News Briefs

Students in grades 5-12 who have demonstrated excellent volunteer service during the past 12 months are encouraged to apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. The prize, which comprises $1,000, a medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., will be awarded to two students from each state. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, was created in 1995 to recognize the exemplary volunteer work of middle- and high-school students. Students must complete the online application by Nov. 6, 2018. Find information and apply here: https://spirit.prudential.com/.

In celebration of International Literacy Day, Dallas ISD Trustee Justin Henry and Univision’s Daniel Luna read to students at C.A. Tatum Jr. Elementary School to encourage students to be lifelong readers. “We are immensely grateful to Mr. Henry and Mr. Luna for taking their time to spread a love of reading among our students,” Principal Enrique Rodriquez said. “This was the perfect way to recognize International Literacy Day.” International Literacy Day (ILD), which is celebrated annually on Sept. 8, shines a spotlight on global literacy needs.

Dallas ISD’s Gabe P. Allen Charter School celebrated the first week of School Attendance Awareness Month with a special celebration on the school’s playground. Principal Sheila Ortiz Espinell congratulated students on their hard work last year. The campus met state testing standards and earned one distinction in science. However, she said, the school came close to earning all possible distinctions but fell just short and just barely because of attendance – even though attendance was high. Dr. Sara Johnson of the district’s Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction department presented an award for outstanding attendance compliance in 2017-2018. Brill Garrett, wife…

The Dallas ISD Special Education Department is looking for nominees that demonstrate qualities of a distinguished special education teacher, setting high standards and demonstrating commitment for improving outcomes for students who receive special education services in Dallas ISD. These teachers assume formal and informal leadership roles, mentor and develop others, share new ideas and best practices for serving students with disabilities, and are collaborative, solutions-oriented team members. https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/05/16/special-education-teacher-at-hernandez-is-first-to-win-award/ Nominations may be made by Dallas ISD parents, district staff and/or administrators.  One winner will be selected for a cash award of $250 each quarter. The cash award, sponsored by Carter Financial Management, must be used toward materials, resources and supplies for the winner’s special education classroom. Nominations can be…