During this unprecedented time, I commend the educators and families in District 2 and beyond as they navigate this public health crisis and implement at-home learning. 

It’s very unlikely that schools will reopen this school year, but I’ve seen enormous effort from our district and community to make sure that learning goes on and essential resources are still provided.

Over the past two weeks, Dallas ISD has distributed nearly 1 million grab-and-go meals to families. Families at most locations are able to stay in the car while breakfasts, lunches and dinners are placed in the trunk. 

In order to protect the health and safety of families and staff, the district has gone from distributing three days’ worth of meals twice a week to about a week’s worth of meals once a week. The meals are distributed every Thursday from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at these locations.

One of the biggest challenges of at-home learning is getting technology and WiFi access to families without a device or Internet connection. Thankfully, Dallas ISD’s Long Range Technology Master Plan has put Dallas ISD farther ahead than many other school districts, as prior to the district closure, devices had been distributed to 70,000 students and 12,000 teachers.  But recent survey responses show that about 30 percent of district households don’t have Internet access.

As a trustee, I was proud to approve up to $2.5 million to purchase more than 10,000 hotspots to bring Wi-Fi access to more district families. Also, the Dallas Education Foundation has started a fundraising campaign to help purchase more hotspots or technology for families in need.

A few other at-home learning updates:

• All Dallas ISD playgrounds are closed while the city is under the stay-at -home order. People who see someone using a Dallas ISD playground while the city is under the stay-at-home order can contact the Dallas ISD hotline at 972-925-5555;
• As of April 6, more than 98 percent of enrolled students had connected with their teachers via phone, email or virtually;
• Dallas ISD expects to get at least $50 million in funding from the federal stimulus package to help pay for costs associated with at-home learning;
• I want to share my gratitude to the Dallas Mavericks for donating $10,000 in Kroger gift cards to Dallas ISD families in need.

In other news 

April is National Volunteer Recognition Month, and while it could get overshadowed due to the coronavirus, I want to personally thank the many community members who continually step up to help our schools.

Congratulations to Woodrow Wilson High School’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, Academy of Finance, and North Dallas High School’s Academy of Information Technology for being named among the district’s NAF 2020 23 Distinguished Academies. To reach the Distinguished Level, academies must be operational for four years, participate in work-based learning experiences, build professional relationships and secure internships, undergo site visits, observations, review of student data and complete cross-curricular projects.