News Briefs

On May 18,  Edwin J. Kiest Elementary hosted their first-ever College, Career and Health Fair. More than 30 vendors attended, ranging from colleges, hospitals and various careers.  The event was a huge success by allowing students to visit each table with their families in hopes of sparking the conversation at home about the students’ future.  The event was organized by school counselor Keich Willis, nurse Adrian Johnson, and teacher assistant Celeste Ruiz.

The MoneyGram Foundation and the nonprofit First Book teamed up to award Dallas ISD schools with a $25,5000 grant to purchase culturally relevant books to improve reading programs for schools. John F. Peeler Elementary School celebrated the grant with an interactive reading event that included appearances from FC Dallas soccer players, a futbolero performance, and a book reading by MoneyGram chairman Pam Patsley. Peeler Elementary will receive $3,500 from the grant to go toward the library. “This unique partnership between Money Gram, First Books, FC Dallas and the Dallas ISD is a perfect example of Business, Education, and Professional Sports…

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler kicked off his Summer Reading Challenge this week by challenging students at Dallas ISD’s David G. Burnet Elementary School to read. The Reading Challenge, presented by the Rashad Jennings Foundation, serves more than 20,000 students across the country by partnering with NFL players who serve as Reading Challenge Ambassadors from all 32 NFL teams. In the challenge, students will read as many books as they can during summer break and answer reading comprehension questions. Each time a student reads a book and demonstrates an understanding of the text, they are entered into a drawing…

Volunteers from the American Red Cross of North Texas presented the American Red Cross Pillowcase Project to more than 300 students at Highland Meadows Elementary School this week. The Pillowcase Project, sponsored by Disney, is a preparedness education program for grades three to five that teaches students about personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards and basic coping skills. Red Cross volunteers led students through a learn, practice, and share framework to engage them in disaster preparedness and survival skills. Upon completion of the presentation, students received a pillowcase in which to build their personal emergency supplies kit.