News Briefs

This summer marks a milestone as the Mayor’s Back To School Fair, scheduled for Friday, August 5 at Fair Park, celebrates its 20th anniversary! Most parents agree that costs can quickly add up when preparing for the first day of school. That’s why so many community supporters come together every year to help students and families with their school-related needs at the Mayor’s Back To School Fair. From free school supplies for Dallas schoolchildren (who meet specific eligibility requirements), to free health, dental and vision screenings, immunizations and haircuts, to the latest information on education, health and social services, the…

Porfirio Alvarez was on vacation when he was called in to substitute at Ignacio Zaragosa Elementary for a teacher going on maternity leave. It was his first time subbing—or teaching, for that matter—but he felt a calling to cut his vacation short and take the opportunity. Much to Alvarez’ surprise, that one day subbing transformed his life. Meet A Top 100 Teacher, a Hub feature that spotlights one of Dallas ISD’s Top 100 teachers, checked in with Alvarez in his classroom at William Anderson Elementary School. Why did you become a teacher? While subbing, I established a strong connection with those…

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the district’s $1.4 billion budget for 2016-2017 at its June 23 meeting. Key aspects of the budget include: More than $13 million to support the opening of eight collegiate academies which will offer students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, tuition-free, while in high school. A 2-percent raise for hourly workers. The budget also includes raising the minimum hourly salary for custodians and other maintenance workers to $10.37. Approximately $4.7 million to support the continued implementation of the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) initiative, an effort to raise achievement at seven underperforming schools by providing…

The 2016 Junior Achievement Annual Celebration recognized the tremendous work that happens between this national non-profit and the Dallas ISD. Junior Achievement in the 2015-16 school year provided financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs at 59 district schools.  In total the programs were offered to more than 21,000 Dallas ISD students. More than 2,000 corporate volunteers participated, and the in-kind services provided are valued at $643,110. According to Veena Armstrong, Volunteer and Partnership Services, Junior Achievement presentations impact students long beyond the days of service.  “The discussions spur further interaction between teachers and students after the JA volunteers have…