As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 160,000 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken. Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,613 employees including 10,000 teachers in 220 schools.
12 Feb 2001
WHAT: DEAR or (Drop Everything and Read) Dallas is an effort by the Dallas Independent School District to garner citywide support for literacy. Each year, citizens are asked to put aside their duties and read for 10-minutes at 10 a.m.
This year, there is double cause for celebration. DEAR Dallas will join forces with the Read Across America campaign, developed four years ago by the National Education Association to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss (March 2). The theme for 2001 is Oh! The Places You'll Go, inspired by the beloved 1990 Seuss book which encourages children to embrace challenges and imagine possibilities.
WHY: Drop Everything and Read is the event that leads into Texas Public Schools Week, March 5-9.
WHEN: Special events have been planned at schools throughout the district, including a day-long celebration Friday, March 2. (Note to editors: Other events will be added later).
8 a.m. Inspired by the book of the same title, kindergarten students at Cabell Elementary School, 12701 Templeton Trail, will cook "green eggs and ham." The cooking lesson is the highlight of a unit featuring Dr. Seuss' favorite books.
10 a.m. Stonewall Jackson Elementary School will be this year's flagship school for Drop Everything and Read. The students will read Dr. Seuss' books verbally and using sign language. The school is at 5828 E. Mockingbird.
1 p.m. Dressed-up as Dr. Seuss' characters, bilingual students at Amelia Earhart Learning Center will read some of their favorite stories in Spanish. The school is located at 3531 N. Westmoreland.