In this edition:
Fort Worth ISD, Texas Wesleyan Announce First-of-its-Kind, Innovative PK-8 Partnership | Mandatory Email Signature Information | FWISD Pre-K and Kindergarten Children Star In TV Commercial | FWISD Announces Stakeholder Survey Drawing Winners | 4 FWISD Girls Basketball Teams Advance to Area Playoffs | National Hispanic College Fair Set for February 15 | College Entrance Exams Slated District-wide During School Day This March, April | FWISD Dance Showcase Set for February 19 | U.S. Military History Staff Ride Slated Feb. 21-25 | ES History Fair Winners Announced | FWISD Celebrates Black History Month | Glen Park ES, Jo Kelly Named Latest Webby Award Winners | ES Leadership Recognizes Campuses for Student Engagement, Phenomenal Learning Communities | Southwest HS Wins FWISD's Monthly FAFSA Challenge | Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs Hosts Annual Founders’ Day Luncheon | FWISD CTE Students Qualify for State Contests | MS Track Repairs Underway | #THANKYOUTHURSDAY | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Ask Elsie | AAIL Spotlight | Employee Assistance Program Services| Social Media Tip of the Week | Calendar
FORT WORTH ISD, TEXAS WESLEYAN ANNOUNCE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND, INNOVATIVE PK-8 PARTNERSHIP
Texas Wesleyan School of Education tapped to run Leadership Academy Network and sustain District successes at five campuses
Fort Worth ISD and Texas Wesleyan University today announced an innovative five-year partnership to sustain the rising academic achievements of the District’s five Leadership Academies. The agreement establishes the Leadership Academy Network, a first-of-its-kind initiative that leverages the resources of the Texas Wesleyan School of Education and the Fort Worth ISD Office of Innovation and Transformation.
Network schools include the Leadership Academies at Como Elementary, John T. White Elementary, Maude I. Logan Elementary, Mitchell Boulevard Elementary and Forest Oak Middle School—once-struggling campuses that became part of an education model piloted by the District in 2017. The new partnership with Texas Wesleyan, approved by the Fort Worth ISD board on Feb. 12, is the next phase of that effort, designed to maintain and build upon Leadership Academy successes and move the schools from promising initial results to sustained levels of high student achievement.
“We firmly believe that all students can succeed and thrive, given the right learning environment,” said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner. “Between the demonstrated successes of the Leadership Academy model and the institutional resources Texas Wesleyan will bring to these campuses, we expect strong results going forward as we prepare these students for college, career and community leadership.”
The Leadership Academy model features high-achieving teachers and principals, specifically chosen for their track record of significant growth with similar students and their willingness to engage in rigorous work. Leadership Academy employees will remain at their respective campuses as long as they are in good standing with the District. The Leadership Academies will also continue their commitments to instructional excellence, extended-day learning, social-emotional support for students and enhanced parent and community partnerships—tactics that have proven effective. In the first year of operations, all Leadership Academies came off the Texas Education Agency’s “Improvement Required” list and demonstrated levels of student growth that placed them among the top half of campuses across the state.
Texas Wesleyan will operate and manage the schools under a performance contract, and the Texas Wesleyan board will serve as the governing board for the Leadership Academy Network. Texas Wesleyan will create a leadership team to manage the Network and will form a Steering Committee made up of veteran educators and administrators to help guide that work. The University’s School of Education will provide data-driven academic oversight and intensive professional development, based on faculty expertise in instruction, curriculum and administration. The campuses will remain Fort Worth ISD schools staffed by Fort Worth ISD employees, and students are still Fort Worth ISD students.
The partnership developed as a result of Texas Senate Bill 1882, or the Texas Partnership Opportunity, which went into effect in 2017 and provides financial incentives for school districts to expand the diversity of school options, bring in targeted expertise and empower school leaders and partners with greater autonomy. Leveraging this opportunity, Fort Worth ISD engaged in a thoughtful, year-long planning process, and worked with community stakeholders to identify an outstanding partner for a district-charter hybrid. Fort Worth ISD selected Texas Wesleyan to sustain the Leadership Academy model and align efforts with the District’s broader strategic plan.
