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.
29 Nov 2001
Carter High School Students Show Their Enthusiasm For Good Schools In Dallas
DALLAS-To the cheers of "Better Schools, Better Dallas!" the Dallas Independent School District students, faculty members, superintendent and board trustees launched a new program Thursday that is geared to better inform the public about the good things that are taking place in the state's second-largest school district.
The Better Schools, Better Dallas! program focuses on three essential fundamentals in the DISD: academic achievement, student safety and good stewardship of the tax dollar. Superintendent Mike Moses said the program will be used throughout the district during the coming year."When we are focused on academic achievement, properly spending tax dollars to fund our schools and keeping our children safe, we are preparing them for a better future," Moses said. "When our students graduate and have the skills necessary to be competitive in the workforce, then we have a better Dallas."
The Carter High School varsity cheerleading squad and marching band began the event rousing the 1,000-plus students in attendance with cheers for the school, and then cheers of "Better Schools, Better Dallas!"
Then student council president Chrissharr Willis, a senior, told her fellow classmates what the theme "Better Schools, Better Dallas!" means to her.
"To students, Better Schools, Better Dallas! means having a great opportunity to become successful upon graduation," Willis said. "When we get a world-class education, we are better prepared to graduate, go on to college and enter the workforce with the skills we'll need in this high-tech world."
Carter High Principal Leslie Williams said teachers and administrators make an important investment in the city by ensuring that students get an education that will open doors for them in the future.
During Thursday's event, Moses and DISD Board Trustees were presented with a proclamation from the mayor's office designating Thursday, November 28, as "Better Schools, Better Dallas! Day" and the year 2002 in honor of the program.
Board President Ken Zornes said the program will be good for DISD because it is positive and supportive of the district's mission to provide students with the best education possible.
"The board is dedicated to ensuring our students receive the best education possible," Mr. Zornes said.
During the event, Moses said there are a number of activities that are being planned or discussed for the "Better Schools, Better Dallas!" program throughout the year. Those events include:
• An essay contest where students will express what it means to them to get a world-class education.
• The videotaping of a calendar of events segment for DSTV that highlights what's happening in DISD schools each week.
• An awards program that recognizes a great DISD teacher every week.
• Recognition of former DISD students who grew up to become great teachers in the district.
• Programs that recognize and congratulate students who receive excellent grades on their report cards.
• Programs that honor famous former students.
The district also will begin airing a series of television spots on AT&T Broadband cable in Dallas on December 10. The spots will highlight students, teachers and others involved in the DISD.