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- back to school
Friday, April 19, 2024
This week, Mayor John Huffman wants to usher in the new school year with some important updates across the City.
As lazy mornings turn into hurrying out of the house to catch the bus, students are starting their next year pursuing knowledge in Southlake. Safeguarding our students is a top priority each year, and this school year is no different.
Mayor Huffman checked in with Southlake’s Safety and Security Teams to give you the fast facts about how Southlake prepared for the school year.
As always, the School Resource Officers will be on campus to protect students in case of emergencies, but other departments are continuing to work behind the scenes to ensure safety as well.
The Southlake Traffic Division of Public Works worked incredibly hard over the summer to complete road projects, making travel smoother around the City as well as inspecting and replacing hardware in the school zone flashers.
Our Fire Department has also created a partnership with the Athletic Trainers at CISD to CPR recertify coaches, trainers, and adults that will be around students at games, meets, and practices.
Mayor Huffman mentioned that school zone traffic will affect commute times, so be sure to plan accordingly and drive safely around schools as students and parents settle into their routines. If possible, known traffic hotspots may be avoided to reduce commute times. Some known traffic hotspots are the areas surrounding the following:
The Mayor ended by wishing all students a successful and safe school year! No matter where they attend, we can’t wait to see what this year brings for our students.
To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
Summer vacation came and went at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve. Older kids are back at school, but preschool kiddos have something of their own to look forward to– Cross Timbers Forest Preschool!
The Cross Timbers Forest Preschool is an explorative, hands-on preschool experience focusing on connecting students to nature. The curriculum is like none other thanks to our unique location on over 700 acres of preserve. Inquisitive preschoolers spend over 80% of every day outside learning through exploration. This includes hikes, storytime, arts and crafts, imaginative play, and discovery. Each day is different, and themes range from the local history of the land, local critters, responsible environmental stewardship, butterflies, and more!
Forest Preschool is unique in many ways. We have outstanding teachers and an impressive 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio! This semester our fearless teacher is none other than Nature Center extraordinaire Madeleine Mott.
Madeleine embodies the spirit of the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve. Adventurous, curious, and kind, Madeleine Mott knows what it’s like to wear many hats. Coming off a successful summer as Camp Director, Madeleine now gets to shift gears into preschool mode.
Here’s what she had to say about this upcoming semester:
What are you most excited about this semester?
I am so excited to get to know all our awesome preschoolers. Each of these kids has such individualized traits and qualities that are so easy to love! Not to mention we can add to our long list of all the funny and quirky things Forest Preschoolers say!
What’s your favorite animal?
My favorite animal would have to be giraffes, but at the Nature Center, I love the deer, specifically the fawns.
What do you hope your students take away from this experience?
I hope my students take away from this semester of preschool an overall love and respect for nature. I want them to go out into the woods confidently and leave exhilarated by the energy these natural places give. I want them to explore without boundaries and fall in love with what they find.
Anything else you want to share about Forest Preschool?
Forest Preschool is truly the best. It provides such a unique experience for these little ones. It will encourage confidence and independence, their social skills will grow, and their knowledge of the world around them will flourish.
The Cross Timbers Forest Preschool meets from 9 am-12 pm for 15 weeks each semester. Classes are offered Tuesday-Friday, and registration is per day of the week. The fall semester begins on August 24 and ends on December 10.
Learn more here.
As some students begin to return to the classroom next week, drivers will notice the school zone flashers start back as well. In the morning, school zone speed limits are in effect from 30 minutes prior to the first bell to 10 minutes after the last bell. For dismissal, school zone speed limits are in effect from 10 minutes prior to the bell to 30 minutes after the bell.
Take a glance at the schedule below before you step out the door next week. Drive safe and keep an eye out for pedestrians.
Carroll Elementary, Old Union Elementary and Rockenbaugh Elementary: 7 – 8:05 a.m., 2:40 – 3:30 p.m.
Johnson Elementary and Walnut Grove Elementary: 7:10 – 8:05 a.m., 2:50 – 3:30 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Carroll Elementary, Rockenbaugh Elementary, Old Union Elementary, Johnson Elementary and Walnut Grove Elementary will have early release hours for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten for the week of August 24-28. Regular school hours will resume Monday, August 31.
Durham Intermediate and Eubanks Intermediate: 7:55 -8:50 a.m., 3:35 – 4:15 p.m.
Carroll Middle and Dawson Middle: 7:55 -8:50 a.m., 3:35 – 4:15 p.m.
Carroll High and Carroll Senior High: 7:30 – 8:25 a.m., 3:11 – 3:51 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: For Carroll High School, the school zone speed limit may be displayed on signs only and without flashing beacons during the construction of the additional lanes on N. White Chapel Boulevard.
Florence Elementary (Keller ISD): (School begins August 26 and students will be released early for the first three days.) 7:25 – 8:05 a.m., 3:15 – 3:55 p.m.
Clariden School: (School year began August 12) 7:45 – 8:40 a.m., 3:20 – 4 p.m.
Stay up to date with all Southlake Mobility and follow ups on our Facebook page.
