J.W. Ray, A Historic DISD School Lest We Forget
DISD Librarian, goes beyond measure to instill in
students a love of books-Reading, Listening, and
Learning. On February 28th she coordinated the:
DISD Read Across Dallas” activity celebrating Dr.
Seuss’ birthday
For 58 years, a supreme court-sanctioned public policy of separate but equal facilities for races prevailed in the school of the United State of America. The Dallas Independent School District provided three facilities for Negroes in the area called “North Dallas”, which today is part of the Arts District and Zip code 75204.
The schools were J. W. Ray, grades 1-3, B.F. Darrell, grades 4-8, and Booker T. Washington, grades 9-12.
Public school have undergone many monumental changes since the 1060’s but contrary to the myth of “genetic inferiority”, students at J.W. Ray have accomplished significant achievements. Parents and educators then knew that reading well was the key to academic success although there was no library in the school.
The J.W.Ray librarian, Ms. Barbara L. Willis, goes beyond measure to instill in students a love of books, reading, listening, and learning. On February 28th, Ray students welcomed guest readers who participated in the DISD’s Read Across Dallas” celebration of Dr.
Seuss’ birthday. The staff and students were asked to don Afro-centric attire and attend a Black History celebration to commemorate Black History Month and the black intellectual inroads in public education.
Today, the school in on the National Historical Registry and students at J.W. Ray continue to excel under the excellent leadership of their principal, Onjaleke Brown.
