The Plano community vibrated with captivating melodies, soft vocals, and moving dances on May 11th as the "Zhang Chen Art School Ninth Annual Performance 2024" took center stage. Under Mrs. Zhang Chen's expert direction, singers, dancers, and musicians showcased their exquisite skills and unique styles, adding a vibrant touch to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The evening kicked off with a video reviewing the nine years of teaching at Zhang Chen Art School, which touched everyone in the audience. The stage design and lighting effects transported the audience to a dreamlike world, enhancing each song, dance, and piano performance. Thunderous applause followed every act, leaving everyone eager for the next one.

A Celebration of Collaboration

Heartfelt thanks go to Junxi Xu, President of the ACAES - ZCAS (Asian Cultural And Education Society - Zhang Chen Art School) Chapter, and his dedicated team. Their leadership and tireless efforts in organizing the concert, including planning and securing a volunteer support team, were invaluable. Mrs. Zhang Chen extends her gratitude to all performers and volunteers who contributed to the event's success.

Serving the Community

This free, public performance exemplified Zhang Chen Art School's commitment to enriching Plano's cultural and artistic landscape. It was both well-supported and received with resounding applause!

Building the Future

Jan Xie, President of the Asian Cultural and Educational Society (ACAESUSA), congratulated Zhang Chen Art School on the success of their annual performance. She also commended the newly formed ACAES - ZCAS Chapter. 

"We are fortunate to have such a dedicated Chapter of youth promoting Asian culture through singing, dancing, and piano playing, all while serving the community," said Jan Xie. "This year's President, Junxi Xu, displayed exceptional leadership and dedication. We wish Zhang Chen Art School continued success in nurturing artistic talent!"

A full list of performers and volunteers who participated in this benefit event will be provided below.

Link for larger pictures available here

Junxi Xu, Jianhui Wang, Qin Mingxia, Jefferson Li, Yu Jin, Wenya Hu, Samuel Yin, Rouxuan Wang, Liya Wang,  Nicholas Du, Kayla Zhang, Nikila Rajan, Milin Chen, Wilson Tang,  Kristen Chen, Bohan Xuan, Muffie Tian, Emily Wang, SummerYang, Weili Lin, Yuhan Pang, Ruyi Zhang, Jessie Wang, Kate Huang, Mina Young, Kunlu Wang, Melody Xia, Hansen Chen, Oliver Wang, Nathan Chen, Logan Tian, Zoe Chen, Victoria, Grace Fan, Cihan Chen, Hailin Wang, Ava Xia, Nora Ma, Anya Hu, Luna Ding, Evan Chen, Elizabeth Sue, Yiyi Wang, Emma Wang, Andy Han, Luna Ding, Lucas Ding, Yulian Lin, Angela, Lucas Chen, Jodie Lin, Alvin Fang, Anxin Dai, Andy Han,Anna Zhang, Jeremy Wang, Seraphina Li, Le Xing, Xin Tong, Jiaqi Zhao, Julian Liu, Edric Yan, Emily You, Summer Yang, Jodie Lin, Li Li, Angela Jian, Daniel Huang, Ciyun, Chen Zhang and Jan Xie.

DALLAS--May 8, 2024

Dallas Lutheran School is pleased to announce the board of directors has hired Betsy Graham as Head of School for the north Dallas High School and Middle School.

Graham is currently the principal of the kindergarten-8^th grade school at Prince of Peace Christian School in Carrollton where she has served for 22 years.

“We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Betsy Graham as our new head of school to lead our school,” said Rick Myers, President, DLS Board of Directors.

Graham, who has a Masters of Education (M. Ed) is an experienced educator who has been a critical part of the leadership team at Prince of Peace for 11 years, leading up to 450 students and over 45 staff members at a time. Recently, she was nominated by the POPCS staff to receive the Texas District Educator of the Year Award.

She plans to have a detailed and innovative approach to the development of the people, programs, and places that make up Dallas Lutheran.

“What stands out to me about Dallas Lutheran is what I thought was a catchphrase, turned out to be completely legitimate—Lion’s Pride. Everyone absolutely loves this school, and I am thrilled to join a dedicated team that is embracing the heritage of nearly 50 years of ministry, building on the past to create a great future that will impact eternity,” Betsy Graham, Head of School, Dallas Lutheran School.

Graham previously also served on the board of the Texas Institute for Teacher Education. She completed her B.S. in Education at Concordia University—Wisconsin in 2001, and her M. Ed at the University of North Texas in 2008.

“Betsy Graham is the perfect person to lead our school. She has all of the qualities we wanted in a new leader for our school. We have been so impressed with Betsy from the first time we spoke with her and all throughout the process of getting to know her as a strong leader,” said Mark Couser, DLS Board Member and Head of the Call Committee

Dallas Lutheran suffered damage to its classrooms and administrative buildings during the tornado that hit the school’s campus in 2019. Since then, the school has been serving students in portable buildings as they have undergone a capital campaign to raise the money necessary to rebuild.

The current graduation class of 45 students were 8^th graders when the tornado hit. Graham’s first goal will be to rebuild the admission pipeline through innovative scholarship offerings and new academic vigor including STEM and AP classes at nearby Dallas College in Richardson.

It is a difficult assignment but one that Graham is ready for.

