Thursday, May 12, 2022

Wow! It’s the home stretch for this school year. The last day of classes in Crosby ISD will be Thursday, May 26th. There’s a lot happening before then.

Since the last column, our baseball and softball teams have catapulted into the playoffs. As of this writing, the softball Cougars are headed to the Regional Quarterfinals (Round 3). The baseball Cougars are headed to the Area Round (Round 2). If you haven’t been to a baseball or softball game this season, this is the time to go!

You should also know we have a very bright future at the lower grade levels. Our Crosby Middle School teams have been accomplishing great things. Our Boys’ teams won the 7th grade soccer District championship, the 7th grade football District championship, the 7th grade basketball District championship, and the 7th grade track District championship. You could call it a 7th grade sweep! Our 8th grade Girls’ soccer team also finished third in District this month. These young talents will continue to grow and add to our Cougar varsity rosters.

Congratulations to the Crosby High School concert and symphonic bands for earning top ratings and the Sweepstakes award at the UIL Band Contest! Our Theater Arts and Choir students teamed up for the spring musical “Annie,” performed at Crosby High School this month. The acting and singing were superb, and the props, costumes, and lighting were spot on. The audience couldn’t help but hum along to some of the unforgettable tunes. What a great way to end the performing arts season.

This month is also testing season, and our technology team is second to none. They’ve been working earnestly behind the scenes to ensure no technical glitches and also to assist students in need of device assistance. Hundreds of students testing at once, and the process is almost seamless.

May 6th was School Lunch Hero Day! Our Child Nutrition Services staff are some of the District’s unsung heroes. They ensure children are fed and ready to learn each day. Our cafeteria staff truly love what they do, and yes, they like the pizza and cheeseburgers too!

Our monthly staff appreciation surprises continued in May. This month I designated May as “ Jeans Month.” Staff members can wear jeans all month long as a comfy way to end the school year. We’ve loved seeing how the campuses have celebrated teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week, from burgers to flowers to snacks to kindergarteners reading books aloud. I truly believe teachers are the ultimate influencers. Please thank a teacher for their commitment and dedication to our students.

One of the best nights of the school year happened this month: the return of the Retiree Banquet! Every single person who retires from Crosby ISD should feel valued and appreciated. I want to personally congratulate the following educators on their service: Jerry Bowling, Renee Davis, Karla McGee, Jan Harris, Ann Henderson, Charles McKeon, Lisa Kallies, Karen Walthall, Ellen Beck, Donna Coker, Penelope Malliaros, Cheryl Rucka, Dana Akers, Melina David, Susan Baker, Deborah McQueen, Bamby Antone, and Rita Roy. Together, these retirees have a combined 507 years in education. Collectively, they have a whopping 389 years serving the children of our Crosby ISD communities. They have impacted hundreds of students in big ways, small ways, and ways they’ll never know. Enjoy your next chapter!

The countdown to the end of the year means we’re flying toward graduation. We want to applaud the Class of 2022 for persevering and pushing through remarkable and unique times. Our Cougars are achieving big things before they even walk across the commencement stage. In the past few weeks, we’ve honored dozens of students who are graduating with college degrees or trade certifications before they receive their high school diploma. They are leaving Crosby High School with a great competitive edge!

At the end of the month, we celebrate all 450 graduates during our commencement ceremony. The program is at Cougar Stadium on Friday, May 27th at 7:30pm. I hope to see you there.

This is Now! Go Coogs!

Paula Patterson
Superintendent of Schools
Crosby ISD