Teams from W.T. White High School (pictured above) and Thomas Jefferson High School (pictured after the jump) participated in the Young Life Soccer Cup at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco on May 5. The tournament, which organizers hope will be an annual event, is a new outreach program of the non-denominational Christian group dubbed Young Life. Read More…

U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking of the top 100 schools in America. The No. 1 spot went to the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in Dallas. While Hillcrest, Thomas Jefferson, and W.T. White didn’t make the national cut, the Longhorns did snag a No. 60 ranking in Texas and silver medal distinction. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts grabbed the 15th state spot and a gold medal, in addition to a 134th ranking nationally.

Although U.S. News is a reputable organization, you should still take their reports with a grain of salt. If you believe everything they’ve written, Highland Park ISD has two high schools, and Thomas Jefferson High School is actually “Thomas Jefferso High School.”

W.T. White Mixed Varsity Choir Performs @ Board Meeting from Dallas Independent School Dist on Vimeo.

H/T to Louisa Meyer at W.T. White for sending along this link.

Speaking of financially related DISD matters, the Dallas Morning News is reporting that prospective members of W.T. White cheerleading and drill team had to pay $5 before being allowed to tryout. In the article, district spokesperson Jon Dahlander characterized the fee as minimal and said the practice was used by other school districts in the past.

Paying to tryout for a public school sport strikes me as odd, but even more so since the fee is attached only to cheerleading and drill team tryouts. If you’re going to tack on a price tag, do it across the board.

Who knows, maybe the money will go toward a scholarship for students with perfect attendance? Win-Win, DISD, Win-win.

Debate team members were all smiles after their victory over Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet this weekend.

W.T. White defeated a team from Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet to clinch the DISD City Debate Championship this weekend. Luke Strother and Joseph Reyes will represent the Longhorns at the Chase national competition in Washington D.C. April 12-15. It’s an all-expenses-paid trip for Luke and Joseph, so hopefully they’ll spring for souvenirs for the rest of the team back in Texas.

That’s the question DISD is asking and hoping parents will answer. To contribute to the conversation, drop by a community meeting today between 6:30 and 8 p.m. at W.T. White High School (4505 Ridgeside Drive).

It’s not the parking per se that’s been the problem, but the loading and unloading of students at W.T. White that has caused the school to call in the Dallas Transportation Department.

Effective the first day of the spring semester, Jan. 3, parents will not be allowed to drop off, pick up, or park in front of the campus on 4505 Ridgeside Drive. School officials are directing parents to the visitor lot on the west side of campus, near the softball fields.

Really, it is the most appropriate holiday to tie to a blood drive. No word yet if the phlebotomists will be dressed as vampires, but I think it’d be a nice touch.

WHAT: Carter Blood Care Drive

WHEN: Today until 5 p.m.

WHERE: W.T. White High School, 4505 Ridgeside Drive

Do you live around W.T. White High School? Are you troubled by traffic? Then this neighborhood meeting has your name on it.

WHAT: A discussion of traffic flow and related issues

WHERE: W.T. White High School Cafeteris

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday TBA.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m. W.T. White just sent out this message, “Due to Texas Rangers baseball playoff game, this meeting will be rescheduled for another time.”

W.T. White was one of 45 DISD schools to win a Grant for Innovative Teaching from the Dallas Junior League. Students will study tadpoles, eggs, and caterpillars as they transform from one phase to another.

For the district’s full press release, go the jump. Read More…