DBA Symposium to Focus on Future of Public Education in Dallas

Nov. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- The Dallas Bar Association will host its 10th annual education symposium on Thursday, November 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Pavilion at the Belo Mansion to bring together community leaders in the interest of improving public education in the Metroplex.

The half-day event will include a student panel, consisting of several DISD students will be conducted on the topic of “What Kids Want and Need.” The panel will be moderated by Brad Weber, partner at Lock Lord.

Other panels include “Grass Root Initiatives to Improve parental Involvement in Education,” will be conducted by Florentino A. Ramirez, of Ramirez & Associates, Jarrell Booker, of Stand for Children, and Sharon Goldblatt, President, Texas PTA; and “It Takes a Village: Business & Nonprofit Partnerships for Education,” conducted by Ben Simmons, of TDIndustries, Diane Maguire, of The Senior Source, Genetta Lewis, of Voice of Hope; and Mr. Weber, moderator.

Additional featured speakers include: Israel Cordero, and teachers from Samuell High School, who will be speaking on the topic of “Truning Failure into Success at Samuell High School;” and Leticia D. McGowan, In-House Counsel for DISD, who will speak on “The ABC’s of School Law.”

“This is one of the Dallas Bar Association’s most important events,” said Dallas Bar Association President Barry Sorrels. “Our relationship with the Dallas Independent School District is one we value and appreciate. We will continue to do what we can to support and promote success within the DISD.”

The “Jack Lowe Sr. Award for Community Leadership” will be presented during the Symposium luncheon. The award is named for the founder of TDIndustries, who served as the first chairman of the Dallas Alliance Education Task Force, a multi-racial group dedicated to a broad-based community solution to achieve desegregation in DISD. The luncheon keynote speaker will be Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.

Jubilee Park, an organization that offers community development, including housing, education, public safety and employment to the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood, will be presented with the “Jack Lowe Sr. Award for Community Leadership” during the Symposium luncheon. Jubilee Park’s purpose is to “improve lives and strengthen community,” which they do through various educational outreach and initiatives. This award will be given to Jubilee Park in recognition of its exemplary leadership in improving education for children in Dallas. You can find out more about Jubilee Park at www.jubileecenter.org.

The public is invited and encouraged to participate in the symposium. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., and the registration fee of $35 includes lunch. If you would like to attend, but cannot afford the registration fee, please contact Alicia Hernandez at ahernandez@dallasbar.org to request a fee waiver for the event.

The Belo Mansion is located at 2101 Ross Avenue, in Downtown Dallas (in the Arts District). Parking is available in the Pavilion Garage for $4 (enter from Olive Street). Seating is limited. To reserve your spot, register online at www2.dallasbar.org/events/register/edu_symposium_signup.asp or RSVP to Alicia Hernandez at ahernandez@dallasbar.org.

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The Dallas Bar Association is a professional, voluntary organization of more than 10,000 Dallas-area attorneys. Find out more at www.dallasbar.org.