Trustee Edwin Flores: Great progress leads to great success

Supportive communities and engaging tasks are the key to flourishing young minds

On October 3rd, we had the opportunity to welcome Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde to a meet-and-greet in our District 1 community. I want to thank you all for making this a very successful event, where we could hear her plans for Dallas ISD firsthand and share our views and concerns. When Dr. Elizalde was approved for the position, I mentioned that all of the systems and supports she needs to be successful are already in place. Indeed, taking time to listen to her community is part of the system and supports that lead in the right direction.

Earlier this month, I also had the opportunity to join Dr. Elizalde on a visit to review the progress of the work at the future Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy (WHILA) and Thomas Jefferson High School campus. I am happy to report that things are going great, and we are looking to welcome our students back to what has always been their home by the beginning of 2024.

FAFSA and TASFA applications are open now

Seniors planning to attend college during the 2023–2024 academic year, don’t forget that FAFSA and TAFSA applications began on Saturday, Oct. 1. These applications provide colleges with specific information to determine how much financial aid students need to qualify for and are part of some scholarship processes. The priority deadline to complete the application is Jan. 15, 2023.

For assistance with these and other college-related questions, I encourage these students to visit the college and career advisor at their high school or visit www.dallasisd.org/collegeaccessprogram for more information.

Highlighting District 1

Leaving a place better than how they found it is one of Withers Elementary’s core lessons for their students, and fifth graders Corinne Rodill and Caroline Black seem to embody this spirit. Unhappy to find the school’s new playground covered in graffiti, these girls took the initiative to clean it up, so they and their classmates could have a friendly environment to play in. I salute Corine and Caroline for stepping up and being the change we want to see in the world.

I would also like to congratulate Principal Kermange Johnson and her team at Tom C. Gooch Elementary School for being recognized by United to Learn and WFAA’s Advocacy Campaign. This school is doing a great job finding creative ways to make learning more engaging for students, from dressing up as builders to learn math, to having a “fairy bakery,” where a teacher dressed as a fairy helped her students “bake” words and sounds in a dragon-powered oven. Keep up the excellent work!

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