contemp.co is the CVPA's premiere dance company

Ready to shimmy, shake and sashay your way into 2025? We sure are! Come dance into the new year with CVPA dance students!

Join Kendall Najvar, 91制片厂's communications specialist, as she hits the dance floor across schools in 91制片厂. The rhythm continued as we leaped into our second stop at the 91制片厂 Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA).听 (Watch the first dance at Jones Academy.)

With the help of dance teacher Brianna Miller and the , we brought Don McLean鈥檚 鈥淰incent (Starry, Starry Night)鈥� to life.听听

Watch the to dance into the new year with us!听听

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ0Kq4qx9ig[/embed]

You can keep on groovin鈥� in fine arts, dual language, early college, STEM and more in one of 91制片厂鈥檚 fourteen specialized programs. The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 school year is Jan. 13. Learn more and apply here.

Season's greetings from the CVPA!听

Dance in 2025 with the Jones Dance Crew

Ready to shimmy, shake and sashay your way into 2025? We sure are! Come dance into the new year with Jones Academy students!

Join Kendall Najvar, 91制片厂's communications specialist, as she hits the dance floor across schools in 91制片厂. Our first stop? Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language, where we teamed up with the incredible dance teacher Shelby Smith and the Jones dance crew to get the year started on the right foot.听

And guess what? We caught all the moves on video just for you! Watch the Jones Academy Dance Crew in action and let their energy inspire you to groove into the new year.听

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

Wanting to get jazzy? Dance with us! Or join in on the fun in one of 91制片厂鈥檚 specialized programs. Explore opportunities in fine arts, dual language, early college, STEM and more here. The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 school year is Jan. 13.听

Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a fabulous 2025 from the Jones Academy Dance Crew to you!听

Glaspie Field funded by the 2019 Bond

The future Glaspie Field at Martin High School topped out last week. That means they hung the last beam of the steel structure.

That also means it鈥檚 starting to really look like the athletic venue is under construction.

鈥淲e are very excited about Glaspie Stadium,鈥� said Eric White, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of athletics.听鈥淲e realize the work has been going on for a while, but it comes alive when the work is above ground. When you can see the buildings, press box and bleachers taking shape it becomes tangible and creates more energy about playing there next year.鈥�

The 2019 Bond project is converting Martin鈥檚 athletic field into the district鈥檚 third competition venue and will serve as the home field for Martin and Seguin high schools.

The new听Glaspie Field听will include approximately 10,000 seats, a larger press box, locker rooms, restrooms and concessions.

Architects were careful to consider the campus鈥� existing layout, neighbors, traffic flow 鈥� cars, school buses and pedestrians 鈥� and parking in their design. They have included a landscape buffer and fencing between the stadium and neighboring homes and will utilize modern LED lighting. The LED lighting is significantly better than traditional lighting in that it can be directed into the stadium and onto the playing surface more efficiently, has considerably less spillage from the venue and can be turned on and off quickly.

See the Glaspie Field renderings.

The design also features the ability to transform the stadium according to which school is using it. With lighting, signage and technology, the stadium will shift to reflect the home team for that event, whether it鈥檚 Seguin, Martin or any other 91制片厂 school.

Glaspie Field will give 91制片厂 the three competition venues it needs for its six traditional high schools. The other two are Wilemon Field at Sam Houston High School and Cravens Field at Lamar High School, which will both receive renovations as part of the 2019 Bond, too.

The district used to rent UT Arlington鈥檚 football stadium for its third stadium until it became unavailable and currently plays many football games at Choctaw Stadium.

See more .

Holiday program fun for pre-K and kinder students

Santa and Mrs. Claus were in Arlington last week.

They dropped in to visit pre-K and kindergarten at Burgin and Blanton elementary schools as part of a fun holiday program put on by 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood learning department.

Don鈥檛 tell anyone, but Santa was really Ken Foster, 91制片厂 early childhood instructional specialist. And Mrs. Claus was Dr. Hildelisa D铆az, 91制片厂鈥檚 early childhood coordinator.

But the Claus鈥檚 were very convincing to the 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds who went a little wild with excitement when they walked in at the end of the program.

The program was full of fun, with elves, Frosty the Snowman, the Gingerbread Man and a dancing Christmas tree (all played by members of the district鈥檚 early childhood department) sharing a story and leading everyone in singing and dancing.

The story, 鈥�,鈥� read to the students by two elves, offered a good lesson for the little learners.

Bitty the Elf was small but learned that he could still help out and do important things.

鈥淣o matter how tall or short you are, you can always be a good helper,鈥� one elf 鈥� usually known as Dr. Jackeline Orsini, director of early childhood learning 鈥� told the students. 鈥淜ids like you can always be a good helper.鈥�

Spring pre-K at Kooken enrolling now

Fun is always a big part of pre-K in 91制片厂, and it鈥檚 never too late to get your child into one of our premier pre-K programs. In fact, Kooken Early Childhood Center is enrolling for the spring semester now. Classes start Jan. 8, and you can register online now here.

If you have any pre-k questions, contact the early childhood learning team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

Have you ever wondered what Christmas is like around the world?听

Just ask the English as a Second Language (ESL) program students at Arlington High School!听

This year, they hosted their fourth annual Christmas Around the World event. Over 40 ESL students came together to bring the magic of Christmas from their home country or a country they were interested in learning more about.听听

They created colorful presentation boards filled with fun facts, photos and stories about how each country celebrates the holidays. From the twinkling lanterns of the Philippines to the festive pi帽atas of Mexico, each board was a mini adventure around the world.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun,鈥� said Arlington High freshman Belen Reich-Basulto. 鈥淚t鈥檚 cool to learn about other countries and other cultures.鈥�听

But the event was more than just an adventure, it was an opportunity for students to strengthen their communication.听

鈥淭here is so much learning that goes into this,鈥� said content-based language instruction (CBLI) specialist Tammy Edwards. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e learning about other countries while also learning how to speak to people in a formal way.鈥澨�听

And what鈥檚 a celebration without treats? Many students brought traditional dishes to share with faculty and staff from across the district.听听

Over the past four years, the event has become a highlight for both students and faculty, but this was the first year that听faculty from across the entire district were invited.听听

The smiles, stories and delicious food made it clear. Christmas is a time for bringing people together, no matter where you鈥檙e from!听听

Mission Joy Toy Drive culminates with festive drive-thru

The Christmas spirit is in the air at 91制片厂. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 beautiful,鈥� said Tillie Burgin, the director of and the namesake of Burgin Elementary School. 鈥淚 can hardly wait to get them back to the Christmas Store and put them on the shelves.鈥� 听听

Burgin was talking about the truckload of toys that is heading to Mission Arlington after last week鈥檚 first-ever Mission Joy Toy Drive that benefited the Mission Arlington Christmas Store.听

The district worked with the City of Arlington, the Arlington Fire Department and the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce for the drive, which culminated with a drive-thru event last Tuesday at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts.听

By the time the student performances were done and cameras had stopped rolling, 14 huge boxes of toys filled one truck, and another truck was needed for the bikes.听

鈥淚'm really excited that there are certain opportunities we have here in Arlington that are really special, and one of those are partnerships,鈥� said 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. 鈥淲e have an amazing partnership with the city, police department and Mission Arlington, and we鈥檙e here to basically bring joy to kids. I don't know if it gets any better than that when you see everybody in alignment working together to do great things for the children.鈥�听

The drive-thru was the culmination of the toy drive that started with collection boxes throughout the district, fire stations, businesses and city offices. 听

The drive-thru's frigid weather last week听didn鈥檛 discourage donors and volunteers. There were student performances from Blanton Elementary School, Boles Junior High School and Martin High School. There was also hot chocolate and cookies to warm everyone up. 听听

With every vehicle passing through, the huge boxes filled up. 听

The collaboration exceeded expectations and means that Mission Arlington is getting a big boost.听

Burgin鈥檚 mission began 38 years ago to help our local community during the holidays. 听

鈥淧eople were using their rent money to buy toys for the kids, and so we said here鈥檚 some new toys, turkeys and trees we鈥檒l take them to you,鈥� Burgin said.听

鈥淲ere always big supporters of Mission Arlington 鈥� anything we can do to help the community is the best part of the job,鈥� said Lt. Jason Horne with Arlington Fire Department. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good feeling to see the kids and how their faces light up when they see the toys.鈥� 听

director of member engagement听Elena Thaxton was excited that all the donations would stay right here in Arlington. 听

鈥淭his was a no brainer for us to participate,鈥� Thaxton said.听鈥淭his was so special because we knew it was going to go right to our Arlington community for the Mission Arlington Christmas Store, and so to be able to see our kids here in the community receive those toys it鈥檚 just pure joy.鈥� 听

Arlington school representatives knew they could count on their city.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 just reflective of who we are in Arlington,鈥� said Aaron Perales, the executive director of family and community engagement for the district. 鈥淲e knew when we asked that they would step up to the plate and support because they've done so over and over again.鈥�

Perales has seen the heart-warming reactions of children.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 overwhelming just to see the smiles on their faces,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t seems very simple, but it means so much that they are having a Christmas, and you can see the smiles on the parents as well. It鈥檚 a great turnout 鈥� we鈥檝e collected so many toys.鈥� 听

Burgin was still trying to soak in the night when things wound down.听

鈥淚 never want it to stop,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are surrounded with every possible group in this city because they want to help and give to children and make a difference. I just want to hug them. My joy is the community that loves all people.鈥�听

from the Mission Joy Toy Drive drive-thru.

Students from the first class of fine arts and dual language program

Last month, 59 ninth grade students in the 91制片厂鈥檚 fine arts and dual language program were awarded the Global Seal of Biliteracy award during a ceremony at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual & Performing Arts.

鈥淧ioneers鈥� is how Dr. Matt Varnell, the principal at Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language, described the students.

Ten years ago, they were all kindergarteners at either Corey or Jones fine arts and dual language academy 鈥� the first class in the district鈥檚 innovative new fine arts and dual language program. The program teaches students in English and Spanish with the aim to develop fluency in both.

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

鈥淲hen we started this program nearly 10 years ago, it was just a hope, and seeing that vision come to life fills me with the most pride,鈥� said Jones鈥� principal Katiuska Herrador, who has been at the school since year one. 鈥淭his achievement is a testament to the students' hard work and commitment to bilingualism and biliteracy, as well as to the incredible teachers who have guided and supported them along the way.听I remember when they were so tiny, just starting kindergarten, and now seeing them thriving in high school with endless possibilities ahead is heartwarming. What an incredible journey!鈥�

It's a journey that is still going. After the students finished at Corey and Jones, they went to junior high at Gunn. Now, they are the first ninth grade class of fine arts and dual language students at Arlington High School.

But even though they are only freshmen in high school, they have already achieved biliteracy.

鈥淵ou have acquired one of the biggest gifts that there is,鈥� Varnell said to the students. 鈥淭he gift of being bilingual is a gift that will stay with your forever.鈥�

Dr. Ruth Martin knows that truth personally. Martin is the program coordinator for the Global Seal of Biliteracy program in 91制片厂 and a lead specialist for the 91制片厂 world languages department. She is also originally from Spain.

"Being bilingual has opened so many doors for me,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淎s the program coordinator, I am thrilled to provide students with this internationally recognized award. I can't wait to hear about the future opportunities, such as scholarships, internships and employment that students will be able to access through their Global Seal of Biliteracy awards."

The听is an international credential that recognizes proficiency in two or more languages. This award validates language skills, providing recognition, advanced placement in language programs and opportunities for scholarships and jobs.

91制片厂 department听of听world languages applies on behalf听of听qualifying students for the听Global听Seal听of听Biliteracy听certification. Students who qualify receive their diplomas and are recognized with medals or pins.

Watching the students get their medals was a special moment for Corey principal Cynthia Anthony.

鈥淚t was an incredible opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievement of the students in our fine arts and dual language program,鈥� Anthony said. 鈥淭his group of ninth graders is the first cohort of our specialized program, and it has been very special to watch them grow since kindergarten. I am beyond proud to see what a positive impact our program is making in the lives of 91制片厂 students, and I can't wait to see what they will do next!鈥�

91制片厂's legislative agenda for the 89th Texas Legislative Session

The Texas Legislature鈥檚 89^th session opens early next year on Jan. 14, 2025, in Austin.

Why does that matter up here in 91制片厂?

The is responsible for public education in Texas and determines everything from the amount of funding that school districts can receive to what is taught in the classroom.

Like every legislative session, education is going to be a big topic next year. In the last legislative session in 2023, 1,294 bills related to public education were submitted, and there鈥檚 likely to be more of the same this time around.

That鈥檚 why the 91制片厂鈥檚 Board of Trustee鈥檚 recently adopted a legislative agenda for the 89^th session. The agenda is a series of series of priorities and recommendations that are important to the district and public education in Texas.

91制片厂鈥檚 legislative agenda highlights three critical areas: school funding, safety and academic growth.

Click here for a summary of the three priorities or to read the entire agenda.

And pay attention in January and throughout the 89^th legislative session as we post more information about these priorities and school finance in Texas.

91制片厂鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting last night is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights. Watch the Board Brief from the trustees meeting on Dec. 12, 2024, or read the brief below.

Board Brief from the trustees meeting on Dec. 12

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ZAyNdvBS4[/embed]

Six more school days until winter break! But who鈥檚 counting?

The end of the year is fast approaching, and the 91制片厂 Board of Trustees held its final meeting of 2024 last night, Thursday, Dec. 12. There was a lot on the agenda, and here are a few of the highlights.

First of all, thank you to Hannah Nyakenyanya, a fifth grader from Fitzgerald Elementary. She started our meeting by leading us in the pledge of allegiance, and she did a great job.

