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Another year of exceptional efforts
As the school year winds down, I want to thank all of our teachers, students, and parents who have worked incredibly hard this year to pursue excellence. Results from the first administration of the 5th- and 8th-grade STAAR indicate that student achievement is on the rise, and Dallas ISD students outpaced state scores in nearly every area. Math scores were up in all categories by least five percentage points, and reading scores showed impressive gains with the greatest growth in the Meets standard level with a 9.2 percentage point increase.
Volunteers rock
I also want to give a sincere thank you to our volunteers who continue to give back to their communities by reaching out to serve students and our schools.
This year, Dallas ISD celebrated its volunteers in a ceremony recognizing their accomplishments, particular those who made exceptional efforts to positively impact students. Many of these wonderful volunteers brought such dedication and energy to our campuses, and on behalf of District 7, I want to thank each of them. They include: Linda Cross, Sunset High School Interns, Arnulfo Aleman, Anna Marquez, Rosemont’s Dad Club, Scott Humphrey, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Jesse Vasquez, Gospel Lighthouse, The Gathering Church, American Airlines, Molina PTSA, Gerardo Torres, Nora Ortiz, Maria Guadalupe Castillo, Maria Cristina Valdez, Cristela Bermejo, Silvia Vasquez, and Consayla Martin.
Thank you all for playing a key role in helping young people grow, learn and achieve.
End of year activities, honors, awards
There’s always a flurry of activity throughout the district as the school year comes to an end. In District 7 alone, students are wrapping up UIL competitions, preparing for graduation, attending award ceremonies, and participating in end of year celebrations.
Chess students at Sunset High School are celebrating an impressive win at the Districtwide Chess Tournament where they strategized their way to the top spot in the team competition.
More than 2,200 students in elementary through high school participate in the district’s chess program throughout the year with nearly 500 of them competing in the recent districtwide tournament. L.V. Stockard’s team took third in the middle school division. Jose Gasca from Louise Kahn Elementary and Alex Perez from Rosemont took home gold medals in the individual division.
I’d also like to congratulate District 7’s Raul Quintanilla Middle School for placing among the top pentathlon schools at the Texas Academic Pentathlon.
Elementary students participated in the Lone Star Challenge with Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard earning an overall team award.
And the Oak Cliff Chamber awarded 12 students, who live here or attend school here in Oak Cliff, scholarships to help with college expenses. Congratulations to Matthew Gonzalez and Amaris Manriquez from Trini Garza Early College High School and Erika Luna from W.H. Adamson High School.
Congratulations to Sunset senior Ana Sanchez who was one of 19 students awarded an Excellence in Education Scholarship by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Business Development Corporation.
Holiday and last day of school
Remember, the district will close for Memorial Day, May 28, and the last day of school for students is June 1. Have a safe, happy summer.
Audrey Pinkerton
