Staff News

Data shows that the pandemic has had a significant negative impact on student learning, both across the country and in Dallas ISD.

Dallas ISD is launching a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process to help determine how it should potentially spend additional federal dollars to address unfinished learning and COVID-19 recovery.

The American Rescue Plan signed into law in March by President Joe Biden included $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for school districts across the country, which is the single largest investment in federal elementary and secondary education in the nation’s history. Dallas ISD has applied to receive some of that additional funding.

All parents, district employees, students and community members are urged to complete this survey to help the district determine what to prioritize with the potential ESSER funds. School districts are limited what they can use ESSER funds to support.

Additionally, all stakeholders are invited to an upcoming Telephone Town Hall to learn more about this funding opportunity and provide input. Details on the Telephone Town Hall will be shared as soon as they are finalized.

Data shows that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on student learning across the country, including in Dallas ISD.

Dallas ISD is taking a comprehensive approach to help ensure students don’t fall too far behind. These strategies include redesigned summer learning experiences, high-quality instruction, additional resources and support, and an extended calendar for select schools.

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution during a May 10 meeting in response to legislation under consideration by the Texas Legislature that, according to the resolution, “threatens the essential work that the District is doing to celebrate diversity and would greatly hinder efforts to create inclusive and equitable learning environments and develop more informed, engaged citizens.”

In December 2017, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees took a bold step to address educational disparities by establishing the Racial Equity Office. Trustees also adopted a Welcoming Resolution, and a Resolution on the Commitment of the District to Black Students and Black Lives. Also as part of the effort to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments, the district offers African American Studies and Mexican American Studies courses, and every district employee is going through professional learning programs on unconscious bias, cultural intelligent training and dismantling racism.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and trustees said that legislation under consideration by Texas lawmakers would negatively impact the district’s core value of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“This would gut many of the items that we care about and the racial equity policy that the board passed unanimously,” Hinojosa said.

Meanwhile, trustees on May 10 also approved a resolution regarding local oversight of public schools.

If you are like most of the district’s professional staff, the first thing you do upon beginning the workday is log in to your district computer, which, in reverse, is likely the last thing you do at the close of the day. Developing habits that promote cybersecurity is crucial to safeguard not only your personal work files but also those of the entire district.

That’s why in accordance with Texas House Bill 3834, Dallas ISD is requiring employees with access to a local government computer to take the state-mandated cybersecurity training by June 4. Exceptions include custodians, maintenance and facility personnel, bus drivers and campus-based food service employees whose job responsibilities do not include the use of computers.

The 40-minute self-paced training, available through Cornerstone, is designed to help employees develop habits that keep information secure and teach users best practices for identifying and addressing security threats.

Employees who encounter technology-related issues should contact the IT Service Desk at (972) 925-5630. For assistance with course launch, general navigation and training completion, employees can access 24-7 live support via chat at Cornerstone Live User Support.

Dallas ISD is committed to provide excellent customer service to students, parents, community members and staff, and one of the main tools used to fulfill that commitment is Let’s Talk. Every day, more departments and schools have access to Let’s Talk to efficiently and effectively handle requests and concerns.

Let’s Talk!, our online customer experience solution, makes it easy for the community and staff to engage with school and district leaders on the topics that matter most to them. Unlike an email, an inquiry submitted through Let’s Talk is automatically routed to the person or team best suited to respond, ensuring a timely and accurate responses every time.

In addition to more efficiently responding to requests and concerns, Let’s Talk! has key metrics that help schools and departments better track responses and improve the customer experience.

Interested in improving customer service at your school or department? Download this list of tips.

During its regular monthly briefing, the Board of Trustees will consider several items and reports from district departments. This month’s reports include:

• Discussion of the 87th Texas Legislative Agenda
• Mitigating Learning Loss Update | Student Activities, After=School, and Tutoring
• 2021-2022 Student Code of Conduct
• P-TECH Workplace Learning Update
• Racial Equity Update—Programing Equity
• Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Quarterly Report, FY 2020-2021, Quarter 3
• 2021-2022 Budget Development

Briefings are scheduled to begin at 11:20 a.m. and are broadcast online through a link available on www.dallasisd.org once the meeting starts. To see a copy of the agenda and presentations associated with this meeting’s reports, visit https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/disd/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

Regular dental screenings are not only essential to avoiding gum disease and chronic tooth problems. Because the mouth is connected to a variety of organs, maintaining healthy gums and teeth are important to reduce the risks of other diseases.

