Three East Dallas teachers received American Airlines Mini-Grant Awards at a recent DISD Board meeting.

Melinda Cowart and David Smith of Alex W. Spence Middle School were awarded $1,000 to purchase an authentic dragon costume to be used in Asian cultural celebrations. The costume will be used for the Dragon Dance, a ritualistic dance performed in many Asian countries.

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The Spence dragon dancers (13 Asian boys) performed at the recent Citywide Asian Festival at Exall Park and recently appeared in the Holiday Tree Lighting Parade.

The dancers have been using a school-constructed dragon costume, which is head-heavy and bulky, hence the need for a new costume.

The dragon is an Asian symbol for strength, justice and honesty, Cowart says, and enhances the leadership skills of the refugee students as well as increasing all students’ appreciation of Asian culture. Approximately eight percent of Spence students are Asian.

Also receiving a $1,000 award was Carolyn King Arnold of Woodrow Wilson High School. Her grant will fund a magazine of poems, short stories, oral history translations, photographs and illustrations by Arnold’s American Cultural Studies class.

The publication originated in response to DISD’s emphasis on reading and multi-cultural studies. The students study the cultural and ethnic groups represented at Woodrow.

American Airlines received more than 200 proposals and awarded 16 grants totaling more than $9,000.

Woodrow, Lakewood set for School-Centered Education

Woodrow Wilson High School and Lakewood Elementary School will implement the School Centered Education (SCE) program for the 1992-93 school year, according to DISD board members.

SCE is a site-managed program initiated this year by Supt. Marvin Edwards.

J.L. Long Middle School and the High School for Health Professions are among the East Dallas schools currently implementing the SCE program.

Burger King, Stonewall Team for Jan. 28 Fundraiser

The Burger King restaurant at Abrams and Fisher has designated Jan. 28 Burger King Night benefiting Stonewall Jackson Elementary School.

As part of the fast-food chain’s Adopt-A-School promotion, 20 percent of proceeds from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. will benefit Stonewall’s activity fund.

Stonewall students on the A and B honor rolls will receive certificates for a free hamburger or cheeseburger, and their photographs will be displayed in the restaurant.

Dan D. Rogers Elementary School also is participating in the Burger King Adopt-A-School program, but at press time no date had been selected. Call the school, 987-8480, for Rogers’ designated Burger King night in January.

If your school is interested in joining the program, call the nearest Burger King.

Be Informed. Be involved. Catch a DISD Board Meeting.

DISD School Board meetings are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month at the DISD Administration Building, 3700 Ross Avenue.

Our East Dallas school board representative is Betty Vondracek.