Inside FWISD

Inside FWISD May 21, 2020

In this edition:

Fort Worth ISD Asks Stakeholders To Help Shape the Future: Reshaping 2020-21: The Fort Worth ISD Online Learning and School Calendar Survey | FWISD Issues Update On Employee Vacation, Non-Duty Days: Update Impacts 240-Day Or More Employees | FWISD Closed Memorial Day | ‘Meals To Go’ Distribution Dates Modified for Memorial Day Observance | FWISD Accepts Summer School Teacher Applications | ConnectED Teacher Conference Goes Online: Teachers Earn FLEX Hours For Participating | FWISD Announces 2020-2021 Safe Schools Training Requirements for Employees | Fort Worth Salutes the #FWISDClassof2020 on May 28, 2020: On That Day 8:20 p.m. –20:20 –is the Hour to Celebrate! | Fort Worth ISD Continues Meals-To-Go Through June with Free Summer Food Program | No TAFB Food Distribution This Saturday Due To Holiday Weekend | Inside FWISD Briefs | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot |Community Resources | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

Fort Worth ISD Asks Stakeholders To Help Shape the Future

Reshaping 2020-21: The Fort Worth ISD Online Learning and School Calendar Survey

While Fort Worth ISD’s unanticipated school year is quickly coming to a close, planning is now underway on defining what education will look like in the “new normal.”

This survey asks important questions of students, parents, teachers, staff and community members. Your answers will help District leaders better understand and respond to your needs during the ongoing pandemic – and beyond.

We want you, as a Fort Worth ISD stakeholder, to tell us what you think about online learning, the school calendar, and when they believe will it be safe enough for children to return to school.

In a special message to the entire community Superintendent Kent P. Scribner explains that the survey focuses on three key points, including the District calendar.

“This is a pivotal moment in education – a time to embrace new and more effective ways of teaching and learning,” said Dr. Scribner. “So please, whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher, or a community member take just a few minutes to give us your input…we are better together!”

Then, please complete the survey and let us know what your current role is, whether you are a student, parent, teacher, staff member or community member. The survey will be open for the next two weeks. Please share it with your friends and colleagues.

Take the Survey

FWISD Issues Update on Employee Vacation, Non-Duty Days

Update Impacts 240-Day Or More Employees

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following memorandum regarding an update to vacation, non-duty days for 240-day or more employees is from FWISD Chief of Staff Karen Molinar.

FWISD Closed Memorial Day

The Fort Worth ISD is closed Monday, May 25 to observe Memorial Day.

General District business and virtual classes will resume Tuesday, May 26.

Memorial Day remembers the service men and women who died serving in the U.S. military.

Originally observed as Decoration Day, Memorial Day’s origins date back to 1868 when Americans would visit the graves of fallen soldiers from the Civil War. They would decorate the burial grounds with flowers. Since 1971, Memorial Day has been a federal holiday observed the last Monday in May.

For those who fly the United States flag on Memorial Day it should be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day.

‘Meals To Go’ Distribution Dates Modified for Memorial Day Observance

The Fort Worth ISD will close to observe Memorial Day, and there will be no Meals to Go distribution on Monday, May 25.

Because of the holiday, meals originally distributed from noon to 1:30 p.m. weekly on Monday and Thursday, will be distributed on Tuesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 28. “Meals to Go” will resume its general operating dates and hours the following week.

The Fort Worth ISD offers meal distribution at 18 different school sites across the city. The District provides six meals per child on each distribution day.

The two day-a-week schedule was implemented because it:

Provides an increase in the recommended social distancing guidelines and reduces gatherings for parents and students from five days a week to two days per week,
Promotes more parent and student engagement in online instruction daily versus the time required to pick up meals daily,
Reduces employee interaction from five days to two days per week,
Supports the City of Fort Worth’s Safer at Home resolution,
And, follows Texas Department of Agriculture revised regulations.

A complete list of all “Meals To Go” sites can be found on the COVID-19 page of www.fwisd.org/mealstogo.

The “Meals To Go’ Program has been a successful partnership between the District and its food service vendor Sodexo MAGIC.

