First Posted: 8/5/2014

Schools in the Dallas School District are preparing for the 2014-2015 academic year with opening day set for Tuesday, Aug. 26.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Dallas School District Elementary School students will begin school with a full day on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Parent/caregivers should consult the bus routes available on the district website (www.dallassd.com) under the “Transportation” tab for their child’s bus assignment. Students should ride the bus to and from school the first week.

Class lists will be posted at the Dallas and Wycallis Elementary Schools on Friday, Aug. 22. Students who know their assignments will report directly to their classroom on the first day. Staff will be strategically stationed to assist students who do not know their class assignments before the first day. It is not necessary for parents to accompany students to their classrooms. All visitors must report directly to the main office.

Regular student lunches will be available the first day at a cost of $2.05. Breakfast will be available this year to students at a cost of $1.05. The lunch menu is posted on the district website under the “Cafeteria Info.” Tab.

Back to School Nights will be held starting at 7 p.m. in the Dallas Elementary School cafeteria as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 9 for kindergarten, first grade, second grade and special subjects

Thursday, Sept. 11 for third grade, fourth grade and fifth grade

Back to School Nights will be held starting at 7 p.m. in the Wycallis Elementary School gym as follows:

Monday, Sept. 8 for kindergarten, first grade, second grade and special subjects

Wednesday, Sept. 10 for third grade, fourth grade and fifth grade

The initial PTO meetings for the 2014-2015 school year will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3 in the library of Dallas Elementary School and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 in the library of Wycallis Elementary School. A tour of each building will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. with new volunteer orientation at 6:50 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHIOOL

Preparations for the opening of the Dallas Middle School are nearly complete. Dr. Paul M. Reinert, principal, and the Middle School faculty and staff have been working throughout the summer preparing the building, materials and programming for students for opening day on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The school’s schedule provides each student with an opportunity for a well-rounded education. The Accelerated Reading (AR) Program has been upgraded to allow students to choose from a greater variety of books and provide email notification to parents and caregivers to monitor student progress. A variety of clubs and activities are available for all students.

Sixth-grade students will report directly to the auditorium, seventh-grade students will report directly to the gymnasium and eighth-grade students will report directly to the cafeteria on Tuesday, Aug. 26. A short orientation program will be presented and homeroom assignments will be announced. Students will then report to their homerooms for the first day of school.

Students can purchase breakfast and lunch beginning with the first day of school. The price of a regular lunch is $2.15 and a reduced lunch is $.40. Breakfast is $1.05 and $.30 for reduced. Students who participated in the free or reduced lunch program last year will begin the new year on the same status.

Parents are reminded to log on to the district website in order to update and enroll in our automated calling system, One Call Now and Parent Portal for student grade online access.

HIGH SCHOOL

The staff and administration of Dallas High School are looking forward with great anticipation to the start of the new school year.

Academically, Dallas High School continues to improve. In 2014, there were many strong points in Keystone scores in all three tested areas – with significant improvements in Biology and Literature. Advanced Placement scores across the board were the strongest that they have ever been. Of the 195 tests administered, 74% received a 3, 4, or 5.

Dallas High School’s SAT and ACT scores, coupled with the graduation rate, continue to place the school in the top high schools in Northeastern Pennsylvanoa. In addition to work in the classrooms, Dallas High School students are indentifying and building appropriate skills needed to be successful beyond graduation through individualized Career Pathways.

A number of new members will join the high school educational team this year. They are:

Mr. Jason Rushmer, assistant principal; Mrs. Theresa Musto, building secretary; Ms. Marissa Farrell, full-time teacher of Spanish; Ms. Kelly O’Brien, full-time teacher of Spanish; Mrs. Bonnie Kalish, school nurse; Ms. Ashley Shaffern, full-time teacher of Biology; Ms. Holly Golembiewski , full-time teacher of Family and Consumer Science.

Freshmen and New Student Orientation will be held at 5 p.m. on Aug. 18. Opening day for students will be Tuesday, Aug. 26. Students may enter the building at 7:30 a.m. Student homeroom assignments will be posted on the Commons windows. Back to School Night will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Best wishes for a safe and productive school year!