Author: The Hub

On Tuesday, April 21, McDonald’s is offering a free breakfast for students in grades 3–8 who are taking the STAAR exam. The students can choose either a fruit and maple oatmeal or Egg White Delight McMuffin Sandwich. The meal comes with apple juice 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 parent and/or guardian This is an in-restaurant promotion only; any drive-thru customers will be asked to visit the restaurant’s lobby for this promotion No coupon required Teachers who show a valid school ID will also…

Select seniors from every Dallas ISD comprehensive and magnet high school will receive commitments for $2,500 scholarships at Tuesday’s annual Superintendent’s Scholarship Reception at Emmett Conrad High School. Parents, principals, school counselors and trustees will be on hand to congratulate the 62 students selected by their campus scholarship committees to receive the awards based on need, character, grades, essays and recommendations. This is the 15th year of the Superintendent’s Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships since its inception. The scholarships are funded through an annual fundraiser, traditionally the Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Tournament. This year, on…

Rosalinda Montejano has worked at Harry C. Withers for three years. Montejano’s son currently attends Withers, and her pre-teen daughter attended the school. Montejano said it’s important for the community to support schools, which is why she volunteers three to four times each week by decorating classroom doors, offering her time to the Latin Advisory Committee, and helping with school events such as Paw Paw Palooza. Montejano said her efforts are her way of giving back to the teachers who so willingly help her children and other students every day.  

Dallas ISD teachers will have the ability to earn a higher salary at a faster rate under the district’s new salary schedule. In the 2015–16 school year, the starting base salary for new Dallas ISD teachers will be $50,000. For reference, new teachers previously had a starting salary of $47,382. Meanwhile, newly hired teachers with more than two years of teaching experience will have the ability to earn a base salary of $58,000, with the capacity in the coming years to earn up to $90,000. When excluding any cost of living increase, the base salary under the previous salary schedule…

With colorful superhero capes flapping in the wind, students at Lee McShan Elementary cheered and applauded as they gathered to shake off nervous energy during a STAAR pep rally last Friday. Students in grades 3-5 donned yellow, red or blue capes and superhero t-shirts while members of the Lincoln High School band and dancers pumped up the crowd in the name of academics. Younger students looked on and cheered for those who are taking the test this week. “We’re going to rock the STAAR test,” students yelled as they whirled to show off their capes. The capes were made possible thanks…

Hailey Ortez volunteers weekly at William Lipscomb Elementary. A Woodrow Wilson High School freshman, Ortez volunteers after school helping with Parent-Teacher Association events and after school activities. Hailey has a brother who attends Lipscomb and her mother is the parent liaison at the school, so her volunteer work at Lipscomb is a family affair. Ortez said she loves being around children and wants have a career working with people in the community. 

From April 6–8, the Dallas ISD Multi-Language Enrichment Program took 19 secondary dual language teachers, assistant principals, and principals to tour schools in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District. During the visit to the San Juan school district, Dallas ISD educators toured schools and experienced the district’s secondary dual language program in action. Educators from J.L. Long Middle School, E.D. Walker Middle School, Rosemont Middle School, Sanger Middle School, and Sunset High School reported that they were impressed with how the San Juan school district used dual language components effectively and efficiently. They said the experience left them “invigorated, inspired,…

When looking at student performance on ACPs, STAAR, and the number of seniors applying for college, encouraging numbers are emerging in Imagine 2020 schools. Data compiled by district staff shows Imagine 2020 students increased their passing rate percentage in every content area on the ACPs, outpacing districtwide averages in each area except reading. Imagine 2020 is the district’s strategic feeder pattern initiative to accelerate student achievement. When looking at STAAR data from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014, Imagine 2020 students made improvements in fourth-grade reading, fifth-grade math, Algebra 1 and biology, outpacing districtwide averages in these areas as well. Regina Rice, director…

The Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Academy at James W. Fannin HS.  This new high school will facilitate a personalized learning model, allowing students to learn when and how it’s best for them. Listen as Principal Sarah K. Ristema explains how Fannin will emphasize three major components that set it apart from other schools: teaching will be geared toward each student’s needs, interests and skills; each student will be paired with a professional mentor who will help them secure an internship; and the school will focus on “soft skills” needed by the next generation of worker such as innovative thinking, communication…

During his visit to Billy Earl Dade Middle School, Kevin Concannon, the U.S. Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, said that Dallas ISD is a nationwide leader in nutrition services. Concannon visited Dade Middle School and the district’s Central Kitchen on April 14 to see for himself how Dallas ISD is providing healthy, nutritious meals to all students. Concannon enjoyed a meal along with Dade students as part of the school’s federally funded After School Meal Program, which helps combine nutritious meals with educational and/or enrichment activities. More than 150 Dallas ISD schools participate in the After School Meal Program. “For…