And thanks to the Bowie High School Volunteer Voices for bringing some Christmas spirit to the meeting. The varsity a cappella group 鈥� conducted by Jermaine Lobaugh and Adam Thomas 鈥� performed "Little Saint Nick," which was arranged by one of their own singers, Brandon Cole.

The student of the month for December comes from Bowie, too. Congratulations to Taina Nieves, who is part of the P-TECH program. Nieves is involved in a lot of things, from soccer to AVID, and a whole lot more. Plus, she helps lead the Strather Peace Project on campus, volunteering her time during pep rallies and lunch to spread information about conflict resolution and the importance of keeping peace across the campus.听Her efforts are making a real difference. Thank you, Taina!

Clearly, 91制片厂 has amazing students, and the board wants to make sure they all have the best possible educational experience. That鈥檚 why the district conducted annual student surveys with all sixth, eighth, 10^th and 12^th grade students. The board received a report at the meeting about the survey that was conducted in the spring earlier this year. The board and administration can use the results and insight offered by the survey to help them better serve students.

The trustees also received an update on planning for the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. A 24-member committee is working to draft an academic-focused calendar that prioritizes and maximizes professional learning opportunities throughout the school year and prioritizes staff well-being.

Of course there was a financial report, too. 91制片厂 CFO Darla Moss gave a routine financial update with the current budget status, recent expenditures and updates on key financials. The board also approved the monthly financial report later in the meeting.

One more quick update before this Board Brief concludes. The board approved Hilltop Securities to serve as the financial advisor for the next sale of bonds in the 2019 Bond program. And speaking of the bond, Batson Cook Construction was approved as the general contractor for renovations at Amos and Goodman elementary schools. Look for those projects to start in 2025.

Those are just a few of the highlights from this meeting. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please click to watch the entire meeting.

New gyms funded by the 2019 Bond

A game changer.

That鈥檚 how Foster Elementary principal Jacquelyn Burden describes the new gymnasium under construction at the school.

鈥淭he new gym at Foster will be a game-changer for our students,鈥� Burden said. 鈥淚t will provide a modern, spacious environment where they can develop not only their physical skills but also teamwork, perseverance and confidence.鈥�

It doesn鈥檛 look like much yet though 鈥� just a slab of concrete. The same is true of the new gym under construction at Johns Elementary.

But they will soon grow, like the gyms under construction at Pope and Key elementaries. Key鈥檚 gym is the farthest along in the construction process, and both Key and Pope鈥檚 structure is up, and the walls have been bricked.

All four gym additions 鈥� all funded by the 2019 Bond 鈥� are over 5,000-square-feet and will replace much smaller gyms. They will all have six basketball goals with striping for basketball and volleyball, two restrooms, an office and storage. Plus, the new gyms are being constructed as storm shelters, sized to accommodate the entire student and staff population.

鈥淭his upgrade represents a significant improvement over our current facilities, and we鈥檙e thrilled about the opportunities it will bring to enhance both physical education and school-wide events,鈥� Burden said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an investment in our students鈥� growth and well-being that will benefit the entire Foster community.鈥�

Pope鈥檚 principal Crystal Dunlap is also excited about what the new building will do for Pope students.

"As we embark on this exciting new chapter at Pope Elementary, our new听gymnasium represents more than just a building 鈥� it's a symbol of growth, safety and opportunity for our students,鈥� Dunlap said. 鈥淲ith this addition, we're creating a foundation for memorable experiences and enhanced learning for years to come."

See photos of the construction process at all four schools:

• .

Old Saint Nick visits Wimbish

It's not Christmas yet, but for Wimbish World Language Academy, Old Saint Nick arrived early to spread some holiday cheer. 听听

First grade teacher Kathy Kresser saw the excitement in the air. 听

鈥淭hey were excited to have something new to look forward to and come to school on time,鈥� Kresser said.

Kresser is talking about , which was celebrated last Friday at WWLA. 听听

The European tradition was celebrated as part of the school鈥檚 world language cultural integration education and听to add a little holiday cheer of course. 听听

Principal Chelsea Kostyniak brought the idea to life just last year. 听

鈥淭hey should have fun at school,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like when you get kids to come to school there should be joy.鈥� 听

Kostyniak鈥檚 childhood memories inspired her to bring this new and exciting German听tradition to WWLA. 听

鈥淚 remember doing this in kindergarten, and so when I started working here and it was the world culture and we started talking about Christmas, I was like one of my best memories was whenever we did this,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 said 鈥榳e have to do this.鈥欌��听

Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop who听was known for his generosity and kindness. He inspired the tradition of children leaving their shoes out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day in hopes of finding them filled with gifts the next morning.听听听

鈥淭hey're still children, they should get to learn these kinds of things. I remember it at my age, and they should have happy memories at school,鈥� said Kostyniak.听

Students took off one听shoe and set it out in the hallway. Within minutes the hallways were lined up with tiny shoes from pre-K all the way to sixth grade. Everyone anticipated St. Nick鈥檚 arrival. In a flash, St. Nicholas stopped by, and with the help of staff and PTA, they filled the shoes with goodies and treats. When students stepped out to get their shoes, they were amazed.听

Kindergarten teacher ZairaNelly Paita enjoys the new tradition at WWLA. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see how much happiness it brings to the kids, so it makes my heart feel warm to see that we鈥檙e able to give them a little happiness and excitement during the holidays,鈥� Paita said.听

Does that sound like a tradition you want your student to be a part of? Wimbish World Language Academy is taking applications for the 2025-26 school year. You can find out more and apply here. Wimbish is also hosting a parent meeting tonight, Dec. 11, from 6-7 where you can get more information. 听

Butler Elementary celebrates 50th anniversary

Nora and Pearl Butler. Perhaps, you may know those names well if you attended schools or worked as an educator in 91制片厂 during the mid-1900s. After starting their teaching career at Arlington High School in 1942, Nora and Pearl retired in 1966 and 1971 respectively. Affectionately known as 鈥渢he Butler sisters,鈥� the Godley, Texas, natives worked tirelessly to ensure success for all who walked through their classroom doors.

If they were alive today, the devoted educators would be thrilled to see how much pride that countless current and former students, staff members and principals have in Butler Elementary School 鈥� a north Arlington institution named in their honor.

On a recent Friday night, hundreds from its school community 鈥� forever Broncos 鈥� along with 91制片厂 superintendent Dr. Matt Smith and Arlington board members flocked to the campus to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Along with games and food trucks, the jam-packed event included student choir performances, speeches and more to celebrate the school鈥檚 academic excellence.

Principal Mark Basham said Butler represents 鈥渢he best of what happens in public education when the focus is on helping our students achieve at the greatest heights.鈥�

鈥淎t the heart of Butler鈥檚 success is a shared belief: that each student and every community member can expect the most from one another,鈥� Basham said. 鈥淭his belief creates a powerful bond, knowing that as educators, parents and community members, we are committed to giving our all for the benefit of our children.鈥�

Basham was overwhelmed by the massive turnout on that night. He told the crowd, 鈥淭his unity is what makes Butler exceptional 鈥� a community built on partnerships, where teachers and families come together and where high expectations lead to real achievements. It is this alignment of trust, dedication and a shared vision of excellence for all that drives us forward.鈥�

A team effort

Assistant principal Kelly McMaier 鈥� who helped plan, organize and execute the event, focusing mainly on marketing 鈥� said the event was like a homecoming.

鈥淚 enjoyed watching current and former Broncos interacting and celebrating together. Current and former students and staff were able to honor their individual experiences together, forming new memories,鈥� she said.

During the celebration, there were raffle prize giveaways, face-painting and balloon artists. Among the highlights, McMaier said, was a Goosechase digital tool activity that 鈥減rovided an interactive way for families to explore the history of Butler and hopefully learn something new!鈥�

Another hit among the attendees was the blast-from-the-past images laid out through 鈥渄ecades鈥� presentations. Teacher Molly Bennett served as a 鈥渉istorian,鈥� working with a team to digitize old PTA scrapbooks and school photos. They brought new life to the dated materials by creating videos for the main event.

鈥淚 loved the time that I got to spend pouring over those books and letting the years roll back,鈥� Bennett said. 鈥淚 am a memory keeper at heart.鈥�

Butler has remained a special place in Bennett鈥檚 heart for numerous reasons.

鈥淢y oldest daughter started here as a kindergartener 30 years ago, and I鈥檝e never left!鈥� she said. 鈥淚 started as a parent, then became a PTA volunteer, a classroom assistant, a substitute, and I have now been a sixth-grade teacher for 18 years.鈥�

Brittany Lee, a pre-K teacher at Butler, has had a similar journey. She first joined the school community when her daughter 鈥� who is now a high school senior 鈥� started there.

鈥淚 joined the PTA right away and was a kindergarten room mom, which helped me get to know the amazing people at Butler,鈥� Lee said.听

Lee became a staff member in 2018 when she was hired as the school鈥檚 first STEM lab manager. Lee stressed that there is 鈥渞eally something special about Butler.鈥�

鈥淚 love that our staff has a family atmosphere where everyone helps each other out. We pray for each other, we collaborate with each other and we learn from each other,鈥� she said. 听

Nothing was going to stop Lee from assisting with the celebration. She served on its hospitality committee, which worked to make the event鈥檚 VIP guests feel welcomed. She greatly enjoyed interacting with the many former staff members and students who came decked out in the school鈥檚 colors: red, white and blue.

鈥淎nd I was able to talk with some of my own children鈥檚 former teachers. My favorite thing of the night was getting to reconnect with two students from my first pre-K class. What a joy to see them and to know they still remembered me!鈥� Lee said.

A lasting impact

In addition to the 50th year community celebration, dubbed, 鈥淭he Big Event,鈥� the school hosted a staff-alumni luncheon. The latter event catered to more than 50 former faculty and all current staff members.

Kathy Ryan, a former teacher and co-chairperson for the alumni luncheon, taught at the school from 1978 to 2019.

鈥淲hat I loved most about Butler is the culture,鈥� Ryan said. 鈥淚 worked with the first principal for 19 years, and her motto was 鈥榟ire great people and get out of their way.鈥� This led to a standard of excellence that was often called 鈥榯he Butler Way.鈥欌��

Among other things, Ryan said the committee created a legacy tree that celebrated the multi-generational families of Butler. The tree was on full display at the celebration.

鈥淚 so enjoyed seeing their faces as they found their names on the tree. I had taught most of them over the years and their kids,鈥� she said.

Judy Callahan, another committee chairperson, said that Butler is truly a 鈥渃enter focal point of our community.鈥�

Before retiring in 2023, Callahan taught half of her 34-year 91制片厂 career at Butler.

鈥淚 was first interested in becoming a teacher at Butler because of their stellar reputation for high academics and positive working environment,鈥� Callahan said.

Over the years, Callahan said she learned that parents would intentionally buy houses and move into the Butler area to send their children to the school. She added that the PTA and Dad鈥檚 Club rally around the school's efforts to create family experiences and provide community fun for all students.

鈥淢any parents are former Butler Broncos themselves and have chosen to bring their children back to the school they themselves grew up in. There are many families who we consider 鈥淟egacy Families,鈥� Callahan said.

For the 50th year celebration, secretary Debbie Steiner made numerous building-related arrangements and helped gather old scrapbooks and photos for the historian committee.

鈥淏utler feels like a family to me, and that鈥檚 why I鈥檝e been here over 30 years,鈥� said Steiner, who is planning to retire soon. 鈥淚 began working here as a cafeteria monitor when my family moved to Texas and my kids were in second and fifth grades. I later became a clerk, then secretary.鈥澨�

The 50^th year celebration, Steiner said, was 鈥渆ven better than I had hoped!鈥澨�

Heather Frisina agreed. She first joined the Butler community when her daughter 鈥� who is now a sixth-grader 鈥� started kindergarten. The PTA president from 2022-2024, Frisina was in charge of organizing the food trucks, decorations, raffles, T-shirts and snacks.

鈥淚 thought the celebration was amazing,鈥� Frisina said. 鈥淲hen you plan an event like this you never know 鈥� are you going to get a good turnout? If you do, is it worth their while? I felt like it hit on all the marks鈥� The energy and love for Butler that evening was inspirational.鈥澨�

.

Over 600 attend STEM Leadership Conference

The seventh annual STEM Leadership Conference transformed Martin High School into a hotspot for inspiration and opportunity last month, giving 91制片厂鈥檚 young innovators a chance to jumpstart their future careers.听

With over 600 students from the STEM Academy at Martin High School in attendance, the event offered a lineup of networking opportunities, leadership workshops and a chance to connect with top college representatives and industry professionals.听

The conference kicked off with motivational keynote speaker Courtney Peterson, the founder of the STEM Leadership Conference and a proud alum of Martin High School鈥檚 Class of 2019.听

鈥淭his is pretty amazing,鈥� Peterson said. 鈥淚 wanted this presentation to be very personable. It's amazing to be able to provide some sort of guidance or comfort to those who are in the same spot I was.鈥�听

Throughout the day, students attended workshops and heard from guest speakers representing institutions and organizations including the , Rice University, Purdue University, Stanford University, Lockheed Martin, Arlington Police Department, the City of Fort Worth, Google and more.听

鈥淚鈥檝e gained so many connections and insight,鈥� said Martin senior and conference chair Londyn Franklin. 鈥淲orking with so many incredible students and speakers, watching them work and facilitate together, it鈥檚 just so cool to see.鈥�听

Now in its seventh year, the STEM Leadership Conference continues to be a cornerstone of 91制片厂鈥檚 commitment to preparing students for success. With the energy and enthusiasm displayed at this year鈥檚 event, the future of STEM leadership in the district is brighter than ever.听

鈥淚鈥檓 so proud to see how far this conference has come,鈥� said Martin principal Marlene Roddy. 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of the work these kids put in to make it all happen.鈥�听

Learn more about Martin STEM Academy.听听

Sam Houston High School renovated library

Sam Houston High School is about to unwrap a big Christmas present.

