Inside Dallas ISD

As parents and students walked into Adamson High School on Nov. 12, they were greeted with food and drink options such as hatch green chili and cheese tamales, breaded chicken sliders and hazelnut iced coffee. These parents and students were participating in the Menu Advisory Committee meeting, which allows attendees to taste and offer their feedback on potential future school menu items. The Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services Department (FCNS) hosts about three of the Menu Advisory Committee taste test meetings throughout the year. “Our goal is to make students happy and give them nutrition that will make…

It’s Thursday morning, and J.L. Long Middle School dual language teacher Susan Moreno is noticeably stunned as an auditorium full of news cameras, students, Dallas ISD and state leaders suddenly turn their attention to her. Jane Foley, the senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, just announced that Moreno is a recipient of the national award known as the “Oscars of Teaching.” Moreno had no idea she was going to win the award that comes with a $25,000 prize. “This is unbelievable,” Moreno said as she walked down the auditorium aisle to receive her award. Texas Education Agency Commissioner…

Growing up in in Kansas City, Dallas ISD Assistant Superintendent Usamah Rodgers still remembers enjoying participating in the free after-school program at the Boys and Girls Club. As a result, Rodgers said it’s an easy decision to support causes such as the Dallas ISD United Way Giving Campaign, which aims to fundraise $190,000 for the nonprofit that provides programs and services that help district students and families. Rodgers shared her story at a Nov. 5 breakfast kickoff for the Dallas ISD United Way Giving Campaign. “At my free after-school program, I was nurtured in a safe environment and I became…

After piloting an elementary debate initiative last year with 85 students from 13 elementary schools, the Dallas ISD Student Activities Department has implemented a districtwide debate program that saw more than 300 fifth-graders recently attend a workshop at Conrad High School. With 44 schools in attendance, the workshop introduced the elementary students to debate terms, purpose and format. Debate Coach Michelle Read and two of the district’s top high school debaters were among the presenters. Sunset High School Head Debate Coach Michelle Read’s “Your Speaking Voice” presentation was designed to improve the students’ communication skills during a debate. TAG Debater…