As school staff and kids prepare to head back to school, the Southlake Mobility Team is preparing for a safe return for commuters and pedestrians.
The team plans to install crosswalk signs at Carroll Avenue and Continental Boulevard a week before school begins. Message board signs will also be placed to notify drivers and pedestrians to expect some delays due to the increase in school traffic.
Together, we can ensure pedestrian safety in Southlake. Here are four things you can do to help with pedestrian safety:
For more updates on Southlake Mobility, please follow us on Facebook or connect with us online at www.ConnectSouthlake.com.
Carroll school officials are seeking input on a COVID-19 Response Calendar before voting to consider altering the originally-adopted 2020-2021 school calendar. The proposed modified calendar does not include a change to the start date of August 17, but it does take the long breaks in October and February, as well as one bad weather day in April and makes them COVID-19 exchange days.
The exchange days are like bad weather days; if the district has to close due to COVID-19, the exchange days would become school days as needed. If the district doesn’t need them, they remain school holidays or breaks. The modified calendar also has two weeks of COVID-19 exchange days added in June.
CISD will be accepting comments and questions about the proposed calendar until noon on June 15. Trustees hope to vote on the COVID-19 calendar at their June 15 meeting. A copy of the COVID-19 Response Calendar can be reviewed by clicking on CISD’s DRAFT COVID RESPONSE 2020-2021 Calendar.
The Administration and School Board started discussing options for the 2020-2021 school calendar following prompts from Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath for public schools to consider earlier start dates, periodic breaks in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak and intersessions for remediation. School officials discussed the challenges of changing the already-adopted start date as it relates to family vacations/plans, teacher contracts and preparation time for in-person instruction. There were also concerns that CISD would use the COVID-19 exchange weeks/breaks to take vacations or trips.
In visiting with other districts, CISD staff learned that neighboring districts did not intend to adopt a revised calendar, but instead may look at simply adding weeks in June should they be needed.
Dr. Janet McDade, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, reviewed calendars shown as examples by the Commissioner and discussed 2-3 options with the School Board in May. There did not seem to be a strong sentiment among the Board or Administration to change the start date and add long breaks, but there was some interest in considering time in June to make up for COVID-19 closures should it be necessary.
Dr. McDade said TEA has been extremely cooperative and lenient in granting waivers due to COVID-19 and is not requiring districts to alter their calendar. In turn, school officials believe if a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus happens, the district is now in a better position to pivot to online learning. Still, it seems prudent to plan for potential closures by looking at the Board-adopted calendar and making possible revisions.
McDade said the COVID-19 exchange days/weeks in June give local officials greater flexibility to respond to potential outbreaks during the 2020-2021 school year. The district is also proposing adding five minutes to the end of the school day for all elementary, intermediate and middle schools. This gives CISD some additional flexibility when it comes to managing unforeseen closures for either bad weather days or COVID-19.
Elementary schools would end at 3 p.m.; intermediate and middle schools would end at 3:45 p.m., if the COVID-19 Response Calendar is approved by Trustees. Schools are required to provide 75,600 minutes of instruction each year. The instructional minutes for secondary students in CISD already well exceeds the required amount, but school officials believe adding the five minutes at the end of each day for grades PK-8 is a good move to ensure greater flexibility. The additional five minutes per day gives CISD as many as three additional instructional days that would not have to be made up due to a COVID-19 outbreak/closure.
To submit a question or comment about the proposed calendar to CISD by the noon, June 15 deadline, please visit our Let’s Talk COVID-19 Response Calendar link.
From fabulous first day outfits to back to school basics, help the kids get classroom-ready to tackle a new school year. Shop more than 260 retailers (including two new clothing brands) and stock up on certain items without paying sales tax this weekend during the Texas Sales Tax Holiday from Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11.
To start off your fashion frenzy, bohemian styles (popular with teenage girls or anyone who likes boho-chic), Johnny Was at 330 Grand Avenue West in Southlake Town Square is the place to go. The retailer has a 30-year history of offering artisan-inspired stitch work with luxe fabrics, signature embroideries, unique details and vibrant colors. With several locations across the country, find a variety of clothing items (tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, loungewear, swimwear) and accessories, as well as items for the home.
Inspired from all aspects of SoCal culture and lifestyle, TravisMathew offers premier men’s apparel for work and play – a great combination for active teenage boys. The brand has roots in golf apparel, but has evolved from the course to daily life with styles that look good on or off the green. Find men’s polos, t-shirts, button-ups, outerwear, pants, shorts, boardshorts, accessories and footwear, many of which are made with innovative materials for busy lifestyles. TravisMathew is now open at 402 State Street in Southlake Town Square.
The fun of back to school doesn’t stop there, be sure to visit Town Square favorites such as Tyler’s, Vineyard Vines and Janie & Jack. Send the kids back to school in style and stock up on certain items without paying sales tax this weekend only. For a full listing of businesses including the many retailers located in Southlake, check out the Southlake Shopping Guide.
