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Inside FWISD February 22, 2018 (10th edition)

Colleagues -

Welcome to the 10th edition of the revitalized Inside FWISD.

Over the last several months, we've attempted to produce content that answers employees' questions and celebrates the successes of District employees and students, all with the intent of keeping co-workers better informed of what's taking place across the FWISD community.

Now it's your turn. How are we doing? Is there content you would like to see more or less of? Are there content areas that are being neglected? Email your feedback to Inside@FWISD.org , contact Britney Johnson, internal communications coordinator, at 817-814-1941 or send an email to britney.johnson@fwisd.org.

Let us know about events taking place on your campus and within your departments. And, don't forget to email a photo or two for us to feature it in a future newsletter.

Thank you for reading!

The FWISD Communications Team

VOLUNTARY TEACHER TRANSFER REQUESTS DUE MARCH 1

Teachers interested in transferring to available positions at other schools have until next week to apply. Teachers involuntarily transferred into their current positions this school year are eligible to request a transfer.

The application is ONLY for internal FWISD classroom teachers voluntarily wanting to move to another school for the 2018-2019 school year.

The Teacher Voluntary Transfer application is available here. Applicants must submit a transfer request by Thursday, March 1.

Classroom teachers eligible for a voluntary transfer must:

  • Have worked a minimum two years at their current school
  • Have a performance level that "meets expectations" in their current job based on their most recent teacher appraisal. Teachers must be rated "progressing" or "proficient" or better in all domains on the recent T-TESS Observation or Summative appraisal.

Click here for more details.

FWISD, TCU HOSTS RACIAL EQUITY SUMMIT

Make plans to attend the inaugural Racial Equity Summit, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 24, hosted by the Fort Worth Independent School District Division of Equity and Excellence and the Texas Christian University Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies program.

This free event will bring together middle and high school students, parents, educators and Fort Worth residents for conversations focusing on three learning strands: Engage, Expand, and Take Action.

“Engage” sessions will focus on how schools and communities are impacted by the roles of race and privilege. “Expand” sessions are designed to raise the consciousness and deepen attendees’ understanding of privilege and biases. The last component, “Take Action,” encourages attendees to get involved with organizations throughout their community working to advance equity.

“When you leave, you should be able to engage in courageous conversations about race, you should be able to engage with racial consciousness, take action and get involved,” said Shawn Lassiter, Racial Equity Summit organizer.

The Racial Equity Summit will take place at TCU Rees-Jones Hall, 2800 S. University Drive. Lunch is being provided by the Blue Zones Project to the first 300 registered attendees.

Online pre-registration is currently open and continues through Thursday, March 8, 2018. Limited seating is available. Register today and don’t miss being part of this dynamic event. Spaces are still available for community organizations interested in booth space at the summit expo.

For more details, contact Ms. Lassiter at 817-814-2336 or via email at Shawn.Lassiter@fwisd.org.

Thousands from FWISD to Participate in Cowtown Festivities

Good luck to the thousands of Fort Worth ISD students and employees that are participating in The Cowtown races this weekend.

Nearly 2,400 students from 60 FWISD schools are expected to participate in the Kids 5K race Saturday. The Fort Worth ISD Movers, a team made up of close to a dozen District employees, have signed up for the Adult 5K.

Both 3.1-mile races start and end at the Will Rogers Memorial Center on Gendy Street.

Yvonne Garcia Huizar, District operations coordinator, is running the ultra-marathon in memory of her father on Sunday. While she's run marathons for a decade, this is her first 31-mile ultra-marathon. Ms. Garcia Huizar will run with a picture of her father on her pace bracelet.

The 40th Cowtown begins with 10K and adult and kids 5K races at 7 a.m. Saturday. The half, full and ultra-marathons get underway at 7 a.m. Sunday.

The Cowtown is the largest multi-race event in North Texas.

For more details, visit cowtownmarathon.org.

Second Annual FWISD Literacy Conference Is This Weekend

If running isn't your thing, how about walking to the Second Annual FWISD Literacy Conference: Engineering the Love of Learning Through Literacy this Saturday, February 24, at Southwest High School, 4100 Alta Mesa Blvd.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., and the conference begins at 8:30 a.m. The conference is open to all Fort Worth ISD teachers and administrators.

