Texas Attorney General says "No" to Dallas ISD trustee term extentions

This afternoon I was told of Attorney General Greg Abbott's opinion when contacted by Tawnell Hobbs of the Dallas Morning News and Dallas ISD Blog.

The opinion was not unexpected.  The Texas Education Code is clear.  

Attorney General Opinion No. GA-O712 now states:

"By its plain terms, subsection (e) permitted a board of trustees to adopt a resolution to change the length of the terms of its trustees, but only if the change was made no later than December 31, 2007."

All attempts to call this to the attention of the Board were rejected by Board members and Dallas ISD outside and in-house legal staff.  We were told that  only Dallas ISD has a special status because of certain special laws.  

When I asked if legal staff had spoken with attorneys for the highest election office in the state - the Secretary of State's legal staff - the answer was, "No."  Neither the Board nor the legal staff would agree to contact the Secretary of State's legal staff.  Both refused to do so.

We were told Dallas ISD lawyers  had contacted TEA and TEA staff agreed that Dallas ISD could change Trustee terms.  

Yet, when presented with the information relating to the change of trustee terms,  it was TEA Commissioner Robert Scott who did the right thing and requested the opinion of the Attorney General.

This was an agenda- - a ruthless political agenda, carried out by a wrongheaded board.  I believe the vote to extend Trustee terms was 7 Yes and 2 No.  I believe the vote to cancel elections was 8 Yes and 1 No.

Notice how certain Trustees will continue speaking the language of resistance and refusal to follow the law.  Dallas ISD has often refused to follow the law or policy when it matterd most.

Democracy won today.  Taxpayers won today.  Parents won today.  The people of Dallas won today.

There is only one honorable thing for the Board to do.  Admit the mistake and correct it immediately.

The Board should call a Special Board Meeting for the sole purpose of restoring elections in the three districts that were to be held on May 9, 2009.  

The earliest date will probably be November 2009 - unless a court orders an earlier date.  

Watch carefully!  

Great damage has been done to democracy in Dallas.  Voting rights have been sacrificed on the altar of political power.

Let's see if the Dallas ISD Board will finally do the right thing and restore the elections without further debate or delay.

More Here-Unfair Park

More Here-Unfair Park

More Here-Unfair Park

And More-DMN

And More-DISD Blog

And More-DISD Smackdown

Why rush to violate state law to protect Trustees from 2009 elections? Click Here - 11-20-2008

Daniel Webster Elemenary School to be closed beginning tomorrow due to confirmed case of swine flu

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department has notified Dallas ISD that a student from Daniel Webster Elementary School has a confirmed case of the swine flu.

On Monday April 27, a letter from the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services was sent to all Principals to be sent home with all students.   The same letter was posted on the Dallas ISD web site. 

http://www.dallasisd.org/SwineFlu.pdf

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April 30, 2009

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department has notified Dallas ISD that a student from Daniel Webster Elementary School has a confirmed case of the swine flu.

In order to limit the opportunity for this virus to continue to spread, Daniel Webster Elementary School will be closed beginning tomorrow, May 1, until at least Monday, May 11, for the protection of our students and staff. Parents are welcome to pick up their children today if they would like. The school will remain open for the remainder of the day and buses will continue to run on schedule.

Dallas ISD officials continue to work closely with Dallas County Health officials to monitor any illnesses that are reported in our schools. If any students or staff have any flu-like symptoms (fever, achiness, coughing, diarrhea, or sore throat), please see a physician immediately for a flu test and report any positive findings to a school nurse.

Dallas Independent School District Education Improvement Commission

On Thursday, April 29, 2009, State Rep. Yvonne Davis, D-Dallas, added a required Dallas Independent School District Education Improvement Commission study to House Bill 3 overhauling school testing and accountability. Her amendment passed without opposition. 

*************************************************************************************

CS HB 3, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to public school accountability, curriculum, and promotion requirements.

