District 2 update
Dallas ISD is in full bloom this month, and there is so much happening. While we are all looking forward to the May and June finish line, our students and team members are focused on ending the year strong.
The energy is high for Dallas ISD athletes. I want to extend a massive congratulations to Texas state champion swimmer from Woodrow Wilson High School, who brought home two gold medals in the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle and was named Athlete of the Meet.
Across District 2, we continue to see programs that spark student interest and connect learning to real-world skills. For instance, Destination Imagination is giving students the chance to engage in creative STEAM challenges through innovation and hands-on problem solving. At the recent regional tournament, Dallas ISD stood out as a powerhouse, with 36 teams from 27 schools advancing to the state competition at UT Arlington.
While we celebrate these achievements, we are also mindful of the challenges our students may face. I recently joined local mental health leaders at United to Learn’s Women’s Forum for a thoughtful conversation about how the digital age shapes student wellness, learning, and academic success. We discussed the impact of technology and social media on students, including this year’s cell phone ban. Across the district, we are seeing encouraging signs of increased student engagement, including students checking out more library books.
I was also proud to support universal prekindergarten, which provides a high-quality foundation for all students. Research shows students who attend pre-K are 30% more likely to be kindergarten-ready. To further this, we are piloting a Pre-Primer Program. This “bridge year” is designed for children who need more time before first grade, focusing on literacy, math and social development to ensure every child enters the classroom feeling confident and prepared.
Beyond the classroom, students are engaging in hands-on learning across the city through Learning Voyages, a partnership providing students with high-quality, curriculum-aligned field experiences. Directly tied to classroom learning, it includes the Dallas Zoo, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and Environmental Education Center.
Since February, 48,000 students have participated, and the district is on track to complete an incredible 670 field trips this semester alone. This expansion of student access is only the beginning. Next fall, we will introduce an even broader menu of universal field experiences for students in elementary and middle school. If you are interested in joining us as a chaperone for one of these trips, I encourage you to complete the interest form here.
As always, please reach out to me if you have thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, or just to say hello.
Best,
Sarah Weinberg
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