A completely renovated library.

鈥淲e are thrilled to announce the opening of our newly renovated library in January 2025!鈥� said Sam Houston principal Juan Villarreal. 鈥淭his state-of-the-art facility will be an invaluable resource for students and teachers, providing a dedicated space for enrichment activities and collaborative learning.鈥�

The renovations funded by the 2019 Bond include new carpet, paint, ceiling and light fixtures. Plus, the roof above the library was replaced.

The library also includes听a versatile meeting area for school events and programs, and Sam Houston鈥檚 College and Career Center will be conveniently located in the room adjacent to the library, offering students essential resources for their future planning.

The construction is basically complete, so you won鈥檛 find too many construction workers there anymore. But you will find 91制片厂鈥檚 library sciences team 鈥� like the district鈥檚 library services coordinator Lesley Cano and library specialist Alicia Vandenbroek 鈥� there working to get the library and all the books ready to welcome students.

鈥淭he school library is the center of learning in any school, and the updated library at Sam Houston will ensure just that,鈥� Cano said. 鈥淚t will offer students a warm and inviting space designed to spark learning, foster collaboration and encourage creativity鈥� This makeover is part of a broader initiative to provide students with top-tier resources, including new books that will be arriving soon. With its refreshed appearance, the library remains a hub for exploration with its diverse collection of books, advanced digital resources and thoughtfully designed collaborative spaces.鈥�

Villarreal agrees.

鈥淥nce completed, these upgrades will significantly enhance our learning environment, further supporting the growth and success of every Long Tall Texan at Sam Houston High School,鈥� he said.

Learn more about the 2019 Bond here.

Apply for scholarships over winter break

Attention high school students. Is 鈥渁pplying for college scholarships鈥� on your winter break to-do list? If not, you need to add it! Take advantage of your free time over the holidays to set yourself up for a great future. And keep reading to find scholarships and get tips on how to apply.

If you don鈥檛 know what scholarships to apply for, that鈥檚 not a problem. Finding scholarships is easy thanks to the 91制片厂鈥檚 guidance and counseling department. Students can apply for scholarships year-round by checking out the听scholarships page听and choosing which ones they qualify for.

There is a scholarship for everyone. Do you have a green thumb and plan to major in horticulture? Are you first in your family to pursue college, or are you an active member in Boy Scouts? Did you participate in the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center culinary arts and hospitality program, or are you currently enrolled in a STEM-related career pathway?

There are scholarships for all those students and a whole lot more. Really 鈥� there鈥檚 a scholarship for everyone. But you have to apply. So, go check out the district鈥檚 scholarship page, look at the info below about the scholarships for 91制片厂 students offered by the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and read the tips about applying for scholarships below from 91制片厂 director of guidance and counseling Telisa Brown.

The Greater Arlington Chamber Scholarships

The Greater Arlington Chamber Scholarship Program awards $20,000 in scholarships each year to graduating seniors in the 91制片厂 to attend a college or university of their choice.

Eight $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to one graduating senior from each of the six traditional high schools and the two early college high schools.

Applicants are required to complete the online application, write an essay based on the essay topic provided and upload all of the supporting documents.

Applications Due: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST .

Scholarship Tips

91制片厂 director of guidance and counseling Telisa Brown has a few tips for students (and parents) planning to apply for scholarships:

• Start Early

Begin researching scholarships well in advance. Many scholarships have early deadlines, so starting early ensures you don鈥檛 miss out on opportunities.听

• Organize Deadlines

Create a calendar to track application deadlines and prioritize those with the earliest due dates.

• Focus on Fit

Look for scholarships that align with your strengths, interests and experiences. For example, consider awards for academic achievement, community service, sports or unique talents.

• Do not Ignore Small Awards

Every amount will help and add up.

• Gather items needed to apply for a scholarship early, like your transcript, completed FAFSA documents, resume, recommendation letters and essays.

You may need these documents to reference while completing applications.

• Maximize Financial Aid Knowledge

Ensure the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is completed early to qualify for federal, state and school-based aid.听Visit the听91制片厂 financial aid website听for additional information to complete your FAFSA application.

• Gather Strong Recommendations Early

Some scholarships require letters of recommendation. Identify Recommenders: Ask teachers, counselors or mentors who know you well and can provide a strong, personalized letter. Share a resume, transcript or a list of accomplishments to help recommenders write detailed letters. Give your recommenders no less than two weeks to prepare.听

• Gloat! Sing your own praises!

This is a time to brag about all the great things you are doing academically and within the community.

• Stay Persistent

Don鈥檛 get discouraged by rejection. Apply to as many scholarships as possible to increase chances of success. By staying organized, proactive and persistent you can tackle the scholarship application process successfully.

Brown also emphasizes the importance of staying connected with your school counselor and visiting your campus Go Center. Both resources play a vital role in helping students plan for college, apply for scholarships and prepare for post-secondary opportunities.

Good luck!

Sign up for pre-K 3 at Kooken

If you think your 3-year-old is ready to start their educational journey, Kooken Early Education Center may be the perfect place for them.

Still unsure? Maybe Santa can help sway you.

Santa will visit Kooken on Wednesday, Dec. 11, for a holiday-themed event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The evening will include hot cocoa and cookies with Santa, family photo opportunities, a book fair, door prizes and more. You can register to attend the event !

Parents who register their child for classes starting Jan. 8 will receive a Kooken Koala drawstring backpack filled with school supplies to help their student get ready for the new semester. Pre-K 3 is also free for families who qualify.

About Kooken Early Education Center

• Kooken offers flexible half-day schedules: morning classes run from 8:10 to 11:20 a.m., and afternoon classes run from 12:25 to 3:35 p.m.
• Lunch is provided for afternoon students.
• Afternoon classes are smaller, allowing for individualized attention.
• Parent workshops are available to help families support their child鈥檚 educational journey.

The Dec. 11 event will give families the opportunity to tour classrooms, meet teachers and staff, and ask questions about the pre-K 3 program. Kooken helps prepare students for full-day pre-K in the 2025-26 school year.

If you want to go ahead and sign up for pre-K 3 or learn more about pre-K 3 in the 91制片厂, you can do that here.

Students get to pick out books to keep听听听听

If there was any doubt about what books students at Anderson Elementary prefer, there isn鈥檛 anymore.

The 鈥淒iary of a Wimpy Kid鈥� series is a big player. Followed closely by 鈥淐aptain Underpants.鈥�

The facts became apparent before the Thanksgiving break when a few students at the school were the first to try out the new book vending machine that was made possible by Whataburger and the .

鈥淗aving a book that you want to read and having subject matter that interests you makes it so much better,鈥� said Karin Morris, the executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. 鈥淵ou get to pick a book that鈥檚 just for you, what you鈥檙e interested in, and you get to learn about it and travel wherever that story takes you.鈥�

Students at Anderson can earn Gator Bucks to use at the vending machine with good behavior, citizenship and attendance. Students also get a book on their birthday. The vending machine unveil was just part of the show for the third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Anderson. In addition to the unveiling of the vending machine, the students were entertained by the Rangers mascot Captain and the Whataburger mascot Whataguy, the company鈥檚 ambassador for the .

That initiative is what got the company involved with the project. set up the machine, one of 500 the company has installed in schools across the country in the last year.

The school has been working on getting the machine since July. The plan is to keep it in the main hallway to incentivize students and hopefully remind visitors they can donate new books for the machine, too.

鈥淭his is great because a lot of our students don鈥檛 have access to their own books at home,鈥� Anderson principal Angela Peragine said. 鈥淓ven the students who got the books at the assembly, some didn鈥檛 know they could keep the book. And these are popular books they want to read. Giving these students access to books like this is super important to our population.鈥�

RE/MAX hot air balloon crew gives demonstration听

What do you get when you mix a giant hot air balloon and a school full of curious little learners?听听

鈥淎n experience students will never forget,鈥� said Short Elementary principal Betsy Berkebile.听

Thanks to a special partnership with the , the school welcomed the RE/MAX hot air balloon crew for a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon demonstration.听

鈥淭his is so awesome,鈥� said associate broker Kelly Christenson. 鈥淚 really wanted to do this for this school to foster a love of learning."听

That鈥檚 exactly what the crew aimed to do by sharing the math, science, physics and thermodynamics as the 42,000-cubic-foot balloon inflated on the school鈥檚 blacktop. After many 鈥渙ohs鈥� and 鈥渁hs,鈥� the students had the chance to ask questions and get a close-up view of the balloon鈥檚 basket and burners.听

鈥淪eeing the curiosity and excitement on all the kids faces, that鈥檚 what makes this so exciting,鈥� Christenson said.听听

But the learning didn鈥檛 end there. Each student also received a goody bag filled with coloring packets and an information sheet to take home what they learned to their families.听听听

鈥淗ow many times do students have the opportunity to see how a real hot air balloon inflates?鈥� Berkebile said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing the types of experiences we鈥檙e able to create for our kids through our community partnerships.鈥�听

Learn more about the one of the 110 hot air balloons that travel and fly nationwide as a part of RE/MAX鈥檚 鈥淎bove the Crowd鈥� commitment to quality.听

Mission Joy Toy Drive benefits Mission Arlington Christmas Store

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here鈥檚 what you can look forward to:

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

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

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

Learn how to make Gaby's Apple Pie

One of the secrets to making a good apple pie is patience.

That鈥檚 what Gaby Perea says.

But you won鈥檛 just need patience when you鈥檙e making Gaby鈥檚 Apple Pie. You鈥檒l also need a lot of patience to wait until dessert to eat Gaby鈥檚 Apple Pie.

The Martin High School senior and advanced culinary student at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center showed you how to make homemade stuffing yesterday. Today, she鈥檚 sharing the apple pie recipe that she came up with.

You should know that Perea is a member of the Pastry Club at the CTC and that she loves to bake.

鈥淚 love baking muffins, cinnamon rolls, cakes, pies, everything 鈥� I love it all,鈥� she said.

That鈥檚 exactly the person you want making your Thanksgiving dessert. Lucky for Perea鈥檚 family. But we鈥檙e lucky too, because Perea shares her recipe in the video and below.

But first, remember to have patience.

鈥淏e patient with it,鈥� Perea said about the cooking process. 鈥淒on鈥檛 try to rush it [cooking the apples]. If you try to rush it, you鈥檒l have crispy apples. You want soft apples.鈥�

Gaby鈥檚 Apple Pie Recipe

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4hsHJt99kg[/embed]

INGREDIENTS

• Filling听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
• • 7 cup cups peeled and sliced apples 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
  • 陆听 cup white sugar
  • 陆 cup brown sugar 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
  • 录听 teaspoon salt听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听
  • 陆 teaspoon ground nutmeg听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
  • 2 Tablespoons butter听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch

• Egg Wash
  • Egg
  • 1 Tablespoon water
    
    
• Crust
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (陆 lb) cold butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/8 cup ice cold water
    
    
• Topping
  • 陆 cup all-purpose flour
  • 陆 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar (I like to a do half and half)
  • 4-6 Tablespoons salted butter, slightly melted
  • 陆 teaspoon ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Crust听

1. 1. In a large mixing bowl combine the听flour and salt with the paddle attachment.
   2. With the mixer running at medium-low speed, toss the cold butter into the bowl a tablespoon at a time.听
   3. Whisk the eggs with the ice water.
   4. Once the butter has been reduced to 录听to 陆-inch sized pieces (pea-size clumps), drizzle enough of the egg mixture into the bowl for the dough to start to come together.
   5. The dough will still be shaggy, not wet. Press the dough together.
   6. Cut the dough in half and cover in plastic allowing it to rest for at least 30 min.
   7. Once finished resting, roll the dough into circles with a diameter of 12 inches.听
   8. Carefully place one dough into a 9-inch pan making sure to tuck it into the mold until smooth. (You can use the other half of the dough to top the pie with strips if desired.)

听Filling

1. 1. In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt and set aside.听
   2. 听In a large pot add the apple slices and butter and leave at a medium-low heat to draw some of the juices out of the apples.听
   3. Add the spices into the pot making sure to coat all the apples. And continue cooking at a medium-low heat until apples become soft; stir regularly.听
   4. Raise the heat to medium and add the cornstarch over the apples.
   5. Continue听stirring until the apple juices bubble and thicken. Allow the filling to cool completely.听

Topping

1. 1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add cinnamon, if desired.
   2. Slowly drizzle the butter into the bowl while stirring the crumbs with a fork.

Assembly/baking

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375潞 F
   2. Once your apple pie filling has cooled, carefully pour it into your apple pie crust, making sure to evenly distribute the filling.听
   3. Spread the topping on top of the pie.
   4. If desired (not shown in the video), with the remaining rolled pie dough, use a pastry wheel, sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut strips of dough into 12 1-inch-wide strips. Place 6 strips vertically, then weave the remaining 6 horizontally using an over and under method, pulling back strips as necessary to weave.
   5. In a bowl combine your egg and water and whisk until combined. Brush your egg wash onto your crust and sprinkle with your sugar.
   6. Place the pie onto a baking sheet and bake for 20 min. While the pie is听still in the oven reduce the heat to 350潞F and听continue to cook, about 35-40 min.听
   7. Leave the pie to cool before serving as the filling will be too juicy to serve immediately.

Enjoy your pie and have a Happy Thanksgiving! And if you still need some help with your turkey and sides, check out David Hamilton's turkey brine and rub recipes here and Gaby Perea's stuffing here.

Whatever it's called, this homemade stuffing is good

You can call it stuffing or you can call it dressing.

Gaby Perea calls it stuffing.