Amendment No. 70 - State Representative Yvonne Davis of Dallas

Representative Y. Davis offered the following amendment to CSHB3:

Amend CSHB 3 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS accordingly:

SECTION____.                                                                                                                                             

(a) The State Board of Education shall establish the Dallas Independent School District Education Improvement Commission to examine the following issues:

(1)  the potential efficiencies realized in the administrative operations of a small or medium size school district compared to a large size school district;

(2)  the potential improvements in the systematic management of a small or medium size school district compared to large size school district;

(3)  the financial stability of operating a small or medium size school district in Dallas County, including bond structure, tax revenue, and state assistance;

(4)  the ability of the Dallas County School District to provide for the overall transportation or other general needs of multiple school districts located in Dallas County;

(5)  any increase in parent accessibility to school district administration in a small or medium size district;

(6)  the effects of a small or medium size district on enhancing feeder pattern continuity; and

(7)  the effect of a projected student s’ enrollment on the ability of the current school district to meet the educational needs of the student.

(b)  The commission is composed of:

(1)  one person appointed by the board of trustees of the Dallas Independent School District;
(2)  one person appointed by the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce;
(3)  one person appointed by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce;
(4)  one person appointed by the Greater Dallas Asian Chamber of Commerce;
(5)  one person appointed by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;
(6)  one person appointed by the mayor of the City of Dallas;
(7)  one person appointed by the mayor of the City of Seagoville;
(8)  one person who lives in the district of a state representative whose territory includes territory located in Dallas Independent School District, appointed by the governor;
(9)  one person who lives in the district of a state senator whose territory includes territory located in the Dallas Independent School District, appointed by the governor;
(10)  one representative from the Dallas Council of the Parent-Teacher Association.
(11)  one person appointed by Dallas County Commissioners Court; 2092 81st LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION
(12)  one representative appointed by the Dallas County Tax Appraisal District;
(13)  a dean or representative from the college of education - University of North Texas-Dallas;
(14)  a dean or representative of the college of education - Southern Methodist University;
(15)  a dean or representative of the college of education - Paul Quinn College;
(16)  a dean or representative of the college of education - Dallas Baptist University;
(17)  one person appointed by the Region 10 Education Service Center;
(18   one person appointed by the Dallas Achieve Commission;
(19)  the State Board of Education member that represents District 13;
(20)  one member appointed by the Texas Education Agency; and
(21)  the comptroller.

(c)  The State Board of Education member serves as the chair of the commission.
(d)  The Texas Education Agency shall provide all necessary administrative and research support.
(e)  The commission may seek research support from the Council of Greater Cities School and the North Texas Central Council of Governments or any other  entity.

(f)  Not later than September 1, 2010, the commission shall submit a preliminary report regarding the commission s’ findings to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, the presiding officer of each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary education, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas County, the City of Seagoville, and the City of Dallas. Not later than December 31, 2010, a final report must be submitted to the entities listed above.

Amendment No. 70 was adopted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Who will stand by Dallas ISD teachers

...facing a future of fear and uncertainty in the current culture of pain?

Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall the Board's approving the use of the Classroom Effectiveness Index (CEI) as a sole basis for terminating or not renewing teacher contracts.

Seems I recall the Board was told just the opposite - that CEIs would not be used in this extreme manner.

More on CEIs here

And More

If the Board did not give such approval, by what authority is the administration acting?

The issue needs to be revisited and clarified.

Stand By Me - Click Here

Jungle of delight at Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School

Spiders, frogs and birds in hallways ...

True, dozens!  I was asked to come see for myself.  Parents and grandparents witnessed it too.

Not to worry though, the little crawling, jumping, flying creatures giggled way too much to be scary.  They were accompanied by lions, leopards, elephants and other forest (and farm) friends who also grinned and waved, over and over again. 

These "little dramatist/animals" are in Pre-K A, B, C, and D classes.  Students danced, sang, wiggled and twisted their way through a program celebrating The Week of the Young Child.

Parents also heard a presentation on early literacy strategies, by Pamela Rogers, librarian at Hampton-Illinois Library.  School and public librarians make great program partners.

Kudos to the Pre-K teachers and staff, JTB 2008 Teacher of the Year Ms. Green and her class, and Principal Dr. Hayes-Whigham for a lively and entertaining morning at Jimmy Tyler Brashear Elementary.

On Friday, we experienced a great educational  jungle of delight, and all creatures (big and small) were happy in it.   

Jimmy Tyler Brashear was listed No. 2 on the 2007-08 Elementary School Effectiveness Indices (SEIs) of Dallas ISD.

