In this edition:

Deputy Superintendent Announces 2021-22 Teaching Platform Details | FWISD District Advisory Committee Voting Ends Friday | What You Need To Know About Parents As Teachers | WHHS Senior Newest TCU Scholarship Recipient | DHJ Soccer Celebrated For Historic Season | Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher Of The Year Finalist Mary McKinnie | Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher Of The Year Finalist Casey Kirchner | Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher Of The Year Finalist Vanida Chanthaphone | Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher Of The Year Finalist Brigit Lopez | Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher Of The Year Finalist Angela Ferguson | Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher Of The Year Finalist Ann-Denise Anderson | The Bookmobile Is On The Road Again To Promote Full-Day Pre-K And Kindergarten In Fort Worth ISD | Forum Introduces Exciting New Learning Opportunities At J. Martin Jacquet MS | Aiming For Success : FWISD’s TABS Named Finalist for GreatSchools College Success Award | Bright Spots -- Oakhurst Elementary School: Emphasizing attendance key to student success at Oakhurst | FWISD Announces Recent Retirees | Food Available At Multiple Sites For FWISD Families, Community | Inside FWISD News Briefs | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Community Resources | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

Deputy Superintendent Announces 2021-22 Teaching Platform Details

Editor's Note: In the following memorandum, Deputy Superintendent Karen C. Molinar shares this important details regarding teaching platforms for the 2021-22 school year.

FWISD District Advisory Committee Voting Ends Friday

Fort Worth ISD employees have until Friday to vote for District Advisory Committee (DAC) members in their respective peer groups.

Votes can be cast here. Employees may only vote once for candidates in their respective peer groups. For example, an elementary teacher may only vote once for Places 1-4.

Peer groups on the ballot include elementary teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, at-large non-teaching staff, elementary campus administrator, middle school campus administrator and high school campus administrator.

The DAC is a 21-member group that meets four to six times a year advising the superintendent and Board of Education on educational plans, goals, performance objectives, and major classroom instructional programs. The committee annually evaluates the District’s academic progress and assists staff in making appropriate changes in the District Educational Improvement Plan, according to FWISD Policy and Planning officials.

The committee includes representatives from the District’s professional staff, parents with children enrolled in the FWISD, and business and community partners. Terms on the committee are two years.

Have additional DAC questions? Contact Dr. Amanda Coleman, director of Board policy, governance and strategic support/elections officer in the Policy and Planning Department at 817-814-1956 or email amanda.coleman@fwisd.org.

Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Mary McKinnie, Jo Kelly School

The Fort Worth ISD, with the generous support of longtime community partner, Central Market, recognizes 10 outstanding teachers this spring as the District Teacher of the Year finalists.

The 10 finalists are being recognized for rising to the many challenges of teaching in the middle of a global health crisis. These educators come from a variety of teaching fields and backgrounds, but they have critical characteristics in common: each finalist is an expert at pivoting back and forth between virtual and in-person learning; is a problem solver; leads others in innovation; and makes a positive difference across their campus.

The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at a special virtual reveal event May 4. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will each receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.

On a recent spring morning, Mary McKinnie’s principal and colleagues at Jo Kelly School surprised Mary with the news she was a finalist. Mary has taught seven years and knew from an early age she wanted to work with students with special needs. She has a strong desire to serve others and help students succeed.

Learn more about Mary in this video.

Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Casey Kirchner, Paschal High School

The Fort Worth ISD, with the generous support of longtime community partner, Central Market, recognizes 10 outstanding teachers this spring as the District Teacher of the Year finalists.

The 10 finalists are being recognized for rising to the many challenges of teaching in the middle of a global health crisis. These educators come from a variety of teaching fields and backgrounds, but they have critical characteristics in common: each finalist is an expert at pivoting back and forth between virtual and in-person learning; is a problem solver; leads others in innovation; and makes a positive difference across their campus.

The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at a special virtual reveal event May 4. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will each receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.

