COMMITrEES: CAPITOL:

PO. Box 12068. Room J E.3

Educat ion, Chair
Au,tin, 787 J l
Finan(;e
Admini5lrali0l1
(5 12) 403-0 lOR
Dial 71 1 for Relay ail s
(512) 403-7579 (Fax)
Transportation and
Homo:: land Security
DISTRICT :
5000 egncy Dlive
Sui te 494
FLORENCE SHAPIRO
President Pro Tempore
Plano, 7502-l
Texas S tate Senator
2005
(<)72) 403-3404
(972) 403-3405 (Fax)
Di trict 8
Jul y L5, 20 11
Mr. Joe Pouncy
Principal, Newman Smith H.S.
2335 N. Josey Lane
Carrollton, TX 75006
Dear Mr. Pouncy:
Congratulations to Newman Smith High School for being named one of America's Best High
Schools by Newsweek! This honor reflects well on your students, teachers, administrators, and
support staff. When considering the expert panel that helped to revamp the methodology for
detemlining these rankings and the information that resulted from the magazine's national review
of high schools, it is clear how high the bar was raised. It is because of these particularly lofty
standards that ram especially proud to see your school on this distinguished list. It is also worth
noting that your numerous other honors--collected over many years now--illustrate the important
mark you are continuing to leave on the Can-oilton community. 1am thrilled that your school is
part of my District.
As we all know, a well -rounded education is what provides the building blocks for the future
development of our communities, state, nation, and worl d. The work being done at your school
is not only laudable, it is reassuring. I say reassuring because the efforts being made at your high
school will have a direct impact on ensuring that your students are college-ready, career-ready,
and When our young people are knowledgeable and engaged citizens, we know that
society will continue on a path toward enHghtenment and future prosperity.
It is telling that an impressive number of schools on the Newsweek list are located in Texas.
These findings illustrate how our great state is advancing in the real m of secondary education. I
wish I could come to your school and personall y congratulate everyone who contributed to the
success you're experiencing. There is no doubt that your accompl ishments will only grow with
time. Please know that I am struck by the work you're doing and expect continued great things
from your school. I commend you for a job well done and wish you all the best going forward.
Very truly yours,

Florence Shapiro