Prosper - Celina Edition | November 2023

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Prosper Celina Edition VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 NOV. 30DEC. 26, 2023

2023 Higher Education Guide

From left, Rock Hill High School students Sophie Adkins, Kari Gupta and Shruthika Senthilkumar learn about the parts of a heartbeat rhythm in their electrocardiogram technician course as part of Prosper ISD’s career and technical program.

HANNAH JOHNSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Students ready for futures with career programs

EKG Technician exam, she said. This prepares them for jobs after graduation or for further education. “It gives them a really good foundation,” Lewis said.

Students from Rock Hill High School’s electrocar- diogram technician program are trained to work in a hospital, Health Science teacher Lori Lewis said. Students in the program undergo 40 clinical hours in a hospital while training for their Certied

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

Prosper and Celina ISDs’ career-focused programs are geared toward students’ post-high school futures. These programs have seen an increase in recent years at both districts.

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: Prosper Wine House opens downtown (Page 7)

Government: Meet the new Celina City Council member (Page 11)

News: Find out election results from November (Page 19)

Nonprofit: Celina nonprot saves donkeys (Page 29)

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

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Impacts

peels and eyebrow waxing. Chin, lips and underarm waxing are also available, according to Golden Soul Esthetics’ website. • Opened Oct. 1 • 4580 W. University Drive, Ste. 90, Prosper • www.gsoulesthetics.com 3 Rally House The store sells officially licensed collegiate and professional sports apparel, including jerseys, hats,

W. BROADWAY ST.

1385

FRONTIER PKWY.

PARVIN RD.

FIRSTST.

E. PROSPER TRL.

Prosper

T-shirts and more. • Opened Oct. 20 • 930 S. Preston Road, Prosper • www.rallyhouse.com

LOVERS LN.

289

COUNTY RD.

FISHTRAP RD.

FIRST ST.

2 9 10

LOVERS LN.

UNIVERSITY DR.

380

4 Liquorville The location sells beer, wine and various spirits. • Opened Oct. 19 • 1090 N. Coit Road, Ste. 50, Prosper • www.facebook.com/liquorvilleprosper 5 Men’s Wearhouse The men’s retail chain offers clothing options along with suits and tuxedo rentals. • Opened Nov. 2 • 1021 S. Preston Road, Prosper • www.menswearhouse.com

RICHLAND BLVD.

289

423

MAP NOT TO SCALE

PGA PKWY.

VIRGINIA PKWY.

• Opened mid-August; grand opening held Oct. 26 • 4580 W. University Drive, Ste. 90, Prosper • www.theniceneedleandspa.com 2 Golden Soul Esthetics Facial care services include customized facials, chemical

Now open

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BY DUSTIN BUTLER, SAMANTHA DOUTY & ALEX REECE

according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A company representative said the store is still in the “build-out and construction phase,” and an opening date has not been finalized. The store will offer a variety of cookies in traditional and specialty flavors. • 1555 US 380, Prosper • www.crumblcookies.com 9 Hungry Platters The restaurant is under new ownership. Married couple Kristina and Tasos Kaiafas purchased the business in July. The restaurant offers Greek and Mediterranean food staples, including pita wraps and baklava. • 4740 W University Drive, Ste. 90, Prosper • www.hungryplatters.com 10 Kroger The grocer’s staff held a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 25 to celebrate recent renovations at the Windsong Ranch location. Renovations include upgraded decor; new displays and refrigerated cases in the service deli, and meat and seafood sections; updates to the produce and floral departments; and a grocery aisle reset with the addition

Coming soon

Now open

6 Frost Bank The bank will offer checking and savings accounts as well as loans, investments and other specialty banking services. The new location is part of an expansion into North Texas that will triple the number of Frost Bank branches, a company representative said. • Opening in spring 2024 • Preston Road and Richland Boulevard • www.frostbank.com 7 Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe The cafe serves gourmet macaroni and cheese dishes with add-ins such as chipotle chicken and barbecue pork, according to its website. It also offers pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. The chain’s first Texas location is planned to open in McKinney in February. • Opening August 2024 • Southwest corner of Frontier Parkway and Preston Road • www.picklemans.com

11 Prosper Wine House Along with wine, the business also serves a small selection of beer and seltzer, and it offers charcuterie boards and other appetizers, such as tomato bruschetta, and hummus and pita. • Opened Nov. 5

