The recent senseless tragedy in Georgia where individuals of Asian descent were targeted and killed raises the question, why is this happening and what will it take to stop the violence and hate. While Atlanta is hundreds of miles away, families in our area are still concerned. Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa says the question is relevant in a school district that represents so much diversity. “Our students come from 150 countries and speak 70 languages,” Hinojosa said. “Hate speech and acts of racially motivated prejudice and racism have no place in our district or anywhere in a civilized society.”…

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming three schools with namesakes tied to the Confederacy. The new school names are: John Ireland Elementary School will become Sylvia Mendez Collaborative Relationships Through Expeditionary Work (CREW) Leadership Academy. Mendez is a civil rights activist who played a significant role in the landmark desegregation case of 1946. Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard will become the Jesus Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard. Moroles was a former Dallas ISD student who became a renowned Texas artist known for his large-scale granite sculptures. John H. Reagan Elementary School will become the Bishop Arts STEAM Academy.…

After seeing that out-of-school suspensions were not impacting a student’s conduct, Emmett J. Conrad High School Principal Temesghen Asmerom rethought how his school could more effectively respond to student misbehavior. Asmerom and his school leadership team diligently worked with teachers on ways to intervene and respond to incidents that could lead to out-of-school suspensions, while emphasizing social and emotional learning throughout the day. Due to the change in perspective, Conrad reduced the number of out-of-school suspensions, while still holding students accountable for their actions. “Sending students home to an environment that might have shaped their behavior and where they are…

Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center implemented a military-like program where every student can strive to become a campus role-model and earn their stripes. SLAC – which stands for service, leadership, academics and courage – teaches accountability and discipline to every student at the school through a performance-based rank structure and introduces the students to various career choices. “I believe that the SLAC Program has decreased the amount of referrals and suspensions in our campus, and also gives recognition to the students who are doing good,” Myles said. All Dunbar students, from kindergarten through fifth grade, wear a badge with a…