Superintendent Kent P. Scribner will give opening remarks, and author Frank Serafini is this year's keynote speaker.

The FWISD Literacy Conference aims to equip District educators with literacy strategies they can take back to the classroom to use in fostering a love of learning among students through reading.

It complements Fort Worth ISD's 100 X 25 FWTX initiative efforts, which has set a goal of ensuring that 100 percent of third-graders are reading on grade level or above by 2025. Dr. Scribner is partnering with Mayor Betsy Price and BNSF Executive Chairman Matt Rose to lead the community-wide Read Fort Worth initiative. This collective impact strategy engages parents, grandparents, and caregivers as well as volunteers from the city's business sector, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and the faith-based community.

"The Literacy Conference is an opportunity for all content to come together and recognize how interwoven literacy is across all areas of curriculum," said Cherron Ukpaka, elementary literacy director.

Participants can earn trade-off credit for attending.

Click here to register.

For more details, contact Sharolyn Chitwood, Professional Learning and Innovation specialist, at 817-814-3417.

Mikayla Wilson of trimble tech hs Recognized at Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner

Mikayla Wilson, a senior at Trimble Technical High School, was honored alongside Heisman Trophy Winner Baker Mayfield and Ron Jaworski, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, at the 41st annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner this week.

Wilson was recognized for receiving the Davey O'Brien High School Scholarship Award, a $30,000 college scholarship. Mr. Mayfield and Mr. Jaworski were presented with the Davey O'Brien Quarterback and Legends awards, respectively.

Mikayla is the first student from Trimble Tech High School to receive the honor and the sixth student from FWISD to earn the recognition in the award's 32-year history, according to officials with the Davey O'Brien Foundation.

Mikayla ranks at the top of her 361-student senior class. Her goal is to attend Texas Christian University, the University of Texas or Rice University to study astronomy or astrophysics.

This Week in FWISD Black History

This month, Fort Worth ISD has observed African American History Month by celebrating, remembering and reflecting on the contributions of District heroes.

This year, we shared photographs and stories of prominent figures and notable alumni in FWISD history in the weekly Inside FWISD newsletter and on FWISD social media platforms.

In the last Inside FWISD installment of This Week in FWISD Black History, we celebrate District alumni.

Pictured are some of the first graduates of the East Ninth Street school. Located in the Third Ward, at the corner of East Ninth and Pecan streets, the school was one of the first to open to black children in the Fort Worth public school system in 1889.

We also celebrate the nearly 40 African American FWISD alumni named to the District's Wall of Fame.

They are:

Dionne Anglin

Cheryl Beal Anderson

Larry Braziel

Marion Brooks

Roy Brooks

James Cash

Byron Chamberlin

Ornette Coleman

Donald Curry

Walter Dansby

Cornell Dupree Jr.

Kirk Franklin

Tuner Gill

Tamron Hall

Titus Hall

Sedrick Huckaby

Vera Jenkins

Glenn Lewis

David Mann

Tamela Mann

Robert McDaniel

Windell Middlebrooks

Lorraine Miller

Christene Chadwick Moss

Frank Moss

Brian Newby

Harold Odom

Curtis "King Curtis" Ousley

Claude Platte

Horatio Porter

Hazel Harvey Peace

Veda Phillips Felder

Lenora Rolla

Bob Ray Sanders

Jimmy Smith

Robert Stanton

Jerry Thomas

Marc Veasey

Versia Williams

Learn more about the FWISD Wall of Fame honorees here.

Beginning next week, in commemoration of National Women's History Month, we will celebrate prominent women figures in the District's history.

Can't Find Your EMPLOYEE ID Number? We Can Help

Need help finding your employee identification number to complete the 2018 Fort Worth ISD Stakeholders' Climate Survey before March 16?

Here's three ways to locate the number:

1. Go to appweb.fwisd.org/EmpIDLookup/ . Enter your FWISD email address, and an email will be sent to you containing your employee ID number.

2. Log onto Employee Self Serve --> Click the Employee Self Serve tab --> On the line reading "Personal Information," click the "View Profile" tab. In the profile is your ID number.

3. If you work on a school campus, contact your school secretary for the information.

Results from the 2018 FWISD Stakeholders' Climate Survey will offer rich data about the culture and climate of the District that will be combined with other data in the future to make key and informed decisions.