• 209 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.prosperwinehouse.com

In the news

of new natural and healthy selections. • 4650 W. University Drive, Prosper • www.kroger.com

8 Crumbl Cookies The cookie chain is expected to open in Prosper,

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Impacts

BY DUSTIN BUTLER, SAMANTHA DOUTY & ALEX REECE

Now open

1 Parchaus at Celina Parkway The housing rental company oers several housing options with individual unit and community amenities. • Opened Nov. 2 • 2001 S. Celina Parkway, Celina • www.parchauscelina.com

289

455

Coming soon

134

2 Desi District The restaurant serves a variety of Indian dishes, including vegetarian options, a company spokesperson said. In addition, Desi District will serve ice cream and include a meat market. • Opening in January 2025 • 400 W. Frontier Parkway, Celina • www.desidistrict.com 3 Green Meadows Montessori Located inside Celina’s Green Meadows neighborhood, the school plans to oer both half-day and full-day education for children ages 12 months to 6 years.

455

1385

455

Celina

S. CELINA PKWY.

• Opening mid-summer 2024 • 17121 Flagstone Drive, Celina • A website has not yet been created

428

2478

4 Kolache Shoppe The shop sells sweet and savory kolaches with llings that include apricot, poppy seed and apple, sausage and smoked brisket. • Opening early January • 605 S. Preston Road, Ste. 100, Celina • www.kolacheshoppe.com

FLAGSTONE DR.

FRONTIER PKWY.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

GARDEN DR.

In the news

of Licensing and Regulation for a new Taco Bueno in Celina. According to the ling, construction is expected to nish in February. An opening date is unavailable. • Preston Road and Frontier Parkway, Celina • www.tacobueno.com

• 7232 CR 134, Celina • www.riseupinvestment.com

5 Golden Ranches Celina West The residential development will have 47 lots in Phase 1, a developer representative said. A groundbreaking will be held Nov. 25. A second phase will be done on the east side of the property with about 48 lots.

6 Taco Bueno A project has been led with the Texas Department

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Government

BY ALEX REECE

Celina ocials select Robert Ranc for city manager position

Prosper to consider ‘no-thru’ truck routes Prosper Town Council members discussed updating an eight year old ordinance regarding where the town’s no-through truck routes are located during an Oct. 24 work session meeting. The gist Updating the routes would help Prosper handle the amount of trac it’s seeing as the area and surrounding infrastructure continues to grow and change, according to a meeting presentation. The last time Prosper’s no-through routes were updated was with a 2015 ordinance, Police Chief Douglas Kowalski said. Keep in mind The only way to update the routes would be with a new ordinance replacing the 2015 update, Kowalski said. Local deliveries would not be aected by any changes, just the larger commercial trucks passing through town, Kowalski said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the city of Celina as city manager, and my

family and I are excited to be part of such a dynamic and growing community.” ROBERT RANC, CELINA CITY MANAGER

Celina City Council members have conrmed Robert Ranc as the next city manager, according to a Nov. 15 city news release. In case you missed it Ranc was one of three nalists for the position, one of whom was interim City Manager Karla Stovall, following a nationwide search, according to the news release. “Of all the candidates reviewed by the council, Ranc had the broadest experience in public service and presented himself in such a way that he seemed to be the best t with Celina’s vision and values,” Celina Mayor Ryan Tubbs said in the news release. About the candidate Ranc’s city administration experience spans across the U.S., according to the news release. Here is a quick look at his previous experience: • 2021-present: deputy city manager of Dublin, Ohio • 2018-21: deputy city manager of Burleson, Texas

• 2015-18: assistant city administrator of Lehi, Utah • 2013-15: assistant to the city manager of Lehi, Utah “Celina presents opportunities and challenges not only with issues such as land use and infra- structure development, but it also provides the opportunity to build and grow an organization that is recognized for its commitment to excellence,” Ranc said in the news release. Stay tuned Ranc’s rst ocial day will be Jan. 8, 2024. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the city of Celina as city manager, and my family and I are excited to be part of such a dynamic and growing community,” Ranc said. Stovall is expected to continue acting as interim city manager before returning to her assistant city manager position in January. Celina council amends FY 202324 budget for additional reghters Celina City Council members amended their $195.52 million scal year 2023-24 budget by $664,284 during a special-called Oct. 27 meeting. The gist The funds will go toward bringing six re- ghters to the city’s incoming Fire Station No. 3, which is slated to open in January, interim City Manager Karla Stovall said. Funds for the reghters are available to the city through a three-year Stang For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, Stovall said. What else? The amendment should not have any eect on the other city department costs.

