Seeking Community Input For Schools Of Choice Dallas ISD Trustee Joyce Foreman, District 6

The Dallas ISD is committed to providing more educational options for our students, based on their specific interests, learning styles, and needs. By tapping into our students’ individuality, we can improve their learning dramatically and ensure that they are college-and-career ready by the time they graduate.

Over the next five years, we plan to launch 35 new public choice schools or programs that reflect student, parent, educator, and community desires and needs. These new schools or programs will look similar to some existing Dallas ISD magnet schools, only without the academic admissions requirements.

Currently, District 6 does not have any schools of choice. Please take part in the district survey to let your voice be heard about our community’s desires for the educational options available for our students.

Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/schoolchoice2014.

I would like to remind parents to be actively involved in your child’s education and school. Take time to join the Parent Teacher Association or the Site Based Decision Making Team on your child’s campus. As the first six weeks of instruction ended October 13, it is my hope that parents and guardians of District 6 students attended Secondary Parent Conference Night held October 13, Middle School Parent Conference Night held October 14, and Elementary Parent Conference Night held October 16.

As we continue our focus on improving and supporting education for our students, I want to express my gratitude to those community partners who volunteered to take part in the district’s “Principal for a Day” event.

This year, T.L. Marsalis Elementary School has been selected to participate in the Dallas ISD’s Strategic Feeder Pattern Initiative–Imagine 2020. Marsalis will be a part of an exciting opportunity to provide more services to the school, students and community.  Community partners will collaborate with Marsalis to provide ongoing academic assistance and enrichment for its students.

Jimmie Tyler Brashear recently closed its 2014 Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser held Sept. 30 through Oct. 17. The program, “It takes a Heart to be a Hero,” featured the Falcon Flyers, a local jump rope team that performed for students, along with a discussion on heart health from a representative from the American Heart Association.  All proceeds raised during Jump Rope for Heart will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Brashear will also host Character Counts week October 20-24 which emphasizes leadership and character building for the school’s students, and Red Ribbon Week, which encourages students to be active in living a drug-free life, October 27-31.

Barbara Jordan Elementary School will host their annual community walk and health fair at 8 a.m., Saturday, October 25 at the school. The school will also host the “Fall into Literacy Family Night,” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 30.

Maria Moreno Elementary School will host parents at Coffee with Principal Gonzales at 8:15 a.m., Friday, October 24, encouraging parents to take on active relationships with the school and its staff. Moreno will also host Carnival at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., October 24 on the campus. Carnival is a free event open to families and students of Moreno ES.

District 6 schools are doing wonderful things to encourage learning and growth for all of our students. Whether you are a parent, community member or alumni, take the time to get involved with your local school because your interaction matters, your involvement matters, and your voice matters.