In this edition:
District 4 Swearing In of Daphne Brookins Set for Tuesday | Get Started on a College and Career Pathway at FWISD Choices Expo | North Side Steers Aren't Done Making Football History | FWISD Teacher Career Fair Today | FWISD Employees: Don’t Miss Out on Big Prizes For Giving to United Way | Alan Bean’s Daughter Celebrates Moonwalk Anniversary at Paschal HS | District Issues New Policy Updates | 2019 DFW Teacher Survey Is Live | FWISD Students to Participate in Veterans Day Events | Registration Underway For Edu-Con | Report Cards Available On November 13 | Dallas Mavericks To Host FWISD Council of PTAs Night | Let’s Talk School Community Forums | FWISD Week 11: Playoff Spots On the Line In Regular Season Finales | Benbrook Volleyball Claims Bi-District Title, Advances To Area Playoffs | FWISD Earns Multiple Wins at PRSA Worthy Awards Dinner | Fort Worth ISD Gold Seal Culinary Students Await Results Of Recent Cooking Demo: Winning Dishes Will Appear on Menus at Local Restaurants | FWISD’S Young Women's Leadership Academy Students To Present At PLTW Conference | Parents At FWISD’s Oakhurst ES Complete Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors Program | Terrell Academy Fall Showcase, Principals Reception Set For November 14 | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog
District 4 Swearing In of Daphne Brookins Set for Tuesday
The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education will swear in its newest trustee on Tuesday, November 12 during its regular scheduled meeting.
Daphne Brookins, a Youth Administrator at Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, garnered 61.04% of votes in a three-person special-called election for the District 4 seat, November 5, according to unofficial election results from the Tarrant County Elections Office. Her opponents, Johnny Cook-Muhammad and Terry D.T. Miles received 24.58% and 14.39% of votes respectively. Election returns will be canvassed by the Board on November 12.
Ms. Brookins succeeds Dr. T.A. Sims, the District’s longest-serving board member with more than 35 years as a trustee. He resigned from the post July 16, 2019.
“It’s an honor,” Ms. Brookins said of voters electing her to serve District 4. “There are some big shoes to fill from Dr. T. A. Sims, and I’m just excited that the citizens of District 4 are willing to give me an opportunity to bring my years of experience in education, social services and partnerships to the table to help District 4 and FWISD."
District 4 represents the following FWISD schools: Harlean Beal Elementary, Briscoe Elementary, Carroll Peak Elementary, Carter Park Elementary, Clifford Davis Elementary, W.M. Green Elementary, Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary, Morningside Elementary, David K. Sellars Elementary, I.M. Terrell Academy, Versia Williams Elementary, Glencrest 6th Grade, Morningside Middle and O.D. Wyatt High School.
A former Forest Hill Mayor Pro Tem and Councilwoman, Ms. Brookins currently works with young adults ages 16-24 as a Youth Administrator with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and is young adult motivational speaker and writer. She serves on multiple local and state boards including the One Star Foundation, which she was appointed to by Gov. Greg Abbott. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University.
Ms. Brookins said she looks forward to working with District 4 students and their families, her new colleagues, campus principals and teachers and community stakeholders.
She said her top priorities include ensuring daycares are on the same page as the District’s early learning program, increasing graduation and accountability rates and ensuring District 4 families receive resources that allow stability and a good education for their children.
“A child succeeds when they’re stable,” she said.
She also wants to explore and identify strategies to more effectively center the needs of youth and young adults that will prepare them for postsecondary education and/or for employment.
Ms. Brookins will represent District 4 until the term expires in May 2021, at which time she may decide whether to run for a full term.
Get Started on a College and Career Pathway at FWISD Choices Expo
Come to the Choices Expo and learn everything you need to know to find the perfect Fort Worth ISD Gold Seal Program or School of Choice for your student.
When: Friday, November 8, 4-7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 9, 9 a.m. - Noon
Where: Wilkerson Greines Activity Center, 5201 C.A. Roberson, Fort Worth
What are Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice? Watch this video and see how Gold Seal gives families the power to choose an education that’s a match for their student’s interests, learning style, and college and career dreams. Gold Seal Programs and Schools are fascinating, individualized pathways based on college fields of study and in-demand, lucrative careers – everything from Early College High School to aviation, cybersecurity to International Baccalaureate, world languages to fine arts, and much more.
What is the Choices Expo? As this quick video at the top shows, it’s where families explore all the Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice up close, ask questions, and get assistance in applying – all in one place!
Online Gold Seal applications are available Friday, November 8. Applications are due December 13, 2019.
For more information, go to the 2020-21 Gold Seal Catalog or call 817-814-1540.
