The Tiger Times

Dear Carroll High School Community,

We are thrilled to welcome back our Tigers to Carroll High School! Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working tirelessly to prepare for an incredible year of learning, growth, and connection. We can’t wait to see our students back on campus!

As we begin the school year, our focus will be on setting clear expectations, reinforcing procedures, and building strong relationships. On Day One, students will receive their schedules in their first-period class. To find that class, students should check the rosters posted around the common areas and report directly to the room listed. To ensure a smooth transition during lunch, I’ll be virtually plugged into all classrooms during third period to share important expectations and guidance.

To our Returning Tigers—thank you for continuing to lead by example, and we look forward to your leadership continuing on campus. To our New Tigers— It was a joy meeting so many of you and your families at orientation and we know your future on campus is so bright, and To our Tiger Community— your presence at last night’s Tiger Tailgate was a wonderful reminder of the spirit and pride that make Carroll High School the best place to be.

I’m proud to serve as your principal and excited for the journey ahead. Starting this week, you can expect a Sunday afternoon text and email from me. These messages will highlight key points of emphasis, upcoming events, and celebrate the amazing things our Tigers are doing in the community.

For this first week, I’m sharing answers to the most frequently asked questions we’ve received to ensure we’re all aligned and ready for a successful start. Let’s make it a great year, Tigers!

With pride,
Robert Arredondo
Principal, Carroll High School

📅🕑 Student Schedules Now Available in Home Access Center

Student schedules are now viewable in the Home Access Center. On the first day of school—Monday, August 11th—student locator lists will be posted around campus to help students find their first period class.✅ What to do on the first day:

Check the locator lists posted around campus.
Report directly to your first period class.
Receive a hard copy of your full schedule during first period.

📢 📵Important Update: New State Law Bans Electronic Devices in Schools

In accordance with Texas House Bill 1481, all public schools across the state must implement a policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices during the school day. Corpus Christi ISDis currently finalizing its district-wide policy to ensure full compliance with this new legislation. Effective immediately, students at Carroll High School must:

Turn off and store all personal devices (including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, etc.) in their backpacks.
This rule applies throughout the entire school day, including passing periods and lunch.

Once CCISD finalizes its policy and we complete our beginning-of-year assemblies, we will begin confiscating devices that are used in violation of the law. Confiscated devices will be held in the front office and may only be retrieved by a parent or guardian. A retrieval fee may apply.

Exceptions will be made only for students with:

A documented medical need,
An IEP or 504 plan requiring device use,
Or other legally protected accommodations.

We appreciate your support in helping us create a focused and distraction-free learning environment. More details will be shared as soon as the district policy is finalized.

📚 📱 Chromebooks for All Students at Carroll High School🚀

We’re excited to announce that every student at Mary Carroll High School will be issued a school Chromebook during the first week of school!

Daily Expectations

Students must bring their fully charged Chromebook to school every day.
Chromebooks are essential for participating in classroom activities and completing assignments.

Student Responsibility

Each student is responsible for the care and maintenance of their assigned device.
If a Chromebook is damaged or not working properly, students should report the issue immediately to a teacher or administrator.
Reminder: Personal laptops (BYOD) are no longer permitted. All academic work during school hourse must be completed using the school-issued Chromebook.

🚗 Traffic Alert: First Week of School – Please Practice Patience and Courtesy

As we begin a new school year, we want to remind our school community that traffic will be heavier than usual during the first week. With students, parents, and staff adjusting to new routines, your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated. Here’s how you can help ensure a smooth and safe start:

⏰ Allow extra time for morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups
🚦 Follow all traffic rules and posted signs
🤝 Be courteous to fellow drivers and pedestrians
👷 Look for our safety staff, who will be outside assisting with traffic flow

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to safety!

📢 Campus Opening and Dismissal Reminder

Please take note of the following important procedures:

🏫 Campus Opening: The campus opens at 8:20 AM. Students must remain in the cafeteria until 8:42 AM and should be in their first-period class by 8:50 AM.

🚗 Dismissal: Dismissal is at 4:10 PM. Parents picking up students must park in designated areas. Please note: The Arena Parking Lot opens up at 3:15 PM Daily for parents to park and wait for thier tigers. The only pickup zone in the "parking lot driveways" for vehicles is the front parking loop.

For details, please refer to the attached parking map. Thank you for your cooperation! 😊

🧣 Dress Code Reminder:

Our Dress code remains the same as last year. A reminder to stay in dress code and know that we are strictly enforcing the dress code. If a student is out of dress code, they will be sent to ISS until a change of clothes can be provided.