Call it whatever you want, but you have to have it at Thanksgiving. The turkey isn鈥檛 complete without it.

But don鈥檛 just pick up some instant stuffing at the store. Try Perea鈥檚 homemade stuffing recipe.

Perea, a senior at Martin High School and an advanced culinary student at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center, knows something about the quintessential side dish. After all, her mom鈥檚 stuffing is her favorite thing to eat at Thanksgiving.

鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for my family and all the opportunities they鈥檝e given me,鈥� Perea said about what she鈥檚 thankful for this year.

And your family will be thankful for you when you give them the opportunity to eat this homemade stuffing recipe. Perea walks you through how to make it in the video, and the ingredients and instructions are below.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OXt2APgrBs4[/embed]

INGREDIENTS

• • 18 to 24 ounces bread cubes, (1.5 loaves of bread, or about 12 to 14 cups) preferably toasted or stale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 cups diced sweet onion, roughly 2 large onions
  • 2 cups diced celery
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • kosher salt and pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh sage
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 large eggs
  • a mixture of fresh herbs for sprinkling

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a 9x13 baking dish with melted butter, olive oil or spray with nonstick spray.
   2. 听Place the bread in a large mixing bowl (this may be easier for you to stir!) or the baking dish that you will bake it in. You can also separate this into two baking dishes if it's easier.
   3. Heat the butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the onion, celery and garlic with a big pinch of salt and pepper - at least 陆 to 1 teaspoon each. Cook until the onions and celery soften, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the sage, parsley and rosemary. Cook for another minute. Stir in 1 cup of stock.
   4. Pour the onion celery mixture over the bread crumbs and toss well to coat.
   5. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the remaining 1 陆 cups stock and 2 eggs.
   6. Pour that mixture into the bread cubes and stir and fold the bread cubes until thoroughly combined. Bake the stuffing for 45 to 50 minutes, until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F. If the stuffing is getting too browned, you can tent it with foil.

If you missed David Hamilton's turkey brine and rub recipes yesterday, here they are are. And come back tomorrow for Gaby's Apple Pie.

Brine and rub recipes for a moist, tasty bird

It all starts with the turkey.

And David Hamilton is here to make sure you cook a bird this Thanksgiving to remember.

Hamilton is a junior at Sam Houston High School and an advanced culinary student at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.

And cooking is his thing.

鈥淚鈥檝e been cooking since I was tall enough to reach the stove,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my passion.鈥�

Hamilton is also a member of the CTC鈥檚 celebrated Smokin鈥� Ferrets BBQ competition team. In fact, you may have seen him recently on reality TV show 鈥�.鈥�

He鈥檚 the kind of guy you want cooking your turkey 鈥� or at least showing you how to cook your turkey.

鈥淢y favorite thing to eat at Thanksgiving 鈥� I鈥檇 say either the turkey or the mac and cheese,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淗onestly, maybe the gravy. I鈥檓 a big gravy guy.鈥�

But you have to have some good turkey to put the gravy on. And for Hamilton, that means some Louisiana flavor.

Hamilton loves Cajun cooking, inspired by his Cajun grandfather. So, there鈥檚 a little Cajun influence in the turkey rub that he came up with.

But just a little.

鈥淵ou have to cook for your audience,鈥� Hamilton said.

While the rub has some Cajun elements, like celery salt and cayenne pepper, Hamilton intentionally avoided making it spicey since he knows not everyone wants that.听

But everyone does want a moist, flavorful turkey, and that start with the brine.

鈥淭he brine is really to get that salt and that flavor inside the meat itself,鈥� Hamilton explained.

听Hamilton鈥檚 brine and rub recipes are intended for 15鈥�20-pound turkeys.

BRINE RECIPE

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dVkq7vLBTdQ[/embed]

INGREDIENTS

• • 5 quarts (14 cups) water
  • 5听cups kosher salt
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
  • 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
  • 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 bunch fresh thyme
  • 2 oranges cut in 4ths听
  • 5 quarts (14 cups) of ice (to cool the brine)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. In a large pot, combine all the ingredients listed and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes.听
   2. In a 5-gallon bag, pot or container, add 3.5 quarts (14 cups) of ice and then pour the brine on top. We use the ice so the brine cools quickly (because if you use warm water for a brine it can cause bacteria growth). Let sit for 5 minutes or until cool.听
   3. Once brine is no longer warm, add your turkey and let it sit in the fridge or large cooler for 12 to 24 hours.

While your turkey brines, make the rub.

TURKEY RUB RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• • 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 4 Tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons crushed black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons rosemary
  • 2 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • half teaspoon cayenne pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all spices and herbs in a bowl and mix very well. (You can also combine it in a jar with a lid, close the lid and shake well to mix.)

Bon app茅tit! And check back tomorrow for a stuffing recipe and on Wednesday for apple pie.

Ross read the book "Lou"

Arlington mayor Jim Ross is quick thinking for someone who鈥檚 179 years old.

At least that鈥檚 the number he gave to second graders at Duff Elementary last Wednesday when he jokingly told them him age.

But when he was asked the real number and answered 64, he was told by one student that their grandparent was only 61.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

All Ross could do was laugh because he was having fun doing what he calls his favorite part of the job.

鈥淚 get excited because I get to go out and talk to you and find out what our future is,鈥� said Ross. 鈥淲hen I see you it makes me feel good. It鈥檚 exciting because you鈥檙e our future mayors, presidents and police officers.鈥�

Ross read the book 鈥淟ou鈥� to the second graders. The book tells the story of a fire hydrant who knows he鈥檚 got big things in store for him but just doesn鈥檛 know what. It ends with Lou saving the day.

Ross was able to relate that story to the students by telling the story of his son Jordan who graduated from Lamar High School. has cerebral palsy but overcame bullying and was embraced by the Lamar football team. His dream was to be an actor and despite the obstacles, has gone on to be a successful actor.

听He didn鈥檛 listen to me, and he鈥檚 successful,鈥� Ross told the students. 鈥淥thers couldn鈥檛 see what was deep inside, but he could.鈥�

After talking about the book, Ross took questions from the students听 that ranged from his age to the most famous person he鈥檚 met (The Rock).

He was also asked the hardest part about his job.

鈥淪ometimes you just have to own things when you make a mistake,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important you own it. Just say you messed up.鈥�

Wise words from the city鈥檚 179-year-old mayor.

Get ready for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is next week. Do you know what you鈥檙e cooking?

If you don鈥檛 鈥� that鈥檚 ok. We can help. Two 91制片厂 culinary students have several recipes they鈥檙e going to share with you next week to help you get ready for Thanksgiving.

So be sure to check the 91制片厂 Looped In blog and social media next week 鈥� Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 鈥� for recipes and instructional videos.

Here鈥檚 the schedule:

• Monday, Nov. 25 鈥� Turkey brine and rub with David Hamilton. Hamilton, a Sam Houston High School junior, is an advanced culinary student at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center. He鈥檚 also a member of the Smokin鈥� Ferrets, the CTC鈥檚 BBQ club team featured on Magnolia Network鈥檚 鈥�.鈥�
• Tuesday, Nov. 26 鈥� Stuffing with Gaby Perea. Berea is a senior at Martin High School and an advanced culinary student at the CTC. She鈥檚 also a member of the CTC鈥檚 Pastry Club.
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 鈥� 鈥淕aby鈥檚 Apple Pie鈥� with Perea. Desserts are Perea鈥檚 specialty, and this recipe is her own creation.

Hamilton and Perea are both students of Chef Greg Almendarez, a culinary instructor at the CTC and the advisor for both the BBQ and Pastry clubs.

Almendarez 鈥� 91制片厂's October high school teacher of the month 鈥� is looking forward to all the food next week.

鈥淎 good mac and cheese is my go-to dish,鈥� Almendarez said about his favorite food at Thanksgiving. 鈥淭urkey for sure and a good mac and cheese鈥� I鈥檒l do a baked mac and cheese. I do smoked gouda in it. I like a little hint to it, so I鈥檒l do some chopped-up jalape帽o to add to it.鈥�

If you鈥檇 like some of Chef A鈥檚 mac and cheese for Thanksgiving, you鈥檙e out of luck this year. He has a catering business on the side () 鈥� with everything from smoked meats to cakes and pies 鈥� but he鈥檚 booked up next week.

So, it鈥檚 on you.

But that鈥檚 ok, thanks to the recipes and help from Hamilton and Perea. Get ready to wow your friends and family with tasty, juicy turkey, homemade stuffing, and Gaby鈥檚 Apple Pie.

91制片厂 support services center bidding now

91制片厂 is getting a new support services center to house transportation, security and health services.

Planning for the 2019 Bond project is now complete, and bidding is open until Dec. 4 for a general contractor. The architect is . The district hopes to start construction in February.

It鈥檚 a big project that includes new construction, renovations, demolition and added parking, and will transform much of the district鈥檚 current Service Center. Home to the district鈥檚 bus barn and facilities and security departments, the 91制片厂 Service Center is sandwiched between Arkansas and Colorado lanes in central Arlington. And it鈥檚 old.

While the transportation department has done its best to make do with what it has, it really outgrew the aging facility decades ago. It lacks enough space and restrooms to accommodate the district鈥檚 bus drivers.

The new construction planned for the project is the support services center building that will house the transportation, security and health services departments. It will include offices, a large dividable training room, multiple conference rooms and two break rooms. It will also contain a secondary data center for the district in a storm-protected space.

A couple of the old district buildings near the new center will be demolished. Annexes I and II will be razed to make way for new parking.

However, the current transportation building isn鈥檛 going away. The office space will be completely redone with a new floor plan and new flooring, paint and light fixtures. The garage 鈥� where school buses are serviced 鈥� will also get renovations with new epoxy flooring and new overhead motorized doors and finishes.

The project will require phasing as the transportation and security departments will continue to operate out of the location. Once a general contractor is hired, the phasing plan will be finalized.

See more renderings of the future support services center here.

91制片厂鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting last night is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights. Watch the Board Brief from the trustees meeting on Nov. 21, 2024, or read the brief below.

Board Brief from the trustees meeting on Nov. 21, 2024

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMqD_j6iXM8[/embed]

Isaiah Jackson, a fifth grader from Thornton Elementary, opened the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance. He did a great job. Thank you, Isaiah.

One of the first presentations was from , the district鈥檚 demographer, who gave an update on current and projected enrollment trends. Understanding these trends is critical for planning and helps the board make informed decisions regarding campus capacity, budgeting, zoning and more.听

Then, Scott Kahl, who heads 91制片厂鈥檚 human resources, provided trustees with an update on TRS ActiveCare, the state鈥檚 health insurance for school district employees. Texas law allows school districts to opt out of TRS ActiveCare to pursue other options. However, if you opt out, you can鈥檛 rejoin for at least five years. 91制片厂鈥檚 benefits team is constantly exploring the best options and alternatives, and tonight鈥檚 presentation gave trustees a lot to consider.

As the board does every month, it approved the monthly financial report on operations. The board also received the quarterly investment report. But those weren鈥檛 the only items related to finances at this meeting.

Trustees also received a presentation on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report prepared by the external audit firm . This report is required by state law and board policy and offered an in-depth overview of the district鈥檚 financial position, activities and major funds. The board approved the report as presented.

Then the board approved the Tax Roll Summary for 2024. This is something trustees have to do each year. The tax roll provides a summary of the taxable property in 91制片厂 and the revenue to be collected through property taxes. The tax roll is based on the values provided by the .

Finally, the board adopted the district鈥檚 legislative priorities for the 89^th Texas Legislative Session, which kicks off on January 14, 2025. The priorities 鈥� related to teacher pay, vouchers and healthcare 鈥� 听will soon get posted on the district鈥檚 website, on the legislative page.

Those are just a few of the highlights from tonight. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please click to watch the entire meeting.

Special Education Classroom Assistant Job Fair

Do you have a heart for children? Would you enjoy making a lasting impact in their lives? Then come start a new career in the 91制片厂 as a special education classroom assistant or speech pathologist.

91制片厂 is hosting a Special Education Classroom Assistant Job Fair on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Lamar High School from 5-7 p.m., in the cafeteria. Interviews will be conducted on site at the fair, and job offers may even be given on the spot. The district is also looking for speech pathologists and will welcome applicants at this job fair.

So, for the job fair today.

There are many job opportunities for special education classroom assistants at all grade levels 鈥� elementary, junior high and high school 鈥� and in many special education areas, including:

• • Inclusion

• • Vocational Adjustment Class (VAC)

• • Deaf Education

• • Vision

The pay range for all classroom assistant positions is: Min $20.00 - Max $27.06.

Plus, an additional 50 cents is given for the following positions:

• • ABLE (Academic & Behavioral Learning Environment)

• • Alternate Curriculum (Students needing pre-requisite curriculum and supports for adaptive behavior Pre-Vocational and Vocational classrooms)

• • ISPD (Individuals with Severe and Profound Disabilities)

• • ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education)

• • SEAS/GAP (Social, Emotional & Academic Success)

Speech Pathologists

91制片厂 is also hiring speech pathologists. Starting pay is $67,329.

Benefits include:

• • First-year mentorship program and comprehensive orientation

• • Supportive clinical fellowship program

• • Professional development opportunities that include earning CEUs

Services Offered:

• • Manageable caseloads/workloads

• • Collaborate with other professionals

• • Web-based evaluation and ARD/IEP system

• • Bilingual evaluation and therapy supports

• • Materials supporting innovative intervention strategies

• • Certified/licensed/experienced coordinator and instructional specialist

• • Laptops, digital reference files and dedicated digital speech therapy conference

• • Opportunities for exposure and experience with low incidence populations
  • Work with a range of disorders in a variety of environments

Make the clear choice and come to 91制片厂! See you on Dec. 4. .