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Comienza tu Camino Universitario y Profesional en la Expo Selecciones de Fort Worth ISD
Vengan a la Expo Selecciones y aprendan todo lo que necesitan saber para encontrar el Programa o la Escuela de Selección con Sello de Oro de Fort Worth ISD perfecto para su estudiante.
Cuándo: Viernes 8 de noviembre, de 4 a 7:30 p.m. y sábado 9 de noviembre, de 9 a.m. al Mediodía.
Dónde: Centro de Actividades Wilkerson Greines, 5201 C.A. Roberson, Fort Worth, TX.
¿Qué son los Programas y Escuelas de Selección con Sello de Oro? Miren este video y vean cómo estos programas brindan a las familias el poder de elegir una educación que coincida con los intereses, el estilo de aprendizaje y los sueños universitarios y profesionales de sus estudiantes. Los Programas y Escuelas con Sello de Oro son caminos fascinantes e individualizados basados en campos de estudio universitarios y carreras lucrativas demandadas, todo desde Iniciación a la Universidad hasta la aviación, de la seguridad cibernética al Bachillerato Internacional, de los idiomas mundiales a las bellas artes, y mucho más.
¿Qué es la Expo Selecciones? La expo es donde las familias exploran de cerca todos los Programas y las Escuelas de Selección con Sello de Oro, hacen preguntas y obtienen asistencia para la solicitud, ¡todo en un solo lugar!
Las solicitudes de Selecciones estarán disponibles en línea el viernes 8 de noviembre. La fecha límite para las solicitudes es el 13 de diciembre de 2019.
Para obtener más información, vean el Catálogo de Selecciones 2020-21 o llame al 817-814-1540.
North Side Steers aren’t done making football history
By Art Garcia
Inside FWISD Contributor
The calls fill up coach’s mailbox, almost to the point where he can’t get back to everyone. Former teammates can’t help but text the guys right in the middle of it. The buzz in the community around North Side High School is unavoidable.
When a drought four decades in the making finally ends, you’re going to feel the love.
The Steers, back in the UIL football playoffs for the first time since 1979, are in the midst of creating something special. And they’re not done.
“They’re aware of the history,” North Side coach Joseph Turner said. “These guys are pretty level-headed. I want to say we’ve done a good job of making sure they keep their heads down and stay focused and keep working hard.
“After the season we can sit down and talk about the things we’ve accomplished, the games that we’ve won and the stuff we’ve done, but right now it’s about playing football. We’ll worry about the rest when the season is over.”
North Side qualified for a playoff spot from District 4-5A with one game left in the regular season. The Steers are 4-1 in league play and 5-4 overall. The regular season finale against Justin Northwest (5-4, 5-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Northwest Texas Stadium also happens to be for the district title.
“It’s been one of the most exciting seasons with come-from-behind wins,” Turner said. “Even the games we didn’t win, we came back in the second half and put up some good points. The kids have been playing pretty hard. Securing a playoff spot is real, but we’re playing for a district championship Thursday so that speak volumes.”
Turner didn’t expect to be playing for a title this season, admitting that reaching the playoffs was the team’s foremost focus. Now that they’re in this position, the narrative has changed.
“We want to accomplish all our goals and play hard and try to win this championship,” junior wide receiver Da’Wain Lofton said.
The Steers have made a habit of living on the edge this season. Three of their district wins have involved second-half comebacks, including rallying from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Polytechnic 21-20 last week and lock down the playoff berth.
“We just stay focused and give everything we’ve got for the whole game,” junior quarterback Isaak Rosales said. “We have that mentality to never stop.”
Turner just wishes they’d get started a little sooner.
“They play better when their backs are against the wall,” he said. “I’m trying to get them to play better when their back is not against the wall. Just trying to get them to play better for all four quarters. We can’t keep coming from behind to win games because eventually that’s going to bite us.”
Standing on the practice field earlier this week, Turner took time to reflect on where the program has come since taking over as head coach in 2015 after two years as an assistant.
Now he’s hearing from former players from the last playoff team 40 years ago who are calling to offer their congratulations and share stories from back in their day. Turner has invited those past Steers to games and introduced them to the team.
The current Steers aren’t immune to what’s going on around them.
“Trying to make history and make the community proud,” Lofton said. “Our community has really supported us and come out to every game.”
Turner isn’t banking on a one-year blip on the radar. The Steers are poised to contend for years to come, with as many as 16 starters projected back next season. The lower grades at North Side and feeder middle schools are also seeing a surge in players and talent.
But that’s down the line. There’s still memories and milestones to create for the 2019 Steers.
“We’re already headed in the right direction,” Turner said. “Every year we’ve been doing pretty good. We’ve been sending boys to college and our program GPA is high. Our middle schools are winning games. It’s just one year at a time. We’ll worry about the rest later on.
