Week of October 21

Celebrate Excellence - Volleyball & Football

The Carthage Ladydogs are chasing history in setting the
highest number of wins in school history.  The current
record for wins in a season is 35.

Our Bulldogs and Ladydogs are playing strong this fall.  The Ladydog Volleyball team is now 33-4 while the Bulldogs are 6-0 after the 1st week of district play. 

The reason for their success is simple.   Excellence cannot happen without high expectations for preparation and execution.  Our teams play hard from whistle to whistle.  They don't quit, and they don't make excuses or place blame when they fail.  They view failure as a learning opportunity, and most importantly they have fun while they do it.  If you haven't seen them play, I encourage you to come out and watch them.  They are a sight to see.

#BeTheLIGHT - Attendance Matters a Lot!
Attendance is critical for learning.  In the graphic below, it shares how much learning your child will miss if he or she misses 1 or more days per week over those course of their education.  Furthermore, it also shows how much learning is missed if your child misses anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour per day.  In the 1st 6 weeks, we had 96.8% attendance.  In the 2nd 6 weeks, we want to set a record for attendance of 96.4%.  Attendance has an impact on learning, and we want it to be the best impact possible.

Bulldogs of the Week

Bulldogs of the Week include the following:
Crystal Capps - Teacher of the Week
Brooklyn Reddell, Student of the Week,
Kim Emmons - Community Volunteer of the Week
Tamiko Walton - Transportation Member of the Week

Upcoming Events

Kindergarten students from Mrs. Alexander,
Ms. Shows’, and Mrs. Kneipp’s classes
performed their Nursery Rhyme play,
“Mother Goose Party”, for the residents
 at Winkler House last week. 

• Fri, Oct 18 - Distinguished Alumni Banquet at Hall of Fame at 4:30 
• Fri, Oct 18 - Homecoming Game vs Chapel Hill
• Sat, Oct 19 - UIL Band Marching Contest at SFA
• Mon, Oct 21 - Red Ribbon Week Begins
• Mon, Oct 21 - Bus Driver Appreciation Week & School Bus Safety Week
• Mon, Oct 21 - School Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
• Tue, Oct 22 - VB vs Center (Senior Night)
• Thu, Oct 24 - CHS Theatre Fall Show at 7 p.m.
• Thu, Oct 24 - F/JV FB vs Palestine
• Fri, Oct 25 - V FB at Palestine
• Sat, Oct 26 - CHS Theatre Fall Show at 7 p.m.
• Sun, Oct 27 - CHS Theatre Fall Show at 2 p.m.
• Mon, Oct 28 -  CHS Theatre Fall Show at 7 p.m.

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.

Week of October 14

Celebrate Excellence - Coach Mac

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Coach Dennis McLaughlin who passed away this week.  Coach McLaughlin was in his 39th year as a teacher and coach for Carthage ISD.  He leaves behind his wife, Ginger, children, Lauren and Mark Patrick, and grandchildren, Braden and Madisyn. 

Dennis was an amazing teacher but he was an even more amazing person.  He had high expectations for his students, his athletes, and his colleagues, but more importantly he had even higher expectations for himself to help everyone around him reach those expectations.  He was a trusted friend, and he could light up the room with his big smile.  Coach Mac left behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and excellence, and he will be missed greatly at Carthage ISD.

Distinguished Alumni to be Recognized
On Friday, October 18 at 4:30 p.m., the CISD Education Foundation will hold the Distinguished Alumni Banquet at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.  The 2019 inductees include James H. Browning - Class of 1965 (CLICK HERE to read more), Jan Jones Forester - Class of 1968 (CLICK HERE to read more), and Steve Roberson - Class of 1965 (CLICK HERE to read more). 

These honorees and their families will enjoy a day of festivities on Homecoming Friday, October 18, 2019. They will speak to the Carthage High School students at an assembly before the pep rally and then they will be honored with a reception at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. At the football game that evening, they will be recognized and presented with a key to the city during CHS Homecoming ceremonies at Bulldog Stadium. Everyone is invited to attend the reception, football game and related homecoming activities.

