JCPenney sponsors after-hours shopping event for district staff

Dallas ISD teachers and staff can enjoy discounts of up to 30 percent at special after-hours shopping event at select JCPenney stores from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, August 6.

District staff will be the guests of honor at a closed shopping event at JC Penney stores at Timber Creek Crossing, 6051 Skillman St., Dallas 75231, and Town East Mall, 6000 Town East Mall, Mesquite 75150. District identification will be required for admission. Go here to download the invitation.

Dallas ISD provides parents back to school information

Dallas Independent School District is providing parents a virtual one-stop-shop with helpful back to school information for the 2017-2018 school year, which starts Monday, Aug. 28.

Available in English and Spanish, the 2017-2018 Back-to-School page, includes information such as:
·      School hours
·      Back to School Hotline
·      Online enrollment
·      Bus Routes and Schedules (2017-2018 bus routes and schedules to be available by the week of August 14).
·      School meal information
·      Immunization requirements

The Back to School page can be found at http://www.dallasisd.org/backtoschool.
In addition, the district reminds parents that pre-registration for the 2017 Mayor’s Back to School Fair is available through July 28.

The fair will take place Friday, Aug. 4, at the Centennial Building in Fair Park. Parents of children attending Dallas ISD schools, who meet the eligibility requirements, can register to receive free school supplies during the fair. Other services at no cost to families available at the fair will include immunizations, health, dental and vision screenings, haircuts, and more. For the pre-registration locations and hours, visit: http://www.mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com/.

This Week in Dallas ISD: June 15 edition

Spend the next 90 seconds catching up on many of the great things that happened across the district this week!

Watch the above video, or read below, to learn more.

UNCF scholarships

Thirty-one graduating Dallas ISD seniors were recognized at a special reception for receivingUnited Negro College Fund (UNCF) scholarships. (Learn more)

Trustee Marshall reelected

Dustin Marshall was reelected to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees in Saturday’s runoff election for the District 2 seat. (Learn more)

Classroom management

Representatives from every Dallas ISD school were trained on how to best react to and prevent disruptive classroom situations that can lead to behavior incidents and suspensions. (Read this)

GAABA scholarships

The Greenville Avenue Area Business Association awarded college scholarships to nine graduating seniors from Woodrow Wilson, North Dallas and Conrad high schools. (Learn more)

Mavericks Classroom Champion

Arleen Averill, a first-grade teacher at Dallas ISD’s Cigarroa Elementary School, was named a Dallas Mavericks Classroom Champions Teacher of the Year. (Learn more)

Stars on the Rise

Thanks to employee donations and strong corporate and educational partnerships, the Stars on the Rise scholarship program raised $2.39 million to distribute to deserving area high school graduates. (Read this)

School of Health Professions student wins at national conference

A Class of 2017 graduate from the School of Health Professions at Townview won first place in her category at HOSA’s 40th International Leadership Conference in Florida.

Mariana Torres took home first place in the Home Health Aide competition at the conference held June 20–23.

Fellow School of Health Professions student Miguel Castro participated in the conference’s Job Seeking Skills competition and did a great job.

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA’s goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.

Karina Marquez and Shirley Adams-Anderson, both teachers at the School of Health Professions, went with the students to the conference.

Torres will attend the University of Texas at Dallas and Castro will attend the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall.

Two Dallas ISD musicians receive prestigious scholarships

Fine Arts Chamber Players (FACP) has announced that two recent Dallas ISD graduates are the recipients of the first annual Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund.

Quinn Mason, an award-winning composer who graduated from North Dallas High school in 2015, and Kenoly Kadia, a pianist who graduated from David W. Carter High school in 2017, are the scholarship recipients.

“I am very honored and grateful to receive this generous gift, as I could not have paid the tuition myself,” said Mason. “I am hoping that this college education will allow me to provide a comfortable living for myself, and allow me to provide for my mother. I plan to reach new heights in music and do important things that will make an impact on future generations. I will work to the best of my ability to make the Stones proud that they invested in my education.”

The scholarship was established at The Dallas Foundation in March 2016 by longtime FACP supporters Don and Norma Stone, and it was named in honor of Rogene Russell, the artistic director and cofounder of FACP.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of talented candidates who applied for the first year of the Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund, and are eager to see the progress that Quinn and Kenoly will make in their college music studies,” explained FACP Executive Director Rachel Assi.

Applications were considered by a committee representing FACP, Southern Methodist University, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, The Dallas Foundation, and the local philanthropic community. After the initial review of material, select applicants were asked to perform for or present their compositions to the committee for further consideration.

Rogene Russell added, “FACP has been honored to support Kenoly and Quinn in their pre-college artistic growth. As anyone currently attending college knows, the cost of tuition is daunting. Through the vision and generosity of Norma and Don Stone, these scholarships will enable Kenoly and Quinn to pursue a college education without the burden of immense debt.”

“I am very grateful for all the support that I have had from FACP,” echoed Kadia. “I am very humbled and honored to receive the scholarship. I intend to use this scholarship to the best of my ability, and hopefully one day I will be an inspiration to others and be an asset in the music industry.”

Since the Fund was established in 2016, the Stone’s initial $500,000 gift has grown by 38%, totaling $691,000 through additional contributions.

“Our highest hope,” Mr. Stone stated, “is that the fund will increase to at least $1 million to provide support for the college careers of other young aspiring musicians in future years.”