“I’ll celebrate these guys big time when the season’s over. There’s going to be a big celebration.”
FWISD Teacher Career Fair Today
What: Fort Worth ISD Career Fair for teachers
When: Thursday, November 7
4 to 6:30 p.m. for teaching applicants
Where: Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, 5201 C.A. Roberson Blvd.
Summary: Tell your friends – there’s a career for them in the Fort Worth ISD. Campus principals will meet with prospective teaching applicants from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center.
Teachers – and college seniors who will graduate in December 2019 or May 2020 and are planning to become teachers – may attend the career fair. Campus principals will be on site and are eager to talk with applicants.
The career fair allows attendees to:
- Meet and interview with District representatives on the spot
- Get questions answered about working in the Fort Worth ISD
- Learn about the $54,000 starting salary for teachers as well as professional development to ensure success
For more details on FWISD employment opportunities, call 817-814-HIRE or visit www.fwisd.org/careers.
Don't Miss Out On Big Prizes For Giving To United Way
Online Giving Ends Friday
Fort Worth ISD employees: there’s still time to contribute to the District’s 2019 United Way Campaign and earn prizes for giving.
Employees who make an online donation by Friday, November 8, are automatically eligible for multiple prizes including a two-night hotel stay in downtown Fort Worth and gift cards. Look for a final email on how to give in your inbox on Friday.
“When you give to United Way, you are making a difference in individual lives.,” said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner. “Your support insures the success of our children, the integrity of our families and neighborhoods, and a second chance for people to rebuild their lives.”
FWISD employees who submit online donations -- even a small one-time donation -- are eligible for multiple prizes including a two-night stay at the Embassy Suites in downtown Fort Worth that will be awarded to two campaign donors or a $200 Target gift card. The FWISD department contributing the most to the campaign will receive four $25 gift cards from Texas Live!
FWISD employees received an email from United Way of Tarrant County October 21 with personalized login information for donating online, details on what the nonprofit does and how to help.
Once again, employees can make online donations by credit/debit card or payroll deductions this year. Donations will be deducted from employee’s paychecks over eight months from January to August.
When donating, employees can specify the agencies or programs they’d like their donations to support and 100% of the donation will support the cause or agency designated.
The 2019 District goal is increasing participation 20% above the number of participants in 2018. To date, nearly 8% of employees have contributed to this year’s campaign.
Campaign participation is voluntary.
United Way of Tarrant County partners with over 45 nonprofit agencies to support more than 300,000 people annually in need with resources and various services.
For more details about FWISD’s 2019 United Way Campaign, contact Cindy Ybarra at cindy.ybarra@fwisd.org or call 817-814-3350.
Alan Bean’s Daughter Celebrates Moonwalk Anniversary at Paschal HS
All this week Paschal High School is remembering alumnus Capt. Alan Bean (1950) and his walk on the moon 50 years ago this month. Tuesday, Amy Bean, presented “Moonwalker’s Daughter,” her unique perspective of the space race, to classes.
You’ll enjoy watching our short video on Ms. Bean’s presentation and flipping through these photos from the event.
Dubbed “Moonwalker Celebration,” the weeklong festivities also include artifacts and virtual reality presentations from staff at Fort Worth’s Museum of Science and History; a presentation on the Future of Space from Paschal science teacher Dr. Robert Scheer; “Take Me to the Stars,” a portable planetarium; “Space” music in the atrium during lunch by the Paschal orchestra; and opportunities for students to create patch designs during lunch. The school library will highlight space travel and provide opportunities for real time space exploration through library computers.
Capt. Bean, a lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, was the fourth person to walk on the moon.
View more photos from the Moonwalker Celebration here.
District Issues New Policy Updates
EDITORS NOTE: The following content is from the Division of Policy and Planning
The FWISD Board Policy manual contains policies governing the operation of this District. Periodically the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) provides updates to various policies based on changes in the law and Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements. Occasionally revisions may be needed to meet the needs of the District as well.
As a courtesy and in an effort to keep you informed, a policy alert will be provided monthly so that you may be aware of changes specific to our District. Each employee is still expected to be aware of and follow all policies of the District.
The District policy manual consists of four (4) different components:
- LEGAL policies compile federal law, state law, and court decisions, providing the statutory context in which all other policies should be read; these cannot be changed by District administration or the Board.
- LOCAL policies reflect decisions made by the Fort Worth ISD board of trustees and are specific to our District.
- REGULATION documents are administrative procedures that implement board policies.
- EXHIBIT documents may contain forms, charts, and other kinds of supporting information.
