Inside Dallas ISD

On Dec. 10, nearly 100 volunteers from Appreciation Financial and National Life Group acted as “Santa’s elves” to revitalize Ben Milam Elementary School. Appreciation Financial worked closely with Dallas ISD, who suggested the in-need school. The school is housed in a building that’s more than 100 years old and contains a high concentration of economically disadvantaged students, which is why it was chosen as the beautification site. The school’s principal was also presented with a surprise $2,000 scholarship donation and an additional $500 donation to help a staff member in need. Two large, colorful indoor murals were added to the school’s front…

Give a Kid a Coat, a partnership between Carla Harrell, owner of The Rhinestone Artist, and Sir Earl Toon, from the world renowned band Kool & the Gang, donated 1,160 coats, plus sweaters and hats, to homeless students in Dallas ISD over the weekend. Every year since 2012, Toon and Harrell has hosted their Give a Kid a Coat event before the holidays. This wonderful event was inspired by Harrell seeing a young girl walking to school in the cold without a coat on. Harrell contacted Toon and together they visited the school where the student attended. They then learned just…

Interior design firm Looney & Associates provided furniture, school supplies for teachers and staff and recess equipment to J.W. Ray Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 8. In November, the group learned that the campus, like many district schools, needed a washer and dryer. The interior design firm purchased a set for the campus, in addition to the other items that were delivered. Learn more in the above video.

Imagine students building the coolest ramp they can to make a toy car go as fast as possible, or studying what happens when two cars collide. These are some examples of the many lessons included in the new Hot Wheels Speedometry curriculum being used at Dallas ISD elementary schools. The curriculum, designed by researchers at the University of Southern California and with fourth-grade teachers, is provided by the Mattel Children’s Foundation, and is geared to make learning math, science and engineering a fun, hands-on experience through play. Oran M. Roberts Elementary is one of 18 elementary schools in the district using the kits.…