Funding reghters Celina City Council approved a budget amendment for the city’s re department.

COUNTRY RD.

LA CIMA BLVD.

Salaries

$423,226

Prosper’s $20M park on track for 2025 Prosper Town Council members heard an update on the $19.8 million Raymond Community Park progress during an Oct. 24 meeting. The details Park construction is expected to take 15 months and is slated to begin in January or February 2024, according to the meeting presentation. It should open in spring 2025.

Overtime

$12,000

$27,014 Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime

Payroll tax expense

$35,342

Group health insurance

$64,681

HSA benet

$6,000

$29,746 Retirement - Texas Municipal Retirement System

SOURCE: CITY OF CELINACOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY ALEX REECE

Brandon Grumbles takes Place 6 on Celina council Brandon Grumbles, owner of R&R Pest Control, was the only candidate to le for an empty Place 6 seat on the Celina City Council. As a local business owner who has lived in Celina for the past 43 years, one of Grumbles’ main reasons for applying for the council seat was to solidify Celina as a city his children would want to stay in, he said. Grumbles sat down with Community Impact in November. As a longtime resident, how have you seen the city change over that time? When I was in high school, I think the population was about 1,100 people. That’s just the biggest thing that I’ve seen is just the growth and where these houses are going—in all these pasture lands that, when I was a kid, had horses and cows and corn and wheat all in it. They’re houses now, subdivisions.

What got you to run for council? [My] dad was on [Celina] City Council. He was mayor pro tem back in the ‘90s. And I’ve been inter- ested in the small-town, the local politics for many years. I just want to have a voice for the actual hometown Celina resident. I see the growth that’s happening, and I really want it to be something that my grandparents, my great-grandparents would be proud [of]. I want this town to really be where my kids want to come back to live. What lessons from being on Celina’s Planning and Zoning Commission will you bring to council? First o, what I’ve learned with Planning and Zoning is the design standards that are required in the city. They’re really good. They want good trees, they want good parks. It looks as if they are trying to make Celina a family-oriented community.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

Brandon Grumbles was the lone applicant for Celina City Council’s vacant seat.

COURTESY BRANDON GRUMBLES

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Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

PISD board talks attendance zones

Celina ISD OKs 2024-25 academic calendar Celina ISD students can expect up to 30 days off in the 2024-25 school year. The district’s board of trustees approved the academic calendar Nov. 13. The fall semester is 84 days and the spring semester will have 89. Sorting out the details The school year starts on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Thanksgiving break for students will be Nov. 25-29, while teachers will have professional devel- opment Nov. 25-27. Christmas break will start with an early release day Dec. 20 with students returning Jan. 7, 2025. Spring break will span March 17-21. Additional staff and student holidays include: • Columbus Day • Martin Luther King Jr. Day Two emergency closure days are scheduled for April 18 and April 21. The last day of school will be May 23, 2025. Prosper ISD reports growth in AP, dual credit More Prosper ISD students are taking Advanced Placement and dual credit courses than ever before. The number of students taking Advanced Place- ment courses has increased 123% from the 2018-19 school year, said Seth Rutledge, PISD’s director of advanced academics, during an Oct. 16 board meeting. For dual credit courses, enrollment has grown 140% since the 2019-20 school year, he said. “The growth in AP and dual credit is tremen- dous,” Rutledge said. Diving in deeper In 2019, 892 students took an AP course, Rut- ledge said. This number grew to 1,986 students in the 2022-23 school year. During that time, 5,122 AP courses were taken, according to district data. “Our students are seeking out those opportu- nities, and our teachers are getting them in and keeping them in,” Rutledge said. “Not only are we getting more kids in, they’re getting more oppor- tunities for college credit.”

