Inside Dallas ISD

While strolling through Hobby Lobby, a creative idea came to Central Elementary School Counselor Ashley Williams: transform an empty locker at her school into a mailbox where student could anonymously drop notes expressing how they feel. “I noticed there were a lot of students who needed that extra person they could come to,” Williams said. “The emotional and mental state of kids is something that we are really focusing on, so I wanted to give my kids the opportunity to know that’s what I’m here for.” The locker-turned-mailbox allows students to easily tell Williams how they are feeling about a…

Students at Pleasant Grove Elementary School today celebrated a brand-new Technology Lab created in just one day through the support of local volunteers. Metroplex Cadillac Dealers employees transformed a space within the school into a tech lab complete with new paint and décor, Samsung Flip Interactive Board, 30 iPads, 3d printer. Metroplex Cadillac Dealers joined nonprofit partner Heart of America Foundation to design, build, and unveil this engaging place for students to learn and grow. Dallas ISD Trustee Karla Garcia, who attended summer school at the campus as a child, thanked  Metroplex Cadillac Dealers and Heart of America Foundation. “The…

The U.S. Department of Education has selected Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School Principal Sandra Barrios as one of 10 national recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership, which recognizes outstanding school leaders and the vital role they play in guiding students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances. Barrios and the 9 other recipients will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Nov. 14 in Washington, D.C. “Bell awardees have created environments where students and teachers thrive,” Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said. “These principals are living proof that strong, transformative…

As he toured the schools most damaged by Sunday night’s storm, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa saw families walking their neighborhood in shock. “Something like this can have a traumatic impact on families,” he noted in Monday afternoon’s press conference. To help students and families at schools most impacted by the storm, Dallas ISD counselors are ready to assist however needed. All district counselors are thoroughly informed on trauma-informed care, with trainings happening as recently as this month. We spoke with Keshunia Johnson, a Dallas ISD Social and Emotional Learning counselor, to learn more about how the district counselors are able to…