“Don and I know this scholarship has made a huge impact on the ability of these two winners to continue their music education,” added Mrs. Stone. “How many other gifted youngsters such as Quinn and Kenoly can we help in the future?”

“The Dallas Foundation manages a variety of scholarship funds made possible by the generosity  of our donors,” said Mary Jalonick, president and CEO of The Dallas Foundation. “For many students, these scholarships can be a valuable resource that allows them to achieve lifelong dreams. We’d like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Quinn and Kenoly, and special thanks to Don and Norma Stone, as well as Fine Arts Chambers Players, for their continued leadership and commitment to nurturing the future leaders of the arts community.”

For more information about contributing to the Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund, contact Dallas Foundation Grants Officer Lynsie Laughlin at 214-741-9898 or llaughlin@dallasfoundation.org; or visit DallasFoundation.org, click on “I’d like to give to a fund,” then search for “Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund.”

El Dallas ISD tendrá el primer Salón de la Fama del Deporte

Funcionarios del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dallas se complacen en anunciar el primer salón de la fama del deporte del distrito donde se reconocerá y homenajeará a todos aquellos que han contribuido de manera significativa a los programas deportivos de las preparatorias del distrito.

Se recibirán las nominaciones para la generación de 2018 a partir de hoy, y hasta el 30 de septiembre. Se puede nominar para las siguientes categorías: exdeportista en el Dallas ISD; exentrenador en el Dallas ISD y colaboradores.

“Estamos muy contentos de tener esta oportunidad de reconocer y rendir homenaje a nuestras figuras deportivas y sus logros”, dijo Gil Garza, director de deportes en el Dallas ISD.  “El Dallas ISD tiene una gran tradición de éxitos deportivos y estamos orgullosos de comenzar este proyecto. Estos hombres y mujeres han tenido un efecto notable no solo en el plano deportivo, sino también en sus comunidades”.

El Salón de la Fama del Deporte del Dallas ISD reconocerá a todos aquellos que han ayudado a promover la concientización y aprecio hacia los deportes en las preparatorias por medio de sus logros y excelencia, tanto dentro como fuera del campo. Se puede incluir a exestudiantes, entrenadores, administradores, oficiales, personal de los medios de comunicación, personal de medicina deportiva, entrenadores deportivos o voluntarios distinguidos. Los nominados pueden estar en activo o estar jubilados del campo y deben demostrar el más alto nivel de espíritu deportivo, comportamiento ético y carácter moral.

Para más información, y para presentar una nominación visite dallasisd.org/athletichalloffame.

Dallas ISD tiene información de regreso a clases disponible

El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dallas tiene a disposición de los padres un sitio en línea  con información sobre el regreso a clases para el nuevo año escolar, el cual comienza el lunes, 28 de agosto.

Disponible en inglés y español, la página en línea del Regreso a Clases, incluye información como:

  • Horario de clases
  • Línea de Regreso a Clases
  • Inscripción por Internet
  • Rutas de Transporte (rutas y horarios de transporte para el 2017-2018 estarán disponible para la semana del 14 de agosto).
  • Información de alimentos
  • Vacunas requeridas

La página en línea del Regreso a Clases se puede encontrar en: https://www.dallasisd.org/regresoaclases.

Además el distrito le recuerda a los padres que el registro anticipado para la Feria Anual de Regreso a Clases del Alcalde de Dallas, está disponible hasta el 28 de julio. La feria se llevará a cabo el viernes, 4 de agosto, en el edificio Centennial del Parque de la Feria. Padres de estudiantes del Dallas ISD, quienes son elegibles, pueden regístrate para recibir útiles escolares gratuitos durante la feria. Otros servicios sin costo para las familias que estarán disponible, incluyen vacunas y exámenes de salud, dental y visión, además de cortes de cabello, entre otras cosas. Para los sitios y horarios de registro anticipado visite: http://www.mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com/espanol.html.

Spruce senior plans to give back to her community (video)

Elsy Morales was recently selected as one of three 2017 Sulentic Family Foundation Scholarship winners.

She credits her teachers at H. Grady Spruce High School for helping her achieve academic success.

“I’ve had so many problems, and I didn’t have anybody to talk to,” Morales said. “So the only people I could turn to were my teachers.”

After attending a community college for two years and earning a four-year degree at a university, she said she hopes to return to her community to help others.

Watch the video to hear her story.

Dallas ISD announces first-ever Athletic Hall of Fame

Dallas ISD officials are excited to announce the district’s first-ever Athletic Hall of Fame created to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the district’s storied high school athletic programs.

Nominations for the Dallas ISD Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2018 open on July 11.  All nominations must be received by Sept. 30. Individuals may be nominated in one of three categories: Past Dallas ISD Student Athlete; Former Dallas ISD Coach; and Contributors.

“We are very excited about the opportunity we have to recognize and pay tribute to our past sports figures and their accomplishments,” Dallas ISD Athletics Director Gil Garza said. “Dallas ISD has a rich history of success in athletics and we are proud to begin this tradition. These women and men have made a significant impact not only in their designated athletic arena, but in their communities.”

The Dallas ISD Athletic Hall of Fame will acknowledge those who have raised the level of public awareness and appreciation (support) for high school athletics through their distinguished achievement and excellence, both on and off the field of competition.  These individuals may include former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, contest officials, media personnel, sports medicine personnel, athletic trainers, or distinguished volunteers. Nominees may be active or retired from their fields and must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and moral character.

Go to dallasisd.org/athletichalloffame to learn more and submit a nomination for the Dallas ISD Athletic Hall of Fame.