Dixie Elementary School - Inspiring Excellence in Education for All

We are currently looking to fill a third grade teaching position at our campus. If you know of any passionate and qualified educators who may be interested, please encourage them to apply or reach out to me directly.

Thank you for helping us find the right fit for our students!

DRAGON FAMILY!! Our final new hire of the 2025-2026 school year is Mr. Jeremy Shelton. Coach Shelton-as he's commonly known-has served as a paraprofessional in the gym at Rice Elementary for the past two years.

This year, he will serve as an instructional paraprofessional for all of our Dragons. Coach Shelton has two boys of his own, and when he's not in spending time with them, he's busy coaching youth sports teams in our community.

Coach Shelton spends time the rest of his free time in the gym and fishing.

Please help welcome Coach Shelton to the Dixie TEAM!

DRAGONS!! We need your help welcoming our new KINDERGARTEN teacher!!

Ms. Franks will be a first year teacher this year at Dixie and teaching monolingual Kinder. Ms. Franks is married to her husband Aaron and recently welcomed their sweet baby girl, Finley Jo. They also share a dog, Cocoa.

When she's not in the classroom this year, you can catch Ms. Franks playing board games and spending time with those she loves. Fun fact: Ms. Franks is originally from Louisiana and is a LSU fan! Geuax Tigers!

Please be sure and welcome her to the FAM!!

DRAGONS, we have another new LEADER to welcome and celebrate for choosing THE Dixie Elementary as their school home. Ms. Esmeralda Suarez will be spending her second year of teaching in 1st grade at Dixie. She is the oldest of three sisters and has two cats and two horses. Outside of school, she enjoys reading and swimming. A fun fact about Ms. Suarez, her birthstone is the emerald which in Spanish, translates to Esmeralda! Welcome to the Dragon family, Ms. Suarez! We are so excited you chose us!

Happy Monday, DRAGONS!! Let's start our week off by welcoming Ms. Darleen Cortes to the family! She will be teaching 3rd grade bilingual math and science this year at Dixie. Ms. Cortes brings with her 14 years of classroom experience. She and her husband, Eleazar, share 5 yr old twins and a 3 yr old. When she's not in the classroom, she enjoys reading to her boys and watching them play soccer. She's also read the Harry Potter series more times than she can count! Welcome to Dixie, Ms. Cortes! We're so excited to call you ours!

Happy Thursday, DRAGONS!! Let's throw out a warm welcome to our new first grade bilingual teacher, Ms. Erica Moreno! Ms. Moreno comes to Dixie as a first year teacher with five years of instructional aide experience. Ms. Moreno shares life with her husband Ignacio, children, Liam and Arlett, and their pug, Taco-who I bet LOVES Dragons! When Ms. Moreno isn't spending time in the classroom, she enjoys shopping and organizing. We know Ms. Moreno is going to bring the family feel to Dixie this year, because she is one of twelve siblings. Please help welcome her to our Dixie family!

DRAGONS, we have another FABULOUS new Dixie Leader we want to welcome!! Ms. Laura Belmonte Ganan has 8 years of teaching experience and will be teaching 2nd grade Bilingual reading at Dixie. Ms. Belmonte Ganan is originally from Spain. When she's not killing it in the classroom, she enjoys working out, reading, and traveling. "I love reading as much as I love traveling — I always pack a book in my suitcase." We are so lucky to have you at Dixie and cannot wait to hear about all your travels! Welcome to Dragon Country!

DRAGONS! Let's give another warm welcome to a new Dixie LEADER for the 25-26 school year. Ms. Yazmine Sanchez has taught for two years and will be teaching 4th grade reading this year. She has an adorable pup, Boba and enjoys reading for pleasure in her free time. Ms. Sanchez also speaks FOUR languages and is investing in a motorcycle. Safe to say, Ms. Sanchez will bring a sense of adventure into her reading classroom this year! We are so excited to have you join us in the Dragon Den!! Welcome Ms. Sanchez!

DRAGONS! Help us welcome another one of our new LEADERS, Ms. Colleen Cardenas! Ms. Cardenas will be teaching Art at Dixie. Ms. Cardenas has 17 years of experience in education. She is married to her husband, Jorge and has two sons, Luca and Liam. When she's not creating magic in the art room, Ms. Cardenas enjoys photography and gardening. We know Ms. Cardenas was meant to be a DRAGON because her favorite color is GREEN! Welcome to Dixie Ms. Cardenas!!!

