Carthage ISD

🎒 ALL SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN HANDED OUT We have already run out of bags and distributed all of the school supplies available at tonight’s Back to School Bash. Thank you again to every organization, business, donor, volunteer, student, and sponsor who helped make this event such an incredible success. Your generosity made a meaningful difference for so many students and families in our community!

📌 FACULTY & STAFF REMINDER The Benefits Hub (Insurance) team will be available Friday, August 7, from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM in the Carthage High School Library(LRC). Faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by if you need assistance with insurance benefits, enrollment, plan options, or have questions about your coverage. 📅 Friday, August 7 ⏰ 9:00 AM–2:00 PM 📍 CHS Library (LRC)

📅 THIS WEEK IN CARTHAGE ISD | AUGUST 2–8, 2026 We’re getting ready for a busy and exciting week across Carthage ISD as we prepare to welcome our students back for the 2026–2027 school year! Here’s what’s happening: MONDAY, AUGUST 3 • Existing Football Season Ticket Renewals Begin • 7th Grade Registration — 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 • 8th Grade Registration — 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 • CISD Convocation — 8:30 a.m. • Teacher Workday THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 • Teacher Workday • Back to School Bash — 6:00–8:00 p.m. at CHS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 • Teacher Workday • Volleyball at Whitehouse — Scrimmage for JV White, JV Red and Varsity; times TBA • Junior High Boys Football Equipment Pickup — 8th Grade at 9:00 a.m.; 7th Grade at 1:00 p.m. • Junior High Girls Equipment Pickup — 8th Grade at 10:00 a.m.; 7th Grade at 1:30 p.m. SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 • Bulldog Fall Sports Media Day • CHS Senior Parking Spot Painting Day 📚 BACK TO SCHOOL/MEET THE TEACHER EVENTS NEXT WEEK • August 10: Carthage Primary Meet the Teacher — 5:30–6:30 p.m. • August 11: Baker-Koonce Meet the Teacher — 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • August 11: Libby Meet the Teacher — 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • August 11: Carthage Junior High Meet the Teacher — 2:00–4:00 p.m. • August 12: 🎉 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Please note: Carthage High School will host an Open House later this fall. 📌 STAY CONNECTED: Please remember to follow your child’s campus on social media and save your campus contact information. You can find both pinned at the top of the Carthage ISD Facebook page. We’re almost there, Bulldogs! We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday, August 12th! ❤️🐾

🏈 Congratulations to Cooper Walters on being selected as a 2026 East Texas Kickoff Luncheon Scholarship recipient! Cooper was recognized this past Tuesday in Tyler during the 20th Annual East Texas Kickoff Luncheon, where outstanding East Texas student-athletes were honored both on and off the field. This well-deserved scholarship is a reflection of Cooper’s hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations, Cooper! We are proud of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds. #GoDawgs

🍎 More Than a Meal. More Opportunities for Your Student. Completing the Free & Reduced Meal Application can benefit your family today while opening doors for your student in the future. Families who qualify may receive: • Free or reduced-price school meals • Reduced fees for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams • College application fee waivers at many colleges and universities • Increased access to financial aid and scholarship opportunities Who should complete an application? ✔️ Families new to Carthage ISD ✔️ Families with students changing campuses for the upcoming school year ✔️ Any family who believes they may qualify for free or reduced-price meals The application is quick, secure, and confidential, and only one application is needed per household each school year. Families are encouraged to complete the application before the start of school so benefits are in place as early as possible. To apply, visit http://www.carthageisd.org and select Parents → Free & Reduced Meal Application. A few minutes today can make a difference for your family now and create opportunities for your student’s future.

