Contributed by:
Greg Smith
CCISD Superintendent of Schools
Clear Creek ISD is ready for the launch of the 2011-2012 school year. Our teachers are back in their classrooms devising creative lesson plans that will engage students. The buildings have been cleaned, the lawns are mowed, and the cafeteria menus are good to go. As much as some things stay the same, such as filling out bus route cards, providing proof of residency, and registering to become a volunteer on campus, some things do change.
CCISD usually welcomes staff back with a rally attended by almost every employee. This year, as a cost-saving measure, we decided to create a virtual rally. Click here to watch a video which I hope will inspire everyone to make this the best year ever in Clear Creek ISD.
I also want to thank our local businesses who have become such great CommUNITY Partners. CCISD’s newest program launched in July and is on track to help us make sure every student has access to a world-class education.
Other changes this school year involve state mandated testing of students. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) beginning in spring 2012. The STAAR program for grades 3–8 will assess the same subjects and grades that are currently assessed on TAKS.
At the high school level, students will now take 12 End- Of-Course (EOC) exams. New ninth-grade students entering high school in 2011-2012 and beyond will fall under the STAAR testing system and graduation requirements. Current high school students who entered prior to 2011-2012 will remain under the TAKS system and their existing graduation requirements. The Texas Education Agency is still formulating a
complete game plan for STAAR, but we already know it is a longer, more difficult test and students will have four hours to complete it.
Without question, the drought is testing us in many ways. This has been the hottest summer in recent memory. Our teachers however, were able to quench their thirst for learning this summer despite the record temperatures. Here’s one example: Weber Elementary 5th Grade Teacher, Nancy Watson, attended Space Camp this summer in Alabama along with 4th Grade Teacher and Science Coach, Elizabeth Rasch, from McWhirter elementary. (Thank you, to the Boeing Corporation for providing this exceptional opportunity for our teachers year after year.) CCISD’s dynamic duo returned home with materials to use in the classroom as well as access to online training and a website with science experiments and other class activities they can use to inspire their students to dream big.
It’s a good reminder for all of us about the power of being a life-long learner, collaboration and team work. Together, we can do amazing things this school year. Let’s make it happen!