On a recent spring day, Casey Kirchner’s principal and colleagues at Paschal School surprised Casey with the news she was a finalist. Casey creates a learning environment where students feel safe, and she challenges students with high academic standards for success. This combination helps Casey connect with her students.

Learn more about Casey in this video.

Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Vanida Chanthaphone, William Monnig Middle School

The Fort Worth ISD, with the generous support of longtime community partner, Central Market, recognizes 10 outstanding teachers this spring as the District Teacher of the Year finalists.

The 10 finalists are being recognized for rising to the many challenges of teaching in the middle of a global health crisis. These educators come from a variety of teaching fields and backgrounds, but they have critical characteristics in common: Each finalist is an expert at pivoting back and forth between virtual and in-person learning; is a problem solver; leads others in innovation; and makes a positive difference across their campus.

The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at a special virtual reveal event May 4. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will each receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.

On a recent spring morning, Vanida Chanthaphone’s principal and colleagues at William Monnig Middle School surprised Vanida with the news she was a finalist. Vanida loved school as a student and loves it today as a teacher. Her goal is to make a difference by being a mentor, advocate and cheerleader for her students.

Learn more about Vanida in this video.

Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Brigit Lopez, Western Hills Primary School

The Fort Worth ISD, with the generous support of longtime community partner, Central Market, recognizes 10 outstanding teachers this spring as the District Teacher of the Year finalists.

The 10 finalists are being recognized for rising to the many challenges of teaching in the middle of a global health crisis. These educators come from a variety of teaching fields and backgrounds, but they have critical characteristics in common: Each finalist is an expert at pivoting back and forth between virtual and in-person learning; is a problem solver; leads others in innovation; and makes a positive difference across their campus.

The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at a special virtual reveal event May 4. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will each receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.

On a recent morning, Brigit Lopez’s principal at Western Hills Primary School surprised Brigit with the news she was a finalist. Brigit has taught five years and takes on extra projects to help enhance her school’s culture. As a physical education teacher, Brigit enjoys a unique opportunity to build relationships with each student on campus.

Learn more about Brigit in this video.

Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Angela Ferguson, Lowery Road Elementary School

The Fort Worth ISD, with the generous support of longtime community partner, Central Market, recognizes 10 outstanding teachers this spring as the District Teacher of the Year finalists.

The 10 finalists are being recognized for rising to the many challenges of teaching in the middle of a global health crisis. These educators come from a variety of teaching fields and backgrounds, but they have critical characteristics in common: Each finalist is an expert at pivoting back and forth between virtual and in-person learning; is a problem solver; leads others in innovation; and makes a positive difference across their campus.

The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at a special virtual reveal event May 4. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will each receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.

On a recent spring day, Angela Ferguson’s principal at Lowery Road Elementary School surprised Angela with the news she was a finalist. Angela has taught 18 years and one of the secrets to her success is developing student relationships based on trust and respect. Students remain in touch with Angela years after they leave elementary school.

Learn more about Angela in this video.

Fort Worth ISD Introduces 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Ann-Denise Anderson, Polytechnic High School

The Fort Worth ISD, with the generous support of longtime community partner, Central Market, recognizes 10 outstanding teachers this spring as the District Teacher of the Year finalists.

The 10 finalists are being recognized for rising to the many challenges of teaching in the middle of a global health crisis. These educators come from a variety of teaching fields and backgrounds, but they have critical characteristics in common: Each finalist is an expert at pivoting back and forth between virtual and in-person learning; is a problem solver; leads others in innovation; and makes a positive difference across their campus.

The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at a special virtual reveal event May 4. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will each receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.

On a recent spring morning, Ann-Denise Anderson’s principal and colleagues at Polytechnic High School surprised Ann-Denise with the news she was a finalist. Ann-Denise knew as early as Kindergarten that she wanted to be a teacher. She followed through on that calling and today she has built a community of learners at her school.

Learn more about Ann-Denise in this video.

