News Briefs

The Dallas Morning News profiled a new professional network group that connects notable Booker T. Washington High School alumni with current students. Called BTWConnect, the network has brought in performers and artists such as Robert Duvall, Sidney Poitier, and Kevin Bacon. Click here to read the full story. Photo courtesy Dallas Morning News

A fundraiser for the family of Ning Sian Et, a first-grader who went to Hotchkiss Elementary, has raised more than $2,000. The fundraiser organized by the Hotchkiss Elementary Family had raised $2,161 out of its $2,500 goal as of April 20. Et died when she and her mother were struck by a car near their home on March 30. Et’s mother suffered serious injuries in the accident and had to stay in the hospital for several days. The online fundraiser will help the family pay for some of the medical expenses as well as provide money for other expenses that might…

As part of National Volunteer Month, we are recognizing those who do great work in helping out at different schools within the district. Here is a letter Sara Suarez, a student at Stockard Middle School, wrote to Ms. Estrada, a volunteer at the school.

As part of the transition to the Teacher Excellence Initiative, the Dallas Independent School District’s Teacher of the Year selection process is being adjusted to align and coincide with teacher effectiveness results to be completed in September. The Teacher of the Year recognition program will be expanded to allow significantly more teachers from each campus to be honored for their efforts to go the extra mile on behalf of their students, Superintendent Mike Miles said. The Teacher of the Year program will now be aligned with the Teacher Excellence Initiative, the district’s effort to identify, support, and reward effective teachers. “We…