Inside Dallas ISD

The Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association recently honored distinguished alumni—including a published author, scientific scholar, and the daughter of a blues music legend—at a festive ceremony at the high school.  TJ seniors were invited to the ceremony to see firsthand the great things the school’s graduates have gone on to accomplish. Missy Huber, president of the Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association, and Principal Sandi Massey urged the seniors to follow the distinguished alumni’s path and strive to reach their full potential after graduation. Here are the distinguished alumni recognized at the ceremony: Lisa Evans, President and CEO of The…

With more than 67,000 Dallas ISD students speaking Spanish in their homes, the need for bilingual teachers and educators is great. Research has proven that teaching English Language Learners effectively means teaching them in both languages. However, with students entering the district at 4 years old, this means that pre-K (among other students) are having to learn both English and Spanish at the same time, something that often can hinder or hold a young child back. Jessica Carter, a Speech-Language Pathologist, has seen this problem in many young Dallas ISD students. “As they grow they can develop a speech impediment or…

Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services (FCNS) is blending up a tasty, new menu item for all high school campuses. Smoothies are now apart of the breakfast offerings to choose from. The healthy snack was available to sample on Friday, March 11 during a taste-test at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. The event also brought in top food administration executives from the USDA and a delegation of USDA regional leaders from the Texas Food Administration joined students for breakfast. Lillian Salerno, USDA rural development deputy undersecretary, was excited to take part in the…

The Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women Leadership Academy lives by a phrase: “It’s not if you go to college, it’s where you go to college.” The first public all-girl school in Texas takes its mission seriously to prepare its students for success after high school. Thanks to the Young Women’s Prepatory Network, Rangel Young Women Leadership Academy has a full-time College Bound Advisor who helps students with everything from SAT and ACT prep to visiting college campuses. The school also offers pre-AP, AP, and dual-credit classes. “We believe we give (students) a rigorous foundation that will serve them well in…