The survey is open to students in grades three through 12; parents and guardians; school administrators at all levels; all teachers; non-instructional staff; central administration and district staff; and the community at large. District students and staff will be asked to enter their ID number to validate their association with FWISD before taking the survey.

For more information, click here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ThE 2017 FORM 1095-C DISTRIBUTION

Fort Worth ISD’s 1095-C forms were mailed Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Employees have until Friday, March 9, to contact the FWISD Benefits Office with any questions regarding the form prior to the electronic file deadline of March 31, with the Internal Revenue Service.

Form 1095-C is not required for filing your 2017 income tax returns per IRS regulations..

Further information regarding forms 1095-C can be found at www.irs.gov by searching for Notice 2018-06.

Contact the Benefits Office at Benefits@fwisd.org or 817-814-2240.

This installment of Fort Worth ISD Snapshot features a compilation of photographs taken by students at Trimble Tech High School.

From Top left: This image of a recent DACA protest earned Breanna Barnaba honorable mention at the 30th Annual Black and White Images Contest and Exhibition. The image was part of a photo essay she submitted; Second from left: Student Mariana Luna's earned BEST OF SHOW honors at the 30th Annual Black and White Images Contest for this image. In the photo, taken in Zacatecas, Mexico, is her nephew, who is being consoled by his sister after falling and hurting himself; Top right: This photo, by Abigail Diaz Animal, took third place at the exhibition; Center left: This photo earned Breanna Barnaba a SkillsUSA District 4 Superior Blue Ribbon and qualified her for the state competition; Bottom left: This photo earned Kimberly Garcia the SkillsUSA District 4 BEST OF SHOW Digital, Superior Blue Ribbon award and qualified her for the state competition; Bottom right: This photo from Mariana Luna earned her the SkillsUSA District 4 BEST OF SHOW Portrait, Superior Blue Ribbon award, and she is advancing to the state competition.

Know the Plan for Staying Safe on FWISD Campuses

In light of the recent tragedy at a public high school in Broward County, Florida, it's more important than ever to have a plan in the event a similar incident occurs here in Fort Worth ISD.

Last week, Superintendent Kent P. Scribner addressed employees in a letter in which he stated some of the actions that will be revisited across Fort Worth ISD to prepare in the event of a worst-case scenario. He also urged employees to Know the Plan for staying safe on campuses.

"Several years ago, we implemented a Fort Worth Police Department training program entitled 'Avoid, Deny, Defend' to prepare for a worst-case scenario here," Dr. Scribner wrote. "We must renew our commitment to a strong and safe school community. Additionally, we must support the social and emotional health of children and adults through communication and vigilance."

Click here or look below to view the 11-minute Avoid, Deny, Defend video. The video contains scenes that may be disturbing to viewers.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ask Elsie is 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,

I am a student at TCC South/ FWISD Collegiate HS, and need to know if there is a standardized size that FWISD uses for their American and Texas flags, and if so what is that size?

Zachary

Dear Zachary,

Thank you for your question.

I reached out to the Operations Department to answer your question. Yvonne Garcia Huizar, District operations coordinator, said the following: "Thank you for your question. The standard size for outdoor flags is 4-by-6 feet. Classroom flags are 8-by-12 inches."

Thanks again for writing, and thank you Ms. Garcia Huizar for your response,

Elsie

Dear Elsie,

Why is it constantly 80-plus degrees in my classroom (and others) at Rosemont Middle School? I had this same class last year and never experienced this. The kids constantly complain, and I can't blame them when there are 30 people sitting in an 85-degree room. Doesn't matter if it's cold or hot outside. It is always hot in here.

Mr. Roper

Dear Mr. Roper,

Thank you for your question.

I reached out to the Operations Department to answer your question. Yvonne Garcia Huizar said the following: "While we've had an exceptionally cool winter, the temperature reading of more than 80 degrees is not an acceptable reading. In an effort to help promote comfort and help the District save energy, an energy specialist has been assigned to all FWISD campuses. The energy specialist assigned to this particular campus was able to meet with the campus building manager (head custodian) … to identify a solution for this campus. If there are any questions regarding room comfort, please contact the energy specialists at 817-871-2700."

Thanks again for writing, and thank you Ms. Garcia Huizar for your response,

Elsie

Direct your questions to Inside@fwisd.org and put the words "Ask Elsie" in 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.