2019 CISD Distinguished Alumni
Jan Forester Jones - Class of 1968 (left),
James Browning - Class of 1965 (top right)
Steve Roberson - Class of 1965 (bottom right)

#BeTheLIGHT

This past Monday, students and staff wore blue in honor of World Bullying Prevention Day.  It is very important that Carthage ISD schools be safe for all children.  If you or your child has a concern that might be considered bullying, please know that you or your child should notify the teacher, counselor, or principal about their concerns, and the staff will look into the issue.  If you see something, please say something.

NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 14.

HOMECOMING IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18.

Bulldogs of the Week

Bulldogs of the Week are
Kim Smith, Teacher,
Mallory Williams, Student,
Terry Caudle, Technology Staff,
Susan Soape, Community Member.

Upcoming Events

• Fri, Oct 11 - VB at Longview
• Fri, Oct 11 - FB at Van
• Mon, Oct 14 - School Holiday
• Tue, Oct 15 - Homecoming Week begins
• Tue, Oct 15 - Volleyball at Jasper
• Wed, Oct 16 - Cross Country Meet in Hudson
• Wed, Oct 16 - PSAT exam
• Thu, Oct 17 - F/JV Football at Chapel Hill
• Fri, Oct 18 - Distinguished Alumni Banquet at Hall of Fame at 4:30 
• Fri, Oct 18 - Homecoming Game vs Chapel Hill
• Sat, Oct 19 - UIL Band Marching Contest at SFA
• Mon, Oct 21 - Red Ribbon Week Begins
• Mon, Oct 21 - Bus Driver Appreciation Week & School Bus Safety Week
• Mon, Oct 21 - School Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar

All Region Choir Members

The following students made the Region 21 All Region Choir

L to R back row:  Hailey Hutson - Alto, Allie Fonville - Alto, Teagan Barker - Soprano, Nathan Strauss - Bass, Nicholas Giagnoni - Tenor, Will Jackson - Bass

L to R middle row:  Jessica West - Soprano, Chloe Overman - Soprano, Perla Santana - Soprano, Anslie Ruley - Soprano, Elizabeth Joubert - Soprano

L to R front row:  Tristan Wolbeck - Soprano, Ashlynn Phelps - Alto, Rayanne Cumbie - Soprano, Taylor Cureton - Alto, Chandler Glaze - Alto

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.

Week of October 7

Celebrate Excellence

The 2nd 6 weeks is off and running, and at this time, I would like to thank our teachers for their tremendous work in the 1st 6 weeks of school. Our teachers and staff have worked so hard to raise the expectations for learning and they are continuously working and learning together how to get better at making that happen.

If you would like to know more about your child's performance on our 1st 6 weeks formative assessments, please contact your child's teacher or campus principal.  This data is used to inform students, teachers, and parents on how well children are making growth in their learning.

This month is National Principals Month.  
Thank you to our hardworking principals and assistant principals for all that they do for CISD.

#BeTheLIGHT

October 2 was Custodian Appreciation Day
Thank you to our hardworking custodians for all that
they do for CISD.

Over the past 5 weeks, I have shared the five pillars of our 2019-2020 motto, Be the Light.  Those pillars include:  Love, Invest, Growth Goals and Grit, Hearts of Help and Trust and Teamwork.  This week, I would like to invite you to be a part of our motto by inviting you to be the light for our district.

There are lots of ways that you can help us be the light.  Here are just a few ways:

• Mentor a student,
• Eat lunch with a student,
• Read with a student,
• Adopt a teacher to support them this year,
• Open car doors,
• Be at the front doors welcoming students,
• Volunteer in our Champions Closet,
• Volunteer for a booster club,
• Volunteer with our Carthage ISD Education Foundation,
• Any other way you can think of.

We would love to have you shine your light on our school.  If you would like to be a part of our team, please contact Joni Lee at central office.

Bulldogs of the Week

Bulldogs of the Week are:
Braden Smith - Student of the Week
Tate Barber - Community Member of the Week
Bruce Malone - Teacher of the Week
Tonia Crittenden - PCSSA Staff Member of the Week

Upcoming Events

On Friday, September 27, central office staff delivered
goodies to CISD staff to celebrate the end of a great month
of work in September.

