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

Every school wants to foster a love of reading in its students, but how can one more reading activity fit into an already packed educational day? Old Union Elementary Principal Jon Fike and Assistant Principal Lisa Walker found the answer – a lunchtime book club. Students come in the office during their lunch period to eat and talk about the book they are reading.

The book club at Old Union was inspired by a grant the school received from the Carroll Education Foundation called “It’s Not Just for Oprah: Book Clubs for Kids.” 

“Book Clubs are an engaging way to interact with our students in a small, relaxed setting. We eat lunch, discuss books, and build relationships,” Walker said. “The time we spend facilitating discussion is meaningful and impacts more than just reading scores.”

The students who participate agree that the book club is an opportunity to engage with peers and explore a variety of literary work.

Fourth grader, Arky Mouser said, “The book club lets me express my feelings about the book to others.”

“Book clubs are great, because I get to be with my friends, be with Mrs. Walker, but still learn,” said third grader Ellen Aughenbaugh.

There are approximately ten students at a time per book club with multiple groups per book. The girls meet with Walker and the boys meet with Fike. 

Mystery, adventure, historical fiction, and realistic fiction are some of the most popular choices among the students. For example, the third grade girl’s book club read Titanic by Gordan Korman while the fourth grade girls read Stepping on the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn. Third grade boy’s book club read Infinity Ring by James Dashner while the fourth grade boys read Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret.

“Our book club is great because I get to read books that take me on an adventure,” said third grader McKenzie Cutler.

“The goal is to encourage students to love reading and share their thoughts about what they have read with their peers,” Fike said.  “It’s a great way to promote literacy and show students that reading can be fun.”

Old Union Book Club Recommendations:

• Swindle by Gordan Korman
• Get Rich Quick Club by Dan Gutman
• The Word Eater by Mary Amato
• Edgar Allan’s Official Crime Investigation Notebook by Mary Amato
• The New Kid at School by Kate McMullan
• Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Swipe a Bully’s Bear By Katherine Applegate
• Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue your Friends to Chairs By Katherine Applegate
• Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret
• Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow
• Someone Named Eva by Joan Wolf
• Stepping on the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn
• Chasing the Falconers On the Run series book 1 by Gordon Korman
• The Shadows: The Book of Elsewhere series book 1 by Jacqueline West
• The Infinity Ring Book 1 by James Dashner
• Capture the Flag by Kate Messner
• Unsinkable (Titanic Series #1) by Gordan Korman
• The River by Gary Paulsen

Old Union Elementary’s Lunch Book Club is just one of the unique learning opportunities created by Carroll ISD educators to foster a life long love of reading in students. Throughout the 2012-13 school year the district has embraced this year’s academic theme: “Once Upon a Dragon” which emphasizes literacy. Click here to read more “Once Upon a Dragon” stories from other Carroll ISD campuses.

Alexander had 14 strikeouts in his no-hitter against Fossil Ridge last Friday.

FORT WORTH – Carroll ace lefthander Tyler Alexander had been here before.

In his last two Friday starts, Alexander lost either a no-hitter or perfect game in the seventh inning. Not this time. Alexander, a TCU signee, completed the task with a no-hitter in an 8-0 victory at Fossil Ridge. Alexander, who went head-to-head on the mound against top prospect Sheldon Neuse, finished with 14 strikeouts.

The only thing that kept Alexander from a perfect game was a hit batter in the second innning. The week before, Alexander lost a perfect game against Northwest in the seventh inning on an infield single. The victory clinched the District 4-5A title for the Dragons (25-3, 12-1), ranked No. 4 in state by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Alexander improved to 8-0 with an 0.35 earned-run average. He has 113 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched and has allowed just three earned runs all year.

Carroll’s final regular season game will be 7 p.m. Friday against Haltom. Due to school testing, the Dragons do not play Tuesday.

Senior Night and Old Union Elementary School Night at Dragon Baseball Field
The Carroll Class of 2013 baseball players and Old Union Elementary School will be recognized at the Haltom Buffalos vs. Carroll on Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. All OUES students wearing an OUES or Dragon T-shirt will be admitted free. Please note, all adults must pay the gate fee per UIL rules. Students should check in at the OUES check-in table at the front gate. OUES student John Peebles will serve as bat boy and schoolmate Ashwin Iyer will throw out the first pitch. 

Play It Forward Southlake
The Dragon baseball team is collecting gently-used baseball equipment to donate to Play It Forward Southlake.  A Play It Forward Southlake collection barrel will be available at all home games.

