Inside Dallas ISD

Executive Director of Food and Child Nutrition Services Dora Rivas was recently recognized by the Dallas Observer as one of 20 of the metro area’s most interesting characters for her work improving nutrition for the Dallas Independent School District’s students and their families. Read more about Rivas’ work here: Dora Rivas Is on an Insatiable Quest to Improve the Nutrition in Dallas’ Public Schools

The Belles, the dance team at Bryan Adams High School, has a tradition dating back to 1957. With 48 members consisting of 10th through 12th grade girls, the young ladies began rehearsals in June to get ready for the busy school year. Due to the Belles’ popularity and the growing interest in dance at Bryan Adams, a freshman team also has been added. The dance team, called the Kellie Spirit Dancers, is new this year. Amy Solorio, who has been the dance director for the last eight years, said that they are trying to bridge the gap for incoming 9th…

Veteran coach and athletic director Gil Garza is the Dallas ISD’s new athletic director. He most recently worked in the San Antonio Independent School District where he served as athletic director from 2002-2014. “The experience and leadership Gil brings is impressive,” said Superintendent Mike Miles. We knew he was the best candidate to lead the department as we forge ahead and continue to provide the best learning and athletic environment for our students.” Garza brings more than 30 years of coaching and athletic leadership to the district, including as an appointee of the TEA Commissioner to the University Interscholastic League…

The next phase of Dallas ISD’s transformative Destination 2020 effort will include the launch of personalized learning, a focus on social-emotional learning, expanded prekindergarten opportunities and a goal to open as many as 35 additional schools of choice by 2020. Superintendent Mike Miles rolled out the ambitious blueprint during a community-wide gathering of more than 400 people on June 17 at W.H. Adamson High School. Set to core beliefs of academic achievement, high expectations and excellence, Miles’ presentation served as a challenge to create positive change for the district’s nearly 160,000 students. “We can’t just take the same things and…