer entr茅e choices right now. In 2019-2020, high school menus included 16 entrees. Now, there are three.
• Toast 鈥� There鈥檚 plenty of toast on the breakfast menu. Breads and buns have still been available in the quantities the district needs, but biscuits and muffins, which typically add variety to the breakfast menu, are not available.
• Thanksgiving 鈥� Due to the shortages, school cafeterias will unfortunately not get to serve the annual Thanksgiving meal this year.

Even with the changes and fewer options, the district has no plans to serve any fewer meals. Lewis and his team meet daily to assess supplies and plan menus according to what they have. A purchasing team spends their days scouring the market to buy food and non-food items. And the food services team will open their loading dock any time a truck can deliver, even if it鈥檚 a weekend day or the middle of the night.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a versatile, strong team,鈥� said Lorin Cheung, 91制片厂 nutrition coordinator, 鈥渁nd we are exploring options outside the box.鈥�

Lewis explained that the food service teams at each school are facing some of the biggest challenges.

鈥淲ith every change, it makes planning and prepping harder at the campus level,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淭he challenges are magnified at the campus level as the menus change, and often schools get food and supplies only one day in advance.鈥�

Lewis urged patience and asked for understanding.

鈥淥ur campus staff are working incredibly hard to make sure every student who wants a meal is fed. Please be patient with them.鈥�

The only team on a hotter winning streak than the may be the teaching team in the 91制片厂.

William McAlister, a social studies teacher at Carter Junior High, and Adams Elementary third-grade teacher Tarri Miller were honored this week as the Dallas Cowboys/Reliant Energy Class Acts teachers of the month for September and October.

Both teachers were surprised on their campuses Monday as the Dallas Cowboys bus showed up with a Cowboys jersey, football, a check for $4,000 to use on campus, Cowboys mascot Rowdy and former Cowboys offensive lineman Joe Looney.

McAlister, who is also a coach, was heading to the gym when he was greeted by the Cowboys crew and 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. His award was extra special as he is an Army veteran and the Cowboys wanted to honor him during their Salute to Service week.

鈥淚鈥檓 very honored by all of this,鈥� said McAlister, who was the district鈥檚 junior high teacher of the month in September. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about the kids. Everything we do is 100 percent for the kids.鈥�

McAlister鈥檚 students swarmed him in the gym. They also got some words of advice from Looney. Looney鈥檚 message to them was there is always a right way and wrong way to do things and that you will be rewarded for doing things the right way.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very blessed and very thankful to have men like you doing what you do,鈥� Looney said to McAlister.

Miller thought she was heading to the front office for a meeting. Little did she know that just outside the office was the bus along with her students.

鈥淚 feel so valued here,鈥� said Miller, who is in her second year at Adams Elementary. 鈥淚鈥檓 freaking out. My heart is beating so fast. COVID had me losing my joy. I loved coming to work here every day last year. We had to persevere and be resilient. I love coming to Adams so much.鈥�

Miller got hugs from all her students and was picked up by Looney.

鈥淭his is her calling,鈥� Adams Elementary principal Lesley Maroney said. 鈥淓very day when she walks through that door she inspires me. She inspires her kids. She helps out wherever she can.鈥�

91制片厂 thanks the Dallas Cowboys and Reliant Energy for naming two 91制片厂 teachers as their Class Acts Teacher of the Month!

View photos from this awesome event and watch all of the excitement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVSIYyoj2C0

Virtual learning for the third six weeks began this week, and while it鈥檚 rainy outside Duff Elementary physical education teacher Matt Bostick as a Workout Wednesday that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

All you need is a chair to get this workout in. Remember to have a sturdy chair that is mom and dad approved.

Sound fun? Then give it a try.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWyQL1OF7A[/embed]

贬别谤别鈥檚 Workout Wednesday No. 9

The Chair Workout (3-5 rounds, timed if you want)

鈥� 5 step ups - 5 each leg, 5 one leg then 5 on the other.

鈥� 4 jump downs

鈥� 3 chair push-ups - maybe need a partner to hold it

鈥� 2 chair burpees - step over the chair between burpees

鈥� 10 chair dips - place hands on chair, facing away from the chair with heels on the floor

If you missed any of your Workout Wednesdays, you can see the entire playlist

If you鈥檙e excited about you or your family member crossing the stage next summer, now is the time to officially start your countdown to graduation day! The 2022 graduation schedule for the district鈥檚 eight high schools has been finalized. Graduations for the six traditional high schools will be located at , while Arlington Collegiate and Venture graduations will be at the 91制片厂 Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

Take a look below at the graduation schedule in order by date and time and mark your calendar for that special day!

路 June 7 - Sam Houston HS, Globe Life Field, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

路 June 7 - Seguin HS, Globe Life Field, 1-3 p.m.

路 June 7 - Lamar HS, Globe Life Field, 5-7 p.m.

路 June 7 - Arlington Collegiate, CVPA, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

路 June 8 - Arlington HS, Globe Life Field, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

路 June 8 - Bowie HS, Globe Life Field, 1-3 p.m.

