Author: The Hub

This week, The Hub is recognizing district staff who are instrumental in supporting the educational experiences of Dallas ISD students. Like their counterparts across the nation, Dallas ISD staff play an essential role in student success. During Staff Appreciation Week, we invite the community to join us in recognizing the dedicated employees who wholeheartedly commit themselves to providing an exceptional educational experience for all children. Each day this week, we will recognize three of the hundreds of exemplary Dallas ISD staff across the district. As we highlight their experiences, we salute the role every staff member plays in making our schools, communities…

Dallas ISD will fund tuition for 150 district teachers to attend a three-week long professional development at the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education at Southern Methodist University this summer. The teacher professional development training will support novice, progressing and distinguished level teachers with the goal of helping them advance within the Teacher Excellence Initiative’s evaluation spectrum. For more information about the academies with the SMU Simmons School of Education, click here. Are you a Dallas ISD teacher? Visit the professional development online catalog to access more opportunities.

Dallas ISD students recently got a head start on world issues and civic engagement. Sixth graders from across the district gathered at Ellis Davis Fieldhouse to participate in the Model U.N., which is a simulation of the United Nations. Students at the event explored different cultures and learned about the political issues that confront countries around the world. Through research, debate, and re-enactment, these future leaders are preparing to change the world in their own backyard.

Educators attending the National Center for Urban School Transformation symposium quietly strolled the halls of Dallas ISD elementary schools considered to be among the nation’s highest performing schools. Student leaders proudly guided their special visitors to give them a sneak peek at excellence in motion. The group composed of principals, assistant principals, teachers, and instructional coaches from across the country took the opportunity to “see first-hand what our award-winning schools look like,” Shirley Peterson, NCUST executive coach said. To have four schools in the same district receive this prestigious designation in the same year “is quite an honor,” Peterson added.…

Students at the seven campuses that will receive additional support under the Accelerating Campus Excellence plan received pledges this week that state expectations for them and their parent or guardian next school year. The ACE plan, which district leaders announced in February, injects seven underperforming schools with strong leadership, effective teachers and high expectations. The pledge is a part of the district’s effort to create high expectations at the ACE campuses. “As Dallas ISD seeks to prepare all students for college and career, we are committed to providing every student with a quality education,” the pledge states. “Parents and students…

For the 17th year, Dallas ISD students learned about the power of change –in the form of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters – to benefit their community. On Wednesday, students who participated in the annual Common Cents “Pennies from the Heart” campaign presented the funds they raised during the 2015 change drive to charities and organizations of their choosing. A goal of the program is not simply to raise money, but is also designed to instill a love of philanthropy in students. This year, the 20 Dallas ISD schools in the program raised nearly $25,000 and chose to distribute the…

Dallas ISD will host a series of town hall meetings to discuss the proposed 2015-2016 budget. Parents and other community members are encouraged to attend and learn how the district’s budget is developed, ask questions and provide input. The meetings dates, times and locations are: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 • 6–7 p.m. Leonides G. Cigarroa Elementary School 9990 Webb Chapel Road Dallas, TX 75220 Wednesday, May 27, 2015 • 6–7 p.m. John Q. Adams Elementary School 8239 Lake June Road Dallas, TX 75217 Monday, June 1, 2015 • 6–7 p.m. Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School 2959 S. Hampton Road Dallas,…

Susan Smith won the 2015 Volunteer Impact Award for Student Support for her volunteer work at Dallas ISD’s Central Elementary School in Seagoville. See what a difference she makes through her time and effort to help students achieve.

Devices such as remote controls, cell phones and video games were once examples of the ways technology kept us from moving and staying fit. Or, at least they served as a convenient excuse. However, these days technology is proving to be a boon for fitness fans. Fitbits, pedometers, interactive heart rate monitors and other nutrition/fitness apps have brought fitness into the 21st century. Thanks to an investment by the district’s Health and PE department in popular tech tools, PE teachers are integrating some of the tech devices into the school PE curriculum to make fitness fun for their students. On Thursday, May…

Parents packed the auditorium at Dallas ISD’s D.A. Hulcy Middle School on Wednesday for a special Parent Appreciation Celebration and Resource Fair. The event was hosted by the district’s Office of Family and Community Engagement. Superintendent Mike Miles told the crowd that they comprised the largest group of parents assembled in one place that he had ever seen. Parental involvement, he said, is key to ensuring student succees. He recalled how involved his mother was in his education. She was a native of Japan and could never could speak, read or write English well. However, she insisted that he and his…