🏈 2026 Carthage Bulldog Football Season Ticket Information Carthage Athletics is excited to launch online ticket sales for the 2026 football season in partnership with Hometown Ticketing! If you’re a current season ticket holder, it’s time to mark your calendar. If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to become a season ticket holder, your chance is almost here. Current Season Ticket Holders 🎟️ Renewal Period: Monday, August 3 at 8:00 a.m. through Sunday, August 16 at 11:59 p.m. Renewal information will be emailed on the morning of August 3. Season Tickets are $32 + processing fees. All Reserved Section seating will be sold online only. If you need assistance, contact the Athletic Department at ssurratt2@carthageisd.org. Remaining Season Ticket Purchases for the Public 📅 Remaining reserved season tickets will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, August 18 at 8:00 a.m. The purchase link will be shared on the morning of Tuesday, August 18. Tickets will be available until sold out, so don’t wait! 🏟️ The Bulldogs have 4 varsity home games this season, and we can’t wait to see Dawg Nation back in Bulldog Stadium. More information regarding single-game ticket sales will be shared as the season approaches. Go Dawgs!

📍 Need to contact your child's campus?

Save this post for quick access to contact information for every Carthage ISD campus, including phone numbers, addresses, and grade levels.

Carthage Primary
Pre-K - 1st grade
510 N. Adams
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-2254

Libby Elementary
2nd and 3rd grade
419 Davis St.
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-8862

Baker-Koonce Intermediate
4th- 6th grade
320 N. Daniels St.
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-8611

Carthage Junior High
7th and 8th grade
606 Holly St.
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-2751

Carthage High School
9th - 12th grade
1600 W. Panola St.
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-2552

Carthage ISD — Where Champions Are Educated

Congratulations, Mya! ⭐🥎 Carthage High School is proud to congratulate Mya Nelson on representing the Bulldogs in the 2026 Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) Class 1A-4A All-Star Softball Game. Being selected to compete alongside the state’s top junior players is an outstanding honor and a testament to Mya’s dedication, talent, and hard work throughout her career. Thank you for representing Carthage, your teammates, and our community with pride. We are incredibly proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what comes next. Dawg Nation is proud of you! 🐾🥎

🐾🌟 Carthage FFA represented Bulldog Nation with excellence at the 98th Annual Texas FFA Convention in Fort Worth! 🌟🐾 Nineteen Carthage FFA members attended the annual convention, where eight students earned the prestigious Texas FFA Lone Star Degree—the highest degree awarded by the Texas FFA Association. The Lone Star Degree recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to agricultural education through classroom achievement, leadership, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, community service, and FFA involvement. Fewer than 5% of Texas FFA members earn this distinguished honor each year. 2026 Carthage FFA Lone Star Degree Recipients: ⭐ Brodie Brewster (not pictured) ⭐ Ty Byrd ⭐ Evan Dunn ⭐ Jaclyn Finley ⭐ Stephanie Franks ⭐ Addison Nutt ⭐ Cooper Walters ⭐ Dillan Wolfe A special thank you to our dedicated agricultural science teachers and FFA advisors for investing in these students each day: • Mark Davis • Ashley Harris • Trevor Riley • Evan Yount Congratulations to all of our Carthage FFA members for representing our school, community, and Bulldog tradition with pride. Your hard work and dedication continue to make Carthage proud! ❤️🐾

It is with profound sadness that Carthage ISD, Carthage High School, and Carthage Bulldog Athletics share the passing of Carthage High School Class of 2025 graduate and two-time 4A Division II State Football Champion James Morrow. James was a Bulldog through and through. On the football field, he was a dominant defensive tackle who earned multiple All-District and All-State honors while helping lead the Bulldogs to the 2022 and 2024 4A Division II State Championships. His strength, toughness, and unwavering determination made him one of the anchors of a championship defense and left a lasting mark on one of the most successful eras in our program’s history. But championships and awards only tell part of his story. The James Morrow we’ll remember isn’t defined by tackles or trophies. He’ll be remembered for the laugh you could hear from across the room, the smile that came so easily, the jokes with his teammates, and the personality that made James unmistakably him. He had a way of making the locker room a little louder, the bus rides a little more memorable, and the people around him smile a little more often. He was a beloved son, brother, teammate, friend, classmate, and Bulldog whose impact reached far beyond the football field. There are no words that can truly ease the pain of a loss like this. Today, we simply ask our Bulldog family to come together and surround James’ family with our love, our prayers, and our unwavering support. Please continue to lift up his family, friends, teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers, and everyone who loved him in the days and weeks ahead. James Morrow wore the C with pride, and his place in Bulldog history is forever secure. More importantly, his place in the hearts of those who knew and loved him will never be replaced. James Morrow will never be forgotten. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.

