Central Staff News

The HCM Benefits Department is keeping the end-of-year spirit alive by adding new employee discounts to the Employee Discount Program. With more than 300 deals already available, and more on the way, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season. 

Employees are encouraged to unwrap the savings by visiting the Benefits webpage to explore discounts in categories like auto, travel, entertainment, retail, and more.  

Great Wolf Lodge: Enjoy exclusive winter activities at Snow Land at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, included with your stay when you book through Jan. 6. 

Holiday at the Arboretum: Stroll through the dazzling 12 Days of Christmas gazebos. Receive a buy-one-get-one-free admission with your Dallas ISD identification. 

Fort Worth Zoo: Plan a visit to the zoo and enjoy discounted tickets using company code DISD202202.

Seaworld: Create family memories at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, included with park admission through Jan. 4.

Dallas Zoo: Step into the magic of Dallas Zoo Lights! Get Dallas Zoo lights tickets now, through Jan. 4.

Stanley: Grab your holiday gifts with Stanley because teachers can save up to 40% off.

For more information, please contact the Benefits Department via email at benefits@dallasisd.org or phone, 972-925-4300.

As the district heads into the winter break, Dallas ISD librarians, teachers, and other team members have curated a special reading list, ideal for those cozy, dark winter evenings.

For many, reading is one of the few times they truly manage to disconnect. In a world where people are constantly multitasking, the simple act of reading forces one to slow down. When holding a physical book or an e-reader, the distractions of emails and social feeds fade away. 

Reading offers a powerful avenue to escape, to learn new philosophies, and to gain empathy by walking in the shoes of others. The experience can be relaxing, fun, and even stressful, but it’s a “good stress,” as the emotional stakes belong entirely to the characters, not to the reader.

FICTION: Literary masterpieces and classics

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong 

Summary: This radiant novel begins with a life-altering moment on a New England bridge. Hai, a young man ready to end it all, is unexpectedly talked down to by an 80-year-old woman with dementia. As he becomes her caretaker, they forge a deeply moving, unlikely friendship. It is a breathtaking story about the “invisible” people in our society and how the strangest connections are often the ones that save us.

 

 

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Summary: Often cited as Steinbeck’s magnum opus, this masterpiece of American literature is currently trending on BookTok, proving that great writing is timeless. Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley, it follows the destined rivalry of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—as they reenact the fall of Adam and Eve. It is a big, beautiful, and essential read that wrestles with the ultimate human question: Do we have a choice between good and evil?

 

 

FICTION: Adventure, mystery and fun

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch

Summary: A unique mystery thriller narrated by…a pony. Penny (the pony) is reunited with his owner, a girl who grew up in the “less affluent” stable, to help her clear her name after a horse trainer is murdered. It is Knives Out meets Black Beauty—a distinct, funny, and surprisingly touching whodunit that is perfect for escaping reality.

 

 

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Summary: Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no memory, only to realize the sun is dying and he is the only one who can save it. The catch? He’s a middle school science teacher. This is the ultimate celebration of competence, showing how patience, the scientific method, and teacher skills can save the world. (Pro Tip: The audiobook narration is legendary!)

 

 

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Summary: A superbly written adventure set in 1954. Two friends escape a juvenile work farm and hijack an 18-year-old’s road trip, steering him away from California and toward New York City. It feels like a classic American road trip movie—spirited, charming, and filled with literary quality that makes the pages fly by.

 

 

 

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Summary: A heart-pounding page-turner about a bookstore owner in Acapulco who is forced to flee instantly from a cartel. She and her 8-year-old son become migrants, riding “The Beast” (trains) north to the US border. It is a story of a mother’s ferocious love and the terrifying reality of leaving home.

 

 

 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Summary: A sweeping, emotional tribute to the unsung female heroes of history. It follows a nursing student who joins the Army Nurse Corps in 1965 and follows her brother to Vietnam, only to return to a country that wants to forget she was ever there. It is a “big” story that will completely absorb you for days.

 

NONFICTION: Psychology and education

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Summary: Haidt connects the dots between the rise of the smartphone and the decline in youth mental health. It validates what every teacher has seen since 2010, but more importantly, it offers a hopeful, concrete roadmap for how we can reclaim childhood (and our own focus) in 2026.

