Hello REACH family!
Venturing into my 23rd year at REACH High School, and my 35th year in Castleberry ISD, which includes the 12 years I attended CISD schools as a student, I can honestly say that I am more proud of our district, right now, than I have ever been. Our current team of supporters, including our CISD School Board of Education, our Superintendent Dr. John Ramos, Associate Superintendent Renee Smith-Faulkner, and the Superintendent’s Cabinet, have invested 1,000s of hours to insure that everything possible is being done regarding the safety, security, and educational needs of both students and staff.
As I have shared already with many of you, although the teachers are on campus in the classrooms, students will be receiving remote instruction from the comfort of their homes until September 28th. Beyond this date, it is the choice of each family if a student will continue receiving instruction in this way, or switch to face-to-face instruction on campus. Whichever is chosen, the REACH High School team will do their very best to make certain that each student receives the best individualized instruction that is possible.
That being said, the district is devoted to ALL students having the technology capabilities at home to be successful. Thus, when you arrive during your scheduled time at our “drive-by” Meet the Teacher and netbook pickup on August 8th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., let us know if you do not have reliable internet service at your residence as the district is devoted to make certain this is not an issue.
The next big day after Meet the Teacher, the first day of school, is on August 12th beginning at 8:00 a.m. We will have a virtual assembly to kick off the school year. Parents/guardians, please attend as well as each teacher will be showcasing their remote learning classroom. Also, you can hear the expectations regarding student progress and the role of students in logging daily progress. Other items covered will include netbook troubleshooting and resources available for those in need. A link to attend the virtual assembly will be emailed to students and parents/guardians on Monday, August 10th. The assembly will be recorded if you are unable to attend and would like to view the information at a later date.
Parents, grandparents, and guardians, we will be in frequent contact to let you know the progress of your student, the challenges and the victories, and how you can help us help your student. The key factor is attendance. As long as a student it present, our outstanding team of teachers can do they rest. Our school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Please remember that students must have an attendance rate of at least 90% in order to receive credit for the class.
Our REACH teachers, Mrs. Flowers (Science), Mrs. Mihalicz (English), Mrs. Prado (Math), and Mr. Rivers (Social Studies) are devout in their endeavors to assist students not only the curriculum, but success beyond high school. Even remotely, we will work with students to develop a plan for success beyond graduation. Mrs. Dillon (secretary) and Mrs. Ojeda (paraeducator) also participate in ways, beyond typical, to help guarantee the success of our students.
In order to continue the success stories of our students, it is essential that we maintain the partnership we have in place between our students, families, staff, and principal. Having high expectations for our students, we are there every step of the way, encouraging and assisting each student to reach his/her full potential. I’m not saying it is going to be easy. It is going to take a lot of hard work from each of us.
But the end reward, the joy of seeing each student walk across the stage at graduation, makes all of the hard work beyond worthwhile.
Students new to REACH this year, as well as parents, will learn quickly how words cannot express the gift of having REACH High School as a choice for students in our district. And words cannot express what a gift having each student in our REACH family is to each of us. We love our students unconditionally and the students touch our lives even more than we touch theirs.
As we move forward in this very challenging time in our lives, please do not hesitate to REACH out with any questions, concerns, and needs your family may have. We have access to many community resources and promise to help you in any way we can. You are not alone.
It’s going to be a great year!
Wanda Byther, Principal