Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

The new school year is approaching quickly and many teachers are in desperate need of supplies.

To find out which teachers / schools in Dallas are asking for help, please visit DonorsChoose.org now!

DALLAS FILM SOCIETY, Producer of the AFI DALLAS International Film Festival and the Dallas Museum of Art have partnered this summer to bring High School and Middle School students an intensive look at specific professions in the film industry. Camps will take place at the Center for Creative Connections located inside the DMA.

Camp Session Information (please check the box of the camp you would like to attend)

Student to bring lunch M-Th, Lunch will be provided on Friday (No refrigeration available)

June 22nd – 26th 10AM-4PM Daily – High School Students (Grades 9-12) Cost: $450
Topics to be covered:
• Monday: Directing and Casting
• Tuesday: Acting
• Wednesday: Special Effects and Animation
• Thursday: Costuming and Makeup
• Friday: Producing

July 20th – 24th 10AM-4PM Daily – Middle School Students (Grades 5-8) Cost: $450
Topics to be covered:
• Monday: Acting
• Tuesday: Claymation and Special Effects
• Wednesday: Costuming and Makeup
• Thursday: Music and Sound
• Friday: Storyboarding and Storytelling

For more information or to obtain he registration form, please contact Lisa Stabler at lstabler@afidallas.com

Good luck with everything you do in life, Denison High School graduating class of 2009. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll grow up to one day land a commercial airliner in the Hudson River and save the lives of everyone on board.

That’s right, we’ve learned Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger — the most badass alumni in the history of the Texas school — is delivering the commencement speech at this year’s DHS graduation.

The ceremony, scheduled for June 6, was originally going to feature a giant tribute to Sully — featuring a billboard of the hero pilot in the middle of town — but Sully got wind of the grand scheme and humbly shot it down.

We’re told Sully’s peeps told the school he couldn’t “imagine his face on a billboard.”

Sully fun fact — back in the day, he played the flute in the school band … and you better believe he kicked ass.

Texas education officials say 53,000 students are out of school due to swine flu concerns and 2 Dallas area schools were closed yesterday due to infected students.

Dozens of campuses are shut down as of early Wednesday for desanitizing. Cleburne school district has closed all 11 of its campuses for the rest of the week for disinfection. The district about 50 miles southwest of Dallas has a total enrollment of more than 6,600.

The closures, plus parents keeping their children home on their own, means the students are missing school TAKS testing time.

If you know where to look, you can find a lot of great free stuff online. Not just goodies like ice cream and postcards (although those are nice), but stuff like classes from MIT and trial memberships at gyms–things that are a little more enriching.

Here are some of the ones to check out:

MIT Classes
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best universities in the world, and it offers a lot of course material online for free. You don’t get a degree, but you will learn. A lot. ocw.mit.edu.

iTunes U
Got iTunes? Then you have a portable university at your fingertips. Many major universities–Stanford, Cornell, Oxford, Texas A&M–offer free educational podcasts on Apple’s iTunes Store. They cover a wide variety of subjects, from evolution to neuroscience to classical guitar. Just download and push play.

Start A Business
You might not think this is the best time to start a new business. But if you have an idea, the U.S. Government’s Small Business Administration can help you make it a reality. The organization offers classes on writing a business plan, registering your company and how to manage business taxes. Learn more at sba.gov.

Museums
North Texas has some truly world-class museums. Some, like the Kimbell and the Carter in Fort Worth, offer free admission to their permanent collections. You usually have to pay for the special exhibitions, but their permanent collections are very impressive. And who couldn’t use a little more culture in their lives?

Get Fit
Many health clubs have free introductory memberships. The goal is to get you hooked on their facility so you buy a full membership eventually. But some of these teaser memberships can last as long as two weeks.

The Nasher Sculpture Center presents Modern Masters: Adult Studio Workshops
George Segal: Street Scenes
Saturday, February 21, 2009
10 am - 12 noon
$10 per person

Sign up now for the adult workshop focusing on George Segal’s iconic depictions of daily life, including how the artist brought friends and family into his work, and his surprising connections with Rodin. Try out Segal’s plaster casting technique in the studio. Workshop content is geared to all levels of adult learners and you don’t need to be an artist or an expert to attend!

This year is proving to be tight on the gift giving side and you’ve been given a maximum of $5 to spend on the office Secret Santa exchange.

But you’re craving to give a worthwhile gift to someone you know well. Consider buying them a session of French classes at Alliance Francaise de Dallas.

With all levels of French from beginner to intermediate to advanced for adults, teens and kids, you are sure to find that perfect match for someone.

After all, if you are craving to visit Paris but you are a vegetarian, you need to make very sure you can communicate that so you can avoid any unpleasantness over the steak tartare! (Avez-vous des plats sans viande?)