Spring is here, and I am looking forward to watching our schools blossom in new and innovative ways. From creative students to exemplary staff members, the District continues to have plenty of accomplishments to celebrate.
STEM teams take their talents to the world stage
Dallas ISD’s robotics teams recently returned to in-person events, and now they are taking their skills to the next level. Teams from Casa View Elementary School, Alex Sanger Preparatory (elementary and middle), Larry G. Smith Elementary, Martha Turner Reilly Elementary and Robert T. Hill Middle School will be competing at the VEX Robotics World Championship from May 3-12.
At the event, which is presented by the REC Foundation, the global robotics community will come together to participate in challenging competitive matches. The student-led teams will have a unique opportunity to face off against their peers while demonstrating their design, strategy and teamwork skills. The event will take place at the Dallas Convention Center. It is free and open to the public, so I encourage you to head out and support these brilliant students. Anyone interested in attending must check in with REC Foundation staff to be allowed into the venue.
Kudos also to Emmett J. Conrad High School. Their students advanced to the FIRST Tech Challenge UIL State Championship. Great job, robotics teams!
Our very own Teacher of the Year finalist
L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary’s Noemi Arnal Villalba is one of twelve finalists for the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year awards. The third-grade math and science teacher has a legacy of leadership at the Cesar Chavez Learning Center and at several schools in Barcelona, Spain. Now, she is a proud role model and inspiration on her campus as a Distinguished Teacher and teacher leader.
Ms. Arnal Villalba graduated from Pompeu Fabra University at Barcelona with a bachelor’s degree in translation and interpreting. Clearly, that was not enough for her, because she headed back to school to earn her master’s degrees in translation and interpreting, linguistics and teaching of compulsory secondary education — plus, a baccalaureate in professional training and the teaching of languages.
The districtwide Elementary, Secondary and Choice/Magnet Teachers of the Year will be announced at the inaugural Dallas ISD Educator of the Year Awards at the Statler Hotel May 10. We will be rooting for you, Ms. Arnal Villalba! Keep up the extraordinary work.
Keeping our communities clean
Thank you to all the Bayles Elementary and Gaston Middle School students, staff and parents who volunteered their time to clean up their campus as part of Ferguson Road Initiative’s Operation Beautification. We all have a part to play when it comes to maintaining our communities, and these groups did not hesitate to dive in! I was glad to join the Gaston team in the effort to beautify the campus and Alger Park/Ash Creek neighborhood. I anticipate even more opportunities to work together to pursue health and wellness for our district.
I wish you all a safe and happy month!
Dallas ISD Trustee Dan Micciche, District 2
