1 DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde — Elizalde finishes her third year as Dallas ISD superintendent this month.
Over these past three years, I have attended the fewest DISD board meetings I have ever attended during any three-year period in the almost four decades since my four children entered DISD. I attended meetings when I was concerned, but now I consistently feel DISD is surviving the anti-public-education atmosphere in Texas exceptionally well under the remarkable leadership of Elizalde.
Her Opinion piece May 7 on the STARR test reflects her wisdom well. Thank you.
Bill Betzen, Dallas
2 Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children — My son was born with spina bifida in 2007. I want to tell everyone about the wonderful care we have received during the past 18 years at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Every caregiver, nurse, tech, phlebotomist, radiologist, housekeeper, volunteer, security, student, fellow, maintenance worker, cafeteria worker, groundskeeper and donor has contributed to the well-being of our family and therefore have my heart.
I can never convey my gratitude for all who have cared for us. We first met with the Developmental Disabilities team (headed by Dr. Richard Adams) in April 2007. All our meetings and appointments were encouraging and filled with genuine caring and concern. Never a disheartening thought or word did I encounter. These folks have been my strength through these years. I will miss them as my son ages out of Scottish Rite.
Melanie Howie, Longview
3 Good Samaritans downtown — My wife and I recently went downtown to the Majestic Theatre to see our youngest granddaughter perform in a ballet production. Because of multiple surgeries, I have to have a cane or a walker to get around. After parking, we had to cross Harwood Street. The light turned yellow as I was halfway across. I picked up speed with my walker, hit a rise in the pavement and went down.
Almost immediately, I was surrounded by concerned onlookers. I cannot get up on my own without something stable to hold on to. Two men, seemingly out of nowhere, picked me up and helped sit me on my walker’s seat. My shoes came off, and a young lady put my shoes on and tied the laces. I also scraped my arm, and another lady gave me some hand towels to wipe away the blood.
My wife and I made the performance, and granddaughter Thalia performed wonderfully. My thanks to all those who helped me when I was down. There is a lot of love in downtown Dallas. I am proud to call this great city home.
Martin Cude, Dallas/Kessler Park