The Faltys children: Dave, Peyton, Kenton, and Lauren
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CISD News with Dr. David Faltys, CISD Superintendent
As we move into spring, I am reminded of how busy this timebrof year can be for our students, families and staff. Between testing, tennisbrpractices, gymnastic meets and dance recitals, it seems family members arebrconstantly coming and going in different directions. I know your families arebrjust as busy.
On top of the usual to-dos and places to go, I want tobrremind you of some of the issues our students are dealing with at this time. Manybrof them have lost friends this school year through accidents and tragedies. Theybrare hurting and dealing with loss, and we have to ensure that they know theybrhave a safe place to come to talk about their feelings. Academics are obviouslybrvery important for children, but I believe the most important thing for them isbrthat they feel safe and cared for by the adults in their lives.
I remember a quote from an expert who was speaking onbrbuilding resiliency in our kids. She stated, “It's important for our kids tobrhave one caring, competent adult to rely upon. It's great if it's mom or dad,brbut it doesn't have to be.” That's one of the benefits for young ones who get involvedbrin activities outside the academic school day. There are tremendousbropportunities to build relationships with sponsors and coaches who care deeplybrabout them. It's for this very reason that our district mission extends beyondbrthe classroom to develop children socially and through involvement inbrextracurricular activities.
Our community has come together in an unprecedented way tobrensure we are doing all we can to provide a safe place for our kids. Our citybrand school district are working together on a task force to look at ways tobrhelp increase security, studying and improving our facilities and safetybrsystems. We are looking at programs to help students deal with depression,brthoughts of suicide and drug and alcohol use.
Even with increased security, the best protective measure canbrbe ensuring you have great relationships with your kids. Children long forbrmeaningful relationships with adults who love them— never underestimate thebrimportance of connecting with a child. I want to encourage you to spend timebrtalking to your kids about what is going on in their lives. Be sure to listenbrto them without judging. Be there for them and know the time you invest in thembrwill be more than worth it. Help them to understand that no matter how badbrthings seem at the time, there is always someone they can trust with whom theybrcan talk and share their feelings.
I've sat with too many families this year mourning the lossbrof a child. In their brokenness and longing for answers, the parents havebralmost always said they wish they just had a little more time with the youngbrone — one more chance to hug him or her and say, “I love you.” They wish theybrwouldn't have worried so much about grades and tests and the mundane stressesbrof our busy lives.
The time we have with our children is so precious and sobrfleeting. Live each day to the fullest and be sure to take every opportunity tobrsay, “I love you.” Every child needs at least one caring adult…be that adult!
Dr. David Faltys serves as Superintendent of Carroll Independent School District, the largest 5A Exemplary district in the state of Texas. He was named by the 2010 Region XI Superintendent of the Year after being nominated for the award by his local School Board. David and his wife, Jennifer, have four children: Dave, Peyton, Kenton and Lauren.