In this edition:
FWISD Partners With UNTHSC’S FITWORTH For 2021 Spring Wellness Challenge Promoting Student Well-Being: An estimated 84,000 Fort Worth students will take part in the nutrition, physical fitness and mental wellness program | FWISD Partners With UNTHSC FitWorth For First In Series of Monthly Staff Webinars: January Staff Webinar Focuses on Mental Health, Wellness | Annual Fort Worth Technology Conference Aims To Innovate, Integrate, Motivate Educators | FWISD Releases Legislative Priorities Brochure | Tanglewood Community Remembers Campus Monitor Alex Williams | Como ES Students Celebrate New U.S. Vice President In Recent Music Video | FWISD Employees Observe MLK Day Giving Away 200 Care Packages, Food To the Public | Attention Aspiring Principal and Assistant Principal Candidates | Texas, FWISD To Observe Holocaust Remembrance Week | Kerry Group Donates Nearly 5,000 Gallon-Size Bottles of Hand Sanitizer to Keep Students, Staff and Teachers Safe |COVID-19 Killing Air Filtration Units Donated to I.M. Terrell Academy | FWISD To Celebrate CTE Month This February | Food Available At Multiple Sites Through January | Inside FWISD News Briefs | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Community Resources | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog
FWISD Partners with HSC’s FitWorth For 2021 Spring Wellness Challenge Promoting Student Well-Being
An estimated 84,000 Fort Worth students will take part in the nutrition, physical fitness and mental wellness program
Editor's Note: The following content is from the University North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
The Fort Worth ISD and the University North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth have teamed up to build healthier and safer communities in 2021.
HSC/FitWorth is working with the school district’s physical education department to introduce the Spring Wellness Challenge to an estimated 84,000 Fort Worth students.
“Speaking for the FWISD Health & Physical Education Department, I will say that we are eager to work alongside HSC Fort Worth for our district wellness initiatives this year,” said Cherrelle Tillis, Physical Education Curriculum Specialist for the school district. “The partnership could not come at a better time, considering the pandemic and the effects it has had on our students, staff and families.”
HSC FitWorth is an initiative started by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and the City Council. It is supported by HSC with community corporate involvement.
“This past year has really shined a light on the importance of health and well-being in our community,” Mayor Price said. “I am encouraged by the work FitWorth is doing in collaboration with our schools to promote a culture of wellness that is impacting students and their circles of influence.”
As part of the challenge, students participate in two short surveys (pre/post-tests) and receive health education on topics such as nutrition, physical activity and mental health. Students complete a pre-test, brief lesson, optional brain break activities and then a post test.
Students/teachers spend about 10-15 minutes a month on the newly created health challenge.
The data is collected anonymously to gauge what students learned from the instruction.
The educational program was developed by HSC experts and will be incorporated into online and in-person lessons. Educators and staff (about 11,500) will also receive wellness education.
HSC/FitWorth added an incentive to the program – $50,000 for support supplies, monthly healthy luncheons for schools with the highest participation rates and grand prizes for the three schools with the most participation across all five months.
Elementary, middle and high schools with the highest participation will earn “wellness” makeovers through $10,000 in grand prizes.
HSC/FitWorth wants to make a positive impact to the community’s health and wellness.
HSC/FitWorth created a content schedule based on the district’s health curriculum. It also incorporates several topics deemed important by HSC experts deemed important.
Here is a schedule of health topics:
January: Mental Health
Content created by: Dr. David Farmer and Jessica Rangel
February: Physical Wellness
Content created by: Dr. Kathlene Camp
March: Injury Prevention
Content created by: John Sims and Katie Shanklin (SaferCare Texas)
April: Environmental Wellness
Sandy Bauman / Asthma 411
May: Nutrition
Content created by: Deborah Gillespie and Dr. Teresa Wagner
FWISD Partners With UNTHSC FitWorth For First In Series of Monthly Staff Webinars
January Staff Webinar Focuses on Mental Health, Wellness
The Fort Worth ISD Health and Physical Education Department is partnering with the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s FitWorth to host a staff webinar for District employees, Thursday, January 28.
“Mental Health and Wellness with Dr. David Farmer and Jessica Rangel,” explores the importance of caring for one’s mental health and its correlation to one’s well-being. The one-hour webinar begins at 4:30 p.m. Register today at unthsc.edu/FWISD.
