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Dallas ISD Parent's Newsletter
Dallas ISD Parent's Newsletter
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Hello Dallas ISD Parents!
Welcome to the February edition of the Dallas ISD Parent Newsletter! We hope this newsletter finds you well and that the new year has been treating you kindly so far. In this month's edition, we have FCE news and updates, department and community resources, and important information from the Superintendent, Dr. Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D., to share with you.
As we move further into the semester, we wanted to take a moment to remind you of some of the initiatives and events that are taking place in our district. From our ongoing focus on student achievement to our commitment to providing a safe and nurturing learning environment, we are dedicated to ensuring that every child in Dallas ISD has the opportunity to succeed.
In this month's newsletter, you'll find information on a variety of topics, including upcoming events, ways to get involved in your child's education, and more. We encourage you to take some time to read through these articles and learn more about what's happening in our schools.
Thank you for your continued support of Dallas ISD. We are proud to serve you and your family, and we look forward to working together to help your child reach their full potential.
FCE News and Resources
Fam Jam Is Coming To South Dallas!
Attention South Dallas families! Fam Jam is taking place on Saturday, February 24th, from 9 am to 12 pm at David W. Carter High School. You and your child can attend the event and receive free health screenings and immunizations, gather resources from your child's school, and receive more free resources from different community partners. That's not all, you can also enjoy a complimentary breakfast, watch student performances including bands, and participate in other engaging activities.
Parents, this Fam Jam is serving students and families who are in the Carter, Kimball, Lincoln, Madison, Roosevelt, South Oak Cliff, and Wilmer-Hutchins vertical teams!
It's never too late to learn new ways to support your student, and at Fam Jam, you can do it all while having a great time. Mark your calendar now, bring the whole family along and join us for a day filled with fun, learning, and community building.
David W. Carter High School Address: 1819 W. Wheatland Rd, Dallas, TX 75232.
Dad Joke Competition Is Happening NOW!
Get ready to flex your comedic muscles and hone your dad joke skills because the Dallas ISD Family and Community Engagement Dad Joke Competition is finally HERE! Starting from January 1st through March 7th, all Dallas ISD parents, dads, and father figures are encouraged to participate in this competition. Voting for your favorites will take place on our social media pages via polls! Go follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to make sure you do not miss this or any important updates.
But hold on, what exactly is a dad joke? Well, a dad joke is a type of pun-filled, cheesy, and often cringe-worthy joke that is typically told by fathers. However, the one rule is that these jokes must be clean, so keep it family-friendly! Whether you prefer to type or record a video or audio, one submission is allowed per person, so make it count. Stay tuned for more information regarding registration and the competition, and get ready to showcase your best dad jokes to win the crown of the ultimate dad joker!
Prizes will be awarded at every level of the competition, but only one will win the grand prize!
March Family Resources On the Go (F.R.O.G.) Events!
The Family Resources On the Go (F.R.O.G) bus is a drive-through outreach effort to bring a variety of district resources and services to the community. We have various Dallas ISD department representatives onsite to answer questions on the Parent Portal, Academic Partnering, Uniform Assistance Program, and more at our bus stops.
We have our Spring 2024 dates to share with you, locations will be released closer to the dates! Get ready to mark your calendars!
- March 5th, 6th, 7th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 26th, and 27th.
Elevated Engagement
Elevated Engagement, the podcast that has captured the attention and minds of parents throughout Dallas ISD. With new segments and guests on the horizon, there's never been a better time to tune in and stay informed. Whether you're a busy parent on the go or simply looking for a fresh perspective on educational achievement, Elevated Engagement has you covered. Join us as we explore the latest district initiatives, share valuable insights, and connect with the Dallas community like never before. So sit back, relax, and get ready for another year of Elevated Engagement!
Follow Elevated Engagement on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Dallas ISD Department News and Resources
2024 Dallas ISD STEM Expo
You are invited to the largest STEM expo in Texas. Students will explore, design, and create real-world STEM activities at no cost at the 2024 Dallas ISD STEM Expo. It’s happening Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The Dallas ISD STEM EXPO will feature over 100 interactive exhibits and serve as the culmination event for the District’s STEM competitions, including: First Lego League, VEX IQ and VRC Robotics, Coding Competition, and Tech Connect. Register today! DallasISD.org/STEMExpo
Los invitamos a la STEM expo más grande de Texas. Los estudiantes podrán explorar, diseñar y crear actividades STEM reales sin costo alguno en la STEM Expo 2024 de Dallas ISD. Tendrá lugar el sábado, 3 de febrero, de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m. en el Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. La STEM Expo contará con más de 100 exhibiciones interactivas y servirá de evento culminante para las competencias STEM del distrito, incluyendo First Lego League, VEX IQ y VRC Robotics, la competencia de codificación y Tech Connect. ¡Regístrese hoy! DallasISD.org/STEMExpo
Save The Date!