Advanced academic courses 32 19 27 Advanced placement courses Core dual credit courses Career and technical courses

Prosper ISD attendance zones are expected to look different in the 2024-25 school year. The overview Two new schools are opening in August, creating a change in attendance boundaries, Deputy Superintendent Greg Bradley said at a Nov. 13 meeting. Changes will be done in the southern por- tion of PISD. The affected schools include: • Spradley Elementary School

SOURCE: PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

For dual credit courses, PISD works with Collin College. Students are able to take college courses with the college’s professors and graduate with a high school and college transcript, he said. In the 2019-20 school year, there were 439 students in dual credit classes. By the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, this has grown to over 1,000 students, Rutledge said. “Our students really have the opportunity to get ahead here,” he said. Check this out For the past two summers, any students from schools that Collin College partners with for dual credit courses have had the opportunity to take two college courses—equivalent to six credit hours—for free, Rutledge said.

• Hays Middle School • Rogers Middle School

“While we do our best to draw maps that make sense, we understand that we can’t know every story in Prosper ISD.”

GREG BRADLEY, PROSPER ISD DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

Celina ISD sees increase in bilingual program The number of non-English-proficient stu- dents in Celina ISD has increased about 208% Emergent bilingual students

from the 2020-21 school year to 2023-24. “We’re seeing quite a bit of growth really quickly,” Emergent Bilingual Coordinator Vanessa Hurtado-Jaramillo said during at an Oct. 16 board meeting where she gave a presen- tation on the program. The background The district’s bilingual program is called the dual language one-way program, Hur- tado-Jaramillo said. Students are classified as non-English-proficient and are learning Spanish and English at the same time, she said. Prekindergarten through first grade students have reading and language, science and social studies taught in Spanish. English as a second language program is meant to make academic content accessible to English learners. Diving in deeper In the 2020-21 school year, 243 students were

800

600

400

200

2020-21

School year 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24*

*AS OF AUGUST

SOURCE: CELINA ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

classified as emergent bilingual, according to district data. This has grown by 208% at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. The percentage of students classified as emergent bilingual across the district has grown from 6.4% in the 2020-21 school year to 16.2% in the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, according to district data.

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Transportation

BY COLBY FARR

TxDOT officials choose blue alignment for US 380 bypass

Upon completing the environmental impact review, the Texas Department of Transportation has selected an alignment for the US 380 project. The gist In September, TxDOT published a final environ- mental impact statement and record of decision document. It summarized potential environmental impacts for each alignment and determined the blue alignment as the preferred alternative. The blue alignment is composed of segments A, C and E. Three other alignments were considered during environmental review. Constructing the chosen alignment is projected to cost about $3.27 billion and is the second-least expensive option, according to the document. Funding has only been partially acquired. The details The blue alignment could potentially displace the highest number of businesses—38—and second

LAUD HOWELL PKWY.

RIDGE RD.

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161

Prosper

W I LMETH RD.

124

WILMETH RD.

LAKE FOREST DR.

143

McKinney

380

2933

RIDGE RD.

1827

HARDIN DR.

VIRGINIA PKWY.

AIRPORT DR.

highest number of residences—26—according to the TxDOT document. Most displacements would occur east of Custer Road. The alignment also requires the second highest number of major utility relocations at 12. The only public park expected to be impacted is Prosper’s planned Rutherford Park, which is located along US 380.

Zooming out The US 380 bypass project began in 2016 when the Collin County Commissioners Court deter- mined additional freeway infrastructure was needed due to the region’s growth. In February, TxDOT hosted a public hearing in McKinney after completing an environmental impact study that started in 2020.

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News

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Collin County voter turnout Collin County voters had ve propositions on the Nov. 7 ballot related to infrastructure. Against For The bond items look to address popu- lation growth in the county, ocials said. These upgrades include improvements to roads, the animal shelter, justice facilities and more. About 98,262 ballots were cast county- wide, which represents 13.91% of voters. Collin County voters favor all 5 bond items Election results show voters are in favor of all ve Collin County bond propositions. The details

Cook Children’s facilities see inux of RSV, u patients Doctors across Cook Children’s medical system are urging parents to follow guidelines for children experiencing minor respiratory symptoms before seeking emergency treatment, according to a Nov. 10 news release. What you need to know Cook Children’s Medical Centers in Fort Worth and Prosper as well as its seven Urgent Care “This is higher than historical volumes in years past and is certainly enough capacity to stretch our resources and to overburden them and create some wait times within our clinics.” DR. AMY RICHARDSON, A COOK CHILDREN’S PHYSICIAN