 

 

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink

Summary: Pink uses science to prove that “timing” isn’t an art, it’s a science. He explains why students test better in the morning and provides the scientific formula for the perfect nap (the “Nappuccino”). It is the practical, self-improvement guide we all need for Winter Break.

 

 

 

The Wager by David Grann

Summary: From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon, this narrative nonfiction reads like a thriller. A British ship wrecks in the 1740s, and when the starving survivors finally return to England, they accuse each other of mutiny and murder. A gripping look at human nature and the stories we tell to survive.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES: Holiday and audio

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone

Summary: The mandatory “holiday cheerful” pick! Lexie and Theo—total opposites—are forced to run a travel agency together during the holidays, taking them to snowy slopes and festive markets acrossEurope. It is cozy, romantic, and full of travel vibes.

 

 

 

Harry Potter: The Complete Series (New Full-Cast Audio Productions)

Summary: These brand-new productions feature over 100 actors, a full musical score, and Dolby Atmos sound effects. It’s like listening to a movie with your eyes closed—the perfect way to “re-read” a favorite while you fold laundry or drive to visit family.

Across the district, schools and departments hosted events to benefit the community, a school, or families making the end of year celebrations a little better for others. They shared these efforts below. 

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

Booker T. Angels is an annual event coordinated by the Student Council and the Parent Teacher Student Association at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Each year, the students, team members, and families of the school adopt five families who need assistance from H.I. Holland Elementary at Lisbon. The Conservatories (academic, dance, music, theatre, visual arts), along with the PTSA, and Student Council have joined efforts to help support our Booker T Angel Families. The party, which included crafts, pizza, and gift giving,  took place on Dec. 15 at H.I. Holland Elementary.  

David G. Burnet Elementary School

The effort involves giving 19 students in second and third grades a gift of their choice and a gift card as well as other small stocking stuffers before their winter break. The tradition has been in place since 2023 when the students were in kindergarten, first and second grades. Teacher assistant Jesele Perez, who did the first gifting, got assigned again with these students and is doing it again by saving up money of her own, finding sponsors through connections, getting each students’ hobbies and interests. Perez grew up in the same neighborhood as the students, so she knows and has experienced the struggles first-hand on what most low-income families go through during the holidays. She believes that no student should go without a gift during the holidays. With the help of friends who are Dallas ISD graduates, she made it happen and now each and every student in second and third grades will receive a gift and a gift card. Perez and her friends all had fun while working on this project since they knew this is benefitting students that are currently living in the same neighborhood they all grew up in. She hopes this small project positively impacts these students, encourages them to keep up the good work and also give back to the community.

Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School

The fifth grade is sponsoring a Christmas Pet Food Drive.  Toy drives and food drives during this season are common, but those for pets are usual, so the school decided to spread the joy to animal adoption centers.

Trinity Heights Talented and Gifted Counseling Department

This year, the school decided to do a canned food drive. We came up with the idea because so many families have had reduced benefits, job loss, and experienced homelessness. The women’s shelter benefitted from our donation of over 500 canned goods.

Special Services

Listening to KRLD Radio on her way to work, Patricia Ann Washington heard them doing a Radiothon for Make A Wish Foundation. Being a licensed social worker, she is familiar with this organization, so she made a donation. 

Dual Language Department

Each year during Christmas, the department hosts the adopt-a-family outreach event. It’s that special time of the year when the department comes together to support and uplift students and their families. These families are new incoming families to the district that enroll through the International Welcome Center.

Biomedical Preparatory at UT Southwestern

We are a choice school that has a unique economic make up. We are 50% economically advantaged and 50% economically disadvantaged. The school  decided to start our own version of the angel tree called Kwanzaa Kindness. Our families have the option to be a sponsor or sign up if they need help with gifts during the holiday season. The kindness of our sponsors brings joy and hope to families during this holiday season.

Victor H. Hexter Elementary School

Hexter continued its tradition to put up an angel tree for families in need.

