Superintendent Addresses Flu Season in Memorandum to Employees
The following is a memorandum from Superintendent Kent P. Scribner distributed this week to Fort Worth ISD employees regarding the threat of seasonal flu on the rise:
On Wednesday, Tarrant County Public Health officials reported the county’s first three influenza-related deaths this season.
The District will offer onsite flu vaccinations January 17.
“I certainly would encourage employees to get their flu shots and to practice good handwashing,” said Alice Turner-Jackson, FWISD health services director. “See your physician or health care provider if you feel you are getting the flu.”
For more details on where to obtain a flu shot in Tarrant County and tips for preventing flu, visit the Tarrant County Public Health website.
Conference Offers Practical Technology Tools
Division of Technology to Host 13th Annual Fort Worth Technology Conference
FWISD is gearing up for an event that will catapult educators to the next level in technology integration and student engagement.
The 13th annual Fort Worth Technology Conference is slated from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, January 27 at Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave. Nationally-known professional development trainer Amy Mayer, founder of education technology company friEdTechnology, is the featured keynote speaker.
FWISD teachers, staff, students, national and regional guest instructors are scheduled to present a series of demonstrations, panels and workshops throughout the day. Corporate sponsors will demonstrate the latest education technology programs in the conference Exhibit Hall.
New this year, the District will name its very first Fort Worth ISD Tech Idol, a FWISD educator who has exercised impactful technology integration in the classroom. The winner will be selected with the assistance of an audience poll.
Conference organizers say this year’s event gives educators practical technology tools they can take back and immediately implement in their lesson plans and administrative tasks.
“Technology levels the field for students,” said Dr. Becky Navarre, assistant superintendent for the Department of Technology. “It gives the creative student a palette, the quiet student a voice, the struggling student options, and the excelling student vast opportunities.”
Registration is free for all FWISD employees and non-FWISD presenters. Pre-registration up until January 19 is $35 for non-FWISD attendees, and on-site registration is $45. A special gift and lunch is available for attendees who register early. Technology tools will be distributed as door prizes for attendees who stick around for the closing session.
Multiple District departments are approving trade-off credit for conference attendance.
For more details, visit www.fwisd.org/FWTC or contact the Division of Technology at 817-814-3100 or via email at edtech@fwisd.org.
View this video from the 2017 Fort Worth Technology Conference.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome back for another edition of Ask Elsie, a column where Chief Financial Officer Elsie Schiro tackles employee queries or, in areas outside her purview, asks other District leaders to answer them.
Dear Elsie:
How do I find out who my dental provider is?
Anonymous
Thank you for your question. I’m happy to answer this for you.
Fort Worth ISD offers 3 dental coverage plans. This benefit is optional and the employee pays 100% of the premium, if elected. The 3 plans offered, the group numbers, and the toll free numbers to call and inquire regarding providers are:
1. United Concordia – Group # 821479-000/001/002/003 – Toll Free 1-800-332-0366
2. Humana (Advantage) – Group # 573701 – Toll Free 1-800-979-4760
3. Humana (DHMO) – Group # 573701 – Toll Free 1-800-979-476
If you do not know the company you elected coverage with, you may e-mail the Benefits Department at Benefits@fwisd.org They will be happy to assist.
Thanks, again.
Elsie
Dear Elsie:
When and where can FWISD employees expect to find their W-2 forms?
District Employee
Dear District Employee,
Thank you for this very important question. The 2017 W-2s will be postmarked no later than January 31, 2018. They will also be available to active employees via Employee Self Service (ESS) no later than January 31, 2018.
Elsie
Direct your questions to Inside@fwisd.org and put the words “Ask Elsie” I the subject line. Please close your letter with your preferred signature as you wish it to appear in the column. When there are multiple queries on the same subject, we will select the one that is most representative of the subject. We will try to answer as many questions as possible.
FWISD Students to Participate MLK Day Celebration
FWISD Closed Monday to Observe Holiday
Fort Worth ISD is closed Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The City of Fort Worth will pay tribute to Dr. King with a series of events throughout the weekend and on Monday.
The 33rd annual parade begins at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Ninth and Commerce streets and concludes with a rally at Sundance Square Plaza. The following FWISD groups are slated to participate in the event:
• Carter-Riverside Eagle Band
• Eastern Hills High School Band and JROTC
• Paschal High School Band
• Polytechnic High School Band and JROTC
• South Hills Scorpion Band and South Hills JROTC
• Western Hills High School Band
• Dunbar High School JROTC
• O.D. Wyatt High School JROTC
• Benbrook High School JROTC
• Jacquet Middle School Junior Cadet Corps (JCC)
• Forest Oak Middle School JCC
• J.P. Elder Middle School JCC
• McClung Middle School JCC
• Meacham Middle School JCC
• Kirkpatrick Middle School JCC
• Rosemont Middle School JCC
• William James Middle School JCC
• Wedgwood Middle School JCC
For more details, click here.
The third Monday in January, the nation observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, established to honor Dr. King, a preacher, author, civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner. He is most notably known for his “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered on the steps on in the Lincoln Memorial at the 1963 March on Washington in Washington, D.C.
Since 1994, the U.S. Congress has commemorated the holiday as a national day of service, encouraging Americans to participate in service projects within their communities.
Campus Teacher of the Year Selections Due January 31
Fort Worth ISD schools have until January 31 to submit their 2017-2018 Campus Teacher of the Year selections to the Department of Community and Strategic Partnerships.
Staff on each individual campus have the opportunity to recognize an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled teacher whose work has inspired students, colleagues and the community.
Campus Teacher of the Year selections must have a minimum of three years with the District and a minimum five years teaching experience overall. Eligible candidates must also be a full-time, certified Pre-K to 12th-grade teacher in good standing, intent on continue teaching with the FWISD the 2018-2019 school year and meeting other eligibility requirements.