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

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.

Whooo there!

Are you ready for a hoowlling good time at the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve?  The annual Harvest Hike HootnHowl is Sunday, October 21st, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.   Enjoy music, live animals, nature hikes, festival booths, storytelling, & much more.  Special guests include the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, Westland Ranch Petting Zoo,  Matt Morris’ turtles, Jiaan Powers Storytelling, Log Cabin Village, The Little Gym Southlake, J. Tiger Martial Arts, and the Southlake Fire Department.

Radio Disney will be broadcasting at the HootnHowl this year and providing music and games for the whole family – not to mention the 1st annual Coyote Howling Contest!  Free delicious fall treats including caramel apples, popcorn, and cider will be served while supplies last. Additional food and drinks will also be available for purchase.

“We want to provide this event for families to get outside, enjoy the beautiful weather, explore nature, and participate in fun activities together,” said Emily Galpin, Executive Director of the Bob Jones Nature Center Organization, “We encourage people to visit the Center for Harvest Hike HootnHowl and discover this treasure of nature provided by the City of Southlake.”

Free Parking for the Harvest Hike and shuttle service or walking paths will be available from the Equestrian Center at Bob Jones Park. Handicap parking is available on a first-come basis at the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve.

This event is brought to Southlake by the Bob Jones Nature Center Organization and the Southlake Public Library with special sponsorship from the Southlake Association for Gifted and Talented (SAGT), Cook Children’s Southlake, Kohls, and Camp Summer Oaks.  Contact the Bob Jones Nature Center for more details at 817.491.6333. Find this event at 355 E Bob Jones Road in Southlake.

Win Free Tickets
Southlake youths ages 10 – 18 are eligible to enter.
Take our Inheritance Quiz
Get all answers correct and you will be entered to win.
Get all details on the Library website.

 With over 33 million readers, Paolini is one of the most popular young adult authors in the world. Growing up homeschooled by his parents, Paolini graduated from high school at age fifteen. Still a little young to begin college, he began writing his first draft of Eragon, the story of a young boy and his dragon. The completion of the novel was a family affair. Paolini’s sister Angela created the art for the cover of the book, and his parents published the book themselves. Early promotions included the author dressing in a medieval costume to present his book to students who were often his age! His first book quickly grew into a four-part series called the Inheritance Cycle, which is now read by children and adults all over the world.  Often compared to fantasy classics such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, the Inheritance Cycle’s stories of dragons, adventure, and danger have captured the imagination of many young readers, much to the delight of parents everywhere.

Join the DMA for a journey to Paolini’s mythical land of Alagaësia as he discusses the final book in the cycle, Inheritance. The deluxe edition of Inheritance includes never-before-seen artwork by Christopher Paolini; an exclusive, full-color fold-out poster by award-winning artist John Jude Palencar; a letter from Jeod, one of Eragon’s confidantes, summarizing life after the final scene of the series; a letter from Paolini to fans reflecting on the series; and a new scene within the text.

Event Info
Dallas Museum of Art
Horchow Auditorium
October 23, 2012
Myths and Journey’s Tour 6:15 PM
Paolini Event 7:00 PM

 To purchase tickets or get more information on the event call the DMA at 214-922-1818.  For more information on the Southlake Library contest, visit the Library’s Kids Page or call (817) 748-8243.

The PTO has been collecting gently used items since December. Shoppers will find great deals on baby gear, toys, clothes (children and adult), shoes, electronics, furniture and much more. Items not sold will be donated to charity.

The slideshow below shows some of the items included in the Garage Sale.

Veteran’s Day performance called “We The People,” put on by the school’s third graders. The students will be honoring veterans at two different program times – Monday, November 8 at 6 p.m. and/or Tuesday, November 9 at 9 a.m.

If you are a veteran and will attend our presentation, please RSVP so that you may be recognized during the show. You can RSVP by emailing angelia.mcarthur@southlakecarrll.edu.

The event will feature a slide show of veterans.  If you or a family member would like to be included in our slide show, please send a picture to the above email address with the Veteran’s name, branch of the military and years of service.

“WE REMEMBER” Wall:  In the main hall, a bulletin board is available for families to post pictures of Veterans.  Anyone is welcome to bring a picture and staple to the bulletin board. Please post copies of pictures.  The board is available now and will stay up for several weeks as Old Union remembers those who have served our country.

If you are a veteran and would like to attend, please RSVP so that you may be recognized during the presentation — angelia.mcarthur@southlakecarroll.edu