Author: The Hub

Darandall Riley and his wife worked as contractors on their own home, hand-picking the materials, collaborating on interior design choices and layouts. They put the work into the home because it’s where they planned to raise their future family. But as they settled into the home and their children began school, the Rileys wanted to expose their children to learning opportunities that exceeded sports and music. [See Darandall Riley discuss his family’s transition into Dallas ISD] Though they felt their previous school district was great, the Riley family ultimately came to the decision to sell the home they hand-crafted to…

After 35 years of working in Texas Public Schools, Kyle Richardson, the principal of Woodrow Wilson High School, is retiring at the end of this school year. Richardson has served students and families of Dallas ISD as a teacher, assistant principal, and as the principal of Kramer Elementary School, Marsh Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson High School. Tracie Fraley, executive director of the Woodrow Wilson Feeder Pattern/Townview Schools, sent a note to Woodrow Wilson stakeholders commending Richardson for his exemplary service. “During his tenure, Kyle was regarded as one of the best and most effective principals in Dallas ISD. As…

Due to the generosity of school adopter Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, every student at Lee A. McShan Elementary School received high school shirts last week. Senior leaders from Conrad High School personally delivered the shirts to students and described the high school experience. The “I will graduate” schools shirt program has the goal of reaching all 80,000 elementary students in Dallas ISD. Approximately 30,000 students have received shirts thus far for at least one grade level at 150 campuses. This small gesture is intended to make a lasting impression by giving elementary students a shirt representing their high school on the front with colleges…

The Dallas ISD Special Education Department is hosting a free mini-conference for parents of students with special needs. The mini-conference is happening Friday, April 1, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Pleasant Oaks Recreation Center, 8701 Greenmound Ave. The conference will feature different sessions focusing on topics such as asperger’s and high functioning autism, moving through the cycle of grief, and ADHD vs. ADD. The conference will also have sensory stations that will give parents an idea of what it is like to have special needs. Dallas ISD Translation Services will provide simultaneous translation. Dallas ISD Special Education Social Workers will also…

Camp M&M Reloaded – no, that’s not the name of a teen movie sequel. That’s the recently completed spring break extravaganza between Marsh Preparatory Academy and Medrano Middle School. The two schools got together to enjoy a four-day Metroplex excursion that took 60 students, all part of Big Thought’s Thriving Minds program, to a variety of destinations that provided a perfect combo of learning and fun. The camp included four parent volunteers as well as our own Shianne Patrick, Thriving Minds Program Manager at Marsh Preparatory Academy. Social media was always part of the plan – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…

On Tuesday, March 29, McDonald’s is offering a free breakfast for students in grades 3–8 who are taking the STAAR exam.  Of course, a hot, tasty breakfast is nothing unusual for Dallas ISD students. The district’s increasingly popular Breakfast in the Classroom program provides a free nutritious breakfast to students. For those interested in the McDonald’s offer, students can choose either a fruit and maple oatmeal or Egg White Delight McMuffin sandwich. The meal comes with apple juice and apple slices or milk and apple slices. Here are the details: The promotion goes from 5:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Student(s) must be accompanied by a…

The Dallas Morning News has a great story on a first-of-its-kind robotics team at Sunset High School. From the Dallas Morning News: Sunset’s Robo*Flash team has about eight students with various physical and mental disabilities. Many fall along the autism spectrum. Some have Down syndrome, learning disorders or vision problems. One member can’t speak. “But you put him in front of a robot and he’ll shoo you away, take it apart and put it back together,” said Pauline Tatum, a life skills teacher who has taught at Sunset for 16 years. Click here to read the DMN story and learn…

Approximately 90 percent of human brain development happens before age 5. In other words, a parent who registers their child in a Dallas ISD preK program is giving their child the gift of a brighter future. Qualifying parents are encouraged to set their students up for success by registering their child during Dallas ISD PreK Registration Week happening April 4–8. Studies show that, as adults, a child who attended preK will earn higher incomes, on average, than similar students who do not attend preK. Studies also show that kids who attend preK are: 5 times more likely to be ready…

Time’s running out to apply for the Compass Alternative Certification Teacher Academy of Dallas ISD. The March 27 deadline gives prospective candidates a large enough window to completely work through the application. The Compass program prepares professionals wanting to transition into education to become classroom leaders. Senior Talent Leader Dominique McCain emphasized the support provided throughout the program to give candidates the best chance for success. “The most important thing for our candidates to know is that they are not in this alone,” said McCain. “We know teaching is not easy, so our program combines direct training, live coaching and…

Students at John B. Hood Middle School, which is named after a Confederate general, have selected a new name for the school: Piedmont Global Academy. The Dallas Morning News reports that 63 percent of the students voted for the new name. From the Dallas Morning News: Former students and community members who live nearby will get to weigh in before the recommendation is forwarded to the district administration. Final approval of the name change must come from the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees. Click here for the full Dallas Morning News story.