Pride Preview Vol. 26

Shout Out to 🎉

Huge shout out to our SMC 3 testing team!

Ms. Wilson, Ms. Mena, and Mrs. Owens went above and beyond to ensure students had the appropriate SEL tools and support when testing stress arose.

Major appreciation to Ms. Acevedo and Ms. Elda for problem-solving in the moment, addressing every student need, and leading a smooth and organized consolidation.

A special thank you to our Specials Team for pushing in and helping maintain a testing environment that met all expectations and standards. Your flexibility and teamwork were critical to our success.

And thank you to all administrators for maintaining strong, visible active monitoring throughout the day to ensure a secure, focused, and compliant testing environment.

Because of each of you, our campus remained calm, organized, and student-centered. Great teamwork!

MAJOR SHOUT OUT TO 3rd grad RLA, where 90% of students showed meaningful growth on SMC3 this past wek!

• Morning Announcements by 4C
• All teachers: Utilize Black History Month Morning Circle Slides

Click on the calendar photo see the full calendar for the school year.

The open Transfer Period begins March 23, 2026 and ends April 24, 2026. In a collaboration between Human Capital Management and School Leadership, the information below is outlined for the open transfer process for the upcoming school year.

• The open transfer process allows current Dallas ISD Teachers, Counselors, and Media Specialists/Literacy Media Specialists who meet the guidelines outlined below to accept a position at another campus for the following school year.
• The current principal's approval is not required during the open transfer period. However, the best practice would be for the staff member to inform the current principal of the desire to transfer.

Spring Training Focus:

As part of the Comprehensive 5 Spring Training series, this initiative strengthens districtwide capacity by equipping educators with the tools, strategies, and mindsets needed to support students with disabilities. For the 2025–2026 school year, the spring training will specifically focus on Child Find and referral processes, reinforcing inclusive, data-driven practices across schools. This training is also for Mental Health Clinicians, SST Chairs, and School Counselors who did not attend the MTSS training on January 7, 2026, or January 8, 2026, or who need a refresher.

Action Items:

• Register for Child Find training based on your Region through Cornerstone.

1. REGISTER to the corresponding training based on your current position.
2. COMPLETE training.

Good evening,

• We are excited to welcome The Dallas Opera to our school for a touring performance of The Little Prince on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. This special presentation is for our 3rd and 4th grade students.
• The performance will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 11:30 a.m. Please have your students seated in the auditorium by 10:30 a.m. so we can begin on time. Teachers are asked to remain with their students for the duration of the performance. I’ve attached a reminder from The Dallas Opera regarding audience etiquette that you may wish to review with students prior to the show.
• Due to testing, there will be no 5th grade specials on February 24. However, 5th grade planning will remain as scheduled from 10:25–11:15 a.m. Two members of the specials team will push into 5th grade classrooms during their regular specials block to ensure teachers receive their planning time.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you all for your commitment and support during testing last week. As we prepare for next week’s assessments, please ensure all instructional materials are covered and classrooms are clutter-free to maintain a proper testing environment.

Here are the links to the testing plans: SMC 3 Math and Science and TELPAS.

Please reach out if you have any questions.I will be meeting with TELPAS test proctors tomorrow.

• Feb 24 – 5th Grade STAAR Simulator Math (SMC3)

• Feb 24 – 2nd Grade TELPAS (Listening & Speaking) Group 1

• Feb 25 – 3rd–4th Grade STAAR Simulator Math

• Feb 25 – 5th Grade STAAR Simulator Math Make-Ups**

• Feb 25 – 2nd Grade TELPAS (Listening & Speaking) Group 2

• Feb 26 – 2nd Grade TELPAS (Reading & Writing)

• Feb 26 – 5th Grade STAAR Simulator Science (SMC3)

• Feb 26 – 2nd Grade TELPAS Make-Ups

• Feb 27 – 5th Grade STAAR Simulator Science (SMC3) Make-Ups

• Feb 27 – 2nd Grade TELPAS Make-Ups

Week of March 3

• Mar 3 – 3rd–5th Grade TELPAS (Listening & Speaking)

• Mar 4 – 3rd–5th Grade TELPAS (Listening & Speaking)

• Mar 5–6 – 3rd–5th Grade TELPAS Make-Ups

• Mar 10 – 3rd–5th Grade TELPAS (Reading & Writing)

• Mar 11 – 3rd–5th Grade TELPAS Make-Ups

• TELPAS Practice continues this week.