Know the warning signs

Gum disease is a painless condition many people don’t realize they have until it’s already done significant damage. When your gums become infected, bacteria and toxins enter your bloodstream, which may worsen other health conditions. If you experience any of the following, see your dentist immediately:

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Changes in how teeth fit together

According to dental health experts at United Healthcare, some of the diseases that can be caused by poor dental health include:

Diabetes
People with diabetes have a weakened immune system, which may make it harder to keep bacteria from causing gum disease and raising blood glucose levels.

Heart disease
Gum disease allows bacteria to get into the bloodstream, increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Respiratory conditions
Gum disease bacteria can be inhaled into the lungs and increase the risk of pneumonia and infections.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Gum disease can increase the severity of arthritis

Married for 16 years, Elena and David Bates are Dallas ISD Darlings. Their love story began while both worked at Thomas C. Marsh Middle School and led and supported student groups and community partnerships.

David began his career in Dallas ISD in 1999 as a Leadership Cadet Corps Instructor at Marsh Middle School, athletic coach and campus leader. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and currently serves the district as Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Facility Services/Construction Services Support

Elena joined Dallas ISD as an English as a Second Language teacher at Marsh Middle School in 2000. Elena transitioned to W.T. White High School, where she served in several roles. She later returned to Marsh Preparatory Academy as an assistant principal in 2015 and was later selected as W.T. White Principal in 2016 where she remained until her move to current position in the Office of Transformation and Innovation.

Laney Bates, their 13-year old daughter, attended Everette L. DeGolyer Elementary and Marsh Middle School, now named Thomas C. Marsh Preparatory Academy.

“Dallas ISD Is Home for us because we are invested in the success of our district,” said Elena. “The district’s highs and lows are personal to us.”

Their personal commitment to the district shows on their daily work. Elena is a key team member for the launching and opening of Public School Choice schools, offering more learning experiences to students throughout the district.

David’s work is visible every day in all schools, as him and his team are responsible for the maintenance and operations of schools and central office buildings. David led a team of unsung heroes who quickly took action in clearing schools in the north and northeast Dallas areas affected by a tornado in October 2019, so students could return to class quickly.

“We have countless memories and experiences that we have shared through service to others and have seen the reciprocity as others have poured into us and our daughter,” said David. “Through our years of service to Dallas ISD school communities, we have built lasting relationships with colleagues, students, and their families. We are honored to call Dallas ISD our HOME!”

Are you and your significant other Dallas ISD Darlings? Share your This Is Home to Dallas ISD Darlings story by sending an email to: thisishome@dallasisd.org.

When it comes to cafeteria food and allergens, MealViewer offers peace of mind. Food and Child Nutrition Services’ newest app for school meals offers allergen alerts. Once parents create their students’ profiles, the allergen feature will automatically generate alerts to parents and students notifying them when an allergen is present on the menu. This cuts down on uncertainty and potentially dangerous situations.

Download the MealViewer App today at https://schools.mealviewer.com/district/dallasisdtx.

For special dietary modifications for school meals, parents must fill out a Dietary Request Form.

Maintenance and Facilities Services supports learning by maintaining the physical environment that allows teachers to teach and students to learn. The Maintenance and Facility Service teams ensure that all district facilities:

1. Function properly in terms of building systems.
2. Provide the necessary indoor environment that is conducive to academic success; and
3. Create a welcoming atmosphere because of their aesthetic appeal.

Through the Theory of Action Standards of Service, the MFS team services include but are not limited to the following for all campuses across the district:

• Addressing routine maintenance work orders as requested by campuses and facilities.
• Preventative maintenance and inspections of district facilities and systems.
• Inspections, repairs, and service of the district’s building envelopes.
• Identifying any maintenance risk on equipment, such as but not limited to chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers, ground sources heat pumps, and rooftop units.
• Installing, maintaining, and repairing ventilation and various air condition systems and equipment
• Installing and maintaining all the electrical and power systems which include the Main Distribution Panel (MDP) or switchgear, transformers, breaker panels, disconnects, conduit, cable, wiring, lighting, outlets, connected equipment, lighting controls, etc. within Dallas ISD schools and facilities.

Campuses interested in these services can work with their Lead Custodian to submit a work order through SchoolDude.