Straight Talk from Dr. Stephanie Elizalde

I didn’t want you to go on break before telling you how thankful I am for you and the work you do for our students. Because, as the Dallas Morning News just wrote, the results of our work are “worth celebrating.” Truly, we have a lot to be thankful for. 

A non-profit that rates schools serving students from less well-off families awards Gold Ribbons every year to schools that do an exceptional job. This year, the number of Gold Ribbon schools in North Texas nearly doubled, largely due to Dallas ISD. Check this out: 

• 7 of the top 10 Gold Ribbon high schools in North Texas are in Dallas ISD! 
• 8 of the top 10 Gold Ribbon middle schools in North Texas are Dallas ISD!
• 8 of the top 10 Gold Ribbon elementary schools in North Texas are Dallas ISD!

You won those Gold Ribbons. That’s your work. Whether you drive a bus or mow a lawn, patrol the streets or guard a crosswalk, teach a class or coach a team, you are a successful educator, and I cannot thank you enough.  

So Happy Thanksgiving to us all. I hope you get a chance to relax and spend time with friends and family. I’m already looking forward to getting back to work for the children, and I know you are, too. See you in a week.

Proudly,

Stephanie S. Elizalde