Parents may call the hotline at (972) 925-5437 (KIDS) between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, and Tuesday, Aug. 24, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25, through Friday, Aug. 27. Staff will be available to answer calls in English and Spanish.

Be on the lookout for Operation: Comeback, the dropout prevention initiative, coming to your neighborhood. For the third year, the district is teaming up with the City of Dallas, elected officials and community volunteers Saturday, Sept. 11, as they canvass neighborhoods looking for middle and high school students who have not enrolled in school as of Sept. 8, to encourage them to return to school. Middle and high schools will be open the day of the walk to enroll students. Last year, nearly 700 homes were visited and 82 students enrolled. We are hoping to top those numbers this year and encourage the community to get involved. To volunteer, call (972) 925-3913.

For the fifth consecutive year, we’re starting the school year with great news. Preliminary results show that Dallas ISD students continue to make us proud as more students than ever achieved impressive academic progress on the most recent Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). As a result, we are projected to have more exemplary and recognized schools than we’ve had at any point in our history.

Congratulations to our students, teachers and principals for reaching the rising academic bar and continuing the progress toward higher academic excellence.

Armed with this bit of good news, I am especially encouraged to see exciting programs planned for this year that will help with continued student improvement. One such initiative is the Leaders in Science program made possible with funding from the Dallas Citizens Council, Museum of Nature & Science, AT&T and others.
Through the Leaders in Science program, fifth-grade science teachers at 20 district schools became students this summer spending time in the classroom exploring innovative ways to bring science to life for students. Class time was filled with teachers perfecting experiments that are intended to engage students as they investigate science together.

New for this fall, the John Leslie Patton Jr. Academic Center will open to serve Dallas ISD students who are on a different grade level than their peers of the same age because they lack high school credits. The school will provide accelerated learning programs to help the students gain credits and earn a diploma. The school will offer flexible student schedules, small class sizes, assisted self-paced instruction, individualized tutoring, internships, and dual-credit courses.

District 5 News
Specific to District 5, I want to congratulate Vicki Mokuria, a teacher at newly renamed Rosie M. Collins Sorrels School of Education and Social Services at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. Ms. Mokuria was one of 26 teachers selected out of 800 nationwide to participate in the Toyota International Teacher Program to study environmental issues in Costa Rica.

An orientation was held in Miami, Florida where teachers visited Everglades National Park, followed by a two week tour of Costa Rica. The Costa Rica program was held from June 18 through July 3, and its purpose was to increase awareness about environmental issues and to learn about cultural and educational aspects of Costa Rican society. What an outstanding way to be recognized! It’s because of hard work and dedication! I am proud to say, “Thank you, Ms. Mokuria!”

I would love to hear from you. Tell me your thoughts and suggestions on how we can improve our quality education for Dallas ISD students. Also, if you have questions or concerns, please contact my Board Services assistant to make an appointment at 972-925-3722.

I wish everyone a happy new 2010–2011 school year!

I promised them that I would work hard to make their wishes come true. On Thursday, June 24, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees voted to retain the name of the high schools; Wilmer-Hutchins High School. They also voted to keep the new elementary school named Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School, as it had done last year. The Kennedy-Curry Middle School will continue with the same name as well. All three schools in the Wilmer-Hutchins area will open in August 2011. It will be a homegoing of sorts for the children of the communities.

I am proud to serve the Wilmer-Hutchins area. When the schools open, I look forward to high student achievement, greater parent involvement, and grand community support.

The community is invited to give input on the Dallas Independent School District’s 2010-2011 budget.  The district has scheduled six budget review meetings.  Trustees and administrators want to receive comments and suggestions from the community about the proposed 2010-2011 budget.

Chief Financial Officer Larry Throm will present information about the budget process. Afterwards, attendees will have the opportunity to comment and/or ask questions.

The meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. as follows:

Thursday, May 20: Walnut Hill Elementary School, 10115 Midway Road
Monday, June 7: Albert Sydney Johnston Elementary School, 2020 Mouser St.
Tuesday, June 8: Bryan Adams High School, 2101 Millmar Dr.
Monday, June 14: James B. Bonham Elementary School, 2617 N. Henderson Ave.
Tuesday, June 15: Maria Moreno Elementary School, 2115 S. Hampton Road
Thursday, June 17: E.B. Comstock Middle School, 7044 Hodde St.