DRAGONS, help us find a new leader for the 25-26 school year!

DRAGONS! Help us welcome one of our new LEADERS, Ms. Asjah Boyd! Ms. Boyd will be teaching Kindergarten at Dixie. She has three children and three pups. When she's not rocking it in the classroom, Ms. Boyd enjoys gardening and visiting the Botanical Gardens. Fun Fact: Ms. Boyd is a Texas College Legacy! Go Steers! Welcome to Dixie Ms. Boyd!!!

Dixie Elementary Family, As you all know, I will be the principal at Caldwell Arts Academy for the upcoming school year. While I am excited for the opportunities ahead, this transition is one of the most difficult I’ve faced, because it means saying goodbye to a place—and people—I love deeply. Dixie has not just been my workplace; it has been my home. It has been a joy and a privilege to work alongside such dedicated staff, teach and learn with incredible students, and partner with supportive families who all share a passion for helping our children grow and thrive. The spirit, culture, strength, and sense of community at Dixie are truly one of a kind. I want each of you to know how much you have impacted my life. From the smallest classroom moments to the biggest school-wide celebrations, I will carry those memories with me always. You have taught me, inspired me, and reminded me daily of the power of kindness, resilience, and hope. Though I may not be on campus next year, please know that my heart will always be with you. I will always be a Dragon—cheering you on from near or far—and I am here for you, always. Thank you for the love, the trust, and the countless memories. Dixie Elementary will always be a part of me. With love and gratitude, Kimberly Simmons

Dixie ES: Kinder and 5th grade graduation is tonight at Caldwell Auditorium! Kindergarten graduation begins at 5:00pm. Students may begin arriving at 4:30pm. 5th grade graduation begins at 6:15. Students may start arriving at 5:45pm. Attire is formal. Students will not wear cap and gowns. We can't wait to celebrate with you all!

Dixie ES: We are geared up for the last week of school! Check out the events taking place this week! Monday: Kinder graduation at 5:00pm and 5th grade graduation at 6:15pm. Both will take place at Caldwell Auditorium. Tuesday: Pre-K graduation in the Dixie cafeteria at 9:00am. Friday: EARLY RELEASE DAY! Students will be dismissed at 12:30. Busses will be picked up by 1pm. There will be NO Boys and Girls Club.

Dixie: Please join us for a PTA meeting next Wednesday at 3:45 in the Library.

Dixie ES: Join us virtually for our talent show! Click the link below: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MmUyZDBkMDktYTVhZS00MjVlLTgwYjEtOTJmZWRhN2IxZWZj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22cfda2b7b-2c76-40e3-81a2-1f84b7b86f20%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22113227c2-6eb4-4324-b252-2ab22c552422%22%7d

Dixie ES: Happy Monday! We have a lot of fun things coming up! Check out the reminders below. -Tomorrow is Field Day. Students will be able to purchase snacks. The price menu is attached. Each grade level will wear their field day shirts or the assigned color. PK/Kinder: Pink , 1st: Green, 2nd: Yellow, 3rd: Purple, 4th: Red, 5th: Blue, Life Skills: Blue -Kinder and 5th Grade graduation is May 19th at Caldwell Auditorium. Kinder begins at 5:00 and 5th grade begins at 6:15. -Pre- K graduation is May 20th at 9:00am in the cafeteria. Click the link to pre-register. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMrle3Lty8tVCfvnnqGDZiBtQpwMm18vblYtLwn1Y6Y0VjKA/viewform?usp=sharing -The talent show is May 19th! Parents are free to watch virtually. The link is below. https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MmUyZDBkMDktYTVhZS00MjVlLTgwYjEtOTJmZWRhN2IxZWZj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22cfda2b7b-2c76-40e3-81a2-1f84b7b86f20%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22113227c2-6eb4-4324-b252-2ab22c552422%22%7d

Dixie ES: Happy Friday! Click the link for this week's newsletter! https://www.canva.com/design/DAGm437R1vQ/_P8wkN_r_0ND1iHUQFXmzg/view?utm_content=DAGm437R1vQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h64b03615ed

Dixie ES: Please join us for our annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration today from 5:30-7:00pm!

Dixie ES: Please join us for our annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration tomorrow, May 8th from 5:30-7:00pm!