The 2017-2018 Campus Teacher of the Year honorees will be recognized at an after-school reception in April. Campus winners are also encouraged to apply for the District Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced this May. A District honoree each from the elementary and secondary school level will receive a $5,000 honorarium, and eight semifinalists will receive $1,000 cash awards.
An online form for campus winners must be submitted by the school principal no later than 5 p.m. January 31.
I.M. Terrell Academy Accepts Teacher Applications
Applications are currently being accepted for teaching positions with the I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA.
Great individuals are a product of the I.M. Terrell legacy, and Principal Baldwin Brown said the educators selected for the school, which opens this fall, will have opportunities to shape and mold future generation of leaders.
“We have to make sure that we don’t lose sight if the past, but keep in mind we’re creating the next generation of leaders,” Mr. Brown said.
Superintendent Kent P. Scribner calls the addition of the Terrell Academy to FWISD “a gift to the community.” At a recent open house event hosted for prospective secondary teachers, Dr. Scribner asked attendees what types of gifts they could bring to the new campus.
“Are you a teacher with advanced skills and knowledge in your area? A teacher who connects with students, because it’s not only about content?” Dr. Scribner said. “It’s about content and connection. That’s what we’re looking for, content and connection.”
“It’s my belief that this high school will be the epitome and the best example of high-achieving students and high-achieving faculty and staff, preparing all students for success in college, career and community leadership, and we want you to be part of that story,” Dr. Scribner said.
View job postings for the I.M. Terrell Academy here, and photos from the recent open house for secondary teachers here.
JANUARY IS SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH
January is School Board Appreciation Month in Texas and the Fort Worth Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to thank trustees for their commitment and contributions to our public schools.
School board members bear responsibility and oversight for more than 86,000 students and 10,000 employees on 146 campuses. They guide us in our mission of “preparing all students for success in college, career and community leaderships.”
Thank you, Board President Tobi Jackson, District 2; First Vice President Ann Sutherland, District 6; Second Vice President Christene Moss, District 3; Board Secretary Anael Luebanos, District 8; Jacinto Ramos Jr., District 1; Theophlous Aron Sims Sr., District 4; Judy Needham, District 5; Norman Robbins, District 7; and Ashley Paz, District 9.
JOIN US FOR THE 40TH FWISD WHIZ QUIZ FINALS
Next week, Fort Worth ISD students will flex a lot of mental muscle in the semi-finals and finals of Whiz Quiz. This is our 40th year of Whiz Quiz, which we call the “Sport of Knowledge.” As this promo illustrates, it’s fast, fun and fiercely competitive.
CBS11 meteorologist Jeff Jamison and Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy will ask the questions. And, as always, there will be entertaining surprises thrown in the mix, including audience participation. So mark your calendars:
6th Grade – Tuesday, January 16, 5 p.m.
Middle School – Wednesday, January 17, 5 p.m.
High School – Thursday, January 18, 4:30 p.m.
Join us in person at the Fort Worth ISD board room, 2903 Shotts Street, Fort Worth, or view the live stream at www.fwisd.org or watch on Charter Cable channel 192 or ATT U-verse 99.
#ThankYOUTHURSDAY
Thank you to the numerous supporters of FWISD schools.
FWISD STUDENTS PERFORM AT ARMED FORCES BOWL LUNCHEON
For the sixth consecutive year the Fort Worth ISD played a significant role in the 2017 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
The Bowl was held on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at TCU’s Amon Carter Stadium and broadcast on ESPN. The Aztecs of San Diego University were defeated by the Black Knights of Army (West Point) with a final score of 35 - 42.
Among the activities District students participated in were:
The JROTC Combined Joint Service Color Guard presented the U.S. and armed forces service flags during the annual Kick-off Armed Forces Bowl Luncheon
A drumline from Southwest High School greeted luncheon attendees as they arrived.
The Lone Star Youth Chorus, under the direction of Cole Stanley from Trimble Tech High School, performed the national anthem at the Kick-off Luncheon.
Luncheon guests were treated to a special patriotic art show with works created by Fort Worth ISD students.
Hundreds of uniformed JROTC/JCC students handed out American flags to fans as they arrived for the Saturday game.
And a special video highlighting the Fort Worth ISD was shown on the big stadium screen during the game itself.
View the full Armed Forces Bowl 2017 Photo Gallery here.
BE PREPARED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER
With the possibility of snow and sleet and below normal temperatures through the start of next week, it’s important to be prepared when inclement weather arrives. Download the Fort Worth ISD Mobile App, and stay up-to-date on any weather-related school closures, delays and extracurricular activity cancellations.
The free app is available to everyone – teachers, students, staff, parents and the general community -- in Apple and Google Play stores. The digital program is compatible with iOS and Android operating systems.
Use the FWISD Mobile App, and be the first to receive immediate District messages on your electronic device. Also available on the app are calendars, news releases, messages from school principals and lunch menus.
During one heavy weather event, the app was downloaded by 9,000 users in a day.
Be proactive. Download the Fort Worth ISD Mobile App, visit the District’s Know the Plan website and prepare for the next inclement weather event.
Professional Learning opportunities for the month of January
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Friday, January 12- Saturday, February 3, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15, 2018 (No school)
Whiz Quiz, Tuesday, January 16- Thursday, January 18, 2018
Flu vaccinations, Wednesday, January 17, 2018
FWISD Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, January 23, 2018
February is Black History Month
The Cowtown races, Saturday, February 24- Sunday, February 25
Share your story ideas, successes, calendar items, photos, questions and feedback with us at Inside@FWISD.org. Check the Inside FWISD blog, www.fwisd.org/insidefwisd, regularly updated throughout the week with additional content and features.