Central Staff News

Each year on April 7, World Health Day highlights a global health issue, and in 2025, the World Health Organization is focusing on prioritizing long-term health. Dallas ISD’s Health Services is sticking to the theme of “Healthy beginnings, Hopeful futures” by taking steps to ensure families within the district receive intentional care through immunization and health resources. 

Sylvia Torres, a registered nurse in the department, is working to improve students’ long-term health and plays a key role in the enrollment process for those who are new to the district.  

“Since many families are new to the country, I try to find economical, low-cost clinics. I am doing what I can to get them the services they need to help them in the long run,” Torres said. 

In partnership with Parkland Health, the district offers free vaccinations for children without insurance, as well as free tuberculosis testing through the Dallas County Health Department.  

The Parkland Health vaccination truck—which parks in the administration building lot—was launched during the 2022-2023 school year and vaccinated 195 students in two visits. The following year, the partnership expanded to the truck visiting twice a month, which led to vaccinating more than 600 students.  

“We have seen an increase in numbers. My hope is that we become a regular place for people to seek assistance and care,” Torres said. “I want them to know that the district is another option, because there can be language and transportation barriers for parents.” 

This school year, the department has successfully vaccinated more than 1,000 students and now provides services through its partnership with Parkland Health every Wednesday. 

Jennifer Finley, executive director of Health Services, is leading the district’s efforts in community support, focusing on maternal health, child abuse awareness, immunization, and other resources that address children’s overall wellbeing.  

One of the district’s newest partners is Vision to Learn, the nation’s largest school-based vision provider. This month, the Health Services Department will distribute glasses to students at J.P. Starks Math, Science and Technology Vanguard. 

“Whenever we get those types of services, we make sure that we try to distribute them equitably across the district and not just focus on one area, for instance. We always try to spread resources as geographically as we can,” Finley said.  

In January 2018, Martha Thomas and her family experienced the unthinkable—their daughter, Ella Elizabeth—took her own life. Since then, Thomas; her husband; and their son, football player Solomon Thomas, have learned not only to deal with their loss but also to help others develop strategies to prevent facing the same tragedy by establishing The Defensive Line organization.

And on April 26, Thomas will share her family’s experience, tips on how to talk about suicide and mental health with youth, and resources with district parents at the Dallas ISD Empowering Families forum, which marks the end of Stress Awareness Month in April and the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. 

The forum will be held at Emmett J. Conrad High School and is organized by Dallas ISD’s Mental Health Services and Parent Advocacy and Support Services to provide parents a safe space to discuss mental health topics and learn how to help their children deal with stress and other challenges. Experts from community organizations like The Defensive Line will be at the forum.

“We are very frank and honest about what happened to us,” Thomas said. “Aside from being a multiracial family, we were a pretty standard family who ate together, prayed together, supported each other. I knew Ella was struggling. We loved our kids and thought that was enough.”

The Defensive Line organization empowers adults to connect with young people over their shared humanity and the shared hope that things do get better; that life is worth living. The organization teaches adults about the urgency of the national suicide crisis, about warning signs and risk factors, as well as how to apply that knowledge to their everyday lives with young people. It also bridges the gap between existing mental health resources to the young person in a mental health crisis by teaching all the adults about how they can talk about hard things and connect to resources.

After the forum, Thomas and The Defensive Line will collaborate with Dallas ISD Mental Health Services to train team members and parents in schools on how to recognize signs of stress and how to address them.

“We have a workshop we do for schools,” she said. “A lot of times we work with the coaches and talk to staff; we lead with our story because people connect. Then we talk about the warning signs, crisis intervention, and walk through an action plan. People seem to get it. We also do a talk for parents, and we are doing that as well with the district.”

When they attend forums like the one on April 26 or resource fairs, Thomas talks about  having conversations about mental health, using feelings, using tools, she said. 

“Just like you would talk to your kid if he came home with a sprained ankle, asking how the ankle was, how you would help them feel better, take them to the doctor, that is how you start having a mental health conversation,” she said. “Have a frank and honest conversation without judgment, asking questions without trying to solve the problem. Just asking how that makes them feel.”

Thomas likes to use a feelings wheel as a tool for parents to start a conversation with their children because it has simpler feelings and more complex ones that helps children vocalize what they are feeling. They can use the feelings on the wheel to become more specific in describing their inner feelings, and “if you can name it, you can tame it,” Thomas said. 

“If you can name your feelings, you can address them,” she said.

Addressing feelings and potential mental health challenges is especially difficult and also necessary in African American and Hispanic families, where society plays a role in pressuring young men and women to be better, be stronger, put on a front, not talk about difficult things. 

