Students were thoroughly engaged in the universe as they interactively explored how the solar system works during Tara Broadus’ pre-k class at J.J. Rhoads Learning Center this week.
Students stood together in groups of three as one student held a plastic replica of the earth and turned slowly around in circles while being sandwiched by the other two students who held pictures representing the sun and the moon. Pre-k students across the hall were engaged in the same lesson, but in Spanish.
Rhoads was just one of two schools visited by Superintendent Mike Miles, Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas ISD Trustee Elizabeth Jones, District 1 and a handful of Dallas business leaders as they stopped in to see how the district's Imagine 2020 initiative was taking shape.
The group traveled by school bus to West Dallas to visit Raul Quintanilla Middle School followed by Rhoads in South Dallas. At both schools, it was clear each student was engaged in learning and the initiative is being embraced by staff and students alike.
"I am encouraged by the work being done through Imagine 2020," Superintendent Mike Miles said. "We are in the early stage of this initiative, so we certainly have more ground to cover in order to move our students forward. The goal is to improve student achievement and, ultimately, ensure all of our students are prepared to succeed in college and in a career."
Imagine 2020 is an initiative within Destination 2020, the district's plan to improve academic achievement in every Dallas ISD classroom and ensure students are college and career ready when they graduate.
Through Imagine 2020, the district seeks to accelerate student achievement and deepen student learning starting with 21 schools in South and West Dallas.
In addition to getting a firsthand look at rigor at the prekindergarten level, the group also observed team teaching at Quintanilla and visited with a science class that was using Chromebooks as part of the innovative models for blended learning.
Alliance Data is one of the first companies to step up and support the in-school tutoring component of Imagine.
Aimee Fisher, community relations specialist with Alliance Data, was among the group of business leaders on the tour. “Seeing the program’s impact on these children first-hand was incredibly fulfilling, and further emphasized the need for companies like us to join this mission. Alliance Data has long been committed to helping students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their highest potential. We believe this program provides students the same opportunities other students have access to across the state, which is a crucial component to ensuring our community’s investment in the success of our future workforce.”
To learn more about Imagine 2020, visit this site.
Information provided by DISD.