Staff News

The Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center—a shared space with Dallas ISD—is offering free training sessions in October for families and residents in South Dallas.

Financial literacy classes 

Learn to create balance sheets, savings plans, monthly budgets and more on the way to learning how to accumulate wealth in two financial literacy classes being offered by the Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Center.  Orientation is scheduled for Oct. 20 for either the Hispanic Women’s Financial Wellness Group or the Millennial Women’s Financial Wellness Group.

Participants can expect to set financial goals and then create a realistic plan of action to help them meet those goals and objectives.

These classes are made possible through a grant from the Texas Women’s Foundation.

Learn a new skill in an emerging field 

Registration is open now through Oct. 12 for a free job skills training program to teach individuals to install fiber optic cables. Fiber optics is commonly used in telecommunication services such as internet, television and telephones.

Go to www.zwhjcoc.org and click on the Skills Training tab. Applicants will be assigned an interview time by Oct. 13, which will be conducted  with Oct. 14-15. Classes and interviews will be held in-person at Frazier House, 4600 Spring Ave., Dallas.

For more information and to register for any of the free courses, visit www.zwhjcoc.org or send an email to info@zwhjcoc.org.

Even though it may still be warm and sunny outside, Dallas ISD has returned to regular dress code to promote a professional atmosphere and maintain the positive image that employees present as representatives of the district. This image is affected by the manner of dress within the workplace and in public.

The district’s dress code policy is designed to help employees provide a consistent professional appearance to colleagues, students, parents, and the community. Employees should exemplify the highest standards of professional appearance.

To help guide employees in determining appropriate attire for the workplace, attached are the business dress code guidelines outlined in DH(LOCAL) and DH(REGULATION).

For questions or comments, please contact Policy and Compliance at hcmcompliance@dallasisd.org.

Overview

• The dress code standards are meant to maintain an orderly educational environment and will not infringe on an individual’s culture, religious beliefs, or protected free speech.
• The dress and grooming of district employees shall be clean, neat, in a manner appropriate for their assignments, and in accordance with any additional standards established by their supervisors and approved by the Superintendent of Schools.
• All employees are expected to exemplify proper grooming standards and personal hygiene in a manner that projects a professional image for the employees and the district.
• Male employees shall keep their hair and facial hair groomed neatly.
• Employees will not be allowed to display any jewelry, tattoos, brands, or similar artifacts that are either obscene, distracting, or may cause disruptions to the educational environment.

Acceptable Attire

• Clothing should be clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free.
• All attire should fit appropriately (not excessively tight or loose).
• Dress pants, dress shirts, and blouses are acceptable.
• Professional dresses and skirts are acceptable.
• Professional footwear is required at all times.
• Employees required to wear district-issued uniforms are expected to wear the assigned uniform.

Unacceptable Attire

• Inappropriate attire includes, but is not limited to form-fitting, snug, sagging, or transparent clothing.
• Excessively worn, faded, or tight clothing is not acceptable.
• Clothing with holes or frayed areas is not acceptable.
• Revealing or provocative attire is not acceptable.
• Necklines that expose cleavage are not acceptable.
• Dresses and skirts shorter than three inches above the bend of the knee are not acceptable.
• Jeans, sweatpants, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, spandex, and lycra are not acceptable.
• Tank tops, t-shirts, and shirts with inappropriate messages/graphics are not acceptable.
• Athletic wear and beach wear are not acceptable.
• Slippers, flip-flops, house shoes, sneakers, and athletic shoes are not acceptable.
• Hats are not to be worn inside, unless used as protective wear appropriate for one’s job function.

Exceptions

• Administrators will have the discretion to make exceptions to appropriateness of attire as it relates to culture, religious beliefs, vocational courses, physical education, maintenance, medical necessities, events, and spirit days.
• The Superintendent of Schools may waive the dress code for district employees when school is not in session or based on seasonal weather conditions, special events, and the like.

Reference: DH(LOCAL) and DH(REGULATION)

If you know an educator who has gone extra mile each and every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same, you can nominate them for the Excellence in Education Awards given by H-E-B.

