CFB Celebrates Newman Smith HS 2018 Bond Renovations, NAF Academy powered by Raytheon Technologies with Ribbon Cuttings

CFBISD celebrated 2018 voter-approved bond renovations including the school’s library and Innovation Alley, home of the NAF Academy powered by Raytheon Technologies, at Newman Smith High School on Sept. 19, 2022, with ribbon cutting ceremonies. 

The ceremony started in front of the school's library, where the building's official dedication plaque was revealed before the CFBISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. John Chapman cut the ribbon with City of Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick. 

Newman Smith HS teachers and staff along with representatives from Northstar Construction and LPA, Inc. were also in attendance. 

To read more about progress on the 2018 bond, please visit the CFBISD bond website. 

The ceremony then moved to the school’s auditorium for a grand opening presentation of the NAF Newman Smith Academy of Innovation powered by Raytheon Technologies. 

“Today is a day of celebration, as we recognize the partnership with NAF, Raytheon Technologies, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and others involved in developing a visionary curriculum and strategy for our new NAF Newman Smith Academy of Innovation,” Dr. Stephanie Jimenez, Newman Smith HS Principal, stated at the beginning of the ceremony.

NAF is a national non-profit that transforms the high school experience to prepare students for college, career, and future success. NAF works to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to integrate STEM infused, career-relevant curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.

“With the launch of the Academy of Innovation at Newman Smith High School, we will be able to reach even more students in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and prepare our future leaders for the cyber jobs of tomorrow,” said Liz Perez, NAF’s Chief Partnership Officer, at the ceremony. “NAF is extremely grateful to our dedicated partner, Raytheon Technologies, who has helped us once more, answer that call. Their executives and engaged employees have continued to share our commitment to diversifying workforce pipelines and supporting future talent to meet industry standards.”

During the presentation, Dr. Chapman thanked everyone who had a part in making the new NAF Hub come to fruition. 

“It is truly an honor to have the investment and backing of Raytheon Technologies, an elite leader in the technology and innovation spaces, in providing equitable access through the NAF Academy of Innovation,” he stated. “As we open the doors to this new academy this evening, we recognize and celebrate our journey together and extend our deepest gratitude to NAF, Raytheon Technologies, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and Newman Smith High School. As a result of your efforts, we are proud to offer students a career-focused curriculum, work-based learning opportunities, and the professional experiences they will need to catapult their success, in becoming the workforce leaders of tomorrow. We value the commitments that you have made that will make a difference for even more NAF students and help them to understand how their classroom education connects to the working world.”

Dr. Chapman also introduced Ross Evans, the NAF Newman Smith Academy of Innovation Lead. 

“It feels just like yesterday that we were kicking off our year of planning with NAF and Raytheon Technologies,” Evans said. “I’m so excited to launch this new academy and watch these students learn and grow.”

The evening ended with opportunities for attendees to take a tour with students through the school’s new NAF Hub to learn first hand about the facility.