Inside Dallas ISD

The third annual Dallas ISD Poetry Slam will be held virtually on Thursday, March 11, at 2 p.m., and centers on this year’s theme: I Matter, We Matter, Words Matter. The top 10 finalists will perform their original poems in front of a live Zoom audience, as well as a panel of judges. Representatives from Flocabulary, an educational company that produces hip-hop videos and instructional activities that promote literacy and spark creativity, will be in attendance as well as the event’s sponsor, Roland Parrish. Parrish will provide $10,000 in scholarships and pizza parties for the top 10 winning classes. Flocabulary…

Despite the pandemic challenges, the Pinkston High School girls basketball team reached a new height this season: they are heading to the state semifinals for the first time in school history, competing on Saturday in San Angelo. (See photos from Friday’s sendoff ceremony where the team received their regional championship trophy). For the last 14 years, Nicole Stovall has coached basketball and volleyball at Pinkston. She’s led the girls basketball team for the past four years and has helped advance the team ever since. We spoke to Coach Stovall, who told us how she’s steered her team through a monumental…

The Dallas CIO Leadership Association (DallasCIO) has named Jack Kelanic, Dallas ISD’s chief technology officer, the winner of the 2021 Dallas CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Awards in the Public Sector category. This technology executive recognition program in the United States recognizes chief information officers, and those in equivalent roles, who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. As the district’s chief technology officer, Kelanic brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience to his post. His responsibilities include developing the long-range technology plan to enable digital learning for Dallas ISD students and improving technology support for schools and district business operations.

From offering advice to players and coaches in the parking lot after games to recruiting college scouts to check out district players, Roger B. Brown is a legend in the Dallas ISD baseball and sports community. Brown was the first full-time Black sportswriter hired by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram who went onto host a sports radio show on KKDA-AM until 2012. Brown died over the summer at the age of 61, and Dallas ISD is honoring his legacy and longtime support of the district’s athletic program with the Roger B. Brown Memorial Tournament. Roosevelt High School is hosting the baseball…