Campus Staff News | Page 140 (2024)

As part of their holiday luncheon and the Principal of the Year ceremony earlier this month, a few Dallas ISD campus leaders didn’t mind looking a little silly in the spirit of competition – namely an Ugly Sweater contest.

After lunch, it was time for the holiday sweaters to rear their ugly threads.

Eight principals strutted their crazy stuff for their peers, but only three could claim bragging rights (and gift certificates) as having donned the wackiest, tackiest seasonal apparel.

First place: Ben Dickerson, Edward H. Cary Middle School

Second place: Rachel Moon, Rosemont

Third place: Stephanie Amaya, John Ireland Elementary School

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The 2018–2019 school year will start for students on Aug. 20, include a full week off for Thanksgiving, and end for students on May 29.

Trustees approved the 2018–2019 Dallas ISD calendar during their scheduled meeting on Dec. 14.The calendar incorporates feedback received from employees, parents, students and community members.

Important dates for the Dallas ISD calendar include:

• 171 student instructional days starting Aug. 20
• Teachers have 187 contract days, three Professional Development District Mandated Waiver days, seven professional development days, five teacher work days, and will receive one day credit for the two evenings of parent conferences
• Two fair days for all students: Elementary Fair Day is Friday, Oct. 12, and Secondary Fair Day is Friday, Oct. 19. Elementary Fair Day is a professional development day for secondary teachers, and Secondary Fair Day is a professional development day for elementary teachers, meaning students have off both days
• One week off for Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 19–23
• For Winter Break students are out Dec. 20–Jan. 8 and staff are out Dec. 21–Jan. 4
• Spring break, March 11–15
• Staff/student holidays on Sept. 3, Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and May 27
• Inclement weather makeup days on April 19 and 22

Trustees on Dec. 14 also approved the 2019–2020 school year calendar.

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A couple of decades ago, when they were teachers, Danielle Petters encouraged and mentored Laura Garza at the campus where they worked. On Wednesday, Dec. 13, the two shared time in the spotlight as Dallas ISD’s 2017 Principals of the Year.

Garza, principal at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School, said being a finalist with Petters means a lot to her. “Twenty years ago, she took me under her wing,” Garza said. “She’s the reason I’m still in education.”

She also credited her mother, who was in attendance at the luncheon. “She is the reason I can do all this,” Garza said. “She’s helping me raise my children.”

Petters said that being named a finalist for Principal of the Year was initially a shock. “For two full days, I was in a fog,” she said. “I decided the emotion I felt the most was humbleness.”

Petters and her six siblings graduated from Dallas ISD, as did her two children. Further, she earned her alternative certification to begin teaching and her administrative certification to become a principal through the district. She has been a Dallas ISD principal for 16 years.

“It’s been my life,” she said. “There are so many people in this room that I have learned from and learned with.

“I’m very grateful for this.”

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said believing in the district enough to send your own kids to Dallas ISD takes commitment. Likewise, his children attended and graduated from district schools.

“We put our kids in the system,” he said. “In fact, Laura put her own kids in her school that was about to be shut down by the state.”

Of Petters, he said she voluntarily applied to lead H. Grady Spruce High School, which has had a revolving door of principals before her tenure amid many challenges. “When you step up like that, it makes it that more meaningful, to stand up in a tough situation.”

Chief of School Leadership Stephanie Elizalde said being a principal has become an increasingly difficult position.

“The principalship is not a job, it’s a calling,” Elizalde said. “And that calling requires an additional three Cs. You must be confident, even when you stand alone; you must be compassionate, to the needs of all; and you must have courage, every single day to make really tough decisions.”

See the other finalists for Elementary and Secondary Principal of the Yearhere.

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Two 2017 Dallas ISD Principals of the Year will be named on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from a field of six highly skilled campus leaders.

Hopefuls submitted an application packet that includes their resumé, answers to two essay questions, letters of endorsem*nt from parents, teachers and feeder-pattern executive directors. Two winners will emerge, one from an elementary school and the other from a middle or high school.

Learn about the six finalists below.

ELEMENTARY

Lourdes Garduñohas served as principal atWinnetka Elementary Schoolthe past 10 years. In her application, she describes what it means to her to be a servant leader.

“The leader doesn’t wear a title as a way to show who’s in charge, doesn’t think she/he’s better than everyone else, and acts in a way to care for others,” Garduño writes. “She/ he may, in fact, pick up the trash after a carnival or help clean up cafeteria tables, help the Robotics team carry boxes to the bus, open the building at 6 a.m. for the team to pick up their materials, mop when there is a spill, help a teacher set up bulletin boards, and even cook the turkey for the staff’s yearly pot luck. Setting an example of service, the servant leader understands that it is not about the leader, but about others.”