The Bookmobile Is On the Road Again to Promote Full-Day Pre-K and Kindergarten in Fort Worth ISD

Easy Online Registration Underway

Another successful week of engaging parents and promoting full-day Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten is in the books. And do you want to know what we’ve learned?

Early childhood enrichment and the Fort Worth ISD Bookmobile is a partnership made in paradise.

So, by popular demand, we’re keeping our little bus on the road – this time traveling to local schools, community centers, and places of worship. If you see us at a “pop-up” event, stop by for goodies or to ask a question. We’d love to hear from you!

Below are upcoming dates and locations for the week of May 2:

May 3: 6– 7:30 p.m. Como Leadership Academy 4000 Horne, 76107

May 4: 8– 11 a.m. Altamesa Church of Christ 4600 Alta Mesa, 76133

May 5: 3:15- 5 p.m. Rufino Mendoza ES 1412 Denver, 76164

May 6: 3- 6 p.m. John T. White Leadership Academy 7300 John T. White Rd., 76120

May 7: 8– 11 a.m. Como Community Center 4660 Horne, 76107

May 8: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mitchell Blvd. Leadership Academy 3601 Mitchell Blvd., 76105

Fort Worth ISD Pre-K and Kindergarten provides room, literally and figuratively, to inspire every student to be supported physically, mentally and emotionally.

Registration is currently open. To learn more about our early childhood programs, visit www.fwisd.org/prek.

Forum Introduces Exciting New Learning Opportunities at J. Martin Jacquet MS

FWISD Board of Education Trustee Quinton “Q” Phillips, Superintendent Kent P. Scribner, Earl Martin Phalen, and others recently shared information about exciting new learning opportunities and resources coming to students at J. Martin Jacquet Middle School in an online forum.

Beginning next fall, Jacquet will enter an exciting new partnership with Phalen Academy. This new collaboration will result in extra learning opportunities, including tutoring, extended days, and access to more community resources. The school, which will be renamed the Phalen Leadership Academy at J. Martin Jacquet Middle School, will continue to honor the legacy of Mr. Jacquet as well as the traditions of the Dunbar “Wildcat” community.

Learn about the coming attractions to Jacquet in this video.

Aiming for Success

FWISD’s TABS Named Finalist for GreatSchools College Success Award

Fort Worth ISD’s Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences prides itself on taking a hands-on approach at ensuring its students are ready for college success.

It’s an approach that’s not going unnoticed. TABS is a finalist for 2021 GreatSchools’ Gold College Success Award. GreatSchools, a national nonprofit that offers school data and parenting resources for families searching for the right school or home school support, awards its College Success Award to public high schools demonstrating a successful multi-year track record in helping students enroll and succeed in college.

GreatSchools factors “school-level data” on college preparation, enrollment, and performance, and schools succeeding in supporting low-income students into its College Success Award decisions, according to GreatSchools.org. For more on the College Success Award, click here.

“The College Success Award recognized a small percentage of schools that have shown success in preparing and getting students to college. The key recognition here is that TABS students have also show success in college,” said David Saenz, FWISD chief of innovation. “In 2020, this award was given to only 2,158 schools. That represents 21% of schools that are eligible nationwide."

Staying on track in a pandemic

It’s no secret that the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly impacted students academically.

TABS officials are fully aware of the challenges and continue to do what they must to ensure their students stay on track academically.

Counselors meet with students in person or virtually for check-ins to see that students are still on track with their degree plans. They also make home visits to students, providing food baskets and other necessities to keep them motivated.

Teachers provide academic support during virtual office hours.

“It’s a work in progress, and what we tried yesterday, we’re trying something new today. We’re asking our teachers to look face to face at students through virtual meets rather than more of an asynchronous model,” Mr. Henson said. “At least that touching base, even if students are doing their work asynchronously, there’s an interaction student to student and an interaction with teacher and student. Our recent goal is to connect more with students through virtual meetings rather than asynchronously.”

Easing into college

Freshmen who arrive at TABS are not thrown into the deep end of the college pool but wade into college waters their first year taking classes such as Brainology. The course teaches study techniques, how to practice for a test and how the brain learns best, said Kathy Elliott, a TCC adjunct professor and TABS Brainology teacher.

