David Faltys reads a book with preschoolers at the Southlake Public Library
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CISD News with Dr. David Faltys, CISD Superintendent
The arrival of 2013 brings with it a lot of excitement andbrhope for our Dragon family. Nearly all of the projects in the 2009 Bond Programbrare nearing completion and we've moved our administrative operations into thebrold Carroll Middle School, which will, from this day forward, now be consideredbrthe new Carroll Administration Center. The building features a state-of-the artbrBoard meeting room, offices for all CISD Administrators under one roof, abrteacher training center and technology services for the district.
This building holds a lot of historical significance and it seemsbrfitting we moved into these halls at the same time that Jack D. Johnson receivedbrSouthlake Style's Community Impact Award. The contributions he made during hisbr28 years as superintendent here helped form a strong foundation of excellencebrfor Dragons in this community. There will be a lobby area dedicated to thebrhistory of Carroll ISD to help us preserve in pictures those who madebrcontributions during the early formative years for Carroll Independent SchoolbrDistrict.
Across town at Durham Intermediate School, we are puttingbrthe final touches on the last of our school projects. At this campus we havebrrelocated the front office, added a safety entrance, expanded the band hall andbrclassroom areas for fifth and sixth graders and raised the ceiling on thebrlibrary to introduce more natural lighting. The project is not quite finished,brbut will give the intermediate school a fresh, new look when complete.
The term NewbrBeginnings keeps running through my mind. It started last month when I gotbrto sit down and read a book with the preschoolers at the Southlake PublicbrLibrary. As part of our year-long OncebrUpon A Dragon theme to encourage reading, creative writing andbrstorytelling, Charlie the Dragon and I read, danced and sang holiday songs withbrarea toddlers and their parents. What a fun morning we had as I read them mybrfavorite book as a child, Giant John.
I couldn't help but reflect on how these boys and girls werebrjust getting started on their own educational journey. They sat listening sobrintently, asking me questions, sharing in my sound effects and clapping loudlybrwhen we reached my favorite parts of the story. It was a moment to reflect on New Beginnings and how important thosebrfirst few years of learning are for children.
Like sponges, they soak up every new word and thought andbrpicture. Books and songs open up a whole new world for these toddlers; littlebrdo they know what an important foundation their parents are laying for them bybrencouraging story time, visits to the library and use of their imaginations.
I cannot brag much, really - Charlie the Dragon was a hugebrhit with most of them. But as we sang and danced and listened to the childrenbrinteract with puppets, I was encouraged by the future of DragonNation. I knowbrthat the work we do to ensure excellence for these little ones is important.brCompleting construction projects, supporting programs, aligning curriculum andbrfighting for public school funding are often how we spend our time, but it's sobrthese students can enjoy New Beginningsas Carroll Dragons with hope for a bright future.
I'm not big on new years resolutions, but I do enjoybrstanding on the cusp of a new year and wondering what the next 12 months willbrhold for our school district and community. I resolve to Protect The Tradition;brto enjoy and celebrate New Beginningsand to maintain a strong foundation for our littlest Dragons who are justbrstarting on this journey to excellence.
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.