Inside Dallas ISD

Dallas ISD celebrates the rich culture and important contributions of Hispanic Americans during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is Sept. 15-Oct. 15 each year. Special events and educational lessons help bring the history to life for students. The time period is an important one for several Hispanic countries. On Sept. 15, the countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate becoming independent nations. The next day, Sept. 16, is celebrated as Independence Day in Mexico. Chile celebrates its independence on Sept. 18. Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, is celebrated on Oct. 12. The observation started in 1968…

Fourteen Dallas ISD students have been named semifinalists for the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Semifinalists are chosen based on their 2014 preliminary SAT scores. Each year, 1.5 million students undergo PSAT/NMSQT tests. Here are the Dallas ISD semifinalists: Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Hennig, Elaine M. Science and Engineering Magnet School at Yvonne A. Ewell…

The list is quite impressive: ranked number 16 in the nation on Newsweek’s “Beating the Odds” list; earned seven stars on the state accountability assessments, the highest number of distinctions available; and named a 2012 National Excellence in Urban Education Award winner. Now, Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School can add National Blue Ribbon nomination, which is awarded to the top national schools that help close the achievement gaps among students, to its list of accolades. While school leaders say they appreciate the accolades, nothing trumps the work the teachers and staff do each day to empower students and prepare each of…

Most of the students at Dallas ISD’s John B. Hood Middle School hadn’t been born on Sept. 11, 2001, but they recognized the somberness of the occasion during a special commemoration ceremony. Students, staff and parents gathered in front of the school at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The annual event – in its 13th year – honors those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks, but also celebrates the fact that the freedom Americans enjoy is still intact. Principal Latonya Lockhart likened the country’s recovery to the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes. “On Sept. 11, 2015, our flag…