The following policies have been revised and/or added:
- CCGA(LOCAL): AD VALOREM TAXES- Exemptions and Payments
- CI(LOCAL): SCHOOL PROPERTIES DISPOSAL
- CNA(LOCAL): TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT-Student Transportation
- DCD(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES-At-Will Employment
- DG(REGULATION): EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
- FJ(LOCAL): STUDENT FUNDRAISING
- FMA(LOCAL): STUDENT ACTIVITIES-School-Sponsored Publications
Please feel free to disseminate to others, and if you have questions, contact Dr. Amanda Coleman in the Division of Policy and Planning at amanda.coleman@fwisd.org or 817-814-1956.
2019 DFW Teacher Survey Is Live
Approximately 1,725 Dallas-Fort Worth educators have spoken.
Did you know that 1,725 of your colleagues across DFW have taken the Fourth Annual DFW Teacher Survey being administered in partnership with Best in Class? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to provide Fort Worth ISD with actionable feedback about your experience.
You may be wondering, “Who’s Best in Class?” It’s a coalition comprised of school districts, teacher preparation programs and non-profits united by one mission – growing the proportion of students on track for college and career success. Achieving this goal can’t happen without understanding your experience and coalescing to improve it.
All Fort Worth ISD teachers, substitute teachers and teacher assistants (paraprofessionals) are invited to participate in the survey which is currently underway.
The end of the semester quickly approaches and there’s no better time than now to check the pulse of our District. Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Best in Class to administer the 4th Annual DFW Teacher Survey designed to assess the teacher experience in our district.
“The DFW Teacher Survey is designed to get to the heart of the teacher experience and provide valuable data to our District as we work to improve the quality of instruction for all Fort Worth ISD students,” said Karen Molinar, FWISD Chief of Staff.
Implementing thoughtful approaches that create thriving ecosystems for our teachers is our priority. Your feedback provides us with actionable data we can harness as we enter planning for the 2020-2021 school year, and it sheds light on ways in which we can support our human capital assets.
To protect your privacy all survey responses are collected and analyzed by a third party. All survey responses are anonymous and aggregate level results are provided to the District. Survey data collected will not be released to us or any other party.
Please click here to access the survey. The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete and can be done via mobile phone or computer. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, November 25, 2019, and 50 respondents will be chosen at random to receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
FWISD Students to Participate in Veterans Day Events
Fort Worth ISD students will march alongside the world famous First Cavalry Division Horse Platoon in the Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11.
The parade is one of several events in the coming week where FWISD students will commemorate the contributions of military veterans. Today, W.J. Turner Elementary hosted its annual Patriotic Parade.
The District’s 15 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and 21 Junior Cadet Corps (JCC) units are among high school cadets from across the county participating in the county Veterans Day Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. at the Tarrant County Courthouse, 100 E. Weatherford St. in Fort Worth. Bands from FWISD’s Benbrook, Carter-Riverside, Paschal, Western Hills and O.D. Wyatt high schools are slated to join the procession.
Military and JROTC groups, floats and bands are expected to travel from the county courthouse down Main Street. This year’s theme, “Centennial Celebration,” recognizes 100 years of Armistice and Veterans Day parades in Fort Worth and Tarrant County and the 100-year anniversary of the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Military Order of World Wars organizations.
Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade is hosted by the City of Fort Worth and organized by the Tarrant County Veterans Council. The Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade is designated as a 2019 National Veterans Day Regional Site by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to parade organizers.
For more Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade details, visit fw2019vetparade.org.
Earlier today, W.J. Turner Elementary hosted breakfast for military veterans followed by a patriotic program, a parade, classroom speakers and a luncheon for guests.
“We are teaching the future, and it’s very important to instill the values of honor and respect,” said Principal Elida Gonzalez. “We are very excited and humbled to say thank you to our veterans.”
REGISTRATION Underway for Edu-Con
All teachers and administrators are encouraged to register and attend Edu-Con Fort Worth, hosted by Texas Wesleyan University’s College of Education on Saturday, November 16 at the new Nick and Lou Martin Center on the Texas Wesleyan campus.
Now in its 26th year, Edu-Con, formerly known as the Conference of the Education of Hispanics, will include education experts and practitioners from the Fort Worth ISD, surrounding districts, private and public universities, and servant community leaders as presenters and facilitators for the conference’s professional learning sessions.
Registration is $30 for FWISD educators. Teachers may earn flex credit for attending, and their participation can be “included in their T-TESS evaluations when they exceed the minimum requirements of their professional learning plans,” said Dr. Raul Peña, FWISD chief of elementary schools and Edu-Con Fort Worth chair.
Conference proceeds benefit the Mexican American College Education (MACE) Scholarship Fund. Founded in 1969, MACE is a nonprofit that awards approximately 90 college scholarships annually worth more than $50,000 to Tarrant County students.