“When Solomon was in high school and a dear friend died, he was told to kind of man up, to stop crying,” Thomas said. “That he couldn’t lead if he was vulnerable and sad. He sure could. What a great way to lead. You are not weak. Being vulnerable takes strength.”

That is why when she noticed her son, who was already playing in the NFL when his sister died, was struggling during games, she approached the director of personnel and asked for help. Her son was suicidal, which is very common, but he got help and is now an advocate for mental health issues not just in the NFL but also in the community through The Defensive Line. Players often contact him asking how they can also get help for themselves, their spouses or even their children when they are in crisis.

That is the message that she wants to take to Dallas ISD parents who participate in the forum, that asking for help is a good start. And that a lot of help is available in Dallas ISD, where every high school has a licensed clinician on campus. A student is 80% more likely to receive services if he or she can do it on campus, Thomas said. 

Other resources parents can use are teen crisis lines or suicide hotlines like 988, or 741 741, which can also help identify services and support groups.

“One thing that I didn’t know as a parent is the importance of breathing,” Thomas said. “Taking those deep breaths, five finger breathing, box breathing, before having a conversation with your kids is helpful because you want to be the one who is calm. Lead by example.”

The Dallas Education Foundation’s third-annual Heart of Teaching Grant cycle is now open to applications. The focus for the 2025-2026 grants is Elevating Extracurricular Excellence.

The program will create opportunities for educators to support, enhance, and expand extracurricular activities on campuses. This initiative supports innovative projects that foster student engagement, leadership, and enrichment beyond the classroom. The maximum grant award will be up to $2,500 per project and must be used in the 2025-2026 school year.

The Dallas Education Foundation is accepting applications through April 22 from all Dallas ISD all campus team members who serve students, including but not limited to, teachers, administrators, librarians, and support employees seeking to develop or enhance extracurricular activities. Grant applications may focus on launching new student organizations, strengthening existing programs, or introducing innovative initiatives that support student involvement. Follow this LINK to apply. 

Key Dates:

• March 31 – Application opens
• April 22 – Application deadline
• May 15 – Awardees announced
• Aug. 1- Sept. 30—Grant disbursement

Libraries are at the heart of every school and serve as a hub for knowledge. April celebrates School Library Month by recognizing librarians and their contributions to student success.  

From fostering a love for reading to integrating technology, librarians play a crucial role in academic experiences on their campuses. Led by Director of Library Services Patricia Alvarado, the department supports 200 librarians across the district as they promote a culture of literacy and learning. 

“School librarians are excellent classroom teachers because they have the responsibility of being teachers of the largest classroom in their school, which is the library,” Alvarado said. 

Also called media specialists, librarians have received a master’s degree in library sciences and earned their school librarian certificate from the Texas Education Agency, which requires at least two years of teaching experience to complete.  

School librarians follow the district’s standard of service, which focuses on four categories—a culture of literacy, family and community partnerships, student inquiry, and literacy instruction. 

Many of Dallas ISD’s school libraries are infused with technology and STEM components like 3D printers, robotics, and green screens for podcasting. 

“School librarians are proficient in technology and are taking the lead in [artificial intelligence]. We encourage them to use it to draft engaging lesson plans and to analyze their library collections,” Alvarado said. “School librarians focus on digital literacy so that students are successful in their reading experiences.”  

According to Alvarado, successful librarians should be flexible in order to support the needs of the principal and their campus. They are often customer service oriented with a love for sharing information and a passion for creating relationships with their campus teachers.  

“It is important to us that we provide students with a luxurious public-school experience. We are working hard to remove the digital divide that exists and working to make resources available to students that may not typically be available to them in their home,” Alvarado said. 

Special contribution by Lennon Formaggini, Student Activities

The auditorium erupted into cheers with every click of the controllers as the final two players started their showdown match at the Dallas ISD Elementary Esports Tournament held recently at Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy. Then it happened. The screen flashed: Player 1 Wins and Martin Weiss Elementary was crowned the Smash Brothers champion again.

“The first time one of my students got first place in an esports tournament, I felt like it was a shared win,” said Antonio Barnes, Weiss Elementary School esports coach. “My heart was racing, adrenaline pumping as if I were competing myself while rooting him on from the audience.”

The Student Activities Department sponsors tournaments each year for the more than 1,200 fourth- and fifth-grade gamers participating in the district’s esports program, which was expanded to elementary students in 2021. Since the inclusion of elementary schools, Barnes has been the esports coach at Weiss. Under his leadership, students have consistently delivered outstanding performances in tournaments year after year.

