News Briefs

The contributions of district employees will help make dreams of college a reality for 10 recent Dallas ISD graduates. The students will receive $1,000 scholarships funded by the annual employee UNCF giving campaign. Outgoing Superintendent Miles Miles and Trustees Lew Blackburn and Bernadette Nutall recently joined UNCF representatives at a ceremony held to honor the recipients. The students plan to attend public and private institutions as diverse as historically-black Prairie View A&M, Langston and Howard universities, and state schools Texas Woman’s and Texas A&M universities. The students’ intended majors are just as diverse, with some planning to pursue studies in business…

Eric Cowan, president of the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District, released the following statement in response to Mike Miles resigning as Dallas ISD superintendent: “Over the past three years, Dallas ISD has taken bold steps with one common goal: to improve the quality of education we provide to the students of Dallas ISD. It hasn’t always been easy, and it hasn’t always been comfortable, but through it all, Superintendent Miles stayed the course and continued to push for transformation. The Board is committed to working together to quickly find new, strong leadership for our school district, and we are…

Kids can help improve the environment, too! Instead of tossing out toys that are outgrown, donate them to a local organization. Old books and stuffed animals could bring happiness to another child. Conserve energy by shutting down electronics when not in use. Parents will appreciate the lower electricity bill! Spend time outdoors and plant a tree. A single tree will absorb 1 ton of carbon dioxide, which releases oxygen back into the air. The oxygen trees provide gives us clean air to breathe. Talking with friends and family about the simple ways to go green can make planet-friendly habits a…

The Dallas Morning News recently wrote a editorial on the great work happening at W.W. Samuell High School. The editorial details the early-college curriculum implemented at the school in 2012, which “offers students the chance to earn an associate of arts or science degree along with their high school diploma.” The editorial notes how graduation rates have steadily risen at the school, and how Samuell implements “a strategy that provides guideposts for how to create more successful urban campuses.” Click here to read the full editorial. Photo courtesy Dallas Morning News