To register, visit http://bit.ly/ECFW19_Part. After full attendance is verified, teachers will be enrolled and given credit on Strive, according to Dr. Peña.
Report Cards Available on November 13
Report cards for the second six weeks will be available electronically via Parent Portal, beginning Wednesday, November 13.
Earlier this school year the Fort Worth ISD transitioned to paperless report cards, making student grades available via Parent Portal, which also gives parents and guardians access to their child’s attendance and provides an easy way to email the student’s teacher.
Parents who prefer a paper copy of report cards must visit their child’s campus to request one.
Any parent who doesn’t have Parent Portal access, should be encouraged to visit www.fwisd.org/parentportal and sign up today. Parents or guardians need their child’s student ID, birth date and their email address to register.
The third six weeks officially began Monday, November 4 and concludes December 20. The second six weeks ended Friday, November 1.
DALLAS MAVERICKS TO HOST FWISD COUNCIL OF PTAS NIGHT
Support Fort Worth ISD PTAs, enjoy an exciting NBA game and score an exclusive opportunity in the process.
The Dallas Mavericks will host FWISD Council of PTAs Night in their game against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, November 16 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Purchase game tickets at MavsGroup.com/fwisd1, and a portion of the proceeds will support the FWISD Council of PTAs. Ticketholders will also have an exclusive opportunity to take a shot at the basket on the Mavericks court following the game.
Need help or have questions? Contact Omayra McCandele at 214-658-7612 or email Omayra.McCandele@dallasmavs.com.
LET’S TALK SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUMS
Parents and students are invited to attend upcoming forums on proposed school boundary changes. The boundary changes will impact all traditional high school feeder patterns and address overcrowding, demographic shifts, and equity for all students.
Between now and November 19, Superintendent Kent P. Scribner will host community forums at every comprehensive high school in the Fort Worth ISD. The topics: school feeder patterns and overcrowding, demographic shifts, and equity for all students.
Attendees are encouraged to use our new Let’s Talk! feature for questions and feedback during the Boundary Forums. You’ll be able to submit a question or comment from any device, and we’re committed to returning a timely response.
The following community forums are scheduled:
Thursday, November 7: 6-7 p.m. South Hills HS Auditorium, 6101 McCart Ave., 76133
Monday, November 18: 6-7 p.m. Southwest HS Auditorium, 4100 Altamesa Blvd., 76133
Tuesday, November 19: 6-7 p.m. Paschal HS Large Auditorium, 3001 Forest Park Blvd., 76110
Forums already held and the presentations:
Tuesday, September 17: 6- 7 p.m. Arlington Heights HS Auditorium, 4501 W. Freeway, 76107
Thursday, September 26: 6-7 p.m. O.D. Wyatt HS Auditorium, 2400 E. Seminary Drive,76119
Thursday, October 3: 6-7 p.m. Amon Carter-Riverside HS New Cafeteria, 3301 Yucca Ave., 76111
Thursday, October 10: 6-7 p.m. North Side HS Auditorium, 2211 McKinley Ave., 76164
Wednesday, October 16: 6-7 p.m. Eastern Hills HS Auditorium, 5701 Shelton St., 76112
Monday, October 21: 6-7 p.m. Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS Auditorium, 1411 Maydell St., 76106
Tuesday, October 29: 6-7 p.m. Western Hills HS Auditorium, 3600 Boston Ave., 76116
Wednesday, October 30: 6-7 p.m. Polytechnic HS Auditorium, 1300 Conner Ave., 76105
Monday, November 4: 6-7 p.m. Dunbar HS Auditorium, 5700 Ramey Ave., 76112
FWISD WEEK 11: Playoff Spots on the Line in Regular Season Finales
By Art Garcia
Inside FWISD Contributor
A long and eventful regular season is down to its final week, which brings several playoff scenarios into focus for teams across Fort Worth ISD. When the game clocks expire on Friday night, we’ll know who is moving on.
The race in District 4-5A Division II has shaped up as the most interesting all season. North Side, which clinched its first playoff spot in 40 years, is playing for the district championship Thursday night at Justin Northwest. The Steers are 4-1 in district, while Northwest is 5-0.
Southwest (3-2) is also in the playoffs, regardless of what happens Friday night against Polytechnic (1-4) at Handley Field. The District’s remaining playoff spot is on the line Friday at Clark Stadium between Eastern Hills (3-2) and O.D. Wyatt (2-3), with the winner advancing.
In 6-4A Division I, Dunbar (4-1) has already secured a playoff spot and clinches second place with a win against Lake Worth (3-2) Thursday night. Benbrook (2-3) clinches a playoff spot by beating Castleberry (3-2) Thursday night at Farrington Field.
