Author: The Hub

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and trustees said a demographic report showing a slight student enrollment decrease this year is a call to action to determine ways to bring families back to the district. The student enrollment in 2015–16 is 158,692, which is down from the 2014–15 student enrollment of 160,253. The largest enrollment drop—approximately 1,000 students—came on the kindergarten level. Hinojosa said the slight student enrollment decrease is a wake up call for anyone who believes the district can go about “business as usual.” “We must determine why students are leaving or not choosing to come to Dallas ISD, and we…

It took nine years for Shawn Scott, a 1995 graduate of W.W. Samuell High School, to complete his college journey. However, through each hurdle, he became more determined to achieve his goal. Today, Scott is head of technology for VenueCenter and spends some of his spare time teaching students the ins and outs of computer programming. He urges students today to learn from the mistakes of others because “the biggest thing you don’t know is what you don’t know.” AlumNow, The Hub feature that profiles district graduates, caught up with Scott to see how things are shaping up in his life.…

The H. Grady Spruce High School staff kicked off the new semester by visiting homes of 116 students who had at least 99-percent attendance for the first semester. More than 100 teachers, counselors, administrators, coaches, and City Year Corps members split into teams and spent the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 6 surprising students with “All-Star Attendance” certificates and getting to know them and their families. Students shared with staff why they made it a point to be at school each day and their thoughts on how the school could encourage others to do the same. Family members welcomed staff into their homes…

Woodrow Wilson High School International Baccalaureate juniors recently attended their annual writing workshop at Southern Methodist University. The three-day seminar served as the official start to the development of their extended essays, a requirement of the prestigious diploma program. “The students learned to conduct college-level research, developed and honed their thesis subjects and fleshed out their ideas with peers and their teachers,” said Woodrow IB Director Dr. Kelly Ritchie. Over the course of the week, many of the IB diploma level English teachers, including Mr. Lundberg and Ms. Fisher, were present to work with the students. “Many staff members told…

Fox 4 has a story on how parents can apply to have their child attend one of the district’s new Transformation Schools, which offer specialized academic programming, similar to a magnet school. However, unlike a magnet school, Transformation Schools do not have any academic entry requirements: they are open enrollment for students across the district. Go here to view the Fox 4 story.

“I will use each day to the fullest. I promise that each day shall be gained, not lost, used, not thrown away.” That affirmation is an excerpt from the school creed recited by students each day at the O.W. Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy. The brainchild of Holmes’ Principal Sharron Jackson, the creed is meant to set the tone for a positive day of study and academic progress for the school’s 750 students. Schools often employ creeds as a sort of mission statement that builds students’ sense of self-worth and shapes their attitudes toward school and learning. Members of the Holmes’ student…

Michael Ruiz, a Dallas ISD 2015 Teacher of the Year, caught the educator bug in the 11th grade when his teacher asked him to act as the substitute for a class. After teaching trigonometry to his peers and friends, one of his classmates came up and told him he did an awesome job. “After that day, I was hooked,” Ruiz said. Later in life, Ruiz gave up a job as a business development manager at a tech company to become a teacher. Today he teaches fourth-grade at W.B. Travis Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted. While he might have made…

At an energetic meet and greet on Tuesday night to honor and welcome Dallas ISD Chief of Staff Dr. Cynthia Wilson, more than 70 community and faith leaders were briefed on the district’s effort to help ensure African American students succeed in school and beyond. Trustee Lew Blackburn spearheaded the event that provided details on the African American Student Success Initiative, which aims to close the achievement gap and increase access to opportunities for African American students. Blackburn, Trustee Bernadette Nutall, and Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa joined the community and faith leaders in attending the meet and greet. “When members…

Dan Micciche serves on the Dallas ISD School Board representing District 3, which includes Northeast Dallas. Trustee Micciche spent several years leading a community partnership with James Fannin Elementary School. When asked to recall a memorable educator, his thoughts turn to those teachers he met there. “If I had to pick one teacher, I would say Ms. Uranga, who taught at Fannin. Like so many teachers, she worked extremely hard, was committed and passionate, went the extra mile in so many ways for kids, had an optimistic view, and would do anything to help her students and challenge them,” Micciche said.…

The 24th Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, co-presented by Dallas ISD, will be held at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Incorporating ideals from Dr. King’s writings and speeches, eight fourth- and fifth-grade Dallas ISD elementary school students will present original speeches addressing the topic: “What would Dr. King say in his campaign speech if he were running for president this year?” Leading up to Friday’s event, The Hub filmed small parts of each finalist’s speech as the students practiced for the competition. Enjoy a small preview of the eight speeches in the…