Curriculum Nights in Carroll ISD are coming soon to each of the 11 campuses. These nights are designed to introduce parents to the curriculum for the school year. Curriculum Nights are parent-only events. The following is a list of dates and times for each school…
Carroll Elementary
Thursday, Sept. 1 – Kindergarten, 1st-2nd grades: 5:30 -6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 – Preschool, 3rd-4th grades: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Johnson Elementary
Thursday, Sept. 1 – Kindergarten-1st grades: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 – 2nd-4th grades: 5:30 p.m.
Old Union Elementary
Thursday, Sept. 1 – Kindergarten, 1st-2nd grades: 5-6 p.m.; Preschool, 3rd-4th grades: 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Rockenbaugh Elementary
Thursday, Sept. 1 – Preschool-Kindergarten: 4:30-5:30 p.m.; 1st-2nd grades: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 – 3rd-4th grades: 4:30 -5:30 p.m.
Walnut Grove Elementary
Thursday, Sept. 1 – 3rd grade: 5-6 p.m.; 4th grade: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 7 – 2nd grade: 5-6 p.m.; Quest (Grade 1&4) 5:15-6 p.m.; Quest (Grades 2&3) 6:15-7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 – Kindergarten: 6:30-7:30 p.m.; 1st grade: 5-6 p.m.
Durham Intermediate
Tuesday, Sept. 6 – 6-8 p.m.
Eubanks Intermediate
Tuesday, Sept. 6 – 5:30-7 p.m.
Carroll Middle
Wednesday, Aug. 31 – 6 p.m.
Dawson Middle
Wednesday, Aug. 31 – 6-7:30 p.m.
Carroll High School
Monday, Sept. 12: 6-7:30 p.m.
Carroll Senior High School
Tuesday, Sept. 13: 5:30-7 p.m.
Special Programs at Eubanks
Thursday, Sept. 15 – Parent Information & Student Fun Fair 5-7:30 p.m.
Parents and kids are enjoying the last few weeks of summer before heading back-to-school! Preparations are already underway for Carroll Independent School teachers and administrators. If you don’t have it marked yet on your calendar, the first day of school for CISD students is Monday, August 22, 2016.
The Southlake Police Department is also busy preparing and planning for back-to-school traffic. School Resource Officers (SROs) will be on campus to help keep traffic moving smoothly as parents drop off and pick-up their children.
A School Resource Officer will be on each campus to assist students and teachers when classes begin, as well as throughout the school year. We hope that you will look for opportunities to meet your child’s SRO during ‘Back-to-School’ events. If you are new to the school district and want to learn more about your child’s SRO we have provided a link for you School Resource Officers (SROs).
During the first week of school, additional police officers will help keep an eye on traffic in and around area schools. Officers will make sure drivers slow down and watch for students getting into and out of vehicles or buses near school zones.
Drivers are also reminded to use extra caution and watch for children on bicycles crossing streets and intersections. “Our number one priority is to make sure students arrive safely to school. Drivers can help keep our children safe by planning ahead and allowing themselves extra time to get to their destination,” said Police Chief James Brandon.
And in if parents haven’t heard yet, contractors are preparing for the installation of a new traffic signal light at the North White Chapel and Ascot Drive intersection. Crews are working to get the signal installed and operational prior to the start of the school year. Once installed, the signal will help ensure the safety of students crossing the street at this location as well as help manage traffic along North White Chapel Boulevard. Updates on the progress of the signal installation will be provided weekly and posted to mysouthlakenews.com and the DPS and City’s social media sites.
The Southlake Police Department also has a few tips to help drivers and parents navigate the first week back-to-school:
You can find more information on Carroll ISD’s start time for classes and additional back-to-school information.
Working together, we can ensure a safe and successful school year for everyone.
Parents and kids are enjoying their last few weeks of summer fun before school starts later this month. The first day of school for students in the Carroll Independent School District is Monday, August 25, 2014. The Southlake Police Department would like to remind residents to plan ahead by adding extra time to their daily commute as traffic will increase before and after school.
Southlake Police Officers will be patrolling schools within the City to help ensure that drivers slow down and keep and eye out for children travelling to and from school. “Drivers are reminded to take extra precautions and watch for children crossing streets, intersections and crosswalks near school zones. We want everyone to do their part to make sure students arrive to school safely,” said Police Chief Stephen Mylett.
Parents might also want to check for any changes in traffic patterns near schools and even “time” their route if they will be traveling near construction zones. And lastly, remember to obey all traffic warning signs including “no cell phone use” when lights are flashing in school zones.
For parents new to Southlake we want you to know that all of our SRO’s are seasoned police officers with advanced Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) certifications. An SRO will be on each campus to assist students and teachers when classes begin as well as throughout the school year. Chief Mylett adds, “The presence of our SRO’s at each campus adds another layer of safety and security to our schools and helps to provide support and encouragement to students, parents and faculty.”
We hope that you will look for opportunities to meet your child’s School Resource Officer during the many ‘Back to School’ events. “Our goal is to give students, parents and teachers the tools they need to provide the best environment for children to feel safe and one in which they can learn and thrive,” said Police Chief Mylett.
Working together we can ensure a safe and successful school year for everyone!