Author: The Hub

Florence Middle School in Pleasant Grove is partnering with the community to offer a free Thanksgiving meal next week to its students and their families. The “Feed the Grove” Thanksgiving meal is happening Nov. 23 from 6–8 p.m. in Florence Middle School’s cafeteria, 1625 N. Masters Dr. Florence Middle School Assistant Principal Sabrina Hodge said the school wanted to reach out and help those who might be alone or unable to prepare a meal for the holidays. The meal will include smoked turkey, green beans, rolls, tea, and more. “I know sometimes students in our community don’t have the opportunity…

The approved Dallas ISD bond program will provide new schools, facility improvements across the district, and support for growing programs. Click here for an interactive map detailing the proposed projects. The $1.6 billion bond program is also not expected to raise tax rates. To find out why the bond isn’t expected to raise tax rates, The Hub asked the Dallas ISD finance department to learn more. In short, the projected stable tax rate for the proposed bond is based on four factors: The growth in the district’s tax base The reduction of the district’s existing debt Historically low interest rates…

A special event this month spotlighted and celebrated the work taking place to transform some of Dallas ISD’s most challenging schools under the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) program. The seven ACE schools are benefitting from being staffed by proven principals and effective teachers in a framework that allows them to focus on students’ needs. The event on Nov. 12 was at Billy Earl Dade Middle School, and recognized the hard work of the staff at Dade, Thomas Edison and Sarah Zumwalt middle schools; and Annie Webb Blanton, Roger Q. Mills, Elisha M. Pease and Umphrey Lee elementary schools. “With the…

Dallas ISD is hosting two community meetings this week to discuss proposed attendance boundary changes that could impact two sets of schools. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday from 6–7 p.m. regarding proposed attendance boundary changes of Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, M.D.; Julian T. Saldivar; Tom W. Field; David G. Burnet; and Stephen C. Foster elementary schools for the 2016-2017 school year. The proposed attendance boundary changes are in response to the opening of Jose “Joe” May Elementary School next year. Tuesday’s meeting will be held at Francisco F. “Pancho” Medrano Middle School, 9815 Brockbank Dr. Meanwhile, the district is also hosting…

News reports describing the growing burden of student loan debt may have some students wondering if college is a worthwhile investment. The rising cost of college and the related debt are realities that can be traced to a number of factors. Still, many trustworthy sources agree that college is a good investment that boosts lifetime earnings, employability, and upward mobility. The following chart compiled by the College Board shows that lifetime earnings for graduates with bachelor’s and advanced degrees far exceed those of high school graduates. Statistics like these reinforce the idea that college pays, which is the central message…

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa has announced the appointment of Toni Cordova as chief communications officer for the Dallas Independent School District. She will begin her duties effective Dec. 2, 2015. Cordova previously served as chief of staff for the Albuquerque (New Mexico) Public Schools, where she oversaw communications, student and community service, and the board office for the state’s largest school district. A leader in public education for 23 years, she has led communications efforts for five school districts, and served as point person for strategy for school districts in San Jose, California, Tucson, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas. “Toni has a…

The annual Bryan Adams Cougars Running Wild 5K and one-mile fun run is tomorrow, and it’s not too late to register to participate. Proceeds from the event will benefit the school’s athletics department. The school anticipates to use the proceeds to pay for three athletic banquets in the fall, winter, and spring for all high school athletic programs. Additionally, some of the proceeds will be used for facility upgrades throughout the athletic complex. Bryan Adams Principal Richard Kastl said the event, which is going into its third year, is a great way to bring the Bryan Adams feeder pattern community…

In a superintendent roundtable hosted by KERA, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa talks with Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner and Grand Prairie ISD Superintendent Susan Hall. The education leaders talk about a variety of subjects, including the difference between top-performing and low-performing schools, the power of choice schools and traditional schools, and how to prepare students for a successful future. Click here to listen to the roundtable.

Dallas ISD teachers have access to more personalized lesson planning resources. Over the last year, the Teaching and Learning Division launched a digitally based professional development platform known as D-Tubes, Dallas ISD’s own video resource library. These videos provide teachers background and content knowledge on specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards to assist with their lesson plans. Assistant Superintendent Vicente R. Reyes says the content departments identified some key concepts for instructional specialists to highlight in the first round of videos. “Moving forward, we’re going to start using our Distinguished teachers and highlighting their work and what they’re doing to teach hard to teach standards,” Reyes said.…

Dallas ISD varsity football teams from across the district had playoff games last Thursday and Friday. Here are the scores, with the Dallas ISD teams in bold: Skyline vs. Lake Highlands: 21-10 Alvarado vs. Wilmer Hutchins: 33-12 Kennedale vs. Carter: 65-26 Anna vs. Madison: 50-16 Forney vs. Bryan Adams: 77-44 Terrell vs. Woodrow Wilson: 49-14 South Oak Cliff vs. Mansfield Timberview: 17-14 Mansfield Summit vs. Kimball: 35-7 Lancaster vs. Seagoville: 50-3 Mansfield Lake Ridge vs. Samuell: 63-12 In the next round of playoffs, Skyline will play Rowlett on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mesquite Memorial Stadium, and South Oak Cliff…