In one Dallas ISD school, raising your hand in class to request a hall pass is now a thing of the past. At Robert T. Hill Middle School, under the leadership of Principal Candice Ruiz, commitment to innovation has transformed the campus into a safer and more focused learning environment. “You have to take risks to get different results. So we try to take the risk,” said Ruiz.  This mentality led her to find ways to utilize leading-edge technology to increase safety, enhance student attentiveness, and give instructional time back to teachers. EHall Pass, a digital alternative to traditional, physical…

At John J. Pershing Elementary School, diversity is a superpower. Over 80% of the student population identifies as Hispanic. And many recently moved to the U.S. Students bring with them a wide range of life experiences, cultures, family backgrounds, and talents. Meeting the unique needs of each child while uplifting and celebrating their diversity can be a challenge, but teachers and administrators say it is their calling. “We stay here — and in the profession — because we have a passion for it,” said Maria Fernandez, a fourth-grade teacher. “It’s vocational. We could be in any other place, but we…

Dallas ISD is celebrating Attendance Awareness Month in September – promoting strong, consistent attendance habits that will set students up for success at all grade levels.  The theme for the 2024-2025 school year is “Show up! Attendance Matters.” The Graduation, Recovery, Attendance/Advocacy and Dropout Intervention department is hosting weekly kickoffs for students and team members to help build routines, increase engagement, provide access to resources, and support learning. “We would like every student to succeed in school by building good attendance habits. When students and parents know how important good school attendance is, then our district has a better opportunity…

When it comes to partnering with businesses owned by minorities or women, Dallas ISD is surpassing expectations. “M/WBE vendors are instrumental in the district’s vision to be a premier urban school district,” said Annie Holmes-Partee, executive director of Minority & Women Business Enterprise for Dallas ISD. “They provide catering, clothing apparel, construction, consultation services, food, furniture, marketing, office supplies and equipment, printing, safety supplies and services, technology, temporary services, tutorial services, and uniforms, just to name a few. If you name it, I’m confident an M/WBE vendor can provide it.”   As a department, one of M/WBE’s goals is to contract…