News Briefs

Jack Kelanic is the district’s chief technology officer. Kelanic brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience to his new post. His responsibilities include developing the long-range technology plan to enable digital learning for Dallas ISD students and improving technology support for schools and district business operations. Prior to his appointment to Dallas ISD, Kelanic served as the director of information technology for the city of Tacoma, where he led key initiatives such as open data and analytics, mobile government services, digital equity, and technology infrastructure modernization. He also served as the chief information systems director for the Los Angeles Unified…

It was another great week across the district in Dallas ISD! Watch this video, or read below, to learn more. Winter Blitz More than 2,000 students participated in Winter Blitz, a Destination Imagination workshop that encouraged the creative spirit (watch this). Aspen Challenge Teams of Dallas ISD students attended the Aspen Challenge Kick Off and heard from leaders who are tackling current national challenges (watch this). Going for gold Olympic gold medalist and Skyline High School grad Michael Johnson talked with students at his alma mater and presented a check from Muscle Milk to the school’s athletic program (watch this). NFL retirees read…

The Michael & Susan Dell foundation has launched a pilot program to support three school districts, including Dallas ISD in partnership with Dallas Teacher Residency, to help refine the process to assess what students know and are able to do. The scope of the project will span two years and focus on improving the practices of 20 teachers across four Dallas ISD schools: Ben Milam and Anne Frank elementary schools, Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Moises E. Molina High School. Over the course of the two years, a team made up of Dallas ISD and Dallas Teacher Residency will closely work…

Spruce High School student Angel Silva has read more than 1 million words—which is 12 total books—so far this school year! In celebration of his hard work in his Read 180 reading class taught by Griselda Whitaker, Silva received a Kindle. (Photo from left to right: Christine Elliott, Danielle Petters, Angel Silva, Griselda Whitaker, Tiffany Cameron, Carol Terracina, Tracie Walker-Reed)