Holiday Giving Impactful Whether Big Or Small

District 6 Trustee Column
Joyce Foreman

Holiday giving impactful whether big or small

With the holiday season in full swing, it is important to remember the ways in which we are fortunate. As a Dallas ISD Board of Trustee member, I value my contribution to improving the educational experiences of district students, of providing them opportunities to become what they dream of becoming and pursuing their dreams, regardless of their color, creed or socio-economic environments.

I value the vision of what each of the employees of Dallas ISD is working toward in becoming a premier urban school district and taking steps to getting closer to optimizing college- and career readiness for our students and future leaders.

As I continue working to establish relationships and learn the needs of our District 6 schools, I am thankful for the passion of these schools’ educators and administrators and the difference they make each and every day in our students’ lives.

I am grateful for the many organizations that contribute time and resources to our schools throughout the year.

Target has donated $50,000 to continue to support a reading program coordinated by Dallas ISD Library Media Services through the IREAD backpack reading program designed for kindergarten students at campuses across the district. Students from Barbara Jordan, Thomas L. Marsalis, Clinton P. Russell and Robert L. Thornton elementary schools will take home a backpack which contains book and school supplies.

The Reading is Fundamental Program will receive a donation of 17, 397 books valued at more than $34,000 from Macy’s and RIF’s 2014 Be Book Smart fundraising program. The books will go to Birdie Alexander, Barbara Jordan, Umphrey Lee, Thomas L. Marsalis, Ronald E. McNair, Leslie A. Stemmons, Robert L. Thornton and Martin Weiss elementary schools.

John Leslie Patton Learning Center is one of six schools that will receive 250 books and a book shelf as a result of KPMG’s community service effort for Dallas ISD schools.

The Glen Oaks Homeowners’ Association has adopted a kindergarten class at Mark Twain Leadership Vanguard for the holidays. The students’ families completed a form indicating their needs, and the community will be buying presents for the students of those families.

Our work in Dallas ISD is made better by the efforts of community partners and supports such as these.

While we continue our work in education, let us not forget the challenges that many of our communities face during this time of year with providing the extra that goes into celebrating and observing holidays.

Whether you offer your love and compassion, or make a charitable donation of time or money, there are ways to help others even when we think we have little to give. This is a lesson, we, in District 6, must share with our students by allowing them the opportunity to give back to their communities and the less fortunate.

The David W. Carter High School Choir will be spreading holiday cheer by lending their voices to sing carols at various district offices and buildings.

T.W. Browne Middle School’s Student Council is hosting a canned food drive through Dec. All donations will be delivered to the North Texas Food Bank to support families in need this holiday season.

Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School is working to benefit children suffering from cancer. The school will collect miniature stuffed animals and have students write letters to encourage some young cancer patients as they fight toward regaining their health.

Whether you choose to volunteer at a local hospital, donate to a canned food drive or offer a monetary donation to a charitable entity, do so with a giving heart because it’s the seemingly insignificant measures of giving that lead to monumental change.

Happy Holidays.