Inside Dallas ISD

In appreciation for the company’s help in redesigning the library and parent center at James Madison High School, Dallas ISD recognized Capital One Bank as its 2014–15 Outstanding Business Partner. Madison High School Principal Gayle Ferguson Smith said the redesigned library is an inspirational space that students utilize even in their free time. “It’s now such a comfortable space,” Smith said. Capital One and The Heart of American Foundation also transformed the school’s parent center this school year by removing no-longer-used cooking equipment, rebuilding walls, hiding original piping, and installing new flooring. Volunteers also assembled furniture, loaded bookshelves with resources geared for…

Dallas ISD is celebrating National Volunteer Month, which happens during April, by spotlighting volunteers. At the Dallas ISD Volunteer Recognition Award Ceremony held April 3, more than 100 people saw Shenita Gibbs and Rosa Gomez receive their awards for their work as district volunteer coordinators. Gibbs won the award for Outstanding Secondary Volunteer Coordinator of the Year and Gomez won Outstanding Elementary Volunteer Coordinator of the Year. Gibbs, a James Madison High School alum who was part of the school’s Key Club and National Honor Society, has served as Madison’s community liaison for 14 years. While serving as the school’s community…

Twenty-two students at Stephen C. Foster Elementary School are riding high after receiving donated bikes on April 23. Steven Foster of Foster-Fathom, a leadership training and team-building company based in Dallas, donated the bikes to the students. The donated bikes go along with the school’s “Ride Your Way to College!” theme. In the 15 days leading up to the bicycle giveaway, each member of the school staff nominated a student every day who demonstrated a positive character trait that was the focus of that day. School leadership then drew 15 names from the students who were nominated to determine which…

At Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa Elementary School, volunteer Danae Gutierrez is considered a superstar. Gutierrez motivates fellow parents to become involved in the school, leads the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, and is even organizing a community event for school students. “She puts her heart into everything: working with kids, parents, and school staff,” said Nancy Brinkley, a counselor at the school. Gutierrez was a recipient of the Volunteer Impact Award for School Support at a ceremony held in April. Watch the above video to learn more about Gutierrez’ great work.