Inside Dallas ISD

Irma De La Guardia’s third-grade dual-language classroom at Harry C. Withers Elementary School is bright and engaging. Bulletin boards around the classroom are all labeled in both English and Spanish, and round tables allow students to collaborate. It’s a place where students can enjoy learning. Originally an auditor in Mexico City, De La Guardia and her husband moved to the Dallas area nearly 15 years ago. A career change through Alternative Certification led her to the Dallas ISD a few years later. “I wanted to make an impact on society; make a difference in my community,” she said. In 2007,…

Dallas ISD’s Student Activities department sponsors dozens of academic competitions that encourage students to expand their knowledge base and test how they measure up against their peers. The competitions run from September through May, and there is a competition for almost every academic skill and skill level. Some 4,000 district students participated in academic competitions last year. Hoping to increase that number, Student Activities has developed a yearlong calendar at https://www.dallasisd.org/studentactivities showing the dates and types of competitions. Schools are encouraged to review the list and begin preparing to field teams. The competitions are fun and educational. Debate, chess, speech…

Students at Louise Wolff Khan Elementary School are ready to get racing. In an effort to increase awareness about physical fitness and active, healthy lifestyles for students and their families, 200 students were encouraged to participate in the 2014 Cigna Mayor’s Race 5K and Fun Run Presented by Oncor. The event is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, at Reunion Park in downtown. The event is free to all Dallas ISD students and teachers, and transportation will be made available to and from the race. The pep rally and presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 16, kicks off the 3 Months to 3…

Parents encouraged to attend with questions for college reps. Even if they don’t know where they want to attend college — whether the east coast or west, private or public, Ivy League or community college — Dallas ISD high school juniors and seniors will have a chance to learn about all types at this week’s Districtwide College Fair. Representatives of more than 150 colleges, universities, vocational schools and the U.S. military will descend on Dallas ISD for the district’s annual college fair, set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St.…