Austin Dunson

Best comment to see on the first day of school

Love that our Salt City Church family did this at Creek View Elementary this morning for the first day of school 💚

☀️Starting back-to-school week bright and early at KBTX with Karla Castillo interviewing College Station I.S.D. superintendent Dr. Tim Harkrider. There are lots of great things happening in CSISD — can’t wait for students to come back in just two days!

College Station ISD Early Education Services is ALL IN for our littlest learners! 💪📚✂️

This amazing team of support staff is prepping for the new school year by putting together fine motor skill kits, packed with all the tools tiny hands need to build big skills.

Thank you to this dedicated crew for being and making sure our youngest students start strong!

For the sixth consecutive year, CSISD has been named one of NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education!

This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of our music teachers and directors, the unwavering support of our parents and community, and the extraordinary talent of our students.

Thank you to everyone who helps make music a vital part of the student experience in our schools!

CSISD Fine Arts

Wellborn Middle School eighth-grade student Iryah Banks said her third-grade teacher encouraged her to start writing and she's been doing it ever since. Her favorite books to read are dystopian fiction novels, but she recently took a creative turn to co-author a book of poems with her grandmother. Their published collection is now available for students to check out from the WMS library.

This morning, they met with students and staff to share some of their work, talk about the writing process, and encourage others to find their own voice through poetry.

"All of my poems are like little skits or snippets of thought," said Iryah. "It takes me a while to get inspired, but when I get it, I have to write it down. I don't know why it works that way, but that's the way I like to write."

Here's one that stood out to me:

I'm Still Here!

The world may be going crazy...I'm still here.
The people are turning mean, and sneaky, but...I'm still here.
The world is ending, but...I'm still here.
So be there today and every day.
Be there for those who admire, love, and feel good in your presence.
Now be there to love, cry, laugh with the ones you love, need, and know.
Be there now, today, and forever.
And be proud to say...I'm still here.

–Iryah Banks

Last night was New Student Night at College Station I.S.D. elementary campuses, and I got to visit a handful around the district. My favorite moments to capture are these small ones, when a teacher gets down on a child’s level, invites them to play, or gently draws them into a conversation.

This happens every day in our schools, but these first moments are a big deal. It’s the beginning of trust, belonging, and a school experience that feels safe and welcoming from the start.

And it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes time, intention, and a whole lot of heart from the staff who prepare, stay late, smile wide, and make sure every child feels seen.

It’s not something everyone gets to see, but it deserves to be recognized and celebrated.