Author: The Hub

Spend the next 109 seconds catching up on many of the great things that happened across the district this week! Watch this video, or read below, to learn more. Pinning ceremony A pinning ceremony recognized the 36 students in the Samuell Early College High School program who are graduating high school with an associate degree. (Learn more) Going for Gold Dallas ISD competed in the 2017 UIL State Track and Field Championships and ran away with 28 medals. (Learn more) Shark Tank contestant visits Donald Elementary Shark Tank contestant Doug Marshall, who now runs a multi-million-dollar business, visited L.O. Donald Elementary School to challenge…

The Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) announced the appointment of several executives to district leadership positions. Former Dallas ISD educator Ivonne Durant has been named the district’s new chief academic officer. Durant previously served in Dallas ISD as a principal, executive director, area superintendent and chief academic officer. Most recently, she served as deputy of Academics and School Leadership in El Paso ISD where she provided guidance in the development of structure and procedures for academic and school leadership departments. Durant, who is highly experienced in school leadership and management, bilingual education and early childhood education, will join the…

On May 18,  Edwin J. Kiest Elementary hosted their first-ever College, Career and Health Fair. More than 30 vendors attended, ranging from colleges, hospitals and various careers.  The event was a huge success by allowing students to visit each table with their families in hopes of sparking the conversation at home about the students’ future.  The event was organized by school counselor Keich Willis, nurse Adrian Johnson, and teacher assistant Celeste Ruiz.

The MoneyGram Foundation and the nonprofit First Book teamed up to award Dallas ISD schools with a $25,5000 grant to purchase culturally relevant books to improve reading programs for schools. John F. Peeler Elementary School celebrated the grant with an interactive reading event that included appearances from FC Dallas soccer players, a futbolero performance, and a book reading by MoneyGram chairman Pam Patsley. Peeler Elementary will receive $3,500 from the grant to go toward the library. “This unique partnership between Money Gram, First Books, FC Dallas and the Dallas ISD is a perfect example of Business, Education, and Professional Sports…

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler kicked off his Summer Reading Challenge this week by challenging students at Dallas ISD’s David G. Burnet Elementary School to read. The Reading Challenge, presented by the Rashad Jennings Foundation, serves more than 20,000 students across the country by partnering with NFL players who serve as Reading Challenge Ambassadors from all 32 NFL teams. In the challenge, students will read as many books as they can during summer break and answer reading comprehension questions. Each time a student reads a book and demonstrates an understanding of the text, they are entered into a drawing…

Volunteers from the American Red Cross of North Texas presented the American Red Cross Pillowcase Project to more than 300 students at Highland Meadows Elementary School this week. The Pillowcase Project, sponsored by Disney, is a preparedness education program for grades three to five that teaches students about personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards and basic coping skills. Red Cross volunteers led students through a learn, practice, and share framework to engage them in disaster preparedness and survival skills. Upon completion of the presentation, students received a pillowcase in which to build their personal emergency supplies kit.

The Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation announced today that 20 graduating high school seniors—all who are from within the Woodrow Wilson High School feeder pattern—have been awarded foundation scholarships commencing in the fall of 2017. “The Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation is proud to continue in our tradition of assisting children graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School achieve their academic and career goals,” said Richard H. Vitale, President of the WWHS Community Foundation. “Since the inception of this program in 2009, the foundation has provided financial assistance to almost 100 students totaling over $155,000 in financial aid. We…

Doug Marshall, an entrepreneur and Shark Tank contestant, stopped by L.O. Donald Elementary School to challenge students to think beyond the everyday and find ways to develop their ideas into real products or services. Marshall appeared on Shark Tank, the hit ABC show, in 2013 with what turned out to be a multi-million dollar idea. Sharks Mark Cuban and Lori Grenier took the bait and invested in Marshall’s product—peel-away, face tattoos. Today, Marshall’s company, The Game Face Company, makes the temporary tattoos and mask for sporting events, Halloween, parties–you name it, and all without the mess of paints. Marshall’s idea…

A pinning celebration recognized the 36 students in the Samuell Early College High School (ECHS) program who are graduating high school with an associate degree. At the emotional event, the 36 students thanked the people who helped them succeed in the rigorous program. This is the second Samuell ECHS class to graduate with their associate degree: 24 students in the Class of 2016 graduated with their associate degree. Dallas ISD and the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) are set to operate 23 Early College High Schools (ECHS) in the 2017–2018 school year. This will make Dallas ISD and the…

After participating in chess tournaments throughout the year, more than 500 students from 120 Dallas ISD schools competed in the Districtwide Championship Chess Tournament at Conrad High School in May. Chess players competed in three divisions: Elementary (3rd – 5th grade); Middle School (6th – 8th); and High School (9th – 12th). Individual and team medals were awarded to first, second and third place finishers. Highlights of the results are listed below. Top Teams by Division High School Division Place Business & Management Gold Medalist Kathlyn Gilliam Collegiate Academy Silver Medalist Samuell High Bronze Medalist Middle School Division Place Marsh…