Albert C. Black Jr. STEAM Academy

The National Elementary Society students donated 730 canned goods to the For Oak Cliff Community Food Pantry for Thanksgiving and made Veterans Day cards for the veterans at the Dallas VA Medical Center as community service activities. Our cheerleaders marched in the South Oak Cliff Veterans Day parade to the Dallas VA Medical Center that benefited the veterans at the hospital.  

Larry G. Smith Elementary School

The school holds a House Food Drive Competition as an initiative designed to encourage schoolwide participation in helping the community while building teamwork and friendly rivalry among the houses. The effort involves collecting non-perishable food items over a set period of time, with each house competing to donate the most. Students and staff work together to promote the drive, bring in items, track totals, and raise awareness about food insecurity. The idea grew out of a desire to combine community service with school spirit. We noticed that students participate more enthusiastically when there’s a sense of teamwork and competition, so we adapted the traditional food drive into a house-based challenge. We also looked at past service projects and identified that food drives had consistently high engagement, making it a perfect fit for a house competition. 

The primary beneficiaries are local families in need, who receive the donated food through our partner food bank, Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church. However, the competition also benefits students who gain experience in leadership, organization, and community empathy. It strengthens house identity, encourages collaboration, and promotes awareness of food insecurity. 

While the competition has been successful, we did face a few challenges: Ensuring consistent participation: Some houses were initially less engaged, so we added reminders, incentives, and student-led promotions to boost involvement. Coordinating collection points and finding space to store and sort the donations required careful planning.

We developed a system to count items to ensure all houses were judged equally, regardless of the types of items donated. Despite these challenges, the House Food Drive Competition has become a meaningful and motivating way for our school community to make a positive impact.

Buckner Terrace Montessori

Our efforts stem from a commitment to serve families in the Buckner Terrace community who experience food insecurity. Through our partnership with the North Texas Food Bank and Children’s Health, we organize regular distributions of food boxes directly from our campus. The idea grew out of conversations with families, staff, and community partners who identified consistent access to healthy food as a major unmet need. By collaborating with established organizations, we are able to provide high-quality, nutritious food in a way that is safe, reliable, and dignified for the families we serve. This initiative benefits children, their families, and individuals in our surrounding neighborhood who face food disparities. Many of our students rely on school meals for consistent nutrition, so offering additional support helps ensure they have the resources they need even when they are not in school. The outreach also strengthens community relationships by connecting families with broader health and wellness resources. One challenge we encountered was coordinating logistics; ensuring we had enough volunteers, managing distribution flow, and storing food safely before events. We also needed to develop communication strategies so families knew when and how to access the support. Despite these challenges, the partnerships and the dedication of our staff and volunteers have allowed us to build a dependable program that meaningfully addresses food insecurity in our community.

Dallas ISD Police Department

Police officers and other employees continued the tradition of their annual toy drive this year. They kicked off the effort with a taco luncheon where donors could drop off toys or cash. The toys were handed out to students at select schools this week.

Margaret B. Henderson Elementary School

This campus food drive had one goal:  to ensure that different aspects of our low-income community felt supported going into the holiday season. It started with giving to the North Texas Food Bank, supporting their ongoing mission to fight hunger across the region. The effort then expanded to directly serving Henderson families who were identified by teachers based on need, resulting in four families receiving complete Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys!

The school also helped four individuals experiencing homelessness close to the campus by providing instant, ready-to-go meals to offer immediate care and support. In the midst of connecting with community partners, it also connected with a church that shared that four families attending their congregation were facing financial crises, so the school sponsored those families with full meals and turkeys as well. Altogether, 221 pounds of food were donated to a local food bank, and approximately 50 individuals across nine families, plus four unhoused community members, benefited from the campuswide effort. There were challenges, but the gratitude from every family and unhoused individual we were able to support made every moment worthwhile. They expressed how thankful they were that our school community saw them, cared for them, and made sure they were not forgotten. Moments like these remind us that compassion is powerful, and Henderson is a place where kindness always finds a way to show up.

Skyline High School Special Education

Every year, the soccer coach and players do a community service project for the holiday season. This year, the Reinhardt Ram Soccer players joined the effort to help provide lunches for those less fortunate in the East Dallas Community.

