In this edition:

FWISD Opens For In-Person Classes: Various, Special Student Groups Will Be Phased In Over Next Couple Weeks | Superintendent Scribner To Present Additional TRE Information | MedStar: Are Hygiene Steps To Prevent #COVID19 Spread Also Helping With Flu Transmission? | FWISD Announces Flu Vaccine Clinics For Employees | FWISD Announces 28 Meals To Go Sites For Virtual Learners: Virtual Learners Can Pick Up Meals At Any Designated Site Beginning Tuesday | Monday Is Teacher Flex Day, Student Holiday | Fort Worth PD Recovers Stolen FWISD Chromebooks | FWISD HCM Slates Information Fair Events for Prospective Applicants: We’re Open For Learning, Open For Growth, Open For You | Wednesday Workstation Wind Down: FWISD Urges Employees to Shut Down Computers for Updates | FWISD Issues Campus Technology Preparation Plan | Early Voting Begins Tuesday | GM Financial To Donate 50,000 Face Masks To Fort Worth ISD | Harvard Business School Renames Building for Fort Worth ISD Alumnus | BitCare Donates 20,000 Masks To FWISD, Promises More to Come | Academy 4 Donates Hundreds of Chromebooks and Headsets to FWISD Partner Schools | FWISD Announces Recent Retirees | Food Available At Multiple Sites Through November | Inside FWISD Briefs | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Community Resources | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

FWISD Opens for In-Person Classes

Various, Special Student Groups Will Be Phased In Over Next Couple Weeks

After seven months at home, a group of Fort Worth ISD students returned for the first-in person classes of the 2020-2021 academic year this week.

On Monday, October 5, the District welcomed pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, sixth and ninth grade students and self-contained special education classes who chose in-person instruction. Seventh graders at Rosemont, Wedgwood, McLean, and Forest Oak Middle Schools who choose in-person instruction also returned to the classroom.

Over the next several weeks, the District will phase in various and special student groups.

High school students, many who will return for in-person classes October 19, will attend school on a hybrid schedule. The plan, recently approved by the FWISD Board of Education, will split students into two groups that will alternate two days of in-person and two days of virtual education. The two cohorts would then attend school every other Friday.

“I’ll tell you what we did see was lots of smiling faces not only on the students but especially the parents, “ Superintendent Kent Scribner said Monday. “We want to open schools today, but we want to keep them open through the remainder of the semester and year so we have to really focus on health and safety of our students, our faculty and staff.”

Monday also marked the opening of FWISD newest campus, Overton Park Elementary School. The new facility, which sits on 5.98 acres that was once part of the historic Edwards Ranch, will serve pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. The campus addresses overcrowding the District experienced at nearby Tanglewood Elementary.

“Missing being in person was like missing my favorite part of my job,” said Holly Addington, a first grade teacher at Overton Park Elementary.

Watch this video for a look back at FWISD’s first day of in-person classes. View more first-day photos in the Fort Worth ISD Snapshot gallery below.

Superintendent Scribner To Present Additional TRE Information

Dear Fort Worth ISD Non-Campus Staff -

As you may have heard, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees approved a Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election (TRE) on November 3.

Superintendent Kent P. Scribner would like the opportunity to present additional information on the TRE. You are encouraged and invited to attend a virtual presentation.

• Administration Building // October 12 at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
• Teaching and Learning Center // October 13 at 10 a.m.
• Professional Development Center // October 13 at 2 p.m.

To register and receive meeting access, please visit our Eventbrite page now. Please select the time based on your location and supervisor approval.

>> Watch the video where Dr. Scribner answers essential questions about the TRE.

>> Register and receive access to the information meeting.

If voters approve the new tax rate, it will result in an additional $44 million for the District and the state would also give us 50 cents on the dollar, resulting in revenues of $66 million.

That money would fund:

• Increased compensation for teachers, allowing the District to be more competitive in attracting and retaining the best teachers and providing incentives for those who will work in the schools where they are needed most
• Safety, health, and security by providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and additional measures to clean and sanitize campuses
• Connectivity and devices such as Chromebook computers, hot spots and additional methods to provide broadband internet access for students

For additional information, please visit www.fwisd.org/election.

MedStar: Are hygiene steps to prevent #COVID19 spread also helping with flu transmission?

EDITOR's NOTE: The following content is from MedStar, the ambulance service provider to Fort Worth.

Are hygiene steps to prevent #COVID19 spread also helping with flu transmission?

Although the Flu season has not fully begun - MedStar patients with a clinical impression of Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) in September were down 51% vs. last September.