“We ask a lot of these kids. We ask them to take college classes and high school classes at the same time, and they take eight classes,” she said. “Most college students I know take maybe 15 hours [five classes] a semester.

“My job as the ninth grade Brainology teacher is just to try to get them to see that they can learn and that they can do it. Then, they can be successful [going] into these other years where they have many classes knowing that they can do it.”

The school operates on the Tarrant County College—Trinity River campus, and is home to approximately 360 students, more than 60% of which come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. TABS offers students a rigorous curriculum in a college setting that prepares them for advanced studies and careers in biomedical sciences while taking high school and college courses simultaneously.

By sophomore year, students are interacting more with other TCC students and professors.

“It provides them with a lot of responsibility. We entrust them with a lot of freedom on this campus going and transitioning from class to class and interacting with more of an adult student base,” said Andy Smith, TABS assistant principal. “They see college students and their preparation and the way they are interacting with some of their professors doing their class work and [TABS] students take those characteristics and apply them with their own learning here at TABS.”

Mr. Henson said the school does a good job at “front-loading some of the more difficult college classes by hitting material from several different angles.”

“They take classes that support them for two to three years down the road for college courses,” he said. “What they do learn, they learn very well, and it’s repeated often at TABS.”

Students attending TABS may complete high school with their diploma, up to 60 transferable college credit hours, a two-year associate degree from TCC tuition free and certifications in biomedical science, central sterilization technician, patient care technician or pharmacy technician.

“TABS was FWISD’s second Early College High School. It was also unique as it focused on the biomedical sciences through a strong STEM focus,” Mr. Saenz said. “A student graduating from TABS and going to a 4 – year university will likely enter as a college Junior at the age of 18. The course work itself is designed to challenge students in high school with a college curriculum while providing scaffolded supports usually present in a high school setting.”

Positive culture fuels TABS success

The greatest contributor to student success at TABS is the positive culture, Mr. Henson says. Creating an environment of achievement and support is unique at TABS, he said.

“I think that’s started by the teachers, the office staff,” Mr. Henson said. “There’s an expectation that anyone who works here is going to really care about kids and be there as a resource for those students, and TABS does that very well.”

Teachers and office staff know each student by name and make it their business to help students achieve.

“There’s a very hands-on approach with students at TABS, and teachers take it personally when students aren’t successful,” Mr. Smith said. “They make sure that they do everything they can to help that student be successful while they’re here.”

Teachers offer individual and small group tutoring, giving of their time whenever they can to help students succeed, Mr. Henson said.

TABS administrators say that intentional planning goes into helping students be successful before they ever step foot on campus by looking at where they are academically and creating a plan based on that knowledge which allows students to complete their time at TABS successfully.

When it’s identified that a student may be falling behind, quality Tier 1 instruction comes into play. As necessary, teachers reteach materials, providing students with an opportunity to show understanding or ask questions.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education named TABS a National Blue Ribbon School. The distinction recognizes public and private schools with high student achievement and or highlights where exemplary progress has been made in closing achievement gaps.

Pre-pandemic, TABS biology students received tutoring from University of North Texas Health Science Center students after school. College students from UNTHSC and TCC serve as mentors and tutors to TABS students, meeting with them two to three times weekly. TABS upperclassmen also serve as mentors to underperforming underclassmen.

TABS students also have access to the TCC writing, science and mathematics labs for help.

Graduates of TABS continue their studies at four-year colleges – some with full scholarships – and some go on to pursue pharmacy and surgical careers.

TABS -- an Early College High School -- is a 2019 and 2020 Gold College Success Award recipient, and school officials are hoping this year is no different. GreatSchools generally announces College Success Award winners in October.

Bright Spots: Oakhurst Elementary School

Emphasizing attendance key to student success at Oakhurst

The staff of Oakhurst Elementary has tackled the challenges of attendance head on, stressing the advantages of being in school and staying engaged either in person or virtually. That commitment rings true throughout the campus and community.