🎺🏆 Congratulations to Carthage High School students DeAnthony Turner and Griffin Jones for their outstanding performances this week at Panola College’s Military Drum Major Camp! Both students earned the prestigious Outstanding Salute Award for their leadership, precision, and dedication throughout the camp. 🥇 DeAnthony Turner earned 1st Place in the Day 1 competition as a group leader. 🥉 Griffin Jones earned 3rd Place in the Day 2 competition as a group leader. These accomplishments reflect the hard work, discipline, and excellence that continue to make the Battlin’ Bulldog Band a source of pride for our school and community. Congratulations, DeAnthony and Griffin! We are proud of the way you represented Carthage High School and the Battlin’ Bulldog Band. 🎶🐾❤️🤍 #BetterAsABulldog #DawgNation

📊 STAAR Scores Are Available! Parents have two convenient ways to access their student’s STAAR results: Option 1: Through the Carthage ISD Parent Portal ✅ Log in to Parent Portal ✅ Select your student ✅ Click the green Texas Assessment button under Published Grades ✅ View results in the Texas Assessment Family Portal Option 2: Through the Texas Assessment Family Portal ✅ Visit https://www.texasassessment.gov/ ✅ Enter your student’s Unique Access Code (UAC), date of birth, and legal first name ✅ If you do not know the UAC, you can look it up using your student’s Social Security Number, date of birth, and legal first name Detailed instructions, helpful guides, and direct links for both access methods are available on the Carthage ISD website at www.carthageisd.org. Simply click Parents on the black menu bar and open the “Parent Access to STAAR Scores” section. If you need assistance accessing your student’s scores, please contact your child’s campus. 📚🐾

🍎🎨 Join the Carthage ISD Family! 🎨🍎 Carthage ISD is currently seeking passionate educators to join our team as a Kindergarten Teacher at Carthage Primary and an Art Teacher at Carthage High School. In Carthage ISD, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find a supportive family of experienced educators, outstanding students who make teaching rewarding, and a community that truly values its schools. Our teachers have the opportunity to make a lasting impact while working alongside dedicated colleagues who are committed to helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom. If you’re looking for a place where great kids, strong community support, and a tradition of excellence come together, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today at: https://www.carthageisd.org/page/employment Carthage ISD - Where Champions Are Educated

🚌 Now Hiring: Bus Drivers 🚌 Carthage ISD is currently seeking dependable, caring, and safety-minded individuals to join our transportation team as bus drivers. Our bus drivers play an important role in the daily success of our students by providing safe and reliable transportation to and from school and school activities. If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students while serving your community, we encourage you to apply. Apply online: https://www.applitrack.com/carthageisd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Transportation The Carthage Independent School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate because of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation or national origin in the educational programs or activities which it operates, including employment therein. #BetterAsABulldog

