Inside Dallas ISD

Families who attend this Saturday’s African American Read-in are in for a feast of literature, music, and dance. The agenda features an African drum and dance ensemble, student dance groups, a jazz band and a Reader’s Walk showcasing students sharing poems and passages from their favorite books. This all takes place this Saturday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1819 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The event theme is Reading is The Wave of Life. The celebration is free and open to the community. Author Cheryl Wills will share with students her love for reading and writing.  Wills’ book,…

Trustees expressed their support Thursday night for a proposal to give $1,000 retention stipends to veteran distinguished teachers who did not receive pay raises this year under the Teacher Excellence Initiative. This school year, 148 veteran teachers who received a distinguished effectiveness level — placing them among the top-performing teachers in the district — received no raises because their salaries exceeded the amount set for a distinguished teacher. Another 20 distinguished veteran teachers received raises of less than $1,000 for the same reason. The proposal discussed at Thursday’s board meeting would provide a one-time retention stipend of up to $1,000…

Dallas ISD’s annual STEM Day highlights the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but just as important is an emphasis on fun. From flying quadcopters, to getting close to creepy-crawly critters to playing in a field coated in fake snow, a good time could be had by all. Hands-on experiments and dynamic demonstrations filled the 2016 version of the event held earlier this month. “STEM Day is a celebration/exposition of everything that has to do with science, technology, engineering and math,” said Roland Antoine, director of Education and Technology. “The idea of encouraging kids to move into those fields,…

The Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services department knows that students can have strong opinions about what they eat. That’s why the department issued satisfaction surveys to students last semester to learn what they liked—and didn’t like—on the school cafeteria menu. The department studied the student feedback and responded with a revamped menu this semester, including new menu items requested by students. “We know our students expect delicious food, and we are working very closely with students from the Teen Board, School Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC), and the Menu Advisory Committee (MAC). We are always working to form new student…