State names Celina lm-friendly city A Nov. 14 news release from the Texas Film Commission, a branch of the Gover- nor’s Oce of Economic Development and Tourism rst created in 1971, announced Celina’s designation as a lm-friendly city. “I am grateful the Texas Film Commission selected Celina as a Film Friendly Texas Cer- tied Community,” Mayor Ryan Tubbs said in the news release. “This adds great value to multimedia projects and professionals in and around our city.” The big picture The Texas Film Commission serves to grow local jobs and economies by promoting Texas as a destination for lm, television, visual eects, animation, video game, extended reality and commercial production projects, according to the news release. Clinics are experiencing an inux of patients with respiratory illnesses, such as respiratory syncytial virus, the u and COVID-19. The inux is leading to overcrowded waiting rooms and extended wait times, ocials said. As of Nov. 8, about 97.6% of Cook Children’s pediatric beds were occupied in Dallas-Fort Worth, said Laura Van Hoosier, assistant vice president of public relations and communications. Learn more Following these guidelines can reduce trac to Cook Children’s emergency departments and Urgent Care clinics while reducing wait times and exposure to respiratory viruses, ocials said. Seek immediate care if: • An infant under 2 months old has a temperature

greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit • A child is breathing faster than usual or the skin between ribs is being sucked in • A child is requiring frequent use of their albuterol rescue inhaler or is having worsening asthma symptoms • A baby is dehydrated (parents will see fewer wet diapers or a lack of tears) Quote of note “The big things that we want to stress is if your child is having minor symptoms—cough, cold symptoms. If they have minor fevers, ... please reach out to your pediatrician rst,” said Dr. Taylor Louden, of Cook’s Children. Voters OK $2.7 billion through Prosper ISD bond package Prosper ISD voters have approved three of the four bond propositions—and said no to a new athletic stadium, according to Nov. 7 election results. “We are profoundly grateful for the over- whelming support shown by our community,” Superintendent Holly Ferguson said in an online statement. “The 2023 bond isn’t just an invest- ment in the present, it is a commitment that will resonate positively within our community for generations to come.” The bond looked at addressing the increase in student population, ocials said. The district is expected to grow to nearly 46,000 students over the next decade, district data shows. Proposition A, which would provide for new

Prop A

Prop B

Prop C

Prop D

Prop E

SOURCE: COLLIN COUNTY ELECTIONSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Prosper ISD voters had the opportunity to vote for four bond package items during the Nov. 7 election.

SAMANTHA DOUTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

schools, buses and other district facility needs, passed with 66.65% of votes. Proposition B, meant to upgrade technology, passed with 64.75% of votes. Votes for Proposition C, which would provide a new athletic stadium and upgrades to current facilities, stalled with 46.28% of votes for the item and 53.72% against it. The new performing arts center in Proposition D passed with 56.88% of votes. The district’s board of trustees canvassed the election results during a Nov. 13 board meeting.

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Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

Higher Education Guide

2023

Local college enrollment

Fall student enrollment

Largest academic programs by enrollment Fall 2022

Prosper and Celina residents have a local Collin College campus in Celina. The college serves all of Collin County with locations in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Farmersville and Rockwall. Collin College as a whole has seen an increase in fall student enrollment following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

35K

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

12,703

34K

Business, Management, Marketing and related Support Services

5,036

33K

Collin College 2505 Kinship Parkway, Celina www.collin.edu

Health professions and related programs 4,378 Computer and information sciences and support services 2,751 Visual and performing arts 1,656 SOURCE: TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

32K

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Education

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & HANNAH JOHNSON

Collin College sees enrollment growth

What’s next

As Collin County’s population has boomed in recent years, Collin College’s enrollment has followed suit. The school’s student body increased 8% year over year heading into the 2023 fall semester. Abe Johnson, Collin College senior vice president of campus operations, said the college has expanded over the last three years, opening new campuses, launching programs and expanding dual enrollment opportunities. Dual enrollment students make up 28% of the college’s credit enrollment and have been the biggest area of growth for the school, which partners with all of the school districts in its area, ocials said. Since 2021, Collin College campuses have opened in Celina and Wylie, and a technical campus opened in Allen.

