As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 161,500 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken. Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,678 employees including 10,000 teachers in 218 schools.
12 Sep 2001
New Initiative to Recruit Mentors for DISD Students Kicks-Off September 19
General Superintendent Mike Moses, Community Leaders Will Be Present To Encourage Community Participation
WHAT: DISD General Superintendent Mike Moses will be joined by representatives from various chambers of commerce in the city and other community groups to announce the kick-off of the Youth Mentoring Initiative. This initiative is a coordinated effort to recruit, train and place volunteers in district middle schools.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 19, at 9:30 a.m.,
North Dallas High School, 3120 N. Haskell Avenue (front steps)
(Note: In the event of inclement weather, the kick-off ceremony will be held in the school auditorium).
WHY: Dr. Moses will make a call to adults in the community to contribute their time and talents as mentors of ninth grade students who need academic support and/or positive guidance in their lives. Once recruited, volunteers will be trained, placed and matched with students.
Children who are at-risk of dropping out of school, and at different academic grade levels for their age, require tremendous one-on-one attention and encouragement to succeed in school.
Background—
Research shows that:
o Young people with mentors are more likely to stay in school
o Average daily attendance is higher among students who are mentored
o Grade point average is almost half a unit higher for young people with mentors
o 80% of students mentored go on to college