Texas Wesleyan is Fort Worth’s oldest institution of higher learning, with a strong governance structure and a long history of working with Fort Worth ISD to bring innovative opportunities to area schools. The partnership exemplifies Texas Wesleyan’s strong commitment to serving the community and supporting the economic revitalization of East Fort Worth, where the University is located. Many of the District’s Leadership Academy schools are near the Texas Wesleyan campus.
Leadership Academy teacher education opportunities will strengthen Texas Wesleyan’s well-established pipeline of graduates entering employment with Fort Worth ISD. Texas Wesleyan intends to utilize its students as a source of volunteers, mentors and role models for Leadership Academy students.
“The Leadership Academy model reflects the mission of our School of Education to meet the challenges of instruction and learning in the 21st century,” said Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach. “We believe that together, we can sustain the academic gains experienced at these five campuses while solidifying a model with potential for much broader impact across the nation.”
The Leadership Academy Network impacts about 3,000 students. The transition in leadership will take effect before the start of the 2019-20 school year.
Scheduled parent informational meetings:
Leadership Academy at Logan Elementary: 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. February 18th
Leadership Academy at John T. White Elementary: 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. February 18
Leadership Academy at Mitchell Blvd. Elementary: 5:30- 6:15 p.m. February 19
Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Middle: 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. February 19
About the Leadership Academy Network
Established in February 2019, the Leadership Academy Network is a first-of-its-kind partnership between Fort Worth ISD and Texas Wesleyan University, designed to sustain rising academic performance of the District’s five Leadership Academies. Piloted by the District in 2017, the Leadership Academy model is based on instructional excellence, extended learning, social-emotional support, highly qualified principals and teachers and parent and community partnerships. First-year results showed improvement at all schools. Texas Wesleyan was selected by Fort Worth ISD to sustain and support this model by managing the schools in accordance with a performance contract mutually negotiated by the partners. Dedicated to education and the community, Texas Wesleyan is a long-time partner to Fort Worth ISD. The University’s School of Education offers innovative and exceptional experience in classroom instruction, curriculum and administration. The partnership is made possible by 2017 Texas Senate Bill 1882, which enables districts to expand the diversity of school options, bring in targeted expertise and empower school leaders and partners with greater autonomy. Network schools are the Leadership Academies at Como Elementary, John T. White Elementary, Maude I. Logan Elementary, Mitchell Boulevard Elementary and Forest Oak Middle School.
Mandatory Email Signature Information
FWISD now requires all of its employees to use an official e-mail signature for all email correspondence created through your FWISD email account. Email signatures that do not follow this standard may no longer be used. Consistent email signatures deliver a visually coherent look across departments and campuses and are just one more tool to help all employees judge if email correspondence is legitimate. Just as our business cards follow a standardized approach, email signatures should be consistent.
Email signatures should include:
- Your name
- Job title
- Department or Campus
- Fort Worth Independent School District
- Phone number
- Email Address
- Location
Microsoft Outlook: How to set your Email Signature (or www.fwisd.org/emailsignature).
FWISD PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN STAR IN TV COMMERCIAL
“There’s a place every parent wants for their child,” begins Fort Worth ISD’s new 30-second TV commercial. With the help of the District’s youngest students, the commercial then shows why that place is here – Fort Worth ISD Pre-K and Kindergarten.
The commercial, which begins airing next month in English and Spanish, urges parents to register their children for Pre-K beginning April 1, 2018. Fort Worth ISD is making it easier for parents to enroll children this year by providing streamlined online registration and requiring fewer documents during enrollment.
Watch the commercial in English or Spanish on Youtube.
Here are some important dates:
April 1: Easy, online Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration begins
April 6: The Fort Worth ISD Annual Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration and Literacy Fair
In addition, the Fort Worth ISD Bookmobile will visit local neighborhoods to help parents register their children. Children will receive free books to get them excited about learning as they prepare to begin school in the fall.
The District’s Pre-K program is free of charge, and there’s enough room for every child. Children attend school from 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. each day in classrooms that are nurturing, safe spaces that inspire discovery and learning.
Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers in Fort Worth ISD have earned their state certification. Pre-K teachers receive an extra 30 hours of training each year and Kindergarten teachers receive 16 additional hours of training annually. This additional training equips teachers with the latest tools to give young students the right balance of structure and play in their education. Our teachers focus on literacy, math, social interactions and other skills to help children successfully navigate the academic path that lies ahead.
Go to www.fwisd.org/prek for more information, including documents that parents need to bring to registration.
FWISD Announces Stakeholder Survey Drawing Winners
The Fort Worth ISD has announced the winners of its 2018-2019 Fort Worth Stakeholders’ Climate Survey incentive drawing.
Winners were announced live via Facebook, Thursday, February 14.
The Family Communications Department partnered with the Grants Compliance and Monitoring Department to reward schools receiving a final response rate of 10 percent or higher for families completing the survey.
More than 50 schools met the goal and were entered into a drawing for personalized parent support valued at $300 that includes materials, parenting classes and a customized training of the winning schools’ choice to boost family engagement. Schools were also eligible for family-friendly gift baskets to distribute to a family attending a campus event – hold your own drawing.
The winners for the drawing are:
$300 Parent Support
- Cesar Chavez ES
- Tanglewood ES
- Western Hills Primary
- Polytechnic HS
- Boulevard Heights and Transition Center
- Washington Heights ES
- Worth Heights
- Alice Contreras ES
- Daggett Montessori
- Dolores Huerta ES
- Kirkpatrick MS
- Manuel Jara ES
Family-Friendly gift baskets (including games, a reading nook, household cleaning items, snacks and much more)
- Natha Howell ES
- South Hi Mount ES
- Glen Park ES
- McLean 6th
- M.L. Phillips ES
- North Hi Mount ES
- Como Montessori
- Sam Rosen ES
- Middle Level Learning Center
- Rosemont ES
- TCC-South Fort Worth ISD Collegiate HS
From November 27 to December 21, 2018, the District administered its 2018-2019 Fort Worth Stakeholders’ Climate Survey in which it asked key stakeholders – students, parents, staff and community members – to share their attitudes and beliefs about FWISD’s climate and culture. Nearly 60,000 participants, completed the survey. A total of 70 schools were represented in the survey results.
The Grants Compliance and Monitoring Department is slated to release the survey results soon.
4 FWISD GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS ADVANCE TO AREA PLAYOFFS
Four FWISD girls’ basketball teams are advancing to the next round of playoffs.
Click here to view the teams competing in area playoffs Thursday, February 14 and Friday, February 15.
NATIONAL HISPANIC COLLEGE FAIR SET FOR FEBRUARY 15
What: National Hispanic College Fair
When: Friday, February 15, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Game On Sports Complex, 2600 Alemeda Street, Fort Worth
Summary: The National Hispanic College Fair will visit Fort Worth on Friday, February 15 for its Spring College and Career Fair at Game On Sports Complex. This event will bring representatives from as many as 50 colleges, universities and vocational training institutions to meet with Fort Worth ISD students.
Fort Worth ISD juniors will have the opportunity to attend the fair to become aware of the many educational options available at the participating institutions. Free transportation to the event will be provided from all Fort Worth ISD high schools.
Since 1998, the National Hispanic College Fair has traveled the country annually assisting Hispanic and Latino students successfully enter college.
Students will meet with institution representatives in a comfortable setting. Each student will be provided with a list of questions to help him/her solicit the information needed to make informed decisions.
For more details, call the Academic Advisement Department at 817-814-2575.
College Entrance Exams Slated District-wide During School Day
Testing Available at No Cost to HS Juniors This Spring
Juniors at all Fort Worth ISD high schools are taking the SAT and ACT college entrance exams during the school day and at no cost.
The college entrance exams are slated for the following dates:
- SAT – Wednesday, March 6, 2019
- ACT – Tuesday, April 2, 2019
While this is the seventh year the District is administering the SAT during the school day, this is the first time FWISD juniors will take the ACT during school hours. All students are being registered by the District, and each individual high school campus is ordering the exams, said Brenda Carter, coordinator IV for the College and Career Readiness and AAIL departments.
“SAT School Day presents the unique opportunity for juniors to take an SAT without essay, at no cost, during the school day, in their own school, giving them access to the College and Career Readiness Pathway,” Ms. Carter said of the upcoming SAT.
