Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD - Early Monday morning while many districts across the DFW area will figuratively roll out the red carpet to welcome back students, Lancaster ISD staff will actually roll out red carpet in the front entries of all campuses. For three years in a row, Lancaster ISD has invited state, city and community leaders and partners to join district and campus staff in greeting children on the first day of school as the students walk the red carpet prior to entering the school.

This year, the Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams has confirmed his participation. In addition, new UNT-Dallas President and former Dallas Morning News Editor Bob Mong will be on site at a campus opening car doors and greeting Lancaster ISD Students.

"The Back to School Red Carpet Welcome has become a tradition that our returning students look forward to," Director of Student/Family Services and Community Engagement Dr. Lisa Bacon said. "But it's really exciting to see the new students and parents when they walk the red carpet. They are always so surprised at the grand welcome."

Assistant Superintendent of Governmental Relations and Student Affairs Dr. Lamont Smith has organized this annual event for the past three years and said that he is happy to see it grow each year. This year, the follow dignitaries are joining in the festivities:


*       Michael Williams, Texas Commissioner of Education

*       Hon. Marcus Knight, City of Lancaster Mayor

*       Jennifer Wimbush, Cedar Valley College President

*       Dr. Bob Mong, UNT-Dallas President

*       Jeff Steele, Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce President

*       LaShonja Harris, City of Lancaster Councilmember

*       Nina Morris, City of Lancaster Councilmember

*       Carol Strain-Burks, City of Lancaster Councilmember

*       Ty Jones, Lancaster ISD Trustee President

*       Ellen Clark, Lancaster ISD Trustee Vice President

*       Rhonda Davis-Crawford, Lancaster ISD Trustee

*       La Rhonda Mays, Lancaster ISD Trustee

*       Tracey Gulley, Chief Deputy for Constable Garrett's office for Precinct 1 of Dallas County

*       Zach Thompson, Dallas County Health Department

While the Back to School Red Carpet Welcome will occur at all campuses, Commissioner Williams and Mr. Mong will begin their morning at George Washington Carver 6th Grade STEM Learning Center located at 1005 Westridge Ave., Lancaster, TX 75146

Time: 7 - 7:30 AM
Date: Monday, August 24, 2015
Location: George Washington Carver 6th Grade STEM Learning Center located at 1005 Westridge Ave., Lancaster, TX 75146



This e-mail may be privileged and/or confidential, and the sender does not waive any related rights and obligations. Any distribution, use or copying of this e-mail or the information it contains by other than an intended recipient is unauthorized. If you feel you have received this e-mail in error, please advise me (by return e-mail or otherwise) immediately. Information received by or sent from this system is subject to review by supervisory personnel, is retained and may be produced to regulatory authorities or others with a legal right to the information.

The Lancaster Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The district Title IX contact is Dr. Helena Mosely at 972-218-1400. The district Section 504 contact is Katrina Avery at 972-218-1400.