Four teams competed for this year’s championship in the 13th annual event that challenges reading comprehension skills. The teams included: Radioactive Readers, Texas Readers, Ghostly Banana Readers and Neon Nouns. In the end, the Texas Readers were victorious. The team was led by captain, Bailey Meyer. Fellow team members were: Madeline Oberle, Peter Adams, Sahaj Singh, Max Hirshman and Ryan Seltzer. This was a record-breaking year for EIS as sixth graders read more than 1,146 books in preparation for the battle.

The Battle of the Books is coordinated by EIS librarian Lucy Drenka.

Below is a photo slideshow of some of this week’s events.

Visitors to the school can view student artwork and enjoy performances from Eubanks Intermediate School singers, dangers, guitarists, pianists and band students. There will be pizza, snacks and water available for purchase from the EIS PTO. Guests can also purchase tickets to win “teacher treats” and an ice cream during the event. All proceeds benefit the Eubanks PTO and the school.

Eubanks principal Mark Terry (pictured right) with Carroll ISD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services JJ Villarreal (left) and Congressman Kenny Marchant.

After serving more than three decades in public education, Eubanks Intermediate School principal Mark Terry is retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Terry has worked in the Carroll Independent School District since 1995 and held the principal position at Eubanks since 2001. He has served in all levels of public education from elementary to high school and worked in rural, urban and suburban districts. Before taking the position at Eubanks, Terry was principal at the former Durham Elementary School and Durham Intermediate.

“This is not an easy decision for me,” Terry said. “As I have mentioned, I still wake up each morning ready to greet kids in the crosswalk, ready to discuss with teachers how to make our school a better place for our kids, and ready to work with you, our other parents, and with the dedicated Carroll leaders and employees.  Thank you once again for your honoring me the opportunity to work with your student.”

Terry has also served in numerous roles in national education associations. He has been a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals since 1993 and was elected the association’s president for 2012-2013. NAESP represents Pre-K through 8^th grade in the United States, Canada and overseas. In 2011, Terry and members of NAESP traveled to the Dominican Republic to build school a school with the Lifetouch Memory Mission.

He earned the HOPE Foundation Courageous Leaders Award in 2011, an award accepted on behalf of principals across the nation.

In 2005, Terry was recognized by Texas School Business magazine as the Educator of the Month and in 2006, Terry was presented the TEPSA Presidential Service Award.  He received the Carroll Independent School District True to the Core Award in 2008, the TEPSA Student Council Leadership Award in 2009, and the NAESP Outstanding Service Award in 2010.

Terry began his education career in 1980 as an elementary teacher at Dunn Elementary School in Arlington ISD. He served as assistant principal of Arlington Lamar High School (1987-1990) and Dunn Elementary School and Miller Elementary School (1983-1987). Terry was principal of Weldon Intermediate School from 1993 to 1995 in Gladewater ISD and principal of Durham Elementary & Intermediate School in Carroll ISD from 1995 to 2001.

“At some point in the life of a principal, he must make a decision as to when it is time to allow someone else to push his school to greater heights,” Terry said. “After a great deal of prayer, family discussion with my wife, Karen, and encouragement from my three adult children, I believe it’s time for me to step aside and allow the next phase of growth to occur at Eubanks Intermediate. “

Terry earned a B.A. in history and elementary education from the University of Texas at Arlington and a M.Ed. in public school administration from North Texas State University. His wife, Karen Terry, currently works at Carroll Senior High School. The couple has three children, Katie, Reed and Laura, all graduates of Carroll.

A young boy finds out his family has moved into a house where the previous owner was murdered. A young girl discovers her true identity. A friendship is tested. Three orphaned siblings journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world. These are the themes behind the novels that Eubanks Intermediate School students are reading in book clubs this year.

Approximately 28 students meet bi-monthly in the school library for the Eubanks Book Club. Members share a passion for reading and enjoy sharing their thoughts with others in the group.

EIS librarian Lucy Drenka said, “When we meet, we simply discuss the book that we are currently reading and share recommendations with the other members of the club. I start the discussion and then toss a stuffed animal to the student who would like to speak – giving them the floor.”

“I love book club because book lovers get together and talk about the books that they have recently read,” sixth grader Nicholas Tornow said. “I’ve read several books that I never thought I would read because of book club.”

Sixth grader Natalie Gessner agreed, “I like book club because you see the different books that other people have read … it’s a fun way to be creative and be yourself.”

Club membership has its perks.

“When Tim Green visited our school, we got to sit in the front row and we sent him our picture. I can’t wait for our upcoming tour to Barnes and Noble. I will join book club again next year because I love it,” fifth grader Nadia Khalil said. 

“Members are also allowed to check out an additional book each time they visit the library, plus they are also the first to see the new books when they arrive in the library,” Drenka said.

The club has many exciting activities slated for 2013, including a meeting dedicated to sharing reader’s favorite books and treats.

“We’ll be sipping on cocoa and talking about how books warm our hearts, creating book trailers and viewing them at a popcorn party, visiting the Southlake Public Library, and sharing food items that are mentioned in books,” Drenka said. “It just doesn’t get better than that!”

