big thought parent portal

What does big thought do?

We develop and deliver high quality programs to provide resources to communities with the greatest need. Our direct to youth programs include: Artivism, Creative Solutions, DaVerse, Thriving Minds and The Fellowship Initiative. Big Thought programs reach more than 14,000 students delivering more than 321,000 learning hours each year.

What programs does big thought offer to youth?

Our direct to youth programs include: Artivism, Creative Solutions, DaVerse, Thriving Minds and The Fellowship Initiative. Big Thought programs reach more than 14,000 students delivering more than 321,000 learning hours each year.

How many students does Bigbig thought reach?

Big Thought programs reach more than 14,000 students delivering more than 321,000 learning hours each year. We strategically connect partners and resources across the city to create learning systems such as Dallas City of Learning, Dallas County Promise Champions Initiative, Learning Partners and Library Out Loud.

What is Bigbig thought doing in Dallas?

Big Thought is honored to be part of a strong network of Learning Partners and to be leading efforts in Dallas to measure the impact of out of school time learning in partnership with SMU’s Center on Research and Evaluation.

What is Big Thought?

Big Thought designs, curates, and delivers HIGH IMPACT PROGRAMS that are built upon hands-on experiential learning. Because we understand the challenges youth in marginalized communities face, we embrace trauma-informed methodology.

What are the programs of Big Thought?

Our direct to youth programs include: Artivism, Creative Solutions, DaVerse, Thriving Minds and The Fellowship Initiative. Big Thought programs reach more than 14,000 students delivering more than 321,000 learning hours each year.

How many students does Big Thought have?

Big Thought Learning Systems reach over 137,000 students, delivering more than 3.7 million learning hours each year.

Who is Peter O'Donnell's daughter?

who passed away at the age of 97 on October 10, 2021. O’Donnell is survived by his daughters: Ann O’Donnell, Carol Kradolfer (Lyle),...

Begins August 2021

Parents of Thriving Minds After School campuses, if you’re looking for a place for your child to learn, create and grow after the school day ends, you’re in the right spot! Thriving Minds After School is a Big Thought program that provides elementary and middle school youth with after-school educational experiences on campus.

What do you focus on in the program?

Youth connect with their peers and use their imagination while building physical, cognitive and emotional strength. This time typically includes a snack and structured playtime with social and emotional learning themes.

What are the hours of the program?

The program begins immediately after school dismissal, and pick-up time is 6:00 p.m., following your school’s pick-up policy. Children will be escorted from their classroom to the Thriving Minds program location on their school campus by a member of the school or program staff.

Will any COVID-19 precautions be taken?

Big Thought staff and the facility have put enhanced health and safety protocols in place to keep everyone safe during this public health crisis. These protocols are outlined in the application.

Artivism

Artivism is where social justice activism meets art. This program allows teens to curate and create visual and performance productions consisting of multi-media art forms such as acrylic, charcoal, photography, videography and spoken word.

Creative Solutions

Creative Solutions is an arts-as-workforce intervention program for adjudicated youth, ages 10-17. Once juveniles are convicted of a crime, the opportunity gap widens exponentially, making it even more difficult for youth to chart their own path.

The Fellowship Initiative

The Fellowship Initiative is a leadership and college-readiness program for young men of color designed to help fellows acquire the skills, knowledge, experience, networks, and other resources they need to succeed academically and professionally through a three year-long mentorship program.

Thriving Minds

Thriving Minds is after school and summer programming for elementary and middle school aged youth that focuses on social and emotional learning, creative exploration and expression, and an inclusive learning environment, all tied to academic outcomes.

Dallas City of Learning

The program provides an out of school arts, culture and STEM learning system for grades K-12 that focuses on connecting youth with low- and no-cost learning experiences that cultivate creativity, build social and emotional skills and boost academic achievement.

Dallas County Promise Champions Initiative

The Promise Champions Initiative connects students with adult advocates to help them navigate the key steps during their senior year to help them pursue college.

Learning Partners

Learning Partners is a digital resource that provides educators access to thousands of high quality field trips that are easy to plan and offered at minimal cost to schools. These enrichment opportunities are provided to public educators for elementary youth.

What is the goal of Big Thought?

At Big Thought, one of our core goals is to empower youth to build your creative muscle. We do this in a variety of ways, but oftentimes this includes creating visual art forms. See some of the amazing work that learners just like you have created!

What does it mean to be a learner at Big Thought?

Being a learner at Big Thought means you will be empowered to achieve the greatness that already exists within you. Our programs are designed to help you imagine and create your best life and world.

Who is Christian from Creative Solutions?

Christian is a Creative Solutions student who worked with us for more than six years. Through the program, Christian found his voice, his platform and a way to harness his emotions in positive ways. HEAR HIS STORY. Your Stories. The learners of our Artivism program get to share stories in many creative ways.

What is Dallas ISD funding?

Through funding from the Dallas ISD Visual & Performing Arts and Teaching & Learning Departments, every elementary school in the district receives money for procurement of fine arts and art-infused programs experiences, as well as science and social studies infused programs provided by partners that are contracted through the Learning Partners program.

How to complete a wish list?

In order to complete a wish list item, you must fill out the Wish List item form with information such as provider, program name, format, time frame, allocation and more. View the form for exact requirements.

What is Big Thought?

Big Thought aims to help all young people maximize their full potential by designing, curating and delivering high impact programs that are built upon hands on experiential learning. Our programs offer our learners pathways to build relevant skills necessary to thrive today and in the future.

What does Big Thought do for learners?

We can reach more youth, improve our programs and better uplift our communities. Big Thought recognizes that for learners to thrive, they need more resources than traditional school programming can provide on its own.

What is learning partners?

Learning Partners is a coalition of Dallas community leaders that provides educators with access to pre-screened, curriculum aligned, high-quality programs to Dallas ISD elementary schools. Through Dallas ISD funding, every elementary school in the district receives funding for the procurement of fine arts and cultural activities in the classroom and on field trips.