“We have consistent and open communication with our families concerning attendance issues,” Oakhurst Principal Guadalupe Cortez said. “We are grateful to have additional community partners to support us with home visits for students who have persistent absences. We also reiterate to our families the educational value and benefits associated with being on time, as well as present.”

Ms. Cortez has served as Oakhurst principal since 2011 and started in Fort Worth ISD in 1997. She’s a proud product of FWISD, and prior to joining Oakhurst was a teacher, literacy coach and math coach at Sam Rosen Elementary, and an Assistant Principal at W.J. Turner Elementary.

Keeping an open mind and remaining sensitive to the needs of Oakhurst families during the pandemic has proven to be a daunting task, Ms. Cortez said. Many of families are focused on their basic needs and survival, with school attendance not always a top priority, she added.

Oakhurst’s challenges include engaging virtual students and increasing parental engagement among virtual students. The state mandates that virtual students meet their academic goals.

“To address these issues, we have conducted home visits and provided multiple resources to address the barriers which are impeding attendance,” Ms. Cortez said. “We have strongly encouraged parents of virtual students who are not engaged to return to in-person instruction as soon as possible, so that academic expectations are met.”

Oakhurst is supported by MHMR’s outreach team as a part of Read Fort Worth’s Porch Visits collaborative, an initiative that connects community partners and volunteers with families to promote FWISD attendance and enrollment, along with additional support. Porch Visits began last summer when volunteers visited around 1,000 students’ homes to provide resources and promote enrollment. Volunteers also delivered backpacks with grade-level appropriate instructional activities to students.

Ms. Cortez believes that good attendance is vital to student success because students must be present to receive instruction. Analysis of 2020-21 MAP Growth data for FWISD 3rd grade students shows that students with higher attendance rates outperformed their peers with lower attendance rates on literacy achievement.

Students with higher attendance rates outperformed their peers with lower attendance rates, according to MAP Growth 3rd Grade Reading for 2020-21.

Oakhurst teachers and staff constantly remind students to come to school every day. They also offer incentives and celebrate students for excellent attendance throughout the year. Ms. Cortez and her staff have worked diligently to create a positive atmosphere for learning that students want to be a part of.

“Students enjoy the hands-on lessons that our teachers prepare,” Ms. Cortez said. “We have built trusting relationships amongst students, staff and families. Our school is considered a safe place for many of our students. Students also enjoy the social interaction with their peers.

“Lastly, I dare say that the vast majority of our teachers perceive teaching as more than a ‘job’ but rather a calling or vocation. We have built and maintain a community whereby a high percentage of our staff bring their own children to be educated by their peers. If it wasn’t a healthy learning environment, they wouldn’t bring them to Oakhurst.”

FWISD ANNOUNCES RECENT RETIREES

The following Fort Worth ISD employee recently retired, according to Human Capital Management:

• Stanley Jackson, bus driver, Transportation Central- 17 years

Follow COVID-19 updates from the City of Fort Worth at fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/

District Math Bee, April 29

School Principals Day, May 1

General Elections, May 1

Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7

Teacher Appreciation Day, May 4

Over the Overdoses live training regarding the fentanyl impact on students, May 4

Teacher Appreciation Day, May 4

STAAR Testing, May 4-7

Elementary Teacher Career Fair, May 6

National School Nurses Day, May 6

National Nurses Week, May 6-12

School Lunch Hero Day, May 7

End of Fifth Six Weeks, May 7

Mother's Day, May 9

Start of Sixth Six Weeks, May 10

School Nurse Day, May 12

STAAR Testing, May 11-14

Report Cards Go Out, May 14

Share your story ideas, successes, calendar items, photos, questions and feedback with us at Inside@FWISD.org. Content submissions are due no later than 10 a.m. Fridays for the next edition. Check the Inside FWISD blog, www.fwisd.org/insidefwisd, regularly updated throughout the week with additional content and features.