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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/.

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District honors volunteer, partnership coordinators at third annual event

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)
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Three campus employees nominees for LifeChanger of the Year Award

Three Dallas ISD educators are among 17 in Texas nominated for the national 2017-2018 LifeChanger of the Year Award.

National Life Group has sponsored and coordinated the award since 2006. Multiple awards are distributed each year among nominees from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. One Grand Prize Winner will split a $10,000 prize with his or her school.

The district nominees are:

  • Javier Chaparro, principal, Seagoville Middle School
  • Katherine Evans, counselor, Bryan Adams High School
  • Marisa Saldana, first-grade bilingual teacher, Gilbert Cuellar Elementary School

Learn more about this year’s Dallas ISD educators nominated for the award below. Find their full profiles and the list of all nominees here.

Chaparro was nominated by Deborah Johnson, a member of his community. He is committed to supporting students by mentoring them and showing compassion. “Mr Chaparro is a shining example of positive influence and leadership in our community, and we are so proud of him,” Johnson said.

Evans was nominated by Shannon Rodriguez, who has worked with her for the past three years. Rodriguez said that Evans helps students and their families in a variety of ways by knowing the challenges high schools students can face. “As her coworker, I know that I can always count on Katherine to do a great job or come through in a pinch,” said Rodriguez. “Overall, she is selfless and works tirelessly for the benefit of the students she serves.”

Saldana was nominated by a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous. She is an excellent teacher, but also understands each individual student in her classroom – and is heavily involved in each student’s education as if they were her own child. “I have not met any other teacher that has so much patience, perseverance and dedication for her profession,” the nominator said.

LifeChanger of the Year Award winners will be selected in Spring 2018.

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Mark your calendar for Benefits Enrollment

The Employee Benefits team reminds employees that the window to change your benefits for 2017-2018 is July 24 through August 22. This is a time when many employees may be away from the office on vacation. While reminders will be sent via U.S. mail and email, it’s a good idea to mark your calendar now so you won’t forget this important activity.

This year, your current benefit elections (excluding Flexible Spending Accounts) will roll over to the 2017-2018 plan year, unless you make changes during annual benefits enrollment.

For details on available benefits and costs, employees can attend one of the series of information sessions set for Tuesday, July 25 through Thursday, August 17.  Go here to view the full schedule of dates, times and meeting locations.
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Samuell instructor helps rescue fellow teacher after car wreck

Tatum Elementary teacher Carolyn Myers was driving to work when a car crashed into her, flipping her automobile on its side.

Myers was trapped, thought she smelled smoke, and, as she puts it, “was totally freaked out.”

After screaming for help, a man came to her rescue, climbing down into the car and steadily talking her through the situation—calming her down— until the ambulance arrived.

“I truly believe this man saved my life,” Myers said. “I can not thank him enough.”

The man turned out to be Sgt. Dewye Jiles, a veteran of the Gulf War and current JROTC instructor at W.W. Samuell High School. Jiles said his army background and medical training kicked into high gear when he saw the car wreck.

“Helping people and being a Good Samaritan is something I teach to my ROTC class,” Jiles said. “I was happy to be able to help Carolyn in her time of need. I could see in her eyes how terrified she was, so I’m glad I got to be there to help.”

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Dallas ISD teacher sees governor make his idea a reality

A Dallas ISD teacher saw his suggestion to Gov. Greg Abbott become a reality over the weekend.

Eric Hale, a teacher at Burnet Elementary, served on an education panel with Abbott late last year that focused on ways to attract and retain effective educators. At the meeting, Hale suggested that the State of Texas start an annual tradition where it recognizes the best teachers from across the state for going above and beyond in their efforts to help students.

Fast forward to Saturday, April 29, and Hale attended a special reception at the Governor’s Mansion honoring more than 100 outstanding teachers from across the state. And at the reception, Abbott publicly credited Hale with coming up with the idea for the event honoring outstanding Texas teachers.

“I couldn’t believe it, here was the governor telling this story to everyone about how this was my idea,” Hale said. “He came over to me and handed me the microphone, and I got to say a few words. It was a huge honor to get to represent Dallas ISD at the event.”

Hale said the governor plans to hold the teacher reception on an annual basis.

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