Latest news with #DISD
Zawya
a day ago
- Health
- Zawya
DISD students speak at H20 Global Health Summit in Geneva
Dubai – A group of six students from the German International School Dubai (DISD) were honored today at the prestigious H20 Summit at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Launched in 2018 by the G20 Health and Development Partnership, the H20 Summit is a global platform supporting the agendas of the G20 and G7, bringing together leaders and stakeholders to advance health and development priorities. DISD students were invited on stage this morning to present gifts to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In a deeply moving moment the students Lara Gutmann and Luca Erkol then delivered speeches that captured the urgency and passion of a new generation calling for global health equity. 'Listening to the voices of the future generation is vital to achieve health for all,' said Lara, reflecting on the DISD-hosted G20 youth simulation. 'We all deserve to live in good health, no matter the economic status of the country we call home.' Luca reinforced this message with a compelling appeal to G20 leaders: 'If global challenges are youth challenges, then global solutions must also be youth solutions,' he said. 'Global health – and youth health – is not just an agenda item; it is a commitment to all of the people not represented here… securing their future generations' right to dream.' The DISD student delegation was publicly commended in the opening keynote by South Africa's Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, who thanked them for their commitment and for hosting a Model G20 simulation on public health earlier this year in Dubai. 'I would also like to thank the students from the German International School Dubai… for their commitment in discussing and elevating the importance of global and public health for our future generations,' Dr. Motsoaledi said, highlighting their contribution in a video address to summit delegates. On May 8, DISD students took part in a G20 Simulation Workshop on Post-Pandemic Global Health, led by Hatice Küçük Beton, Executive Director of the G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership. Organized by their teachers Sitem Kolburan and Louisa Willgrass, the workshop allowed students to assume the roles of world leaders, debate pressing health challenges, and explore the complexity of global diplomacy. Key topics included pandemic preparedness, the marketing of unhealthy food to children, and sustainable healthcare. A video documenting the simulation, including student reflections and a statement from Hatice Beton on the importance of youth engagement, was selected for presentation at the H20 Summit. Hatice Beton said in the video 'I was surprised very positively. They were so energized and really had concrete ideas, … and I think they can really drive some impact with some of the ideas they came up with today.' In a remarkable development, the Health Minister expressed interest in reviewing the students' recommendations for potential inclusion in the official G20 agenda when world leaders gather in Johannesburg in November 2025. The students' proposal – presented as a Model G20 Leaders' Declaration - included initiatives such as: A Global Youth Health Fund to support education and healthy lifestyle campaigns. A youth for health program integrating health education into school systems, and mobile health clinics in underserved regions across Africa and Southeast Asia. 'This moment shows the true impact of youth-led dialogue,' said Sitem Kolburan, the students' class and English teacher of the German International School Dubai. 'We are incredibly proud of our students for representing DISD and the youth of the world with such clarity, courage, and conviction.' With this international recognition, DISD is eager to further amplify youth voices and expand engagement with local and global partners. The school welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with media to share this inspiring milestone in student-led leadership and diplomacy. Media Contact: Corinna Rösner Head of Marketing and Communications DISD - German International School Dubai |
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Fox News
At least 4 students injured in shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas
Police are searching for a suspect after four students were injured in a shooting Tuesday afternoon at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas. A 17-year-old was shot in the leg, according to reporting by FOX 4 Dallas. Two other students were shot and one was grazed, according to the report. Their ages range from 15 to 18. One of the victims has "serious injuries" and the others' injuries are not life-threatening, according to FOX 4. The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) said the school was "secured" in an update shared just after 2 p.m. Police said during a news conference the suspect was identified, but had not yet been taken into custody. Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins said someone "opened the door" to the suspect. The shooting happened at about 1:25 p.m., according to a statement from DISD. During the news conference, DISD Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde said an officer assigned to the school responded within two minutes, followed by additional law enforcement agencies. Parents and guardians were allowed to reunite with students at Eagles Stadium, which is adjacent to campus, according to the school district. All students were picked up by their families as of 6:40 p.m. "We understand this is a difficult time and ask for your patience," the district wrote in an X post. "Counselors are on site and available." Video showed a number of first responders, including police, firefighters and paramedics at the school. Elizalde said she spoke with Gov. Greg Abbott, who offered any resources the district needs. Abbott posted to X, saying "our hearts go out to the victims of the senseless act of violence at Wilmer-Hutchins High School." "We'll provide law enforcement the tools needed to arrest & bring the criminals to justice," he wrote. "… Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in praying for the victims' swift recovery and for the entire Wilmer-Hutchins High School community." Abbott added that since becoming governor, Texas has provided more than $3 billion in school safety funding. "This session, I am seeking an additional $500 million to further safeguard schools across the state," he wrote. There was a shooting at the high school nearly a year ago, prompting the use of metal detectors and clear backpacks, according to FOX 4. Wilmer-Hutchins High School will be closed for the remainder of the week, and additional officers will be stationed at other district schools, Elizalde said. DISD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
