Center FFA Members go to Greenhand Camp! - September 16, 2009
Submitted by Shana Brittain - AST, Center HS

On Friday, September 11th, 5 new Greenhands from the Center FFA attended the Area IX Greenhand Leadership Camp in Livingston, Texas. 465 Greenhands attended and participated in leadership and team building activities. Greenhands from Center FFA were Colton Hairgrove, Colton Allen, Rachel Risinger, Trey Byrnes and Aaron Strong. Advisors are Marshall Miles and Shana Brittain.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has posted the preliminary state ratings results of each district for the 2008-2009 school year based on TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) scores and Center ISD is a Recognized district. TEA has four ratings—Unacceptable, Acceptable, Recognized and Exemplary. For the first time ever the district has three Exemplary campuses—F. L. Moffett Primary, Center Elementary and Center Intermediate. Center Middle School is an Acceptable campus and Center High School is a Recognized campus.

F. L. Moffett Primary campus received their rating based on the Center Elementary third grade TAKS scores. The third grade students take the Reading and Math TAKS. 96% passed the Reading TAKS and 89% passed the Math TAKS.

Center Intermediate students are tested in fourth and fifth grades in Reading/Language Arts, Writing, Math and Science. 88% of students passed Reading, 92% passed Writing, 91% passed Math and 89% passed Science. One year ago this campus was one student away from being an Unacceptable campus and now they have achieved Exemplary status.

Center Middle School students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades take tests in Reading/Language Arts, Writing, Social Studies, Math and Science. The percentage of students passing is: Reading-93%, Writing-98%, Social Studies-97%, Math-91% and Science 79%.

Center High School students in ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades are tested in Reading/English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math and Science. CHS students passing percentages are: Reading-96%, Social Studies-97%, Math-77% and Science 83%. Three years ago this campus received an Unacceptable rating.

James Hockenberry, superintendent, says, “I want the people in this community to know how much I appreciate their efforts in helping us become a Recognized district. It is a joint effort and takes everyone working together from students and parents to the entire district staff. Students must be motivated by parents, teachers and administrators in order to achieve these scores on standardized tests. I want to thank everyone involved in the process and congratulate the students, parents, teachers and administrators for all the hard work in their accomplishments for 2008-09 school year. Keep up the good work.”

Center ISD Meets AYP - September 14, 2009
Submitted by Billie Sue Payne

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is the Federal Education Agency’s rating of school districts across the nation according to student assessment results on standardized testing. In Texas that is the TAKS. Center ISD results is: Math (AYP Target-58% students passing)—85%, Reading/English Language Arts (AYP Target-67%)—90%. AYP has other standards such as the graduation rate of students, ethnicity and poverty students just as the state does.

Center ISD Cross Country Meet Schedule - August 18, 2009

Saturday, August 29th - 1 Mile Time Trial - Center Course
Saturday, September 12th - Race Time Trials - Center Course
Saturday, September 26th - Center Meet
Saturday, October 3rd - Huntington Meet
Saturday, October 10th - Hudson Meet
Saturday, October 17th - Lufkin Meet
Saturday, October 24th - District

**Meet Itineraries will be given out Thursday afternoon before each meet.**

Practice Schedule

August 17th thru August 21st - afternoon practice 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
August 24th thru August 27th - afternoon practice 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm
August 31st - afternoon practice 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm