Dallas ISD Partners with Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert for Operation Front Door
Operation Front Door is a project to transform the “Front Doors” of Dallas ISD schools in all parts of Dallas. It will create a welcome environment for learning, and a campus that students, parents, faculty and staff – as well as the surrounding community – are all proud to be a part of.
Operation Front Door is the fourth of Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert’s education initiatives. This one will match businesses with specific Dallas ISD schools all over Dallas. Many schools in Dallas are in desperate need of a face-lift, of new plants and trees. They need paved walkways to replace muddy paths and lights to brighten the façade. In short, they need to present a welcome environment for students to learn. Children learn better in a school they’re proud of and incidents of vandalism and graffiti are dramatically reduced.
That’s where Operation Front Door steps in. Mayor Leppert is asking businesses large and small to become partners in Operation Front Door, to help transform schools, improve education and change children’s lives.
“Our hope,” says Mayor Leppert, “is that the program is so successful - such a good experience - that companies will not only transform the ‘Front Door’ but they’ll then step through the ‘Front Door’ and become long time partners with the school.”
The business partners are asked to contribute anywhere from $3,000 to $50,000 to help redesign the areas at the entrance to the schools, the “front door.” This could range from simple landscaping to adding irrigation and sidewalks, and the students play an important role in the design process. The Mayor asks the companies to stay engaged with the schools for three years.
Leading the way: Atmos Energy. The Dallas-based utility stepped up to the plate to be the pilot partner on the project. Atmos partnered with “the Great” James Madison High School to help enhance the lawns and frontage leading up to its classic 1916 facade. Madison was chosen, not only because it would boost the “curb appeal” of this historic school, but also with its prominent location on MLK, it puts new polish on a South Dallas gem, and enriches the entire neighborhood. Atmos employees added new irrigation, the company funded new landscaping, sidewalks, paving and a new statue of the school’s mascot. Atmos invested $50,000 cash and more than 900 man hours in the project. And made plenty of new friends at Madison along the way. Workers at the Atmos facility a few blocks away will continue to be a part of the school.
The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce has stepped up to be the facilitator and recruiter for the project. The NDCC will work to find matches for the more than 20 Dallas ISD schools across the city, with needs ranging from small to very large. New schools will be added to the list as partners are found. For more information: www.ndcc.org.
Attached is Phase One, a list of schools in the Dallas ISD that need their Front Doors transformed. Once a business sees a school they’d be interested in partnering with, contact the North Dallas Chamber, or at Dallas ISD, contact Deylan Walker, Operation Front Door Project Manager
, Facility Services at dwalker@dallasisd.org or 972-925-5066.
Schedule
Schedules to complete Operation Front Door Projects are based on timelines agreed upon by Dallas ISD and Business Partners once schools are identified, scope of work is approved by both parties and Partnerships Agreement is completed.
Notice To Potential Non-Business Sponsors:
The purpose of the Operation Front Door Program is for area businesses that would like to partner with Dallas ISD schools to contribute monetary donations and/or volunteer staff to help enhance or improve the landscaping, exterior and/or interior of District school facilities. The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce has stepped up to offer their assistance to act as a resource for businesses to contact in regards to information relating to the program.
All non-business entities interested in partnering with Dallas ISD to improve school facilities, please contact Deylan Walker - Facility Services Division at (972) 925-5066 via email at dwalker@dallasisd.org.
Thank you for your cooperation with this effort. |