It is time to mark your calendars for 2024 Parent Survey! We want to hear from you and your feedback is important to us, please ensure your child's campus has your updated email address and contact information,
- Survey Opens: Monday, March 4th, 2024
- Deadline: Friday, March 22nd, 2024
MealViewer Information
At Dallas ISD, we are committed to serving nutritious and delicious meals. We serve sustainable food items, no-antibiotics-ever chicken, whole muscle meats, and recyclable paper plates. Our food items are made from lean meats, using lower sodium ingredients, and whole-grain-rich bread products.
Please be aware that there are factors that may affect a product’s actual nutritional value and/or ingredient composition at any given time for a multitude of reasons. Therefore, the accuracy of the nutrition information is not guaranteed and is subject to change due to supply shortages, etc… Please be assured that Dallas ISD strives for the highest nutritional value and accuracy of information.
Go to MealViewer site to find your school menu.
What is MealViewer?
MealViewer is a platform that allows parents the opportunity to view daily menus, nutrition information, and allergens so that they are aware of what their students are eating.
How do I register?
- Go to MealViewer or download the mobile app and register for your free account.
- Create profiles for you and your students and add their schools to view daily menus.
- Add allergens
- to your student's profiles to receive custom alerts. Favorite and rate different meal items so students can know when their favorite meal is being served.
To Download the app or if you have any questions, please visit MealViewer and click Contact or call Meal Viewer Customer Support at 866-351-2248.
Dallas Community Resources
Dallas County Student Election Workers
It’s that time of the year again! The Dallas County Elections Department is looking for Student Election Workers for the upcoming March 5th Joint Primary Election. Student Election Workers help to ensure that Dallas County voters have a smooth and efficient Election Day, so we are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to serve in this important role.
This is an excellent chance for schools/organizations to make a positive impact on the democratic process while providing valuable hands-on experience for students. By participating in this initiative, students will have the opportunity to contribute to their community, develop essential organizational and teamwork skills, and gain a deeper understanding of our electoral system.
Key Details about the Student Election Worker Role:
- Student election workers will assist with various tasks such as checking in voters, ballot distribution, and ensuring voters have a great voting experience on Election Day. Paid training will be provided to ensure that everyone is well-prepared for their responsibilities.
- Election Day is Tuesday, March 5th and we ask for a commitment of a maximum of 15 hours.
- This opportunity is a paid at $16/hour. In addition to the professional development opportunity, student election workers will receive 19 service hours for participating in this civic duty.
We firmly believe that engaging in such activities enriches the educational experience for our students, strengthens community ties, and promotes a culture of civic responsibility. We would be delighted to have your school/organization join us in this endeavor.
Please find the attached application. Your assistance in sharing this information is greatly appreciated. We look forward to the possibility of working together to create a memorable and impactful experience for students. Please note that the application deadline is February 5th.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, feel free to reach out to us at (214)-819-6332 or via email at studentelectionworker@dallascounty.org.
Volar College & Career Services
Volar is a community organization that supports first generation students and their families through community workshops and scholarship opportunities.
Our How
Volar provides individualized college and career advising to first-generation students and students of color in the Dallas area. Our goal is to increase degree attainment for these groups of students. In addition, we want to support college completion for students choosing this path through best fit counseling, family engagement, and scholarship opportunities.
District News
A Message From Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D.
This coming primary election on March 5 may be the most important for public education in Texas history.
That’s why I am asking every teacher, every school district team member, every parent, every grandparent, every one of our family members, everyone we know to vote in this election, especially in races for the Texas House of Representatives and State Senate. About 90% of Texas children—5.4 million in all—attend public schools. Our children can’t vote, so we must.
Here are the facts:
- Just 3% of voters who vote in Texas primaries elect who govern the other 97%. That means that a very small number of voters are deciding what issues will become law. For public education, the primaries go a long way in determining, for example, how much funding local schools will receive or whether state lawmakers will increase salaries for teachers and other district team members. Texas has "open" primaries, meaning you can request either a Republican or Democratic ballot, regardless of how you plan to vote in the November general election. Watch THIS VIDEO for more information and please vote in the March primary!
- Even with a $32.7-billion surplus available to the state this past year, our Legislature was unable to reach a consensus on providing any significant additional funding to Texas public schools that have not received an increase since 2019. As you know, we have experienced double-digit inflation since then—but still no significant funding increase from the state. Here in Dallas ISD, our board adopted a $186-million deficit budget this past year in order to make sure that you, our valued teachers and team members, received modest salary increases.
You can help cultivate a culture of voting across the Dallas ISD community by:
- Registering to vote by the February 5 deadline, then voting early between February 20 and March 1, or on Election Day, March 5.
- Ensuring that eligible students are given the opportunity to register to vote. March to the Polls is a non-partisan organization committed to increasing electoral participation.
- Forwarding this email to everyone you know throughout the state (friends, siblings, college roommates, relatives, parents, grandparents, significant others, etc.) who is eligible to vote in the March 5 Texas House primary.
It is more important than ever for you, your friends and family to vote. Do not think that others will “do the right thing” on behalf of our schools. Remember—kids can’t vote so they need us to vote for them.
Let’s make sure that our voices are heard, Dallas ISD!
Yours,
Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Dallas ISD