FWISD Accepts Summer School Teacher Applications

Help Fort Worth ISD students further their education this summer while Learning at Home and earn some extra money in the process.

The District is currently accepting teacher applications for the next phase of the Learning at Home curriculum – June summer school programs.

"FWISD is excited to be able to provide robust and diverse summer programming to support all of our students throughout the summer," said Dr. Marcey Sorensen, FWISD Teaching and Learning assistant superintendent. "We want to make sure all of our students have the opportunity to be engaged in summer learning so we are prepared for next year!"

Teachers interested in applying are encouraged to complete the FWISD Summer School Jobs Form at https://bit.ly/FWISDsummerschool2020. Interested candidates must be logged into their FWISD Google account through MyFWISD to respond.

An overview of programs offered this summer, beginning June 3, are available online:

Elementary Summer Programs - https://bit.ly/FWISDElemSummer2020
MS Summer Programs - https://bit.ly/FWISDMSSummer2020
HS Summer Programs - https://bit.ly/FWISDHSSummer2020

Have a question about the summer school programs? Contact your campus principal or a District lead for the program:

Elementary Summer Programs

Hilda Caballero – hilda.caballero@fwisd.org

Middle School Summer Programs

Joseph Niedziela – joseph.niedziela@fwisd.org

High School Summer Programs

Shannon Hernandez – shannon.hernandez@fwisd.org

For questions about the FWISD Summer School Jobs Form, contact Mr. Niedziela at joseph.niedziela@fwisd.org.

“June Summer Programs will be a model of continuous growth. A collective effort focused on educating students and supporting families in these extraordinary times,” Mr. Niedziela said. “Thank you in advance to those employees who will continue serving on the front lines this summer.”

ConnectED Teacher Conference Goes Online

Teachers Earn FLEX Hours For Participating

ConnectED, Fort Worth ISD’s first virtual teacher conference, will offer teachers a variety of opportunities to earn FLEX hours this summer.

The online professional learning, which starts June 8 and continues through August 7, offers teachers up to 30 in-district FLEX hours. A glimpse at the session offerings goes live Monday, May 25. Additional sessions will be added throughout summer.

“We are excited to bring you the first virtual teacher conference in Fort Worth ISD. This is a cross-curricular event,” said Sharolyn Chitwood, FWISD Professional Learning and Innovation coordinator. “Different sessions will be offered weekly, and sessions will be added throughout the event. Most of the sessions will repeat, so if you miss one you wanted, you will have another opportunity to participate.

“We hope you take advantage of this exciting opportunity to collaborate you’re your colleagues and to get "connectED!"

Most sessions are flexible and self-paced with specific start and end dates or set ranges of time to complete, Ms. Chitwood said. Repeat sessions offer teachers additional opportunities to participate.

All “core content” sessions are created in-district. Other sessions include in-district and a few out-of-district pre-approved offerings, Ms. Chitwood said.

“We have several exciting courses from our Equity division, including ‘Intro to Courageous Conversations about Race’ and ‘The Anti-Racist Classroom,’” Ms. Chitwood said. “We also have social-emotional sessions, such as ‘I Hope You Step on a LEGO.’ There will also be content-specific courses for teachers.”

Pre-registration is not required to participate. However, some sessions with live components, such as a video call, may require registration. Details on how to register for those sessions will be provided in the course description.

For more details, visit www.fwisd.org/connected or email pli@fwisd.org.

FWISD Announces 2020-2021 Safe Schools Training Requirements for Employees

All Fort Worth ISD employees are required to complete several Safe Schools online courses for the 2020-2021 school year between June 1 and June 14, 2020.

Among the required Safe Schools courses employees must complete next month are:

Coronavirus Awareness (Deadline to complete is June 1)
Coronavirus: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Workplace (Deadline to complete is June 1)
Texas Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Program (Deadline to complete is June 14)

An email about the mandatory training began appearing in employee inboxes on May 20 with a link to fwisd.tx.safeschools.com.

Employees can access the courses by using their employee email address and password.

In addition to the mandatory training courses, multiple other online courses are available to staff.

Contact the Help Desk at 817-814-4357 if you encounter any problems logging on to Safe Schools.

