Lakewood Elementary School recently was awarded a $1,069 grant from the Texas Commission for the Arts to help fund the schools’ artist in residence program.

The two-year-old program brings a variety of art forms to the school. Lakewood’s staff does not include a full-time art teacher.

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“This is a great way to expose the children to a variety of arts,” says Carol Thoman, author of the TCA grant proposal.

“The first year, we had a theatrical artist, last year we had a visual artist, and this year we will be hosting a literary artist.”

The grant was matched with funds donated by the Lakewood PTA, the Preschool PTA and the Friends of Lakewood. The total amount designated for the program is approximately $5,600.

Woodrow Hosts Annual Dinner Theater Nov. 11

Woodrow Wilson High School’s annual Fall Fanfare – an evening of food and musical entertainment – is scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the school, 100 S. Glasgow.

Among the groups providing entertainment are the Woodrow Wilson Orchestra and Jazz Band; the Woodrow Choir and Variations, directed by Marca Lee Bircher; and the J.L. Long Middle School Expectations, directed by Beverly Hirsch. Musical selections range from Big Band to Broadway show tunes to “Beauty and the Beast”.

Tickets are available from choir members, at the school principal’s office or by calling 821-4025. Tickets are $6 at the door ($5 in advance), with dinner beginning at 6 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m.

Dinner will be prepared by the Choir Parents Booster Club, with dining entertainment by the Orchestra, directed by Pat Waggoner.

J.W. Ray Elementary Slips into Uniform

J.W. Ray Elementary students have traded in their famous label blue jeans for a more affordable blue uniform. Ray is one of 11 DISD schools now opting for uniforms.

Boys wear navy blue pants and white shirts, and girls wear navy jumpers with white shirts. Staff members and other volunteers made the blue jumpers, which sell for $15. Pants range in price from $7.99 to $12.99.

Parents must provide shirts, although on occasion, staff members have purchased a uniform for a child who could not afford it.

“It all makes life a little easier for everyone,” says principal Judith Gilbeaux.

“The children are proud of their uniforms, and the parents are very happy with the price. It really helps the clothing budget.”

Bond Election Includes Two New E. Dallas Schools

Dallas residents will vote Dec. 5 on a $275 million bond proposal that would provide funding for 15 new DISD schools, including two in East Dallas.

The bond package also would provide funds for major additions and renovations to 10 existing schools. Also among the improvements would be updating libraries, air-conditioning and science laboratories.

The two new East Dallas elementary schools include a $4.5 million crowding-relief school for Mt. Auburn and Lipscomb elementary schools. Also, a $5.5 million elementary would be built to relieve crowding at Fannin, Bonham and Ray elementary schools.

About $900,000 would be allocated for additions to Robert E. Lee Elementary, and $750,000 is slated for additions to Henderson Elementary. The new relief schools also would ease crowding at Lakewood Elementary.

“We have approximately 25 classrooms that meet outside of the main building,” says Lakewood principal Karen Rogers. “We are definitely at capacity.”

Approximately half of the 198 DISD schools are at or above enrollment capacity, and 70 percent of the school buildings are more than 30 years old, says Tom Dunning, campaign co-chair of the Vote Yes Committee for the DISD Bond Issue.

“All 198 Dallas schools will receive some portion of this funding for repairs and renovations,” he says.

A key feature in the proposal is construction of the controversial $29.9 million Townview Magnet Center, which would combine the six magnet schools into one campus.

Rogers Selected for Map Project

Dan D. Rogers Elementary, 5314 Abrams, has been selected to participate in Project U.S. Map, a geography program sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive Company.

The program involves brightly colored 20-by-30-foot map of the United States painted on Rogers’ playground to be used as a teaching tool, principal Rex Cole says.

School Board Debuts on Cable

School Board Roundtable is a series of cable television programs sponsored by the Dallas Board of Education to provide viewers a look at the programs and people of the Dallas Independent School District.

Topics include School Centered Education, Budget Development, Chapter 1, Safe Schools and Business Affairs. Programs will be aired on TCI’s cable channel 2B Sundays at 1:30 p.m., Mondays at 5 p.m., Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., Fridays at 9:30 a.m., and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m.

Calendar

Nov. 6-7 – Lakewood Preschool PTA Craft Fair and Home Tour; proceeds benefit Lakewood Elementary. A craft fair and restaurant will be staged at the school, 3000 Hillbrook. (See Story on Page 3 of this month’s Advocate for details.) Call 841-5250 for information.

Nov. 7 – Lipscomb Elementary hosts “Tamalada”. Tamales will be made and sold at the school. Orders may be placed by calling 841-5150.