Lida Hooe Elementary School

The Girls on the Run Club hosted a community drive to collect items for people who are experiencing displacement in the community. Items include snacks, water, blankets, gloves, socks, handwarmers, and other items. 

Martha Turner Reilly Elementary School

Our holiday food box initiative involves assembling and distributing boxes of non-perishable food items and seasonal staples for families experiencing financial hardship. The effort began after identifying an increased need through counselor referrals, campus check-ins, and community feedback. Based on these indicators, the school developed a strategy and coordinated with Reilly cheerleaders to gather donations and organize volunteer support for packaging and distribution.

The school also hosted our annual giving tree, a tradition that supports families who may be facing challenges during the holiday season. The school counselor gathers wish lists from students, and the staff and community come together to provide meaningful gifts for children. This initiative reflects the true spirit of the season—compassion, generosity, and connection. It is an opportunity to uplift one another and ensure that every child experiences the joy and warmth the holidays can bring.

W.H. Adamson High School 

W.H. Adamson High School’s 17th Annual Toy Drive, “Santa’s Workshop,” is held in the spirit of paying it forward. The Adamson Leopards Parent Teacher Organization members, students, and staff are involved in planning the annual toy drive. Adamson’s former community liaison began the tot drive for families in need 16 years ago. Each year since 2008, Adamson hosts more than 200 families, giving presents to about 400 children. The Adamson Band plays live Christmas ensembles, members of the choir sing holiday tunes, the Leopardettes Drill Team meet and greet families as they walk in, and families get to enjoy the event and have photo ops with Santa Claus. Our school would like to give thanks to the Adamson Alumni Association, Adamson PTO, Adamson Athletics, Oak Cliff community partners, as well as Alma Rodriguez and JC Puebla for continuing to make this event possible every year! 

Eduardo Mata Montessori

This October, Eduardo Mata Montessori was excited to participate in Sock-tober, a month-long sock drive to support the community. Socks are the most requested clothing item at homeless shelters, and together we can make a difference by collecting new socks of all sizes for those in need. At the end of the drive, all socks collected were donated to a local shelter.

Winnetka Elementary School

Our wonderful and hard-working PTO will give out toys to each of our scholars in all grade levels.

Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy

The Sudie Williams National Junior Honor Society hosted the third annual canned food drive. Inspired to make a real change in the community, the school came together and donated a total of 6,516 cans. Students also started a coin drive during carpool which raised an additional $681 dollars.

Communication Services

During the holidays, Communication Services says happy holidays with toys, books, clothing and other items for students. The department, which includes Digital, Social,  Internal, Translations, Creative Services, Call Center, DSTV, and Media Services, adopted a classroom at B.H. Macon Elementary School and another at Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School and bought gifts for students based on their needs and wants. This tradition was started by Translation Services, and for the past three years, the whole department has embraced it.

Even while schools are out for winter break, help is always available. Whether you have questions about your benefits, need health support, or just someone to talk to, we’ve got you covered.

From Dec. 22 through Jan. 2 the district will be closed for winter break, but your benefits are still there for you and so is help. Even when offices are closed, assistance is just a phone call away.

Benefits Call Center
Call 972-925-4000 and select the appropriate option:
• Option 1 – Benefits Administration
• Option 2 – Leaves Administration
• Option 3 – Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Benefits Call Center will be Closed Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 2.

Non-Emergency Health Support

If you are a TRS ActiveCare participant, you can access medical support anytime through Teladoc.

It’s important to know that you must set up your Teladoc account before using the service. To register, you’ll need:
• Your name
• Date of birth
• BCBS Member ID

Visit the Teladoc website or use the mobile app for access.

Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Account

If you have questions regarding your HSA/ FSA, contact Zynera at 855-572-7200 or visit: https://zynera.summitfor.me/. Zynera is available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. Zynera will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25. When you call, you will need your FSA/HSA card number, name, and date of birth. If you visit the website, you will need your name, date of birth, social security number, or employee ID.

 Need Emotional Support?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or facing challenges, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24/7 to provide confidential support.