Thursday, November 7
6-4A: Dunbar vs. Lake Worth, Clark Stadium, 7 p.m.
6-4A: Benbrook vs. Castleberry, Farrington Field, 7 p.m.
6-4A: Western Hills vs. Diamond Hill-Jarvis, Handley Field, 7 p.m.
3-5A: South Hills vs. Brewer, Brewer Bear Stadium, 7 p.m.
4-5A: North Side vs. Northwest, Northwest Texas Stadium, 7 p.m.
4-6A: Paschal vs. North Crowley, North Crowley Panther Stadium, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 8
4-5A: Eastern Hills vs. O. D. Wyatt, Clark Stadium, 7 p.m.
4-6A: Trimble Technical (homecoming) vs. Arlington Sam Houston, Farrington Field, 7 p.m.
4-5A: Southwest vs. Polytechnic, Handley Field, 7 p.m.
3-5A: Arlington Heights vs. Chisholm Trail, Chisholm Trail Ranger Stadium, 7 p.m.
Benbrook Volleyball Claims Bi-District Title, Advances to Area Playoffs
By Art Garcia
Inside FWISD Contributor
Benbrook Middle-High School is the lone remaining Fort Worth ISD team alive in the volleyball playoffs after beating North Hills Prep 3-0 Monday, November 4. The Bobcats move on to the area round Friday night against Sanger at Azle High School.
Carter-Riverside, Eastern Hills, North Side, Paschal and Arlington Heights had successful seasons end in the bi-district round earlier this week.
Friday, November 8
Benbrook vs. Sanger, 7:30 p.m.
Azle High School, 1200 Boyd Road, Azle, Texas 76020
FWISD Earns Multiple Wins at PRSA Worthy Awards Dinner
A humorous but touching video about a retired Fort Worth ISD administrator’s very first day on the job and a groundbreaking partnership between FWISD and Texas Wesleyan University received top honors from the Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The PRSA’s annual Worthy Awards dinner was held at the Ridglea Country Club on Wednesday, November 6.
Fort Worth ISD had six public relations projects up for awards. All six won prizes, including two Worthy Awards, the highest honor in each category. The FWISD wins, by category, were:
Special Public Relations Program
Leadership Academy Network – Worthy Award
(This entry was a partnership by the S & G Group, Fort Worth ISD, and Texas Wesleyan University)
Annual Report
You Belong Here: Fort Worth ISD 2017-18 Annual Award – Award of Achievement
Internal Video
My First “First Day” – Worthy Award (watch again!)
External Video
Superintendent’s December Message – Award of Excellence (watch again!)
PSA
You Belong Here: Pre-K/Kindergarten commercial – Award of Excellence (watch again in English and Spanish)
Special Tactic
The Inside Story: Growing an Internal Communications Plan in the Fort Worth ISD – Award of Achievement
Fort Worth ISD Gold Seal Culinary Students Await Results of Recent Cooking Demo
Winning Dishes Will Appear on Menus at Local Restaurants
Culinary students from Fort Worth ISD’s Trimble Tech High School will learn soon if their dish will appear on a menu at a local restaurant.
The students recently participated in the Kids Fit Menu Invitational Live Demo Event, a competition in which culinary students from area school districts prepare an original dish for the chance at having it included on the children’s menus in restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth. Kids Fit Menu Invitational Live Demo Event, a partnership of Medical City Children’s Hospital, the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association and Texas ProStart was hosted Saturday, November 2 at 3015 at Trinity Groves, a culinary events center, in Dallas.
The culinary program at Trimble Tech High School is a Gold Seal Program of Choice.
Contest results will be announced soon. The winning recipes, names and photos of the student chefs and the school they represent will appear on children’s menus at Grub Kitchen + Bar, Village Burger Bar and Genghis Grill.
Trimble Tech High School’s culinary team created the Turkey Buddy Burger for Grub Kitchen + Bar, a casual burger restaurant. The dish is a kid-sized turkey zucchini patty on a whole wheat bun with jalapeño ranch spread and a side of carrot sticks with a pineapple apple sauce dip. It was created by students Paola Martinez, Kimberly Sanchez and Miriam Perez Vega. The team is led by culinary arts teacher Natasha Bruton.
In April, two dishes created by students at North Side and South Hills high schools were added to the kids’ menu at la Madeleine French Bakery and Café. The dishes -- Cinnamon Apple Crepe and Ooh la la Chicken and Rice – were winners at the 2018 Kids Fit Menu Invitational Live Demo Event.
North Side High School and South Hills High School culinary students are also part of the District’s Gold Seal Programs of Choice.
