Inside Dallas ISD

When chemistry teacher Bryan Arinaitwe looked at his students at Moisés E. Molina High School, he saw something too important to leave inside the classroom: untapped potential. Today, that potential is powering a student-led water quality research project that is giving teens a taste of college-level science and a voice in conversations about the safety of their own school environment. What began as an idea for a science club has grown into a grant-funded investigation of the drinking water at Molina High School. With support from the Dallas Education Foundation and the Dallas Environmental Education Initiative, students are systematically collecting…

Written by Michelle Read, Student Activities Department Dallas ISD is celebrating a high school student who was recently named a finalist for the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues Debater of the Year award. The Urban Debate National Debater of the Year Award is a coveted honor given to a high school urban debater who exemplifies competitive excellence and the impact debate has had on their lives. In her submission, Alaysha C., a student at Sunset High School, described debate as more than an extracurricular activity. “Debate didn’t just teach me how to make arguments,” she said. “It taught me…

Written by Julian Spearman, Student Activities Department This semester, introducing Mario Kart World to the Dallas ISD Esports program culminated in a thrilling victory. “During the year, our Esports team meets weekly to train,” said Allison Peña, coach of Felix G. Botello Personalized Learning Elementary. “We hold mini tournaments on our campus every week, so our students are extremely prepared.” Similarly, Luis Baeza , coach for Geneva Heights Elementary School, said that consistency was their secret weapon. “We committed to weekly practices where we didn’t just play the game,” he said. “We focused on structure, social skills, and the fundamentals…

Written by Julian Spearman, Student Activities More than 200 elite cheer programs from all over Texas came together at the Ft. Worth Convention Center for the UIL State Spirit Cheer Championships. Dallas ISD sent 5 teams to the competition, and Woodrow Wilson and Roosevelt high schools defied the odds securing a top spot in the championship. The teams’ success marks a historic milestone for Dallas ISD athletics, proving that the district’s spirit programs are becoming a force to be reckoned with on the state stage. With over 200 teams vying for a title, finishing in the top 20 is a…