Inside Dallas ISD

The Dallas ISD elementary debate program concluded its fourth season with a debate tournament at Adamson High School on May 14. Working in teams of three, 195 students from 29 schools took a stand and defended the pros and cons of the resolution: Zoos should be banned. The high school cafeteria was vibing with debate energy as students rehearsed speeches and anxiously waited for their pairings to be announced. Pairings are the list of teams that will debate against each other for the individual round. Debate teaches students to think on another level, as holding two opposing ideas in their…

Six Dallas ISD debaters received $18,000 in college scholarships by participating in the Fourth Annual Roland Parrish Scholarship Debate Tournament held at James Madison High School on May 18. Through a partnership with the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance, the Parrish Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $60,000 to Dallas ISD student debaters over the last four years. Debate gives young scholars a platform to engage in civil discourse in a constructive and positive way, said Parrish, who is the CEO of Parrish Restaurants and owns 27 McDonald’s restaurants in the DFW area. “Debating helps with truancy, academic advancement, confidence in…

Dallas ISD’s Special Services Department, in partnership with the Computer Science & Technology Department,  recently hosted the annual Adapted Robotics competition. Participating campuses competed against each other with robots designed by the students. Beyond the STEM benefits, the robotics competition encourages student creativity, communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, among other skills. Each class received an official Vex IQ award for their hard work and accomplishments. Participating Schools Victor H. Hexter Elementary School Ronald Erwin McNair Elementary School Hector P. Garcia Middle School Robert T. Hill Middle School Kennedy-Curry Middle School Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School J.L. Long Middle School…

Stockard Middle School guitarist Joseyline Umana will have her song, “The Pressure She Carries,” featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 43rd annual Words & Music Night. “My song is about my feelings, being under pressure, and always trying to be my best,” says Joseyline. She is one of 11 students selected to be featured from the United States, Canada, and Australia. Joseyline, a seventh grader, is a member of Stockard’s Modern Band, a class that teaches music standards through popular music and instruments such as guitar, bass, and drums. This year, teacher Beth Poquette Drews teamed up with…