• Fri, Oct 4 - Report Cards go out
• Fri, Oct 4 - VB at Pleasant Grove
• Fri, Oct 4 - FB at Pleasant Grove
• Mon, Oct 7 - Fire Prevention Week begins
• Tue, Oct 8 - VB vs Huntington
• Wed, Oct 9 - Cross Country at Lufkin
• Thu, Oct 10 - F/JV FB vs Van
• Fri, Oct 11 - VB at Longview
• Fri, Oct 11 - FB at Van
• Mon, Oct 14 - School Holiday
• Tue, Oct 15 - Homecoming Week begins

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.

Week of September 30

Celebrate Excellence

Our Boys Cross Country team took 1st t the Pine Tree
Invitational last week.  Congratulations!!!

The first 6 weeks ended on Friday, September 27, and the 2nd 6 weeks begins on Tuesday, October 1.  On Monday, September 30, the CISD teachers and staff will have a professional development day where they will analyze the work of your children on the 1st 6 Weeks Formative Assessments.  They will use the data and information gained to create targeted interventions to help your child meet their academic growth goals (also known as +10 goals).

We are so proud of the students and teachers for their hard work in the first 6 weeks.  On every campus we saw hard work, great behavior, and fantastic effort from all staff and students. If you have questions about your child's performance, please contact your child's teachers or campus principal.


#BeTheLIGHT

Primary students painted a rock
in their own unique style and placed
it in the school's rock garden.

Our motto for 2019-2020 is "Be the LIGHT".  In order to lead all students to discover their excellence, CISD staff commit to show them the way and be the light for them to see how awesome they are.  The fifth and final letter in our LIGHT acronym, T, stands for Trust and Teamwork, and I would like to share what it means to us.

No organization can reach its goals without trust and teamwork.  That means that we commit to build a trusting relationship with staff, students, and parents so that together we can ensure that every student succeeds this year.  In order to develop trust and teamwork, we must first extend trust to other through selfless service and a smile.  Also, we commit to be able to listen to concerns as they arise and learn from difficult times to make Carthage ISD the premier district for all students, all staff, and all parents.



Champions Closet




Bulldogs of the Week

Bulldogs of the Week are the following:
Cami Hicks (bottom middle) - Student of the Week
Sandra Maxey (top) - Teacher of the Week
Belinda Whitaker (left) - Community Member of the Week
Jamie Deville (right) - Support Staff of the Week

Upcoming Events

Room B1 at the high school received a huge upgrade
that is very similar to what students would see in college.

• Fri, Sep 27 - End of 1st 6 Weeks of School
• Fri, Sep 27 - Cross County at Jacksonville
• Fri, Sep 27 - NO FOOTBALL GAME
• Fri, Sep 27 - VB at Gilmer
• Mon, Sep 30 - Student Holiday and Staff Development Day
• Tue, Oct 1 - Students Return to School (2nd 6 Weeks Begins)
• Tue, Oct 1 - VB at Center
• Thu, Oct 3 - F/JV FB vs Pleasant Grove
• Fri, Oct 4 - Report Cards go out
• Fri, Oct 4 - VB at Pleasant Grove
• Fri, Oct 4 - FB at Pleasant Grove

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.

Week of September 23

Celebrate Excellence - In the Board Meeting
At the September 16 Board Meeting, the board conducted the following business:

Collaborative learning is a powerful instructional strategy
that helps all kids grow by learning with and from one
another.  Here are students at Libby engaged in
collaborative learning.

• The board recognized FFA Student Officers and sponsor, Mark Davis,
• Approved items in the Consent Agenda,
• Reviewed and discussed the 86th Legislative Update,
• Conducted a Public Hearing on Carthage ISD State Accountability Results,
• Reviewed and discussed the CISD District Goal,
• Approved Bids on District Lawn/Grounds Maintenance,
• Approved bid for furniture at Junior High,

  

  The FFA Officers were honored at the September 16
  board meeting this week.

