Central Staff employees can access more than a dozen professional learning opportunities during the spring semester. Topics range from team building and business writing to Excel and effective feedback. Formats include face-to-face and online. Go here to download a list of classes, available dates and links to class descriptions. Direct questions to Staceye Randle at srandle@dallasisd.org.
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.
Ninayo habli njema! That’s the Swahili translation for “I have good news,” and it’s true!
Dallas ISD Translation Services has expanded the number of languages available to serve district students and parents. American Sign Language, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda and Swahili have been added to Arabic, Burmese, Chin, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish — languages that were already offered by the department.
To request an interpreter for a meeting, or a document translation, please use the request forms available at http://www.dallasisd.org/Domain/3097. Due to high demand for certain languages, please call for interpreter availability before scheduling the meeting.
Schools and departments should plan ahead and send documents for translation, such as student handbooks, brochures, graduation requirements, letters to parents and medical forms now, before the back to school rush.
Academic tutoring is available for students new to the country whose native language is Arabic, Burmese, Chin and Swahili. To inquire about tutoring for your student, contact Adriana Cabeza at acabeza@dallasisd.org.
Enrollment records reflect that more than 67 languages are spoken in the homes of district students. Go here to learn more about Translation Services.
Jack Kelanic is the district’s chief technology officer. Kelanic brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience to his new post. His responsibilities include developing the long-range technology plan to enable digital learning for Dallas ISD students and improving technology support for schools and district business operations.
Prior to his appointment to Dallas ISD, Kelanic served as the director of information technology for the city of Tacoma, where he led key initiatives such as open data and analytics, mobile government services, digital equity, and technology infrastructure modernization. He also served as the chief information systems director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he worked for nearly 14 years in various technology leadership capacities.
Kelanic holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University.
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.
Central Staff employees are invited to serve as volunteer judges at the second round of the Amazing Shake Competition, from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2, at the Dallas Education Center, 9400 N. Central Expressway, suite 1350.
Each division is asked to provide 15 to 20 volunteers to score young scholars on how well they introduce themselves, shake hands, smile, and make eye contact. Volunteers can participate for 30 minutes or remain for the entire session. To volunteer, sign up 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.
Angie Gaylord has been appointed acting deputy chief of the Office of Transformation and Innovation.
Gaylord has served Dallas ISD as executive director of Professional Development and Digital Learning since 2016. Her previous experience in education includes serving Irving ISD as division director of Professional and Digital Development and as principal of Lady Bird Johnson and Crockett middle schools.
At Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, she was instrumental in the development of the country’s first Net Zero School. In 2011, she was honored by the Texas Education Agency for her contributions to innovative systems and teaching in Texas.
Gaylord holds a degree in kinesiology and biology from the University of North Texas and a master’s in educational administration from California State University, Los Angeles.
In her new role, Gaylord will report to Deputy Superintendent Israel Cordero.
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:
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.”