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It is not news that a significant portion of our community is rebuilding after being impacted by the tornadoes and accompanying storms last October.  

Dallas ISD staff, administrators, and our entire community came together to help the almost 3,000 Dallas ISD students affected by these storms.  District staff quickly mobilized forces to relocate students to other campuses and the outpouring of support from the community with donations (financial and otherwise) has been nothing short of amazing.  As of last month, about $2.8 million have been donated through the Dallas Education Foundation, including cash and donated materials such supplies and clothing.

I am eternally thankful to all who have helped our students, staff and their families in these difficult times.  I look forward to seeing our entire community continue to come together as plans to rebuild the impacted schools are developed. The community’s voice is critical in this process.

A recent proposal from the district’s administration includes building a brand new Walnut Hill International Languages Academy Elementary for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Cary Middle School would be folded into campus, at the building has been declared a total loss. 

Plans also include rebuilding Thomas Jefferson High School, which would include a new football field thanks to the generous donation of $1 million from Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones and his family.

The former location of Walnut Hill Elementary could be used as a new location for a Career Institute in north Dallas, which would provide critically needed skills in the construction, medical, public safety, and cyber trades, among others.

Five other elementary schools in the area will become kinder through sixth-grade schools.

These plans for the new buildings are in the proposal stages, and I plan to host other meetings like the recent one at W. T. White High School, Field ES, and Medrano MS to hear the community’s input and feedback before finalizing any plans to rebuild schools in the District 1 community.

In other topics, the Transportation Department will be sharing new bus stop recommendations for choice school students who ride the bus. The recommendations are the results of several meetings and focus groups with parents. Your feedback will be needed and greatly appreciated in order to finalize the new bus stops for choice school students. You can find more information about these meetings and the recommendations at www.dallasisd.org/transporation.

Mark your calendars….

Remember that schools will be closed for the Winter Break. There will be no classes starting Friday, Dec. 20. Students will resume classes on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. 

Parent Conferences will take place as follows:

Monday, Jan. 13 – High School

Tuesday, Jan. 14 – Middle School

Thursday, Jan. 16 – Elementary School

Application period for choice schools ends January 31. I encourage you, parents, to learn more about the specialty schools offered in Dallas ISD by visiting www.dallasisd.org/yourchoices and choose the best school that fits the needs and interests of your child.

I wish you and your families a safe holiday season full of joy! We look forward to continuing working and growing together in 2020!

Stay up-to-date with district news by following us on social media @Dallasisd and @dallasisdEspanol.

Trustee Edwin Flores, District 1