Fall semester enrollment

New campuses and new programs could be in Collin College’s future. Johnson said school ocials plan to expand workforce programs in the next several years and add a fth baccalaureate program to its current lineup which includes: • Clinical Operations Management • Construction Management • Cybersecurity • Nursing He also added Collin College owns properties in Anna and Royse City, but any new campuses won’t be built until “much further down the line.” “Our immediate plan of attack is to look at the campuses we do have,” Johnson said.

Total credit students Dual enrollment students

33,996

21.16%

35,392

26.21%

33,690

19.86%

35,085

25.51%

28.45%

37,998

SOURCE: COLLIN COLLEGECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Connected. Exceptional.

Learn about the NEW Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Operations Management. Apply and register for spring classes!

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Education

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

The Tutoring Center in Prosper oers reading, writing and math tutoring services.

The Tutoring Center builds student condence, collaboration in Prosper

“I feel that we’re rallying around the student,” Maldonado said. “The parents, the teachers and ourselves at the center. We’re really trying to help that student to close any decits or gaps and get them on track.” Students are tutored in a 2:1 ratio, Maldonado said, which allows for individualized instruction that is engaging and interactive. Quote of note “I see this as a service and as a resource for parents who are seeking help for their children,” Maldonado said. “My goal is to ensure that I support both the children and the parents.”

Owner Yvette Maldonado began her teaching career in 1992 but left after ve years to help her husband open a restaurant. She returned to education when she opened The Tutoring Center in March 2021. “I’ve been a small business owner for the last 25 years,” Maldonado said. “After his run ... I decided to do what is my calling.” What parents should know The Tutoring Center oers read- ing, writing and math services for kindergartners to high school seniors, what Maldonado called “the three basics.” In addition, the center will also collaborate with teachers in Prosper ISD.

Your power can take you anywhere.

And you’ve got us along for wherever life takes you. You’ve got this.

E. PROSPER TRAIL

289

BSWHealth.com

1170 N. Preston Road, Ste. 180, Prosper www.tutoringcenter.com

Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2023 Baylor Scott & White Health. 99-ALL-948158 GD

Yvette Maldonado was a teacher.

PROSPER CELINA EDITION

From the cover

Students ready for futures with career programs

The approach

The big picture

PISD officials are working to offer more certi- fications through the CTE program, said Christie Micks, a Rock Hill computer science teacher. “We have to target what we’re wanting [stu- dents] to do in the workforce,” Micks said. Learning a variety of computer coding languages helps students when compiling a portfolio for college and job applications, Rock Hill student Natalia Cano said. “You can really find what you want to do by taking CTE courses,” said the high school senior, who plans to major in computer science in college. A student can learn if they don’t like a field, but can also become passionate about a program while still in school, Contreras said. “There’s a benefit to picking and choosing one program of study and sticking with it,” he said.

Health science is one career and technical education, or CTE, program offered through PISD. While the course is focused on health care, students learn transferable skills, such as professional communication with patients. “[Communication] is a big skill that is lacking at the high school level,” Lewis said. “These kids get a great benefit by talking to real-life people.” For CISD, the CTE program offerings have more than doubled since 2019, the district’s Director Ryan Contreras said. In that time, student enrollment for the CTE program has grown

90% for the fall semester of the 2023-24 school year, he said. Contreras said students do not pay out of pocket for CTE courses and only pay for Collin College tuition when it is a dual credit course. Those who take advanced courses benefit from exploring careers and gaining experience in a field, Contreras said. “[Students] get practical experience and can go out and apply it into the real-life business world,” he said.

Celina ISD

Prosper ISD

Highest-enrolled career and technical education programs

14 programs

12 programs

Health care therapeutic 228 Family community service 476 Celina ISD Enrollment

10 certifications offered

29 certifications offered

$160-$170 * tuition per semester for Collin College courses

$188 tuition per semester for Collin College courses

1,877 students enrolled in fall semester of 2023-24 school year

8,479 ** students enrolled in fall semester of 2023-24 school year

Prosper ISD Enrollment

Engineering and computer science

1474

SOURCES: CELINA ISD, PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT *FEES NOT CONSIDERED IN COST **ENROLLED MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE AN APPROXIMATION

Health science

1352

SOURCES: CELINA ISD, PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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About the program

