Dallas ISD September 2024

Welcome to the September edition of our Dallas ISD Family Newsletter! As we settle into the new school year, we're delighted to bring you an array of updates and resources designed to support and enrich your family’s educational experience.

In this month’s issue, we continue our popular Academic Corner with an exciting new message about academic partnering, aimed at strengthening the connection between our schools and your home. Our "I Have All The Keys" section returns with fresh insights and practical tips for fostering learning at home, helping you support your child’s educational journey effectively.

We’re also pleased to share important announcements from our Family and Community Engagement teams, offering you various ways to stay involved and engaged. Additionally, this edition includes updates on Dallas ISD departments and valuable community resources to keep you informed and connected.

We can’t wait to dive into all these updates with you. Here’s to a fantastic September!

Warm regards,

The Dallas ISD Family and Community Engagement Team

The Key of Supporting Academics and Learning at Home

Welcome back to "I Have All The Keys"! This month, we’re focusing on how you can support and reinforce the importance of education at home. Engaging with your child's learning beyond the classroom is essential for their academic success and overall growth. Let’s explore why this is so crucial and how you can effectively support your child’s education at home.

Why Learning at Home Matters

Research shows that students perform better academically when learning extends beyond the school day. When you actively participate in your child’s education, you help create a continuous learning environment that reinforces classroom lessons. This not only solidifies their understanding but also fosters a love for learning. By being involved, you send a strong message about the value of education and demonstrate that their academic progress is a shared priority.

Creating a Learning-Friendly Home Environment

Effective academic support at home involves more than just helping with homework. It’s about creating an environment where learning is valued and encouraged. Here’s how you can support your child across different age groups:

For Younger Children (K-5):

• Ask Thought-Provoking Questions: Engage your child in discussions about what they learned at school. Instead of asking, “What did you do today?”, try, “What was the most interesting thing you learned in science today?” This encourages them to think deeply and articulate their understanding.
• Incorporate Learning into Daily Routines: Use everyday activities as learning opportunities. For instance, cooking together can teach math through measuring ingredients and science through understanding how heat changes food.
• Encourage Teaching: Have your child explain what they learned to a family member. Teaching others reinforces their knowledge and boosts confidence.

For Middle Schoolers (6-8):

• Discuss Homework and Projects: Regularly check in on their assignments and discuss their thoughts and strategies. Ask questions like, “How did you decide on your approach for this project?” This helps them reflect on their learning process.
• Set Learning Goals: Help your child set realistic academic goals and discuss strategies for achieving them. For example, if they struggle with reading comprehension, work together on a plan to improve their skills.
• Relate Learning to Interests: Connect school subjects to their hobbies. If they love video games, discuss how math and logic are used in game design, making learning more relevant and engaging.

For High Schoolers (9-12):

• Engage in Future Planning: Discuss their academic progress in the context of their future goals. Ask questions like, “How do your current studies align with your career aspirations?” This helps them see the relevance of their education.
• Support Independent Study: Encourage them to manage their own study schedule while being available for support. Offer to help with resources or study strategies if needed.
• Encourage Critical Thinking: Engage in discussions about current events or complex topics related to their studies. Ask questions that require them to analyze and form opinions, which helps develop critical thinking skills.

By actively participating in your child’s education and creating opportunities for learning at home, you’re not only supporting their academic success but also reinforcing the importance of education in their daily lives. Remember, consistent academic partnership and two-way communication between home and school are key to a child’s success.

Thank you for joining us in this edition of "The Key of Supporting Academics and Learning at Home." Together, let’s make learning an ongoing and engaging experience for all Dallas ISD children!

Welcome to this month’s Academic Corner! As we wrap up the first nine weeks of the school year, we want to empower you to be a proactive partner in your child’s education. This September, we’re spotlighting an invaluable resource available on our website: the Academic Partnering educational videos. These videos are designed to support you in understanding and assisting with your child’s learning journey.

How Can the Videos Help?

Our website features a range of videos tailored to help you support your child’s education at home. Here’s how they can make a difference:

• Understand the Curriculum: The videos align with TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and provide a clear overview of the skills and concepts your child is learning in the classroom.
• Practical Tips: Get practical strategies for reinforcing classroom lessons at home, making learning both engaging and effective.
• Real-Life Examples: See examples of how to apply what your child is learning in their daily activities.

Steps to Utilize the Videos:

1. Visit Our Academic Partnering Website
2. Select Your Child’s Grade Level: Choose the grade your child is in.
3. Watch the Videos: Find the skill or subject area you want to support and watch the related video.
4. Request Additional Materials: At the end of each video, scan the QR code to request free skill materials. Fill out the form, and materials will be distributed to your child's school.

Partnering with Your Child’s Teacher

Asking the right questions can provide valuable insights into your child’s progress and needs. Here are some questions to consider:

• How is my child adapting to the classroom environment and routines?
• Are there any upcoming changes or events in the classroom?
• How is my child performing in their current subjects?
• Are there specific areas where my child needs extra support?
• Are there any social or behavioral issues affecting participation?
• What goals are set for my child for the upcoming month?
• How can we improve communication to better support my child’s education?
• What can I do at home to support my child’s learning?

