Local News

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Dallas ISD’s alternative to suspensions addresses behavioral issues head on, instead of pushing them aside Dallas ISD has established Reset Center Coordinators for all 52 middle and high schools. Coordinators work with students to provide personalized approaches to disciplinary infractions. Through reset centers, the district aims to correct behaviors that in the past would have led to out-of-school suspensions through restorative practices while keeping students in school.

Read more from The Dallas ISD Hub

Dallas students experiencing homelessness have a new place to go — and it’s not one size fits all To meet the needs of the over 4,000 students that reported experiencing homelessness during the last school year, a new shelter has opened in South Dallas. As both a shelter and a drop-in center, it allows for 14-21 year old Dallas ISD students experiencing homelessness without their families to stay anywhere from a few hours to a full year.

Read more from KERA

Dallas ISD wins 2021 TAEA District of Distinction Award Dallas ISD is one of 40 districts acknowledged by TAEA for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity in students. Through his recognition, Dallas ISD is considered in the top 4% of visual arts districts in the state.

Read more from The Dallas ISD Hub

Statewide News

At least 45 districts shut down in-person classes due to COVID-19 cases, affecting more than 40,000 students School leaders across the state are facing challenges with fewer tools at their disposal to combat the spread of the delta variant. Districts are not required to report closures or case totals to TEA, but TEA continues to track closures informally based on media and district reports.

Read more from The Texas Tribune

School districts can now require students to stay home if someone in their household has COVID-19 Districts in areas with high or rising COVID rates can now require students to quarantine at home for 10 days if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Staff members exposed to COVID must be tested periodically over 10 days if they opt to return to campus. Read more from The Dallas Morning News The pandemic’s toll on educators has made Texas’ teacher shortage worse Many teachers feel the pandemic has exacerbated the unreasonable expectations placed on educators that causes them to sacrifice their well-being and physical health. Since 2014, Texas has seen a 27% decrease in the number of newly certified teachers, and many districts had record numbers of positions to fill this school year due to increased stressors caused by the pandemic.

Read more from The Texas Tribune

National News

How Biden will mandate teacher vaccines, testing in some states that don’t require them Biden called on OSHA to create an emergency rule that requires workplaces with more than 100 employees to require vaccination or submit to weekly coronavirus testing. Public schools do not fall under Federal OSHA regulation, but 26 states have state level plans that will help implement this rule. Recent polls show that 87% of teachers are already vaccinated nationwide.

Read more from Education Week

A hallmark of school shooters: Long history of social rejection A study in the Journal of Social Psychology has revealed that K-12 shooters are students they call “failed joiners” that live in the background with a long-term history of rejection as opposed to a sudden, intense rejection. Experts agree that schools should work to create an environment that communicates to these students that they “matter” and “belong”.

Read more from Education Week

Six strategies to make classrooms safer as the Delta Variant spreads To combat the spread of the contagious delta variant, experts recommend strategies such as the use of portable air filters, maintaining 3 feet of distance between students, and eating lunch outdoors. Students should also wear quality masks and public health experts agree it is essential for anyone who spends time with students indoors to be vaccinated.

Read more from NPR

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