The FWISD campus with the highest percentage of webinar participants will receive a free healthy lunch and recognition in a future edition of Inside FWISD. One webinar participant will be selected to receive a prize up to $500. Prizes include an Apple watch, spa package, cooking class gift card and much more.
The January 28 staff webinar is the first in a series of monthly online sessions FWISD is partnering with UNTHSC at Fort Worth FitWorth to host for District staff in 2021. It’s also part of the 2021 Spring Wellness Challenge, an initiative to build healthier and safer communities through lessons and activities for FWISD students and staff. Monthly, the challenge targets an area of wellness, with mental health being the focus for January.
The January 28 webinar speakers, Dr. Farmer and Ms. Rangel, have prepared mental health content for students and staff for the month of January.
Dr. Farmer, director of UNTHSC Interprofessional Education and Practice and an assistant professor of medical education has 23 years of experience in the clinical practice of counseling psychology.
Ms. Rangel is the UNTHSC vice provost of Academic Innovation and has more than 33 years of experience as a clinician and previously served as the executive patient safety officer at Texas Health Resources.
To register for the webinar, visit unthsc.edu/FWISD.
ANNUAL FORT WORTH TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE AIMS TO INNOVATE, INTEGRATE, MOTIVATE EDUCATORS
Get ready for a full day of more than 70 sessions aimed to Innovate, Integrate and Motivate you all from the comfort of your home. Fort Worth ISD’s Educational Technology Department will host an all-virtual Fort Worth Technology Conference (FWTC), Saturday, January 23, 2021.
This is the first time the 16th annual event is being hosted 100% online via the Google Meet video conferencing platform. The free conference kicks off at 9 a.m. with the keynote session featuring Jake Miller, host of the Educational Duct Tape Podcast. Through the podcast Mr. Miller answers teacher questions and addresses how duct tape is used as a tool for solving life’s problems. Like duct tape, education technology is utilized in the classroom. Sessions will continue through 3 p.m.
“The Fort Worth Technology Conference isn't about the technology. It's about teachers and classroom transformation,” said Becky Navarre, Assistant Superintendent of Technology. “There's a session for everyone at FWTC to meet you where you are in the technology integration journey. There's no hidden agenda here; the objective is to learn and grow in our craft to make a better tomorrow for our students.”
Fort Worth ISD teachers and staff and national digital-instruction innovators will lead curriculum-based and digital driven instructional sessions that offer attendees a myriad of tools for engaging students, leveraging digital technology for student success and increasing productivity in a hybrid educational environment. Annually, FWTC offers practical technology tools that educators can immediately implement in lesson plans and administrative tasks.
Visit www.fwisd.org/fwtc to register and for additional session details. Have additional questions? Contact Shana Ellason, Technology Learning Integration Director, at 817-814-3100 or email shana.ellason@fwisd.org.
FWISD Releases Legislative Priorities Brochure
As the 87th Texas Legislature’s work gets underway, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Education has approved a list of priorities that could have a significant impact on the education of our children.
As the District has done in each biennium, a Legislative Priorities document has been prepared to share with our elected representatives. That document can be viewed at https://www.fwisd.org/Page/26370.
Tanglewood Community Remembers Campus Monitor Alex Williams
Family and staff in the Tanglewood Elementary School community gathered to remember the school’s longtime campus security monitor Alex Williams, Friday, January 15.
Mr. Williams served as the Tanglewood Elementary campus security monitor for 27 years. He died Wednesday, January 13. He was 47.
Tanglewood Elementary Principal Dana McKenzie remembers Mr. Williams as a “ball of joy” who committed his life to serving others.
In a park adjacent to the school, families and staff gathered last Friday to share memories of the beloved campus security monitor and utter his favorite saying one final time in his memory – “Friday, Friday, Friday. Good Ol’ Friday!”
View video from the recent memorial below.
Learn more about Mr. William's legacy in this recent Good Morning Texas segment.
The Fort Worth ISD extends its deepest sympathy to Mr. Williams' family and all who were impacted by his life.
Como ES Students Celebrate New U.S. Vice President In Recent Music Video
Students at Fort Worth ISD’s Leadership Academy at Como Elementary are celebrating the nation’s new vice president with a music video titled “Madam VP.”
Kamala D. Harris made history on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, becoming the first female, Black American of South Asian descent to serve as the United States vice president. She will serve as second in command to Joseph R. Biden, Jr., who was sworn in Wednesday as the nation's 46th president.
