DISD Family Newsletter | Apr 2026

Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD

Welcome to our April edition of the Dallas ISD Family Newsletter!

Can you believe it? We are almost at the end of the school year! As we enter the busiest season of the school year for our students and teachers, we're excited to keep you informed and connected.

This month brings important updates on STAAR testing season, opportunities to engage in the upcoming Bond election, and ways to stay involved through our Fam Jam events and academic partnering sessions. Together, we can support our students’ success and strengthen our school community.

Thank you for being an essential part of Dallas ISD!

With gratitude,

Dallas ISD Family and Community Engagement Department

This past Saturday, Dallas ISD brought the energy to Fair Park with its More Choice Expo at the Automobile Building! More than 200 neighborhood schools came together under one roof, creating a vibrant, interactive experience where families explored opportunities, connected with campuses, and discovered the many pathways available for their students’ success.

Photos courtesy of Dallas ISD

As you may be aware, Dallas ISD is having a Bond Election on May 2, 2026.

If approved by voters, the proposed bond would:

• Build 26 new replacement schools

• Provide renovations and upgrades at all campuses

• Remove all remaining portable classrooms

• Implement safety and security upgrades districtwide

• Upgrade student technology

• Redirect resources back to classrooms by refinancing loan

• Repair the district’s swimming pools

The proposal was developed with input from a citizens steering committee and includes multiple propositions for voters to consider.

Early voting is April 20, 2026 through April 28, 2026.

Election day is Saturday, May 2, 2026.

You can learn more about the Bond 2026 proposal by visiting bond.dallasisd.org/bond2026.

Please encourage your family, friends and neighbors to vote.

For more information regarding Bond 2026, please click the button below.

Region I Fam Jam was an incredible celebration of family, learning, and community!

Last month, over 261 families and 56 exhibitors came together at Thelma Page Richardson Elementary for an engaging and high-energy experience filled with meaningful connections, valuable resources, and hands-on activities that support student success.

Don’t miss the excitement! Check out our recap video and relive the incredible impact of Region I Fam Jam!

THIS IS IT! Our final Fam Jam event of the school year, and we're ending the series with REGION VI!

This is the LAST CHANCE to be a part of the Fam Jam experience for the 2025-26 school year!

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Francisco "Pancho" Medrano Jr. High School

9815 Brockbank Drive

Dallas, TX 75220

9 AM - 12 PM

There will be:

• FREE FOOD
• Student Performances
• Giveaways
• College Opportunities
• Free Health Screenings & Immunizations
• FREE MENINGITIS VACCINES FOR COLLEGE
• Meet & Greet Your Region VI Parent Support Specialists and Campuses
• …and SO much more!

Bring your ENTIRE family, and let's have a great time together at FAM JAM!

Dallas ISD’s Parent Portal, powered by PowerSchool, is a valuable tool available in both English and Spanish to help parents and guardians stay engaged in their child’s education.

With Parent Portal, you can:

• View your child’s grades, assignments, and attendance securely online

• Receive email alerts about absences or grade changes

• Communicate directly with teachers

Register today for a PowerSchool Parent Portal account and stay connected as an active partner in your child’s academic success.

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New and Returning Users:

If this is your first time signing up for a PowerSchool account, click on the link below then select “Parent Sign In” followed by “Create an Account Here”

- powerschool.com/public

Questions? Send an email to ParentPortal@dallasisd.org.

Calling all Dallas ISD families! This is for YOU!

Get ready for an empowering morning at our Dallas ISD Empowering Families Parent Education Forum! Connect, learn, and explore valuable resources while engaging in meaningful conversations with Dallas ISD team members and the City of Dallas.

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Barbara Mann DAEP, 2909 N. Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

**Translation Services will be available

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow, connect, and be inspired!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Dallas ISD’s Academic Partnering initiative is all about teamwork—bringing families, teachers, and school staff together to support every child’s academic success. Through this powerful collaboration, we’re working to educate, engage, and empower parents to be active partners in their child’s learning journey.

And it doesn’t stop there—join us live on Facebook every month for our upcoming Dallas ISD Family Forums with our Academic Partnering Coordinator, Marlene Yepez-Porras, and our Executive Director, Israel Rivera, where we’ll share valuable tips, resources, and real conversations to help families stay informed and involved all year long! Don’t miss these opportunities to connect, grow, and support your child’s success—together!

SAVE THE DATES!

Monthly Parent Forum

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

5:00-5:30 PM

Topic/Tema: School Collaborations/Colaboraciones Escolares

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FINAL Academic Session Live!

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

6:00 PM - English

6:30 PM - Spanish

Hey Dallas ISD Parents!

We’re already halfway through the school year—and Elevated Engagement is just getting started! We’re taking things to the next level with exciting conversations featuring Dallas ISD staff, departments, parents, and community partners, all highlighting the incredible work happening across the district. Get ready to dive in and be inspired by the impact being made every day!

Start listening now!

📱 How to Listen & Subscribe:
You can find Elevated Engagement on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Simply search Elevated Engagement – Dallas ISD, then hit “Follow” or “Subscribe” to never miss an episode!

🔗 Listen on Apple Podcasts
🔗 Listen on Spotify

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that helps homeless students, including unaccompanied minors and seniors, access education and essential services. Unaccompanied seniors can obtain a letter verifying their McKinney-Vento status, which is important for applying for financial aid through FAFSA. This letter proves their status and allows them to receive special considerations, like waiving the need for parental income information. This way, seniors can get the financial support they need for higher education, helping them achieve more stability and opportunities in the future. Current unaccompanied seniors can only receive their letter for this school year until no later than June 30th.

FAFSA Letters Requests

Please send all requests for FAFSA letters through our website at: www.dallasisd.org/Domain/109

Drop-In Centers

The Homeless Education Program has established and operates Drop-In Centers in various high and middle schools within the Dallas Independent School District. These centers play a crucial role in supporting the district's initiative to increase high school graduation rates among homeless students.

If any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to Sakia Johnson- Hodges. We appreciate your support!

We’re thrilled to keep you informed and connected with the latest news, helpful resources, and exciting updates from across Dallas Independent School District.

You can sign up to receive our newsletter straight to your email inbox each month!

Just click the button below to fill out a quick Google Form and join our official mailing list.

No extra emails—we promise! You’ll only receive the monthly newsletter so you never miss a beat.

Thank you for staying engaged and being part of the Dallas ISD family.

Warmly,
Brianna Hogg
Coordinator I, Marketing & Elevated Engagement Podcast