Inside Dallas ISD

When students in the Media Club at Dallas ISD’s Larry G. Smith Elementary School turn on the lights, cameras and spring into action, they are learning crucial skills that could help them in their careers. Students produce a morning newscast with the help of PE teacher and Club director Paul Curbow. “They are responsible for getting everything set up, they do turn on all the cameras, they turn on all the TVs, the lights, they go get the kids that are actually doing the announcements for the day,” Curbow said. “I am here to help facilitate any way that I…

In the conference room of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School library, senior Zechary Thomas signs his letter of commitment to accept a full-ride scholarship to play college basketball and study kinesiology at Fort Scott College. The commitment represents the first step toward realizing his lifelong dream to play in the NBA and pursue a career as an athletic trainer. Getting to this point wasn’t easy for the Mustang stand-out point guard who played football until a severe concussion convinced him that basketball was a better fit.  “Zack never picked up a basketball until he was 13,” says proud mom Gina Grant Thomas. “He came to me and…

It’s an obvious statement this time of year: Dallas is hot. Because of its concrete jungle, Big D is among cities where the average temperature is rising the fastest. A recent project coordinated by the Texas Tree Foundation aims to create a “Cool School” at Dallas ISD’s Dan D. Rogers Elementary. “By the 90 trees that we planted here, as these trees grow up, it will physically cool this campus,” said Matt Grubishich of the Texas Tree Foundation. “Our Cool School program is about leaving no child inside. It’s about getting kids outside, interacting with the natural environment.” Studies point to…

A party at Stonewall Jackson Elementary School celebrated four retiring teachers who combined together have worked 118 years at the campus. Art teacher Cheri Flynn and deaf education teachers Melissa Alloway, Heather Wood, and Cyndy Jaremko are also the last group of teachers to technically retire from Stonewall Jackson Elementary School, as the school will change its name to Mockingbird Elementary School in August. “This is a culmination of our history. These teachers are a legacy, having worked here for so many years,” Principal Melanie Mans said. “We are so proud of them and we want them to know today…