We’re pleased to announce that the 2026–2027 School Calendar has been officially approved! The calendar includes important dates for the upcoming school year—first and last days of school, holidays, teacher workdays, and major events.

You can now view and download the full calendar on our website. We’re excited for another year of learning, growth, and community together!

All high school athletes and families are invited to attend the end of the year all sports banquet, "For the Love of the Sport," on May 15, 2026, at 6:30pm at Concord Church. Enjoy the "Red Carpet" affair celebrating the accomplishments of our student athletes. High school athletes and coaches will attend free of charge. Additional tickets can be purchased for $25 per person. Please, students and coaches, be sure to RSVP by May 1, 2026, at the link below. For any questions, email Mrs. Curtique Simon at pac@bdcs.org.  

https://www.bdcs.org/fs/form-manager/view/dd6e3b09-6476-48cc-a56f-b3570f93107c

The first day of Lit Fest was incredible! Excellent presentations from our guest speaker, and terrific participation and creative expression from our Bishop Dunne scholars!  

On Tuesday, poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo kicked off Bishop Dunne’s 6th Annual Literary Festival with presentations in the morning and workshops in the afternoon. Joaquin, the inaugural Dallas Poet Laureate, is a former high school English teacher and a two-time World Poetry Slam champion. He has several books of poetry and multiple awards. His next book, Stand Up & Be Heard: Poems, Parables, and Prompts for Young Poets, will be available this month.  

Joaquin spoke about growing up in the barrio in East Dallas. Raised by his immigrant grandparents, Joaquin shared stories of his family, how he became a teacher and a poet, and both the obstacles and triumphs of competing as a slam poet. Joaquin now travels the country, sharing his poems and life story with students, encouraging them to find their voices, to pursue their education with diligence, and empowering them to do those things. 

After the presentations, Joaquin had lunch and an informal conversation with some students in the library. He talked to them about taking advantage of the many opportunities to qualify for scholarships for higher education, explaining what organizations often look for in those applications. He talked about his experience of working while going to college, but also about the various scholarships he received that helped. He advised students not only to pursue excellence in their academic studies, but to get involved in their school and their neighborhood, and to look for leadership opportunities wherever possible, as these are the things that will help them stand out. 

After lunch, in his workshop with middle school students, Joaquin guided them through a creative exercise called “Written All Over Your Face.” Students drew pictures of their own faces and helped draw their partner’s face, then they showed their peers the pictures before writing a poem around the drawing from Joaquin’s prompt. He asked them to write a poem beginning “I am…” followed by a metaphor that describes them. Students rose to the occasion, producing some amazing pieces quickly. Then several students shared their work with the group.  

In his workshop with high school students, “I Slam, Therefore I Am,” Joaquin put students in groups of four or five and gave them several slips of paper with words printed on them. Working together, students had to compose a poem using as many words as possible, laying them out to arrange their poems. They then created a few “wild card” slips with words of their own and continued their composition. Finally, some groups volunteered to perform, with each person reading a portion or reciting lines of their poem together. Joaquin emphasized throughout the value of peer mentorship in creative work. 

The Literary Festival committee would like to thank the administration, the generosity of foundation and sponsors, and the teachers for helping to make this possible. And we thank Joaquin Zihuatanejo for his generous gift of an entire day devoted to connecting with our students. 

Credit recovery is for students who did not earn 70 percent or above in a core subject (English, Math, Science, Theology/Religion, Social Studies). Students must make up credits through an online education program.  Please note, in order to return to Bishop Dunne next school year, all core class credits must be redeemed by August 3, 2026.  

Once final grades are confirmed on June 1, 2026, a more direct email will be sent with links and information on how to sign up for credit recovery courses. Registration must be completed by June 8, 2026. Please view the documents below for more information. 

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Damian McDonald, School Counselor, at dmcdonald@bdcs.org OR Mrs. Christine Voigt, Assistant Principal of Academics, at cvoigt@bdcs.org. 

​Credit Recovery Options.docx​ 

​Credit Recovery.docx 

Mark your calendars!!! All HS athletes and families are invited to attend the all sports banquet "For The Love Of The Sport" on May 15, 2026 at 6:30pm at Concord Church. Enjoy the "Red Carpet" affair celebrating the accomplishments of our student athletes. For any questions, email pac@bdcs.org.