Titles on member’s individual reading lists include:

• Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn
• Deep Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
• Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
• Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan
• Harry Potter and the Gobletof Fire by J.K. Rowling
• The Hobbit by Tolkien
• The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens
• The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
• Middle School: The Worst Year of My Life James Patterson
•  Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• The Secret Ingredient by Laura Schaefer
• Ungifted by Gordon Korman
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio

SPORTS
Dragon Football Skills Camp: June
Dragon Tennis Camp: June
Lady Dragon Volleyball Camp: June
Premier Passing Academy
Dragon Middle School Swim Camp: April-May
Dragon 7-on-7 Summer League: March-May
Dragon Wrestling Camp: June, July
Lady Dragon Basketball Camp: June, July
Dragon Golf Camp: June, July
Defensive Skills Camp: June
Lady Dragon Softball Camp: June
Dragon Boys Basketball Camp: June
Performance Course: Youth Program
Performance Course: Boys Grades 6-8, Girls Grades 6-12
Performance Course: Boys Grades 9-12
Dragon Baseball: June
Dragon Baseball (Advanced Skills): July
Dragon Football Camp: August
Premier Dragon Soccer Camps: July, August

NON-SPORTS
Camp Safari: June, July
Creative Kids: July
Dragon Science Camp: June, July
Summer Cheer Clinic: August
Summer Spelling & Reading Camp: June 
Adventures & Discoveries Camp: June
SAGT Camp Invention: June
Emerald Belles Youth Camp: June
Art Camp: July
Writing Boot Camp: June/July (incoming 9th graders)
Writing Workshop: June/July (incoming 10-11th graders)
MathCounts Summer Math Program: July, August
Math Facts: July, August
Mangham Math: July, August
Dragon Forensic Camp: Aug. 13-15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ CSHS; Free (RSVP: linda.forbes@southlakecarroll.edu)

Carroll ISD Summer School Information-Schedule

After writing more than a dozen books for adults, Green began a series of best-selling novels for kids. The books are set in the world of sports and are based on Green’s experiences as an athlete and a coach.

Eubanks and Durham intermediate school students embraced Green’s message about the value of teamwork and treating your teammates like they are special. Green also encouraged students to be kind, tolerant, generous and forgiving. He used his own child as an example. Green told a story about his son, Troy, reaching out to his classmate who would sit alone at lunch every day.

He also spoke about reading and how reading takes you to special places. Green told his audiences it’s important to read for at least 20 minutes a day to help improve performance in all subject areas.

Green read to the students from his new book, Unstoppable.  His book delivers an extremely powerful message of courage and survival to the reader. Approximately 130 students won their own autographed copy of Unstoppable. On both campuses, librarians asked students to read one of Green’s books and share a paragraph about what they enjoyed about the book.

Green’s message made a tremendous impact on Carroll’s fifth and sixth graders.  Many of the students said his books are “awesome!”

Green hopes his message gets students to rethink their life priorities because of his talk. He enjoys getting the opportunity to travel around the country and talk to students about his books.

Carroll Middle School has scheduled a sixth grade parent meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting at CMS will discuss the process for registration, daily schedule, teaming concept, immunization requirements for incoming seventh graders, required and elective courses as well as requirements and options for athletics. Campus administrators, the school nurse and Carroll ISD Math/ Science Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Rene Moses will be at the meeting.

Parents with additional questions will have an opportunity to meet with CMS counselors again on campus, Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. Students will receive their registration folder/ card between Feb. 20-22. These cards should be turned in to the student’s social studies teacher by Thursday, Feb. 28.

The CMS Counselors maintain a blog with additional information. Click here to be redirected.

A series of registration information meetings are also planned at Dawson Middle School. Click here to view a complete listing. Counselors at the campus are offering parents the opportunity to attend two Q & A sessions to review information related to registration. The meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 12 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the DMS Library. Current sixth graders must turn in their registration forms to their homeroom teacher by Friday, March 1. Current seventh grade students need to have their completed forms turned in to their science teacher by Tuesday, Feb. 26.

A video of the event is posted below:

Friday, Nov. 9

• Johnson Elementary School will host two student assemblies. Kindergarten through second grade will be from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Grades 3 and 4 will have their assembly from 8:45 a.m.- 9:15 a.m.
• Walnut Grove Elementary School welcomes Dawson Middle School principal Ryan Wilson for the grand finale of its Veterans Day program. Over 120 fourth grade students will sing. The performance begins at 8:30 a.m. Click here to print the flyer.
• Eubanks Intermediate School plans to Skype with two members of the U.S. military during the school assembly at 9 a.m. in the gym.
• Carroll Middle School also has an hour long Veterans Day celebration, scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
• Dawson Middle School hosts its annual Veterans Day Assembly in the afternoon. The program begins at 3 p.m. and should last about an hour.

Monday, Nov. 12

• Carroll Elementary School students and staff celebrate Veterans Day during a special event starting at 8:30 a.m.
• Old Union Elementary School will host two Veterans Day programs to accommodate busy schedules. The first is at 8:30 a.m. and the second is at 6:00 p.m. Both will be inside the school cafeteria.
• Carroll High School hosts a Veterans Day Celebration at 10:30 a.m. The program should last about 45 minutes.
• Carroll Senior High School welcomes a guest speaker and featured performances from the choir as well as student artwork during a Veterans Day ceremony from 10:30 a.m.- 11:20 a.m.
• Durham Intermediate School plans a Veterans day Assembly in the campus gym from 2:45- 3:40p.m.