“I teach so I can see that spark in my students when they read that word or sentence for the first time. It’s the best feeling for them, and it’s the best feeling for me”
Lauren Closner is a first-grade teacher at Arthur Kramer Elementary School, and she has taught in Dallas ISD for two years.
Why I Teach asks teachers across Dallas ISD why they love being an educator.
The Dallas ISD Health and Physical Education Department has a new name to reflect its additional role to provide districtwide support for the physical, social and emotional well-being of students, families and staff.
Now called the Urban School Wellness Department, it will continue to provide curriculum, assessment and professional development for health and physical education for grades K-12.
The department has become responsible for supporting district compliance with many local, state and federal mandates related to the overall health and wellness of the school community. That means it has to help build an infrastructure to support activities to achieve those goals.
One way it accomplishes such a broad mission is to provide a coordinated wellness message across classroom content areas and departments using the “Connecting Wellness Calendar.” Each six weeks, highlights include theme days, national observances, Dallas-based events, district initiatives and staff wellness programs.
As the department’s role has expanded, so have the district’s recognitions because of its work. Some of the recent awards include a USDA Healthier US School Challenge Award for all elementary and middle schools; Texas Catch (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Champion Award; It’s Time Texas, Health Advisory Council Award and more.
Urban School Wellness Department director Barbara Johnson credits the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Michael Hinojosa with their support of health programs for students.
“Academic achievement will improve with healthier students,” Johnson said. “Quality instruction includes educating the whole child. All students can achieve if they are in a healthy and supportive school environment.”
The Athletics Department invites you to enjoy best seat in the house this football season! The department is looking for energetic district employees available to work the chain crew for varsity football games at any of our nine central athletic facilities. This is a supplemental assignment that requires dedication to the entire football season.
To lear more, email the department at NotifyAthletics@Dallasisd.org with your area of interest and experience.
A new Dallas ISD staff page, Twitter account and video series are part of a commitment to give every Dallas ISD employee the online tools and resources they need to succeed.
New staff page provides a one-stop shop
The new Dallas ISD staff page that launched today at www.dallasisd.org/staff provides a one-stop shop for the online resources, links and news that all district employees need to succeed. In addition to the general homepage, there are separate resource pages for campus staff (go here) and central staff (go here). The staff page will be continually improved to best meet the needs of employees, so please email any feedback to thehub@dallasisd.org.
Next in Dallas ISD
The staff page will host Next in Dallas ISD, a bi-weekly video that will give a quick rundown of relevant information for the upcoming two weeks.
#TeamDallasISD on Twitter
There is a new official Twitter account specifically for Dallas ISD employees: @TeamDallasISD, orwww.twitter.com/TeamDallasISD. Follow along as we tweet out staff spotlights and news, resources, and more.
Maintaining your website and social media
A quick reminder that campus and department leaders should designate someone to maintain their website throughout the year. Email brreed@dallasisd.org if you have any questions. If you need help regarding a social media account for your school or department, email thehub@dallasisd.org.
This summer, four Dallas ISD teachers traveled to Honduras for a professional development and supply donation for a library/computer lab project in San Rafael, Choluteca.
Richard Lagow Elmentary teacher Jenny Gutierrez Le organized the trip, and took along fellow teachers Joseph Ellis (special education), Merarí Garcia (mathematics) and Samantha White (science).
“I was very proud to represent our school Richard Lagow in Honduras,” Le said. “And I was blessed to have taken with me such as terrific team of teachers: Ms. White, Ms. Garcia, and Mr. Ellis.”
Teachers over the summer participated in professional development that was tailored to their individual needs.
The sessions provided an engaging environment for educators to learn from the best content-based instructors. Teachers could also explore new technology and practices, delve into content areas, discover the benefits of Social and Emotional Learning, and much more.
Watch the above video for an inside look into the sessions.
While most workers have spent the summer pursuing at least some rest and relaxation, it’s been just the opposite for hundreds of construction crews and maintenance workers toiling up to the last minute readying Dallas ISD schools. They’ve been racing the clock to complete projects before students pour back into the buildings on August 28.
Their work has ranged from relatively modest jobs like paint and window installation to asbestos removal, roof repairs, and major classroom additions. At virtually every district campus, workers have tweaked air conditioning units, shampooed carpets, replaced light bulbs and touched nearly every nook and cranny of schools getting ready for the big day.
At W.T. White High School, construction workers spent the summer completing work begun last June on a three-story, 50,800-square-foot addition. The new wing includes 27 classrooms, three science labs, teachers’ lounges, and spaces for custodians. The crew formed to construct the addition numbered some 250, including electricians, plumbers, heating and air conditioning specialists, concrete contractors, and tradesmen experienced in cabinetry, painting, drywall, and landscaping, among others.
The two team members most responsible for keeping the job moving forward on time and within budget are Project Manager Phil Garcia and Superintendent Rob Cortez. They agree that two major challenges of such large projects are keeping everyone safe and mindful of safety and building a working team at the same time you’re constructing a building. “If you don’t have a solid team, you don’t have anything,” said Cortez.
After weeks, months and holidays spent working alongside dozens of contractors, conforming the structure to the architect’s vision, ensuring the quality of materials and labor, and making sure everyone gets paid, Garcia said the biggest payoff is the pride of a job well done. “We’re all proud of what we accomplished and of our commitment to our client, the Dallas ISD.”
Rosemont Elementary students Idaliz and Ozandro Rios were having a typical summer morning—sleeping in, watching “Lab Rats” on Disney, eating cereal—when they heard a knock on the door.
They looked out the window and saw a most unusual sight: Mrs. Rachel Moon, their school principal, and several teachers standing in their front yard. After their mom opened the door, Moon and the teachers explained they were visiting their students’ houses to say hello and give a friendly reminder that school starts Aug. 28.
“This is very, very surprising!” Ozandro said with a laugh.
All Dallas ISD campuses participated in the first districtwide Neighborhood Walk on Aug. 21. District staff and community members canvassed throughout the nearly 400 square miles that make up Dallas ISD. In addition to reminding families about the first day of school, teachers and staff talked about the new school hours and upcoming meet the teacher nights.
Delia Rios, the mom of Idaliz and Ozandro, thanked the principal and teachers for stopping by their house.
“I think it’s a great idea that you come and let students know you are ready for them to start school,” she said. “This adds a personal touch so we know our principal and teachers care about our kids.”
Meanwhile, Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership Stephanie Elizalde thanked the teachers and staff for spending the time to go out and meet families.
“You are the heartbeat of the campuses because you fuel student learning every day,” Elizalde said. “We could never thank you enough for that rewarding work that you do.”
Teachers making plans for an exciting new school year have until 5 p.m., Friday, August 18, to apply for grants funded by Elrod’s Grocery to cover the cost of field trip transportation. Last school year, Elrod’s generously donated more than $20,000 to help schools provide students with out-of-school learning opportunities. Go here to download a memo with full details and instructions to submit applications.
The window to enroll for 2017-2018 employee benefits closes August 22. Employee Benefits is holding a series of information sessions to answer employees’ questions about insurance plans. Know before you enroll. Go here to download the schedule of info sessions.