91制片厂 transfer window opens at 9 a.m.

91制片厂 opens its regular transfer window Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at 9 a.m.

This window, which is for the 2025-26 school year, allows families to apply for student transfers into or within the district. The window will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Priority for transfers during this period is determined by the 91制片厂 Board-approved order and is based on space availability. The priority groups are as follows:

1. Children of full-time 91制片厂 employees
2. 91制片厂 residents
3. Residents of the City of Arlington outside district boundaries
4. All other non-residential transfer requests

There are plenty of reasons to transfer your student to the 91制片厂, and here are just a few keys as to why transferring into the 91制片厂 can transform the future for your child.

鈱猄TEM Education Starts Early

91制片厂 is a pioneer in STEM education, offering district-wide STEM curriculum starting in pre-K for all 4-year-olds. In fact, the district was the first in Texas to implement such a comprehensive STEM program for its youngest learners. And the best part? Pre-K is FREE for all 4-year-olds regardless of where they are zoned for.

Thanks to the support of voters, all 91制片厂 elementary schools are equipped with two state-of-the-art STEM labs. Additionally, the district鈥檚 2019 Bond passed funding to build age-appropriate, ADA-accessible playgrounds at every elementary school 鈥� creating spaces where children can explore, learn and grow.

鈱狝thletic Opportunities Like No Other

Sports in 91制片厂 start early, with junior high athletics offered at all 10 of our campuses. Whether your child dreams of competing in tennis, wrestling or a wide range of other sports, 91制片厂 has the program. What sets us apart? Junior high student-athletes are coached by varsity-level head coaches, ensuring high-quality instruction and mentorship.

For swimmers, 91制片厂 is home to a state-of-the-art natatorium complete with an Olympic-sized pool 鈥� located in the heart of Arlington鈥檚 entertainment district.

In 2024 alone,听over 100 91制片厂 student-athletes earned more than $6 million in scholarships听during our Signing Day ceremony.

鈱� Junior High is Key

To fully take advantage of 91制片厂鈥檚 specialized programs, transferring before ninth grade is essential. Why? Because that鈥檚 when students can apply for one of our early college high schools or the听STEM Academy at Martin High School.

Additionally, 91制片厂 offers four P-TECH programs, where students can earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and earn workplace certifications in health sciences, business administration, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity and computer-aided design 鈥� all at no cost.

To take advantage of those opportunities, students must start each of those programs as freshmen. That makes getting here for eighth grade a huge factor.

鈱狝 Community Committed to Excellence

91制片厂 is proud to be supported by a community that is deeply invested in its schools. Thanks to a $966 million bond passed in 2019 (building on the success of the 2014 Bond), we鈥檝e been able to expand and enhance our facilities. Our district is home to the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center and the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, an unmatched facility that provides students with a premier fine arts education.

These investments are just the beginning. With new schools, extensive campus updates and a commitment to providing students with the best possible learning environments, 91制片厂 continues to create opportunities for success.

Ready to Make the Leap?

To learn more about the transfer process and to apply when the 91制片厂 transfer window opens Nov. 21, visit our website听here.

Transfer to 91制片厂. Transform your child鈥檚 future!

What鈥檚 Your Big Idea?

Ideas can change the world. And 91制片厂 students have lots of great ones.

That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 is partnering again with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce for the 19th annual 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Your Big Idea?鈥� Entrepreneurship Contest.

The contest is designed to inspire students from third through 12^th grade to come up with entrepreneurial ideas that could impact their world.

鈥淲hether it鈥檚 an innovative product, a groundbreaking service or a unique social enterprise, this contest encourages students to dream big and develop business concepts that have the potential to make a positive impact on their communities and beyond,鈥� said Michael Jacobson, Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

Elementary and Junior High WYBI? Contest

To participate in the contest, each elementary or junior high student shares their big idea in the form of an original advertisement or essay describing a product they could sell or a business they could create.

Big ideas are due by Jan. 17, 2025. Students can submit their ideas at school with help from their teachers, or parents can help students submit their ideas from home online. Find detailed guidelines, resources and updates at听.听Elementary submissions can be made .

High School WYBI? Contest

91制片厂 high school students participate in an elevated version of the contest they did in elementary and junior high school. Working in teams of 3-5, students develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges that our community faces. The high school teams must submit their solution by March 14. Detailed guidelines, resources and updates can be found at听.

Inspiring the Future

Managed by the Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Partners in Education Committee and 91制片厂鈥檚 career and technical education department, the What鈥檚 Your Big Idea? contest teaches students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and provides them with essential skills needed for any career they may choose in the future.

The contest thrives because of the generous support of听听and the听听at the University of Texas at Arlington. These institutions are fostering entrepreneurial thinking in 91制片厂 students by ensuring every third through eighth grade student received a printed contest guide to enter the contest.听

Members of the Arlington business community can play a part in the entrepreneurial journey of these incredible students by becoming a volunteer judge.听.

Mission Joy Toy Drive benefits Mission Arlington

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medal of Honor curriculum teaches commitment

The seventh grade Texas history students at Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy are going first.

When the opens in Arlington in March, it will offer the nation lessons in commitment, integrity, sacrifice, courage, citizenship and patriotism.

Those are the values of the Medal of Honor.

But Gunn鈥檚 seventh graders aren鈥檛 waiting until March to begin learning those lessons.

They鈥檝e already started.

Last week, Gunn鈥檚 three Texas history teachers launched a pilot curriculum produced by the , a complement to the Medal of Honor Museum established to promote the Medal of Honor鈥檚 values to help Americans and their country realize their full potential.

The curriculum is the first piece in an effort to bring the values and skills of America鈥檚 heroes to K-12 students throughout the country.

The Griffin Institute developed the pilot curriculum with a lot of help and feedback from Gunn students and teachers. Focus groups with students last year and teacher feedback over the summer helped get the 鈥淢oments that Matter鈥� pilot curriculum ready to launch.

鈥淲e all knew that it had value,鈥� said Gunn principal Dr. Matt Varnell. 鈥淚t was about how do we make it fit in a way that鈥檚 authentic and really accomplishes the goal.鈥�

The 鈥淢oments that Matter鈥� pilot curriculum focuses on the value of commitment. There are nine 15-minute sessions that the three Gunn teaches will lead over six weeks.

鈥淵ou have a cross-section of the Medal of Honor recipients鈥� stories and the values that are associated with the Medal of Honor connected to character development practices and then a set of skills that students learn across the program,鈥� said Dr. Jacqueline Kennedy, associate vice president of education and experiences for the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

Kennedy, a former administrator in the 91制片厂, visited with the Gunn teachers last week to give them their curriculum materials, including student notebooks and trading cards of the two Medal of Honor recipients featured in the curriculum.

Those recipients are and , who share their stories with the students through videos during the program.

鈥淗e [Groberg] is talking to them about his own story and how he thinks about the value of commitment and how that shows up in his daily life 鈥� not just in his service,鈥� Kennedy said about one of the curriculum videos.

As the lessons continue, students don鈥檛 just learn about commitment, they learn practices and skills to help them keep commitments. Students will begin to identify their own values and strengths and learn how to use them to help others.

鈥淭hese lessons and stories inspire and equip students with the tools to put these values into action, emphasizing the importance of becoming their best selves for others in moments that matter,鈥� Kennedy said.

Varnell believes this curriculum is going to create moments that matter for Gunn students.

鈥淥ne of the things that I think is so impressive about the way they鈥檝e designed this program is it鈥檚 not, 鈥楬ey, look at these people and see these values in those people 鈥� it鈥檚 look at these people and how do those values show up in yourself,鈥� Varnell said. 鈥淎nd for a kid in seventh grade, there鈥檚 nothing more important that seeing their value and seeing their worth and seeing how they could be a leader.

鈥淭his program makes sure they鈥檙e not just learning the content of Texas history or the content of the Medal of Honor values, but they鈥檙e learning how to make themselves better people.鈥�

Bethany Turner, one of the three Gunn teachers, is enthusiastic about the potential the program has to impact the classroom and ultimately the entire school.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited, and I think the kids are going to be into it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 setting that classroom culture and then that grows into school culture.鈥�

What鈥檚 Next?

After Gunn completes the program this year, the developers may make some tweaks to the Medal of Honor curriculum based on lessons learned and feedback from the Gunn teachers and students. After that, the Griffin Institute will make the curriculum available to more schools, with the eventual goal of launching it nationwide. And they will start to add additional 鈥淢oments that Matter鈥� modules that focus on the other Medal of Honor values.

But what鈥檚 next for the Gunn seventh graders? They will go first again. In the spring, they will get to be the first student group ever to tour the Medal of Honor Museum after it opens in March.

91制片厂 Aquatics club tryouts run through January

It鈥檚 time for students to dip their toes in the water and join the 91制片厂 Aquatics Club.

The club is open for swimmers at any level for kids ages 5-18. The club has tryouts starting Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the 91制片厂 Natatorium ().

Saturday鈥檚 91制片厂 Aquatics Club tryouts for new swimmers are from 10-11 a.m., but if your future Michael Phelps or Katie Ledecky can鈥檛 make it Saturday, there are also tryouts throughout November, December and January. The club is year-round with several groups and times based on age and ability. That means there is a spot for everyone. The only qualification is the ability to do a 25-yard safety swim.

If you鈥檙e looking for more information about other dates and what the club entails, go . We鈥檒l see you in the pool.

Students lead Moore Elementary food drive

For the Mary Moore Elementary School National Elementary Honor Society (), giving back to the community has always been a priority.听听

This year, NEHS sixth graders, led by president Arelia Trevino, turned that commitment into action by organizing a student-led food drive for a local charity.

After rallying classmates and families to contribute last month, the chapter joined in loading the collected items onto the truck to distribute to families in need.听

鈥淲e wanted to provide for our community and make sure everyone is taken care of and has what they need,鈥� Trevino shared.听

The project began when NEHS officers presented their goals for the drive to Moore principal Wendy Baker. With her support, NEHS students organized the food collection by grade level. From canned soup, tuna to fruits, veggies and more, the school collected over 12 boxes filled with donations.听

鈥淔rom the ground up, they did all the work,鈥� said NEHS advisor and language arts听teacher Cindy Upchurch. 鈥淭hese students excel in academics and are committed to service and leadership. I鈥檓 so proud of them.鈥�听

In fact, the Moore Elementary food drive reflected the pillars of what the National Honor Society organization is all about鈥攕ervice, leadership and community commitment.听

鈥淚t was special to see my students doing something so meaningful,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淧rojects like this will inspire them to be active community members for years to come. I鈥檓 so proud of the hard work they put into this project.鈥�听

Nov. 11-15 is National School Psychology Week

Do you know a school psychologist?

If you do, please tell them 鈥渢hank you鈥� for the incredible work they do.

But you may not know one. And you may not even know what they do. Much of their work is behind the scenes or at least out of the spotlight. But their work is critical for the education and development of so many students.

That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e thanking and highlighting them this week, , Nov. 11-15.

91制片厂 has a team of incredibly dedicated school psychologists who work on behalf of students all year long.

So what do they do?

鈥淪chool psychologists help improve student mental health, behavior and academic achievement through direct assessment and collaborating with parents, campus staff and community agencies to develop and implement interventions that promote student success,鈥� said Dr. Carla Egyed, LSSP, 91制片厂 lead school psychologist. 鈥淪chool psychologists also work with district personnel to advocate for and develop district-wide programming and services to promote safe and positive learning environments for all students.鈥澨�

In other words, they apply expertise in mental health, learning and behavior to help students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally ().

鈥淭hey assist students, families, educators and members of the community in understanding and resolving social and emotional issues that students may face,鈥� said 91制片厂 school psychologist Stacey LaRoche. 鈥淪chool psychologists differ from other mental health professionals in the school district as they tend to focus on the long-term/chronic needs of the students they evaluate and work with.鈥�

As they partner with students, teachers, families and others, school psychologists improve students鈥� ability to learn and help teachers teach effectively.

鈥淲ithout school psychologists we would not be able to identify students to get them the help they need,鈥� said Mondie Childress, an 91制片厂 school psychologist for Atherton, Hale and Goodman elementary schools and Ousley Junior High. 鈥淲e are also a great resource and support for teachers and staff working with challenging students and help parents better understand the differences in their children. We are often the ones that people turn to when they have exhausted all strategies and it's our job to provide answers and an understanding of the child.鈥�

It can be a difficult and complex job, and it takes a special expertise. School psychologists are all licensed specialists in school psychology (LSSP) who have completed extensive graduate work and a 1,200-hour supervised internship. They are specifically trained to work with children in the school setting and to understand special education law.

But the license and expertise are not enough. They also possess a deep devotion to students and their success.

鈥業 love collaborating with campus and district teams to create solutions to challenging student needs,鈥� Egyed said.听鈥淚 enjoy the relationships that I have developed with fellow school psychologists, school staff, families and students.鈥�

Strand feels the same way.

鈥淚 love working directly with students, parents and teachers and addressing the whole child,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love having the opportunity to make an impact in a child鈥檚 life and sometimes be a child鈥檚 only advocate and voice. I love when I get to see a student鈥檚 success and progress year to year and know I had a small role in that.鈥�

Dr. Karin Kliemann, an 91制片厂 special education coordinator, knows first hand the impact the district鈥檚 school psychologists make every day.

鈥淚 have the honor of supporting our school psychologists,鈥� said听 Kliemann. 鈥淚n this capacity, I听have been able to hear their passion for the work of not only completing quality evaluations for students suspected of a disability, but also for their work to be proactive on their campuses.鈥澨�

Thank you to all of the school psychologists working every day to support 91制片厂 students!

