August 18, 2024

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Happy Sunday afternoon, Pirates.

We are so glad that you joined us during our first week and hope that you had an amazing first week. I know we did, and it has just been so fun to get things ready for you and then to see all of the kids come on the first day, my favorite part of the year. 

So we were able to add over 400 students to our Pirate family this year, and that is a really big number. We have 181 new staff members that joined us as well. So as you can see, there is a whole lot of new in Crandall. People aren't the only new things that happened to our school this year. We also have some new facilities. So I wanted to take you around the high school cafeteria and show you just some of the really impressive things that have happened over this summer. 

First, you see that we're going to be adding a new serving line. The next thing that you may notice is that the cafeteria is all one level. We no longer have the three step down levels, and so we're able to serve a whole lot more students all at one time. We're really happy about that. You might see over here behind me, there is some round tables for students to sit at. And then we also have some bar level seating. One of the best things that happened this year was the additional bathrooms. I know that doesn't sound glorious, but when you have 2000 students in a high school, you always need more restrooms. So right outside the cafeteria, right beside the gym and what used to be our theater arts room, we've added a bank of restrooms. 

Those are the great things that happened here in Crandall High School in the cafeteria, but you might have noticed there's no longer a stage. We have remodeled portions of the old library area to make a theater arts room and a dance room. Now we have a smaller but very efficient library space here at the high school. All of these things are leading up to one of the most exciting things that is coming in 2025, but this is also a way for me to say thank you for the bond dollars that you have given us. 

We'll be starting a performing arts center that will hopefully open by the Winter Arts Festival of 2025, and additionally we have a high school wing that will add 700+ students to the high school campus. You may have seen construction happening at Martin Elementary. They got a brand new roof and new air conditioning. All new painting within, as well as new painting and new striping of parking lots at Wilson Elementary.

There were a lot of changes that happened this summer, and there were a lot of things that are new in Crandall ISD. 

We are so glad that you are here and hope you have a fabulous school year.