Kent Fischer's Legacy at Dallas ISD Blog

The Dallas Morning News is losing a good education reporter.  I believe today is his last day. Kent Fischer has done much to shed light on Dallas educational issues.  He wrote numerous informative articles that will forever be a part of the archives of Dallas ISD history.

Without Kent Fischer, perhaps there would not have been a Dallas ISD Blog--probably the legacy that will continue after his departure.   He was a primary mover in establishing that online community, and hopefully it will go on for many years into the future.  There are not many places where the free flow of opinion is possible.

As Dale Kaiser previously reported, Kent Fischer and Tawnell Hobbs have been awarded the 2009 Texas State Teachers Association School Bell Award for the Dallas ISD education blog.

Kent Fischer - a good education reporter, moving on with his life but leaving  a legacy of service and a place where people of different opinions will continue to discuss important local educational issues.

Politics of Deceit

"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectful, and to give an appearance of solity to pure wind." George Orwell (1984)

Political language is "intended not to inform, but to confuse, deceive, or as Orwell said, "make nothing appear like something."

Nominations being accepted for heroes for children award

The State Board of Education is accepting nominations for the 2009 Heroes for Children Award.

This annual award recognizes public school volunteers who have been strong advocates for Texas school children.  One person from each of the board’s 15 districts will be selected and the winners will be honored during the board’s September meeting.

The nomination form is available on the Texas Education Agency’s Web site at

www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=4140.

Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29.

I teach in Dallas ISD

... My name is ... and I teach in Dallas ISD and have taught here for 7 years. I want to communicate with you how concerned I am about the use of CEI's and how they are used to evaluate teacher performance.

First of all, I love teaching! I always felt that teachers that teach in Dallas ISD are special because we have special students sometimes who have problems at home that preoccupy their time and make it hard for them to learn. We have to be conscious of that when teaching them and in interacting with their parents. I have felt for a long time that I want to be one of these teachers. Someone has to teach them, they are our future leaders!

Since we have been awarded recognition from the Brookings institute it would seem that we are on our way to doing that. My school has also been recognized or exemplary all of the years I have been there. I have taught third grade for 3 of these years and 1st and second for the other years. My TAKS passing rate at the time I taught 3rd was in the 90,s each time. Now all of the sudden I, along with some of my colleages are ineffective according to the CEI rating.

How can we be so bad that you do not want us in this school district any further? The PDAAS teacher evaluations do not reflect this, nor have we been approached by our administrator about problems in the classroom.

On the contrary, we are asked to tutor other students who are struggling and complimented on our teaching style. Our colleagues request our assistance with struggling learners and TPRI results show improvement. How is our school always recognized or exemplary? Yes, we did help this to happen! 

The CEI rating is comparing our students to like students in the district, not how they have grown from one year to the next. How can we be rated on one item and not take anything else into account before letting teachers go?  

I can handle the change in pay dates, the increased insurance premiums if I have to,but please, please do not use CEI's to determine my contract and also, keep learning center programs!

Thank-you for taking the time to read this and please reconsider this issue.

Dallas ISD Teacher

HB 3552 Slated for House Public Education Committee Hearing today

House Public Education Committee Chair Rob Eissler asked for a suspension of the rules to post HB 3552 for discussion in the Education Committee today.  He received the 4/5 vote required for the suspension.

HB 3552 ws filed by State Representative Yvonne Davis of Dallas.  It calls for the abolition of existing school districts in certain counties and the creation of new school districts.  HB 3552 would split Dallas ISD.

Learning Center desegregation plan waivers have been recognized by TEA every year since 2003

Dallas ISD now intends to violate the agreement it made with a federal court and its own policy (AE Local) that includes the Declaration of Commitments and Covenants upon release from court supervision.

Dallas ISD Learning Center desegregation waivers have been approved by TEA every year since the District was released from court supervision on June 5, 2003 and the Declaration of Commitments and Covenants adopted by the Board.  

Only now is misinformation being given about the history of this issue.

Section 1113 (a)(7) of the federal No Child Left behind Act of January 8, 2002 states:

"WAIVER FOR DESEGREGATION PLANS -- The Secretary may approve a local educational agency's written request for a waiver of the requirements of subsections (a) and (c), and permit such agency to treat as eligible, and serve, any school that children attend with a State-ordered, court-ordered school desegregation plan or a plan that continues to be implemented in accordance with a State-ordered or court-ordered desegregation plan, if ..." 