Laura Garzahas been a principal in Dallas ISD for seven years, the past three atAnnie Webb Blanton Elementary School, which is anACE(Accelerating Campus Excellence) campus.

“Inspiring and empowering teachers to deliver high-quality instruction daily and being agents of change is the focus of our work; it is what drives the transformation of a low-performing campus to become a learning environment that embodies our mantra ‘HARD WORK CONQUERS ALL,’ ” Garza writes. “To inspire is to influence someone to do something. To empower is to make stronger. The only way to make someone stronger is to believe that they can get stronger and to follow a mindset of improvement. For this reason, I have found it extremely important to focus on explaining why we do things and our urgency in getting it done. “

Robert C. Mclaurinhas been principal atWalnut Hill Elementary Schoolfor the past three years. In his application, he explains how continually challenging teachers can empower and inspire them.

“It is important to develop teacher leaders on your campus who can support change and help make sense of things to all stakeholders,” Mclaurin writes. “All teacher leaders must understand that ongoing change and innovation are necessary to achieve our campus vision and true excellence. As principal, it is important to celebrate the achievement of goals, but never stop motivating the staff to push for higher goals in the pursuit of excellence. Teachers should always feel fully supported and challenged by campus leadership.”

SECONDARY

Michele Broughtonhas been a Dallas ISD principal for four years, all at theSchool of Business and Management at Townview Center. In her application, she shares that learning and applying new knowledge to her job to improve the lives of students, teachers, families and the community is what makes her a servant leader.

“A servant leader is one who understands his or her ethical responsibility to the greater society and is fully aware of the overall concept of growing people,” Broughton writes. “The most prominent difference between a stereotypical leader and a servant leader is the fact that a leader realizes the need for a common goal and the plan to achieve that goal. A servant leader realizes the same viewpoint but is sensitive to how each facet of the plan is implemented, thinks about whether it is for the good of the order, and ultimately utilizes the gifts of each individual to achieve a positive outcome for all. One of the servant leader’s greatest charges is to skillfully match talent to purpose and then motivate a team of people to become change agentstogether.”

Jonica Crowder-Lockwoodhas worked as a principal in Dallas ISD for 12 years, the past three atD.A. Hulcy STEAM Middle School. In her application, she explains how she sets the expectation that teachers deliver high-quality instruction every day.

“In order for that goal to come to fruition I must provide an environment where learning can take place,” Crowder-Lockwood writes. “During the summer I meet with our campus Culture Team, our goal is to develop and review our plan for a creating an environment for positive student culture so learning can thrive. I want to develop not only the academic side of students but also the social and emotional side. At the beginning of each day all students and staff begin their day together in Hulcy Huddle, where a character lesson is taught.”

Danielle Pettershas been a principal in Dallas ISD for 16 years, the past three spent leadingH. Grady Spruce High School. As part of her application, she explains why empowering and inspiriing teachers doesn’t happen by accident.

“Creating a school where quality instruction is the norm and teachers see themselves as agents of change does not happen by chance,” Petters writes. “It involves intentionally creating an aspirational and safe school culture, hiring the right people, supporting them, constantly asking for and acting on feedback, and intentionally developing leadership at all levels. Leading up to that moment when a teacher welcomes her first student, to her first class, on the first day of school, a sophisticated series of interlocking gears come together to supercharge and propel that instant forward and set the stage for high-achieving students, teachers, and schools.”

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Dallas ISD’s United Way employee giving campaign has so far raised $77,541, which is close to the goal of $80,000! The campaign just has one more week to go.

The campaign supports the many United Way programs that directly benefit district students and families.These programs include: after-school, scouting, early childhood, parent education, college and career readiness, homeless education, summer camps, mentoring, STEM, tutoring and many more programs.

To learn how you can support the goal, contact your campus or department United Way coordinator, or visit the United Way webpage.

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What do a Black History Month essay contest, rewards for studentswho excel inSTEM/STEAM, a teacher recognition program, a reading program and scholarship competition all have in common? In this instance, they’re all sponsored by the Dallas Mavericks and are allavailable to Dallas ISD students and staff.

As part of the Mavs’ Black History Month Challenge, eighth through 12th-grade students are invited to submit an essay honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The essay on the topic “Advancing the Dream: Taking the Next Step to Improving My Community,”will winone lucky student a trip to Atlanta to visit the home of Dr. King and the King Center. The deadline to submit essays is Monday, January 15, 2018.

