Staff News

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Incoming freshmen to CityLab High School enjoyed an inside look into the campus at a recent special orientation where they learned about what will make the school special.

CityLab will be the newest Dallas ISD Transformation School when it opens its doors for 100 new freshman students in August. It will utilize a school-wide urban planning, architecture, and community development framework, making its downtown location (912 S. Ervay Street) the ideal site for its inventive academic offerings.

Teachers at the new CityLab High School.

The school will provide a transformative educational experience where learning extends beyond the classroom walls into the streets where students live, work, and play. Students will be prepared to become the next generation of design professionals and civic leaders, equipped with an appreciation and holistic understanding of the urban environment. Programs of study will include architecture, environmental science, and urban and regional planning, leading to one or more endorsements in Business and Industry, Public Services, or Multidisciplinary Studies.

Like other district Transformation Schools, CityLab will be open to all incoming ninth-grade students regardless of academic ability. Enrollment will be based on socioeconomic status, following the successful model piloted by Solar Preparatory School for Girls. CityLab High School was identified through the district’s annual Public School Choice competitive proposal process that was open to educators nationwide.

There are still opportunities available at CityLab for interested students. To learn more or enroll a student in CityLab high School, contact the Office of Transformation and Innovation at 972-925-3306 or choice@dallasisd.org.

With the addition of CityLab, the district will have 18 Choice Schools as part of its Public School Choice initiative: five other Transformation Schools (Solar Prep, Mata ES, Hulcy STEAM MS, IDEA HS, Ignite MS opening in August 2018) and 12 Innovation Schools (Cabell ES, De Zavala ES *Innovation Pilot*, Botello ES, Rogers ES, Weiss ES, Preston Hollow ES, Kramer ES, Lee ES, Lipscomb ES, Marsh MS, Franklin MS, and Bryan Adams HS).

Dallas ISD’s convenient, fast and accurate way to enroll new and returning students to the district is just a click away.

By visiting dallasisd.org/onlineenrollment, parents no longer need to wait in line to fill out paper forms at the campus to enroll their child.

The district provides an online enrollment option to parents and families of all kindergarten through 12th-grade students to facilitate the registration/enrollment process for the 2017-2018 school year, which starts Monday, Aug. 28. Pre-K and early childhood students must register on their campus.

Online enrollment is not mandatory and is optional for parents. Those parents wishing to enroll their child utilizing the traditional paper forms may continue to do so. For paper enrollment, click here.

In order to enroll online, all returning students must have a SnapCode, which can be found on their last Dallas ISD report card or retrieved from the enrollment website. All students new to the district will need to follow the listed steps to ensure they are in fact a new student to Dallas ISD. If a SnapCode is not found for a student, the New Student enrollment link will display and guide to submitting the online application.

For questions or concerns regarding the online enrollment process, parents can call the Dallas ISD Enrollment hotline at (972) 925-5860 or send an email to enrollmentsupport@dallasisd.org.

The volunteers and partners who donated time, services and products were honored in April. On Thursday, May 25, it was time for the campus-based volunteer and partnership coordinators to be honored for their hard work.

A luncheon to honor those staff members was sponsored by Credit Union of Texas and conducted at The Music Hall at Fair Park.

The Partnership Coordinators receiving honors are:

• Karen Chandler, Stonewall Jackson Elementary School
• Monica Santillan, Daniel Webster Elementary School
• Katie Albritton, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

The Volunteer Coordinators receiving honors are:

• Jeanne Juneau, Dan D. Rogers Elementary School
• Tonye Melton, Albert Sidney Johnston Elementary School
• Maria Garcia, W.H. Adamson High School
• Nora Garcia, Sunset High School
• Melissa Martinez, Mount Auburn Elementary School (Peer Award winner)