Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education roundtable

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will host a STEM Education Roundtable from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center.

The roundtable will feature Congressman Ralph Hall, chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The discussion will focus on how public sector and private company stakeholders can improve education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The event will take place in Townview’s auditorium. The school is located at 1201 E. Eighth St.

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month

“Many Backgrounds, Many Stories…One American Spirit”

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

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About National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

First Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School parent meeting

Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School has historic first parent meeting on Tuesday evening at new facility.

Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School - 9-20-11

Tuesday evening I had the great pleasure of participating in the first meeting with  parents of our students attending  Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School, located in District 6 in the city of Dallas.  With greetings and  laughter, we celebrated the new school and saluted new opportunities.

I was invited to participate in the parent meeting weeks ago and was extremely pleased to keep that commitment and enjoy the company of an excellent turn-out.  Much like my meeting with potential Wilmer-Hutchins school parents this past spring, the auditorium held parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and community friends.  

They were an enthusiastic audience of approximately one-third Dallas, one-third Wilmer and one-third Hutchins parents -- as might be expected, along with many Lancaster residents also served by Dallas ISD.  Parents received information about  Title I, TAG, the Essilor Vision Program, Parkland Health Services and Asthma Shared Medical Appointments.

Having exceeded attendance projections of 550, Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School is already bursting with an enrollment of over 900 students and growing.   Additional facility,  teacher and staff support must come soon.

Parents and staff were welcoming and highly participatory. 

Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School - 9-20-11

Thanks to Principal Torey Page, teachers and staff for superb, far beyond-the-call work and service in meeting and overcoming the challenges of opening our newest District 6 elementary school.

I was honored to be present and to be the invited speaker at this historic evening-to-remember--the first Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary Parent Meeting at its brand new facility. 

Boude Storey Middle School community meeting

After enjoying a Welcome Parents Dinner, sponsored by community businesses and supporters and hosted by staff and teachers, proud students guided parents, siblings and guests to the school auditorium.

Here they learned about the 2010-2011 performance and rating of Boude Storey Middle School in the State Accountability System. Parents and community were then introduced to campus strategies for continuous improvement in core subjects and throughout the school.       

Boude Storey Middle School - 9-20-11

It was my honor to lead everyone in making a commitment to three school-wide goals:  1)  Increase academic achievement; 2) Improve school pride and spirit; and 3) Broaden parent and community involvement.

Such community meetings are a requirement of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) with my presence and participation having been planned and scheduled well in advance.

Following the formal presentation, thoughtful  questions and detailed answers revealed parent focus on student safety in the community along with student performance in school..

Parents, teachers and staff led by Principal Dr. Ronald Morris took this opportunity to show support for initiatives that can help Boude Storey Middle School accomplish a successful new school year.

Dallas police department officer will read to students at Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary School

The reading activity is part of the ‘Be a Reader Back to School Tour’ by Reading is Fundamental

DALLAS–Officer Calvin Cross, from the Dallas Police Department’s South Central Division, will visit and read a book to students at Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary School on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m.

            The visit is part of the Be a Reader Back to School Tour by Reading is Fundamental.  The purpose of the initiative is to encourage children to discover the joy of reading. Also, each student will receive a book for his or her home library. 

            The school is located at 5640 S. Marsalis Ave.

Community Meetings - Boude Story Middle School and Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School

I will be attending community meetings at Boude Story Middle School and Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School this evening.  These meetings were scheduled well in advance of today's Called Board Meeting.

Boude Storey Middle School - 6:00 P.M. - AU Community Meeting
Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School - 7:00 P.M.  - PTA

The Superintendent Search firm might be selected today. Three firms will be interviewed.

PROACT Search
Ray and Associates
Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates

The website of ProAct Search lists Kimberly Olson, former Dallas ISD Human Resources Director as the Regional President for Texas, Louisiana, and the Southern United States. Click Here

And that is the way it is.

Community Meetings at T. W. Browne Middle School and Justin F. Kimball High School

Justin F. Kimball High School - 9-8-11

District 6 parents and stakeholders joined teachers and staff at two community meetings this evening.

T. W. Browne Middle School

Principals at T.W. Browne Middle School and Justin F. Kimball High School

presented their respective School Improvement Plan (SIP) being implemented
this 2011-2012 school year.

Open House was another feature at both schools, providing the right combination for parents to learn about their children's school, teachers and the expectations for educational  achievement.

Justin F. Kimball High School - 9-8-11

Community participants pledged their support to do one act every day to help students succeed academically, personally and socially.

Thanks to Principal Mary J. Fitzgibbon at T. W. Browne Middle School and  Principal Leon Jones at Kimball High School.

Here's to a very good year!

Justin F. Kimball High School - 9-8-11

The "Shock Doctrine" comes to your neighborhood classroom

"Let's hope the fiscal crisis doesn't get better too soon. It'll slow down reform." -- Tom Watkins, a consultant, summarizes the corporate education reform movement's current strategy to the Sunday New York Times.

 "Corporate reformers use the fiscal crisis and campaign contributions to hype an unproven school agenda."  Salon

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The "Shock Doctrine" comes to your neighborhood classroom