I wanted to send a little information about CHS today, because so many times I have spoken to alumni that just don’t hear the news at Carter today. For those that are not familiar with Advance Placement (AP) classes. AP classes are a special course students can take, and at the end of the course they take a college exam, if they pass with 70 or better they will receive college credit. Some students receive as much as a full semester or more in credit before they  begin college after graduation.

AVID is a special program designed to help students that may need guidance in best study practices. CHS also employ a few college students part time  to help tutor these students.

I recently spoke to the principal at CHS to gather a little information to share for your interest.

 I thought I might start with general info: 

1. # students-958
    
2. # teachers-67
    
3. When is class 3A or 4A determined and criteria-Every three years and based on the count the last day of October. We are up for reclassification next year. CHS is currently 3A.
    
4. How many High Schools in FWISD-13
    
5. Does CHS still have the best attendance record-We go back and forth with Tech HS, but yes, this year it was Carter.
    
6. When was the AP program started-Began in 1993 and our numbers continue to climb
    
7. How many received AP credit last year and may this year-33 last year and this year’s results won’t come in until August.
    
8. When was AVID started and wasn’t it one of the first program in the US. AVID started 9 years ago and we are one of five demonstration schools in the state of Texas. 
    
9. How many boys and how many girls are at CHS. 466 males and 492 females
    
10.  Outside of core classes what other classes are offered at CHS. We also offer Princeton Review for SAT, band, choir, orchestra, jazz, theatre arts, Art, journalism, History of Mexico, French, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Psychology, Sociology, Student Leadership, Yearbook, Debate, Marketing, JROTC, Sports Marketing, Business, Computer Programming, Computer Systems, 8 different honors/AP courses in social studies,5 different honors/AP courses in science,6 different honors/AP courses in math, 6 different honors/AP courses in English, as well as, a variety of athletic sports.
     
11. What is the total campus size with the middle school? 28 acres
     
12. What about parental involvement?. Parental involvement looks different. All parents love their children and want them to do well. The problem is that economically they must work long hours to make ends meet. We can count on them to come to school when we need them for conferences or meetings. Our parent meetings have anywhere from 20-80 parents.
     
13. What recognition occurred this year…..academic or band or sports-Band scored a 1 (which is the highest) and went to regional competition where they came in 6^th (The top five went to state), We had Mayor Moncrief and Bob Ray Sanders come to Carter to speak with our seniors who are taking economics and government, this year Carter was one of two high schools in the district who meet all of the state TAKS standards without having to use exceptions or required improvement. Carter is rated exemplary in the area of social studies with a combined score of 90%, recognized in the area of English with a combined score of 80.3%, and acceptable in math (53.6%) and science (57%).
     

14. Special achievement of a student….ie: all state ??? We had a record number of students qualifying for regional athletic competition. Our wrestling team came in second in the district competition with 6 students qualifying for regional competition where 2 won first place in district for their weight,  One female student will be competing in the state track meet on June 6^th.
     
15.  Principal of the year?

Yes, I went to San Antonio for the awards reception. It was for my contribution in supporting the fine arts at Carter.

16. Any other thoughts? From the principal of CHS:

·        Like any other high school we have students who we must push to learn and parents we must insist on conferencing with.

·        Have students changed? Yes, because society has changed and parenting has changed.

·        Have schools changed? Yes, technology and information is growing at lighting speed and we must change with it. I invite them to come sit in one of our classrooms and see out students at work with the promethean boards, Elmos, Inter-write boards, computer systems and programs.

·        I love my job and I love coming to Carter each and every day. I would not trade it for anything in the world. It brings me joy and satisfaction to spend my days with these wonderful young adults that are trying to find their way just like the thousands that have walked these halls in the past. Our job is to guide, protect, and give the best that we have. Can we do it alone-no. We need everyone’s encouragement, faith and at times-monetary assistance with things that we bring us closer to our goals in the classroom and in the field.

Please be advised that the school does have a webpage which can be accessed through the district website at www.fwisd.org.  Some inside administrative information can be obtained here.  The band has its own webpage at www.crhsband.org. These are interesting to review.

Also, next year there will be a school newspaper that will be published each six weeks. It will be available in hard copy and electronically.  The Alumni Web Page will grab the link for the electronic copy and post it on the Bulletin Board page.

Alumni Project

 Several ideas have been voiced from the alumni about increasing school spirit at the football games and other scheduled activities.  Here are some of the reviews: 

Several schools in the area have an inflatable tunnel for the football team to pass through as they enter and leave the field at the beginning and end of the game.  The Eagles don’t have one and with the vivid Red and Blue colors of the school, such a tunnel would be a real standout at the games.  Proposed design of the tunnel has an Eagle on the top of the tunnel which will stand 12 to 15 feet high with talons that looks as if it is grabbing the players as they pass through. 

 Another suggestion was to have the Cheerleader’s throw out mini Red and Blue footballs to the students in the stands every time the Eagles score.  This has been done at other schools as well and makes a nice souvenir for the home fans. 

Activate a new group of student participants to run up and down the side lines with eagle banner flags after a score.  These are individual flags with a lone white letter that will spell out E-A-G-L-E-S.  The flags are to be red and blue (alternating).  It's really a popular thing around the schools now to run up and down the sideline with the flags when something exciting happens! 

Also the band puts in a lot of extracurricular work and are not getting the recognition that they deserve.  They work pretty hard to compete at band contests throughout the year, and also do a lot of preparing for the half time show.   

The Alumni Association has adopted these suggestions and turned them into an immediate project to provide as much as possible before school starts.  The Association’s thought is ask the Alumni for donations to support the Eagle, Flags, Footballs, and a Band donation.  Any amount would be appreciated, but the more the better.  This project has the full backing of  Mrs. Sanchez and the school administration.   Much of the money for the tunnel and flags has already been received, but more is needed to complete the project.

If you want to contribute, make your checks to: Carter Riverside Ex-Student Association and in the memo line of the check clearly print, "For Mascot" so we can make sure the project team receives the money.  Mail your check to:

 Carter-Riverside Ex-Student Association

P.O. Box 7005

Fort Worth, TX  76111 

If there are any questions they can be directed to the secretary of the Association, Cathy Seifert at c.c.seifert@sbcglobal.net or mail her a letter at the above address.