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Inside FWISD August 19, 2021

In this edition:

FWISD Board Of Education Votes To Join Mask Mandate Lawsuit Board Approves One-Time Stipend For Eligible FWISD Employees For Work Throughout Pandemic: Stipends To Be Distributed This December | Fort Worth ISD Principals and Teachers Needed for Saturday Learning Quest: Highly-Qualified Educators Could Earn ThousandsBenefits Open Enrollment Ends Friday For FWISD Employees: Don’t Delay. Make Insurance Elections by 11:59 p.m. Friday | MUNIS Financial System Goes Offline September 1-7 To Initialize 21-22 Salary, Payroll Information: All End-Users Will Be Logged Off At Noon September 1 | FWISD Partners With Perrone Pharmacy To Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics: Vaccine Available to Eligible Students, Staff and Their Families At 14 FWISD High Schools Starting August 23 | Photo of the WeekView more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

FWISD BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTES TO JOIN MASK MANDATE LAWSUIT

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education, on Tuesday, August 17, voted to join the La Joya ISD, et al. and Shanetra Miles-Fowler, et al. v. Abbott litigation currently pending in Travis County. That lawsuit challenges the no mask executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott.

“I hate masks,” said FWISD Trustee Anne Darr. “But the thing I hate more is sick children. As a parent, why would I ignore the pleas of our medical community to wear masks. It is my duty to support a mask mandate.”

The District previously issued a mask mandate but was blocked from implementing that requirement by the 141st District Court in Tarrant County before the school year started .

“I am appalled that the law is not protecting our children,” said FWISD Trustee Roxanne Martinez. “Parents, we need to mask up our children to keep them safe.”

“I hate that we’ve politicized a public health crisis,” said FWISD Trustee Quinton “Q” Phillips. “[Masking] is a tool to help make sure a child does not end up in an ICU. This is only about what is right for everyone.”

The vote was six in favor, two opposed and one abstention. Board members asked District leadership to bring a report to the Board for virtual learning at the next meeting, Tuesday, August 24.

Board Approves One-Time Stipend For Eligible FWISD Employees For Work Throughout Pandemic

Stipends To Be Distributed This December

Eligible Fort Worth ISD employees will once again receive a one-time stipend this December.

The following stipends are being disbursed on December paychecks:

  • A one-time, take-home stipend of $1,000 for all eligible full-time employees including 180-day substitutes
  • A one-time, take-home stipend of $500 for all eligible part-time employees
  • A one-time, take-home stipend of $500 for all eligible non 180-day substitutes

Eligible full-time and part-time employees must be working for the District from September 1, 2021 to December 10, 2021 to obtain the stipend.

Approved by the FWISD Board of Education during a special meeting held Tuesday, August 11, the stipend recognizes the “courage and sacrifice of its employees” throughout the pandemic and acknowledges “their ability to go above and beyond to ensure the success of District operations,” according to the adopted resolution.

“As we enter the 2021-2022 school year, District employees are being called upon to go above and beyond to ensure the timely preparation and transition of multiple facilities, accelerated learning for students and overall District operations,” according to Board meeting documents. “With the return to full-time classroom-only instruction and the introduction of a COVID-19 variant expanding positive cases in Tarrant County, staff will continue to be vigilant in protocols to ensure the safety of our employees, students and the community.”

Additional stipend eligibility specifics include:

  • Full-time employees designated as 180-day substitutes and substitutes who work at least 20 days between September 1, 2021 to December 10, 2021 qualify
  • Part-time employees who work at least 80 hours from September 1, 2021 to December 10, 2021 qualify

In December 2020, the Board adopted a similar resolution that rewarded employees for their work throughout the pandemic and aided in maintaining morale. The 2020 one-time stipend was also distributed in December.

Fort Worth ISD Principals and Teachers Needed for Saturday Learning Quest

Highly-Qualified Educators Could Earn Thousands

If you are among Fort Worth ISD’s most highly-qualified campus administrators or teachers, you can earn thousands of dollars by taking part in Saturday Learning Quest (#SLQ).

Saturday Learning Quest will help first through third-grade students meet the challenges associated with COVID-19 learning loss—and accelerate academic achievement. On 14 Saturdays --- from September 11, 2021 through May 7, 2022 --teachers and campus leaders will provide young learners with rigorous and engaging instruction in literacy, math and science. Additionally, students will participate in enrichment activities in art, music, physical education and learn about the District’s mobile STEM units.

