Dallas ISD gets ready for the new school year
As the start of class approaches, Dallas ISD is getting ready to welcome students back. From teachers meeting to strategize for the upcoming year to central departments making sure everything is ready to welcome students, multiple teams across the district are working diligently to ensure a smooth and exciting start for the 2024-2025 school year. Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening: 
Schools
Teachers and administrators have been gathering this week to look at last year’s data and map out strategies to continue supporting student success. Teachers also have been working to review lesson plans and set up their classrooms.
Transportation Department
- Professional learning communities: Launched in June 2024, these communities brought together executive team members at each service center for collaborative, data-informed discussions to optimize service.
- Leadership retreat: Held on July 29, this retreat energized transportation leaders and focused on the district’s mission to Level Up. Key themes included growing leaders, responsive service, owning our work, and winning through customer service.
- Athletic coordinators training: This training ensured athletic coordinators understand how to access transportation for student athletes with guidance provided by dispatchers from each service center.
- Welcome back professional development: On Aug. 1, all drivers and monitors returned for a day of professional development, with Lawnview Service Center team members enjoying snow cones provided by Neighborhood Credit Union.
Maintenance and Facility Services Department
Summer is a critical time for the Maintenance and Facility Services Department to complete projects requiring full access to buildings. With over 300 campuses and central sites, the team is working steadfastly to ensure campuses are safe, clean, and comfortable.
Among the work performed to have facilities ready to welcome team members and students was the installation of roof-top HVAC units, emergency repairs, adding water filtration systems, replacing carpet in auditoriums and other areas, building stages and replacing flooring.
Food and Child Nutrition Services (FCNS)
FCNS is launching several initiatives to enhance the nutritional experience for students and staff:
- New Menu Items: After conducting taste tests during the 2023-2024 school year, FCNS has developed new menu items based on student feedback, including Breakfast Fiesta Nachos, CharCUTErie Smart Box, Italian Grilled Cheese, and Jalapeno Breakfast Sandwich. Notably, the new Homestyle Mac and Cheese will be made from scratch as part of the back-to-scratch initiative.
- Cooking with Chef Trina: A seven-episode cooking series featuring Executive Chef Trina Nelson will showcase Dallas ISD departments and resources, such as the Environmental Education Center and Community Resource Centers.
- FCNS Community Cookbook: Partnering with the CTE program, FCNS will create a digital community cookbook available for download on their website.
- MealViewer Software App: New for the 24-25 school year, the app will display detailed food ingredients and labels, including Added Sugar, Halal, and Kosher options.