Call 972-925-4000, Option 3 or access support through:
• Website: Telus Health
• App: Telus Health One

To log in, you’ll need your district email, username, and password.

Natasha McLaurin’s passion for supporting students has led to an award-winning counseling program at Buckner Terrace Montessori that focuses on social emotional learning and guides students as they begin discovering new possibilities for their future.

As an elementary school counselor, McLaurin takes on the unique task of making college and career readiness meaningful for young students. While in high school, students often focus on life after graduation, McLaurin said the goal at elementary school is to help students learn how to dream.

“We want them to dream of all the possibilities of who they can be and not take anything off the table,” she said.

Through two campuswide initiatives, McLaurin has found creative ways to support students as they explore who they are and who they might become.

One of those initiatives, This is My Story, is a weekly activity McLaurin has led since she started working at Buckner Terrace. Each week, a teacher or administrator shares a personal story about their journey into education. Whether an educator followed a direct path or arrived through multiple careers and life experiences, students can hear these stories on College Mondays.

“It’s a wonderful way to bring a personal touch to discovering college and make it more tangible,” McLaurin said. “Students can connect the reasons why people go to college to adults they know and see every day.”

Another key program she began is the school’s Character Board, which highlights students who demonstrate integrity and strong character in the classroom and with their peers.

“We are a Montessori campus, so our goal is for students to be intrinsically motivated and proud of themselves without external rewards,” McLaurin said. “But we also know they’re kids, so we find small ways to encourage them.”

In her six years with Buckner Terrace, McLaurin has grown alongside the campus through major transitions, including the pandemic and recent building renovations. She said each shift brought new lessons that prepared the school for its current moment of working toward national recognition through the American School Counselor Association.

McLaurin’s dedication recently earned her the Lone Star School Counselor Bronze Award, the first step toward silver and gold recognition through ASCA and the Lone Star School Counselor Association. Through a data-driven application process, McLaurin documented how the counseling program supports students’ academic, social and personal development.  

“There’s no way you can earn this award by doing everything on your own,” McLaurin said. “With the help of other teachers, our campus is deeply rooted in social-emotional learning and in building community, culture, and climate.”

Since earning her bachelor’s degree from Southern University, McLaurin has spent 22 years with Dallas ISD. Originally from New Orleans, a city known for its warmth and hospitality, she brings that same energy and enthusiasm into the halls of Buckner Terrace. These attributes are an essential part of the counseling program’s strong sense of community.  

For the past four years, Buckner Terrace has been recognized as a No Place for Hate campus. The student-driven program promotes inclusion and respect. Through this initiative McLaurin helps students set the tone for a school culture rooted in belonging and compassion.

“Counselors are the heart of the school,” she said. “I’m most proud of the way we’ve been able to focus on inclusivity, empathy and treating others the way you want to be treated.”

While staff and students are off on winter break, it is often easy to overlook the critical team of 110 licensed technicians who keep roughly 300 Dallas ISD buildings running behind the scenes. With Texas temperatures capable of soaring to spring-time warmth or dipping to freezing, leaders from the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Department maintain 24/7 preparations and rapid response strategies to safeguard district buildings against cold weather, power outages, and potential storm damage—sometimes at the expense of their own holiday gatherings.

Preparation begins long before the first cold snap, usually in November. The boiler team, under the leadership of Project Manager Miguel Soto, performs preventive maintenance—including servicing boilers and inspecting HVAC systems—during milder months to ensure systems are functioning properly.

“We start firing boilers up, checking systems regularly, communications between systems and other routinary tasks,” explained Soto. 

Beyond the initial maintenance, the MEP teams closely watch weather forecasts and scale teams as severe weather approaches. Rather than risking crew travel on icy roads, essential personnel from all departments—electrical, HVAC, and plumbing—are brought in and housed at the Cotton Building. For a major event, the HVAC department alone may increase its available personnel from 10 to 40 people.

“If we know that extreme weather is approaching, we keep staff here 24/7,” Soto said. “That is the whole goal: we must start before the storm gets here, because otherwise we won’t be able to get people back out on the roads.”