Barnes’ passion for esports stems from his experiences as a young gamer.

“I began playing Smash Brothers on the Nintendo 64,” he said. “After all these years, my students have an opportunity to compete in Smash Brothers tournaments, playing a game I’ve known and loved my whole life.”

Barnes’ journey into esports coaching began with a simple realization: video games are more than just entertainment: “It’s not just about playing a game,” he said. “It’s about working together, strategizing, and learning how to handle both victory and defeat.”

Barnes holds practice sessions every Friday to identify students who are serious about gaming.

“For those dedicated, I provide one-on-one tutorials on gameplay mechanics, then refine their skills to help them excel,” he said.

Eddie T., a student from Weiss Elementary, says he found his passion for esports from coach Barnes.

“He taught me how to play and how to get better at the game,” he said. “I never played Smash Brothers before I got into esports.”

Esports gives students a sense of community and an opportunity to shine in ways they never expected. 

“Some kids who may not have been interested in traditional sports or clubs have found a place where they belong,” Barnes said. “For many students, joining the esports program has been a game changer—literally and figuratively.”

Another one of his students, Jaime S., didn’t realize how exciting esports tournaments could be.

“I didn’t know the tournament would be that big and that fun,” Jaime said. “I liked seeing all the set-ups when we walked into the gym at the tournament. I got a little nervous at the first tournament, but I liked seeing all the kids that came from other schools to play.”

Beyond the tournaments, Barnes sees esports as a pathway to future opportunities.

His dedication to esports at Weiss Elementary is helping shape the next generation of gamers, leaders, and innovators. With his guidance, students aren’t just playing games—they’re building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

“The esports industry is booming, with scholarships and career paths available in gaming, broadcasting, and coding,” Barnes said. “If we introduce students to it early, who knows where it might take them?”

Principals across the district have been receiving small cubes full of sweetness and information to thank them for their participation in the upcoming More Choice Expo, a districtwide enrollment event encouraging families to learn about their neighborhood schools.  

The expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at the Automobile Building in Fair Park. Dallas ISD’s legacy schools will be represented and families will have the chance to register for the 2025-2026 school year, with nearly 50 registrars available to assist and answer any questions. It will be a day of family fun, food, and the opportunity to explore the best schools that Dallas has to offer.  

The event will also feature a prekindergarten area where parents can learn about the benefits of the program and enroll their children for the upcoming year.  
For more details, visit https://www.dallasisd.org/morechoice. Schools can visit the tool kits page to find materials to help them promote the event to their families. 

Starting in June, the district will be closed on Fridays as central team members begin to work the summer schedule four-day week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monthly employees

Employees paid monthly will work the four-day work week from June 2 through July 25. Monthly employees will resume their regular work hours on July 28.

Biweekly employees

Employees paid biweekly will work a four-day workweek from June 6 through July 24. Biweekly employees will not work on June 6 if they participate in the four-day workweek. Biweekly employees who participate in the four-day workweek will resume their regular hours on July 25.

Employees are responsible for consulting with their supervisor to determine the start, end, and lunch times of their daily work schedule during the summer. Employees approved to take a working lunch will only be required to stay at the worksite or be available remotely for 10 hours. Employees will be compensated for the working lunch time, and it will be considered part of the regular work hours.

Supervisors may allow employees to work a schedule other than the four-day workweek so long as the change does not negatively affect the department functions. Some departments may choose to return to the regular work schedule sooner. Decisions regarding the work schedule are at the discretion of the department supervisor. In addition, departmental leadership may modify the employees’ work schedule to meet campus, departmental, or district needs at any time. Any event such as New Teacher Academy or a back-to-school program may require a change to the work schedule in order to provide support. Campus principals will make the determination of implementing a four-day workweek based on the needs of their campus and with executive director approval.

Juneteenth and summer break

The district will be closed on June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday. Pay for the holiday will be 10 hours of paid time for 260-day staff paid biweekly rather than the normal eight hours.

The district will be closed for summer break from June 30 through July 4. Employees will not be permitted to work for pay while the district is closed unless the employee has received prior written approval from their department chief. All central employees will return to work on July 7.

Starting April 1, the HCM Benefits Department will partner with a new third-party administrator, Empyrean Health, to streamline and enhance the management of team members’ benefits. 

This change means a more convenient way for employees to access and manage all aspects of health and well-being, including benefits administration, leave of absence requests, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, and more.

Why the Change?

