KATHLYN JOY GILLIAM COLLEGIATE ACADEMY – NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL NOMINEE
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced its 2014 National Blue Ribbon School nominees. Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy, one of our District 6 high schools, is among four Dallas ISD schools and 25 Texas schools given this honor. Only 416 schools around the nation were nominated. Winners will be announced in September.
To be named a Blue Ribbon School is a prestigious honor. The award recognizes schools for how well their students perform or significantly improve on state assessments or nationally normed tests. When nominated, schools are invited to submit applications for recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools. Upon completion, the comprehensive program application will include demographic data, assessment reports, academic success indicators, specific instruction information and curriculum details.
It is no small feat for schools to achieve this coveted honor. Along with Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy, we also salute nominees Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy, Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr. Early College High School (formerly Middle College), and the School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. In addition, it is instructive to recall the variety of Dallas ISD schools that have been named National blue Ribbon Schools over the past few years.
Previous Dallas ISD Blue Ribbon School winners are: James B. Bonham Elementary, Amelia Earhart Learning Center, Dallas Environmental Science Academy, George Bannerman Dealey International Academy, Victor H. Hexter Elementary, Ben Milam Elementary, George Peabody Elementary, H.S. Thompson Learning Center, Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet High School, Rosie Sorrells School of Education and Social Services, School for the Talented and Gifted, School of Business and Management, School of Health Professions and School of Science and Engineering.
The late Kathlyn Joy Gilliam, who dedicated her life to serving and caring on behalf of students, parents, schools and education, would be “joyful” about the 2014 Blue Ribbon nomination for Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy. Encouraging all, she would say, “The best is yet to come!” In District 6 school news: Congratulations to Barbara Manns Middle School Campus Instructional Coach Christina Mitchell, selected as one of 350 educators by the Gates Foundation as a “Teacher in Excellence” at this year’s Elevating andCelebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching Conference.
Good luck to Boude Storey Middle School advanced band students and director Wesley Walker as they travel to their first UIL competition in April.
We are proud of the Justin F. Kimball High School Knights boys’ basketball team for making it to state playoff competition for the fourth consecutive year, and especially for bringing home the class 4A championship trophy for the third time in four years. This year marked the 11th state tournament appearance for the Kimball Knights in the school’s history.
Big cheers for Kimball players—Jawun Evans, Dondre Carter, Anthony Thomas, Xavier Johnson, Tyron Caraway, Cordel Finley, D’Angelo Allen, Derias Johnson, Tyler Townes, Trenton Brinkley, Andreus Ambler, Cameron Hayes, and Mario Grimaldo-and head coach Royce Johnson, the coaching staff and others who took time to teach, mentor and develop this special group of young men.
Mark Twain Vanguard School and H.E.B. / Central Market partnered to present a community health fair at the school Saturday, March 22. The event targeted the Oak Cliff community to increase the awareness of childhood obesity and provided practical resources to aid families in making healthier fitness and nutrition choices.
Birdie Alexander Elementary School will benefit from the commitment and partnership of Dallas ISD’s Vision Program and the AT&T Pioneers who will support the school’s visually impaired students and their families by sponsoring a “Beeping Egg Hunt” in which children locate eggs that beep to help them find candy. The event is scheduled for April 17 at Flag Pole Hill.