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To: Dina Hernandez  
School/Dept: Division of Formula Funding  
Phone: (512) 475-8525 ___________________  
Fax: (512) 463-7915  


From: Christina Campos  
Department: Budget Services  
Phone: (972) 925-3661  
Fax: (972) 925-3365  
Date: February, 1 2009  

Pages: 3  
(Including cover page)


Comments: The attached submittal letter reflects method used to determine comparability. Also attached is the signed the Comparability Assurance Document.

The completed Title I, Part A Comparability Computation Form is being e-mailed today.  

*************************************************************************** 

February 2, 2009

Dina Hernandez,
Division of Formula Funding
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress
Austin, Texas 78701

Dear Ms. Hernandez:

Title I, Part A Comparability Computation Forms are being transmitted via e-mail. 

Data reflecting the number of enrollments and non-federal instructional full-time equivalent positions (FTE’s) were extracted from the preliminary PEIMS October 2008 snapshot data and is included in this report. Some of the non-federal instructional staff were included as central staff even though they are allocated to the campuses on an as needed basis and were not included in the PEIMS data. These employees have been prorated to the campuses, based on student enrollments, for the purpose of determining comparability. Campuses with pre-kindergarten enrollments were analyzed to determine whether instruction was provided on a full-day or half-day basis so that similar campuses could be compared.

The Magnet, Learning Centers, Vanguards, Montessori’s, Academies, Alternative, Vanguard/Academies, and Internal Charter schools have been excluded from the comparability calculations. The court desegregation orders of 1971, 1989, and 1993 mandated that additional resources be provided to these campuses in order to equalize the educational needs of students’ districtwide. In November 2002 the district’s Board of Trustees adopted a list of commitments that would be followed if the district were released from court-ordered supervision. In June 2003 the district was released from the federal desegregation court order with the Court partly basing its decision on the adoption by the board of the Commitments and Covenants. Data has been provided on these campuses for information purposes only (see 2007-2008 Campuses Excluded From Comparability.xls). A copy of the Declaration of Commitments and Covenants Upon Release from Court Supervision is enclosed.

If you have any questions concerning this issue, please contact me at (972) 925-3802.

Sincerely,

Steven Korby
Executive Director of Financial Services
Budget Services

Attachments

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December 1, 2005

Mr. Thomas E. Manley, CPA
Division of Formula Funding
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress

Austin, Texas 78701

Dear Mr. Manley:

Title I, Part A Comparability Computation Forms are being transmitted via e-mail. Dallas ISD is submitting a total of 24 forms for the grade spans listed in the attached.

Data reflecting the number of enrollments and non-federal instructional full-time equivalent positions (FTE’s) were extracted from the preliminary PEIMS October 2005 snapshot data and is included in this report. Some of the non-federal instructional staff were included as central staff even though they are allocated to the campuses on an as needed basis and were not included in the PEIMS data. These employees have been prorated to the campuses, based on student enrollments, for the purpose of determining comparability. Campuses with pre-kindergarten enrollments were analyzed to determine whether instruction was provided on a full-day or half-day basis so that similar campuses could be compared.

The Magnet, Learning Centers, Vanguards, Montessori’s, Academies, Alternative, Vanguard/Academies, and Internal Charter schools have been excluded from the comparability calculations. The court desegregation orders of 1971, 1989, and 1993 mandated that additional resources be provided to these campuses in order to equalize the educational needs of students’ districtwide. In November 2002 the district’s Board of Trustees adopted a list of commitments that would be followed if the district were released from court-ordered supervision. In June 2003 the district was released from the federal desegregation court order with the Court partly basing its decision on the adoption by the board of the Commitments and Covenants. Data has been provided on these campuses for information purposes only (see 2005-2006 Campuses Excluded From Comparability.xls). A copy of the Declaration of Commitments and Covenants Upon Release from Court Supervision is enclosed.

If you have any questions concerning this issue, please contact me at (972) 925-3655.

Sincerely,

John F. McGee
Division Manager
Budget Development and Control Services

Attachment

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There is an additional exclusion in the federal No Child Left behind Act of January 8, 2002 - Section 1120A(d) - Fiscal Requirements:

(d) Exclusion of funds - For the purposes of complying with subsections (b) and (c), a State educational agency or local educational agency may exclude supplemental State or local funds expended in any school attendance area or school for programs that meet the intent and purposes of this part.

