Editor’s note: The video above is courtesy of the Health and Wellness Alliance for Children. Tis the season not only to be jolly, but to be especially vigilant regarding influenza, according to health experts. Health officials are reporting an increase in influenza cases throughout Dallas County. The flu is easily spread, so practicing good hygiene is crucial. Dallas ISD has relaunched a special website dedicated to providing great tips and resources for avoiding the flu. District health professionals also encourage you to do the following: Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your upper sleeve Put your used tissue in…

Students across Dallas ISD are wrapping up the semester with end of semester tests called ACP exams which stands for Assessment of Course Performance. ACP exams happen in every school, across every grade level and in most subjects. Students at Cesar Chavez Learning Center in East Dallas just completed their ACPs in music. In January, a task force made up of parents, distinguished art, music and PE teachers, the district’s TEI Focus group and principals will meet to talk about the ACP exams and how the district might improve these tests. For more information on TEI, visit our dedicated webpage.

Dallas ISD’s new teacher evaluation system, known as the Teacher Excellence Initiative, is in its first year of implementation. Under TEI, highly effective teachers can make up to 90 thousand dollars a year. In order to do so, teachers must meet certain criteria and undergo a Distinguished Teacher Review- a review of the quality of instruction, leadership, lifelong learning and contributions to the profession. Veteran teacher Marquie Williams has taught eighth grade science at T J. Rusk Middle school for 10 years. She says this process of identifying and strategically compensating effective teachers has never been done before, but it’s…