Perhaps it’s also due to more people getting the flu vaccine?

Requests for our Mobile Flu clinics are nearly double this year compared to last season!

Monday Is Teacher FLEX Day, Student Holiday

There are no classes for Fort Worth ISD students, Monday, October 12, as it is a fall break holiday for students.

Monday is a flex day for 187-day teacher employees and multiple professional learning opportunities are available . The day is a holiday for 210, 298, 193, 188 and all other 187 employees, according to the District’s Reporting and Ending Dates Calendar. All 220, 217 and 215 workday employees must report to work Monday, according to the calendar. Employees with questions about their schedule are encouraged to contact their immediate supervisor.

Flex days are designated days in which classroom teachers receive extra training and professional development on days when classes are not in session.

Fort Worth PD Recovers Stolen FWISD Chromebooks

The Fort Worth Police Department has recovered more than a dozen laptops recently taken from the Fort Worth ISD and posted for sale on the online marketplace, OfferUp.

Coraima Saenz, a pre-kindergarten teacher's assistant at Westpark Elementary School, noticed 16 Acer Chromebook laptop computers with the District logo engraved on them posted for sale by an unknown person on OfferUp last month and notified FWISD’s Safety and Security Department. The description read: “Acer chromebook touchscreen 2 in1 they are brand new from a school district have engraved name. Total quantity 16 Take all.”

The District’s Safety and Security Department contacted police, a report was filed and Fort Worth PD opened an investigation into the stolen computers. About two weeks after the stolen laptops were reported to the Safety and Security Department, police informed the District that most of the laptops had been recovered and would all be immediately returned. Police have since recovered all 16 Chromebooks.

“This school year has been extremely challenging to our District as we try to provide laptop devices to our all our students for our virtual learning initiative. These recovered laptops are even more valuable now as these resources are limited, these devices will make their way to our students who will also benefit from your team's efforts,” wrote Daniel Garcia, FWISD Safety and Security executive director, in a commendation to Fort Worth PD.

Fort Worth ISD especially thanks Ms. Saenz who brought the stolen items to the District’s attention.

“You saw something wrong and rather than just pass it by, you communicated it on to your administration who got it to the right people,” said Dr. Becky Navarre, FWISD assistant superintendent of Technology. “You are an asset to this District for so many reasons. Congratulations on being a hero in this District.”

FWISD HCM Slates Information Fair Events for Prospective Applicants

We’re Open For Learning, Open For Growth, Open For You

Interested in working for Fort Worth ISD and what it takes to get hired? Attend the FWISD drive-through Information Fair events.

The District’s Human Capital Management (HCM) will host a drive-through Information Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, October 12, ahead of virtual interview sessions that get underway Tuesday, October 13. The event, being held at the FWISD Administration Building, 100 N. University Drive, offers prospective employees virtual interview guidance and FWISD promotional materials. A second Information Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon October 20.

While some participants are receiving invitations to the drive-through Information Fair through the District’s applicant tracking system, an invitation is not required to attend. Hiring managers will be on hand to answer questions and explain how to participate in one of six virtual interviews that start October 13. Prospective applicants can register for a virtual interview at the October 13 and 20 Informational Fairs.

Virtual interview sessions are set for October 13, 15, 20, 28, 29 and 30.

HCM officials say the Information Fairs aims to offer a positive applicant experience while also promoting the District mission – “Preparing ALL students for success in college, career and community leadership” – through identifying high-quality candidates to help propel FWISD >>Forward.

For more details, contact HCM at www.fwisd.org/askhcm.

Wednesday Workstation Wind Down

FWISD Urges Employees to Shut Down Computers for Updates

Fort Worth ISD is urging its employees to shut down their computers when leaving work on Wednesdays for security updates.

Once weekly, all FWISD campus, non-campus staff, workers in the Professional Development Center, Teaching and Learning Center, Administration Building, all maintenance/transportation facilities, and any other FWISD activity, are encouraged to power down their computers for updates that better protect the devices and networks from attacks. All software, programs, files and processes must be closed and the RAM (Random Access Memory) cleared at the end of the workday on Wednesdays.

Additionally, employees are urged to run a weekly Windows update on their computers to keep devices running smoothly and securely.

Officials with the District’s Education Technology Department say that taking these actions allow computers to run faster with a clear RAM and also solve system issues.

FWISD Issues Campus Technology Preparation Plan

EDITOR's NOTE: The following document issued by FWISD's Student and School Support provides actions that allow all users a high quality internet connectivity experience as students return to the campus and network usage increases.