Starting Thursday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m., 91制片厂 will open our regular transfer window for the 2025-26 school year, allowing families to apply for student transfers into or within the district. The window will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Priority for transfers during this period is determined by the 91制片厂 Board-approved order and is based on space availability. The priority groups are as follows:

1. Children of full-time 91制片厂 employees
2. 91制片厂 residents
3. Residents of the City of Arlington outside district boundaries
4. All other non-residential transfer requests

If you鈥檙e looking for a school district that offers exceptional opportunities and cutting-edge programs, 91制片厂 is the place to be. Here are just a few reasons why transferring to 91制片厂 is a game-changer for your child:

鈱猄TEM Education Starts Early

91制片厂 is a pioneer in STEM education, offering district-wide STEM curriculum starting in pre-K for all 4-year-olds. In fact, the district was the first in Texas to implement such a comprehensive STEM program for its youngest learners. And the best part? Pre-K is FREE for all 4-year-olds!

Thanks to the support of voters, all 91制片厂 elementary schools are equipped with two state-of-the-art STEM labs. Additionally, the district鈥檚 2019 Bond passed funding to build age-appropriate, ADA-accessible playgrounds at every elementary school鈥� creating spaces where children can explore, learn and grow.

For students passionate about the arts, every 91制片厂 school also boasts a dedicated strings room, where instruments are provided free of charge to all students.

鈱狝thletic Opportunities Like No Other

Sports in 91制片厂 start early, with junior high athletics offered at all 10 of our campuses. Whether your child dreams of competing in tennis, wrestling or a wide range of other sports, 91制片厂 has the program. What sets us apart? Junior high student-athletes are coached by varsity-level head coaches, ensuring high-quality instruction and mentorship.

For swimmers, 91制片厂 is home to a state-of-the-art natatorium complete with an Olympic-sized pool 鈥� located in the heart of Arlington鈥檚 entertainment district. In 2024 alone, over 100 91制片厂 student-athletes earned more than $6 million in scholarships during our Signing Day ceremony.

鈱猈hy Junior High is Key

To fully take advantage of 91制片厂鈥檚 specialized programs, transferring before ninth grade is essential. Why? Because that鈥檚 when students can apply for one of our early college high schools or the STEM Academy at Martin High School.

Additionally, 91制片厂 offers four P-TECH programs, where students can earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and earn workplace certifications in health sciences, business administration, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity and computer-aided design 鈥� all at no cost.

As students move into high school, they鈥檒l have the opportunity to explore a range of career pathways at our Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center [CTC], where they can take courses that lead directly to high-demand jobs in fields like technology, healthcare and trades.

鈱狝 Community Committed to Excellence

91制片厂 is proud to be supported by a community that is deeply invested in its schools. Thanks to a $966 million bond passed in 2019 (building on the success of the 2014 Bond), we鈥檝e been able to expand and enhance our facilities. Our district is home to the CTC and the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, an unmatched facility that provides students with a premier fine arts education.

These investments are just the beginning. With new schools, extensive campus updates and a commitment to providing students with the best possible learning environments, 91制片厂 continues to create opportunities for success.

Ready to Make the Leap?

The window to apply for a transfer into 91制片厂 opens on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m., and the opportunity to transform your child鈥檚 future is just around the corner. Don鈥檛 wait 鈥� take the first step toward an exceptional education today!

To learn more about the transfer process and to apply when the 91制片厂 transfer window opens Nov. 21, visit our website here.

Transfer to 91制片厂. Transform your child鈥檚 future!

91制片厂鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting last night is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights. Watch the Board Brief from the trustees meeting on Nov. 7, 2024, or read the brief below.

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

Board Brief from the trustees meeting on Nov. 7, 2024

Fall is finally starting to make it to Arlington. That means cooler temperatures and changing leaves, but it also means we鈥檙e starting the听homestretch before winter break 鈥� one of the busiest times of the year for schools, teachers and students.听

So, not surprisingly, 91制片厂鈥檚 Board of Trustees had a busy meeting last night, Nov. 7, 2024. Here are just a few of the highlights from the agenda.

First of all, thank you to Dallas Brooks, a third grader from Sherrod Elementary. She started the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance, and she did a great job.

Then the trustees were treated to a performance from some of the top junior high musicians in the state. These 91制片厂 students all qualified for the 2024 Region 5 Symphonic Orchestra, the top ensemble in the region. They performed a selection from their region concert titled 鈥淭ango D鈥橝mour," by Susan Day, and were conducted by Ron Kinard, director of orchestras at Carter Junior High.

After the music, the board honored the student of the month, Aishat Kosamot, a senior from Arlington Collegiate High School. She has already completed her associate degree and is taking classes at UT Arlington. Aishat is not just accomplished academically though. She has a servant鈥檚 heart and has volunteered many hours at one of our city鈥檚 public library branches. Congratulations, Aishat!

Then the board presented the Community Partner Award of Appreciation to the , a great partner that fosters the development of future business leaders right here in the school district. They support the What鈥檚 Your Big Idea entrepreneurship contest through the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce for students in third through 12th grade and offer internship opportunities for students at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center. Thank you, Founders Arena!

The board received several presentations from senior administrators, including Kelly Horn, the assistant superintendent of facility services. He gave an update on the 2019 Bond program, a $966 million five-year capital program that includes new construction, renovations and facility condition improvements, along with capital purchases for technology, fine arts and transportation. Some of the projects that Horn highlighted included the large addition at Arlington High School 鈥� which is nearly complete 鈥� ongoing construction of the future Joey Rodriguez Junior High School and the new library and gym at Duff Elementary 鈥� among others.

The board also received the results from the parent survey conducted in the spring of 2024. The annual parent survey gives key insights into parent concerns and how the trustees can work to improve the district鈥檚 students鈥� educational experience. The more parent feedback, the better.

Those are just a few of the highlights from tonight. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please click to watch the entire meeting.

Get Out and P.L.A.Y. event sponsored by Texas Trust听

Learning starts well before pre-K. That鈥檚 why 91制片厂 equips toddlers鈥� first teachers 鈥� their parents 鈥� with resources and ideas.听

In fact, that鈥檚 exactly what 91制片厂鈥檚 family and community engagement department鈥檚 Get Out and P.L.A.Y. events听aim to do. Last week, over 40 families gathered at Veterans Park for a fun outdoor session led by the district鈥檚 Toddler Time teachers, where parents and children, from birth to school age, connected and played outside.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 all about being outdoors,鈥� said toddler time teacher Vanessa Valadez. 鈥淲e realize how beneficial it is for kids now. They often don鈥檛 get a lot of outdoor time because they have a lot of screen time.鈥�听

Funded by the , families also received an outdoor play bag filled with jump ropes, bubbles, soccer balls, blankets and other outdoor play equipment.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 so cool to me,鈥� said toddler parent Jaylen Miles. 鈥淭hey provide books, backpacks and stuff for our kids to play with. It鈥檚 so awesome.鈥�听

But the Get Out and P.L.A.Y. (Parents and toddlers听Learning听At home, whY?) program offers more than just outdoor goodies 鈥� it鈥檚 about building community.听

鈥淚 was looking to make more mom friends and I wanted my daughter to make friends, too,鈥� Miles said. 鈥淎s a single mother, it helps me navigate toddlerhood.鈥�听

For Valadez, the program empowers parents as their child鈥檚 first teachers.

鈥淲e let parents know that everyone here is doing life at the same time,鈥� Valadez said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to find support through people who understand and are going through the same things we are. We鈥檙e so appreciative of those who come out to play with us. We really do feel like we鈥檙e not only impacting the child but also the home.鈥�听

With endless opportunities for little ones in 91制片厂, it鈥檚 never too early to start thinking about your child鈥檚 future.听听

听鈥淎s a mom who鈥檚 new to the area, we鈥檝e already learned so much with this program,鈥� Miles said. 鈥淥nce my daughter turns three, she鈥檚 definitely joining the pre-K 3 program.鈥�听

Learn more about early childhood parent and family support here.听

Maya Shah recognized by Sen. Ted Cruz

Maya Shah is proof that a high schooler can change the world.

That鈥檚 why she got a letter from Texas Senator Ted Cruz last week.

SURPRISE

No one at Martin High School鈥檚 STEM Academy is really surprised that senior Maya Shah got a letter of congratulations from Sen. Cruz. After all, they鈥檝e known Shah for nearly four years and seen the kind of student and person she is. And they鈥檙e familiar with her groundbreaking research on preventing gun violence.

But Shah got a surprise last week when Martin principal Malene Roddy called her to a school staff meeting. Shah walked in to see her parents there, too, along with her counselors. That鈥檚 when Roddy presented Cruz鈥檚 letter to Shah.

鈥淪he鈥檚 done a lot of work and it鈥檚 really impressive,鈥� Roddy said. 鈥淥ur staff was like, 鈥榃hoa! Who is that person?!鈥欌��

That person won second place in the Science for Development Award category at the 2024 in Los Angeles last May. It was for her research examining the psychology of gun violence in an effort to prevent it.

While Shah believes her research is worthwhile if it helps even just one person, Cruz recognized that it has the potential to impact the world.

鈥淎s you continue your studies and engage in research that could one day be critical to the lives of Texans and Americans, I wish you every success,鈥� Cruz wrote. 鈥淚 look forward to celebrating more of your achievements as you work to turn your questions into action for the benefit of our world and our Great Nation.鈥�

THE RESEARCH

COVID-19 spurred Shah鈥檚 interest in scientific research when she was still just a freshman in high school. She conducted a research project into the effectiveness of masks for preventing COVID that earned her first place at the state science fair in the translational mediation sciences category.

The experience made her want to do more, and she asked her local regional fair coordinator for a research mentor. That鈥檚 when she got paired with UT Arlington psychology professor and started her now years-long and ongoing research into gun violence prevention.

鈥淚鈥檝e been looking at the traits of individuals who are predisposed for gun violence in hopes of understanding them and maybe lowering them,鈥� Shah said. 鈥淚 hope to find an apolitical solution to something that has become an epidemic of violence.鈥�

Shah鈥檚 first year of research 鈥� as a 10^th grader 鈥� focused on psychopathy 鈥� one of the predisposing traits for gun violence 鈥� and its relation to intellectual humility.

鈥淚t鈥檚 [intellectual humility] basically the idea of respecting and appreciating others鈥� beliefs and being able to change your mind, which I think we need more of nowadays,鈥� Shah said.

Shah collected data through surveys and then got a lot of help from Martin AP statistics teacher Danielli Warner in learning how to interpret the data.

鈥淚 would just go to her classroom during lunch, and she would take the time to explain to me every single number, any question that I asked,鈥� Shah said. 鈥淪he was so incredibly helpful. She was an amazing mentor.鈥�

The data unlocked an unexpected conclusion.

鈥淚 found that there is actually a significant relationship between psychopathy and some of the subsets of intellectual humility, specifically changing one鈥檚 viewpoints based on others鈥� viewpoints and respecting other鈥檚 viewpoints,鈥� Shah said. 鈥淪o that means psychopaths, those who are predisposed toward gun violence, can change their mind.鈥�

During her junior year, Shah continued to study psychopathy but added a second key indicator of gun violence: childhood trauma.

鈥淔irst, I found that there is an overlap between these two traits,鈥� Shah explained. 鈥淪o, there are individuals who are not only traumatized but also psychopathic, and those are the people that I鈥檓 trying to reach because that overlap is that most predisposed group.鈥�

Shah was able to use the data to determine the relationship of psychopathy and childhood trauma with intellectual humility.

鈥淭he crux of my research is I found that intellectual humility lowers psychopathy levels in traumatized individuals,鈥� Shah said. 鈥淪o, I theorized if you grow intellectual humility in a population, you could lower psychopathy in traumatized individuals.鈥�

And that means you lower the risk of gun violence.

STILL GOING

Shah isn鈥檛 done. She submitted her project for publication, and now she鈥檚 continuing her research, even looking at data that she鈥檒l collect from a new course at Martin this semester called 鈥淢ethods for Academic and Personal Success.鈥�

鈥淚 hope to gain a proof of concept of my research because I hope to move the needle,鈥� Shah said. 鈥淏ecause if I can stop one school shooting, I鈥檓 saving that many lives.鈥�

As Shah looks ahead to college next year, she credits the STEM Academy with launching her journey.

鈥淭he STEM Academy was just so incredible in helping support me and allowing me to go and giving me the resources I needed to compete in this amazing fair [in L.A.],鈥� she said.

Shah plans to continue her research in college while she pursues medicine.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe I鈥檝e been able to make an impact through science,鈥� Shah said.

But at this point, everyone else at Martin can believe it because they鈥檝e witnessed it for the last four years. And they all look forward to the impact she鈥檒l make in the future.

RSVP for Trustee Talks meeting on Nov. 12

91制片厂 Board of Trustees next Trustee听Talks meeting is moving off campus. For the first time, the trustees will host the community meeting at the () on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.

Trustee Talks is a series of public meetings initiated by the Board of Trustees. Two or three trustees host each meeting and typically give a presentation about the district and take questions.

The Nov. 12 meeting will include a presentation on the district鈥檚 East Arlington plan and the 2019 Bond program. The trustees will also include time for questions.

Please visit the听Trustee Talks webpage to RSVP for the Trustee Talks meeting on Nov. 12. RSVPs are required as space for this meeting is limited.

Specialized programs application window is open

The specialized programs application window for the 2025-26 school year is now open, and there are still plenty of great opportunities to learn about the programs that may be right for your students.

In-person and virtual informational meetings for 91制片厂 specialized programs begin this week.

Both Pearcy STEM Academy and Wimbish World Language Academy have meetings slated for Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. School principals and teachers will be on hand to talk about their programs and answer any of your questions.

Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy has an information meeting slated for Monday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to find out if a fine arts/dual language track is right for your incoming sixth, seventh or eighth grader.

