Summer is time for learning in Dallas ISD

This summer, Dallas ISD is offering numerous options for students to continue learning during the summer months. The summer learning program has offerings for students in grades PK-12. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled in Dallas ISD during the 2013-2014 school year.

Services include academic intervention, enrichment activities, high school credit recovery, PreK-K program, and professional development for teachers. Parents should contact their child’s current school or go to www.dallasisd.org/summerschool for exact locations of the various programs.

The Student Success Initiative Accelerated Instruction Program is for students in (s) Grades 5 and 8 who did not pass the second administration of the STAAR. Additionally, students who did not pass the STAAR End of Course Exam will have an opportunity to attend classes designed to correct academic gaps prior to the next administration of the exam.

The SSI Program at elementary and middle schools will run June 10 – 23 followed by testing for math and reading. The hours of the elementary program are 8 a.m. to noon and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the secondary program. The high school program will run June 10-26 at each district high school, followed by testing.

Other offerings include:
Traditional Elementary Summer School is scheduled 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, June 30 – July 30. Students in Grades 1 – 5 who did not meet the district promotion criteria according to the grades on their report cards are eligible to attend. These sites also will host the district’s Science Discovery Camp for English Language Learners participating in Dual Language Courses. These same school sites will offer Extended Year Services for some of our students in selected special education units.

Traditional Elementary Summer School with Learning Lab for Teachers will serve the same student groups as the traditional elementary summer program. The main difference for students is this program will take place 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, June 30 – July 30.

Elementary Thriving Minds Summer Camp will take place 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday thru Friday, June 30 – July 31. This camp is designed to provide students with academic and enrichment opportunities. Select students in grades PK – 5 may attend. Parents should check with their child’s regular school for specific requirements.

Middle School Summer School runs June 30 – July 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is open for students who did not meet the district promotion criteria according to their report cards. Students must attend 90% of the summer program to be considered
for promotion. The middle school locations will also offer Voyage 2018, TCALL for English Language Learners, and Extended School Year programs for students in select Special Education units.

Middle School Summer School with Learning Lab for Teachers runs the same dates and times as regular middle school summer school.

High School Summer School offers students an opportunity to recover credits through a proficiency-based approach utilizing the district’s Reconnection Centers or through Live Credit Recovery courses based on the following schedule:

High School Program
Dates Days Times
Credit Recovery June 30 – July 30
Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Reconnection Centers June 6 – July 11
Flexible 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Enrichment Programs are open to students who are not in danger of retention. Offerings include the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, and classes in orchestra, choir, dance, band, karate and Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

In other news in District 6:

The National Academy Foundation named the Justin F. Kimball High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism as a “Distinguished” academy, an honor given to schools that have exhibited exceptional fidelity to an educational model that prepares students for success in college and careers.

In recognition of the quality of the Hospitality and Tourism Academy, Texas Education Agency Commissioner of Education Michael Williams recently visited Kimball’s academy students to congratulate and encourage their efforts.

Kimball’s Algebra March Madness Tournament challenging Kimball freshmen to show off their math skills in timed, head-to-head matches awarded first place winner Leslie Salazar four tickets to a Dallas Mavericks game and the Algebra March Madness trophy. Second through fourth place winners, Diego Ortiz, Ronye Ward, and Rafael Cerda Martinez, won gift cards, as did their teachers.

District and community dignitaries gathered in celebration of the naming and dedication of the Hilliard B. “H.B.” Sorrells Band Hall at Zan W. Holmes Jr. Middle School. The late Sorrells was praised as an instructor and mentor for his students during his more than 25 years as an award winning Texas band director. He continued his legacy of helping following his retirement from the Dallas ISD after 20 years of service.

T.W. Browne Middle School was one of three district schools awarded $5,000 from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries to enhance their library book and magazine collections. More than 219 schools were selected nationwide. April 28 through May 2 was Chefs and Farmers Move to School Week. As part of the Dallas ISD’s Farm to School initiative, local celebrity chefs and Texas farmers visited several schools whose students were named finalists in the Go Texan Student Recipe Contest. Daniel Webster Elementary School fifth grader LeAndrea Piper, a Go Texan competition finalist, will have her original tuna sandwich with chopped apples recipe featured in the 2014-2015 Dallas ISD Food Services Menu. Earning by Learning has supported reading in 29 elementary schools for more than 17 years. This year, 6,565 students received and read 53,128 books. Thomas Tolbert Elementary School students read 1, 649 books.

The African American Museum recently hosted students from Dr. Barbara Jordan and T.G. Terry elementary schools visiting with award-winning children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney. Students at both schools eagerly identified illustrations and stories. Intrigued with the quality of the students’ questions and responses, Pinkney will give a signed book to both schools. All students and families are welcome to see the exhibit “Witness: The Art of JERRY PINKNEY” through May 31.