CISD News
This is our Neighborhood By Rick DeMasters, Superintendent of Celina ISD
“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else,” is a quote by the one and only Mr. Fred Rogers, who was such an advocate for children and wanted everyone to feel that they were welcome in his neighborhood. Last month, I shared my resignation letter with all of you. This time next year, I will begin a new chapter away from what has been my neighborhood for many years, but until then there is much to accomplish before this season draws to a close. From the first day of school to the end of January, the district has welcomed 85 students. Templeton Demographics 2019 Fall enrollment projection totaled 2,806 students. Present enrollment figures total 2,816. Donny O’Dell Elementary and Celina Junior High are witnessing the most growth as compared to the other campuses. This figure is actually less than first projected. Weather has had a significant effect on construction projects throughout the area. Developers who once thought that their homes would be on the ground last spring are now six to eight months behind. Rainy conditions have delayed the completion of roads going to and from new subdivisions and without these roads, the construction timetable for new campuses must also be addressed. With that said, current construction projects are underway. Celina Elementary campus renovations are taking shape. Steel is going up, followed by exterior walls and once the roof is installed, the weather becomes less of a factor on the overall timeline for completion of this project. The new playground was completed over winter break and is being enjoyed by our faculty and students. The new parking lot is being formed and should be completed soon as long as the weather remains consistent. The Celina Athletic Complex is in the process of adding dressing areas to the west of the indoor practice facility. On the north side of the dressing areas will be public restrooms and a concession stand that will serve the new softball and baseball complex. To the east of the indoor practice facility, field events to include, pole vault, long/triple jump, shot and discus areas will start to take shape. All of these surfaces to include the softball and baseball fields will be turf, which will eliminate the maintenance required for non-turf fields.
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Even with construction at their doorstep, CHS Athletics is a whirlwind of activity with many different sports competing at one time. During the month of January, the CHS Cheer Competition Team traveled to Ft. Worth to compete for the first time in school history at the UIL State Spirit Competition. The team finished 12th out of 87 4A schools. We are extremely proud of their hard work and finishing as one of the Top 20 teams in the State. Basketball, powerlifting and soccer are traveling to competitions throughout the week. Baseball and softball seasons have started, and our first track and field competitions will be held this month. Our Special Olympic Athletes recently competed in a basketball competition held at Austin College. They came home with nine 1st place, seven 2nd place, ten 3rd place, and four 4th place medals. They have one more basketball competition before they start training for Track and Field. The team was also outfitted with new warm-ups to wear to their events. When they debuted their new uniforms, team members were so excited to be covered head to toe in Bobcat orange! There is nothing better in this world than attending a Special Olympics competition. The spirit of sportsmanship is evident in every event and the joy one feels, whether you are there as a competitor, parent, or spectator stays with you long after the competition is over. It is also that time of year when the district calendar becomes very colorful and is stretched to capacity. This is due to the fact that there are just not enough days in the month to schedule all of the regular activities that happen during the spring semester. Sprinkle in a little weather and special events and our parents find themselves attending multiple events on one night. This is our neighborhood. From contests to construction, there is never a break in the action at Celina ISD.
Go Bobcats!