Next week is a busy one for sure, as Arlington College and Career High School and Arlington Collegiate High School will host a Zoom meeting Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. Both schools are looking for incoming ninth graders who want to earn an associate degree for free and a high school diploma at the same time. The Zoom link will be live on their campus page the day of the meeting.

Crow Leadership Academy has an in-person meeting slated for Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. That鈥檚 a busy night as you can also go to Corey Academy at 6 p.m. to learn about its fine arts/dual language program.

The P-TECH at Lamar High School is hosting a Zoom meeting on Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. You can find out about cybersecurity and business as well as the school鈥檚 industry partner and how your future freshman can earn an associate degree for free. If you have a pre-K student and you want them to follow a fine arts and dual language path, Jones Academy has a meeting at 6 p.m. that night. It鈥檚 a great spot to start kindergarten in 2025.

Across town at 6 p.m. the P-TECH at Sam Houston is hosting a meeting about its multidisciplinary engineering, business and logistics pathways.

Got plans for Thursday, Nov. 14? You can head to the STEM Academy at Martin High School from 6:30-8 p.m. to learn about what to expect for incoming freshmen in 2025-26.听

And on Friday, Nov, 15,, the P-TECH at Bowie High School has a virtual meeting set from 5-7 p.m. You can learn about the health services field program at the school.

Stay tuned because there are more meetings planned.听听听听

You can always find out more and apply here.

Addition funded by the 2019 Bond

When you drive by the addition at Arlington High School, there鈥檚 usually a bustle of activity on the outside. The same is true on the inside.

The race is on to finish the addition so students and teachers can move in after the winter break. In fact, the first delivery of furniture is scheduled for next week.

Are you curious to see inside the Arlington High School addition? Get a sneak peek with these photos taken earlier this week.

鈥淭he finish line is quickly approaching, and there is a lot of work to do,鈥� said Shane Strawderman, 91制片厂 senior project manager. 鈥淎mazing progress is being made on a daily basis, and we are not slowing down. Final clean is around the corner for the interior of the building, which will nicely wrap up the new addition. As you can see on the outside, we are finishing up landscaping and working on the final touches for what will be a remarkable new feature at the corner of Cooper and Park Row.鈥�

The Cube

The addition 鈥� dubbed the 鈥淐ube鈥� by AHS principal Stacie Humbles 鈥� is the biggest part of the 2019 Bond-funded construction project at the school. It will house new classrooms, a new open-concept library, a new band hall, a new orchestra room, art rooms, gallery space, a black box theater and more. It will also provide accessible passage between the school鈥檚 two existing gyms.

While the addition is the most noticeable part of the construction project, there鈥檚 a lot more that has been done, including renovations for the existing building鈥檚 mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Outside, the athletic field was replaced with new turf and the track was resurfaced, the tennis courts were resurfaced and the softball team got a new competition field.

In the existing building, new flooring and ceilings have been installed in Halls A, B and C. The culinary room was also renovated, and the former wrestling room has been converted into a cheer and drill room, complete with renovated locker rooms and restrooms. Wrestling moved to an updated building near the field house.

Learn more about all Bond 2019 projects here.

Q&A with Principal Lee Jones

October is National Principals Month in 91制片厂, and we鈥檝e spent the month spotlighting several principals from across the district. We鈥檙e wrapping it up today with Bowie High School principal Lee Jones, who is Arlington through and through. Jones grew up in Arlington, went to 91制片厂 schools, graduated from Lamar High School, went to UT Arlington and has worked in the district since 2007.

Jones鈥� school was also the site of a tragic shooting last school year that resulted in the death of Etavian Barnes. We talked with Jones about that and other topics.

鈱狧ow have your students responded this school year to the tragedy from last year?

This year has been a lot different. We are committed to be a campus that preaches non-violence on the campus. We have what we鈥檙e calling Anthony Strather鈥檚 [former Bowie student killed in 2019] Peace Project. The students have done the heavy lifting. They鈥檝e done a terrific job. They are the ones walking around preaching peace and non-violence. They have led a peace project. All we鈥檙e doing is helping them get the message out and letting them know what our school goal is, which is how to teach our kids how to deal with conflicts in a non-violent way.

鈱狣id the shooting change you as a principal?

One hundred percent. It changed my perspective on a lot of things. How I deal with kids. How I interact with kids. How I deal and interact with parents. Every two weeks I put out my newsletter and one of the safety measures is checking your kids social media pages and making sure you know what鈥檚 going on with school also. I have those talks with them.

鈱狾ne of your jobs in the district was as a 21^st-century program sports director at Nichols Junior High. What is that?

I did an after-school program, and it was for at-risk students who didn鈥檛 have anything to do after school. What we did was take a group of males, and we taught them how to deal with conflict 鈥� as well as how to be a young man. And then we did sports with them through the YMCA.

鈱猈hat does it mean to you to be in the 91制片厂 for so long?

This is my home. I was born and raised in Arlington. I went to school in Arlington. It just means a lot to me to be able to give back in the same city where people helped me make the decision to get into education.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 your favorite part of the job?

It鈥檚 a new day every day. Dealing with kids on an everyday basis and getting to say that you are making a difference because you get to impact their future.

91制片厂 Facility Services Job Fair is Nov. 13

Join us at the 91制片厂 Facility Services Job Fair and land a rewarding new career on the spot! We鈥檙e a large school district with many impactful career opportunities, including roofing, framing, carpentry, painting, groundskeeping and more.

The job fair is Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 5-7 p.m. at the 91制片厂 Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center ().

You鈥檒l land more than a job in 91制片厂. We鈥檙e a district all about people, and you鈥檒l find that it pays to work here. Benefits include:

• Competitive pay
• Overtime opportunities
• Year-round pay for most jobs
• Flexible schedules
• Yearly pay increases
• Working with a qualified team

Working in 91制片厂 is the clear choice!

Here鈥檚 how it works:

1. and attend the Facility Services Job Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 5-7 p.m.
2. Department representatives will hold interviews and be available to answer your questions.
3. On-the-spot job offers will be made to selected candidates.

Available positions include:

鈱�Ground Maintenance

• • Groundskeeper I minimum $17.00 an hour
  • Groundskeeper II minimum $18.00 an hour
  • Groundskeeper Lead minimum $19.05 an hour

鈱鼴uilding Maintenance

• • Skilled Building Maintenance (concrete, roofing, fencing, carpentry) minimum $22.21 an hour
  • Painter minimum $22.21 an hour
  • Journeyman Plumber minimum $24.65 an hour

鈱鼿eating A/C & Refrigeration

• • HVAC minimum $24.65 an hour

鈱鼸lectrical Department

• • Fire Alarm Tech minimum $24.65 an hour
  • Journeyman Electrician minimum $24.65 an hour

If you can鈥檛 make the job fair, be sure to visit 91制片厂鈥檚 jobs website and apply for a new career online.

Prince Day with Prince Lebanese Grill means great food

In 91制片厂, a prince wears a chef鈥檚 hat.听

The district celebrated the first 鈥淧rince Day鈥� across all high school campuses yesterday - honoring the flavors of local favorite .听听

With a choice of Mediterranean chicken, Prince shawarma wings or beef pita served with the Prince squash and zucchini, each dish was Prince Lebanese-inspired and crafted by chef Aziz Kobty.听

鈥淭o be involved with the district that I grew up in, giving back, contributing, helping the kids get some cultural food, some good food, it means a lot to us,鈥� Kobty said.听

That鈥檚 also why Kobty and his team ran the food line and sat with students during lunch at Arlington High School.听

鈥淭his is the first day that we鈥檝e done a line where it was all Prince,鈥� Kobty said. 鈥淪eeing the kids smile, interacting with them and feeding them, it鈥檚 been a lot of fun.鈥澨�听

For 91制片厂 students, the Mediterranean-inspired items have shaped a positive experience with cafeteria food. In fact, each Prince-inspired menu item is already served in every campus cafeteria throughout the week.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 something healthier, something different,鈥� said Arlington High School sophomore Ruby Medina. 鈥淚 love that we have more options other than just burgers, nachos and pizza. The wings looked really good. I saw a lot of people going to that line and I started thinking I need to get a piece of that.鈥�听

But for 91制片厂 director of food and nutrition services David Lewis, Prince Day wasn鈥檛 just about serving good food.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 about building community,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about coming together around a meal and building relationships. I'm just so excited. The Kobty family is a special family that loves our community, loves Arlington and they continue to give back. To be able to bring the family here and to see people liking their food in another environment is special for them, too. Food truly brings communities together.鈥澨�听

View campus cafeteria menus . And if you didn't get to celebrate Prince Day with Prince Lebanese Grill or if you鈥檙e hungry for more, you know where to find !

Abby Moore started playing baseball at four

Arlington鈥檚 Texas Rangers aren鈥檛 playing this October.

But Arlington鈥檚 Abby Moore is.

And yes, she鈥檚 playing baseball 鈥� not softball.

The Arlington High School junior鈥檚 skill behind and at the plate took her to the stadium of the Durham Bulls in North Carolina earlier this month. That鈥檚 where she suited up and played four games for the Belles in the All-American Women鈥檚 Baseball Classic.

The Women鈥檚 Baseball Classic is in its third year, organized by , an organization that promotes baseball for girls.

鈥淚t was the first time I鈥檇 ever played with all women,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淥r even a few women for that matter.鈥�

In fact, the last time she played with other girls was way back where it all started in . She was just four years old at the time, but it was love at first swing.

Moore now plays varsity basketball for Arlington High, too, but there is just something special about baseball.

Moore loves the strategy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a slow game. I feel like you鈥檙e really in control,鈥� she said. 鈥淓specially as a catcher, you control the game. Everything is always in your hands. The scales can flip at any time. Nothing鈥檚 ever too far out of reach.鈥�

But as Moore reached fifth and sixth grade, all the girls she鈥檇 played with in Little League started switching to softball.

鈥淎ll my friends were going to softball 鈥� and I was like no.鈥�

She had no intention of getting pushed out of the sport she loved.

鈥淪o, I stuck to baseball,鈥� Moore said, 鈥渁nd I鈥檓 glad I did because it鈥檚 what I love and what I enjoy.鈥�

High School Ball

Moore has now played select baseball for years as the only girl. Only once has she played a team with another girl. It was a team from Mexico, and their female player was filling in for her injured brother.

But being the only girl isn鈥檛 usually a big deal.

鈥淎 lot of the guys I鈥檝e been playing with since I was at North Arlington Little League, so most of us all know each other and it鈥檚 really no big surprise,鈥� Moore said.

It can be a surprise for the other teams though.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a doubletake sometimes,鈥� she said.

It was also a bit of a surprise for Arlington High head baseball coach Brian Womack several years ago when Coach Andrea Scott, Arlington High鈥檚 head soccer coach and athletic coordinator, told him that there was an eighth-grade girl who might come out for baseball when she reached high school.

Womack had never had a girl try out for baseball, but the father of two daughters was willing to give her a shot.

Moore showed up for workouts that summer before ninth grade and hit the weight room at 7 a.m. each morning.

鈥淪he was at every single workout and stayed around doing all the baseball drills,鈥� Womack said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 as dedicated as anybody who has gone through here. She loves to play the game. She works her tail off for you.鈥�

Moore, a catcher and outfielder, played on the JV team her freshman year but got sidelined as a sophomore after tearing her ACL playing basketball.

Now a junior, Moore has worked her way back from the knee injury and has her sights set on varsity. She just finished playing fall ball with her Arlington High teammates.

鈥淪he legitimately has the talent to compete and play,鈥� Womack said.

The Road to Durham

鈥淚 love catching,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淵ou get behind the plate and everything else goes away. It鈥檚 you and the pitcher and nothing can really beat that. Absolutely nothing can beat that.鈥�

That鈥檚 why Moore attended a one-day summer camp with catcher . Even though the camp was taught by a female 鈥� Krimball plays for the USA women鈥檚 baseball team 鈥� Moore was the only girl who attended.

But she got to stay afterwards and talk with Krimball and connect over their shared passion for baseball.

鈥淭hat whole experience kind of opened the door [to the Women鈥檚 Baseball Classic],鈥� Moore said.

That experience and a special friend.

Moore鈥檚 next-door neighbor introduced her to , who played for the Rockford Peaches in 1953. The Peaches 鈥� the team featured in the film 鈥淎 League of Their Own鈥� 鈥� was part of the started in 1943 during WWII.

鈥淚 love her so much,鈥� Moore said about Rogers, who now lives in North Texas. 鈥淪he鈥檚 so funny, so sweet. Her stories are incredible because she played in the original league.鈥�

Rogers attended one of Arlington High鈥檚 fall baseball games last month and encouraged the players after the game.

鈥淎t the end of the day, she and women like her were the ones who paved the way for us,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool to have someone like her in my corner where I can text her, call her any day, even hang out since she鈥檚 local, and get advice and hear stories.鈥�

Seeking advice from Rogers and Krimball is what led to the experience of a lifetime.

鈥淢y name got brought up to the people with All-American Girls Baseball, and I was awarded the opportunity to go out there and play.鈥�

Swinging for the Bull

Moore was one of only a few high school girls selected to play in the Women鈥檚 Baseball Classic. Most of the other players were college-aged or older.

But the age didn鈥檛 matter.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know anybody,鈥� Moore said about arriving at the ballpark in Durham. 鈥淚t was my first year. But I walked into that room, and I didn鈥檛 have to know anything about anybody because we were all already united in the way we鈥檇 all had similar paths. So, we all understood each other already.鈥�

Moore played liked she belonged, too. She caught in one game and played outfield in the three others.

鈥淚 had a pretty good weekend at the plate,鈥� Moore said.

Indeed, she did, with five hits and six RBIs.