In concert with ExxonMobil, the Mavs are sponsoring the Honorary Co-Captains program to reward students who enjoy and excel at STEM/STEAM programs. Teachers, counselorsand administratorscan nominate students for the honor.Selected students get twogame tickets,a chance to join in apre-game shoot around and a seaton the teambench during pre-game introductions. Nominations are due Friday, February 28, 2018.

As a boost to teachers, the Mavs are sponsoring Classroom Champions, a program created to recognize educators for their work in the classroom. The organization will selecta pair ofteachersevery month through March as Champion Teachers of the Month for recognition at a home game and online. At season’s end, the public will be invited to vote for the top five, one of which will receivea cash award of$1,000for themselvesand $1,000 for their school.

Avid readers of all agescanget in the gamefor the Mavs Reading Challenge, a 15-week effort designed to improve reading and literacy and promote a love of readingamong kids of all ages. Dallas parents, students and teachers can sign up online or at any of the 29 Dallas Public Library locations, track their reading from December to March, andqualify to win prizes from the Mavs and Whataburger.

Last but certainly not least,is the Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program offering high school seniors in financial needthe opportunity to apply for one of four $5,000 college scholarships funded in corporation with Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. Visit the scholarship program website to view the qualifications and requirements. Applications are due Friday, February 23, 2018.

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Dallas ISD schools and offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 22, through Friday, Jan. 5, for Winter Break. Students return on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, with staff reporting back to work the day before on Monday, Jan. 8.

Additionally, the district’s secondary schools will have early release days Dec. 19-21. Most middle schools, academies and Montessori schools will dismiss at 12:35 p.m., while most high schools, magnet schools and early colleges will dismiss at 1:15 p.m. Exceptions are noted in the list below. Confirm early release times with your child’s school. Elementary schools will in most cases dismiss at the normal end-of-day times.

12:00 p.m. dismissal
• Kathlyn Gilliam Collegiate Academy
• Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
• IDEA High School

12:35 p.m. dismissal
• Ann Richards Middle School
• Billy Earl Dade Middle School
• Thomas Edison Middle Learning Center
• Sarah Zumwalt Middle School
• J.L. Long Middle School
• Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs
• Young Men’s Academy at Florence
• Piedmont GLOBAL Academy

1 p.m. dismissal
• Bryan Adams High School
• Trinidad Garza Early College High School
• John L. Patton
• W.W. Samuell Early College High School

Other exceptions: Woodrow Wilson High School, 1:05 p.m.; Lassiter Early College and A. Maceo Smith New Tech High School, 1:15 p.m..

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Dallas ISD’s United Way employee giving campaign has so far raised $44,496 for a great cause! There are just two weeks to go to meet the goal of $80,000.

The campaign supports the many United Way programs that directly benefit district students and families.These programs include: after-school, scouting, early childhood, parent education, college and career readiness, homeless education, summer camps, mentoring, STEM, tutoring and many more programs.

To learn how you can support the goal, contact your campus or department United Way coordinator, or visit the United Way webpage.

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Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 9 for the largest school fair in the city – Discover Dallas ISD!

Representatives from every campus across the district will be on hand to answer questions about enrollment, admission requirements, extracurricular activities and much more. With four convenient locations across the city, parents and students will have the opportunity to discover the right school for their child. For times and locations, visitwww.dallasisd.org/discoverdallasisd.

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The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce recently honored its Teachers of the Year, including two from Dallas ISD: Loretta Smith from W.H. Gaston Middle School and Chris Evetts from Woodrow Wilson High School.

The Teachers of the Year were celebrated at a luncheon on Nov. 14. Here’s a little more information on these outstanding educators.

Chris Evetts

Seven Woodrow students nominated Chris Evetts for teacher of the year. As director of the Woodrow Wilson High School band, he has built the band program from about 10 students to more than 100 students.

The Woodrow band plays everything from football games and homecoming parades to nursing homes and the Rec Center to entertain Hurricane Harvey evacuees. Evetts also leads an annual fundraiser at the Granada Theatre to raise money for the band.

Loretta Smith

Loretta Smith takes on a variety of tasks at W.H. Gaston Middle School. She participates in home visits with her students to address their needs; is a coach for Destination Imagination, UIL Academics and Pentathlon; leads professional development for the whole staff and serves as the campus TEI expert; and helped in implementing a restorative practices program at the school.

From her nomination:“Mrs. Smith can relate in ways many others can’t to our students, specifically the socioeconomically disadvantaged students, many of whom come from single parent or grandparent raised homes. She grew up with absent parents who ultimately gave up their legal rights as parents when she was three years old. Mrs. Smith is able to reach students who struggle the most to understand.”

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