Five Como fifth-grade students acknowledge Vice President Harris as an inspiration that’s making history, paving the way for young girls just like them who look up to her in the 5-minute video. Colors and student attire in the video are a nod to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which the vice president was initiated into at Howard University in Washington, D.C. as an undergraduate student.
The video was re-posted Wednesday by social media outlet, Storyful .
“Whoever thought this happen? Now girls like me can dream bigger every time my VP’s on TV,” one student exclaims.
“Madam VP” is written by Como fifth grade math teacher Thomas Mayfield.
FWISD Employees Observe MLK Day Giving Away 200 Care Packages, Food To the Public
Fort Worth ISD employees spent the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday giving to our neighbors in need.
Nearly 200 care packages consisting of food, winter accessories and toiletries
and boxed lunches were distributed Monday, January 18, in Fort Worth’s West Lancaster corridor. This 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was especially tremendous because the pandemic has rocked many families and left many in need of assistance with food, housing and other resources, said Mia Hall, a FWISD Equity and Excellence executive director and organizer for the employee service day. Mrs. Hall said that the day of service is not only a commitment to equity but rallying around and standing in the gap for our neighbors who are struggling.
View video of how FWISD employees observed the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday below.
“MLK Day of Service is a testament to Fort Worth ISD’s commitment to our community. Rather than taking a day off, 20 Fort Worth ISD employees and Equity and Excellence leadership chose to commemorate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by providing more than 200 care packages and meals to itinerant Fort Worth citizens,” Mrs. Hall said. “The outpouring of benevolence from staff, donors, and District partners in support of our Amazon Gift Registry and MLK Day of Service embody the sentiments that ‘it takes a village and together we can accomplish great things.’ At the heart of every educator is a servant and the actions performed on Monday evidence the magnitude of the Fort Worth ISD’s dedication to our community and stakeholders.”
The 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Monday, January 18, marks the third year FWISD employees have observed the MLK federal holiday in service to others. The day generally begins with employees assembling care packages consisting of food, winter accessories and toiletries. Once the packages are filled, employees distribute them to the homeless and those in need along with a boxed lunch.
"MLK Day is a day of service that allowed me to be of service with others providing aid making the community better for individuals who are often forgotten while facing life barriers," said Nydia Lewis, director of FWISD's Office of Adult Education and a Day of Service volunteer. "It's with profound honor, gratitude, and respect for Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, while addressing social problems that motivates me each year to volunteer to be of service to the less fortunate community. As a member of Fort Worth ISD Equity and Excellence leadership team we strive each year to be of services to all mankind."
Department and campus staff along with FWISD Board member Anne Darr and others served, interacted with the public and cleaned neighboring grounds, Mrs. Hall said. District warehouse drivers transported the care packages, Kirkpatrick Middle School English language arts teacher Leo Vaughns, Jr. served as the event’s disc jockey bringing “energy and spirit to the day,” and Sodexo, who oversees FWISD’s Child Nutrition Services, provided the boxed lunches, she said.
The service event is one of two FWISD employees and students participate in during the school year. Students in years past have participated in service projects during the spring to observe the District’s Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Day of Service.
“We’ve seen so much need … in a variety of ways,” said Sherry Breed, chief of FWISD’s Equity and Excellence division. “This is just another opportunity to say to the people that may feel like they’ve been forgotten to let them know [that] no Fort Worth ISD has not forgotten you. We’re still here standing with you.”
Since 1994, the U.S. Congress has commemorated the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a national day of service, encouraging Americans to participate in service projects within their communities.
Attention Aspiring Principal and Assistant Principal Candidates
Dear FWISD Colleagues:
If you are interested in being a campus leader next school year NOW is the time to apply!
Now is the time for all qualified individuals to apply for the 2021-2022 campus school principal and assistant principal pools.
The following postings are open until Friday, January 29:
- Principal – Internal Candidates
- Principal – External Candidates
- Assistant Principal – Internal Candidates
- Assistant Principal – External Candidates
- Assistant Principal – Internal Candidates with certification to be complete by May 2021
All eligible principal and assistant principal applicants must complete the Assessment Center Screening Process on Saturday, February 20 in order to be considered for the pool. Be sure to reserve the date on your calendar today!
If you previously completed the Assessment Center Screening Process in spring 2020, you do not need to reapply. Your continued eligibility was confirmed via your response to the survey link sent to you on Friday, November 20.