Early Voting Begins Tuesday

Early voting for the November 3 joint general and special elections begins Tuesday, October 13.

Polls are open at most locations from:

• 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 13 - Saturday, October 17
• 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, October 19-Friday, October 23
• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, October 24
• 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, October 25
• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, October 26-Friday, October 30

During the early voting period, registered voters in Tarrant County may cast ballots at any of the 50 designated early voting locations. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

On the ballot is the Fort Worth ISD Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (TRE). If approved, the TRE will provide funds for:

• Increased teacher salaries to attract and retain top educators
• Expanded safety, health, and security on campuses, including more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Chromebooks, hot spots and reliable connectivity to the internet for all students

Visit the Tarrant County elections website for additional voter and election details.

GM FINANCIAL TO DONATE 50,000 FACE MASKS TO FORT WORTH ISD

Fort Worth-based GM Financial is helping thousands of North Texas students, teachers and staff members have a fresh disposable face mask to wear each day at school, by donating 50,000 masks to Fort Worth ISD.

“As a Fort Worth-based company with a large operation in Arlington and nearly 5,000 employees in the metroplex, GM Financial has a long-standing commitment to supporting the health and welfare of the communities where we live and work,” said Dan Berce, President and CEO of GM Financial. “With the continued threat of COVID-19, these masks are one way we can contribute to a safe learning and working environment for two of our local school districts.”

GM Financial’ s mask donations join a larger effort by its parent company General Motors, which donated more than 6 million masks by the end of September.

“We believe the best place for a child to learn is in the classroom, with a teacher”, said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner. “And for those learning on campus, our overarching priority is the health and safety of students, teachers, staff and the community. GM Financial’s generous donation of 50,000 masks has a major impact on helping us help children and our employees.”

GM Financial is the largest employer in downtown Fort Worth, with nearly 1,000 employees at its corporate headquarters and another 3,300 working in its three operations centers in Arlington. Overall, GM Financial and GM employ more than 13,000 Texans in facilities across the state.

Also, another 50,000 masks are being donated to the Arlington and San Antonio ISDs.

General Motors Financial Company, Inc. is the wholly-owned captive finance subsidiary of General Motors Company and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.gmfinancial.com.

Harvard Business School Renames Building for Fort Worth ISD Alumnus

The Harvard Business School is renaming a building on its campus in honor of James I. Cash, a 1965 graduate of I.M. Terrell High School and member of the Fort Worth ISD Wall of Fame.

Dr. Cash joined the faculty of Harvard Business School in 1976 and became its first Black tenured professor in 1985. He served as chairman of the school’s MBA program.

Dr. Cash was an athletic and academic standout at I.M. Terrell. After high school, he became the first Black basketball scholarship player at Texas Christian University. An Academic All-American, he helped the Horned Frogs win the 1967-68 Southwest Conference championship. In 2014, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.

Dr. Cash received a bachelor of science degree in math from TCU. He earned his master of science and doctorate degrees in computer science at Purdue University.

A pioneer in information technology, Dr. Cash retired from the faculty of Harvard Business School in 2003. He also served on the boards of Walmart, General Electric, and Microsoft.

BitCare Donates 20,000 Masks To FWISD, Promises More to Come

Fort Worth ISD kicked off its first week of in-person classes with additional PPE, thanks to a generous donation.

Officials with BitCare, a Dallas-based biotech company, recently donated 20,000 disposable masks to Fort Worth ISD with the promise of future mask donations. The generous donation was received by Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Michael Steinert; Director of Family and Community Resources Ottis Goodwin and Director of Community and Strategic Partnerships, Peg Murphy

BitCare is positioning itself to be at the forefront of preventative action for current and future cycles of COVID-19 for school districts and communities.

“We can all mitigate the risk of the COVID-19 and the consequences through proactive efforts and mindful precautionary action,” said Bitcare Vice President of Strategic Alliances Russell Lopez. “I have close family members that attend schools in Fort Worth, and I felt this would be a meaningful and genuine service to the FWISD community.”

BitCare CEO Ric Kolluri added “We believe everyone should do their part to help communities in any way possible, and we are dedicated to helping schools and communities throughout Texas.”

Academy 4 Donates Hundreds of Chromebooks and Headsets to FWISD Partner Schools

What: Donation of 367 HP/Lenovo Chromebooks and 367 Cyber Acoustic Stereo Headsets

Who: The following Academy 4 partner schools will receive this generous technology donation: Western Hills Elementary School, 210 Chromebooks and 210 headsets; E.M. Daggett Elementary, 40 Chromebooks and 40 headsets; Manuel Jara Elementary, 117 Chromebooks and 117 headsets

Summary: Local mentor nonprofit Academy 4 is donating more than 700 Chromebook devices and headsets to three Fort Worth ISD elementary schools.

