Author: The Hub

Connecting you to the personalities, places and perspectives of Dallas ISD

Reading is the gateway to most other forms of knowledge. For many students, however, learning to read and enjoy books does not come easily. Learning differences, inadequate exposure to books and reading instruction, language barriers and lack of confidence in their ability can all be reasons why some children struggle with reading mastery. The level of family literacy and the amount of attention paid to books and reading in the home can also impact when and how well students learn to read. The annual African American Read-In, set for 11 a.m., Sat., Feb. 20, is one effort focused on countering…

Read More

North Dallas High School seniors got a sneak peek at college last week thanks to a lecture from an Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Dallas. Professor Eric Schlereth gave a college-style lecture to seniors that showed them what they could expect next year. “Most seniors have heard a lot about college, but it’s always sort of an unknown until you hear someone from the other side talk about it,” Schlereth said. “I hope this lecture gave them a much better idea of what a college class is all about.” Education is Freedom (EIF) hosted the event at North…

Read More

Dallas ISD’s finest band musicians will take center stage this Saturday for the all-city band concert at Moises Molina High School. Many of the 200 student musicians have proven their skill by performing difficult musical selections in multiple rounds of district and regional contests. On Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29 and 30, these middle and high school band stars will practice and perform during a special clinic sponsored by the district’s Visual and Performing Arts department. Each year, the department brings in noted music educators to work with the district’s talented young musicians in preparation for the all-city band concert.…

Read More

A mother, community leader and director of a nonprofit organization, District 9 Trustee Bernadette Nutall is a tireless advocate for quality educational opportunities and social services in the 30 schools in her district, which encompasses South Dallas, and parts of downtown, Pleasant Grove and East Dallas. Nutall has served on the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees since 2010. She says the most satisfying part of the job is witnessing the brilliance and resilience of young people. Even in the face of challenges, she says, the students are still succeeding. That awareness keeps her going. She credits her fifth-grade teacher, Ms.…

Read More

Thanks to an after-school program from the Boys and Girls Club, fourth-grade students at the Paul Dunbar Learning Center are learning to play the violin, cello and viola. SMU music students are leading the classes that also teach students the basics of orchestra, rhythm, and history of music. WFAA 8 has the full story here.

Read More

A record number of Dallas ISD schools have received a statewide award that recognizes great work happening in school counseling programs. Twenty-six Dallas ISD schools this month received a Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas (CREST) Award. The Texas School Counselor Association sponsors the CREST Award, which allows counselors to demonstrate the work they do helping students. “The CREST Award is about recognizing the success that school counselors have on their campuses,” Dallas ISD Counseling Services Director Dr. Sylvia Lopez said. “We are proud, but not surprised, that a record number of our schools are CREST Award winners this…

Read More

It looks like they’ve done it again! A. Maceo Smith theater arts teacher Scot Pankey has again led the school’s talented students, teachers and staff in a sure-to-be-viral choreographed video. This time, the video is to Andy Grammar’s “Good to Be Alive.” Last year’s viral hit “Uptown Funk” registered more than 13 million hits, and a special Facebook post from the song creator himself, Bruno Mars. Check out NBC 5 story on the latest video here.

Read More

As a student at Dallas ISD’s Law Magnet in 2004, Stephanie McGary was on a path to a possible law career. However, fast forward to 2016, and the school has a new name—Judge Barefoot Sanders Magnet Center for Public Service: Government, Law and Law Enforcement—and McGary is in on an entirely different path as a counselor who helps young students facing some real life challenges. AlumNow, The Hub feature that profiles district alumni, caught up with McGary, who is realizing her real purpose by helping children and their families. What are you doing now? I am a licensed professional counselor…

Read More

“I graduated high school June 1943 and got drafted in the army two weeks later,” says 93-year old Gaylord Robert Atkinson, a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. “I was only 18-years old,” adds Atkinson, pointing out to a classroom full of Leadership Cadet Corp students at Thomas C. Marsh Preparatory Academy. “And not much older than you guys are now.” Atkinson addressed some of the approximately 300-plus members of Marsh’s Leadership Cadet Corp after talking with Corporal Miriam Gaytan, who leads the corps, at one of the school’s popular Military Museum open houses. Gaytan thought that Atkinson’s time serving in the…

Read More

Joyce Foreman, a long-time champion for educational equality for all students, is serving her first term on the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees representing District 6, which includes Southwest Dallas. Trustee Foreman has spent much of her life as a community leader dedicating countless hours to serving on a number of advisory boards for the Dallas Independent School District and for other entities. For more information about Trustee Foreman and a list of schools in her district, visit the Board of Trustees page on the district website. Throughout School Board Recognition Month, Dallas ISD is joining other districts in honoring…

Read More