Even though the awards have been postponed until 2022 in light of ongoing public health concerns, nominations are being accepted through Oct. 18. Nominations are being accepted for teachers, principals, school boards, school districts or early childhood centers in Texas.

Created in 2002, the H‑E‑B Excellence in Education Awards are designed to honor outstanding public school professionals and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Since its launch, the effort has awarded more than $11 million to deserving educators. The Dallas ISD won the 2020 district award and a check for $100,000.

To learn more about the program and fill out a nomination, visit https://www.heb.com/static-page/excellence-in-education-awards.

Dallas ISD is celebrating National School Lunch Week with food, fun, and opportunities for students to win awesome prizes. This year’s theme is “Feed Your Creativity with A Healthy School Lunch”

Here’s how students can participate:

#SHOWLUNCHDISD SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE: OCTOBER 11- 15

All DISD Students, staff, and families are invited to create a video to promote the importance of

school lunch. Participants will share/ promote their favorite school lunch or what school lunch

means to them by using the hashtag #ShowLunchDISD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram,

from October 11-15.

• Social Media Challenge Rules

• Video participants must be Dallas ISD students, staff, or family members.
• Participating students must have a photo release form on file.
• Video must be limited to 60 seconds in length.
• Video with the most likes, shares, and tweets will receive a 44” adjustable portable basketball hoop.
• One winner per video.
• Post and share your video using the hashtag #ShowLunchDISD and tag @DallasISDFood

#DISDLunchWeek 5-Day Challenge (High school)

All high school students are encouraged to participate in the Dallas ISD Lunch Week 5-Day Challenge. Participants are challenged to take a photo with their school lunch every day and post the picture on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #DISDLunchWeek. Students who post a photo at least three of the five days will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of Apple Air Pods. For more information about National School Lunch Week, visit our website at www.dallasisd.org/fcns.

The Racial Equity Office in partnership with the Office of Transformation and Innovation is seeking 100 district mentors to assist students and families during the magnet school application period.  Each mentor will be assigned five elementary and/or middle school students from various campuses throughout the district.

The purpose of the Magnet Mentor program is to increase the number of African American and English Learner students from historically underrepresented communities who enroll in the Dallas ISD magnet school programs.  The goal of this initiative is to involve 500 students this year.

Mentor responsibilities will include helping families with application support, assessment preparation, and connecting students with current and  future campus supports. All selected mentors will be eligible for a $500 stipend in June if all program expectations are met.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor this year, please use this link and apply by Oct. 15. Selected mentors will be notified via email by Oct. 26.

If you aspire to lead and envision yourself as an assistant principal but the lack of a master’s degree and principal certification stand in your way, Dallas ISD is here to help. The district is looking for teachers and instructional coaches who have strong leadership potential for an opportunity with the Aspiring Leaders Program (ALP), a unique school leadership development program offered through Southern Methodist University.

The Aspiring Leaders Program  is a master’s degree program wherein candidates will earn their M.Ed in Urban Educational Leadership, and also become eligible to apply for principal certification.

This program is designed for educators who do not currently have their principal certification and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and have the passion and commitment to lead in an AP position for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Aspiring Leaders Program offers two cohorts:

1. Urban Educational Leadership: Prepares future leaders to lead in a comprehensive context.

2. Urban Educational Leadership with Bilingual/Dual Language Focus: Uniquely prepares bilingual educators to lead Dallas ISD bilingual and dual language programs.  Dallas ISD needs more bilingual leaders to serve our communities and this specially-created cohort offers an excellent opportunity for bilingual teachers to expand their impact!

Highlights of this program include:

• Rigorous & competency-based.  The two-year program includes a 2nd year residency, including coaching support and culminates in an M.Ed. in Urban Educational Leadership from SMU.

• Ascending Leaders.  In Dallas ISD, over 100 ALP alumni and participants serve in leadership roles, including 25 current principals and 52 assistant principals.

• Bilingual/ Dual Language leadership cohort.  Ability to specialize and be uniquely prepared to lead Dallas ISD bilingual and dual language programs.

• Tuition Reimbursement.  The district will potentially provide partial tuition reimbursement for participants in this program.