鈥淚t was amazing,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淚t was honestly the most fun I鈥檝e ever had playing baseball. It was so cool.鈥�

The Future

Moore would love it if she gets to play baseball 鈥� or softball 鈥� in college. But her focus for the future is getting into a good university to study engineering.

That won鈥檛 be a problem. Moore is ranked number two in her class of nearly 700.

鈥淪he鈥檚 not only very talented athletically, but she鈥檚 brilliant in the classroom and just an all-around great kid,鈥� Womack said.

Regardless of what the future holds, Moore has already established a legacy that could pave the way for younger girls 鈥� just like her friends Rogers and Krimball did for her.

鈥淚 have had little girls come say hi, ask for a picture, ask me for some advice 鈥� small things like that,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 motivating to know that there are people who are watching you and wanting to follow in your footsteps.鈥�

Elizabeth Ojo designs voting sticker for kids

Voting season is back. But is it really official without receiving an 鈥淚 voted鈥� sticker?听

For Seguin High School sophomore Elizabeth Ojo, the answer is no. Even for those who are ineligible to vote.听听

That鈥檚 why she combined childhood memories with her art expertise to design a sticker for future voters. It wasn鈥檛 just any sticker either. It was an award winner. As the winner of the I Voted Sticker contest, her sticker will听be given to kids who join their parents when they vote at over 350 voting locations.听听听

鈥淢y inspiration was my childhood,鈥� Ojo said. 鈥淲henever I went to voting polls with my mother, I always wanted a sticker for myself. She would always give me hers, but I didn鈥檛 want to take that from her, so I decided to make a sticker for kids to have like I wanted when I was younger.鈥�听

Ojo created the 鈥淚 wanna wear a I Voted Sticker too鈥� sticker as a project for her digital arts class.听听

鈥淚 wanted to think outside the box on this one,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to do something different from the usual red, white and blue. It feels good knowing that kids across Texas will be able to proudly wear a sticker, too. I hope it shows the kids that they can use their voice to make decisions that they think is best.鈥�听

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiC76IzX8zg[/embed]

She was also honored by the elections department earlier this month at the County Commissioners Meeting.听听

鈥淪eguin Nation is so proud of Elizabeth and her accomplishment,鈥� said Seguin principal Billy Linson. 鈥淗er ability to think creatively to connect on the level of an aspiring child voter while utilizing her weak hand for the drawing was well thought out and executed to a tee.鈥澨�听

After loving art since she was a toddler, the experience feels unreal.听听

鈥淚t feels good, but I just can鈥檛 believe it,鈥� Ojo said. 鈥淭he feedback I received from my peers in class was positive, but I was unsure if my art would be able to become something more than just a piece. I鈥檓 glad to have something that shows that people enjoy my work and sends a message.鈥�听

With plans to collect a sticker herself, she hopes this is just the beginning.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see your work being produced and shared,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope this little thing turning big will lead me to a future where I can continue to share my work.鈥澨�听

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see the list of polling locations on election day. For early voting locations, .听听听

Explore 91制片厂 2024

Para Areli Mart铆nez, venir a un programa especializado en 91制片厂 fue una decisi贸n f谩cil. 听
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鈥淨uer铆a que mis hijos estuvieran en una escuela que apoyara y promoviera su cultura鈥�, dijo Mart铆nez, quien es de Fort Worth y tiene dos hijos que asisten a Wimbish World Language Academy. 听
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Mart铆nez investig贸 los mejores programas para sus hijos a fin de prepararlos para el 茅xito y encontr贸 uno en Wimbish. 听
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Wimbish World Language Academy es uno de los programas de 91制片厂 que promueve la integraci贸n cultural multiling眉e. Explore Arlington, fue el martes en el Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center, brind贸 a padres como Mart铆nez la oportunidad de encontrar la opci贸n perfecta para la educaci贸n de sus hijos. Las academias WWLA, Corey y Jones brindan a los estudiantes una mejor comprensi贸n de las culturas y la diversidad, adem谩s de una educaci贸n en dos idiomas.听

Las familias hablaban de las futuras escuelas a las que sus hijos podr铆an asistir. 驴Disfrutan de las artes? 听驴Baile o teatro? 驴Quiz谩s sea coro u orquesta? Las posibilidades son infinitas. Una cosa es segura al final del evento, los padres estaban bien informados y motivados gracias a Explore Arlington, donde la informaci贸n estaba bajo un mismo techo. 听听听
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Los padres interesados 鈥嬧�媋plican y siguen el proceso 补辩耻铆. 听听
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Mart铆nez dijo: "No se asuste por el proceso, avance paso a paso y simplemente observe c贸mo prosperan sus hijos". 听听听
Est谩 funcionando para Mart铆nez. Por eso asisti贸 a Explora para compartir su experiencia e informar a otros padres como Aurelia Andrade, madre de tres hijos. 听
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Andrade y su esposo estaban analizando sus opciones y quedaron impresionados con lo que las academias de Arlington ten铆an para ofrecer. 听
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鈥淟as academias son muy buenas y cada una tiene diferentes oportunidades para cada ni帽o鈥�, dijo Andrade. 听
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Dijo que el proceso de solicitud vale la pena, 鈥渢odo lo bueno tiene un costo, cada beneficio uno tiene que esforzarse para tener 茅xito, pero sobre todo se trata de nuestros hijos y una buena educaci贸n es lo mejor que podemos brindarles鈥�. 听听
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La directora de Wimbish WLA, Chelsea Kostyniak, dijo que la escuela est谩 补辩耻铆 para ayudar.听听
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"Si no lo sabes, te ayudaremos con las solicitudes, te ayudaremos a encontrar una manera de entrar", dijo.
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Jones y Corey ofrecen solicitudes en l铆nea en espa帽ol. 听
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El subdirector de Corey Academy, Omar Alonso, dijo: 鈥淰ale la pena. Es el futuro de su hijo. Uno quiere lo mejor para nuestros hijos鈥�.听

Emelia Alonso, subdirectora de Jones Academy, estuvo de acuerdo. 听
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"Aplicar", dijo. "No se sienta abrumado en el proceso y comun铆quese con nosotros porque el director y yo somos biling眉es y definitivamente podemos ayudar con el proceso". 听
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En cuanto a Mart铆nez, quien viaja desde Fort Worth a Arlington, concluy贸 su d铆a contenta porque informar a otros padres sobre las mejores academias de Arlington era su objetivo en Explore Arlington.听

Former Administration Building opened in 1964

It turned 60-years-old this year, but now it鈥檚 gone.

91制片厂鈥檚 former James W. Counts Administration Building on Pioneer Parkway has been demolished. All that鈥檚 left to do is tear out the foundation and remove the rubble.

"It鈥檚 bittersweet to see this building being torn down,鈥� said Cameron Garcia, an 91制片厂 administrative assistant in research and accountability who worked in the old admin building for eight years. 鈥淲hat I鈥檒l miss most is the camaraderie and team spirit we shared in the northwest hallway."

The building opened in 1964 and was renamed J.W. Counts in 1986 after the former superintendent. Counts was also a basketball coach at Arlington High School before he became the principal at Speer Elementary in 1951. The WWII Navy veteran served as the district鈥檚 superintendent from 1979-1985

J. W. Counts will be memorialized at the new 91制片厂 Administration Building along with other retired facility namesakes like Guy C. Hutcheson (junior high school), Veda Knox (elementary school), Maude V. Roark (elementary school) and Jack and Alexa Roquemore (elementary school).

The Counts Administration Building 鈥� home to the district鈥檚 board room and central administration offices for decades 鈥� had actually been empty for several years. The building had become much too small and too old, and 91制片厂 moved the majority of its administrative offices and board room to the current Administration Building on Lamar Blvd. in the fall of 2021.

The district already owned the current Administration Building 鈥� known as Enterprise Centre prior to the move 鈥� and used funds from the 2019 Bond to renovate it and add a boardroom. The new location is much larger than the Counts Building and allows for most academic services departments to reside in the same location.

Though the old admin building is gone, 91制片厂 plans to hang on to the property on Pioneer Parkway.

鈥淲hile the building is in the process of being razed currently, the existing site has incredible value to the district,鈥� said Kelly Horn, 91制片厂 assistant superintendent of facility services. 鈥淚ts ultimate use has not been fully determined.鈥�

Explore 91制片厂 2024 welcomes students of all ages

Explore 91制片厂 has a lot in common with Black Friday, the traditional shopping day that kicks off the Christmas season.

Just like Black Friday, Explore 91制片厂 kicks off the specialized programs season, as applications opened Oct. 22.

Just like on Black Friday, there was a line of people outside the Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center Tuesday night before the doors opened at 6 p.m.

And just like Black Friday shoppers, the people in line knew exactly where they wanted to go when the doors opened, whether it was to visit the STEM programs that were inside the main entrance or go talk to any of the six early college high school options that were just around the corner.

And there were plenty of options for parents and students to choose from 鈥� whether it was an elementary, junior high or high school specialized program, visiting with our early childhood team, talking to someone in advanced academics or watching art be made by a teacher from the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

It was a big night indeed for the more than 400 people who showed up.

鈥淭his provides the families and parents with an opportunity to see how many options there are,鈥� said Traci Thomas-Bragg, 91制片厂鈥檚 director of postsecondary partnerships. 鈥淎lso, if you鈥檙e a younger family, you can see where your kid is going to go in the future. You can see there鈥檚 a clear pathway from elementary all the way through high school and into college. This is a fantastic turnout. We鈥檙e really happy with how things are going.鈥�

There was something for everyone at the event as there were also student performances. From the academies, principals, administrators and students from the programs showed up to talk and answer questions about the programs.

They were kept busy, too,

鈥淭his has been good,鈥� said Arlington Collegiate High School principal Jeff Kreiger. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a lot of eighth graders here this year. It鈥檚 been really helpful.鈥�

Chelsea Ervin came with her son Jay Joblin, an eighth grader at Shackelford Junior High. They spent time researching early college options, with the P-TECH at Lamar High School a frontrunner followed by the P-TECH at Bowie High School.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to figure out options for college,鈥� Ervin said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 awesome they get free college credit. That鈥檚 amazing. Anything that will help him succeed is big. We鈥檙e just trying to see what鈥檚 all available.鈥�

She wasn鈥檛 alone.

Scott and Ana Lederhos brought their daughter Emma to Explore 91制片厂 because next year she starts kindergarten, and they wanted to find out more about Corey Academy. They went to the right place as principal Cynthia Anthony and her staff were ready to help.

鈥淚 love it,鈥� said Ana Lederhos, whose daughter is zoned to go to Little Elementary. 鈥淚f we apply and she doesn鈥檛 get in, we鈥檙e okay with her going to Little. But I really want her to be able to go someplace where she can get into dual language.鈥�

They were in the right place.

The good news is that while Explore 91制片厂 was the kickoff to the specialized programs window, there鈥檚 still plenty of time to learn more and apply. The window for applications is open until Jan. 13, 2025. You can find out more and apply here.

Martin STEM students鈥� experiment blasts off Nov. 1听

The movie 鈥淭he Martian鈥� may be science fiction, but one scene听is starting to play out like science fact thanks to some students from the STEM Academy at Martin High School.听

In the movie, Matt Damon is stranded on Mars and must figure out how to grow plants in space to survive.听

Five students at Martin are going to get to see something like that play out for real as their experiment is set to blast off for the International Space Station on Nov. 1 from Florida.听

The students will be along for the ride, kind of. The five students, along with two other students who are part of the , are scheduled to head to Florida at the end of the month to watch the rocket launch to the ISS carrying their pea shoot experiment.听

The plan is to see how microgravity affects the germination of pea shoots to help determine the viability of pea shoots as a fresh food source in space.听

鈥淭o us, it was a research project,鈥� said junior Grant Hester. 鈥淲e were going out to see something we found interesting and seeing what we could do, how we could manipulate it to see how it would grow in zero gravity.鈥�听

Hester, along with fellow juniors Camilo Henao, Kaleb Kim, Sofia Ochoa and Ethan Chen, have spent more than a year working on the project. The SSEP project is part of the , and the district got involved two years ago.听

Last year students took an Independent Studies in Emerging Technologies class to work on the project. Several Martin teams entered ideas for the project, and the school had three teams with ideas that made it to the finals. Last December, the team of five found out it was selected for the mission. 听

While getting their project on the space station was the goal, the students learned a lot of other skills along the听way, like research, working with a team and building their communications skills.听

鈥淚 like research, and I like teaching research because I鈥檝e seen bad research and I鈥檝e seen good research,鈥� said Krassimira Hansard, who taught the class. 鈥淚 like teaching presentation, I like teaching collaboration because when you see the output, it鈥檚 good. You watch them grow. I鈥檝e had them since they were freshmen.鈥�听

Not all the experiments to get to this point worked for the team. They had to find the right environment to get pea shoots to grow. They had to find the right water. They also had to do it within the confines of a small tube that can travel on the ISS.听听

They found out a lot about pea shoots, too.听

鈥淚t was interesting to find out that you can eat the whole plant,鈥� Ochoa said. 鈥淵ou can eat the leaves of the shoot. The whole thing is edible.鈥�听

The class was just part of the process as the students have worked on the project on their own time, working around school, homework, jobs and internships. There has been testing, experimenting and figuring out what works and what doesn鈥檛.听

鈥淭his is a lot of very mature, adult scheduling,鈥� Hansard said. 鈥淭hey showed a lot of skills to get to this point.鈥�听

Including patience. The students have known their project was going to space for nearly a year, but the mission to send it there has been postponed several times. They hope the Nov. 1 launch goes off. Once it does, they will conduct the same experiment here to see how different it is from the one on the ISS.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited we get the opportunity,鈥� Hester said. 鈥淲e just hope it happens sooner than later.鈥�听