To assist these deployed teams, the Energy Management Center is a critical part of the district’s facility operations—especially during winter preparedness. It serves as a centralized “call center” that continuously monitors the status of HVAC systems, boilers, and other essential equipment across all district buildings.

Using both technology and boots on the ground, when freezing conditions threaten, teams are deployed in rotating shifts, covering four quadrants of the district. “We usually try to get a crew that’s going to be there depending on the weather to make sure nothing ices over,” said Director of EMP Barton Webster.Local knowledge is also essential. Even the custodial staff becomes indispensable on winter breaks, as they are tasked with checking their assigned school buildings daily for potential issues. 

Power outages: The biggest threat 

Despite all the preparations, the possibility of power outages in extreme temperatures remains one of the greatest challenges for MEP. According to Electrical Supervisor George Lakes, once temperatures drop severely—below 20 degrees–-widespread power loss is a high 

risk. Since the heating and cooling systems depend on pumps to circulate water through pipes and coils to keep them from freezing, a complete power loss eliminates freeze protection often making bursting pipes unavoidable. 

“Once you lose power, all bets are off. When you have power, you can control the situation better,” Lakes said. “We communicate with ONCOR to get power restored as soon as possible.”

The danger of power outages also means that high-value equipment can be lost instantly, as it happened during 2021 winter storm that resulted in a monetary loss greater than that caused by local tornadoes. 

“Each chiller costs roughly half a million dollars to replace, and we lost 11 when the power went out,” said. “When the pumps quit, the water stops circulating. The standing water on the exposed coils—many of which are on the roof—will freeze quickly when the wind blows, causing damage.”

The electrical team also faces challenges related to moisture and infrastructure vulnerability. Extreme cold combined with precipitation can cause moisture and ice to accumulate on high-voltage lines and tree limbs, leading to downed lines and widespread power disruption.

“If there is any kind of moisture, it will accumulate on tree limbs, weighing them down,” Lakes explained. “When the limbs fall, they impact the high lines, and the high lines themselves will accumulate ice.”

On occasions when water enters school buildings, the situation is compounded by older facility designs where critical electrical components are housed at the base of the school. 

“Back in the day, schools were designed with electricity on the bottom floor. That was wonderful—until water gets in there,” said Lakes. “When water hits those components, it stops the power. Our job is to try to get that water out and get the electricity back on.”

Plumbing and team coordination 

Plumbing crews are proactive year-round, but during extreme freezes, they spring into action to isolate and drain vulnerable water lines in portables and unheated areas, quickly neutralizing the threat of burst pipes.

The plumbing team spreads its small number of technicians (just five people per quad, responsible for up to 75 facilities each) across four geographic quadrants. This is designed so that every campus has a technician familiar with the building who can immediately locate the water shut-off valves. This ability to instantly isolate a break is the single most effective way to limit damage.

“We’re in a rotation all night long in case there’s a pipe burst or anything,” Project Manager of Plumbing Bart Braswell explained. “If something bursts, we send out crews immediately to try to isolate whatever is damaged in order to prevent more damage.”

The preventive approach is not limited to cold responses. Crews meet with gas suppliers to make sure that heating systems supporting plumbing stay operational districtwide.

“We meet with Atmos Energy to ensure we are running our boilers at an efficient rate. We do this because there is a high demand for gas during that time,” Braswell said.

No incident is too large or complex for the department. The team recalled working through large-scale emergencies, such as a time when a city water main broke near Woodrow Wilson High School. This single incident affected four separate schools—Woodrow Wilson, Mount Auburn STEAM Academy, J.L. Long Middle School, and William Lipscomb Elementary School—leaving them all without water. 

“The plumbing crew staffed it until the city got it fixed,” said Braswell.

When an incident occurs, digital boards in the Cotton Building track every reported issue across the district, categorizing it as “responded to,” “isolated,” or “completed.” Supervisors from all departments are in constant communication, prioritizing failures like offline boilers and major breaks. 

“It’s an overall team effort to make sure that we’re responding and getting there at a reasonable time, so that there is not as much damage,” Webster said.

