Trustee Mackey: DISD District 7’s Hogg New Tech and Stevens Park Elementary recognized for amazing work

I hope that all of you have managed to stay warm in the chilly weather we’ve had this month. The cold hasn’t stopped the second semester from getting underway. This month’s newsletter contains all the happenings and news from around Dallas ISD.

Dallas ISD District 7 Monthly Updates

• Teachers recognized for amazing work: Two teachers at local schools in Oak Cliff have received big recognition for their amazing work! Congratulations to both Vicky Ramirez at Hogg New Tech for her project-based teaching, and Monique Jackson at Stevens Park Elementary for her innovative and engaging teaching style! Our students are lucky to have both of you.

• Schools destroyed by 2019 tornado reopen: The tornadoes that ripped through North Dallas in 2019 destroyed three of our schools. This month, after years of construction, we welcomed students back to the new Thomas Jefferson High School and Walnut Hill PK-8. Thanks to the entire Dallas ISD construction team who made sure that this project stayed on schedule.

• Peabody Elementary Settles in Temporary Home: The students, staff members and community of George Peabody Elementary School have moved into their temporary home at the Edison Learning Center in West Dallas while the Peabody campus undergoes its transformation. You can find the plans for the new Peabody Elementary that is now under construction HERE.Dallas ISD Legislative Priorities: The 88th Texas Legislative Session is now underway and there will likely be a big focus on education-related bills. Every session, Dallas ISD collaboratively sets a legislative agenda to advocate for the district’s five key issues, which are school safety; additional funding to address student learning loss, teacher shortage, and cost of inflation; ensuring accountability of tax dollars; preserving local decision-making; and Pre-K funding.

Upcoming Events:

• D7 Superintendent Meet and Greet: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Greiner Middle School auditorium.
• President’s Day – No school: Monday, Feb. 20
• Board Meeting: 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23
• Spring Break, March 13-17: All schools and offices will be closed.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, or simply want to say hello, at BenMackey@dallasisd.org.