• Feb 18–27: STAAR Simulators and TELPAS windows (see calendar for grade-level details)

To support staff wellness during the Spring Semester, we will be sharing helpful small challenges to remind you to take care of your health and wellness. Each week, we will share a new challenge to take part in, and hope everyone takes a moment for themselves to complete the challenge.

We’re excited to share what the Multicultural Committee has planned for Black History Month!

• Unity Days: Every Friday in February

• Main Event: Friday, February 26 – Schoolwide Cookout & Cowboy Celebration

• BHM100 Creativity Contest: Posters due February 22

• Daily Morning Circle slides highlighting Black historical figures will be shared. Please support by displaying the slides and reinforcing learning with students.

Thank you for helping us create meaningful, consistent learning experiences across campus.

In honor of Black History Month, the Multicultural Committee has provided daily Morning Circle slides and reflection prompts for classroom use. All teachers are expected to engage students with the daily slides as part of Morning Meeting/Circle time. Materials have been thoughtfully designed with PreK–1st and 2nd–5th student-friendly options to support age-appropriate discussion, reflection, and learning. Thank you for helping us create consistent, meaningful learning experiences that celebrate Black history and culture across our campus. (The link is located above)

Please share this in your Class Dojos and with your students!

The Office of School Improvement is excited to announce this year’s Black History Month theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations”. Each February, Dallas ISD celebrates the achievements of Black Americans and recognizes their critical role in U.S. History. This theme honors the 100th anniversary of the first Black History Week, created in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, celebrating the legacy, pride, and progress produced by lasting contributions over years.

We welcome everyone to participate in the following events and access these resources:

• Virtual Kick-Off on January 30, 2026, led by Deputy Superintendent of Staff and Accountability, Dr. Pamela Lear.

• Virtual Webinar Wednesdays occur at noon and feature local professionals sharing their career journeys and expertise.

• Commemorative slide deck presentation highlighting achievements by African Americans and recognizing the significant roles of African Americans throughout U.S. history.

• Interactive activities and resources located in Google Classroom, accessible to all teachers and staff by using this code 5 f q 6 m q t r .

• Daily OSI Social Media posts spotlighting African American traditions and contributions.

While this programming will be celebrated during February, the OSI encourages schools to use these resources to augment books and activities to spark discussions year-round.

To access these resources, visit the Office of School Improvement website at https://bit.ly/DISDBlackHistoryMonth. Please contact Dr. Candyce Grant at canfranklin@dallasisd.org for more information.

Team Lipscomb!

I am honored to serve as your Campaign Champion for the 2026 Employee Giving Campaign. This year’s theme is “Game On for Giving”—a rallying call to show up for our students.

Our district is aiming to raise $100,000 by March 30. To help us get there, Lipscomb has set a goal of $600! Thats $10 per Lipscomb Team Member

The Impact: For 26 years, this campaign has been a cornerstone of Dallas ISD, raising over $5 million. Every donation goes directly to the Dallas Education Foundation (DEF) and flows back into the classrooms and programs that support our scholars.

Your CARING generosity fuels the "wins" we see in our schools every day.

Step onto the Field: Every gift moves us closer to our goal. All contributions go directly to the Dallas Education Foundation (DEF) and flow back into the classrooms and programs that support our scholars. Your generosity fuels the "wins" we see in our schools every day.

Join the GAME: (Donate):

• Via Payroll: Use Oracle to set up a one-time gift or spread it over 12 months. Step-by-step playbook HERE.

• Via Card: Donate directly online (easiest & don't forget to input your EID!)

The Trophy: Once you get your donation confirmation, see Ms. Timms for a "Sweats to Work" pass.

Let’s come together to make a CARING impact again this year!

Game on, LIPSCOMB!!

Ms. Timms