SMU and the LEAD team will be hosting two information sessions via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 14, and Monday, Oct. 25,  from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. If you are interested in growing as a leader and developing the skills necessary to lead schools, please RSVP using this link to learn more about the Aspiring Leaders Program

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact LEAD@dallasisd.org or visit www.smu.edu/urbanleader

Dallas ISD art teachers are incredibly talented, but did you know that many of them are also working artists? You can see just how talented they are in a special exhibit at the Music Hall in Fair Park

The HeArt of Teaching is a joint collaboration by Dallas ISD, the Dallas Education Foundation, and Dallas Summer Musicals that highlights the talents of nearly 60 district art teachers. Their works of art will be on display  until Oct. 23. Admission is free (though a valid ticket to the State Fair of Texas is required through Oct. 17).

A fundraiser culmination event celebrating our teacher-artists will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25. All artwork was donated and will be available for sale with proceeds benefitting the Dallas Education Foundation to support the district’s mission of accelerating student success. Registration information can be found at futureofdallas.org/event2021

Seasonal flu mimics many of the same symptoms of COVID-19, which can make it difficult for patients and providers to tell the difference between the two illnesses. Getting a flu shot is an important step we can all take to protect ourselves and our families.

Dallas ISD will provide access to convenient walk-up flu shot clinics for employees at a variety of times at campuses, central office and service centers. Flu shot clinics will be available through Dec. 10 at various locations. To find the date, time and location most convenient to you, please visit https://www.dallasisd.org/fluclinics. We recommend that staff register as soon as possible.

Flu vaccines are free for employees enrolled in TRS-Active Care insurance, other medical insurance plans and Medicare.

The district and the flu s will be taking extra steps to ensure employees feel safe while receiving a flu shot.

If you have questions or concerns, please call 972-925-4300 or email benefits@dallasisd.org.

Dallas ISD is going pink for the entire month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several activities and opportunities to learn more about breast cancer, early detection, and treatments are planned throughout the month.

You can show your support for breast cancer survivors and their families by wearing pink one day the week of Oct. 11-15. And if you choose to wear pink, you can also wear jeans! A department or campus can pick one day to Pink Out or let individual employees choose their day, keeping in mind meetings and activities that might require more professional attire.

In keeping with COVID safety protocols, the Benefits Department will be distributing pink masks to central and campus staff. District employees to add a Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon graphic to their signature line for the month of October.

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and about 2,100 men are diagnosed every year. If you are a survivor or someone in your family is a survivor, share your story by emailing staffnews@dallasisd.org using the subject Dallas ISD Goes Pink. Submissions will be shared throughout the month.

For more information and resources about the district’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts and resources visit www.dallasisd.org/breastcancerawareness.

Breast Cancer Awareness Tip

Will eating vegetables and fruits lower the risk of cancer?

Some recent studies suggest that a higher intake of fruits vegetables may have a helpful effect on the recurrence of breast cancer. Because other studies have shown a correlation between increased risk of breast cancer and higher index of body fat, increasing the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet is always a good idea. Fruits and vegetables are not only great sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber that nourish the body, they are also helpful aides in weight control because they are filling without adding a lot of calories to a meal. Make sure you add at least one fruit and vegetable to each meal and try to make your choices colorful to get the widest range of nutritional benefits.

Dallas ISD and community partners are offering booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to those who qualify Saturday, Oct. 2.

The COVID-19 Pop Up Clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Townview Magnet Center, 1201 E. 8th St.

It’s important to note that the booster applies only to the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine and only to people 18 and older who meet the eligibility requirements. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend booster doses for recipients of the Moderna or J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at this time. Mixing and matching vaccine brands is not currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration or recommended by the CDC

Who should get the booster shot?
Here is the list who should get the booster dose at least six months after receiving the second Pfizer shot:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older
• Residents of long-term care settings
• Individuals 50-64 with underlying medical conditions
• Individuals 18-49 with underlying medical conditions and those 18-64 who live or work somewhere that puts them at high risk of getting COVID if the personal benefits outweigh the personal risks