Welcome back to another school year at Dallas ISD. I am thrilled to see our students back in school. I know this school year looks different than previous years and, despite being apart physically, it has been heartwarming to watch images of teachers connecting with their students after the summer, helping them navigate through the first days of school. Here are some important pieces of information for parents and students for the beginning of this year.  

Beginning-of-the-year assessments

During September, our campuses are administering beginning-of-the-year assessments to help inform teachers exactly where students are so they can best tailor the support they will need. We encourage our students to take the assessment on their campus, if possible, though they have the option to take the assessment from home. Dallas ISD will be providing transportation for those going to school for in-person assessment.

Meals will continue to be provided during remote learning

Dallas ISD will continue to offer curbside meal pickup once a week for the first four weeks of the school year. Every Thursday through Oct. 1, a week’s worth of food will be distributed from 4 to 6 p.m. and parents will be able to preorder their meals and select the most convenient school for them. Students’ identification numbers will be required for pickup. Be sure to visit the website of Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services, www.dallasisd.org/Page/69555, for more information.

You have questions? We can help

Understanding that beginning the school year 100% remotely is a challenging task for everyone at Dallas ISD, the district released a FAQ guide to address some of the issues that parents might be facing. This guide, covering topics such as technology distribution, technical assistance, and remote learning, among others, is available at www.dallasisd.org/reentry. It is very important that if you are facing any technical difficulties, you contact your campus officials to help find a solution. 

What’s next for Dallas ISD?

Remember that, currently, most students have the option to return to school for in-person learning on Monday, Oct. 5, or continue at-home learning. Parents must select the learning model for their child. To take the parent survey, visit www.dallasisd.org/parentsurvey2020. Students in grades that require them to move to a new campus will have the option of returning to school a week early. In addition, special education students in specialized units will have an opportunity for an earlier start date. Don’t forget to review our website and social media for updates, as we continue to monitor the health situation in the district. 

Admittedly, starting a new school year completely virtual was never going to be easy or exempt from challenges. However, I have witnessed the hard work, dedication and patience of our staff, teachers, parents and students, to overcome these problems and strive to make 2020-2021 a year of which we can all be proud.

Again, welcome back, Dallas ISD!

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

Edwin Flores, Trustee District 1