HB5

I am sure many of you have heard about a piece of legislation that was voted on in the last legislative session called HB5. This legislation will drastically change the way our plans function for graduation for our students. Many people know about the testing changes that took place under HB5 which reduced the number of tests for graduation to 5. Those tests are Algebra I, Biology, US History, and ELA I and II (Reading and Writing). I think we would all agree that this is a welcome change for all students.

One of the big changes that took place that has not been talked about as much is the change in graduation plans for all Texas students.  Currently students are under the 4X4 plan that calls for four years of Math, English, Science, and Social Studies.  You may have also heard of the minimum, recommended, and distinguished plans of study.  Most students currently graduate under the recommended plan of study.  Currently the commissioner of education is working to adopt a transition plan to implement HB5 and replace the current graduation plans and move to the new foundation plan. The new plans will begin in the 2014-2015 school year.  I will attach a short presentation from the Texas Education Agency that will provide some insight on the courses that our students must have to graduate.  

So what else is new... Another big change within the graduation plans are the endorsements that may lead to a particular career field.  Students must select an endorsement in the following areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Business and Industry, Public Services, Arts and Humanities, and Multidisciplinary Studies.  The attached link will provide you with possible careers that fall under each area.

Students may still earn a distinguished level of achievement under this new foundation plan. The attached link will provide you the information on how to reach the distinguished level of achievement.

The state board of education has not made their final ruling on everything and we are patiently waiting.  However, we have already begun the process of breaking everything down and making it simpler for all of our stakeholders.  I will continue to update you on our progress as we move forward.

The Texas Education Agency HB5 info site: HB5 Information

HB5 Summary: HB5 Summary

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Thanks to all who came out to the Pink Out game Friday night! It was great to see so many members of the Corsicana community out for this great event.  It is always great to be a Tiger!

Students and parents please do not forget that this is the 6th week of school and a crucial grading cycle will end this Friday.  All students who participate in extracurricular activities will have their grades captured this Friday and it will be used for eligibility.  Students, please check with your teachers to ensure that you are mastering your concepts, and that all assignments have been turned in.  We need 100% of you successful in class!

Pink Out!

CHS Students of the Month: Austin Aldama and MaKenzie Lee

Go Tigers!

Home of Champions!

Pink Out!

Last week was a great week at Corsicana High School!  One of the events that made it great was our College Fair.  We did the fair differently than we had done it in the past.  This year we had it during the school day.  We weren't sure how this would go, but we believe that it made a much larger impact on our students.  Every student at CHS had the opportunity to participate in the fair this year.  We are a learning community of over 1,600 students and it is awesome that we were able to give all of them exposure to colleges and universities.

This Friday we will have a "Pink Out" event at the home football and volleyball games.  CISD is encouraging fans, students, parents and guests to participate in a PINK OUT at the Sept. 27 PINK OUT game vs. Sulphur Springs at Tiger Stadium and Tiger Gymnasium. The PINK OUT games are a community awareness effort to encourage all ages to take advantage of medical screenings and prevention strategies regarding all forms of cancer. Many CISD students, staff and community members are affected by cancer in some way. It is up to all of us to stand up to cancer so that we can live our best life, and give others the support they need to battle this disease. On Sept. 27, students will be allowed to wear a Pink shirt/t-shirt to school in support of the PINK OUT. (Offensive shirts will not be allowed.)  We want the entire home side to be full of fans in pink! 

Following the faculty/staff meeting this Wednesday we will have an optional learning opportunity for staff, students, other CISD staff, and community members.  We will learn about blogging.  So, if you want to learn about blogging stop by the CHS band hall at about 4:10 pm.  The first part of the meeting will be for CHS faculty/staff only.  Let's all learn together!

Parents and students please remember that all students must be in class by 7:40 am daily.  Every second in the class room is important! 

Please continue to support all of our students at the many events that they are involved in at CHS.  We love to see you there!

Theatre students warming up for their fall production.

Go Tigers!

Home of Champions! 

Let's Go to College!

This week we will have our big college fair at Corsicana High School.  All students will have an opportunity to go through the area where they colleges will be located.  The fair will be this Wednesday from 1:00-3:00 pm.  Students and staff are encouraged to wear college shirts this Wednesday.  I will be representing with one of my Prairie View shirts!  Go Panthers!  

Please do not forget about our Open House that will take place Monday, September 16, 2013 from 6:00-7:00 pm.  Please come out and meet your child's teacher.  This will be a come and go event.   Prior to Open House there will be a freshman iPad parent meeting for any parent/guardian that has not attended one of the previous sessions.  The session will begin at 5:15 pm.  

Extracurricular updates:

Shout out to the volleyball team for picking up another win this past Friday over the Mexia Blackcats.  They have had a great start!  Keep it up!

The football team picked up their first win Friday night against the Forney Jackrabbits.  The team was down 17-0, but never quit fighting.  They scored 36 unanswered points and won the game 36-17!  It was a great game!

The calicos, band, and cheerleaders continue to look great on Friday nights.  They represent Corsicana High School so well!  

Having fun at the game with the Calicos!

Go Tigers!

Home of Champions! 

Rolling Right Along!

We have completed our first two weeks of school and I must say that I have enjoyed every bit of it!  It has been great to see all of our students back in the building learning, and enjoying the activities that they participate in.  Our students have transitioned to our new bell schedule flawlessly.  I am always encouraged by their ability to adapt to change.  This is a great attribute for them to have as they move beyond high school.

Academic updates:
We have included in our schedule an advisory period that meets each day for 30 minutes.  We have several different types of advisory classes that your child may be a member of.  Our main focus for advisory is: intensive academic intervention, college readiness, and UIL academics.  I am excited about the intense focus that will take place in these three areas.

Extracurricular updates:
It has been great to see all of our extracurricular programs back in full swing.  As a principal it always brings me great joy to see our students involved in the things that they enjoy.  It makes it even better because they are representing Corsicana High School.

I had the opportunity yesterday to attend one of our tennis matches.  If you haven't had the opportunity to check out Tiger tennis, then you are missing a treat.  They are amazing!  They were straight dominating Waxahachie.  It was crazy!!!

Our volleyball team has also been doing a great job.  They will have another home game this Tuesday at Tiger gym.  See you there!

A big shout out goes to our cheer programs, Calicos, and our band.  They are all excellent, and represent CHS in a great way!

The next two football games will be away.  We will face Forney this Friday.  I would love to see you in Forney supporting the Tigers!

Date Change
Please do not forget that the CHS open house has moved to Monday, September 16, 2013 from 6:00-7:00 pm.
Come out and meet your child's teacher!!!

We are Corsicana!
Home of Champions!

With members of our tennis team! Go Tigers!