District College and Career Readiness officials say access to the exams during the school day not only exposes students to college admissions tests but also offers a[n]:
- Quick indicator of academic preparedness
- Identifier of whether students are ready for more rigorous coursework
- Official college admissions score report as a junior
Information about the upcoming exams was recently distributed to high school juniors and their parents by campus college and career readiness coordinators.
For more details, contact the college and career readiness coordinator at your local high school or Ms. Carter at 817-814-2591.
Home school students interested in taking the exams are encouraged to contact a campus college and career readiness coordinator on how to register, Ms. Carter said.
FWISD Dance Showcase Set for February 19
Six high school dance programs will be part of the 2019 Fort Worth ISD Dance Showcase, Tuesday, February 19.
The free event, set for 7 p.m. at the I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA, will include student dancers from Arlington Heights, Carter-Riverside, Diamond Hill-Jarvis and South Hills high schools, I.M. Terrell Academy and Monnig Middle School. Dallas-based Bruce Wood Dance Project is listed as a special guest performer.
The showcase is sponsored by the FWISD Visual and Performing Arts Department.
I.M. Terrell Academy is located at 1900 IM Terrell Way in Fort Worth.
U.S. Military History Staff Ride Slated Feb. 21-25
Approximately 30 Fort Worth ISD cadets and employees will take part in the District’s JROTC Honors U.S. Military History Staff Ride to Fort Concho and Fort Davis, February 21-25.
The upcoming staff ride focuses on Texas, U.S. Military and Black history, according to officials with the District’s JROTC program. Cadets, representing the District’s 13 Army JROTC programs, will visit historical sites and receive informational briefings from National Park Service rangers and various Buffalo Soldier era re-enactors. A four-person FWISD color guard will raise a 38-starred flag during a Reveille ceremony at the Fort Concho post.
The staff ride complements military history in-class activities that have been offered since the 2013-2014 school year. Cadets will produce materials and lesson guides based on their experiences at the national parks and historical sites.
“Historical observations and the application of lessons learned are a critical part of the student development process and totally support the transformation from student to responsible, productive adulthood,” said Lt. Col. Richard Crossley Jr., FWISD JROTC program director.
The trip is grant funded by the National Park Service. Since 2012, the District’s JROTC program has collaborated with the National Park Service (NPS), Veterans National Education Program (VNEP), Kutztown University, PA and University of Texas-Arlington, to develop additional training material focusing on historical events and places of significance in U.S. Military history, Lt. Col. Crossley said.
“This cadet endeavor is a stepping-stone toward advanced studies in history and astronomy,” he said. “It is designed to broaden the scope of reference of the cadet perspective in relationship to world events, life experiences and career exploration. Our objective in support of this course is to parallel the Cadet Command initiative of ‘preparing young people to become better citizens’.”
ES History Fair Winners Announced
The Fort Worth ISD Social Studies Department is pleased to announce the winners of its 2018-2019 Elementary History Fair. The annual competition is open to students across the district in grades 3 – 5. Students submit projects for judging as an individual or part of a group.
Held in conjunction with National History Day, student projects explored a topic and its relationship to the theme of Triumph and Tragedy in history.
FWISD Celebrates Trailblazers for Black History Month
In this edition, FWISD recognizes Dionne Bagsby, the county's first woman and African American commissioner.
Fort Worth ISD is observing African American History Month by recognizing trailblazers with ties to the District.
Today, we celebrate Dionne Bagsby, a former FWISD educator, and the first woman and African American elected to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.
Ms. Bagsby worked as a speech therapist for the District from 1986-1988.
Born and raised in Illinois, Ms. Bagsby moved to Fort Worth with her husband in the 1960s and worked to integrate schools in the city, according to the Star-Telegram. Ms. Bagsby was also a strong advocate of women and children.
“Dionne Bagsby urged all to serve others in some way and was often heard saying ‘Don't worry about who gets or takes credit for a service, just get the service needed to those who are in need. Good always comes back to you if you don't seek it and often comes when it is least expected,’" according to her obituary published January 13, 2019 in the Star-Telegram.