“Our culinary students are making waves in the industry, leaving their mark and making their presence known all across the region. FWISD Culinary is a reputable name, and worth watching their success- their trajectory is only going up and up,” said Jennifer Cole, a coordinator in FWISD’s Career and Technical Education Department. “These students will be the future leaders in all areas of culinary arts, restaurant management, hospitality, and tourism. They are driven and proud of what they produce- for very good reason. This event is a prime demonstration of their capacity and creativity.”
FWISD’s Young Women's Leadership Academy Students to Present at PLTW Conference
Students and educators from Fort Worth ISD’s Young Women's Leadership Academy are among an elite group selected to present to hundreds of attendees at the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) conference – PLTW Summit – in San Antonio November 17 - 19. They are one of just four groups from across the country chosen to present; PLTW selected them based on the school’s exceptional implementation of their PLTW programs.
PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers, partnering with more than 11,500 schools across the U.S. to deliver hands-on programs in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. Young Women's Leadership Academy offers PLTW Engineering and Gateway.
PLTW Summit is the premier gathering for individuals dedicated to preparing students with the in-demand and transportable skills they need to succeed in college and careers. Guests will include PreK-12 educators, students, university leaders, and business and industry leaders.
Young Women's Leadership Academy will present on the main General Session to a crowd of more than 750 guests. They will also have the opportunity to network with PLTW alumni and leaders from businesses and higher education institutions interested in students with STEM skills.
“Young Women's Leadership Academy is a true champion of PLTW’s relevant, engaging approach to learning, teaching, and community engagement,” said PLTW Senior Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer David Dimmett. “We’ve invited them to share their stories to inspire attendees and provide best practices that can be taken back to other communities to benefit students across the country. We are thrilled to have PLTW students and teachers from Young Women's Leadership Academy with us at PLTW Summit.”
In addition to PLTW Summit San Antonio, there are three other PLTW Summit experiences taking place this school year:
- PLTW Summit Kansas City, Nov. 10-12
- PLTW Summit Anaheim, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2
- PLTW Summit Indianapolis, Feb. 18 - 10
For more information or to register to attend, visit PLTW.org/Summit.
Parents at FWISD’s Oakhurst ES Complete Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors Program
Six Fort Worth ISD parents at Oakhurst Elementary School were recently recognized for completing the District’s Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors program.
A graduation ceremony was hosted Wednesday, November 6 in which School Board President Jacinto Ramos Jr. was the guest speaker. Parents participating in the program received books and other literacy materials for their children.
Abriendo Puertas is currently being piloted in two schools and in two different languages. Family Communications Specialist LaTonya Copeland-Berry is currently facilitating an English class at Eastern Hills Elementary and Family Communications Specialist Jessica Becerra completed facilitating a Spanish-speaking class at Oakhurst Elementary this week.
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors is a 10-week parenting program that empowers parents with knowledge, resources, and activities they can do at home with their children ages 0-5 years old to help with their development. Weekly, courses focus on four areas of child development (Physical, Cognitive, Language, and Social-Emotional). The Horizontal Learning approach and incorporating families’ culture and own experiences create a comfortable and fun learning experience where parents feel included and invested in.
Weekly topics include:
- I Am My Child’s First Teacher; Our Home, My Child’s First School
- My Child’s Growth and Development
- Power of Words
- Healthy Body/Healthy Mind - Part 1: Nutrition & Physical Activity
- Healthy Body/Healthy Mind - Part 2: Social-Emotional Well-Being
- My Child, Media and Technology
- Count With Me
- Let’s Get Ready for School
- Champions for Our Children’s Future
- Yes, We Can! Graduation
Also weekly, a popular saying or a “Dicho” that most parents are familiar with that coincides with the courses’ theme is discussed.
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors is an evidence-based curriculum with more than 10 years of research and evaluation. Parent collaboration and valuable feedback is used to enhance the program.
For more information on Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, please visit: https://ap-od.org/
View more photos from the graduation ceremony at Oakhurst Elementary here.
Terrell Academy Fall Showcase, Principals Reception Set for November 14
Fort Worth ISD’s I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA will host its Fall Showcase and Principals Reception, Thursday, November 14.
Watch the school’s art and science programs come alive through student exhibits and performances from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the campus, located at 1900 I.M. Terrell Way. School administrators and I.M. Terrell Foundation members will greet guests at a reception that will include light refreshments. Take a campus tour with Student Ambassadors or view information showing what makes I.M. Terrell Academy unique at this special event.
The event will also include a student showcase in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Guests interested in attending are encouraged to click here to RSVP.
The Fall Showcase is one of several events being held at the campus within the week. The campus was recently selected for the NBC 5 Brag About Your School segment and will be featured live on Monday, November 11. Check your local listings for more details.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following are recent photos from across the Fort Worth ISD.
