News Briefs

Starting the school year with perfect attendance sets the stage for academic success, ensuring students begin their educational journey on the right foot – fully engaged and ready to learn. Since frequent absences can hinder progress and understanding, the Graduation, Recovery, Attendance/Advocacy, and Dropout Intervention Department is heading a month-long perfect attendance competition, challenging Dallas ISD students to be present and engaged from the first day of school. Students are automatically entered into the challenge if they have perfect attendance from day one through Aug. 30. There will be one student winner per Trustee district.  “We must encourage students to…

Dozens of Dallas ISD team members are preparing to host a new event that will reach out to families whose children receive certain special services in the district. The Special Populations Back to School Expo will include 22 vendors and offer a variety of resources. Parents of students who receive districtwide services from programs such as adapted physical education, assistive technology, deaf or hard of hearing, music therapy, orientation and mobility, occupational therapy/physical therapy, speech, and vision will benefit from participation in the expo. The event focuses on students who receive the specific services mentioned and will not include a…

Submitted by Emily Davis on behalf of the Dallas Education Foundation Dallas Education Foundation announced the 2024 recipients of the Liza Farrow-Gillespie Intrepid Young Woman Scholarship – Amy S-R. and Mikayla S. Named in memory of Liza Farrow-Gillespie, the scholarship awards two deserving young women from Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet a $10,000 scholarship to pursue a future career in law. Liza Farrow-Gillespie served as permanent briefing attorney for the late United States District Judge Barefoot Sanders. She later co-founded the law firm of Farrow-Gillespie Heath Witter LLP., one of the largest woman-owned law firms in Dallas, highlighting her commitment…

In an ongoing effort to foster safer schools, Dallas ISD is expanding its clear backpack requirement to all students in grades pre-K through 12 for the 2024-2025 school year.  While clear backpacks are preferred, mesh ones are an additional option. Students may still carry a small, non-clear pouch in their backpack to hold personal items such as cellphones, money, and hygiene products.  The district will provide each student with a durable clear backpack at no cost. Parents may also purchase their students’ preferred clear or acceptable mesh backpack. Please note that a clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete…