Gertrude Johns Elementary

FATHER FEST 2026 is HERE!
Bring the whole family out for a FREE day of:
•Car Show
•Student Performances
•Games & Activities
•Free Food
•Community Resources
May 16, 2026
10 AM – 2 PM

Thornton Elementary
2301 East Park Row Drive
Arlington, TX 76010

This is more than an event, it’s a celebration of FAMILY
👉 Register now: tinyurl.com/3T56X4WN

Dear Parents and Family Members,

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Migdalia Castillo to the Johns community, as the newly appointed Principal for the upcoming school year!

Wishing you a warm welcome and a wonderful start to this new journey, Mrs. Castillo!

Jaguar Strong! Jaguar Proud!

Big congratulations to our newest Arlington ISD principals! 🎉

Tonight we celebrated Migdalia Castillo, Dr. Thomas Flagg, and Jerod Zahn as they step into their new leadership roles.

Migdalia Castillo brings more than two decades of educational experience and a strong commitment to student success to her new role as principal of Johns Elementary. She currently serves as principal at Blanton Elementary, where she has demonstrated strong leadership since 2023.

Dr. Thomas Flagg offers a powerful blend of instructional leadership and fine arts expertise. With nearly 20 years in education and his current role as associate principal at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, he is well‑prepared to lead as principal of Gunn Junior High Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy.

Jerod Zahn brings extensive leadership experience, having served as principal at both Shackelford and Ferguson Junior High, along with multiple assistant principal and teaching roles across Arlington ISD. We’re excited to welcome him as the new principal of Rodriguez Junior High.

👏 We cannot wait to see everything you accomplish in these new roles, congratulations!

The BOOK IT! Summer of Stories™ program starts June 1st!

During the summer months of June, July, and August, any child that meets their parent-set reading goals can earn a free Pizza Hut® single topping Personal Pan Pizza®* from participating locations.

Use the BOOK IT!® Mobile App to set goals, track progress, and redeem rewards.

Thank you, Ms. Elia, for providing sweet treats for our staff to enjoy this afternoon!

Join Arlington ISD for Father Fest as we celebrate fathers in the community with fun activities, food, games, resources and live music.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

FatherFEST 2026 is a free, family-friendly celebration hosted by Arlington ISD's Family and Community Engagement Department — and we're pulling out all the stops:

Community Car Show — Come check out some incredible rides and soak in the good vibes

Free Food & Refreshments — Good food brings people together, and we've got you covered

Interactive Games & Family Activities — Fun for every age, from the littles to the grandparents

Giveaways & Summer Resources — Leave with more than just great memories — walk away equipped and ready for summer

Live Music & Entertainment — Featuring live performances beginning at 10:30 AM from Thornton Elementary's Ballet Folklorico and Sam Houston High School's Mariachi & Ballet Folklorico teams

This event is for everyone — dads, moms, grandparents, aunts, uncles, mentors, and community supporters. If you love a child in this community, there's a place for you here.

Father Fest 2026 Join Arlington ISD for Father Fest as we celebrate fathers in the community with fun activities, food, games, resources and live music.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

More treats for Johns' staff, courtesy of Arlington Council of PTAs Bless-A-Campus 🤩🤗

Principal Hoeft dropped off breakfast & coffee to ArlingtonTx Fire 🚒

Thank you to JJ Quinerly from the Dallas Wings for stopping by with breakfast for the Johns staff today in celebration of Staff Appreciation Week. 🥰

Good Morning, parents!

This week we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week and recognize our amazing teachers for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to our students each day. If you would like to participate, a kind note, drawing, or small gesture of appreciation would mean so much to our staff.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our wonderful teachers!