#DragonStrong
Braver. Smarter. Stronger.
Oh, What A Night!
Dragon Families,
The #DragonStrong face coverings couldn't hide the smiles on the faces of our graduating seniors Friday night. The Class of 2020 got to graduate May 29 in their home stadium and it was a beautiful sight. The seniors walked in to Pomp and Circumstance at 8:20 p.m. (2020 military time) as their proud families watched in staggered rows across the home and visitor stands.
Emotions ran high through the evening as each graduate's name was announced and they walked across the stage to receive their diploma and elbow bump Carroll Senior High Principal Shawn Duhon. Just moments before Mr. Duhon fought through an emotional speech to commend them for their attitudes, their commitment and their resiliency during one of the most difficult spring semesters on record. Graduates were spread from sideline to sideline and seated six feet apart from the honor graduates in front to the last row near the Dragon end zone. They wore masks bearing the Dragon logo and the hashtag #DragonStrong, a design chosen by leaders in the senior class.
Senior members of the Dragon Band played the National Anthem to open the ceremony and senior members of the Dragon Choir sang the alma mater on video to close the event, but not before the graduates got to do their traditional tassel turn and cap toss. Speeches were given by Senior Class President Libby Lester and Student Council President Mary Helen Traynor, as well as Valedictorian Gordon Liu and Salutatorian Anu Aggarwal. You can learn more about these two amazing scholars by clicking on the video links below:
More than 2,000 people watched the ceremony on CISD's Facebook and You Tube live stream links. Dignitaries included the Carroll School Board, as well as Mayor Laura Hill and State Representative Giovanni Capriglione. The ceremony included recognition for the family of Elise Cerami and Rep Capriglione who helped pass a bill for families of deceased students to receive a posthumous diploma. Principal Duhon remembered and called out the names of Yolanda Cardenas, Elise Cerami, Graham Brady and Sarah Lacy. Earlier that evening, families of these students were given an opportunity to take photos on the field at their child's chair, which was draped with a green cap and gown.
CISD went to great lengths to implement significant safety measures for the 2,500 family members in attendance and the more than 700 graduates/staff on the field. CISD School Nurses took everyone's temperature with a forehead thermometer before they could enter the stadium. School Resource Officers provided security, campus administrators assisted with parking and various CISD staff helped with assigned ticketing/staggering seating and served as line leaders for the graduates. Members of the CISD custodian staff gave concierge-style service by disinfecting hand railings in the concourse area and restrooms. Even the microphone coverings were changed out for each speaker to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It was a very special night for the graduates and their families. Special thanks to each and every person who made the Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony possible.
Carroll ISD Still Developing Re-Entry Plan
The CISD Leadership Team had hoped to announce our COVID-19 Re-Entry Plan to include summer hours for the Administration Center, limited re-opening of some extracurricular facilities and the June 8 start date for athletic strength and conditioning. However, we are still reviewing guidance from the Texas Education Agency and the University Interscholastic League. The plan is therefore still being developed and will be announced at a later date. CISD offices and facilities remain closed June 1-5.
Summer School Goes Virtual
Online summer school begins Tuesday, and enrollment for our secondary courses is up compared to previous years. To learn more about Carroll ISD's plans, visit our Summer School FAQ online.
CISD Offers Summer Enrichment Program
Would you like your child to have the opportunity to participate in a program that will sharpen their Math and English Language Arts skills? If so, then you will not want to miss this opportunity. Starting Monday, June 15 and going through Friday, July 3rd students will have the opportunity to get an intensified start on the upcoming school year by attending optional math and English Language Arts sessions. The classes will be one hour in length and they will be taught by our own Carroll ISD teachers. There will be no charge for the summer enrichment program. The sessions will not be for credit and the material taught will be not graded. Instead, CISD hopes to provide a deeper understanding of the TEKS for students.
In addition to the academic skills, CISD counselors will also be providing social-emotional learning courses for students in grades K-12. These sessions will include managing stress and emotions, feeling empathy for others, and making responsible decisions. More information will be coming soon, but if you are interested…..be sure to save these dates and watch for official CISD communications.
Instructional Task Force Will Seek Staff/Parent Feedback
Superintendent David Faltys announced recently that he has appointed an Instructional Task Force to review options for the student learning this fall. Led by Dr. Janet McDade, CISD Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, the task force will study different scenarios for the 2020-2021 school year, including in-person learning, online learning and a hybrid of the two. Once the task force has some options to present, CISD will seek feedback from both staff and parents. Stay tuned for more information on the task force's work and how you can share your thoughts and ideas with CISD.
School Board To Meet Monday
The Carroll School Board will host a video teleconference meeting Monday, June 1 at 4 p.m. You can find the agenda and a link to participate in the online meeting on our CISD Website. The Board hopes to conduct their June 15 regularly scheduled meeting in person at the CISD Administration Center.
Key 2020-2021 Back-to-School Dates
- Administrative Retreat - July 29-30
- New Hires Report - August 4-5-6
- First Day For Staff - August 10
- First Day For Students - August 17
Although our Sunday 4 p.m. #DragonStrong newsletters will end with this week's edition, Carroll ISD will continue to publish the Dragon eBlast each Tuesday and Thursday in June and July. Daily eBlasts will resume in August. We've also launched our Back-to-School Website, so visit that link for key campus dates/activities.
Have a great summer, Dragons!
Stay safe & be well,
CISD Leadership Team
Carroll ISD Announces District Teachers Of The Year
It's not every day you get to drive a Park Place Jaguar or Land Rover for the summer, but that's what Komal Panjabi and Jenna Cossu get to do thanks to our friends at Park Place. These amazing teachers were announced as the K-6 and Secondary District Teachers of the Year, respectively. Panjabi is a fifth grade teacher at Durham Intermediate School and Cossu teaches math at Carroll Middle School. They will advance to represent Carroll ISD in the Region XI TOY contest.
Frontline COVID-19 Dragon Heroes
Dr. Samer Fahoum - Dragon Parent
We are celebrating members of our Dragon family who are on the front lines of fighting COVID-19. Pictured here is Dragon Hero Dr. Samer Fahoum who currently serves as the Director of the ICU in Las Colinas. He is also the parent of two Dragons, John and Mark, who attend CISD schools.
Stay Healthy & Flatten The Curve
Key steps in mitigating exposure to COVID-19:
- Educate yourself on the symptoms and prevention of COVID-19;
- Wear a mask or face covering that goes over your nose and mouth;
- Practice social distancing and stay six feet away from others;
- Do not hold sleepovers, playdates and group events;
- Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available;
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Stay home while you have a fever or experience illness;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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Email: julie.thannum@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: www.southlakecarroll.edu
Phone: 817-949-8222
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southlakecarrollisd
Twitter: @carrollisd