We look forward to reviewing your application soon! In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Sammy Monge at smonge@fwisd.org.
Texas, FWISD To Observe Holocaust Remembrance Week
Fort Worth ISD joins the state of Texas in observing Holocaust Remembrance Week, January 25-29. The week coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, which commemorates the date “Auschwitz was ‘liberated’ by Allied troops,” according to the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission (THGC).
This is the second year the state has observed Holocaust Remembrance Week. Last legislative session, Texas lawmakers approved Senate Bill 1828, which states that the week is designed “to educate students about the Holocaust and inspire in students a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities.”
During World War II approximately 6 million European Jews and many others were targeted and killed by a Nazi regime because of race, biological, political, ideological and behavioral reasons, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum website.
Age-appropriate instruction about the Holocaust is available for school and District use by the THGC. However, the curriculum is not fixed.
A link to the resources is available in FWISD’s grade level/course Scopes and Sequences via SharePoint. Resources are specific to grade level bands. Some grade-appropriate materials are provided by the Dallas Holocaust Museum with which the District has a working relationship.
The following resources are recommended reading prior to delivering the unit of instruction on the Holocaust:
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust
- Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission
- Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum – Every Child has a Name Legacy Project
- Facing History – Why Study History and Holocaust Memorial
Kerry Group Donates Nearly 5,000 Gallon-Size Bottles of Hand Sanitizer to Keep Students, Staff and Teachers Safe
Who: Kerry Group
What: Donation of 26 pallets of FDA-approved hand sanitizer to Fort Worth ISD
When: Friday, January 15, 2021
Summary: Kerry Group delivered 26 pallets of FDA-approved hand sanitizer to keep Fort Worth ISD students and staff safe. Each pallet includes 192, 1-gallon bottles, for a total of 4,992 bottles of sanitizer.
“We are very grateful to our community partners who continue to support Fort Worth ISD,” said Superintendent Kent P. Scribner. “Protecting our students and staff in these uncertain times and knowing our community is behind us allows us to better focus on the business of teaching and learning.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Kerry employees in Fort Worth and around the world rallied together to keep each other safe, help customers ensure a steady supply of the nutritious food and beverages people rely on every day, and support local communities in need.
In addition to producing much needed food and beverage solutions, a number of Kerry sites reconfigured some of their production lines to produce FDA-approved hand sanitizer for local communities and health authorities. This donation represents the commitment to the Fort Worth community.
"On behalf of our Kerry team here in Fort Worth, we are delighted to donate hand sanitizer to help our local school administrators, teachers and students,” said Fort Worth Plant Manager Greg Irby.
Kerry is the global leader in the development of taste and nutrition solutions for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets. Its broad technology foundation, customer‐centric business model, and industry‐leading integrated solutions capability make Kerry the co‐creation partner of choice. Kerry is also an industry‐leading manufacturer of chilled food products primarily to the Irish and UK markets. Kerry employs over 26,000 people globally, including over 1,000 food scientists, and its global presence extends across 150 manufacturing facilities in 32 countries. For more information, visit http://www.kerry.com/
COVID-19 Killing Air Filtration Units Donated to I.M. Terrell Academy
Students at Fort Worth ISD’s I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA returned to school from an extended weekend this week to find new air filtration systems in some classrooms. The systems are a generous donation from Monzer Hourani, inventor and owner of Houston-based biodefense technology company, Integrated Viral Protection.
On Friday, January 15, two small indoor air protection units were installed in the academy’s Visual and Performing Arts Department, and two large indoor units were placed in the choir and instrumental rehearsal spaces. The devices are designed to catch and kill 99.999% of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus and anthrax spores and other airborne contaminants using heat and HEPA filter technologies instantaneously in a single pass.
“We're not only protecting our students, teachers, and administrators against the threat of COVID-19, but all airborne viruses and pathogens," said Dr. Garrett Peel, co-founder and executive principal of Integrated Viral Protection (IVP).
Christina Walk, FWISD’s executive director of Visual and Performing Arts said that the devices provide a safer learning environment for students and staff.
"The health and wellbeing of our students and staff has been our No. 1 priority through this pandemic,” she said. “The addition of the air protection systems would not be possible without the generous donation by Monzer Hourani and Dr. Garrett Peel. We are extremely grateful for their generosity."
Learn more about IVP at http://ivpair.com.