We are looking for highly-motivated teachers, principals, and assistant principals. Compensation will be $6,140.80 for teachers and administrators, paid in two installments. Support staff will receive their regular hourly rate.

Saturday Learning Quest will take place in 24 schools, representing all of the District’s pyramids. And while students are busy learning, parents will have the opportunity to take part in Adult Education classes and Parent University.

Principals and teachers will also be able to use incentives donated by our District partners to reward and engage participants and their families.

If you are interested and think you are qualified to lead this unprecedented Fort Worth ISD challenge, complete this application. FWISD teachers and principals must log into their District Google account to complete the application.

Here are the dates of the 14 Saturdays of Saturday Learning Quest:

Fall Semester

Professional Learning Day 1 TBD

Professional Learning Day 2 TBD

Saturday, September 11

Saturday, September 25

Saturday, October 16

Saturday, October 30

Saturday, November 13

Saturday, December 4

Spring Semester

Saturday, January 8

Saturday, January 22

Saturday, February 12

Saturday, February 26

Saturday, March 5

Saturday, April 2

Saturday, April 23

Saturday, May 7

Benefits Open Enrollment Ends Friday for FWISD Employees

Don’t Delay. Make Insurance Elections by 11:59 p.m. Friday

The Fort Worth ISD Benefits Annual Open Enrollment period ends at 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 20.

All open enrollment elections made by the deadline will be effective September 1, 2021- August 31, 2022. Don’t delay. Access the online benefits portal today by visiting www.mybenefitshub.com/fortworthisd.

The District offers various insurance plans for employees including:

  • Medical
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Accident
  • Cancer
  • Disability
  • Basic Life
  • Optional Life
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Long-Term Care
  • Legal Services
  • Emergency Transportation
  • Financial Wellness
  • Financial Planning

Fort Worth ISD encourages employees to consider any changes in your life that may affect your insurance and benefits needs and make the best possible enrollment choices for you and your eligible family members for the 2021-2022 plan year.

The online benefits portal is open 24/7 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 20.

Have questions about the available 2021-2022 insurance benefits offerings or need assistance through the enrollment process? Benefit enrollers are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to assist employees via the Open Enrollment Call Center. The call center number is 817-710-8135.

For assistance logging onto the benefits portal or for any additional open enrollment details, please contact the FWISD Benefits Department at 817-814-2240 or by emailing benefits@fwisd.org.

MUNIS Financial System Goes Offline September 1-7 To Initialize 21-22 Salary, Payroll Information

All End-Users Will Be Logged Off At Noon September 1

Editor's Note: Munis end-users, please read the attached memorandum about MUNIS being offline to initialize the 2021-2022 salary and payroll information for District employees. If you have questions about this communication, please contact Compensation at 817-814-2087.

FWISD Partners with Perrone Pharmacy to Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Vaccine Available to Eligible Students, Staff and Their Families At 14 FWISD High Schools Starting August 23

The Fort Worth ISD, in partnership with Perrone Pharmacy, is hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics at 14 District high schools August 23-September 22.

Pfizer vaccines will be administered at no cost from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. on designated days at each individual campus. The vaccinations clinics are open to all FWISD students 12 years old and above, staff and their families. Registration is preferred, and an appointment can be booked at an individual’s desired campus by following one of the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated.

Two vaccination dates are designated for each campus. Each clinic offers individuals the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the first scheduled date and the second dose three weeks later.

The following vaccinations clinics are scheduled over the next month:

We will accommodate all students and family members in obtaining the vaccine. On the day of the vaccination clinic, persons receiving the vaccine are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. If possible, individuals are encouraged to bring the following documents:

  • A photo identification with their birth date on it (A passport, driver’s license, learner’s permit will be accepted.) Individuals without a photo ID may present their birth certificate, immunization record or official school record verifying their birth date
  • Social Security number (individuals are not required to bring the card itself)
  • Medical/prescription drug coverage (such as BlueCross BlueShield, Medicaid); insurance card (but insurance is not required to receive a vaccine).

People receiving the vaccine must arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment if they don’t complete necessary paperwork ahead of arriving.

For additional information, visit http://www.perronepharmacy.com/covid-19.

Photo of the Week

Superintendent Kent Scribner (right) greets a student Monday, August 16, at T.A. Sims Elementary. This marked the first day of in-person instruction for the 2021-22 academic year.

View additional 2021 First Day photos here.

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.

Credits:

Created with an image by KitzD66 - "vaccination medicine vaccine"