On a special day in first grade at H.S. Thompson STEAM Academy the cafeteria didn’t feel like a cafeteria at all. The stage was framed by balloons and a colorful backdrop. Children arrived dressed as princesses, princes, and storybook characters. Then, to a chorus of excited whispers, Cinderella and Prince Charming walked in, took their seats on stage, and began to read aloud. This wasn’t a district initiative; it was the vision of Carrie Bhasin, a volunteer who is one of Thompson Academy’s most dedicated advocates. Bhasin also represents one of thousands of volunteers in Dallas ISD whose contributions and…
Author: Gema Guevara
Para muchos, uno de los placeres más simples, pero más gratificantes en la vida es la lectura. No hay mayor gozo que habitar universos que surgieron de la imaginación de otra persona, explorar ideas de hombres y mujeres de épocas pasadas, y aprender nueva información que amplía el conocimiento del mundo. Las bibliotecas son lugares donde estos nuevos mundos están fácilmente disponibles. En honor al Mes de las Bibliotecas Escolares, celebrado en abril, se anima a los bibliotecarios a organizar actividades que refuercen el papel vital que las bibliotecas escolares desempeñan en el impulso del aprendizaje. Gracias a cambios en…
En una mañana de jueves inusualmente fría de marzo, los estudiantes y miembros del equipo de Seagoville High School se dirigieron al campo de fútbol después de los anuncios matutinos. Con el campo bañado por la luz del sol, la anticipación de las vacaciones de primavera en el aire y la música a todo volumen, todos se prepararon para el saque inicial del primer partido de fútbol entre el personal docente y los estudiantes atletas. Liderado por los maestros Yennifer Reyes, Daniel Seelig y Jennifer Wallens, el encuentro recaudó fondos para Link Crew, un programa que empareja a estudiantes de…
For many, one of the simplest, but most fulfilling, pleasures in life is reading. There is no greater enjoyment than inhabiting universes that arose out of someone else’s imagination, entertaining ideas of men and women long gone, and learning new information that expands knowledge of the world. Libraries are where these new worlds are readily available. In honor of School Library Month, celebrated in April, librarians are encouraged to host activities that reinforce the vital role that school libraries play in empowering learning. Thanks to changes in schools, such as the device-free policy, foot traffic in libraries has increased, and…
On an unusually cold Thursday morning in March, Seagoville High School students and team members filed onto the soccer field after morning announcements. With a field bathed in sunlight, the anticipation of spring break in the air, and music blasting from a sound speaker, they all got ready for the kickoff of the first ever soccer match between staff and student athletes. Headed up by teachers Yennifer Reyes, Daniel Seelig, and Jennifer Wallens, the soccer match raised funds for Link Crew, a program that pairs up freshmen with upperclassmen who can help them navigate the high school experience. The proceeds…
La lectura es importante en la School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove, y los estudiantes celebraron Read Across America Day con una visita de Morr Meroz, autor de la novela gráfica “Snowlands”. Meroz empezó el encuentro con un juego de siluetas de los personajes de su novela. Encima de las siluetas aparecían preguntas: “¿El mejor líder?”, “¿el más astuto?”, “¿el más gracioso?”. Con las manos alzadas, los estudiantes daban sus respuestas a viva voz. Cuando Meroz les pedía, algunos incluso defendieron sus elecciones. Las visitas de autores a las escuelas son una forma común de alentar a…
Reading is important at the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove, and students celebrated Read A cross America Day with a visit from Morr Meroz, author of the graphic novel “Snowlands.” Meroz began the meet-and-greet with a fun game consisting of a series of slideshows displaying scalloped silhouettes of characters in the novel. Questions appeared above the row of silhouettes: Best leader? Most clever? Funniest? With hands up in the air, students shouted out their answers. Prompted by Meroz, some even defended their choices. Author school visits are a common way to encourage students to read and…
When most people think of Dallas ISD, they picture classrooms, teachers, and students. Jermauld Cobbs, director of Fleet Services, thinks about trucks, fuel, ice melt, work orders, and pallets of supplies having to move before sunrise. Cobbs is a homegrown leader — a graduate of David W. Carter High School, he pursued engineering studies at Prairie View A&M University. He came back to Dallas ISD as an employee, and will soon celebrate 30 years at Dallas ISD. . “I started with the district back in 1996 and have been here ever since,” he said. Today, Cobbs oversees the Service Center…
When Edwin Dubois, principal of H. Grady Spruce High School, stands before students, he doesn’t see a random crowd of teenagers. He sees the future of the neighborhood where he grew up—and a calling he can’t ignore. “I want people to know that it’s a new day here at Spruce,” Dubois said. “Whatever yesterday’s view of Spruce was, we want people to see about today.” A Dallas ISD legacy, Dubois grew up in the Pleasant Grove community and graduated from Skyline High School. While his professional life didn’t begin in the classroom, the fire was lit once he began substitute…
In 47 years of serving Dallas ISD Food & Child Nutrition Services, Brenda Jackson can count on one hand how many days she’s missed work—just one. In an era where job-hopping is the norm, her colleagues still marvel at her reliability, because for Jackson, the job was never just about serving meals—it was about serving people. This past December, Jackson—who was the food service assistant at Maria Luna Food Service Facility—hung up her apron one final time. Her story with the district began in 1978 at two schools, the now defunct Pearl C. Anderson Middle Learning Center and David Crockett…