It is not too late to get involved in the budget development process.  Let me know what you think of the budget, and what you consider to be our budgeting focus for the 2010-2011 school year.  You may preview additional information here.  

DISD Budget 2010-2011

DISD Budget 2010-2011 FAQ

There is still more to accomplish. I will continue to work towards higher student achievement, lower dropout rates, effective teachers and administrators, and better financial accountability. We are striving for every school in District 5 to be rated Recognized or Exemplary the Texas Education Agency.

I can not do this alone.  Our students need the best teachers and administrators for their schools.  Parents must become more involved in their child’s school.  Community members will be needed to provide even greater support for our students and schools.  We must encourage business partnerships for our schools.

My three children have graduated from Dallas ISD, with the knowledge and skills to earn college degrees.  Now, it is time for my grandchildren to start school in Dallas ISD.  I the best quality education for all children, as I do for my own grandchildren.

I am humbled by your support.  Thank you, Dallas ISD District 5.

The International Student Exchange Program began in February 2009 when about 20 students from Bugil Academy came to Townview.  It was exciting!  Students from both schools gained an appreciation for each of the cultures.  The Korean students were able to acquire new academic knowledge in a different setting, experience a variety of cultural differences, and expand their personal perspectives.

It was my pleasure to meet the students from Korea and learn of their experinces with the students from Townview.  The Korean students were excited about the different culture at Townview.  The Townview students enjoyed learning of the Korean culture as well.  I believe life-long friendships were developed in the short two week period.

Now, it is time for the students from Townview Center to participate in the second phase of the International Student Exchange Program.   The Townview Center students will visit Bugil Academy in Seoul, Korea for two weeks in October 2010.  They will receive academic as well as cultural experiences.

Currently, the Townview students are busy learning the Korean language, raising funds, and finalizing their travel plans.  Show your support of the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center International Student Exchange Program by donating towards the students’ air fare and other expenses as they travel to Bugil Academy in South Korea.  If you would like to make a donation, go to the donations tab on the Townview Exchange web site.

Thank you for supporting the students at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center.

World-Class Schools for a World-Class City

The purpose of the M-LEP Department is to provide instructional support for English Language Learners (ELL) from early childhood to graduation.

The goal is to build a strong instructional program for all ELL students while providing the structures and resources to support the campuses for successful implementation to prepare students to be college and workforce ready.

The programs include:

• Early Childhood: AVANCE and HIPPY
• Elementary: One-way and Two-way Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual, ESL and Newcomer
• Secondary: English Language Institute (ELI), ESL, Shelter
• Margaret and Gilbert Herrera Student Intake Center

One-way Dual Language

Status:

• Pre-K through grade four at 143 campuses
• Anticipate continued academic success at fourth grade

Updates

• Continue Dual Language at Pre-K through grade four at 143 campuses
• 2010-2011 – Partially implement fifth grade at select campuses
• Collaboration with Core Content to support ELL students at non-Dual Language campuses

Challenges:

• Number of Bilingual certified teachers to teach grade five for full implementation

Two-way Dual Language

Status

• Serve Spanish speaking ELL students and native English speakers
• Twenty campuses

Updates

• Two-way PLC meets every six weeks
• Administrator meeting April 1, 2010
• Planning session with Gomez and Gomez

Challenges

• Staffing due to student mobility

Middle School & High School Dual Language

Status

• Goal to graduate students Bilingual and Bi-literate
• Reviewing and visiting other districts with secondary Dual Language programs
• Implementation Plan

Updates

• Secondary Dual Language Committee
• Collaborate with Enrichment department

Challenges

• Secondary Bilingual certified teachers in core content

Margaret and Gilbert Herrera Intake Center (972) 749-5760

Status

• Facilitate document collection and enrollment for students who are new to the country (Refugee/Immigrant)