Readers for the Jumpstart: Superintendent Kent Scribner spent the morning as the guest reader at the JumpStart Reading Program's "Read for the Record Day" at Western Hills Primary School today. "On a rainy day like this, it’s best to break out a good book," he said. Learn more about "Read for the Record Day" at readfortherecord.org.
NTTA Check presentation: NTE Mobility Partners, the infrastructure company selected to finance, design, build, operate and maintain three major DFW highway corridors: North Tarrant Express, LBJ Express and NTE I-35W, presented the Education Foundation for Fort Worth Schools with a check for $60,000, Wednesday, November 6. The funds will support the launch of ESports programs across the district.
Mural Painting Events: The Fort Worth ISD community participated in two beautification events Saturday, November 2 -- “Spreading Color Through the Community” at Manuel Jara Elementary School and “Color Your World Community Mural Project 2019.” The Manual Jara event also recognized Art Teacher David Orona for his work and dedication to the community. Students at Manuel Jara also presented a POW/MIA banner they created to military veterans.
17th Annual Cowtown Classic Invitational Drill Meet:More than 52 high schools from Texas and Oklahoma competed for top honors in the 17th Annual Cowtown Classic Invitational Drill Meet, Saturday, November 2, at the District’s Wilkerson- Greines Activity Center. The competition is the culmination of hours of practice and featured the best teams in Texas and Oklahoma, executing complex routines in a focus-demanding setting. Teams were judged on their mental and physical fitness, teamwork, communication, self-control and extreme discipline.
Chickasaw Cultural Center field trip: Students in the District's American Indian Education Program took a field trip to the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, Saturday, November 2. The visit is among a few District activities being held this month in observance of Native American Heritage Month. Students participated in various dances and also tasted many native foods samplings including sweet potatoes, squirrel gravy, Three sisters stew, Pashofa, Fry bread, fried pork and grape dumplings.
Division Champs: Congratulations to the J.P. Elder and Morningside middle school football teams, which are Division I and II champions, respectively. Both teams went undefeated (9-0) during the 2019 season. “They made big plays throughout the season and maintained a “team first” mindset” said Troy Bell, assistant director of athletics. “I want to commend both coaching staffs on how well their kids displayed good sportsmanship as well as their overall play all season.”
Hispanic Heritage Month Museum: Dolores Huerta Elementary hosted its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Museum, September 26-October 18. Thirty classroom bulletin board project/exhibits depicting the life and work of Latino authors and illustrators in children’s literature, Hispanic American role models, leaders and heroes in science, history and the arts were exhibited. Displays celebrating family traditions and Latino immigrant families in the United States were also part of the exhibit.
Top Chef FW: Ten students from the culinary program at Fort Worth ISD's Trimble Tech High School recently attended the Top Chef Challenge competition where local chefs faced off for the title of Fort Worth Magazine's Top Chef. Chef Jon Bonnell, the competition's host, recognized the Trimble Tech culinary students as the next leaders in the industry and stated that the students would be among the competitors in the near future. This year's Top Chef Challenge was Jenna Kinnard from 97 West, a restaurant located inside Hotel Drover in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Read more about Chef Kinnard in the November issue of Fort Worth Magazine. The culinary students attended the event as guests of AceMart.
November is Native American Heritage Month
2019 Financial Aid Help Sessions, Continue through November 19
School boundary forum at South Hills HS, November 7
Teacher Hiring Fair, November 7
FWISD Auxiliary Career Fair, November 7
Website/Social Media Training, November 7
Moonwalker Celebration of Alan Bean at Paschal HS, Continues through November 8
Choices Expo, November 8 and 9
Wedgwood MS Fall Community Event, November 9
Veteran’s Day Parade, November 11
Board of Education Meeting, November 12
Report Cards Issued, November 13
Teaching Chair Awards Luncheon, November 14
2nd Annual P-TECH Open House, November 14
Website/Social Media Training, November 14
Website/Social Media Training, November 15
Professional development offered by the Prevention and Crisis Response Department, November 16
FWISD Council of PTAs Night at the Dallas Mavericks Game vs. the Toronto Raptors, November 16
Council of PTA Leadership Program, November 16
EDU-CON, November 16
Academic Sweatshirt ceremony, November 18
Arlington Heights High School Senior Spotlight, November 18
School boundary forum at Southwest HS, November 18
School boundary forum at Paschal HS, November 19
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, November 21
Rosemont 6th Annual Wellness and Fine Arts Fair, November 21
Website/Social Media Training, November 21
Website/Social Media Training, November 22
2019 GM Financial Parade of Lights, November 24
Thanksgiving Break, November 25-29
Save the date for Summer Professional Learning
Girls and Boys Basketball Schedules
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.