News Briefs

On Election Day in November 2019, all registered Dallas County voters were able to vote at any polling location in Dallas County thanks to the new Countywide Vote Centers. Dallas County will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, to receive comments and statements from the public regarding the use of Countywide Vote Centers used in the November election Public comments will be recorded and made a part of Dallas County’s request to permanently establish Countywide Vote Centers for Election Day voting in Dallas County. Dallas County residents can obtain more information about Vote Centers, and provide their…

Dallas ISD is launching a dedicated phone number that Spanish-speaking parents, staff and community members can call to reach a representative fluent in Spanish who will be able to connect them with the information and resources they seek. The dedicated Spanish line can be reached by dialing (972) 925-3702, which will be available during Dallas ISD’s regular working hours. “We embrace the diversity of our district, and this will be another step towards ensuring we are all in on creating a welcoming environment for our families and community,” said Vincent Reyes, assistant superintendent in charge of parent advocacy and support…

The Dallas ISD Language, Literacy, and Social Studies departments held their annual Fall Conference at Bryan Adams High School on Nov. 9. Nearly 300 teachers and staff came together under the theme of “Empowering Students through Disciplinary Literacy” and were treated to keynote speeches from Chief Academic Officer Ivonne Durant and global literacy expert Pam Allyn. Students from Maria Moreno Elementary School’s Ballet Folklorico provided entertainment with a variety of songs and dances. Throughout the day, teachers and staff facilitated sessions to participants in a wide variety of trainings, such as Differenti—WHAAAAT?, in which teachers were given tips on how…

Students from six schools got to see the new movie “Harriet,” which tells the story of heroic abolitionist Harriet Tubman, at AMC NorthPark thanks to Ford Motor Company and Jackie Bazan. Meanwhile, Digital Promise/Verizon Innovative Learning Schools provided all students at five other Dallas ISD schools with the opportunity to see the film. After the viewing at AMC NorthPark, Ervin James III, professor of humanities and social science at Paul Quinn College, and Shalon Bond, director of the Dallas ISD Social Studies Department, led a panel discussion with students about the movie. The schools that attended the screening sponsored by…