Under the 2016–2017 district calendar approved by trustees in December, next school year will begin Aug. 22 2016, and end June 1, 2017, and include a full week off for Thanksgiving break. District administration recommended the proposed calendar based on input from administrators, teachers, parents, and students. Click here to see survey results reflecting the opinions of members of the public and district employees about the best dates for winter break, inclement weather makeup days, and early release days for next school year.   Below are some of the key dates of the approved calendar, which includes 175 days of instruction, seven professional development days, and…

Approximately 258,000 meals were served to children 18 and younger during the month of June as part of the Summer Food Service Program. Select Dallas ISD schools participate in the free meal program along with churches, recreation centers, and other activity sites throughout the city. The Summer Food Service Program was created to ensure that children in low-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have the benefit of school breakfasts and lunches. For more information on the program or to find the nearest participating location where a child can receive a…

Volunteers and partners stepped up in a record-breaking way to help Dallas ISD schools and students succeed in the 2015–16 school year. Volunteers and district partners contributed more than $18.6 million in donations and incentives to the school district, a 91.16-percent increase from the previous school year. Meanwhile, a record number of volunteers—27,433—put in a record number of hours—436,236—assisting in Dallas ISD schools. Tom Hayden of Dallas ISD’s Volunteer and Partnership Services said the donations and volunteers are instrumental in the success of Dallas ISD schools. “Our volunteers and partners have exceeded our wildest dreams with their support for the 2015-2016…

More than 15 Dallas ISD police officers and emergency management personnel voluntarily responded to help fellow officers during Thursday night’s deadly shooting downtown. The Dallas ISD officers weren’t paid for their efforts to assist in the shooting’s immediate aftermath, but they wanted to do their part to step up in a time of tragedy. “These were officers who were at home with their families, they saw their fellow officers needed help, so they rushed out to help however they could,” Dallas ISD Police Chief Craig Miller said. “Police officers run toward danger, not away from it. Our police officers have…