Ditto Elementary librarian Jeanie Murrow has been collecting rocks and other fossils for close to 50 years. Makes sense that it would take nine large tables to display those materials in the library for her students to see. During the second week in January, every Ditto class got a chance to see and touch the rock/fossil/petrified wood/mineral collection, getting a lesson in how rocks are formed and learning how fossils are a physical evidence of life long, long ago. | Ditto fourth-grade students Eva C. and Mason H. examine rocks during their library visit.  

How's this for combating bullies: confuse them by mix-matching clothing, all the way down to socks and shoes. This won't necessarily work, of course, but it certainly throws in a little fun over a pretty serious issue. "One of the best ways for students of this age to grasp what we're talking about is to keep their attention when talking about it, and often that is with fun and humor," Joe Scrivner said of junior high students. "Once you've got them, you've got them, and they are more inclined to listen to what you have to say." | Dallas Mavericks mascot Champ was both fun and business-like during the anti-bullying program at Carter Junior High.

In order to continue to promote engagement, creativity, critical thinking and achievement as a part of the district's Achieve Today. Excel Tomorrow. strategic plan, the Arlington ISD is preparing to open two Fine Arts/Dual Language academies beginning in the fall of 2015. As part of the 2014 Bond package, the district will repurpose Corey and Roquemore elementaries for these academies. | Incoming kindergarten students for the 2015-2016 school year can apply now for the new Fine Arts/Dual Language academies.