Going forward

In the advanced levels of CTE courses, students complete a practicum to get hands-on experience in their field, Contreras said. “The goal is to make sure students are career ready [and] either prepare them for college or jobs,” he said. In PISD’s CTE health science program, students get experience in hospitals, nursing homes and emergency medical care through a Collin College practicum, Director of Advanced Academics Seth Rutledge said at an Oct. 16 board meeting. “[Students] are getting hands-on practice they wouldn’t get otherwise,” he said. Students in a CTE course are more likely to come to school and succeed, Contreras said. CTE learners, which are students taking at least two career and technical courses, outperform peers on all areas of State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness end-of-course assessments, PISD’s CTE director Julie Anderson said. Earning industry-based certification makes students

The health science program has grown the most in CISD’s CTE program, Contreras said. The program had its first cohort go through the program and had 12 students earn a Certified Nurse Assistant or Patient Care Technician certification in the 2022- 23 school year. In the next school year, Contrereas said the district is working to expand into pharmacology. “It gives students another option with the health science program of study,” he said. CISD is also working to pilot an Esports program with Region 10 Education Service Center, a regional agency that supports public schools. The district works with Region 10 to track trends and work closely with workforce development, he said. “We want to make sure we develop the student in the whole picture,” Contreras said.

Ondria Wilson and Sierra Bates, Rock Hill High School students, practice bedside manner in their EKG class.

HANNAH JOHNSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT

marketable for college and jobs, she said. “Our students are seen as more valuable for entry into college,” Anderson said. The programs also encourage participation through student organizations, such as Future Farmers of America and Health Occupations Students of America, he said. “There’s a real benefit to CTE. … It prepares them for life after high school,” Contreras said.

INNOVATION MEETS EDUCATION: UNT FRISCO'S PROJECT DESIGN AND ANALYSIS PROGRAM SHAPES TOMORROW'S LEADERS Q&A The story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team. Students in the Project Design and Analysis program at University of North Texas at Frisco have the unique opportunity to work with local business leaders to solve real industry problems and gain valuable experience through project-based learning. Kevin Sanders, Director of Project-Based Learning, explains the principles of project-based learning, its practical applications at the university and how this approach better equips students for their future careers.

Kevin Sanders, Director of Project-Based Learning

Can you give a basic definition of project-based lear�ing? Sanders: Project-based learning is a concept in which we try to build a curriculum around a centralized project throughout the course of the semester. At UNT at Frisco, we build that project around an industry partner. We identify an industry problem and we work to solve that problem throughout the course of the semester. How do you think that prepares students for what they’re going to do after college? Sanders: I think it really heightens the stakes because they’re not working with a simulation or theoretical problem. They’re working with something that somebody from an industry has actually identified as something that they need help with. One of the benefits of project-based learning is that it does increase the degree of authorship and ownership that a student has over their work. Our students are getting a chance to see what works and what doesn’t work because they’re getting feedback in real time. Therefore, when our students are going to work full time and doing interviews after they graduate, they have a little bit of a better grasp of what works and how to take those things from a classroom and actually apply them to the real world. Read the full interview and learn more

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PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Real estate

Number of homes sold

October 2022

October 2023

Residential market data

75009

Each ZIP code area saw more houses sold in October 2023 compared to the same period last year. Each area also saw increases in the average days a home was on the market, including a nearly 63% increase in the 75009 ZIP code area.

+41.18%

75078

377

289

+27.9%

76227

117

380

+24.79%

146

75009

75078

76227

Median home sales price

2022

2023

Homes sold in the Prosper and Celina area by price point

75009

+2.68%

$631,495

$615,000

October 2023

75078

+0.3%

$775,000

$772,500

$1 million+

76227

-2.96%

$385,245

$397,000

$700,000-$999,999

Average days on market

$400,000-$699,999

132

+62.50%

+7.8%

+15.79%

$100,000-$399,999

<$100,000

MARKET DATA COMPILED BY COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS • WWW.CCAR.NET

75009

75078

76227

RECENT SALES IN PROSPER AND CELINA (214) 550-8200 • jeff@cheneygroup.com • www.cheneygroup.com

Prosper Lake on Preston 1800 Shadybank Court, Prosper, TX 75078

Cambridge Crossing 2929 Eccelston Street, Celina, TX 75009

Windsong Ranch 4690 Durst Lane, Prosper, TX 75078

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY ALEX REECE

Methodist Health System holds topping-out ceremony

The nal beam has been secured at the top of Celina’s soon-to-be-open hospital. City leaders, health care ocials, hospital representatives and dozens of attendees celebrated the construction progress for the incoming Methodist Health System hospital Oct. 20. A topping-out ceremony is a Scandinavian tradition to celebrate placing the last beam on a roof and includes those in attendance signing their names on the last steel beam, ocials said. A small tree was also added, another tradition. “The tradition symbolizes progress, unity and dedication,” said Pamela Stoyano, Methodist Health System’s president and chief operating o cer.