A commitment to continuity

For these technicians, holidays simply don’t mean a pause. The team’s commitment is driven by an understanding that their hard work keeps schools open, learning uninterrupted, and thousands of children and teachers safe each winter.

“If it’s Christmas Day and it’s extremely cold, we have people working here,” Soto said.

The constant efforts of the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Department and their commitment to keep buildings running year-around is what makes learning possible.

“Don’t take the air, water or temperature for granted. It takes a lot of effort to get there,” Webster said.

Employees are reminded that the destruction of district records is the sole responsibility of the Districtwide Records Management Department. Documents containing personally identifiable information (Social Security number, date of birth, home address, etc.) must be securely destroyed.

District employees are expected to maintain the records in their care and carry out the preservation, imaging, destruction, or other disposition of the records in accordance with the policies and procedures of the district’s records management program. Destruction of district records contrary to the governing legal provisions is a Class A misdemeanor and, under certain circumstances, a third-degree felony (Penal Code § Section 37.10). Anyone destroying local government records without legal authorization may also be subject to criminal penalties and fines under the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code, Chapter 552).

Employees can review board policies CPC (Legal), CPC (Local), and CPC (Regulation) related to proper records management and retention.

For information about records storage, training, and Dallas ISD Records Center tours, contact the Districtwide Records Management Department at (972) 925-7840, e-mail  “DG-Districtwide Records Management” <DGDistrictwideRecordsManagement@dallasisd.org> “, or visit the website at https://www.dallasisd.org/recordsmanagement.

Since 2020, the Dallas Education Foundation has invested over $10 million in Dallas ISD, directly benefiting students, teachers, programs, and schools. This significant funding has enhanced programming, provided innovative teaching grants, and allocated resources where needed most. DEF needs your help raising funds for more programs.

The funds raised through the Employee Giving Campaign for DEF ensure that every dollar donated invests in the future of Dallas ISD. This employee-driven campaign unites us as a team in support of a common initiative, reflecting our commitment to advancing education within our district. 

This year, the campaign is aiming high with a goal to raise $100,000 between Feb. 2, and March 30. With your dedication and support, we’re confident we can reach this target, and together, we can surpass it!

To maximize our fundraising efforts this year, we seek dedicated individuals to serve as Campaign Champions for their departments or campuses. These Champions will play a crucial role in driving our initiatives forward and ensuring we achieve our collective goals. It is essential to select individuals who embody our district’s cultural tenets of collaboration, goal orientation, philanthropy, and a proactive attitude. 

Campus Champion Identification Form 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6IuMTd8lh7evllMw4EzdeatSk9kUXen1t0PhYasRT32LyGw/viewform?usp=header

Central Champion Identification Form *updated link 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUru9kk2WSRWbIpToq0DB-cjgJbThQcsQfCXBXkFWkig22kQ/viewform?usp=header

From audience members to performers and stagehands, Functional Living Skills students at Robert T. Hill Middle School are taking the stage for the first time during a holiday showcase.

“Through this program, our kids have really experienced a sense of belonging with their general education peers working closely together,” said Cristina Rachuig, FLS teacher.

For the first time, FLS students are enrolled in theater as an elective, an opportunity that marks a shift in access to fine arts for students who previously had only art or physical education as elective options.

The elective brings FLS and general education theater students together, creating daily chances for friendships through rehearsals, performances, and backstage collaboration.

“This program has created a safe space for my FLS kids to interact with their general education peers and see that they’re really not that different,” Rachuig said. “They don’t feel left out, and it’s been sweet to watch friendships form.”

Seventh-grader Aidan R., a general education student, enjoys helping FLS students find confidence on stage. 

“I like helping them get on stage and not be nervous in front of a big crowd,” he said. “We make sure they’re not scared, encourage them, and become friends with them. It’s been a good time coming to this class.”

Eighth-grader Wilfredo M., who is visually impaired, will perform a monologue titled “The Gift I Can’t Wrap.”

“It’s about kindness,” Wilfredo said. “The gift isn’t something you can buy; it’s being happy with everybody and helping others. It’s important because gifts aren’t always material. We need to look for kindness and the good in others.”