FWISD To Celebrate CTE Month This February
The Fort Worth ISD will join the nation in observing Career and Technical Education Month this February.
CTE Month is a public awareness campaign that celebrates the value, achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs around the nation. The 2021 theme is “Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow.”
According to the Association For Career and Technical Education, CTE courses introduce students nationally to multiple career options through 16 career clusters and nearly 80 pathways.
CTE programming allows students to complete high school with advanced technical college credits, professional certifications and licenses and prepared for high-wage, high-demand jobs. Students in the Fort Worth ISD have opportunities to explore career options in the following fields:
- Agriculture, food and natural resources
- Architecture and construction
- Arts, audio/visual technology and communications
- Business, marketing and finance
- Education and training
- Energy
- Health science technology
- Hospitality and tourism
- Human services
- Information technology
- Law and public service
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Transportation, distribution and logistics
Nearly 36,000 FWISD were enrolled in CTE programs as of the 2019-2020 school year.
For more details about the FWISD’s CTE offerings, visit www.fwisd.org/cte.
FWISD ANNOUNCES 2020-2021 SAFE SCHOOLS TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Editor's Note: The following memorandum from Classified Learning refers to upcoming SafeSchool training deadlines. This year employees will be able to test out and not have to view all courses with the exception of the Employee Handbook, Title IX Compliance Overview, Texas Cybersecurity and two coronavirus videos. Employees who decide to test out of a module and who pass will not receive a certificate, but their training will meet District compliance requirements for 2020-2021. Employees who opt to test out of a training and who do not pass with 80% must watch the module and retake the test.
Employees will receive generated SafeSchools emails that contain three modules that were assigned in May. These modules were not assigned for the 2020-2021 school year because of the pandemic but are required by state and federal laws. Cybersecurity is two hours because of Texas HB 3834. Title IX Compliance is a new federal requirement.
This year employees may test out of select courses. Courses exempt from the test out include the Employee Handbook, Title IX Compliance Overview, Texas Cybersecurity and the two Coronavirus videos. Additionally, this functionality is not available in District created modules like the Active Shooter module.
Employees may test out of any of the other modules by clicking "Test Out." Employees who decide to test out of any modules but who do not pass with an 80%, will have to watch the module and retake the test.
Please note that employees who decide to use the "Test Out" functionality will not receive a certificate, but their training plan will state “Tested Out”. This is still meeting the District's compliance requirements for this 2020-2021 school year.
All remaining courses are due by February 15, 2021.
For additional FAQs and information please click here.
Food Available at Multiple Sites Through January 2021
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.
Curbside Meals To Go breakfast and lunch service is available at 28 designated FWISD locations for FWISD virtual learners. Twice weekly on Monday and Thursday mornings, FWISD students participating in virtual learning may pick up a combination of breakfast and lunch meals at any of the 28 designated meal pickup sites. For more information, contact the FWISD Child Nutrition Department at 817-814-3500.
Beginning February 8, 2021 free Meals To Go Service will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Friday meal distribution provides students with meals for the weekend.
The Fort Worth ISD has compiled a list of locations to find free and nutritious food here.
Food is available at these locations throughout January 2021:
Food Distribution
1. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon
LVTRISE
8201 Calmont Ave.
Every Tuesday and Thursday LVTRise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living in the Las Vegas Trail area, distributes nonperishable food items to the community. For additional details, email Amortimer@lvtrise.org.
2. Friday, January 22, 10 a.m.- 1 p.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 additional information, visit https://tafb.org/megamobilemarkets/
3. Saturday, January 23,2021, 10 a.m.-2 p.m
St. Luke’s in the Meadow Episcopal Church
4301 Meadowbrook Drive
St. Luke’s in the Meadow will host a Mobile Food Pantry. For additional details, call 817-534-4925.
4. Wednesday, January 27, 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, January 29, 10 a.m.- 1 p.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 additional information, visit https://tafb.org/megamobilemarkets/
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:
- Find Food - https://tafb.org/find-food/ or https://www.facebook.com/tafoodbank
- Seniors and Homebound Individuals – Call 817-336-0912 or visit https://mealsonwheels.org/programs or https://mealsonwheels.org/refer/
- Community Resources- Visit https://tafb.org/community-resources/ or speak with a Community Resource Specialist at 1-866-430-6143 for help with applying for the programs
- Go Healthy! Recipe Library - https://tafb.org/recipes/
INSIDE FWISD NEWS BRIEFS
Editor's Note: Inside FWISD Briefs are quick-hit stories of activities and events happening locally and nationally.
