Dear Connally Junior High Families and Staff,
As we continue striving to improve student outcomes, I want to share an important change coming in the 2025-2026 school year. Next year, we will transition to a seven-period day to better support our students' academic success.
Currently, we are in school improvement with the state, and we know that if we continue doing the same things, we will get the same results. To ensure every student receives high-quality instruction, we are adding Amplify, a rigorous Reading Language Arts curriculum designed to expose all students to grade-level content. This means that students who may have struggled with reading in the past will no longer be limited to below-grade-level material. Instead, they will engage with challenging texts, vocabulary, and writing tasks that will help close learning gaps and build the skills needed for success in high school and beyond.
Additionally, we will continue using Carnegie Math, which has been a key part of our math instruction. However, next year, it will be renamed Bluebonnet Math. This name change is part of a statewide initiative to better align with Texas-specific standards and instructional priorities while maintaining the core structure and rigor of the Carnegie Math curriculum. While the name will change, the high-quality instruction, emphasis on problem-solving, and real-world application of math concepts will remain the same.
With these curriculum enhancements, most students will now have three elective periods. However, to prioritize our academic foundation, we will focus on state-required electives, which include:
Health
Career Pathways
Physical Education (Pre-Athletics, Athletics, or Outdoor Adventures)
Fine Arts (Band, Art, or Theatre Arts)
Technology Applications
Dollars and Cents/ Professional Communications
Because of this adjustment, some electives we have offered in the past will not be available next year. However, our goal is to strengthen our academic foundation first so that we can expand elective options in future years.
To help students prepare for these changes, our counselors have been meeting with students to discuss course selections for next year. Parents of students currently in 5th through 7th grade should expect their child to bring home a course selection sheet for review and a parent signature. Please take time to discuss these choices with your child, sign the form, and have them return it to school by the deadline.
We understand that change can be difficult, but please know that our priority is student success. The district and campus administration are committed to doing what is in the best interest of our students. We want every student to leave Connally with a strong academic foundation that will prepare them for high school, college, careers, and beyond.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we make these changes. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.