For more course details, contact Aracely Chavez, executive director of classified learning, at Aracely.chavez@fwisd.org or visit the Classified Learning webpage at www.fwisd.org/Page/2807.

Fort Worth Salutes the #FWISDClassof2020 on May 28, 2020

On That Day 8:20 p.m. –20:20 –is the Hour to Celebrate!

Thursday, May 28, will be a very special day for the Fort Worth ISD Class of 2020. The District is asking everyone to salute the graduating seniors and show their appreciation for the significant milestone they have achieved.

And, while the entire day is devoted to celebrating the 4,928 graduates, Fort Worth ISD requests that everyone stop what they are doing at 8:20 p.m. for a literal “shout out.” That hour and minute were chosen because, in military time, it is 20:20. It’s also 10 minutes before sunset on that day!

The District is also asking everyone to share their celebratory comments and photos on social media – starting immediately – using the hashtag #FWISDClassof2020. Whether it’s a photo of your graduating student or praise for a group or an individual school, let’s spread the love – and the likes! – on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Everyone is encouraged to post multiple times and inspire the rest of our community to do the same.

Additionally, billboards are going up all around town in celebration of these students who –because of Coronavirus -- have had to forgo many of the exciting events associated with their senior year. “Accomplished, determined, resilient” are the words being used to praise this special group of graduates.

But the public is encouraged to make their own signs and banners and display them proudly in their neighborhoods!

See attached photos of the billboard celebrating this history-making class.

Fort Worth ISD Continues Meals-To-Go Through June with Free Summer Food Program

Fort Worth ISD’s current Meals-To-Go program will continue offering free breakfasts and lunches to children 18 years of age and younger after the official school year ends

FWISD’s Summer Food Program, which begins June 1 and runs through June 30, 2020, will continue to offer free meals to all children up to age 18.

Each Monday and Thursday, between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. , meals can be picked up at the same schools currently offering the Meals-To-Go. The schools are listed below.

No. 005 Dunbar High School

No. 048 William James Middle School

No. 051 Meacham Middle School

No. 063 Como Montessori

No. 105 West Handley Elementary School

No. 107 Burton Hill Elementary School

No. 114 Manuel Jara Elementary School

No. 121 DeZavala Elementary School

No. 30 Harlean Beal Elementary School

No. 137 Hubbard Heights Elementary School

No. 147 Morningside Elementary School

No. 157 Luella Merrett Elementary School

No. 168 Springdale Elementary School

No. 180 Western Hills Elementary School

No. 188 Atwood McDonald Elementary School

No. 216 Woodway Elementary School

No. 222 Clifford Davis Elementary School

No. 227 Dolores Huerta Elementary School

Adults may pick up meals for students if they can show documents verifying students are in the household.

For more information please visit www.summerfood.org or call the FWISD Child Nutrition Department at 817-814-3540 or 817-814-3500.

No TAFB Food Distribution This Saturday Due to Holiday Weekend

The Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) will not distribute food boxes at mobile sites this Saturday due to the Memorial Day weekend. TAFB will resume its work distributing food with local partner organizations and Fort Worth ISD on Saturday, May 30.

Each Saturday since March 28, TAFB and its partners have distributed 25-pound food boxes at Fort Worth ISD schools. To date, local families have received 8,400 food boxes.

INSIDE FWISD BRIEFS

EDITOR'S NOTE: Inside FWISD Briefs are quick-hit stories of activities and events happening around the District.

SHHS Celebrates 2020 Seniors with Parade

South Hills High School recently celebrated its Class of 2020 with a 75-car parade. Read more here.

Southwest HS Graduating Senior Featured in CBS 11 Standing Strong Segment

Southwest High School's valedictorian is among North Texas graduating seniors featured in CBS 11's Standing Strong program. View the three-part segment here.

It’s Not Too Late To Sign Up For Parent Portal

Although the last day of school is right around the corner, it’s not too late for parents to register for the Parent Portal. Final report cards will be posted to the Parent Portal. Read more here.

