I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Week and are staying safe and healthy during this continuing COVID-19 crisis. This month’s newsletter contains updates about what has been happening around Dallas ISD and District 7, as well as notes from this month’s school board meeting.
Dallas ISD & District 7 Updates:
• Sidney Lanier Vanguard Gets a New Name: This month, the Sidney Lanier Vanguard community approved a new name for the school – Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard. Jesús Moroles was a world-renowned sculptor and artist who grew up right here in West Dallas and attended this school as a student. Over 200 community members made their voices heard in the voting process for this new name!
Board meeting debrief: This month the Dallas ISD school board considered several meaningful items, which are outlined below:
• Racial equity policy: Our Dallas ISD school board unanimously passed an amendment to our racial equity AEA (local) policy that will result in, among other things, regular board presentations and a public-facing database showing Dallas ISD’s progress in pursuit of racial equity. This policy was a community effort including voices from the district’s Racial Equity Community Taskforce, the Texas Organizing Project, and several other community members and organizations.
• Class size waivers: Every year, Dallas ISD is required to submit a waiver to TEA for any pre-K to fourth-grade classes that exceed the standard 22-1 student to teacher ratio. Dallas ISD implemented feedback given last year and decreased the class size waivers requested by over 37 percent. This is a huge step in the right direction thanks to our work over the last year!
Upcoming Events:
• Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.: Dallas ISD second racial equity webinar (pre-registration is required to receive a link to view the panel discussion. Please register here to receive the webinar link.)
• Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.: Dallas ISD Board Meeting
• Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.: Dallas ISD third racial equity webinar (pre-registration is required to receive a link to view the panel discussion. Please register here to receive the webinar link.)
• Dec. 21 – Jan. 4: Winter Break: Dallas ISD Closed
• Virtual office hours for December: I am happy to schedule video chats, phone calls, or socially distanced coffees with any and everyone who would like to chat about any items concerning Dallas ISD! Please reach out to me at BenMackey@dallasisd.org to set up a time.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, or simply want to say hello!
Best, Ben Mackey
