News Briefs

The Oak Cliff Advocate has an in-depth story about some of the great things happening at Felix G. Botello Elementary School. Specifically, the story talks about how AVID, a college readiness system, is setting students up for future success. The story also talks about how students took the lead in securing a $10,000 grant from the Texas Trees Foundation to pay for dozens of trees. Read the full story here. Photo courtesy Oak Cliff Advocate

Dallas ISD this weekend is hosting its first ever districtwide showcase of school offerings with representatives from all 228 district schools. The Discover Dallas ISD Fair, which is Saturday at Ellis Davis Field House, will cap off another great week filled with big announcements, important visits, and critical partnerships. Watch this video, or read below, to learn more. District lands partnership with Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines announced it will partner with North Dallas High School’s collegiate academy to provide real world experience for students. (Learn more) Reducing truancies Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and County Judge Clay Jenkins presented 24 recommendations to…

Dallas high school students interested in journalism and storytelling are encouraged to apply to the “Storytellers Without Borders” program conducted by The Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Public Library. Participants will learn the basics of multimedia reporting and how to use resources available at libraries, guided by professional journalists and librarians. A committee will select 60 participants to be part of the first of three eight-week sessions starting in February and offered at the Central Library, Skyline Branch Library and a third branch yet to be determined. Learn more about the program here and apply by Jan. 25 here.

Bryan Tovar and Jorge Chairez, students at Lang Middle School, were named Ad Cap Team Innovator Finalists and won a $1,000 grant for their project. Under the supervision of Dee Coyle, CTE Teacher at Lang, Tovar and Chairez attended a conference sponsored by Adventure Capital where they were challenged to think of an idea that would help kids increase their physical activity or help kids eat healthy while incorporating academics. The two boys pitched their idea called “Quick Equip.” Quick Equip is a solution to Lang’s scarce playground equipment. Students are often scuffling over one or two sports balls. To counter…