FWISD Accepts 2020 Teaching Chair Applications

Fort Worth ISD is accepting applications for the 2020 Chairs for Teaching Excellence awards through June 25. There are two Performing Arts Teaching Chair categories and 14 Academic Teaching Chair award categories. Learn more about how to apply and who's eligible for the award here.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following are recent photos/videos from across the Fort Worth ISD of events and ways schools are connecting with families and the community during the District closure.

Board Workshop: The Fort Worth Board of Education met virtually for a workshop meeting Tuesday. View video from the meeting below.

Full Ride: Congratulations to Daniel San Juan, the latest Fort Worth ISD graduating senior awarded a full-ride scholarship to Texas Christian University.The Arlington Heights High School student is the recipient of the 2020 FWISD Student Engagement and School Completion Scholarship for TCU.

The renewable scholarship, good for all four years of college, is worth over $260,000 and covers tuition and fees, room and board and study abroad anywhere in the world.

More than 40 FWISD Students Receive Scholarships from HWNT: The Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT) Fort Worth chapter recently announced its 2020 Latinas in Progress (LIP) scholarship recipients. Annually, students who successfully complete the LIP program are awarded scholarships from charitable members, donors and universities.

Among this year's scholarship recipients were 43 students from the Fort Worth ISD. Scholarship awards ranged from $500 to $260,000. Pictured here are LIP scholarship recipients from Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School.

Making Memories: As families came to pick up their child's belongings, Carter Park Elementary School set up a photo area to create one more lasting memory.

South Hi Mount ES Recognizes Fifth Grade Class: Congratulations to the South Hi Mount Elementary School 5th Grade Class of 2020! Fifth grade teachers recently made special deliveries to all their students to have a special moment with them and let them know how proud we are of them.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

FWISD's J.P. Elder MS Serves As Free COVID-19 Testing Site

The Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. and the City of Fort Worth to offer a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Fort Worth’s North Side.

Testing will be offered at Fort Worth ISD’s J.P. Elder Middle School from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday. People needing a test will use a virtual screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible.

Click here for more details.

FWISD Partners With Virtual Care For Kids To Offer Students Telehealth Services

In efforts to reduce COVID-19 spread, the Fort Worth ISD has partnered with Virtual Care for Kids to offer students and their families telehealth services.

Students can see a Texas-based pediatrician within minutes from home virtually via computer, smartphone or tablet for urgent care services including minor colds, the flu, sore throat, cough, ear concerns, headaches, sinus or allergy issues or pink eye. Additionally, Virtual Care for Kids is offering coronavirus screening and testing in English and Spanish. Visit https://urgentcarekids.com/fwisd/ to register for services.

Technology Assistance

LinkedIn Learning Resources

In light of the current public health crisis, so many have made the shift from company office to home office for the first time. Balancing meetings and emails while still making time for necessary breaks and taking care of your family can be challenging. Check out these quick tips from LinkedIn Learning to help make this adjustment a little easier to navigate:

Create a productive workspace (5 mins)

Keep work hours in balance (6 mins)

Plan meaningful breaks (5 mins)

Communication tools (3 mins)

Use virtual meetings productively (5 mins)

Building boundaries with loved ones (4 mins)

Manage interruptions and emergencies (5 mins)

Succeeding as a remote worker (3 mins)

Don’t forget to schedule some fun into your breaks!

Whether it's drawing, reading or something else, make sure you have breaks in your schedule.

Questions?

Contact Aracely Chavez, executive director of Classified Learning, at aracely.chavez@fwisd.org.

Take Care This Mental Health Awareness Month

In the spirit of helping you live your best life, especially during these trying times, we’ve rounded up some LinkedIn Learning courses that can help you prioritize your mental health:

Employee Assistance Program Resources for FWISD Employees

FinPath Offers FWISD Employees Tips For Managing Finances During Pandemic

FinPath, an employer-paid workplace benefit, is offering Fort Worth ISD employees financial wellness tips, coaching and resources for weathering the COVID-19 pandemic.finpath

Launched by the District last fall, FinPath offers employees tips for managing finances and much more. Recent webinars and courses offered by the service have included “Dealing with the Financial Shock of COVID-19” and “Breaking Down the CARES Act and What It Means To You.”

