News Briefs

As we move into May, the Special Education Department is continuing to  provide a variety of services, resources and events for students with disabilities and their families. During this month, students are encouraged to enjoy virtual experiences such as visits to the Dallas Museum of Art (May 8), Yosemite National Park (May 15) and the United States’ Capitol (May 18).   Students, families, and teachers also have access to Facebook Live chats on topics such as how to transition into adulthood or how to support siblings with disabilities. In addition, parents and teachers can participate in a series of webinars on…

The stress of working from home, juggling family responsibilities, and managing the instruction of students and your own children is enough to challenge anyone’s well-being says Dr. Lenora Ivy, a school psychologist with Dallas ISD Psychological and Social Services.  “Everyone is affected by COVID-19 in some way—mentally, emotionally, financially, or physically,” she says. To manage the stress, Ivy, who has authored an easy-to-read book with coping strategies, offers the following advice: Be gracious with yourself, your students, and others, because we are all under a lot of stress. Keep in mind that everyone copes differently, and it’s okay if you…

For 13,000 students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, a date with destiny is fast approaching. This year’s Advanced Placement exams will be held online May 11-22. Dallas ISD’s Advanced Academic Services team urges students enrolled in AP classes to take a few final steps to prepare for the May exams. Students enrolled in AP classes who have questions about this year’s AP exams should contact their campus AP coordinator. Due to COVID-19, the College Board, which oversees the administration of the exams, is making several new resources available to students online. These include the AP testing guide, exam day checklist,…

Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) master principal Marion Jackson has been named to lead the West Dallas STEM School – an educational collaboration of the district, Toyota USA Foundation,Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the West Dallas community. Known for her innovative and transformative leadership, Jackson brings a depth of knowledge in STEM instruction to the post. Most notably, she has a track record of closing student performance gaps and increasing academic achievement in reading, math and science as measured by Texas Education Agency standards. Evidence of her forward-thinking approach includes her co-development of a best practice model in mathematics…