路 June 8 - Martin HS, Globe Life Field, 5-7 p.m.

路 June 8 - Venture, CVPA, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

More details for graduation will be announced as they are made available. Be sure to share this story with family members, friends, co-workers and anyone else you would like to attend graduation. The 2022 graduation season will be a special one, and we can鈥檛 wait to see you and your loved ones celebrate the hard work of each graduate.

Seth Ressl envisioned a ton of enjoyable and interesting adventures as the parent of an active high school student, but presiding over a game of pooping chickens wasn鈥檛 one of them.

听Yet during the second annual National FFA Organization Booster Club Fall Festival last Saturday at the 91制片厂 Agriculture Science Center, there he was, mic in hand, persuading people to sign up for Chicken Poop Bingo, where dozens of participants would eventually circle a small, elevated cage while egging on a chicken to poop on the number of their choice.

One hundred fifty dollars went to the winner 鈥� the person who picked the right number, not the chicken, although the chicken that Ressl called 鈥渢he bearded lady鈥� did get a chance to return to her pen and load up on more digestible goodies. Another contest was fast approaching.

鈥淔FA isn鈥檛 what it was when I attended AISD鈥� said Joel Winston, a former FFA member from Martin High School who had $10 riding on Tulip, a pretty brown hen. 鈥淲e definitely didn鈥檛 have this building with all the animals in it. Man ol鈥� man, how it has changed.鈥�

It has, which is the beauty of holding the festival, said agriculture science teacher Kyle Durr.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to show off this place,鈥� Durr said of the 26,000-square foot center that houses dozens of animal pens and support areas for cows, goats, lambs and chickens. There are also classrooms, a metal shop and offices.

鈥淏ecause we鈥檙e right off Pioneer, people drive by all the time wondering what it is, and when they find out, they still don鈥檛 know exactly what we do here. The festival is a family friendly event to have a lot of fun but also give them a sense of what happens here.鈥�

Blue blazer-wearing FFA officers strolled around the grounds answering all sorts of questions about not just the building but also what being an FFA member means and what students might expect in agricultural classes. Oftentimes they had to talk over the live music or catch participants between activities like making arts and crafts, having their face painted or petting an array of friendly goats and lambs.

Arlington FFA chapter president Sophee Dever said they are up to 140 members this year, a jump from last year and the year before.

Part of the spike in numbers is students returning to in-person activities and part of it is a growing word of mouth.

鈥淏ecause we are in an urban environment, we actually have students who don鈥檛 know anything about agriculture and want to join because they hear it is fun,鈥� said Sophee, a senior at Arlington High School. 鈥淭he more members we get the more people we have to advocate for agriculture. Students learn it鈥檚 not just about taking care of an animal, it鈥檚 about where clothes come from, where your food comes from. Members who don鈥檛 like animals or eat them come in for the leadership opportunities.鈥�

Sophee is one of those students who entered high school with little knowledge of agriculture. She enrolled in an ag class her freshman year because her brother did before her, and shortly after, she was showing goats.

鈥淣ow I鈥檇 love to go to Texas Tech and eventually be a game warden,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat or floral design.鈥�

Fellow students are often surprised when Sophee reveals her interests in showing goats, or any animal, especially when it comes to showing animals in competitions.

鈥淎 lot of people ask, 鈥榶ou show animals? What鈥檚 it for?鈥欌�� Sophee said. 鈥淚 tell them we show them. We breed them. And it鈥檚 a lot of fun.鈥�

Ressl agrees about the fun part. He was skeptical when his daughter came home and announced intentions of buying a goat.

鈥淚 think my initial thought was 鈥榳hatever. . . come talk to me in a couple weeks,鈥欌�� Ressl said, figuring the impulse was just that. It wasn鈥檛. His daughter Grace, now a junior at Arlington High, got the goat, loves FFA, and now dad is a proud member of the FFA Booster Club.

鈥淭he school district does a great job of telling kids what is offered and then transitioning them into what they might want to do,鈥� Ressl said. 鈥淔FA is not something I ever did personally but they were really good at telling us what to expect and once she got there, educated her. She鈥檚 had a lot of fun. I saw her enjoyment of being a part of not just the ag science programs but the Arlington FFA Chapter as well.鈥�

As for Chicken Poop Bingo, little Tulip pooped within seconds of being put in the cage, which sent everyone into a roar of laughter and made someone $150 richer.

鈥淚 have to say that in a million years I never would have thought I鈥檇 be doing this as a parent,鈥� Ressl said as they prepared for the final Chicken Poop Bingo. 鈥淚 especially wouldn鈥檛 have thought I鈥檇 be enjoying it this much.鈥�

October marks National听, and we want to honor the 76 principals we have in 91制片厂 who work hard in our vision of making the 91制片厂 a premier school district and leader of education.听

91制片厂 veteran Keith Boyd began his career with 91制片厂 teaching听fourth听grade听at听Johns Elementary听in 1999. Now in his sixth year as principal at听Ellis Elementary, Boyd has been with the district a total of 23 years. As we close out spotlights this month, let鈥檚 learn more about Principal Boyd, a creative person and musician whose love for music spills into his love for education.