The contract with the current third-party administrator has ended, and the new partner was selected after a competitive bid process. The process allowed the district to explore innovative benefits options, enhance service delivery, and make managing benefits more accessible by putting it right at employees’ fingertips.

With Empyrean Health, team members will have access to the MyDallasISD Benefits App, available on both Apple and Google Play. This app will provide the following benefits:

• Access all benefits anytime, anywhere
• Convenient and easy-to-use platform to manage benefits
• Stay connected on the go

What’s Next? 

In the coming days, employees will receive more information on how to download the app and access the enrollment portal. Benefits would like to encourage all to take a moment to download the app and log into the enrollment portal to become familiar  with the new platform. Additionally, instructions on how to log into the leaves portal and access the FSA/HSA websites will be provided.

Important to note:

• There are no changes to benefit carriers—employees will continue to receive the same customer service.
• The Benefits Call Center number—972-925-4000—remains unchanged and is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for assistance with benefits administration, enrollment, leave requests, FSA/HSA, or the Employee Assistance Program.

Transitions can raise questions, and the HCM Benefits Department is here to offer support and address any concerns Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In April, HCM-Benefits will offer extended office hours from 5 to 7 p.m. for virtual and telephone appointments. Virtual and telephone appointments will also be available on Saturdays in April from 8 a.m. to noon. Feel free to contact Benefits via email at benefits@dallasisd.org or call 972-925-4300. Benefits experts are happy to assist team members virtually, over the phone, or in person—appointments can be scheduled by calling 972-925-4300.

Dallas ISD is home to many women in leadership like Candace Yarbough, executive director of Procurement Services, whose role is essential to the district’s daily operations and overall success.

Yarbough leads the department that buys goods and services for the district in five main areas—food and child nutrition, maintenance, general administration, technology and teaching and learning.

Recently, she has been leading the district’s transition from a manual procurement process to an electronic platform called Bonfire. This updated technology is expected to provide better accessibility and a more transparent process for district users as well as vendors. Yarbough feels that the new platform will ensure every corner of the district has the necessary tools to be impactful and resourceful.

“I feel accomplished knowing that our teachers and district departments are supported. At one point, I wanted to be a teacher, as well. Even in procurement, my impact still reaches the classroom,” Yarbough said.

A Dallas ISD alumna from Pleasant Grove, Yarbough attended W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Rufus C. Burleson Elementary School. She graduated in 2000 from the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center.

After attending Dallas College and The University of Texas at Arlington, Yarbough attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. Eventually, Yarbough felt there was more to her career than practicing law, and 10 years ago, she made a smooth transition to the district as a contract specialist in Procurement Services.

After a time working with district buyers and vendors, Yarbough put her knowledge of law to use as she transitioned to the district’s Legal Services Department as assistant general counsel.

“In this role I was exposed to employment and school law, which was an amazing experience,” Yarbough said about returning to her roots as a lawyer within an educational setting.

After this position, her admiration for educators led Yarbough back to procurement services and her current leadership role.

“When stepping into my role as executive director, I was impacted by other women chiefs and executive directors who encouraged me and supported my leadership transition,” Yarbough said.

She models her leadership style after the lessons of resilience and determination that she learned from her sister.

“My sister is 10 years older than me. I looked up to her as a successful business owner and woman in a male dominated STEM field,” Yarbough said.

Although Yarbrough’s family grew up in poverty, she saw education as a way towards a better future.

“My mother always told me if I did nothing else, I had to get my education. My driving force was to fully become Candace before I became a wife or mother. I wanted to have my own identity,” she said.

These values fueled Yarbough’s determination in her youth and motivated her to push forward—not just for others, but for herself first. Yarbough has merged this ambition with her passion for helping others, making her a natural leader.

“I think a good leader has the ability to see and understand that people have different perspectives,” she said. “It’s my job to establish connections and build trust. I try to approach leadership through being open so that my team can trust that I am here for them, and most importantly, that I am an advocate for them.”

Dallas ISD is excited to host the annual More Choice Expo, a districtwide enrollment event encouraging families to learn about their neighborhood schools.  

The expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at the Automobile Building in Fair Park. Dallas ISD’s legacy schools will be represented and families will have the chance to register for the 2025-2026 school year, with nearly 50 registrars available to assist and answer any questions. It will be a day of family fun, food, and the opportunity to explore the best schools that Dallas has to offer. 

This will also be the first weekend for prekindergarten enrollment for the new school year at the pre-K pop up. For more details, visit https://www.dallasisd.org/morechoice. Schools can visit the tool kits page to find materials to help them promote the event to their families.