The showcase features performances designed around students’ strengths. Instead of a line-heavy script, the production centers on pantomime, movement, dance, and music.

One scene includes students dancing with snowflake flags, while Serenity O., who uses a wheelchair, rolls across the stage calling out, “wake up, wake up.” Students who prefer not to perform still play essential roles behind the scenes.

“All of them have a part, whether it’s onstage or backstage,” Rachuig said.

The opportunity grew from collaboration between Rachuig and theater teacher Trinity Gordon, who previously invited FLS students to attend school productions as a sensory-friendly audience.

 “We wanted to give them another creative outlet, not just as audience members, but as performers,” Gordon said.

The showcase includes a snowflake dance choreographed by FLS students, singing, Braille-script monologues, and a snowball fight scene where students share their dreams while tossing soft snowballs into the audience.

“This became a passion project,” Gordon said. “Accessible theater is so important. These students shouldn’t be restricted to certain electives; they should experience all opportunities, explore who they are, and build relationships.”

Rachuig said the joy she’s seen goes far beyond the stage. 

“They face so many challenges, but when they succeed, it warms my heart to see my kids joyful, confident, and recognized.”

As the curtain rises on Dec. 10, the holiday showcase celebrates creativity without barriers, giving every student a chance to shine on stage, in the spotlight, or behind the scenes.

Wilmer Hutchins High School choir teacher Regiss Richards is growing the school’s choral program and shares a lifelong love of music rooted in early memories of hearing her father sing and growing up in Dallas ISD. Now, as an educator, Richards aims to ignite a similar spark in her students, teaching them self-expression, harmony, and confidence through song.  

“My former teacher at Charles Rice Elementary School saw something in me, and I was appointed student director,” Richards said, reflecting on her childhood in South Dallas. “I was in elementary school waving the baton, conducting kids my own age and teaching my peers how to sing. It was an experience that stuck with me for a lifetime, and here I am today.” 

That early start in choir led Richards to explore more within the performing arts, including playing clarinet in middle school and later at band at James Madison High School, her alma mater. She continued to pursue music in college, singing in the Collegiate Choir at Philander Smith University, a historically Black university in Little Rock, Ark., while completing her bachelor’s degree.  

In a full circle moment, Richards began her career with Dallas ISD as the choir teacher at Billy Earl Dade Middle School, returning to the same community that shaped her.  

“I am Dallas ISD proud,” she said. “I’m from South Dallas, and I would not want to teach anywhere else in the state of Texas.”  

Richards connects with her students by teaching musical principles through songs they are familiar with, making choral concepts more engaging and relatable. She is not only introducing students at Hutchins to the art of choir but also reaching into the feeder pattern’s elementary and middle schools to begin nurturing their interest in choir.

“The band here at Wilmer Hutchins has a rich history, but the choir is just developing,” Richards said. “I hope the choir here can represent a culture of harmony where we can share this passion for singing and using our voices to communicate emotions and feelings.” 

She said her goal is to open the door to creative opportunities that students may not have imagined were possible. 

This year, Richards took students to see their first Broadway production, The Wiz, during its national tour in Dallas. This experience expanded their sense of possibility and highlighted the exciting travel opportunities that can come from participating in the performing arts.  

“This experience helped grow our program,” she said. “After seeing this show, students started to join the choir. I was grateful to provide an experience for them to travel beyond just their home and school communities.” 

There are three choirs that provide students with opportunities to perform locally throughout the year and even compete at the state level. Students learn to read in parts, develop sight-singing skills, understand harmonies, and blend their voices as an ensemble. 

The program is already off to a strong start. Four students have participated in school competitions this year, and one is preparing for the final round that leads to the TMEA All-State Choir, after placing fifth and sixth in regional competitions. 

Understanding the opportunity that performing arts can create, her goal is simple: to inspire students so they can pursue their passions for music and imagine futures beyond what they may see today. 

As a music educator, Richards draws motivation from her parents, who were both Dallas ISD teachers.  

“My parents are the reason I am a teacher,” Richards said. “Like them, I want to ignite a spark within my students that shows them who they can possibly be one day and to give back to the community where I am from.”