• Approved bid for furniture for the new professional development room at High School,
• Approved the District Improvement Plan and Campus Improvement Plans,
• Approved adjunct faculty member
• Approved reinstating tax discounts for 2020 tax rolls,
• Reviewed updates to Emergency Operations Plan,
• Reviewed information concerning TIP (Targeted Improvement Plan),
• Approved the Board Training Calendar

#BeTheLIGHT

Mrs. Reyes is a perfect example of our motto, #BeTheLIGHT.
She attended her students' baseball games to support their
personal interests.

Our motto for 2019-2020 is "Be the LIGHT".  In order to lead all students to discover their excellence, CISD staff commit to show them the way and to be the light for them to see how awesome they are.  The fourth letter in our LIGHT acronym, H, stands for Heart of Help, and I would like to share what it means to us.

In order to reach our goals (see last week's post), we commit to put our heart into our work but also into everyone around us.  In order to get to our students' brains, we must recognize that all learning starts with the heart.  We know that students and staff members will struggle from time to time and we will be prepared to help them overcome their struggles.


Constitution Day
In honor of “Constitution Day”, First Grade Student, Dylan Darnell from Mrs. Parker’s class, reads to you the Preamble to the United States Constitution.  What an amazing job!!!

  Bulldogs of the Week

Congratulations to our Bulldogs of the Week
Student of the Week - JaKiya Jackson - JH (Bottom Right)
Staff Member of the Week - Jay Malone - JH (Top)
Parent  of the Week - Tandi Moore (Bottom Middle)
Support Staff Member of the Week - Rachel McFadden (Bottom Left)

Upcoming Events

• Fri, Sep 20 - V VB at Beckville at 4:30,

  

  Thank you to all the parents who attended
  Open House at all of our campuses over
  the last 2 weeks.

• Fri, Sep 20 - FB vs Gilmer,
• Sat, Sep 21 -  Ladydawg JH VB Tournament at HS,
• Week of September 23 - End of 1st 6 Weeks and Formative Assessment Week,
• Tue, Sep 24 - VB vs Jasper,
• Fri, Sep 27 - End of 1st 6 Weeks of School,
• Fri, Sep 27 - Cross County at Jacksonville,
• Fri, Sep 27 - NO FOOTBALL GAME,
• Fri, Sep 27 - VB at Gilmer,
• Mon, Sep 30 - Student Holiday and Staff Development Day,
• Tue, Oct 1 - Students Return to School.

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar


Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.

Week of September 16

#BeTheLIGHT

HS Art students created motivational art
to be displayed at Baker Koonce!

Our motto for 2019-2020 is "Be the LIGHT".  In order to lead all students to discover their excellence, CISD staff commit to show them the way and be the light for them to see how awesome they are.  The third letter in our LIGHT acronym, G, stands for Grit, Goals and Growth, and I would like to share what it means to us.

In order to reach our goals, which are listed below, we must have a culture that is constantly focused on growth.  Every staff member and every student has a goal for personal improvement, and we will push ourselves and our students to develop the grit needed to reach those goals.  Grit requires commitment, perseverance, and determination to reach any worthwhile goal.

We have established goals for 2019-2020 in the following areas:  academics, early literacy, college and career readiness, and extracurricular organizations.

CISD	Approaches	Meets	Masters
2019 Result	77%	46%	21%
2020 Goal	82%	51%	26%
2019 CCMR Result		87%
2020 CCMR Goal		100%

 

90% of K-2 student will read on  grade level by the end of year.

100% of K-2 students will demonstrate  positive growth in reading and math.

CISD Extracurricular Organizations will strive to become district champions and exceed last year’s performance.

