Author: The Hub

This summer marks a milestone as the Mayor’s Back To School Fair, scheduled for Friday, August 5 at Fair Park, celebrates its 20th anniversary! Most parents agree that costs can quickly add up when preparing for the first day of school. That’s why so many community supporters come together every year to help students and families with their school-related needs at the Mayor’s Back To School Fair. From free school supplies for Dallas schoolchildren (who meet specific eligibility requirements), to free health, dental and vision screenings, immunizations and haircuts, to the latest information on education, health and social services, the…

A festive kickoff for the Mayor’s Back to School Fair, 800 Dallas ISD students getting their first college experience, and a celebration of a great partnership were some of the highlights of the past week. Watch this short video — or read below — to learn more! Mayor’s Back to School Fair A press conference provided details on the 20th annual Mayor’s Back to School Fair, which is Aug. 5 at Fair Park. Mock trial class offered at Madison Thanks to a partnership with Thompson and Knight LLP, the mock trial team at Madison High School will become a mock trial class next…

Four of Dallas ISD’s top female executives fronted leadership roundtables at the Meadows Conference Center this week to conclude the district’s Women’s Leadership Conference co-sponsored by the University of Texas at Dallas’ Naveen Jindal School of Management. The 2016 Dallas ISD Women’s Leadership Conference included: Leadership workshops for 75 women leaders in central staff. Cohort debriefing sessions for workshop attendees. Roundtables with women in Dallas ISD’s top leadership. Chief of Staff Dr. Cynthia Wilson, Chief of Human Capital Management Karry Chapman, Chief of School Leadership Stephanie Elizalde and Chief of Communications Toni Cordova led discussions on various points of leadership…

Porfirio Alvarez was on vacation when he was called in to substitute at Ignacio Zaragosa Elementary for a teacher going on maternity leave. It was his first time subbing—or teaching, for that matter—but he felt a calling to cut his vacation short and take the opportunity. Much to Alvarez’ surprise, that one day subbing transformed his life. Meet A Top 100 Teacher, a Hub feature that spotlights one of Dallas ISD’s Top 100 teachers, checked in with Alvarez in his classroom at William Anderson Elementary School. Why did you become a teacher? While subbing, I established a strong connection with those…

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the district’s $1.4 billion budget for 2016-2017 at its June 23 meeting. Key aspects of the budget include: More than $13 million to support the opening of eight collegiate academies which will offer students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, tuition-free, while in high school. A 2-percent raise for hourly workers. The budget also includes raising the minimum hourly salary for custodians and other maintenance workers to $10.37. Approximately $4.7 million to support the continued implementation of the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) initiative, an effort to raise achievement at seven underperforming schools by providing…

Students at STEAM Middle School at D.A. Hulcy have the opportunity to learn by actively exploring real-world problems through purposeful activities designed to challenge and engage them. The Public School Choice campus opened in the fall of 2015 in a newly renovated building designed to accommodate the new program. The STEAM curriculum, which focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, integrates project based learning and a technology rich learning environment to provide an interactive atmosphere for students and teachers. “They (the students) love it,” said teacher Melissa Allen. “We have project days and they are all about researching, allowing…

The Texas Rangers’ organization rolled out the red carpet for 13 recent district grads who received $1,000 scholarships funded by Dallas ISD students and employees who contributed to the 2016 United Negro College Fund Workplace Campaign. On arrival at Globe Life Stadium, the students were greeted by Dallas ISD Trustees Lew Blackburn and Bernadette Nutall. The Rangers kicked off the celebration by inviting the students to watch batting practice and meet the players. Next, the team hosted a pregame recognition ceremony during which Trustee Blackburn escorted the honorees onto the field where they were honored for their academic achievement. The special day…

Women from across Dallas ISD recently gathered at the University of Texas at Dallas to attend the district’s first ever women’s leadership conference. The day-long workshop invited women of various levels within the district to learn from some of the foremost authorities on leadership and management, including high-ranking corporate officials from the Dallas business community. The officials led discussions on evaluating attendees’ leadership styles as well as leading with confidence, purpose and intention through career planning. “I’m really excited to know that the district is prioritizing development for women and for leaders, just the same way we do for our…

The Dallas County Community College District and Dallas ISD’s Postsecondary Success Department are presenting “Destination Registration 2016,” a series of events for recent Dallas ISD graduates who may not have acted on college plans. Hundreds of students are expected to participate in the one-stop-shop open house style events June 29 at Eastfield College from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and at Cedar Valley College from 1–4 p.m. The Garland Health Department will attend the Eastfield College Destination Registration to administer meningitis shots. Students are required to obtain meningitis vaccines before they can enroll in a postsecondary institution. Mountain View College is hosting its Destination…

The 2016 Junior Achievement Annual Celebration recognized the tremendous work that happens between this national non-profit and the Dallas ISD. Junior Achievement in the 2015-16 school year provided financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs at 59 district schools.  In total the programs were offered to more than 21,000 Dallas ISD students. More than 2,000 corporate volunteers participated, and the in-kind services provided are valued at $643,110. According to Veena Armstrong, Volunteer and Partnership Services, Junior Achievement presentations impact students long beyond the days of service.  “The discussions spur further interaction between teachers and students after the JA volunteers have…