Learning centers meet both the Section 1120A(d) exclusion and the Section 1113 (a)(7) waiver for desegregation plans.

Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders on the Learning Centers

Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders was a good and decent man and outstanding federal judge. 

His last thoughts on the Learning Centers are contained in the Court Order where he states that Dallas ISD promised the Court to continue and even replicate Learning Center programs in other schools.

Memorandum Opinion and Order (June 5, 2003)

"The Learning Centers are a valuable tool in the District's efforts to increase minority achievement, and their programs appear to be particularly effective.  Dr Moses testified that the Learning Centers "are outstanding programs" that are "certainly worthy of replication." The Covenants also refer to the replication of successful Learning Center programs at other schools throughout the District."

"The Court commends the District, both on its compliance with the Court's Orders in this area and on its commitment to maintain and replicate the Learning Center programs.  The Court relies on this commitment."

"The Court relies on the DISD's continued commitment to desegregation programs as evidenced by the Board-adopted Covenants.  The Court would regard any material deviation from those Covenants as a breach of faith."

Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders passed away on September 21, 2008.  

Learning Center deceit fails to mention federal waiver for desegregation plans

This is a racially targeted agenda.  

For some time it has been the agenda of this superintendent - and others before him - to undermine learning centers, established to address racial disparities found to exist by a federal court during the decades long desegregation lawsuit.  For years certain board members, Hispanic and white, have agitated to destroy the learning centers.

Learning centers, unlike the current agenda at Dallas ISD, were developed in response to evidence presented in a court of law.  They were not political - they were a targeted effort to overcome institutional racism in Dallas ISD.  They were created because the district was deemed unfair, unethical, immoral and discriminatory.  The need for the learning centers remains.

It is their origin, as special desegregation tools developed especially for African American students, that is deeply hated.

Last Thursday the latest deception was practiced.  The Board was told and news reports repeated that learning centers must be destroyed because of federal comparability requirements.  I requested all information received by the district from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).  

One page was received -- it outlined an internal discussion at TEA.  Nothing was provided showing a direct communication from TEA to Dallas ISD or from Dallas ISD to TEA. 

Since we had been informed that "Trustees" requested this review of the learning centers - not TEA, I asked last Thursday for the names of the Trustees who requested a review of the learning centers.  The reply was, "I do not recall."  Only Trustee Jack Lowe volunteered that he was one of the Trustees.  What was the secret?  Trustees asked for this review.  Who are they?

This is the new face of racial politics that reigns in Dallas ISD.  It is just as ugly as the old one which was easier to recognize.  Attack all programs that were originally designed for African American students and call it "reform."

It is simply the latest effort to remove resources that were intended to address the historic educational discrimination against black students.

Yet, neither the school administration nor press reports have once mentioned that there is also a specific federal waiver provision for desegregation plans.

Section 1113 (a)(7) of the federal No Child Left behind Act of January 8, 2002 states:

"WAIVER FOR DESEGREGATION PLANS -- The Secretary may approve a local educational agency's written request for a waiver of the requirements of subsections (a) and (c), and permit such agency to treat as eligible, and serve, any school that children attend with a State-ordered, court-ordered school desegregation plan or a plan that continues to be implemented in   accordance with a State-ordered or court-ordered desegregation  plan, if ..." 

Just as it was done when the Board and administration refused to obtain clearance from the TEA and Secretary of State's Office before rushing to change Dalllas ISD terms of office from three to four years, the effort is being made to practice a similar deception here.  

Learning centers and certain other parts of the desegregation plan can only be changed by a super majority of the Board (7 votes).  The 7 vote requirement was put in place for exactly the reason we see now - to make it more difficult to change the agreement made with the federal court in order to be released from over three decades of court supervision.  

The present callous board will attempt to disregard its own very clear agreement with the federal court and preserved as District policy in the Declaration of Commitments and Covenants (AE-Local) - if it can get away with it.

But this will also require at least one African American Trustee to betray the Declaration of Commitments and Covenants.

"This is about people fighting for the polluted pie--for a piece of it. But I'll be very disappointed if the African-American community starts losing resources."                         --Former Trustee Yvonne Ewell.

