'Life And Death Are At Stake Here': Dallas ISD Teachers Union Calling For Return To 100% Virtual Learning
"Social distancing is a joke on many of our campuses," said Rena Honea, President of Alliance AFT, the DISD teachers' union.
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"Social distancing is a joke on many of our campuses," said Rena Honea, President of Alliance AFT, the DISD teachers' union.
"These masks are much appreciated and will help students and educators who are most in need during this incredibly difficult school year," Dallas ISD trustee Pastor Maxie Johnson said.
"We remain committed to following the recommended safety protocols, including social distancing, wearing masks, hand washing, and sanitizing classrooms and facilities," the school district said.
"We realize there's a huge, hidden crisis," said Hailly Korman, a senior associate partner at Bellwether Education Partners, the nonprofit organization that published the report.
For the past four years, JCPenney has partnered with Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities to provide that help, donating thousands of new uniforms to students.
Tuesday, October 20, marks one year since a tornado outbreak in North Texas left homes, businesses and schools in ruins.
The approximately 650 students who attend classes there took part in in-person learning Wednesday through Friday.
Students across North Texas have returned to classrooms, but a clearer picture of the academic impact of the months they were away is starting to emerge.
There's an effort underway to diversify Dallas ISD's teaching population. The district wants to make sure its teachers accurately represent the students they serve.
In order to accommodate the roughly 90,000 students expected to return for face-to -face instruction, high schools will have a hybrid learning model.
"My first year teaching I was told I should try something else and that teaching wasn't for me," said Eric Hale on Facebook.
"It brings it all home for me," says Margaret Martinez as she begins her 5th year as a teacher. "I have some pretty fond memories of it, myself, as a child."
They titled the course, "From Da Hood 2 Harvard" and asked current and former students and their families to sign up for the class.
Two years ago, the Texas State Board of Education approved the course as a state credited course for Texas high school students and Dallas ISD immediately got on board.
Just weeks into the new school year and already two North Texas school districts have been forced to apologize for questionable assignments.
Birdville ISD is going a step beyond some North Texas districts by telling parents how many students and teachers have COVID-19 in their schools.
Curby Alexander, an Associate Professor at TCU's College of Education, said students in virtually every school district have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
The only game the Carter High School football team in Dallas is playing is the waiting game.
Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa said the district budgeted for 151,000 students, but only 137,000 have attended online.
Despite all of the challenges the pandemic has brought, four Dallas ISD varsity cheerleaders have received one of the most prestigious honors in the history of the sport.
Close contact is defined by the schools as anyone who came within six feet of the infected person for more than 15 minutes.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said one of the technology-related issues centered around the district changing Zoom passwords to protect teachers and students.
Dallas ISD starting their school year online has created a problem for some parents who are unable to supervise their student the entire school day.
Whether they've got first grade students or high schoolers, DISD teachers have spent months revamping their curriculum to go virtual.
Both Fort Worth and Dallas school leaders are asking parents over the next few days to test devices, try passwords and start encouraging students to be ready to learn.