The technology equipment, totaling nearly $83,000, is being distributed to FWISD elementary schools the nonprofit partners with -- Western Hills, E.M. Daggett and Manuel Jara.

Academy 4 recently delivered 367 HP/Lenovo Chromebooks to Fort Worth ISD and they are being processed for distribution to the three partner schools. Academy 4 will deliver the 367 headsets directly to each campus.

“Academy 4 is honored to donate this technology through the generosity of our supporters to these three Academy 4 partner schools,” said Academy 4 Executive Director John Shearer.

The Western Hills Chromebooks and headsets (210 each) are funded by The Hills Church; E. M. Daggett Elementary Chromebooks (40) are funded by St. Paul Lutheran Church and headsets (40) funded through a CARES grant from Tarrant County; and the Manuel Jara Elementary Chromebooks (117) are funded by The Roop Foundation and two individuals in the local community, and the headsets (117) are funded through a CARES grant from Tarrant County.

Academy 4 provides a mentor for every fourth-grade student in the partner schools they serve. The mentors meet with students once a month for 90 minutes.

“At Academy 4 we have a saying that nothing worthwhile and lasting happens without relationships. This is lived out in relationships between Academy 4 mentors and fourth grade students.” Mr. Shearer said. “That reality is also reflected in the network of relationships with our church partners, foundation partners, and community members that allowed us together to provide much needed technology for the children in our partner schools.”

FWISD Announces Recent Retirees

The following are Fort Worth ISD employees that have recently retired, according to Human Capital Management:

1. Danna Shotwell, Language Center teacher, Arlington Heights High School- 16 years

2. Maria Vintimilla, Special Education Resource Teacher’s Assistant I, Milton Kirkpatrick Elementary School- 13 years

FOOD AVAILABLE AT MULTIPLE SITES THROUGH NOVEMBER

Multiple organizations across Fort Worth are offering food to help families through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since March, the Fort Worth ISD has partnered with multiple organizations to share information and organize food distribution events for families.

Food is available at these locations throughout November 2020:

Food Distribution

1. Monday and Wednesday, Times vary

YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth Grab and Go Meals

Multiple Locations

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is serving free meals to youth 18 and under at multiple branch locations. Learn more here.

2. Monday through Friday

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County

Curbside individually packaged meals and snacks are available for free to children ages 18 and younger while supplies last at Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County branch locations. Weekly at home learn resources will also be distributed with each meal. Other meal distribution options are also available.

Click here or contact LaToyia Greyer at LGreyer@bgcgtc.org for more information.

3. Friday, October 9, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

4. Wednesday, October 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

1188 W. Broad St., Mansfield

Free, drive-thru food distribution open to everyone

For additional information, call 817-473-1236

5. Friday, October 16, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

6. Wednesday, October 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

1188 W. Broad St., Mansfield

Free, drive-thru food distribution open to everyone

For additional information, call 817-473-1236

7. Friday, October 23, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

8. Wednesday, October 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

1188 W. Broad St., Mansfield

Free, drive-thru food distribution open to everyone

For additional information, call 817-473-1236

9. Friday, October 30, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

10. Friday, November 6, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

11. Friday, November 13, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

12. Friday, November 20, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

13. Friday, November 27, 8-11 a.m.

Herman Clark Stadium

5201 CA Roberson Blvd.

Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of high-quality produce, meat dairy and groceries.

For the complete Tarrant Area Mobile Food Pantry Schedule, visit https://www.tafb.org/wp-content/uploads/mobile/mobile-pantry-schedule.pdf. Need food delivered? Call 817-534-0814 to speak with a live representative about how to access nutritious food.

Other food resources are also available:

• Food - https://tafb.org/services/food/
• Find Food - https://tafb.org/find-food/
• Seniors and Homebound Individuals – Call 917-534-0814 or visit https://mealsonwheels.org/programs
• Social Services - https://tafb.org/services/snap/

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

Flex Day for teachers (Student holiday), October 12

Grades 2, 3, 7 and 10 return for in-person learning, October 13

Early voting, October 13-30

Registration for November 13 Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Ends, October 14

Hispanic Heritage Month concludes, October 15

In-person or Virtual Leaning Choice begins (HS Hybrid, Full Schedule ES and MS), October 19

Election Day, November 3

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.