Create A Wellness Plan This Weekend with PLI
Fort Worth ISD’s Professional Learning and Innovation (PLI) Department will host “Creating Your Wellness Plan,” a live self-care session for District employees this weekend via Zoom.
District employees have two opportunities to participate in the hour and a half session – 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday, January 23. “Creating Your Wellness Plan” is a FLEX elective which educators can receive 1.5 hours credit for attending. District employees can register for the session via Eduphoria under Student Support Services.
Last month, FWISD’s PLI Department launched Winter Training for Teachers, a series of live and asynchronous online self-care and wellness sessions. The sessions continue through midnight January 31.
“Educators have many changes to navigate, especially during times of uncertainty and transition. You might be adapting to new schedules and different ways of teaching,” reads a flyer for the sessions. “Practicing self-care is essential to your well-being. You may be looking for strategies to support your learning environment, yourself and your students while you face new challenges. Our offerings provide resources to create an optimal experience.”
Since last spring, PLI has worked with other FWISD departments to incorporate wellness components into professional learning content for teachers. PLI is working to make wellness courses a permanent part of programming. It’s a hub for self-care and wellness courses offered by multiple District departments and the Blue Zones Project.
“We value the building of teachers. We believe in the need for wellness,” Wendy Owens, a PLI specialist recently told Inside FWISD. “We have to take care of ourselves as we’re helping others.”
Check out the PLI Facebook page daily for wellness tips, quotes and activities and notifications about upcoming sessions.
HCM To Host Job, Networking Events Next Week
Fort Worth ISD’s Human Capital Management Department is hosting an Auxiliary and Operations Virtual Fair and Professional Networking Event next week.
Prospective candidates for bus driver, substitute, maintenance, teacher assistant, clerical positions and much more are encouraged to register for the Auxiliary and Operations Virtual Fair slated for 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, January 27. Hiring managers will meet with prospective candidates via Zoom. Click here to view the available FWISD careers and to register for the event. Prospective applicants must register for the event no later than noon January 22.
On Thursday, January 28, prospective job candidates will have an opportunity to network with and ask questions of HCM staff. The FWISD Professional Networking Event will take place from 1-3 p.m. via Zoom. People interested in participating are encouraged to sign up here for an available time slot no later than noon January 27.
FWISD employees, know someone who would be a good fit for either of these opportunities? Encourage them to register.
For additional information about HCM, visit www.fwisd.org/hcm.
Inauguration Observance: Students at some FWISD schools observed the inauguration of the nation's new president and vice president Wednesday learning how the Constitution outlines the presidential inauguration, watching the inauguration live and wearing attire to celebrate the nation's first female Black American of South Asian descent to serve as vice president.
Self-Care Café: Fort Worth ISD’s Restorative Practices program launched its Self-Care Café programming on Wednesday. The programming offers District stakeholders live Facebook and Zoom events monthly and online self-care resources focused on four pillars: mental wellbeing, physical activity, healthy eating and knowledge and health literacy. Here's a few clips from Wednesday's sessions. For more information, click here.
On Pointe: Students at J. Martin Jacquet have spent the last couple weeks learning ballet history and technique.
Committed To Serving: Students from Journeys, JROTC, and the Art Club at Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School spent the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday participating in a community service on the campus.
Special Delivery: A special thank you to Blue Zones Project Fort Worth for its recent donation to Carter Park Elementary School.
Investing in the Future:The 2017 FWISD Bond Program renovations continue at O. D. Wyatt High School. A new modern athletic facility is complete and construction of a new Career and Technical Education addition is in progress, an investment in students as they plan their future.
Wildcat Pride: The 2017 FWISD Bond Program renovations are improving learning at Dunbar High School. New classrooms, cafeteria and field house are just the beginning of the new spaces that support learning as students plan for the future.
Transforming Makeover: The 2017 FWISD Bond Program is transforming at Western Hills High School. A new media center, natural lighting in collaboration spaces, athletics improvements, and a beautiful new façade provide modern instructional and classroom environments for all students.
New Look: The striking new façade for Southwest High School from the 2017 FWISD Bond Program leads to exciting learning spaces where students can plan for the future.
