Inside Dallas ISD

During the fall football season, varsity cheerleaders received help promoting school spirit from various elementary cheer squads at Friday night football games across the district. Known as minis, these fourth and fifth graders are members of the elementary cheer teams for their respective high school local feeder pattern. This year the Student Activities Department rolled out an elementary cheer program, and high school game nights were one opportunity for the minis to perform with their high school counterparts, said Shenita Jones, Student Activities coordinator. “We have 63 elementary campuses with more than 1,200 students participating in the cheer program,” Jones…

Arthur Ybarra is a proud product of Dallas ISD and a third grade math and science teacher at Winnetka Elementary School, but his path to success has not been easy.  “I sit here all the time and look at this classroom and say, ‘I really shouldn’t be a teacher. I really shouldn’t be in this room,’” Ybarra said. “But my family really pushed me to succeed. Everything I do is for them—every single thing for my wife, my four kids, my house.” Ybarra, who is Comanche, struggled to make it through school as a teenager. He dropped out twice, once…

Every time Tracy Palmer, a specialist with Dallas ISD’s American Indian Education Program, sees a Native student graduate, she is glad she chose a career where she can help transform the lives of students like her. Growing up in Oklahoma, Palmer remembers not being able to read or write because she did not have American Indian educational support, so seeing Native students graduate is “one of the greatest moments,” she said. “Once I knew who I was and where I was, I felt like I had a big moment in life—that ‘ah ha’ moment,” said Palmer, who has been with…

Dallas ISD is celebrating Nov. 17, National Parent Involvement Day all week long with events hosted by the Family and Community Engagement department. It’s important that our parents feel valued and below are ways students can highlight the powerful contributions that parents and guardians provide at school and at home to support student success.  Monday, Nov. 14: Facebook Live Appreciation – Parents are invited to join us on Facebook Live  at 9 a.m. for a special message from Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Stephanie Elizalde and the Trustees as they share their gratitude for parents. Tuesday, Nov. 15: Crazy Sock day…