If you need further clarification on specific TEKS skills, ask your child’s teacher for details. The videos on our website will help you understand these skills better and provide strategies to support your child’s learning at home.

We Want to Hear from You!

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to share how these resources have helped your family, please reach out. We value your feedback and look forward to hearing about your experiences.

Here’s to a successful and productive September!

We encourage all parents to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the Academic Partnering Program. Your involvement is crucial for your child’s success and can lead to a more fulfilling and productive school year for everyone involved.

Marlene Yepez-Porras

Academic Partnering, Program Coordinator

myepez@dallasisd.org

Get Ready for Fam Jam! 🎉

📅 Date: September 14, 2024

📍 Location: Skyline High School, 7777 Forney Rd, Dallas, TX 75227

Calling all families from Skyline, Bryan Adams, Woodrow Wilson, and North Dallas! Join us for a fantastic day at Fam Jam, a special event dedicated to bringing our communities together.

👪 What to Expect:

• Free Resources: Access to endless academic and community resources for your family.
• Health Screenings: Keep your family healthy and safe.
• Academic Activities: Fun and educational activities for all ages.
• Student Performances: See students perform and show off their talents from all over the district.
• Great Prizes: Exciting giveaways and prizes throughout the day.

Fam Jam is a unique opportunity to strengthen connections between families, schools, and the community. Don’t miss out on this exciting event that’s all about building strong relationships and having fun!

📅 Save the Date! Make sure to mark your calendars for September 14 and join us at Skyline High School for a day filled with opportunities and enjoyment.

We can't wait to see you there!

Exciting News for Dallas ISD Families! We’re thrilled to announce a special addition to this year’s Fam Jam! ✨🤩

Special Services will be hosting an ARD 101 Parent Workshop designed just for you. If your child receives special services, this is your chance to get up-to-date on everything you need to know about the ARD process and your child’s IEP. 📚✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to get informed and empowered! See you there!

Samuell and Skyline Feeder Patterns,

Join us every Tuesday starting in September through November for Dallas ISD's CCMR Parent Engagement Nights—Empower Your 5th-8th Grader's Future with Real-World Opportunities and College, Career, and Workforce Readiness Programs!

• P-TECH
• Early College High Schools
• Career Institutes

You will also hear more about how Dallas ISD provides real-world opportunities for students to develop workplace skills. Register today for more information on how to guide your child’s future success.

SEPTEMBER DATES:

• September 17 - Skyline HS
• September 24 - Lincoln HS

OCTOBER DATES:

• October 1 - Thomas Jefferson HS
• October 8 - South Oak Cliff HS
• October 15 - Emmett J. Conrad HS
• October 22 - W.H. Adamson Hs
• October 29 - Bryan Adams HS

Every event registration will begin at 5:30 PM and the program will begin at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

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 some exciting November dates and locations to share with you! Get ready to mark your calendars!

• September 18, Central Elementary from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• September 19, Nancy J. Cochran from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• September 24, Peeler IB World School from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• September 25, Marcus Elementary from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• September 24, Frank Guzick Elementary from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

All dates are subject to change or be cancelled to do inclement weather.

In March 2024, Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services partnered with Cool Tropics to host a district wide nutrition art contest for Dallas ISD Students. Out of thousands of student entries, four winners were chosen, and first place went to Miriam Monreal, a senior at the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership Academy. In addition to winning a $1,000 scholarship, Ms.Monreal’s artwork will also be featured on the Cool Tropics paradise punch fruit slush packaging which will be available in school cafeterias across the United States. Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services is excited to announce that the fruit slush which features Ms.Monreal’s artwork will be available in all Dallas ISD school cafeterias starting in September.

“We are so excited to be featuring Ms.Monreal’s nutrition art work in our school cafeterias. This contest was a great way to show how Food and Child Nutrition Services supports Dallas ISD students and helps to support their talents and abilities both in and out of the classroom. We hope that all of our students will show support for Ms.Monreal and swing by their school cafeterias for a special Dallas ISD edition of the Cool Tropics 100% Fruit Slush!”

Dallas ISD will serve a 100% fruit slush that features student artwork in cafeterias.

— Debi Rowley, Executive Director, Food and Child Nutrition Services

Contact: Marc Drumwright, FCNS Marketing Coordinator

Telephone: 713-515-6324

E-Mail: mdrumwright@dallasisd.org

Welcome to our newsletter! We're excited to share our latest news, insights, and resources with you.

We're also excited to announce that we're adding a mailing list to our newsletter this year. This means that if you'd like to receive the newsletter directly in your email inbox every month, you can sign up using this quick Google form, click the button below to fill out the Google Form.

By joining our mailing list, you'll never miss a newsletter. We will not send additional emails, we will only email you the newsletter.

Welcome to the newsletter! Thank you for choosing Dallas ISD,

Chelsea Liles