CISD ACADEMIC TRADITIONS
KINDERGARTEN POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE In Carroll ISD the pomp and circumstance of graduation is not just for the senior class. In fact, Dragons in both the preschool and kindergarten grades participate in graduation ceremonies each year. One of the most popular and sweetest traditions surrounding Kindergarten graduation began at Johnson Elementary School where the littlest Dragons on campus culminate their first year of learning by wearing the white button-up shirt of their daddy or special someone. These tiny Dragons fidget nervously as they wait for the chance to walk down the auditorium aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance.” The kindergarteners proudly wear the white button-up shirts backwards, similar to a graduation gown. The resulting scene rarely leaves a dry eye in the room, especially when the kiddos collect their diploma, hug their principal and then sing the traditional “First Grade, First Grade,” to the tune of New York, New York by Frank Sinatra.
FOURTH GRADE CLAP OUTS Moving from elementary school to intermediate school in Carroll ISD can be a big transition for students and an even bigger transition for Dragon parents. The sense of family and involvement at the elementary grades is extremely high, and CISD sometimes struggles to try to emulate those same feelings in the upper grades. Still, there’s something special about those early years in education. For that reason, Carroll schools work diligently to celebrate the accomplishments of their eldest elementary students. One of the time-honored traditions at each of the five campuses is the Fourth Grade Clap Outs. Students in the lower grade levels line the hallways with their teachers on the last day of school, to clap and cheer for the parading fourth graders who take one last stroll through the building before leaving for the summer and heading on to intermediate school. Most of the schools have fourth graders sport matching t-shirts with slogans from their home campus, like Once A Dragon, Always a Dragon. The Fourth Grade Clap Out is an emotional experience for smiling Dragons walking their elementary school hallways for the last time, and for teary-eyed parents who enjoy this special tradition to reflect fondly on their child’s final moments of childhood.
THE GREEN JACKETS Each year, Carroll Senior High School selects male and female students from the junior class to serve as ambassadors and representatives of the school when they become seniors. These students are chosen annually from a highly competitive group of hundreds of eligible students. The Green Jacket ambassadors are comprised of 16 juniors who have a 95 average or better and who the faculty believes to be exceptional leaders. Eight boys and eight girls with the most votes from the esteemed CSHS faculty receive the honor of becoming the new representatives. The Green Jackets are known for being an honorable group that serves in many capacities. According to Carroll Senior High tradition, they sport a green blazer, and usher at graduation, musical/theatrical events, employee convocation and sports events, as well as volunteering for civic events.
POLICE ESCORT AND FINAL BUS RIDE The Class of 2016 took part in a brand new tradition the night of graduation this past June. They gathered together in the Carroll Senior High School Auditorium one last time to watch the senior class video before boarding 15 Carroll ISD yellow school buses bearing the Dragon logo in the rear right window and heading to the stadium for commencement ceremonies. Understanding that starting new traditions is as important as cherishing the old, Principal Shawn Duhon coordinated the effort with the CISD Transportation Department and Southlake Police Department. Students wore their traditional green caps and gowns as they boarded for their final bus ride together. Along Southlake Boulevard the parade of graduates were given high honor and priority with a police escort to Dragon Stadium where they walked the stage, accepted their diploma, hugged their principal and sang the Carroll Alma Mater one last time. – Hail to Carroll High.