Fort Worth nixes plans for joint community center, elementary school
The idea was to bring the community into a school and a school into the community. Officials imagined a place where youngsters could mingle with senior citizens for art projects. Just last week, school trustees said the project at Rosemont Park would be the envy of other cities as Fort Worth created a unique building that would house both an elementary school and community center. But late yesterday afternoon, the project was ditched after concerns persisted that the building would take up too much park space and be located too close to planned gas wells. 

Fort Worth employers honored for help in education
Fort Worth had five of the 11 employers recognized by the state today for their efforts to get staff members to volunteer with local schools. This is the second year for the Employers for Education Excellence Award, which was created by the Legislature in 2007. They were: the city of Fort Worth for its 100 Mentors in 100 Days Program, that encourages workers to volunteer as mentors so at-risk youth will stay in school. Huckabee & Associates, Inc., where employees can take time off to attend parent-teacher conferences and school programs and to serve as tutors and role models for students in the Crowley school district

Orchestra classes could be coming to Mansfield
Mansfield school administrators want to build an orchestra program a little at a time for the next few years. A proposal to be reviewed by school trustees tonight calls for the district to add three stringed-instrument teachers next year to start a pre-orchestra program in the fifth grade. After that, the program will grow each year until it’s fully implemented in the district’s secondary schools in fall 2017, Fine Arts Director Russ Sanders said.In the past, Mansfield’s rapid expansion kept administrators focused on maintaining the quality of current programs instead of starting new ones, Sanders said. Now that stu

Snow will set a holiday mood at Carroll theater's musical
Carroll's student theater department is among the first public high schools in the nation to stage Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." Southlake-based Carroll is known for special effects and elaborate sets. After all, in 2007 they staged the first high school production of Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera," complete with a 600 pound chandelier. This time, 13 snow machines are planned to sprinkle snow over the audience, said Stacie Martinsen, theater director. Opening night is Dec. 4 and the show runs for two consecutive weekends through Dec. 13.  Cost is $15 to $25. Officials have added an another p

Mansfield teen's care package collection exceeds expectations
When Mansfield High School senior Charlie Jordan started the project that will help him become an Eagle Scout, he hoped to collect about 50 care packages to be sent to troops overseas through the Website www.anysoldier.com. Jordan's father, Richard Jordan, is serving with the Army National Guard in Afghanistan. It is his third deployment. Charlie Jordan wanted to