News Briefs

Parents, staff and the community are encouraged to attend two community budget meetings to obtain information about the Dallas ISD 2019-2020 proposed budget. The meetings are part of the annual district budget process and are open to the public. Both meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. and will take place on: • Tuesday, March 19, at Justin F. Kimball High School • Thursday, March 21, at North Dallas High School Both meetings will be led by Acting Chief Financial Officer Dwayne Thompson and will provide parents and members of the community excellent opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.

Dallas ISD kicked off National School Breakfast Week on Monday in the tastiest way yet: with a smoothie competition! Nearly 50 students on five teams thought up and blended their very own smoothies at the competition at Sunset High School. The smoothies followed set guidelines and included fresh fruits. The winning smoothie from the Sunset team could be served at schools across the district next school year. The Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services Department is hosting a number of events this week to bring awareness to the School Breakfast Program. Activities include offering breakfast items during lunch, an…

With a secondary debate program in Dallas ISD schools for more than 10 years, the the district piloted a debate program for fifth-graders this year. Using the DebateAble curriculum, 15 schools were selected from across Dallas ISD to participate in the elementary debate program. Coaches and students attended after-school practices, workshops, and scrimmages from September to March. Educating self and others through thoughtful, persuasive and civil argument, the elementary debate curriculum is designed to enhance students critical thinking, organizational, teamwork and public speaking skills. The two resolutions that the students debated this year were: Fifth-grade students should do homework, and…

In celebration of Black History Month, a group of Roosevelt High School students used their creativity and research skills for a poster board competition. Students created poster boards detailing the lives and accomplishments of African-American leaders. Roosevelt teacher Winifred Bell said she and other staff ended up learning from the students. “These students worked hard on this project, and I am proud of what they have accomplished,” she said. A group of Roosevelt teachers and staff then judged the poster boards on Feb. 27 and named the winner of the competition.