22 Aug 2007
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa to visit Oak Cliff campuses on first day
DALLAS—Classes for Dallas Independent School District students begin Monday, Aug. 27, with an expected enrollment of 156,691 students.
Among the first day activities, Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa will meet students, teachers and parents at Felix G. Botello Elementary School, 225 South Marsalis, and at Hector P. Garcia Middle School, 700 East Eighth St.
Botello Elementary School, built at a cost of $12 million with funds from the 2002 Bond Program, opened in January 2007. The school's principal is Clarissa Plair.
The school is named after Felix G. Botello, a war hero and community leader. While serving in the Philippines, Botello earned three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with Clusters for heroism. Undeterred by blindness resulting from war wounds, he later received a law degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Throughout his life, Botello kept a promise to help a human being every day of his life, and was a profile of character, courage and commitment.
Garcia Middle School is one of three new schools to open this year. The three-story, 176,000-square-foot facility will accommodate 1,224 students. The school has been designated a 'green building' by the Dallas ISD, which means that it will comply with energy-efficient standards established by Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design. The school's new principal is Gary Auld.
The school is named after Hector P. Garcia, a doctor, soldier and presidential advisor. Garcia received many honors during his lifelong fight for veterans' rights, and his struggle against discrimination in housing, jobs, education and voting rights.
The other two new district schools to open this fall are Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School and Larry G. Smith Elementary School.