Common Violations to Avoid:

No crop tops or midriff-baring shirts (jackets can’t be used to cover them).
No BLANKETS, pajama pants, or slippers.
Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be no more than a dollar bill’s length above the knee.

Thank you for helping us keep a positive and focused learning environment ad please see the attached dress code.

📢 Class Schedule Reminder

Students should review their schedules carefully. If a change is needed, requests must be submitted by Friday, August 16th at 4:00 p.m.

🔗 Access the Google Form via our website or posted on canvas.

Changes are only allowed for academic reasons, such as:

Incorrect course level
Missing a graduation requirement

Please note: Schedules may shift during the first few weeks as we balance classes. For concerns, students should contact their counselor promptly.

📣 CCISD Returning Student Registration – Action Required

All returning students, including those who attended Carroll last year, must complete annual re-enrollment through PowerSchool. This ensures your contact information is current and helps determine eligibility for important programs like free/reduced lunch through the Economic Status Information Form.

❓ Need Help?

For questions about enrollment or technical issues with the Home Access Center (HAC):

Visit the FAQ: https://www.ccisd.us/page/faq-enrollment
Contact Parent Liaison Iliana Ortiz for HAC support: 📧 Iliana.Ortiz@ccisd.us

🔗 Registration Link:

Complete registration here:
https://www.ccisd.us/page/register-returning

Thank you for helping us keep our records accurate and our students supported

🏫 Closed Campus Lunch Policy Reminder - NO Food Deliveries Allowed

As part of our commitment to student safety and campus security, all CCISD campuses operate under a closed campus policy during lunch hours. This means:

Students must remain on campus during lunch.
Outside food deliveries (including meals from restaurants, delivery services, or family drop-offs) are not permitted.
Students are expected to eat on campus, either with meals provided by the school or brought from home.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment. Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep all students secure and engaged throughout the school day.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact your campus administration.

🏫 Carroll PTSA Corner: Building a Stronger School Community

The Mary Carroll HS PTSA is committed to advocating for all students and fostering meaningful engagement with families. By building strong relationships with teachers and staff, we help create a supportive and positive school atmosphere. We invite all parents to get involved—whether through social events, volunteering, or community initiatives. Your participation strengthens our school community and supports our educators in meaningful ways.

🌟 CCCCPTA – Senior Gold Cord Program

High school seniors can earn the prestigious Gold Cord by completing 25 hours of community service by the end of their senior year. This program celebrates students' dedication to serving others and encourages civic responsibility.📎 Information on how to join is attached below!

🐯 TIGER TIME Returns to Mary Carroll High School!

We’re excited to announce the return of TIGER TIME for the upcoming school year at Mary Carroll High School! While we will begin the year with a traditional bell schedule, TIGER TIME is set to launch in early September, contingent on students demonstrating responsible behavior and adherence to school policies.

What is TIGER TIME?
This dedicated hour during the school day provides students with valuable opportunities to:

Catch up on assignments
Receive extra help from teachers
Participate in clubs and student organizations
Enjoy some well-deserved downtime

We encourage all students to make the most of this time to enhance their academic success and strengthen their connection to the school community.

Attendance Requiremnt

📘 The 90 Percent Rule Explained

What Is the 90 Percent Rule?
Texas Education Code §25.092 requires students to attend class at least 90% of the days a course is offered to earn credit—even if they have passing grades This means students cannot miss more than 9 days per semester or 18 days per school year, regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.

❌ No Make-Up Hours

In previous years, students could recover lost attendance through make-up hours. This is no longer allowed. Once a student exceeds the absence limit, there is no way to regain credit through additional hours.

⚠️ Consequences of Poor Attendance

Students who fail to meet the 90% attendance requirement will lose course credit, even if they pass academically. This can:

Delay graduation
Require course repetition
Impact eligibility for extracurricular activities and driving privileges

✅ What Families Can Do

Schedule appointments outside school hours whenever possible.
Save absences for genuine illness or emergencies.
Monitor attendance closely to avoid falling behind.

Regular attendance is essential for academic success and staying on track for graduation. Every day counts!

🏫 How to Reach Us

Our administrative team is here to support students, families, and staff. Please review the following guidelines to help us serve you best:

👥 Administrative Priorities

The Principal and Assistant Principals prioritize student needs and well-being above all else.
Student supervision and campus responsibilities will delay availability as our focus is on students and staff.

📅 Appointments Recommended

For specific concerns, appointments are highly encouraged to ensure we can give you our full attention.
Walk-up visits will involve longer wait times due to ongoing administrative duties and serving our students.

📧 Preferred Contact Method