13 Jan 2010
Schools to Emphasize the Importance of Being Counted
DALLAS—The Dallas Independent School District has joined with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage schools to take an active role in preparing for the 2010 Census. Beginning this month, schools are being asked to take part in several projects designed to educate students, parents and guardians about the importance of the census and to ensure an accurate count in the community.
As part of the awareness campaign, Dallas ISD schools are preparing to participate in a 2010 Census: It's About Us campaign. During the week long event, which will be scheduled at various times throughout the district from January through March, schools will be asked to use tool kits provided by the U.S. Census Bureau to teach students about the census and encourage them to take the message about the importance of the census home to their parents.
In addition, the local census office has adopted select schools in which Census Road Tours are taking place. During the tours, the census staff travels to the schools distributing information about the census to students. The next tour is scheduled to take place at Jill Stone at Vickery Meadow Elementary School, 6606 Ridgecrest Rd., at 8 a.m., Thursday, January 14.
Schools also are gearing up to take part in the 2010 Census Poster Contest for students beginning in February. Campus winners will advance to the districtwide competition where winners will be chosen in three categories—elementary, middle and high school. Winners will be presented their awards during a ceremony on Census Day, April 1.
More information about the census and how the count will take place can be found on the Dallas ISD Web site or www.dallasisd.org or at www.census.gov.
"Dallas ISD has improved more than any other urban district in Texas and more than all but one urban district in the country in narrowing the achievement gap."