“I am ready to hit the ground running at DLS. We are truly blessed to have an incredible staff of loving and nurturing teachers who truly care for and invest in our student/staff relationships. And, we have a dialed-in and supportive parent teacher organization that invests in our school annually. Working with our board, I am confident that together, we will get through this situation and look forward to breaking ground on our new building in the coming year,” said Graham.

Dallas Lutheran will begin its 49^th year of serving the families of north Dallas this August.

About Dallas Lutheran School

Founded in 1974, classes began in 1976 for the 7^th through 12^th grade private secondary school that provides a personalized, student-focused, and Christ-centered learning environment. More than 2,000 alumni have graduated from the north Dallas school. Dallas Lutheran School has full state accreditation in Texas through the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) and nationally through the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA.). Over 2,000 Lutheran schools serve nearly 200,000 students taught by 20,000 educators. Dallas Lutheran School is located at 8494 Stults Road, Dallas, Texas 75214.  For more information, visit www.dallaslutheranschool.com.

Family Compass, the only agency in North Texas solely dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, is delighted to announce that the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded the organization a grant of $10,000 dedicated to Families First.

The Families First seminar is court-mandated to help divorced or separated parents and other caregivers understand the effects of their situation on their children. Parents learn to promote positive parenting and to successfully co-parent with longevity, for the emotional health of their children. Family Compass is licensed to provide this seminar by the national organization. Thanks to scholarship funding included in the generous Texas Bar Foundation grant, all participant fees are covered through the end of May 2025. Individuals in need of services may register free of charge at family-compass.org/families-first.

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $27 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation. For more information about the Texas Bar Foundation, visit txbf.org.

About Family Compass

Family Compass is a non-profit agency that believes that every child has the fundamental right to a healthy family and environment, the opportunity to succeed in school and the capacity to experience life without violence, abuse or neglect. The mission of Family Compass is to build healthy families and a strong North Texas community by preventing child abuse and neglect. This is accomplished through two home mentoring programs and community-based, educational programs for families that have elevated risk for child abuse. All programs are evidence-based, voluntary and free of charge. In 2023 alone, the agency kept 717 high-risk children out of the overburdened CPS system and safe in their homes, which according to the CDC costs $831,000 per case of child abuse and neglect to address, resulted in a $596-million-dollar savings for the community.

Moving to a new home can be an exciting but stressful time. Amidst the chaos of packing boxes and coordinating logistics, it's important not to forget about the impact your move can have on your neighbors. Being a considerate neighbor during the moving process is not only the right thing to do, but it can also help maintain positive relationships in your community. In this article, we will explore some essential moving etiquette tips to ensure a smooth and respectful transition for everyone involved.

1. Give Notice

One of the first steps in being a considerate neighbor during a move is to provide ample notice. Inform your neighbors about your moving plans well in advance, preferably a few weeks before the actual moving day. This will give them time to prepare for any potential disruptions and make necessary arrangements on their end.

2. Communicate Parking Needs

Moving trucks and vehicles can take up a significant amount of space, potentially causing inconvenience for your neighbors. To avoid any parking conflicts, communicate your parking needs with your neighbors beforehand. If possible, reserve parking spaces or provide alternative suggestions to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the move.

3. Be Mindful of Noise

Moving involves a lot of noise, from the sound of boxes being shuffled to the constant opening and closing of doors. While it may be unavoidable, try to minimize excessive noise during early mornings, late evenings, or other times when your neighbors might be resting or working from home. Being mindful of noise levels demonstrates your consideration for their peace and quiet.

4. Protect Common Areas

If you live in an apartment building or a shared community, it's crucial to protect common areas during your move. Take extra care not to damage walls, floors, or elevators while moving furniture and boxes. Use protective coverings and padding where necessary to prevent any accidental damage. Cleaning up any mess promptly is also a considerate gesture towards your neighbors.

5. Offer Assistance

Moving can be physically demanding, and a helping hand can make a world of difference. If you notice your neighbors struggling with heavy items or could use some assistance, offer to lend a hand. Acts of kindness like this not only foster a sense of community but also show your neighbors that you value their well-being.

6. Follow Local Regulations

Different neighborhoods and communities may have specific regulations or guidelines regarding moving. Familiarize yourself with these rules and ensure that you adhere to them. This may include obtaining necessary permits, adhering to designated moving hours, or following specific routes for moving trucks. By respecting these regulations, you demonstrate your commitment to being a responsible neighbor.

7. Express Gratitude

Once you have completed your move, take the time to express gratitude to your neighbors for their understanding and patience. A simple thank-you note or a small gesture of appreciation can go a long way in maintaining positive relationships with those around you.

Being a considerate neighbor during the moving process is essential for a harmonious community. By giving notice, communicating parking needs, being mindful of noise, protecting common areas, offering assistance, following local regulations, and expressing gratitude, you can ensure a smooth and respectful transition for both yourself and your neighbors. Remember, a little consideration goes a long way in fostering a positive living environment.

Premier Designs & Moving specializes in moving services, art installation, and packing and organization. For the past 5 years, Premier Designs & Moving have been securing your valuables and moving them with ease, handling your objects with care, and packing and unpacking your assets so you can focus on the more important aspects of moving. All our packing services are designed to make your move efficient and streamlined. We’re not just any residential moving service, we pride ourselves on providing you with the service you expect from our name. For the best home movers in Dallas, TX, call Premier Designs & Moving at (469) 859-5454.