Central Staff News

In an effort to ease the uncertainty that many families throughout the county, including those in Dallas ISD, face due to the recent changes to the DACA (Deferred Action Childhood Act), Dallas ISD launched dallasisd.org/daca, a web page with resources, and information for those who are impacted.

“I’ve had a lot of questions from the community about what will happen to them if DACA goes away,” said Superintendent Michael Hinojosa during a presentation of the resources page to the Board of Trustees. I tell them “do not panic!”

Hinojosa stated that if the federal government does not approve a plan for individuals under DACA, many school districts would be impacted in multiple ways.

While Dallas ISD does not track the number of undocumented students, the district has around 70,000 English Language Learners (not all under DACA). Meanwhile, the district has 78 employees under DACA, 36 of them are teachers.

“Their contributions, both in and outside the classroom, are vital to prepare our students to become future leaders,” said Superintendent Hinojosa in a letter included on the web page. “As Congress makes a decision on the future of DACA, our attorneys will continue working to determine how we can best support these valuable employees.”

The page, which is in English and Spanish, includes frequently asked questions to help school staff address questions from their specific community. A list of community organizations, which provide immigration services is also included, as well as a list of scholarship opportunities for undocumented students and personal stories.

District employees are invited to enjoy presentations, exhibits, tours and refreshments at two upcoming Dallas ISD thank you nights at the Dallas Holocaust Museum. The museum is offering free admission for employees and one guest, Tuesday, Feb. 13, and Thursday, March 1. For more information and to register, go here.

Do your new year’s goals include a desire to improve as a leader and communicator?  Is 2018 the year you invest in expanding your professional skills? Dallas ISD Talk It Up! Toastmasters can  help you achieve these goals. Learn more at an open house at 11:30 a.m., Mon., Jan. 29, in the ninth floor conference room at 9400 N. Central Expwy. Go here or call (972) 925-3915 for additional information.

Teachers, administrators and central staff employees who supported the December 2 and December 9 Dallas ISD school fairs are urged to respond to a survey to provide feedback on the events. Please visithttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/discoverdallasisd17 by Monday, Jan. 22, with suggestions to improve the quality of this districtwide recruitment effort.

Dallas ISD educators and administrators can now apply for a $20,000 scholarship to continue their post-baccalaureate education to benefit the Dallas ISD community and its students.

The Credit Union of Texas established the William H. Cotton Scholarship in 2016. The scholarship is named after William H. Cotton, a Dallas ISD and credit union trailblazer.

Teachers and administrators can go here to learn more and download the scholarship application.

Eligibility requirements for scholarship applicants include:

• Must be a CUTX member with a checking account prior to submitting an application.
• Checking account, and all other accounts at CUTX, must be in good standing.
• Must be a full-time or part-time DISD faculty or administrator. Must be intent to further your career in the field of education and serving the DISD community during the course of the

The scholarship entry packed must be postmarked by March 30.

The past winners of the scholarship are Nancy Bernardino, the principal of Dallas ISD’s Solar Preparatory School for Girls, and Zumwalt Middle School teacher Shareefah Nadir-Mason

“The Credit Union of Texas believes it is important to invest in the future of Dallas ISD educators because the future of the school district is directly tied to the quality of its leadership and teachers,” CUTX said in a statement. “Anytime we can support the Dallas ISD in its efforts to distinguish itself as one of the best urban school districts in the nation, it is in our best interests to do so because we know that a strong and healthy Dallas ISD means that the Credit Union of Texas enhances its chances of continuing as a strong and viable financial institution.  Given our long and storied history together as partners, we want all Dallas ISD employees and families to think of the Credit Union of Texas as their partner of choice for all of their financial needs.”

Dallas ISD’s United Way employee giving campaign ended up raising $120,000, which far surpasses the original $80,000 goal!

The campaign supports the many United Way programs that directly benefit district students and families. These programs include: after-school, scouting, early childhood, parent education, college and career readiness, homeless education, summer camps, mentoring, STEM, tutoring and many more programs.