Not using FinPath yet? Click here to activate your account.

For more details on FinPath, visit the FWISD Employee Benefits Portal and click on the Financial Wellness tab.

Equity and Excellence, Restorative Practices Offer Social, Emotional Wellness Resources

Take care of your social and emotional wellness during this pandemic. Log onto the FWISD Restorative Practices Community Facebook page weekly for self-care lessons. Tune in Monday, Wednesday and Friday for live check-in sessions.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Tarrant Area Food Bank offers Grab and Go Dinners for Children

Fort Worth YMCA Grab & Go Meals- Schedule & Locations For Families Impacted By COVID-19

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following content is from the The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is continuing to serve the growing needs of the community with free Grab & Go meals with updated service locations and times. Pick up times are Mondays and Wednesdays from 4pm – 6pm at the following locations.

Airport Area YMCA - 3524 Central Drive Bedford, TX 76021
Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA - 512 Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Benbrook Community Center YMCA - 1899 Winscott Rd, Benbrook, TX 76126
Eastside YMCA - 1500 Sandy Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76112
Hood County YMCA - 1475 James Road, Granbury, TX 76049
Joshua Community YMCA - 1009 Joshua Station Blvd, Joshua, TX 76058
William M. McDonald YMCA - 2701 Moresby Street, Fort Worth, TX 76105
YMCA Sports Complex - 4320 Altamesa Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76133

Pick up times changed to support the City of Fort Worth requests to limit food distribution to only 3 days/week or less and to comply with “stay-at-home” recommendations on social distancing. It is important to note that families will still receive up to 5 days of food when they go to pick-up their Grab & Go Meals.

Mondays, families will be able to pick up meals for 2 days (Mon-Tue)

Wednesdays, families will be able to pick up meals for 3 days (Wed - Fri)

This change reducing the number of times people are asked to leave their homes and risk exposure, thus helping to support “flattening the curve.”

“By providing these meals to children who need them most, Fort Worth area Y’s are truly fulfilling their mission of healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. I’m proud of their continued community outreach despite their temporary facility closures.” Julie Wilson, Chair, Board of Directors at YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth.

Meals are provided by local vendors including Purple Hearts, Inc. and Tarrant Area Food Bank and they come complete with protein, fruit or vegetable, snacks and more. Together with the support of community leaders, volunteers, staff and donors, the Y wants to ensure that every child is safe, healthy and fed.

“For over 130 years, the YMCA has served the ever-changing needs of our local community. Today is no different as we continue to find ways to support Fort Worth, Benbrook and surrounding counties by partnering with local organizations to provide grab-and-go meals at our branches.” Tony Shuman, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth.

In addition to the Grab & Go initiative, the Y is continuing to support the community by providing pre-schools and childcare to the families of essential employees and first responders and connecting with seniors to check on their wellbeing to help avoid isolation.

For questions or additional information or visit www.ymcafw.org

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth branches have been temporarily closed for traditional health and wellness activities due to the COVID-19 public health mandates by city, county and state authorities. Staff and volunteers have continue to be vigilante in continuing to serve the community outside of the walls of the Y.

May is Asian Pacific AmericanHeritage Month

Check www.fwisd.org/COVID-19 regularly for District updates

FWISD “Meals To Go,” Available from Noon-1:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday

Join the mayor for live virtual updates on the city's COVID-19 response

Online Pre-K/ Kindergarten Registration Currently Underway

Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice Late Applications being accepted

Unidos Para Aprender, 7 to 8 a.m. Monday- Friday the remainder of the school year on UniMas 49

FWISD SPED Chat, Every Thursday and Friday in May

Virtual Career Fairs,Continues through May 27

Memorial Day, May 25

FWISD 2020 Virtual College Fair, Week of May 25

Board of Education meeting, May 26

Last Day of School, May 28

Teacher Prep Day, May 29

Board of Education meeting, June 9

FWISD Virtual Graduation Ceremonies, June 20

FWISD In-Person Graduation Celebrations, June 19-26

Board of Education meeting, June 23

FWISD Chair for Teaching Excellence Application Deadline, June 25

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