News

Dallas Independent School District is providing parents a virtual one-stop-shop with helpful back to school information for the 2017-2018 school year, which starts Monday, Aug. 28.

Available in English and Spanish, the 2017-2018 Back-to-School page, includes information such as:
·      School hours
·      Back to School Hotline
·      Online enrollment
·      Bus Routes and Schedules (2017-2018 bus routes and schedules to be available by the week of August 14).
·      School meal information
·      Immunization requirements

The Back to School page can be found at http://www.dallasisd.org/backtoschool.
In addition, the district reminds parents that pre-registration for the 2017 Mayor’s Back to School Fair is available through July 28.

The fair will take place Friday, Aug. 4, at the Centennial Building in Fair Park. Parents of children attending Dallas ISD schools, who meet the eligibility requirements, can register to receive free school supplies during the fair. Other services at no cost to families available at the fair will include immunizations, health, dental and vision screenings, haircuts, and more. For the pre-registration locations and hours, visit: http://www.mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com/.

A Class of 2017 graduate from the School of Health Professions at Townview won first place in her category at HOSA’s 40^th International Leadership Conference in Florida.

Mariana Torres took home first place in the Home Health Aide competition at the conference held June 20–23.

Fellow School of Health Professions student Miguel Castro participated in the conference’s Job Seeking Skills competition and did a great job.

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA’s goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.

Karina Marquez and Shirley Adams-Anderson, both teachers at the School of Health Professions, went with the students to the conference.

Torres will attend the University of Texas at Dallas and Castro will attend the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall.

Fine Arts Chamber Players (FACP) has announced that two recent Dallas ISD graduates are the recipients of the first annual Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund.

Quinn Mason, an award-winning composer who graduated from North Dallas High school in 2015, and Kenoly Kadia, a pianist who graduated from David W. Carter High school in 2017, are the scholarship recipients.

“I am very honored and grateful to receive this generous gift, as I could not have paid the tuition myself,” said Mason. “I am hoping that this college education will allow me to provide a comfortable living for myself, and allow me to provide for my mother. I plan to reach new heights in music and do important things that will make an impact on future generations. I will work to the best of my ability to make the Stones proud that they invested in my education.”

The scholarship was established at The Dallas Foundation in March 2016 by longtime FACP supporters Don and Norma Stone, and it was named in honor of Rogene Russell, the artistic director and cofounder of FACP.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of talented candidates who applied for the first year of the Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund, and are eager to see the progress that Quinn and Kenoly will make in their college music studies,” explained FACP Executive Director Rachel Assi.

Applications were considered by a committee representing FACP, Southern Methodist University, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, The Dallas Foundation, and the local philanthropic community. After the initial review of material, select applicants were asked to perform for or present their compositions to the committee for further consideration.

Rogene Russell added, “FACP has been honored to support Kenoly and Quinn in their pre-college artistic growth. As anyone currently attending college knows, the cost of tuition is daunting. Through the vision and generosity of Norma and Don Stone, these scholarships will enable Kenoly and Quinn to pursue a college education without the burden of immense debt.”

“I am very grateful for all the support that I have had from FACP,” echoed Kadia. “I am very humbled and honored to receive the scholarship. I intend to use this scholarship to the best of my ability, and hopefully one day I will be an inspiration to others and be an asset in the music industry.”

Since the Fund was established in 2016, the Stone’s initial $500,000 gift has grown by 38%, totaling $691,000 through additional contributions.

“Our highest hope,” Mr. Stone stated, “is that the fund will increase to at least $1 million to provide support for the college careers of other young aspiring musicians in future years.”

“Don and I know this scholarship has made a huge impact on the ability of these two winners to continue their music education,” added Mrs. Stone. “How many other gifted youngsters such as Quinn and Kenoly can we help in the future?”

“The Dallas Foundation manages a variety of scholarship funds made possible by the generosity  of our donors,” said Mary Jalonick, president and CEO of The Dallas Foundation. “For many students, these scholarships can be a valuable resource that allows them to achieve lifelong dreams. We’d like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Quinn and Kenoly, and special thanks to Don and Norma Stone, as well as Fine Arts Chambers Players, for their continued leadership and commitment to nurturing the future leaders of the arts community.”

For more information about contributing to the Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund, contact Dallas Foundation Grants Officer Lynsie Laughlin at 214-741-9898 or llaughlin@dallasfoundation.org; or visit DallasFoundation.org, click on “I’d like to give to a fund,” then search for “Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund.”