She died surrounded by friends and family, Thursday, January 10, 2019, at the age of 82.
Ms. Bagsby is survived by a brother, two children and nine grandchildren.
Read more about Ms. Bagsby, the trailblazer, in the Star-Telegram here, and about her funeral service here.
During February, FWISD will celebrate, remember and reflect on the contributions of District heroes as well as share information about the District’s K-12 African and African-American History and Culture curriculum in the weekly Inside FWISD newsletter and on the District’s social media platforms.
Glen Park ES, Jo Kelly Named Latest Webby Award Winners
Glen Park Elementary School and the Jo Kelly School are Fort Worth ISD’s Webby Award winners for the month of February.
The two campus websites were honored for how they celebrated families.
This week, Glen Park and Jo Kelly were recognized with the coveted Webby Award trophy during elementary and secondary principals’ meetings, February 13 and 14 at the Professional Development Center. The two schools will keep the Webby Award for the next month and received a Kroger gift card for campus use.
“This month’s Web challenge was all about celebrating families and their role in making every campus special and unique,” said Thomas Ketchersid, FWISD’s web communications coordinator. “This month’s winners and runners up achieved exactly that by publishing some very special, heartwarming content.”
Distributed monthly by the FWISD Communications Department, the Webby Award recognizes campus websites that engage families, students, alumni and the community at large. Elementary and secondary campus websites that best complete the monthly challenge are presented with the Webby Award at principals’ meetings.
For more details or assistance with your campus website or next month’s challenge, visit www.fwisd.org/websitetraining or email web@fwisd.org.
ES LEADERSHIP RECOGNIZES CAMPUSES FOR Student Engagement, PHENOMENAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
The Fort Worth ISD Elementary Schools Leadership Department has recognized campus principals whose schools exhibited spectacular student engagement and phenomenal learning communities within the last month.
Executive directors with the Elementary Schools Leadership Departments recognized six campuses with certificates at an elementary schools principal meeting, February 13.
The schools recognized for phenomenal learning communities are:
This month's schools exhibiting spectacular student engagement are:
Southwest HS WINS FWISD'S Monthly FAFSA CHALLENGE
Congratulations to the Southwest High School for having the highest percentage of students completing the FAFSA application for the month of January.
Principal John Engel received a banner to recognize the achievement at the Secondary School Principals Meeting on Thursday, February 14.
In October, the District launched its FAFSA campaign, #StartHereGoAnywhere, which encourages graduating seniors to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
From October through April, students who apply for FAFSA will receive a T-shirt and be entered into monthly drawings for prizes. The school with the highest percentage of students completing FAFSA monthly will receive a banner to display outside its campus.
Click here to learn more about the campaign.
FORT WORTH ISD COUNCIL OF PTAS HOSTS ANNUAL FOUNDERS’ DAY LUNCHEON
Multiple parents and supporters attended the Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs annual Founders’ Day Luncheon Tuesday, February 12 at Amon Carter Center at Lena Pope.
Erika Beltran, who formerly served on the State Board of Education and is currently the Tarrant County Regional Director of Leadership ISD, was this year’s featured speaker. A native of Fort Worth, Erika has worked in education for over a decade on issues ranging from early childhood education to assessments and accountability.
Read more here.
FWISD CTE Students Qualify for State Contests
More than 100 Fort Worth ISD students are headed to state contests this March focusing on business and health care.
Click here to learn more about the 94 students advancing to the Texas Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference (SLC) and here to read about the nearly 40 students who’ve qualified for the HOSA Future Health Professionals Spring Leadership Conference.
MS Track Repairs Underway
Track field repairs at 17 Fort Worth ISD middle schools, weather permitting, are expected for completion by August.
Board of Education trustees approved plans to repair the tracks, originally installed in 2008 as a result of the 2007 Capital Improvement Program, on January 22, 2019.
Tracks slated to receive repairs include:
- William James
- Kirkpatrick
- Meacham
- J.P. Elder
- Riverside
- Meadowbrook
- McClung
- Handley
- Jacquet
- Leonard
- Monnig
- Stripling
- Wedgwood
- Daggett
- Forest Oak
- Rosemont
- McLean
FWISD operations officials say the repairs allow for safe student use of all track lanes.