Bulldogs of the Week

Bulldogs of the Week are the following: 
Student, David White,
Staff - Lorene Lee,
Volunteer - Deanna Hopper, and
Custodial - Constella Smith

Upcoming Events

Thank you KGAS Radio for your support
and coverage of Carthage Bulldog Football

• Fri, Sep 13 - Hall of Honor Ceremony at 6 p.m. at CHS Commons
• Fri, Sep 13 - FB vs Marshall at 7:30 p.m.
• Sat, Sep 14 - SALT Walk at JH Stadium at 8 a.m.
• Mon, Sep 16 - CISD Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
• Mon, Sep 16 - JH VB vs Jasper
• Tue, Sep 17 - Carthage Primary & Libby Elementary Parent Meeting at 6 p.m. in Libby Cafeteria
• Tue, Sep 17 - Carthage Primary &  Libby Elementary Open House at 6:30 p.m.
• Tue, Sep 17 - VB at Texas High
• Thu, Sep 18 - JV/9 FB at Gilmer
• Thu, Sep 18 - JH FB vs Gilmer
• Fri, Sep 20 - V VB at Beckville at 4:30
• Fri, Sep 20 - FB vs Gilmer
• Sat, Sep 21 -  Ladydawg JH VB Tournament at HS
• Week of September 23 - End of 1st 6 Weeks and Formative Assessment Week 
• Mon, Sep 30 - Student Holiday and Staff Development Day

Collaborative learning is a powerful
learning structure that helps students learn
with and from one another.

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar








Bulldog Tailgate Party with the Cowboys!

Your Input Matters

If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.

Week of September 9

Celebrate Excellence

Several community members gave of their time on Labor
Day to help organize the Champions Closet.

Engagement is the key to student success in learning. At Carthage ISD, we have established the learning expectation that all students are engaged with relevant and interesting learning activities in every classroom from the moment they enter a classroom until they leave to go to the next class. 

For the past 2 weeks, students have been exposed to various engagement structures such as:  bell ringers or warm ups, focus lessons, guided learning, collaborative learning, independent learning, and exit tickets.  This week, I encourage parents to talk with their children about all the different ways that students are engaged throughout the day.


#BeTheLIGHT

Our motto for 2019-2020 is "Be the LIGHT".  In order to lead all students to discover their excellence, CISD staff commit to show them the way and be the light for them to see how awesome they are.  The second letter in our LIGHT acronym, I, stands for INVEST, and I would like to share what it means to us.

At Carthage ISD we commit to invest in building relationships with students, staff, and parents that inspire learning.  We will invest in finding innovative ways to accelerate learning.  Also, we, as a staff, will invest in continuous improvement because students can't grow in their learning, unless the Carthage ISD staff members grow as learners first.  Finally, we will invest in celebrating the great and amazing things happening in CISD.  Celebration leads to acceleration!

The Bulldogs won their first game at Jacksonville.
We are excited about their second game against Liberty-Eylau

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LADY BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL TEAM IN THEIR 3RD PLACE FINISH AT THE WHITE OAK TOURNAMENT LAST WEEK.

Bulldogs of the Week

Each week, we will highlight our Bulldogs of the Week.  The Bulldogs of the Week are one student, one staff member, and one volunteer who exemplify our motto, Be The LIGHT.  This week, our Bulldogs of the Week are the following:

• Zoey McKnight - Student of the Week
• Janet Baysinger - Staff of the Week
• Debbie Jernigan - Volunteer of the Week

Upcoming Events

New phones have been installed throughout the district, and
our voicemail service has been restored.

Libby students are shown here working on
independent learning tasks.

• Fri, Sep 6 - End of 1st 3 Weeks Grading Period
• Fri, Sep 6 - VB vs Pleasant Grove at 4:30 p.m.
• Fri, Sep 6 - FB vs Liberty Eylau at 7:30 p.m.
• Mon, Sep 9 - Open House at CJHS at 5:30 and at CHS at 6:30 
• Tue, Sep 10 - Progress Reports go home
• Tue, Sep 10 - Open House at Baker Koonce at 5:30
• Tue, Sep 10 - VB vs. Gilmer
• Thu, Sep 12 - F/JV FB at Marshall
• Fri, Sep 13 - Hall of Honor Ceremony at 6 p.m. at CHS Commons
• Fri, Sep 13 - FB vs Marshall
• Mon, Sep 16 - CISD Board Meeting
• Week of September 23 - End of 1st 6 Weeks and Formative Assessment Week 

Click Links below to each School Calendar
Carthage HS Calendar
Carthage JH Calendar
Baker-Koonce Calendar
Libby Elementary Calendar
Carthage Primary Calendar

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 903-693-3806.