Inside Dallas ISD

Several Dallas ISD students will spend part of the Spring Break competing in the UIL Cross-Examination Debate State Meet at the University of Texas at Austin. By placing first or second in their respective UIL CX Debate District meets, 12 students from Jefferson, Law Magnet, Samuell, Skyline, and TAG high schools will travel to Austin on March 16 to compete in the UIL state competition, one of the largest debate tournaments in the United States. With the topic of Emerging Technologies, the debate teams will argue whether the US government should increase its security cooperation with NATO in the areas…

S.S. Conner Elementary School in Dallas, TX hosted a three-day Literacy Summit sponsored by Kia America and the Dallas Education Foundation (DEF) from February 21 to 23. The event aimed to promote literacy by providing students with the opportunity to add to their home library collections. During the summit, more than 600 students from Pre-K to 5th grade attended the book fair and explored the books on offer, guided by their teachers or media specialists to ensure age-appropriate and culturally relevant materials. The students were encouraged to select three books to take home, and teachers facilitated guided read-along sessions with…

Almost 50 lucky seventh- and eighth-graders from George B. Dealey Montessori Academy had the opportunity to taste-test a new recipe for vegan tacos from Dallas ISD’s Food & Child Nutrition Services (FCNS) department. Contrary to traditional taco meat, the taco was made of plant-based meat from chickpeas to create a delicious yet healthy alternative option for students. Due to the rising popularity and interest in vegan options, a meatless option allows students to try their favorite meal in plant-based form. After the taste test, students were asked to complete a survey on iPads, and about half said they enjoyed the…

During the pandemic, Demetrius Ethley was unsure if he would retire from being Carter High School’s choral director, but instead, he has now been teaching for 13 years, specifically functional piano, modern band, musical theater, music theory and choir. Part of “Mr. E’s” continued passion for the arts comes from being in Dallas ISD’s Virtual Private Music Lessons Program, which was soft-launched last October.  The virtual program allows directors to nominate students of a certain competency level for free, private music lessons over Zoom. Lessons are currently administered by University of North Texas graduate students or faculty members, and last…