Updates

• Parent Orientation and Workshops
• Partnerships with Adult Basic Education, Homeless Education Program, College Readiness and Community Refugee Organizations
• T-CALL, intense language instruction

Challenges

• Refugee mobility negatively impacting secondary campus
• Possible 700 Haiti refugees in April through Catholic Charities

M-LEP + Core Academic Content

Status

• M-LEP and Core Academic Content collaboration
• M-LEP, Special Education and Gifted and Talented will work with Core to embed strategies for all students

Initiatives

• Cross training between departments
• Embed strategies and interventions within CPGs
• Professional Development mandatory hours combined with Core, no longer separate
• Unite and align all coaches to better serve campuses

But what are dreams? Are they illusions of grandeur, with no chance for reality? Or, can we imagine the possibilities of dreams coming true? More than 40 years after Dr. King’s speech, his dream has been realized even more so than ever. We can!

We all have dreams. My dream is that I will have a positive effect on others; that my life will enhance the lives of others. I dream of a better life for my grandchildren than my children, or I. My dream is that they will have many opportunities for a higher quality life, and to enhance the lives of others they encounter. I can!

What are your dreams? Are you making plans for your reality dream? Enhance the world, one person at a time, with your positive attitude towards humanity. Dream of you, your family, and your community. You can!

Our dream as a nation could be that we as very diverse communities will live in harmony; people of all races, genders, and economic levels. Imagine living with love, peace, and happiness at home, school, work, and in our community. We can!

Dallas ISD has a dream of becoming the best urban school district in the nation. Imagine it; Dallas, a Responsible Education Achievement Model! Make it a reality! We can!

Remember Dr. King’s dream. Have your own dream. Dare to make our collective dreams come true. The USA, Texas, and Dallas have positive people with great attributes and attitudes that could make life better for all. Start today. Live the dream. Dare to make our collective dreams come true. We can!

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. As a child, I looked forward to the gifts that Santa Claus would bring, separate from the gifts I expected from my parents. During my teenage years, I began to think about gifts I would give to others. As a parent, I became the giver of gifts for my children. And now, I am a grandparent, reliving the joys of children’s laughter at the thought of Christmas gifts. It is one of my greatest gifts of all. But, there is still a greater gift.

I enjoy Christmas so much because of the giving spirit it brings, even when there is gloom all around. The world’s struggles are put away for a short time. National concerns are lightened just temporarily. People give to those who do not have much at all. Even those who don’t have much are giving what they can to spread good cheer to others. You may recall a story of another gift giver, who appeared to not have very much.

Many of our students in Dallas ISD will have a wonderful Christmas holiday because of their parents, families, friends, and generous supporters of education. May they have a very merry holiday season. I want to thank Dallas ISD employees for their caring spirits, dedication, and commitment to our children. I hope their hearts are filled with good cheer this season. May they remember the real reason for this season.

When people ask what I want for Christmas, my simple response is that I want love, peace, and happiness. It is based on a bible passage, Luke 2:10-14; And the angel said unto the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And so to you, I hope you will feel the spirit of the best gift of all. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! May you give and receive lots of love, peace, and happiness.

Parrott and Nutall will be sworn in to the Board of Trustees on Thursday, December 17, 2009 during the Dallas ISD Regular Board meeting beginning at 5:30. Congratulations Bruce and Bernadette. The students, employees, parents, and constituents of Dallas ISD are awaiting your diligent work on the board.

Thanksgiving is usually a gathering of family and friends. It may also be a time to give thanks for our schools, and those responsible for educating our students.

Parents give thanks for respectful, caring, and well-mannered children.
Children give thanks for fair, caring, and concerned teachers.
Teachers give thanks for responsible, caring, and professional principal.
Principals give thanks for a trustworthy, caring, and effective superintendent.
The superintendent gives thanks for concerned, caring, and collaborative board of trustees.
The Board of trustees gives thanks for a cooperative, caring, and empowered community.
The community gives thanks for enthusiastic, caring, and involved parents.

I thank you for the opportunity to represent the District 5 communities on the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees.

Happy Thanksgiving!