Inside Dallas ISD

The silence in the hallway is shattered by enthusiastic chanting and singing as a class at C.F. Carr Elementary School prepares for another day of learning. Students are having fun before tackling the work of the day. Principal Carlotta Hooks, in her second year at Carr, said that strategy is just one teachers are using to engage students and build genuine relationships with them to foster an environment that expects and rewards academic success. Carr is one of 13 Dallas ISD schools with improvements significant enough to remove it from the state’s list of low-performing campuses. Some of those 13…

For priority consideration, high school seniors must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Jan. 15, 2019. The application makes students eligible for financial assistance to pay for college or career school. Students planning to apply for financial aid through FAFSA are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Schools have various deadlines for accepting aid, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2019. FAFSA lets students apply for three types of financial assistance: grants, work-study funds and low-interest loans. Information and the online application is available here. A new app, myStudentAid, allows students to apply directly…

Carter High School cheerleader Erica Richardson’s natural-born ability as a daredevil has earned her an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to be a part of the legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Richardson completed her first back handspring at the age of 8 by jumping up and throwing her legs behind her head. Her fearlessness and ability led her to gymnastics and, later in life, to earning the captain role on the David W. Carter High School cheerleading squad, where she is often seen tumbling along the sidelines. “I’ve always loved trying new things, and I have no fear or…

Scores of nonprofits and agencies in our community depend on United Way funding to provide programs and services that help Dallas ISD students and families. That’s why Dallas ISD supports United Way and encourages employees to contribute via its annual workplace campaign. The district’s 2018 giving goal is $150,000, and the campaign runs through Dec. 14. The theme of this year’s district campaign, is “This is Us.” There are multiple ways for employees to contribute, and when you give you can specify your donation to support one or more of 150 United Way organizations. You can find the list of these organizations, view a dashboard that tracks department and school giving in real time, and…