While stressing that the decision will depend on the future threat level of COVID-19 and recommendations of local and state public and health officials, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said the district is planning for three different scenarios for when the 2020–2021 school year starts in August: All schools open Aug. 17 under normal conditions for in-school learning All students continue with the current at-home learning model The district opens with a blended model that combines some form of in-school and at-home learning Hinojosa said at a May 4 news briefing that some combination of in-school and at-home learning is the most…

Providing broadband Internet connectivity to all Dallas ISD families is a social justice issue that must be addressed, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said at a May 4 news briefing. Dallas ranks number six in the country–and number one in Texas– of urban cities with families without fixed Internet access. And with the COVID-19 crisis making Internet connectivity necessary for everything from applying for jobs and seeing a doctor via telemedicine to taking class online or receiving important news, Hinojosa said he is personally invested in finding ways to ensure all Dallas families have access to broadband Internet service. “Having broadband Internet…

Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa will host three virtual meetings in May to share highlights of the Bond 2020 proposal and gather input from parents and the community. The meetings will also feature district Chief Financial Officer Dwayne Thompson presenting details of the 2020-2021 budget. Dallas ISD staff, parents and community are invited to register and participate. Registration is required to ensure the public receives an accurate link to attend the virtual meetings. Registration for the meetings is available at www.dallasisd.org/bond2020andbudget. The meetings will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on the following dates: Thursday, May 7 Participants who…

The Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services Department continues to get national acclaim, most recently on a list ranking the top noncommercial food operators in the country. Foodservice Director, which is a national industry resource for noncommercial food operators, placed Dallas ISD at number 10 in its Top 100 ranking. Per the Foodservice Director ranking: “In August, the district’s nutrition services team rolled out four new menu items after receiving student input the previous school year. The new selections are tortellini, shredded beef, pastalaya (a mashup of pasta and jambalaya) and spicy golden chicken quinoa quesadillas. In October, the…