1) What was your childhood aspiration, and how does it align with your current position as a principal?听听

As a child, I had childhood aspirations of being a musician, and although I do not sing professionally, I wholeheartedly enjoy performing at my church, weddings, other special occasions and of course Ellis Elementary.听听

2) As a creative person, what lessons do you feel are most important to teach your students?听

Some of the most important lessons students can learn that lend themselves seamlessly with creativity are tenacity, dedication to your craft and the idea of practicing until it is perfect!听

3) As a creative, who are your influences and why?听

Some of my greatest influences are many of the greats like Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin because of their unique abilities to tell stories through their music all while possessing amazing voices that have inspired generations.听I believe听in the power of music, and on any given day you may hear music through the halls of Ellis Elementary!听

Martin High School students visited Mansfield Timberview High School last week to offer support and well wishes as students and teachers recover from the recent tragedy there. Martin鈥檚 National Art Honor Society came up with a creative way to express love and encouragement and showed up at Timberview with 1,000 hand-folded cranes and a quilt of encouraging messages.

Legend suggests that if one folds 1,000 cranes, their wish will be granted. With that in mind, the art honor society decided to create the crane installation to wish peace for the Timberview community. Cranes of all colors and patterns were strung together and hung from a dowel as a symbolic gesture of hope. The piece was installed near the front entrance of the school, while the quilt was hung in the classroom.

鈥淭his has been a challenging time for our whole community, and we鈥檙e honored and blessed to be able to receive such a heart-warming gift from Martin,鈥� said Dallas Williams, Timberview art teacher. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing more cathartic than getting your feelings out on paper, and the students have been learning to use art to release all of the emotions they were feeling from the experience.鈥�

Linh Nguyen, 91制片厂鈥檚 assistant director for visual arts, agreed art is a powerful tool for students to utilize throughout difficult times.

鈥淭he beautiful thing about art is you are able to decompress and even express love and encouragement through a variety of mediums,鈥� said Nguyen. 鈥淲e have to support one another when we face difficult times like these, and we want you to know we鈥檙e here for you while you鈥檙e healing.鈥�

Many students had a hand in creating the art pieces for Timberview. The art project extended well beyond the and included students from the art department, Key Club, orchestra, honor society and others who simply wanted to show support.

It鈥檚 time to get your heart racing on Workout Wednesday as Duff physical education teacher Matt Bostick goes all cardio all the time.

And if just the thought of cardio makes you cringe, you can rest easy as the entire workout will be over in seven to nine minutes as you do four exercises in multiples of five. That鈥檚 the good news. Of course, you also want to do this as many times as possible in the timeframe.

Sound fun? Then give it a try.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJYqRN_j3G4[/embed]

贬别谤别鈥檚 Workout Wednesday No. 8.

The 5s

• 5 burpees
• 5 cone-to-cone sprints
• 5 squats
• 5 cone-to-cone sprints

If you missed any of your Workout Wednesdays, you can see the entire playlist .

Red Ribbon Week is back to encourage youth to be drug free and educate students about the negative risks associated with drug usage. is the nation鈥檚 largest and longest-running drug use prevention campaign. This year, the national theme is 鈥淒rug Free Looks Like Me.鈥�

The week-long celebration runs through Friday, and schools throughout the nation and 91制片厂 are celebrating in lots of ways.

Students at Hale Elementary can participate in a variety of dress-up days throughout the week, like wearing neon-colored shirts and sunglasses because their future is 鈥渢oo bright鈥� to do drugs. Each day has a different theme to keep students engaged.

Hale is excited to bring awareness to the dangers of drug usage and encourage students to make healthy choices. Guidance counselors across the district like Mallory Tate believe teaching students how to make good decisions builds character and help prevent substance abuse.

鈥淚 believe that programs like Red Ribbon Week will stick with children forever, so providing important information in fun and creative ways helps students better remember the lesson,鈥� said Tate. 鈥淏etween the dress up days, lessons, guided discussions and a pep rally, they'll remember this when they're presented with the choice of whether or not to try drugs. I also hope they remember to resist peer pressure and talk to trusted adults about their struggles and things that stress them out.

鈥淎s a child, I watched first-hand how drugs can tear families apart and ruin lives, so I am intentional about making sure that my kids know and understand the truth about drugs before they're ever presented with an opportunity to try them.鈥�

In preparation for Red Ribbon Week, the guidance and counseling department provided lessons and videos on drug awareness and prevention. Red ribbons were also purchased for students to wear throughout the week. The department believes supporting campuses to increase awareness and prevention of drug abuse directly influences the district's goal of a 100% graduation rate of students who will be prepared for college, career and citizenship.

Choosing to live a drug-free life isn鈥檛 a small decision. It鈥檚 a significant contribution that helps families and communities stay healthy and safe. With the help of awareness programs like Red Ribbon Week, drugs can be eliminated across the nation one step at a time.