📅🐾 THIS MONTH IN CARTHAGE ISD — JUNE 2026 🐾📅 While the school year may be over, there is still plenty happening across Carthage ISD this June! From summer camps and enrichment opportunities to FFA events and summer school, our campuses remain active as we continue providing opportunities for students to learn, grow, and stay engaged. ☀️ CISD & Campus Summer Hours 🕗 Monday–Thursday 📍 All CISD Campuses & Offices ⏰ 8:00 AM–4:00 PM 🥎 June 1–2 Lady Dawgs Softball Camp 📍 Bulldog Park ⏰ 4:00 PM–7:00 PM 🌾 June 1–5 FFA State Degree Check & Speaking Finals 📍 Carthage High School 📚 June 1–25 CJH Summer School 📍 Carthage Junior High 🗓 Monday–Thursday ⏰ 8:00 AM–11:30 AM 🍽️ June 2 Panola Promise Appreciation Lunch 📍 Carthage High School 🔬 June 8–12 STEM Quest, Session 1 📍 Libby Elementary ⏰ 8:30 AM–3:30 PM 🔬 June 15–19 STEM Quest, Session 2 📍 Libby Elementary ⏰ 8:30 AM–3:30 PM 🏀 June 15–16 Bulldog Basketball Camp 📍 CHS Gym ⏰ Session Times: 12:00 PM & 2:30 PM 🏐 June 15–16 Lady Dawgs Volleyball Camp 📍 CHS Gym ⏰ Session Times: 12:00 PM & 2:30 PM ⚾ June 16–18 Bulldog Baseball Camp 📍 Bulldog Park ⏰ 8:30 AM–11:30 AM 🗂️ June 15 Carthage ISD Board of Trustees Meeting 📍 CISD Administration Building ⏰ 6:00 PM 🔒 June 29 – July 3 All CISD Campuses & Offices Closed Summer Break Closure Week 🏀🏐⚾ Athletic Summer Workouts Please contact your sport-specific coach regarding workout schedules, strength and conditioning sessions, and summer athletic activities. We hope everyone enjoys a safe, productive, and fun summer while continuing to make the most of the opportunities available throughout June. Stay connected with Carthage ISD for updates, announcements, and summer information on our socials and at www.carthageisd.org #BetterAsABulldog 🐾❤️🤍

At this month's board meeting, we bid farewell to a trustee who has served on the board for decades and left an indelible mark on CISD and our community. Mr. Truman Shirey has been on the Carthage ISD Board of Trustees for 30 years. He is a true gentleman and kind to everyone he meets. When he speaks, everyone listens because he has something important to say. Mr. Shirey retired from Devon Energy Production Company where he worked for many years. He was a great and loyal board member. Truman graduated from Carthage High School in 1963. All three of his daughters graduated from CHS as well. In 2009-2010 our Board was the Region VII Board of the Year. At that time, Mr. Shirey was the President of the Board. He shared the following quote with us. Words of Wisdom: "Never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new." While Truman was Board president, we had a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Libby Elementary which was a huge sense of pride for him. In May 2010, the voters passed a bond by a vote of 85% to support us building a new elementary school. He was also on the Board when we passed bonds for the Performing Arts Center, Bulldog Stadium, and the Baseball and Softball Complex. Thank you, Mr. Shirey, for your decades of selfless service and leadership to the Carthage ISD Board of Trustees and your community.

🇺🇸 Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, selflessness, and love for country have secured freedoms that generations continue to enjoy. On this Memorial Day, we remember those who gave everything and extend our gratitude to the families who carry their legacy forward. From all of us at Carthage ISD, may we never forget the true meaning of this day.

Livestream will be available at EastTexasToday.com thanks to our friends at KGAS Radio!

⚠️🎓 Graduation Update for Dawg Nation Due to weather conditions, tonight’s Carthage High School Commencement Ceremony has been moved indoors and will now be held in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). 🕗 Time: 8:00 PM 📍 Location: Performing Arts Center (PAC) Spectator Overflow will be in the CHS Commons Area Please plan accordingly and allow extra time for arrival. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as we work to ensure a safe and memorable evening for the Class of 2026. We can’t wait to celebrate our graduates tonight. ❤️🖤🐾

🚨 Reminder, Dawg Nation! Tomorrow is the LAST day of school for Carthage ISD students! 🐾❤️ Please note the early release times for Thursday, May 21: ⏰ Carthage High School — 1:30 PM ⏰ All Other Campuses — 1:25 PM Another incredible year of learning, memories, accomplishments, and Bulldog pride is coming to a close. Finish strong, enjoy the final day with friends and teachers, and celebrate all that was accomplished this year. Summer is almost here! ☀️🎓🐾 #BetterAsABulldog