Local schools get defibrillators: Texas Health Resources donated automated external defibrillators to 51 low-income schools throughout Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties. The AEDs are designed for people with no medical training; the machines give detailed instructions and analyze the heart rate to determine whether a shock is needed.

Austin College receives robotics grant: Austin College in Sherman was recently one of 28 high schools, colleges and universities in the nation to receive a grant to enhance its computer science curriculum with robotics technology. The grant was provided by the Institute for Personal Robots in Education and a gift from Microsoft Research.

Collin College, DBU sign agreement: Collin College and Dallas Baptist University signed a university pre-admission agreement, the Patriot Partner Program, which will give Collin College students the opportunity to get guaranteed transfer admission to DBU. Collin College students will also be able to use DBU's advising office, to ensure a seamless transfer of credits, as well as the university's library, fitness center, athletic events, scholarships and honors program while attending Collin College.

UTD childhood program accredited: The early childhood program at the University of Texas at Dallas' Callier Center for Communication Disorders has earned accreditation under a more rigorous system from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As of April 2008, the program was one of only 51 accredited centers in Dallas and one of the first 10 centers in Dallas County to be accredited using the new standards. The program offers care for children 6 weeks to 6 years old and is a collaboration between UT Southwestern and UT-Dallas.

Donation helps students: Kroger Food Stores helped local, disadvantaged students get a fresh start this school year by donating $100,000 in Payless Shoe Source gift cards to representatives from 27 schools as part of its Fresh Steps for Success program.

Imaging center to open Friday: The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the University of Texas at Arlington Optical Medical Imaging Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center will be Friday. Four laboratories in the Bill and Rita Clements Advanced Medical Imaging Building will be dedicated to UTA College of Engineering professors who are working on medical imaging projects.

Mace inaugurated at Mavs Meet: The University of Texas at Arlington inaugurated a "maverick" mace at the Mavs Meet Friday. The mace, a traditional element in academic processions, was designed and created by Texas State Artist and professor David Keens, with the assistance of metal art adjunct professor Fred Miller. The university's new mace is almost completely made of clear glass, and only upon close observation are the university's colors visible in glass below the round, etched-metal university seal. Surrounding the seal is a contemporary wreath design in transparent glass symbolizing the pursuit of higher education.

Donate school supplies in Collin: Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County needs new backpacks and school supplies at any of the organization's three Collin County locations in Plano, McKinney or Frisco by Wednesday. Items can be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Locations are at 6726 Main St., Suite 200 in Frisco, 214-387-8405; 1111 Ave. H in Plano, 972-424-6301; or 701 S. Church St. in McKinney, 972-542-1620, ext. 115.

UTD art exhibit scheduled: The University of Texas at Dallas School of Arts & Humanities presents the works of masters of fine arts candidates Jana Miller and Manuel Pecina through Sept. 13 in the Visual Arts Building, 800 W. Campbell Road in Richardson. An opening reception will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. 972-883-2111.

Volunteer chefs needed: The Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth needs volunteer chefs to teach low-income families how to eat healthy for less money. Chef volunteers can contact Micheline Hynes, program coordinator, at 817-332-9177, or visit www.tafb.org.

Collin exhibition starts today: Collin College's arts gallery will feature artist John Collier and some of his most famous works in a free show through Sept. 13. The gallery is at the Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano; gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.ccccd.edu/theartsgallery or call 972-881-5873.

Nominations for outstanding AP educators: Communities Foundation of Texas recently announced the creation of the O'Donnell Texas AP Teacher Award, which honors Advanced Placement educators in Texas public high schools. A teacher, administrator, AP student or parent of an AP student may submit nominations for the award – a cash prize of $30,000. Nominations for this year's award must be received by Friday. Contact Kelly Braswell at 214-750-4251 or kbraswell@cftexas.org.

Catholic Biblical School deadline nears: The University of Dallas School of Ministry is currently accepting applications for the Catholic Biblical School. Registration deadline is Friday. Classes begin Sept. 7. Visit www.udallas.edu/ ministry/cbs/.

Fashion art exhibited: The Art Institute of Dallas presents an exhibition of fashion illustrations by Korean fashion designer Soon Chun Park at the Pegasus Gallery, 8080 Park Lane, Suite 100, through Sept. 22. Visit www.artinstitutes.edu/dallas.

• Dr. Richard Sheardy, professor and chairman of the Texas Woman's University chemistry and physics department, has been elected a 2008-09 Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities Leadership Fellow by the National Fellowship Board of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement.

• Santosh D'Mello, a professor at University of Texas at Dallas, was recently awarded a $350,000 grant by the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke.

• Dan Burns of Dallas earned a book publishing contract with the University of North Texas Press and a $3,000 cash prize for his manuscript Wonderful Son, detailing his experiences raising an autistic son.

• The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute selected Joe Lucas Carreon, a junior at Southern Methodist University, to be among 31 university students from across the nation to participate in the organization's Congressional Internship Program.

• Natalie Waters, Highland Park High School's choir director, was presented with the Distinguished Young Director Award at the Texas Choral Directors Convention. The award is given to directors with five years' experience or less and consistent UIL sweepstakes awards, and who have distinguished themselves in the state.

• American Association of University Women Dallas Branch awarded scholarships to 10 recent Dallas ISD graduates: Katrina Caldwell, Melanie Calzada, Laura Campuzano, Edna Cartagena, Elizabeth Dominguez, Amber LaFrance, Sarah Murff, Samantha Nixon, Areli Arisai Pina and Arraya Sinlong.

• The Guide Right Foundation of Dallas and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. honored three 2008 high school graduates at its annual Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Scholarship Reception: Byron Bailey, Stephen Riser and Kadeem "Trey" Moss.

• Patresia Kezoh of Dallas received a $5,000 scholarship from Royal Neighbors of America, a nonprofit organization with a history of helping women and their families.

DISD launches parent hotline today: Dallas ISD will have a parent hotline to address school-related concerns beginning today, the first day of school. Parents can call 972-925-5437 for questions about enrollment, bus routes, reduced-price lunch applications, immunization requirements, school locations, hours and other school-related concerns. The hotline will operate in English and Spanish from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Tuesday and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday.

DISD summer graduation: DISD graduated 290 students at its summer school ceremony Saturday.

Parents to get district news: DISD parents and district employees will receive a new publication, Connections, to keep them informed about news and events happening in the district. The four-page newsletter, which will be printed in English and Spanish, was mailed to parents and district employees beginning Aug. 15. Subsequent issues will come in November, January, March and June.

DISD official to help 'No Child Left Behind': U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently announced the appointment of 16 members to the National Technical Advisory Council, part of the proposed regulations to strengthen No Child Left Behind. Denise Collier, DISD deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction/chief academic officer, will be a member of the panel.

Special education line: Dallas ISD's Special Education Department encourages parents whose children may need special education services and live in a Dallas ISD attendance zone to call one of the district's 24-hour Child Find referral phone numbers. The Child Find referral phone numbers are 972-581-4765 for assistance in English and 972-581-4764 for Spanish.

IMPORTANT DISD DATES:

• Today – School starts

• Sept. 1 – School holiday