Celina Mayor Ryan Tubbs adds his name to the nal beam as part of the topping-out ceremony.

The hospital will be a four-story, 200,000-square-foot facility.

PHOTOS BY ALEX REECECOMMUNITY IMPACT

The details

Stay tuned

Construction on the new $237 million facility, located at the corner of Dallas Parkway and FM 428, broke ground April 4, according to a Method- ist Health System news release. “In no time at all, you’ll be ready to open your doors to our residents and for the neighboring towns around us, and you will be an anchor to this health care corridor,” Celina Mayor Ryan Tubbs said. It will be the health care system’s 13th hospital. “It really is exciting to see [the hospital] come out of the ground,” Methodist Health System CEO James Scoggin, Jr. said. “We can’t wait to serve Celina, [and] we can’t wait to serve the surround- ing areas.”

The four-story, 200,000-square-foot space will include:

The hospital is expected to open in early 2025. “We look forward to you being the heartbeat of our city going forward,” Tubbs said.

30 medical-surgical beds 12 emergency department beds 10 postpartum beds 8 intensive care unit beds

3 operating rooms, including a da Vinci surgical robot, and shell space for an additional operating room 2 procedure rooms 1 cardiac catheterization lab

289

428

W. GLENDENNING PKWY.

SOURCE: METHODIST HEALTH SYSTEMCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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PROSPER CELINA EDITION

Events

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

December

Light the Night! Contest Light the Night! is the town’s annual holiday decorating contest. The contest is open to all residents and business owners located in the Town of Prosper. Judging is based on exterior curb appeal. • Nov. 30-Dec. 10 • Free • Prosper • www.prospertx.gov Cigar & Bourbon Tasting Night Several bourbons from Laws Whiskey House will be available for tasting. Attendees will also receive one cigar for the evening. • Dec. 2, 7-9 p.m. • $20 • The Nook CKMC, 1230 Homestead Court, Celina 3D Printing Workshop with Wally The Prosper Library will host a 3D printing workshop. The workshop will explore the basics in a 30-45 minute session. A demonstration will also be provided, and it is a workshop for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. • Dec. 5, 6 p.m. • Free • 250 W. First St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/306/library Christmas sing along at The Gin The Prosper Library and The Gin will partner for a Christmas sing along. The event will include holiday stories, songs and an appearance from Mrs. Claus. • www.thenookckmc.com/events/ cigar-and-bourbon-tasting-night • Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m. • Free (admission) • 204 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/documentcenter/view/2182/ fall-program-2023-pdf Celina Gift Tour The City of Celina and the Celina Economic Development Corporation are partnering for the city’s

Countdown to Christmas Everyday leading up to Christmas will feature a different activity in the Downtown Celina square. Some of the events will include photos with Santa on Dec. 2, a Toys for Tots drive on Dec. 5 and more.

• Dec. 1-Dec. 24, times vary • Free • 141 N. Ohio St., Celina • www.lifeincelinatx.com/countdown

• www.prospertx.gov/documentcenter/view/2182/ fall-program-2023-pdf

annual shopping event, held in Downtown Celina. Attendees will receive a complimentary holiday shopping bag and a map of participating downtown shops. Each shop will hand out a special gift to fill the holiday bag. • Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • $55 • 142 N. Ohio St., Celina • www.lifeincelinatx.com/gifttour To-Go Snow Globe Ornament Craft Kit This take-home craft allows children ages 11-17 to design a snow globe ornament for their home. Patrons are asked to email the library to reserve a to-go craft kit. • Dec. 13-Dec. 16 • Free • 200 S. Main St., Prosper

Christmas Break Scavenger Hunt Students age 17 and younger are encouraged to stop by the Prosper Community Library to pick up a holiday- themed scavenger hunt list. Once complete, lists can be returned for a small prize. • Dec. 16-Dec. 30 • Free • 200 S. Main St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/documentcenter/view/2182/ fall-program-2023-pdf

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