“Conditions of the tracks at some of the schools have lanes with missing surface materials, resulting in inoperable use,” according to board agenda documents. “The current proposal is to repair and extend the existing life of all middle school tracks. Proposed repairs will extend the life of the tracks about five years.
The District has hired Texas Sports Builders in Burleson to complete the repair work, which is not to exceed $424,180. The work will be funded with monies generated from the 2017 Tax Ratification Election (TRE). An overwhelming 74 percent of voters approved the proposition allows the district to receive an additional $23 million in funding annually for life-cycle, maintenance and other items.
#ThankYou Thursday: FWISD Employees
The Fort Worth ISD is thankful for you, our amazing employees.
Happy Valentine's Day!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following are recent photos from across the Fort Worth ISD.
North Hi Mount ES Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Interest Night: The event was hosted Wednesday, February 13.
TCU Symphony Orchestra performs at I.M. Terrell Academy: Ahead of its Texas Music Aducators Association performance this week in San Antonio, the ensemble presented a preview program before a Fort Worth audience, Monday, February 11 at the I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA. The performance included works by Alberto Ginastera and Dmitry Shostakovich.
Puerto Rico Job Fairs: The Fort Worth ISD recently traveled to Puerto Rico to recruit bilingual teachers for the 2019-2020 school year. As of this week, 17 educators from Puerto Rico have signed letters of intent to teach in the District next school year. Welcome to the FWISD Family!
Whataburger Names Benbrook Middle-High School Running Back to Its Super Team: Congratulations to Quinton Jackson of Benbrook Middle-High School. On February 6, Whataburger named the senior to its 2018 Whataburger Super Team Offense. The honor recognizes the best and brightest stars in Texas high school football. Last week, Quintan signed a letter of intent to play football at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Click the link above to learn more about the Whataburger Super Team.
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.
The following question has been edited for clarity.
Dear Elsie,
I have asked several times as to why there is no evaluation form that is turned into human resources or administration in regard to substitutes. There is one for substitutes to evaluate their experience and to leave feedback as to the teacher's plans, etcetera, but there is absolutely nothing (that I'm aware of) for us to evaluate them. In my opinion, substitutes should be held accountable as well.
Please, Elsie, please help change this huge problem.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your question. I reached out to Cynthia Rincón, FWISD’s Human Capital Management and Legal Services chief, regarding your question and here’s the response: “Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding some unpleasant and unprofessional experiences with substitute teachers over the years. We hope that you and others who may have similar experiences report such behavior to a supervisor, so that the behavior can be addressed as it occurs or very soon thereafter. In an effort to provide a convenient avenue to report such behavior, Human Capital Management employs a "DO NOT USE" form which principals can submit to report poor performance or inappropriate behaviors by a substitute. A DO NOT USE report initiates a thorough investigation of the incident either by our office or the Office of Professional Standards dependent on the nature of the reported behavior. If the investigation indicates the need, the substitute is called in for a disciplinary conference to officially document the behavior, appropriate disciplinary actions are taken, and performance expectations for the future are discussed.
Regarding your reference to a form used for substitutes to evaluate their experience and to leave feedback regarding the teacher's plans, etcetera, please be aware that such forms are not from Human Capital Management. We are aware that some exist, and it is our understanding that those forms may have been generated at the campus level over the years. It appears some principals use this information to ensure that students are left with good plans and prepared materials when a regular employee is out for an absence. Human Capital Management does not collect or maintain these forms.
Once again, thank you for your concern and for the opportunity to be of service to you!”
Thank you Anonymous for your question and thank you Ms. Rincón for your response.
Elsie
Dear Elsie,
I am proud to be the school nurse at Meadowbrook Elementary School. I bring a wealth of experience to my role as a nurse but, as some in my profession and at my age, do not possess much technical knowledge or skill. On my computer, I can do my work, but I can’t troubleshoot myself out of a box. At some time, in the past few years, I saw a list that was entitled, something like, “Technical/Computer Skills that a Professional Must Possess at Entry Level.” It was a long list with many skills listed, in detail, such as;
1) Technical competency with a desk top computer.