Declaration of Commitments and Covenants - Upon Release From Court Supervision

LIFE IS...

by Mother Theresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

House Bill 1387 on Dallas Trustee Elections calls for public hearing and voter approval

State Representative Yvonne Davis of Dallas has filed a bill to amend Section 11.065 of the Texas Education Code to require a public hearing and approval of voters in order to extend Dallas ISD Trustee terms of office. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing before the House Education Committee on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

The proposed amendment to Section 11.065 of the Texas Education Code reads as follows:

81R5681 PAM-D

By: Davis of Dallas H.B. No. 1387

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to hearing requirements for the adoption of certain rules by a board of trustees of certain school districts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 11.065, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 171, Acts of the 50th Legislature, Regular Session, 1947 (Article 2783d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), to the extent consistent with this section, the board of trustees of a school district described by Subsection (a) may adopt rules necessary to govern the term, election, and residency requirements of members of the board that may be adopted under general law by any other school district. Before adopting a rule under this subsection, the board must:

(1) hold a public hearing at which registered voters of the district are given an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule; and

(2) not later than the seventh day before the date of the hearing, publish notice of the subject matter, location, date, and time of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the district.

(e) The board of trustees of a school district described by Subsection (a) shall order and hold an election in the district to approve any rule adopted by the district under Subsection (d). A rule adopted by the district under Subsection (d) is not effective until it is approved by a majority of the district residents voting at an election held under this subsection. An election under this subsection must be held on the first uniform election date that occurs after the date the rule is adopted. For an election under this subsection, the ballot shall be prepared to permit voting for or against the proposition: "Approving a rule adopted by the board of trustees of (name of school district) that governs the requirement of members of the board concerning (insert description of rule)."

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

Unity Read-In at The Bridge brings tears and smiles

We were honored to greet and host more than 200 citizens from the homeless population of Dallas at a Unity Read-in on Saturday, 3-5 PM. at The Bridge, Dallas' largest city shelter for the homeless.

On the pavilion at The Bridge, participants read stories, poems and essays. Some told personal anecdotes or gave prayers, words or thoughts which helped them to get by. We sang together and patted our feet to spirited music. There was laughter and there were tears--all emerging through smiles of enjoyment.

Some guests remembered "once upon a time" when daily reading and books were natural parts of their past lives with family and friends. There were others who lamented they had never learned to read and still yearn to do so.

Abundant appreciation to The Bridge director, staff and clients. Thunderous thanks to the community drummers for answering and sounding the call. Gigantic gratitude to all readers, speakers and musicians.

Special acknowledgment to the Sai Center for caring and for your acts to help all to listen and learn.

Our theme for Saturday's multicultural, international Unity Read-In event at The Bridge makes it clear, "We are one community."

PIONEERS A Conversation

PIONEERS A Conversation and An Evening with Louis Gossett, Jr., Ruby Dee and Della Reese

Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.

Naomi Bruton Main Stage, Dallas Convention Theater Complex

Corner of Canton and Akard Steets, Dallas, Texas

  

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters

Address: 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX‎ - (214) 743-2440

UNITY Read-In

*          *         *          *          *

 

FIRST ANNUAL UNITY Read-In @ The Bridge

Special Dallas friends celebrate ONE another

 

The AARI and DCCCD are pleased to partner with the Sai Center, local artists and The Bridge (Dallas' largest city shelter for the homeless) to reach out and touch special community members.  Enjoy international, multicultural and local stories, spoken word, drumming and music. 

Come listen and learn.  Inspire and be inspired in the true spirit of COMMUNITY!

 WE ARE ONE.

 

 Community DRUMMERS are invited to participate! Please contact Allison.

 

Date Saturday, April 4, 2009  Time 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Attire casual/ethnic or a Read-In T-shirt! Represent!

Location The Pavilion @The Bridge, 

1818 Corsicana Street, Dallas, TX 75201

 

Light refreshments will be served.

New School Nominations in District 6

Nominations for new District 6 schools are as follows:

New Elementary School in Dallas serving a portion of Wilmer-Hutchins area - Dr. John Hope Franklin and Pinkie Mae Gardner

New Middle School in Oak Cliff - Rev. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr.

New Early College High School located at Oak Cliff UNT Campus - Hon. Kathlyn Joy Gilliam

The final vote on these new facilities and all others will be held at the June 25, 2009 Board Meeting.