North Side High Debuts Eye-Catching Exterior Mural: This vibrant mural for North Side High School’s new mariachi hall is just one of many 2017 FWISD Bond Program improvements to support student learning.
Questbridge Scholars: Congratulations to Southwest High School senior, Yamilett C. (left) and North Side High School senior, Lluvia G. (right), recipients of the full four-year Questbridge Match Scholarship, valued at $200,000 each. Yamilett and Lluvia earned early access into The University of Chicago and Notre Dame University, respectively because of the scholarship. Also awarded a full four-year Questbridge Match scholarship totaling $200,00 was Western Hills High School senior Elodia Perez, not pictured, who has been accepted to Boston College. QuestBridge is a non-profit agency whose powerful platform connects the nation's brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education. The program aims to increase the percentage of talented financially challenged students attending the nation's best universities.
The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a generous financial aid package provided by participating colleges that covers the cost of attendance, including: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
Presidential Honors: Congratulations to Green B. Trimble Technical High School senior, Nayeli S. Shewas recently accepted to The University of Texas at Arlington, University of North Texas, and The University of Texas at Austin. Nayeli also received the Presidential Honors Scholarship from The University of Texas at Arlington totaling $48,000.
President's Scholarship: Congratulations to Green B. Trimble Technical High School senior, Ibeth G., for her acceptance to Texas Wesleyan University. She received the Presidential Scholarship totaling $84,000.
Double Success: Congratulations to senior sisters Aurora and Angela Hernandez for college acceptances to Texas Christian University, the University of Oklahoma, Tarleton State University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, Midwestern State University, University of Nebraska and Texas Wesleyan University. Combined, these scholars have earned more than $200,000 combined in scholarships.
FAFSA MVP: Congratulations to O.D. Wyatt High School, the FAFSA MVP for the month of November. The District will announce the winner for the month of December in February. Monthly, the FWISD high school with the highest percentage of students completing FAFSA receives a FAFSA MVP banner to display outside its campus.
I Have A Dream: Leading up to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, students at Hubbard Heights Elementary participated in activities in which they learned about the civil rights leader's fight for justice and equality.
Easy As 1-2-3: Pre-kindergarten students work on their counting skills during a recent lesson at M.L. Phillips Elementary School.
Learning New Things: Students at Atwood McDonald Elementary School recently participated in lessons about how snow and ice melt by painting melted snowmen and initial letter sounds and letter recognition
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COVID-19 Vaccination
Register for Your Complimentary FinPath Account
The FinPath program provides our employees with financial wellness solutions to help you prepare for future financial goals. With this program you will have access to the following resources at NO COST to you:
- Financial Coaching Meetings
- Financial Advising Meetings
- DIY Online Budgeting and Retirement Calculator Tools
- Full Suite of 30+ of On-Demand Financial Workshops through FinPath University
- Access to other financial solutions and partners that may be right for you and your situation
Learn more by registering your account at http://www.FinPathWellness.com and click Register.
No-cost COVID-19 Testing
Wear A Mask
CDC Tips on Properly Wearing A Cloth Mask
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. Free COVID-19 testing is also available for select FWISD employees by visiting www.virtualcarefamilies.com/fwisd-abbott.
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.
FWISD is partnering with Virtual Care for Families to offer select employees with free Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 testing. All eligible employees must preregister to receive the test.
The following employees/departments are eligible for testing:
- Teachers
- Transportation
- Maintenance and Operations
- Custodians
- Child Nutrition Services
- Special Education personnel
District employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are advised not to arrive at a designated FWISD testing location and to contact their doctor or visit www.virtualcarefamilies.com to be connected with a provider.
Employees are encouraged to follow the instructions below to register for the free COVID-19 testing.
Employee Assistance Program Resources for FWISD Employees
Follow COVID-19 updates from the City of Fort Worth at fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/
Winter Trainings For Teachers, Continue through January 31
Fort Worth Technology Conference, January 23
Board of Education Meeting, January 26
Auxiliary and Operations Virtual Hiring Fair, January 27
FWISD Professional Networking Event, January 28
T-TESS Orientation for newly hired FWISD educators, January 28
End of Fall Semester for traditional schools, January 29
African American History Month Begins, February 1
Staff Day (Student holiday), February 1
Spring Semester starts for traditional schools, February 2
Registration for March 6 Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Ends, February 6
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.
Credits:
Created with images by stevepb - "dumbbells training fitness" • albertoadan - "capitol texas austin"