Texas Offers $2,000 Scholarship to High School Seniors in Top 10 Percent

If you’re a Texas high school senior ranked in the top 10 percent of your graduating class and can demonstrate financial need, you may qualify for a $2,000 scholarship to attend a Texas public college or university (which includes the colleges of DCCCD) — but you have to act fast! The deadline to apply is Monday, March 1. Who Is Eligible? To qualify for this scholarship, you must: Be a Texas resident Demonstrate financial need (the financial aid office at the college or university you apply to will determine whether you qualify) Complete a 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) (for students who are ineligible for the FAFSA) Complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement high school curriculum Rank in the top 10 percent of your high school class Graduate from an accredited high school in Texas Enroll full-time in a Texas public two-year or four-year college or university in fall 2010 How Do I Apply? To apply, all you need to do is fill out the 2010-2011 FAFSA or TASFA (see links above) and submit it by March 1. The college or university you apply to will notify you whether you qualified for the Top 10 Percent scholarship in your financial aid award notification. For more information: Visit http://www.collegeforalltexans.com Call the Texas Financial Aid Information Center at 888-311-8881

Schools invited to participate in African-American Read-In on Feb. 26

Dallas ISD News

In celebration of African-American History Month, the English Language Arts Department invites all schools to participate in the 20th National African-American Read-In.

To participate, campuses should select works of fiction and nonfiction written by African Americans and plan to read them in classrooms beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 26.  After the event, schools will be asked to record the titles they read and the number of participants.

For more information, contact the Dallas ISD English Language Arts Department at (972)794-7960.

DCCCD: Helping High School Juniors and Seniors Cross the Bridge to College (Free Program)

For immediate release

(DALLAS) — Time is running out for high school juniors and seniors who are making plans for college and want to apply for financial aid. 

In the middle of school, exams and plans for the future, many are trying to decide which colleges they should apply to, and they are wondering whether they can afford the cost of tuition and books. They — and their parents — are concerned about applications, financial aid forms, and what they should study; the students simply want to know how to navigate the waters of higher education. They are confused, excited and sometimes a little bit frightened to cross the bridge from high school to college.

The Dallas County Community College District and the Dallas Independent School District will eliminate some of those fears and confusion by providing a fact-filled and useful day of information to those students and their parents through the Keys to Success (Las Llaves del Éxito) program on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. The free event, which is geared toward all high school juniors, seniors and parents, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at North Lake College in Irving (directions to North Lake).

Las Llaves is sponsored by DCCCD, the Dallas Independent School District and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with area colleges, universities and nonprofit groups.

The program includes hands-on workshops that will teach students how to fill out applications for admission to DCCCD and area colleges and universities, as well as paperwork for financial aid and scholarships — including DCCCD’s Rising Star program. Bilingual volunteers will be available to assist participants.

Interested seniors will receive assistance with filling out and submitting their college admissions and financial aid forms. Those students should bring the following documents: a copy of their parents’ 2009 income tax return; valid student picture ID; and W-2 forms or any other records of money earned. Students who have all of the essential forms will receive assistance completing the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).

College representatives, admissions specialists and financial aid advisors will talk to families about the steps they need to take to be considered for admission and financial aid. Other sessions will explore paying for college, SAT/ACT test preparation and more. Breakfast and snacks will be provided.

Keys to Success was started several years ago by a committee of community members who wanted to encourage high school students to graduate and continue their education.

For more information in English, call DCCCD at (214) 378-1771; for details in Spanish, call (214) 378-1713; or visit http://www.dcccd.edu/keystosuccess or http://www.dcccd.edu/llavesdelexito.

or see:
Keys to Success (Las Llaves del Exito): Fast Facts — Spring 2010
FAFSA Checklist (English) (PDF - 123KB)
FAFSA Checklist (Spanish) (PDF - 124KB)

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Walking with Wilson: The Journey of a People

Booker T. Washington High School For The Performing and Visual Arts invites you to Walking with Wilson: The Journey of a People, directed by Vickie Washington, Thursday, February 18-19, 2010. This multi-media event will be held at 7:30 p.m., at Booker T. Washington High School PVA Montgomery Arts Theater, 2501 Flora St., Dallas, Texas 75201
          
Journey through the 20th century with jazz, blues, dance, and the deeply touching and very funny language of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, August Wilson. For more than 25 years, Booker T. Washington HSPVA has observed Black History Month with students represented from all four Art Departments. Come join the celebration and be a part of the tradition!

Tickets are $7 for adults, and $5 for students. 

Parent conferences scheduled for March 8, 9, and 11

Parent conferences scheduled for March 8, 9, and 11.

District schools are hosting spring parent-teacher conferences the week of March 8.

The conferences are an opportunity for parents and guardians to talk with their child's teacher about their child's education and progress.

The conferences are scheduled for each school level as follows:

• High Schools, 4-8 p.m., Monday, March 8
• Middle Schools, 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 9
• Elementary Schools, 4-8 p.m., Thursday, March 11

'A Mighty Long Way' With Carlotta Walls LaNier

Friday, Feb. 19, 2010
11:15 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.

Performance Hall

Mountain View College
                                                                                                    

Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine, who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957, will speak about her experiences. Her appearance is sponsored by the Office of Student Life. 

LaNier, author of A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School, will sign her book after her talk. A Student Discussion Luncheon will follow; RSVP for the luncheon at 214-860-8685.

African American Male Academic Bowl students aim for the stars

Seventeen teams of 4 - 7th grade males were on their mark last Saturday.  Showing how eager they were to participate in this event leading into Black History month, these students were ready contestants in the "Aiming for the Stars" African American Male Academic Bowl held at the Bill Priest Institute.

Contestants and teams represented ISDs, churches and community organizations throughout the Metroplex.  How proud we were to see several Dallas ISD students participating.     

After numerous rounds of two-team competitions throughout the day, four finalists emerged by late afternoon. These young males revealed their knowledge, memory and courage in front of an admiring audience of parents, educators and community volunteers. The boys would probably add that it took a bit of dexterity as well to be first to press the buzzer to give answers and get points.

4-5th Grade Finalists
Jerry Junkins Elementary Team Voyager
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Team Joshua

6-7th Grade Finalists
Mentoring Brother2Brother Team II
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Team Isaiah

Championship Teams
Jerry Junkins Elementary Team Voyager
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Team Isaiah

Congratulations to all contestants and teams!  Keep aiming for the stars!

Championship Moderators:  Bob Ray Sanders and W.G. Garland

The steering committee was headed by David Robinson, Jr. and many volunteers.

The African American Male Academic Bowl was facilitated by the Dallas County Community College District with the generous support of several sponsors and community partners.