Inside Dallas ISD

Elsy Morales was recently selected as one of three 2017 Sulentic Family Foundation Scholarship winners. She credits her teachers at H. Grady Spruce High School for helping her achieve academic success. “I’ve had so many problems, and I didn’t have anybody to talk to,” Morales said. “So the only people I could turn to were my teachers.” After attending a community college for two years and earning a four-year degree at a university, she said she hopes to return to her community to help others. Watch the video to hear her story.

The Dallas ISD African American Success Initiative (AASI) partnered with AT&T and The State Fair of Texas to provide more than 800 district students with a wonderful experience to see the educational movie feature Hidden Figures a few months ago when it opened in theaters. “It is fundamentally important to expose all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, culture or ethnic background to various aspects of American history,” said Jamila Thomas, coordinator of AASI. “Hidden Figures is one example of many historical occurrences that should be shared with all of us.” Students from several grade levels were given the chance to participate. More important,…

Winnetka Elementary School students, parents and staff came together to put on a great play about the Mayan Civilization before the arrival of the Spaniards. The Winnetka Theater Club wrote and put on the play at the school. The play taught students about the Mayan era, such as the type of ball game they played, hieroglyphs, and the role of different community members. Winnetka parents made the dresses and stage settings and also did the make-up and promotion for the play. It was a great all-around effort and show!

Recently, two special events were conducted to celebrate mentorships between men and women business owners and Dallas ISD students, one for girls and one for boys. The “Power Brokers: A Dawning of Boys to Men” brought male community and business leaders in front of boys. The “Power Brokers: A Celebration of Girl Power” created the same experience for girls. “Powerful women from around the community came and poured into the lives of the young women,” said Jamila Thomas, coordinator for the African American Success Initiative. “The idea behind Power Brokers is really to celebrate mentorships and the idea that young men…