Inside Dallas ISD

Natasha McLaurin’s passion for supporting students has led to an award-winning counseling program at Buckner Terrace Montessori that focuses on social–emotional learning and guides students as they begin discovering new possibilities for their future. As an elementary school counselor, McLaurin takes on the unique task of making college and career readiness meaningful for young students. McLaurin said the goal at elementary school is to help students learn how to dream. “We want them to dream of all the possibilities of who they can be and not take anything off the table,” she said. Through two campuswide initiatives, McLaurin found creative…

Across the district, schools and departments hosted events to benefit the community, a school, or families, making the end of year celebrations a little better for others. They shared these efforts below. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Booker T. Angels is an annual event coordinated by the student council and Parent Teacher Student Association at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Students, team members, and families of the school adopt five families who need assistance from H.I. Holland Elementary at Lisbon. David G. Burnet Elementary School The effort involves…

Across the Lincoln-Madison Vertical Team, STAAR success is fueled not only by student determination and the hard work of teachers, but also by intentional community efforts that create vibrant well supported schools. “It is important that we have wraparound services for our students, to eliminate the barriers students are experiencing outside of school,” said Rockell Stewart, executive director of the Lincoln-Madison Vertical Team. “We want to see 100 percent of our students graduate and on grade level, while simultaneously addressing the whole need of each child.” Through a unified action, students and families receive support year-round, while students remain focused…

When the Dallas Cowboys launched an elite girls flag football league, history was made across Dallas ISD. But nowhere was the impact felt more deeply than at Dr. L.G. Pinkston Sr. High School, whose team won the division championship. Nicole Stovall, assistant athletic director and lead flag football coach at Pinkston, said she was excited to create a legacy her team could claim forever and to help start the beginning of something bigger for her players and the community.  “Honestly, just being a part of the inaugural staff in Dallas meant a lot,” Stovall said. “This is going to be…