As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 164,500 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken. Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 19,234 employees including 10,500 teachers in 218 schools.
1 Oct 2001
Schoolchildren Rally Throughout District In Support Of America and Democracy
DALLAS–Even though Texas House Bill 1776 designated for the last full week of classes in September to be Celebrated Freedom Week, the schoolchildren of the Dallas Independent School District have been exercising their freedoms and learning more about democracy since the United States was attacked by terrorists September 11.
The law was signed by Gov. Rick Perry because the Texas Education Agency wants public school students to understand the importance of significant documents and events from the nation's past. As a result of the terrorist attacks, students from grade school to high school have been learning about other significant events of America's history. Students have studied other events that have changed America such as Pearl Harbor and the Civil War. They have been exercising their rights and freedom as prescribed in the Bill of Rights.
Students like seventh graders Kayleigh Batchelor and Shannon Bishop at George Bannerman Dealey Academy exercised their freedom of speech by inspiring, on the morning announcements, the student body and teachers on September 12 to show support for the country by putting ribbons on trees surrounding the school.
"Working on this project has been very meaningful for the both of us," said Shannon who is 12-years old. "We hope that we have been good examples for people who want to show their love and concern for our country."
Also, they asked students and teachers to wear red, white and blue ribbons, make banners and posters and write letters and cards. The girls named their project Let There Be Peace on Earth.
Shannon even wrote a letter to President George W. Bush. She ended that letter: "These are hard times for our country, and we have gone through them before. I know from my school textbooks that we have come through as a united country. And we will again."
The letters, posters, a large flag and video that was produced by drama students will be sent to New York and Washington. Money raised from a peace chain project will be sent to the Red Cross of America for its relief fund.
Students across the district have raised at least $10,000 to show their American spirit and support to the families of the victims of the national tragedy.Other students demonstrated their knowledge of democracy and its principles of social equality and respect for individuals within a community.
North Dallas High School students addressed the national tragedy at a peace rally at Thanks-Giving Square in Downtown. Some of the students who participated in the rally came to America as immigrants. The students from the 1st International School of the United States wanted their peers, community and the world to know that North Dallas students work, study and befriend others from all over the world.
Dallas schoolchildren expressed other freedoms as well. They exercised their freedom of religion with respect to other students. They met at flagpoles throughout the district and participated in a moment of silence to show respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks.
Students at Bayles Elementary showed that they understand that for a democracy to work, there is a price to pay by all of its citizens. Bayles students participated in a color procession through the school. They made a mosaic American flag using squares with their names on it. At an assembly, the elementary students watched a slide show presentation of American landmarks and symbols. Patriotic songs were sung by students, too.
Since September 11, DISD students in the Spirit 1776 have celebrated the freedoms they have by showing support for American government, its principles and the real heroes of a democracy. "The way my friend Kayleigh and I chose to do so was by making a patriotic banner in honor of those who died, those who are missing, and those who work day and night fighting for peace and justice," wrote Shannon in her letter to President Bush.