CBS News
11-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Dallas ISD reach agreement over transgender teens in girls' sports
The Dallas Independent School District and Attorney General Ken Paxton have agreed to make sure transgender teens aren't participating in girls' sports, the AG's office said on Friday. This comes weeks after Paxton questioned officials with Dallas ISD as part of an investigation into whether the district is violating state law by allowing transgender teen athletes to compete in girls' sports. "I urge all other school districts to fulfill their legal obligations to protect girls' sports and end any attempts to circumvent Texas law. Biological males have no place in girls' sports, and any Texas public schools doing otherwise will be held accountable," Paxton said. In February, Paxton requested an extensive list of documents from both DISD and Irving ISD after district officials were allegedly filmed, separately, telling parents that trans students could play in women's sports if the parents changed their birth certificates to "female." The AG's office argued that DISD's LGBT Youth Program Coordinator Mahoganie Gaston was filmed telling a parent that a trans student would be allowed to participate in girls' sports if the parent changed the birth certificate of their son to "female." The office also alleged she said that the district "find[s] the loopholes in everything" and that she is willing to go to jail for defying Texas law. Paxton's office said Gaston resigned amid the investigation. Dallas ISD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In October 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that banned trans women and girls in K-12 schools from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identities. It forces athletes to compete on teams on the basis of their "biological sex," or the sex that was "correctly stated" on their birth certificate, according to the text of the legislation . He signed the Save Women's Sports Act into law in June 2023 which bans trans athletes from participating in collegiate sports teams that match their gender identities. The bill included provisions that prevent trans athletes who have had their sex changed on their birth certificates from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identities by defining sex as what was "entered on or near the time of the student's birth," and only recognizes changes made to birth certificates that were done to correct a clerical error.
CBS News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas AG Ken Paxton presses Dallas ISD over alleged trans athlete law violations
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has formally requested to question officials with the Dallas Independent School District as part of an investigation into whether the district is violating state law by allowing transgender teen athletes to compete in girls' sports — and possibly encouraging students to change their birth certificates to do so. In February Paxton requested an extensive list of documents from both DISD and Irving ISD after district officials were allegedly filmed, separately, telling parents that trans students could play in women's sports if the parents changed their birth certificates to "female." The AG's office argues that DISD's LGBT Youth Program Coordinator Mahoganie Gaston was filmed telling a parent that a trans student would be allowed to participate in girls' sports if the parent changed the birth certificate of their son to "female." The office also alleges she said that the district "find[s] the loopholes in everything" and that she is willing to go to jail for defying Texas law. Irving ISD's Executive Director of Campus Operations Reny Lizardo was filmed informing a parent that a trans student could play in women's sports if the parents changed the student's birth certificate to "female," the AG's office claims. Paxton deposed Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde , LGBT Youth Program Coordinator Mahoganie Gaston and the members of the Board of Trustees. "School districts must follow the law, keep our children safe, and end these insane 'gender theory' policies that ignore reality and encourage illegal actions. ISD officials who have participated in this madness will be held accountable," Paxton said. "The systematic effort by Dallas ISD officials to circumvent Texas law will be exposed and stopped." Paxton has also demanded documents from Hutto and Richardson ISDs for allegedly violating state law by allowing trans athletes to participate in girls' sports. CBS News Texas has reached out to Dallas ISD for comment and is waiting for a response. In October 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that banned trans women and girls in K-12 schools from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identities. It forces athletes to compete on teams on the basis of their "biological sex," or the sex that was "correctly stated" on their birth certificate, according to the text of the legislation . He signed the Save Women's Sports Act into law in June 2023 which bans trans athletes from participating in collegiate sports teams that match their gender identities. The bill included provisions that prevent trans athletes who have had their sex changed on their birth certificates from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identities by defining sex as what was "entered on or near the time of the student's birth," and only recognizes changes made to birth certificates that were done to correct a clerical error.
