Parents –
As second semester is now underway, I want to thank everyone for a great year so far and for your continued support of the changes happening here at Dixie.

The second semester is off to a smooth start as we continue to make changes that we believe will make this school the best high school in the state.

As you have probably heard, Dixie’s school grade increased to a C this year and our school led the district in a number of key areas, including reading improvement.

This is just one example of our continued efforts to create a great high school and build a school around high academic expectations.

Still, please keep in mind that academic data is not the only way to judge a school. It is my belief that schools must be inviting, caring places for students to attend, that clubs and sports must be strong and that the arts must be at the centerpiece of everything we do.
This newsletter continues to be one way that we will communicate with you about the changes afoot here and the ideas that are still in the works.

With that in mind, here are some of the upcoming changes that we hope you will support and take part in:

• Facilities improvements. We continue to work with the district and our plant operations staff to make improvements to Dixie’s campus, including a great deal of new painting and signage. Many other improvements are planned for the coming months. We hope you see something new every time you visit our campus.
  
  
• New cinematography / film program. We are pleased to announce the expansion of our Graphic Arts Academy in the area of film study, including script-writing, storyboarding, film production and music (film scoring). In fact, we have already completed our first film short. The new strand of the Graphic Arts Academy will be called the New Rebellion Film Studio and applications are already underway for next year. Even though we just started the program, we are anticipating a waitlist for next year as the popularity of this new program is quite impressive.
  
  
• Magnet / attractor programs expanding. Dixie now has three viable magnet / attractor programs for students to apply to – the Cambridge-AICE Program (through Cambridge University in England), the Graphic Arts Academy and our Culinary Arts Academy. With the first round of applications for next year completed, we are expecting that all three programs will have waitlists going into next year. That really says something about the number of students trying to get into our school and it validates the hard work underway to make this school better.
  
  
• After-school tutoring continues. On Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, we have our Study Hub (room 401) open from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. as an open Study Hall environment where students can work on homework or projects and, of course, we have individual tutoring in reading, writing and science. Math tutoring is also offered at the same time / same days in the math wing. Any student is welcome to join in.
  
  
• PTSA – Title I Programs / Parent Involvement. Our PTSA board members and Title I office continue to coordinate programs each month is hopes of keeping parents involved and informed. We invite everyone out on Wednesday, Feb. 15th at 6:30 p.m. for our special program on bullying, including cyberbullying and how to keep your children safe. We are welcoming parents and students from any school to attend this important session.

Of course, there are many, many other exciting ideas and changes coming to Dixie. I ask that you continue to support these changes as we move forward.

On a personal note, it is a great pleasure each day to work with your sons and daughters and to interact with this excellent teaching faculty here at Dixie.

We continue to promise nothing less than a high quality education for your children.

Respectfully,
Dr. Evans

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