District Teacher of the Year Applications Due March 6

About two weeks remain to submit your application for the 2018 District Teacher of the Year award.

Two winners -- one elementary educator and a secondary teacher -- will be named District Teacher of the Year at a dinner this May at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Honorees will receive a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The grocer will also present the eight semifinalists with a $1,000 award. District winners are eligible to apply for the Region XI Teacher of the Year award.

Campus Teacher of the Year recipients are encouraged to apply for District Teacher of the Year. Ten semifinalists will be named at the Campus Teacher of the Year reception April 5 at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

Applications for District Teacher of the Year must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.

Click here to apply and for more eligibility requirements.

Contact Danielle Stenger at Danielle.stenger@fwisd.org regarding any questions about the award or application process.

2018-2019 Academic Chair for teaching Excellence in Performing Arts, Theater and Dance Applications Due March 27

About a month remains for FWISD educator to apply for the Bayard H. Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts and the Broadway at the Bass Chair for Teaching Excellence in Theater and Dance honors.

The two distinctions recognize exemplary Fort Worth Independent School District teachers specializing in general, choral or instrumental music, theater and dance.

The eligibility requirements and application form can be found on the Community and Strategic Partnerships page.

Applications must be submitted to the Department of Community and Strategic Partnerships no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Electronic applications may be sent to Danielle Stenger at danielle.stenger@fwisd.org or submitted online per the directions on the application.

Keeping it Clean

It takes everyone to ensure students at the Leadership Academy at Como Elementary School enter to a clean and safe learning environment, said Anita Totress.

Ms. Totress, head custodian at the school, arrives at 5:15 a.m. ready to make the floors sparkle and ensure things are up to par when students and staff arrive.

In this video, she talks about her work at Como Elementary.

"It's a lot of cleaning, but it's enjoyable. It's rewarding," Ms. Totress said. "It takes all of us … to try to keep our building clean."

The Fort Worth ISD Operations Department is looking to hire hardworking, dedicated individuals to join its team as monitors, custodians and bus drivers.

Learn more about FWISD job opportunities today at www.fwisd.org/careers.

For more details on the hiring process and the necessary documents needed for background checks, call 817-814-2717.

PTA CELEBRATES 108 YEARS IN FORT WORTH ISD WITH FOUNDERS DAY LUNCHEON

The Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs recently held its annual Founders Day luncheon, celebrating 108 years of dedication to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.

Superintendent Kent P. Scribner gave remarks focusing the connection between parent involvement and the District mission, and origins of the National PTA and its long history within the Fort Worth ISD. Dr. Courtney Wait, assistant principal of McLean 6th Grade Center, presented on family engagement, which was based on her doctoral research.

Click here for more details.

#THANKYOUTHURSDAY

Thank you to all our partners who support Fort Worth ISD. Today, we celebrate our partners with an appreciation luncheon. Look for more details about the FWISD Partner Appreciation Luncheon in next week's Inside FWISD.

COMING SOON ...

In next week's Inside FWISD, look for information about spring job fairs, the Dunbar Adult Evening School and much more.

February is Career and Technical Education Month

February is Black History Month

Early voting for the March 6 Primary, continues through Friday, March 2

End of Fourth Six Weeks, Friday, February 23

Poly HS Black History Program, Friday, February 23

Learning model sessions, Professional Development Center, 3150 McCart Ave.

4 to 5 p.m.: Monday, March 5 and Friday, March 9

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Monday, February 26; Monday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 27

Billy W. Sills Lecture Series, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, February 24

The Cowtown, Saturday, February 24-Sunday, February 25

Fort Worth Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, February 27

Voluntary Teacher Transfer applications due, Thursday, March 1

STEM Expo 2018, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave.

District Teacher of the Year application deadline, Tuesday, March 6

Primary Election, Tuesday, March 6

Report Cards distributed, Wednesday, March 7

Daylight saving time, Sunday, March 11

Spring break, Monday, March 12- Friday, March 16

Vital Link Summer Program teaching supervisor application deadline, Friday, March 23

Chair for Teaching Excellence in the Performing Arts application deadline, Tuesday, March 27

Campus Teacher of the Year reception, Thursday, April 5 at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)

Visit the Inside FWISD blog at 8 a.m. Mondays for a look at The Week Ahead.

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.

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