District honors 2019-2020 outstanding partners and volunteers

During last night's board meeting, Dallas ISD honored volunteers and partners, considered the most outstanding of the year, for a broad range of service and donations to schools and the district in the 2019-2020 school year. The traditional in-person awards program was postponed last May due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Succeeding Together Industry Partner Award winner went to the Dallas office of Accenture, a multinational professional services company. The award recognizes Accenture for outstanding service to Dallas ISD’s collegiate academies, including support to the staff and students of Seagoville P-TECH. Accenture provided 30 virtual internships to Seagoville students and participated in the P-TECH Industry Partnership Workshop.

The Emmett J. Conrad Extra Mile Award for outstanding ongoing support was presented to the Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association for increased year over year support to the students and staff of Thomas Jefferson High School. This award is named for the late Dallas ISD board member Emmett J. Conrad, who championed community support for public schools. The alumni association’s support for TJ’s teachers and students has included supplies, scholarships, donations to the school pantry and generous outreach to the campus in the wake of last October’s tornados, raising the morale of staff and students alike.

The organization United to Learn was named the 2019-2020 recipient of the Jeanne Fagadau Leading the Charge Award for outstanding support for Dallas ISD. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that have served as advocates for schools and who have also brought in others to expand and enrich the relationship. United to Learn has expanded its support from 24 to more than 40 schools, providing one-on-one tutoring sessions, campus beautification projects and staff who supported multiple students, families and schools in the wake of last year’s tornados. The award is named for longtime district volunteer, the late Jeanne Fagadau.

The Superintendent’s Award honors an individual, business or group that has provided exemplary support on a districtwide level, including volunteer service, special programs, and funding. The 2019-2020 award was presented to the ATamp;T Performing Arts Center, which has supported multiple schools with educational support and arts programming to students at all grade levels for more than a decade. The Performing Arts Center’s service includes new and innovative online arts programming led by local artists since remote learning began last year.

These are only the top award winners, selected for the most notable involvement and support for district schools. Literally hundreds of volunteers and partners have donated countless hours to our students in dozens of capacities. Many others are receiving awards and recognition from their partner campuses. Dallas Independent School District salutes all who touch the lives of students through their service and generosity.