2) A working understanding of the tools available on a desk top computer.
3) How to create and send an email.
4) How to attach and send an item.
5) How to use the clipboard to cut, copy, paste printed material.
6) How to use the tools to format your work.
On up to;
28) How to create a PowerPoint presentation. And so on…
I knew that I needed this list as it gave me some structure, skill upon skill, to follow as I attempt to gain technical proficiency. But, alas, I let it get away from me and I have not been able to locate this list since that time. I decided to “Ask Elsie” in the hope that someone out there knows of this list and is willing to help out a Baby Boomer who continues the struggle to be current and relevant in “The Age of Technology.”
Thanks,
Mona McCoy RN
School Nurse
P.S.: Please help. I spent an hour [recently] explaining to my granddaughter that when I was her age there was only one, hard-wired telephone in the whole house. She replied, “How did you ever get asked out on a date?”
Dear Ms. McCoy,
Thank you for your question. I reached out to Dr. Becky Navarre, assistant superintendent of technology in the Division of Academics, regarding your question and here’s the response: “Unfortunately, I could not find the website that you referred to in your question. However, support for the essential skills that you mentioned is offered during Educational Technology professional learning classes. Here is a link to our administrative/clerical catalog: https://www.fwisd.org/Page/2655. We offer Microsoft Office/Office 365 learning opportunities. We offer classes on Focus and PowerSchool. We also offer open labs. Open labs are a time to receive individualized support on the technology applications taught in classes. Registration is available on Eduphoria. The administrative/clerical classes help us focus on becoming proficient and effective users of technology to enhance job performance and to collaborate with other inter-departments and organizations. The catalog pages (https://www.fwisd.org/Page/2655) are organized by class title with all dates listed under the title.
We also offer after-school classes for teachers and other professional staff. To learn more about these offerings, go to the Educational Technology Professional Learning Calendar: https://www.fwisd.org/Page/13677#calendar21776/20190205/month”
Thanks again Ms. McCoy for your question and Dr. Navarre 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.
AAIL SPOTLIGHT
The following communication is from the Advanced, Accelerated, and Innovative Learning Department:
In an effort to celebrate excellent employees and share best practices, the Advanced, Accelerated, and Innovative Learning Department is “spotlighting” outstanding individuals and schools. We are excited to spotlight Ardis Freeman from Western Hills Primary this week:
WE CAN HELP
The following communication is from the District's Employee Assistance Program provider, Alliance Work Partners:
There are times when you need information and others where you need motivation. We can help you with both! Our timely webinars are a great resource for developing your talents at no cost to you.
Each month, your Employee Assistance Program offers two opportunities to participate in a complimentary one-hour training webcast. Reserve your seat online through our registration link on your EAP website. You can also view previous webcasts - recordings are available for 60-days after each live session.
For more information, contact us at AM@alliancewp.com or visit www.awpnow.com/main/fwisd-eap-resource-room/.
Social Media Tip of the Week
The following is from Kiana King, FWISD's social media coordinator:
#FWISD will highlight campuses that create engaging social media content! Congratulations, Leadership Academy at John T. White, on being Fort Worth ISD's #socialmediagoals for the week! Be sure to follow Leadership Academy at John T. White on Facebook and Twitter at @LAJohnTWhiteES.
February is African American History Month
February is Career and Technical Education Month
Professional Learning and Innovation Opportunities
New Teacher Professional Learning Opportunities
Elementary Professional Learning Opportunities
Secondary Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Learning Opportunities with Education Technology, Register in Eduphoria
Professional Learning Opportunities for Pre-Kindergarten to Second-Grade Teachers, Register in Eduphoria
Registration for ESL classes underway
National Hispanic College Fair, February 15
FWISD Dance Showcase, 7 p.m. February 19 at I.M. Terrell Academy
District-wide Financial Aid Help Session, February 23
Board of Education Regular Meeting, February 26
Gold Seal Late Application Opens, March 1
Racial Equity Summit Registration, pre-register through March 7
East Handley ES 60th Birthday Celebration, 10 a.m. March 8
Share your story ideas, successes, calendar items, photos, questions and feedback with us at Inside@FWISD.org.
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