News Briefs

Students at John B. Hood Middle School, which is named after a Confederate general, have selected a new name for the school: Piedmont Global Academy. The Dallas Morning News reports that 63 percent of the students voted for the new name. From the Dallas Morning News: Former students and community members who live nearby will get to weigh in before the recommendation is forwarded to the district administration. Final approval of the name change must come from the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees. Click here for the full Dallas Morning News story.

South Oak Cliff High School (SOC) will host the first of a three-part workshop for students, staff, parents and community members to come together and reimagine the high school. During the first session, the community will learn about innovative school models locally and nationwide that might help inspire a new vision for South Oak Cliff. The group will then meet during two separate workshops further outlining the overall vision of SOC’s future. These members will be charged with answering questions such as: What does future success look like for our students? What assets and opportunities does our community have? What…

J.L Long Middle School janitor Enrique Mendez has been named a finalist for a nationwide Janitor of the Year contest. Sponsored by Cintas Corporation, the contest aims to recognize the best-of-the-best in school janitors. Mendez is one of 10 finalists competing for a $5,000 cash prize along with $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services for his or her school—not to mention bragging rights. Mendez often works 12-hour days and even some weekends in order to keep the school in tip-top shape, according to Cintas. During last year’s ice storm, Mendez spent several nights away from his family to…

Urban Park Elementary staff, teachers, and parents worked together to put on an out-of-this-world STAAR pep rally for the school’s third-, fourth- and fifth-graders on Wednesday. The rally, which aimed to motivate the students taking the first round of STAAR exams next week,  started with the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders parading across the front of the school as younger schoolmates cheered “si se puede” and “may the scores be with you!” Meanwhile, the Skyline High School drumline performed high-energy arrangements that had students dancing and nodding their heads. The students then entered the auditorium, where they were greeted with flashing lights…