Author: News and Information

While Texas was not selected to receive a $120 million federal grant to expand pre-kindergarten offerings throughout the state, Dallas Independent School District programs will not be negatively impacted. The U.S. Department of Education awarded 18 states nearly $226 million on Dec. 10 to grow their preschool programs. Texas had requested $120 million, but concerns about aspects of its application led federal officials to select other states. However, the lack of additional grant funds will not prevent the district from expanding its pre-K offerings, which serve more than 9,700 students. “Yesterday’s decision by the federal government will not slow down…

UPDATED: Feb. 16, 2015 The Dallas Independent School District has filled two important positions within its Human Capital Management department. The district has hired Shatana Allen to lead the Professional Standards Office, effective Dec. 1, and Cheston Chan was tabbed as the new director of Employee Relations effective Nov. 27. The district’s Professional Standards Office reviews allegations and complaints made about employees while the Employee Relations department manages disciplinary action of employees. Allen brings a wide range of experience from various human resources roles in both the public and private sector. Prior to Dallas ISD, Allen had held the title…

Four Dallas ISD elementary schools are among 22 schools across the nation that have been named finalists for the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) Excellence in Urban Education Award, which recognizes urban schools that serve socioeconomically disadvantaged students who are excelling academically. The four schools are: John Quincy Adams, Jimmie Tyler Brashear, John J. Pershing and Walnut Hill elementary schools. “These schools are extraordinary examples of what can be accomplished when we believe in the abilities of our students and provide high quality classroom instruction and other key supports that make a real difference,” said Superintendent Mike Miles.…

Fred Webb II, a teacher and coach in Dallas ISD, passed away Dec. 7, at his home. Funeral services are scheduled this week. Webb worked in the Dallas ISD for three years. He was an inclusion teacher at W.W. Samuell High School and an assistant football coach at South Oak Cliff High School. Funeral Services will be at noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at Concord Baptist Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive, Dallas, Texas 75237. Counselors were on hand at both Samuell and SOC to assist students and teachers in their grievance over the loss of Coach Webb.

Eight district students were chosen as finalists to advance to the 23rd Annual Gardere Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition, set for 11 a.m., Jan. 16, 2015, at the Majestic Theatre. In eloquent speeches, 14 district fourth- and fifth-graders shared with the audience what they felt Dr. King would have said in his acceptance speech if he were alive and won the Nobel Prize today. Each of the students wrote original essays and competed at the campus level for the opportunity to represent their school in the districtwide competition. Each student is judged on stage presence, delivery, content interpretation and…

Dallas ISD is breaking new ground with its Distinguished Teacher Review, or DTR, process. Principals across the district have identified their most effective teachers based on a set of criteria, and nominated them to be honored for their effectiveness in educating students. José Munoz is principal at Cesar Chavez Learning Center. His school is among the list of campuses to have eligible teachers move forward within the review process. “I think one of the things is to be visual learners, be visual teachers, showing presentations,” said Muñoz. Muñoz even pulled aside one of his teachers preparing for her DTR review.…

“We made history,” were the words spoken by fourth-grader Hannah Brown after her team won the first-ever Dallas ISD Elementary Geography Bowl competition this past weekend at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary. Students from six elementary schools participated in the competition, which focused on U.S. geography. The event allowed students to explore geographic issues while they increased their awareness about geography and the important role it plays in their lives. Students from Gilbert Cuellar Sr. Elementary took top honors, followed by Henry B. Gonzales Elementary and host school Dunbar coming in second and third, respectively. Dallas ISD Trustee Bernadette Nutall, District…

Students and staff at Dallas ISD’s John J. Pershing Elementary School participated in helping to make a dream come true for one of their fellow classmates. With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, first-grader Cindy Gonzalez lived her dream on Dec. 5, to become a teacher for day. Read more about Cindy’s day in an article written by the Dallas Morning News. LINK: http://educationblog.dallasnews.com/2014/12/dallas-isd-first-graders-wish-to-become-a-teacher-comes-true.html/ SEE ALSO: https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2014/12/05/make-a-wish-makes-a-students-dream-come-true/

Fitch Ratings recently upgraded the district’s underlying bond rating to AA+, while upgrading the district’s overall rating outlook from positive to stable. According to Fitch, the ratings reflect the district’s commitment to effective fiscal management. The full Business Wire story is below. LINK: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141125006133/en/Fitch-Rates-Dallas-ISD-TX-Series-2014B#.VII2mYcyDA5

It’s a dream come true. The Sunset High School Bisonettes Drill Team’s will get an opportunity of a lifetime to perform in Honolulu, Hawaii during the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on Dec. 7. As one of the district ‘s only traditional drill teams, that deliver high kicks in every performance, they are the only team from Texas to perform. They received a personal invitation by the parade’s performance director in a letter sent to Laura Cervera, the team’s sponsor. The letter read in part: “…We have a great respect for the program Laura has established at the school, and would be…