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Inside FWISD December 5, 2019

In this edition:

FWISD Survey Welcomes Feedback Regarding District Climate, Culture | Donors Still Needed For Annual Angel Tree Drive | Culprit Found In FWISD’s Network Interruption | Texas Governor Appoints Brookins To State Commission | Navy Cyber Security Expert Will Join the FWISD Wall Of Fame | Cowtown Classic Rides Into Fort Worth | HS STAAR Exams Set For December 10-13 | FWISD Announces Holiday Concert Series Lineup | FWISD Safe Schools Training Deadline Approaching| Winning FWISD Invention Convention On Display This Weekend: Reception, Awards Ceremony Will Honor Student Inventors Saturday | Ask Elsie | Take Precautionary Steps To Stay Healthy This Flu Season | AHHS Students Earn Acceptance, Audition Invites To College Dance Programs | Social Studies Announces Elementary History Fair Dates | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

FWISD SURVEY WELCOMES FEEDBACK REGARDING DISTRICT CLIMATE, CULTURE

The Fort Worth ISD wants to know: how are we doing?

From December 2-20, District students, staff, parents and the community at large are asked to participate in the 2019-2020 Stakeholders’ Climate Survey. The poll, which takes an average 15 minutes to complete, allows stakeholders the opportunity to offer anonymous feedback on the District’s climate and culture, what’s working well and where they perceive gaps or opportunities for improvement.

And for the first time, students, teachers, principals and parents at the secondary school level may offer feedback about their child’s classes and school day schedules. They will be asked to assess things such as content, student interest.

The survey is open for three weeks. Access the survey now at www.fwisd.org/2019survey.

The 2019-2020 Stakeholders’ Climate Survey is open to:

  • School administrators (principals, assistant principals)
  • Students (third- 12th graders)
  • Parents and guardians of FWISD students
  • Teachers (all grade levels)
  • Non-instructional school staff (school monitors, cafeteria workers, etc.)
  • District staff (central administration, bus drivers, maintenance)
  • Fort Worth community (at-large)

District students and staff will be asked to enter their student or employee ID number to authenticate their association with the District. Vital demographic data will be added to the data file automatically; however names and other individual identifiers will not be included in the data set. To protect respondents’ confidentiality, no data will be broken down at the campus level in such a way that would allow for individual student or staff identification.

Respondents may take the survey multiple times based on their roles. For example, an employee who has children attending school in the District may complete the survey, without the ID authenticator, as a parent or community member. Parents may complete surveys for each school their children attend.

The survey is available in seven languages for parents and community members including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Swahili, Somali, Burmese and Nepali. Surveys for students, teachers and principals are English-only, and available in Spanish and English for non-instructional staff.

In 2018, the Stakeholders’ Climate Survey garnered 61,353 participants. The District wants to build on the momentum and increase response rates among all stakeholder groups this year.

The 2019 survey addresses three areas:

  • Engagement (cultural and linguistic competence, relationships, school participation)
  • Safety (bullying, emotional and physical safety)
  • Environment (instructional, physical, discipline, mental health)

Parent and community participants will have an opportunity to offer feedback via open-ended questions at the conclusion of the survey.

FWISD employees will receive a District email with the survey link. Campus principals are encouraged to set aside time during the next three weeks for students to participate in the survey while at school.

Make your voice heard! Take a few moments to participate in the survey at www.fwisd.org/2019survey. Remember: the deadline is December 20.

Have additional questions? Please contact the Grants Compliance and Monitoring Department at 817-814-1850 or send an email to Askeval@fwisd.org.

Donors Still Needed for Annual Angel Tree Drive

Make this Christmas merry and bright for a child.

The Fort Worth ISD Early Learning Department is still in need of donations for its annual FWISD-Head Start Angel Tree drive, benefitting more than 300 children.

Ensure children who attend the District’s eight Pre-K Satellite Centers have gifts to open this Christmas by adopting an angel today. The department is accepting donations through Friday, December 6.

“This is one of our most significant events that impacts our youngest, most vulnerable students in Pre-K. Working with Head Start, we see some of the most challenging situations for our students, such as poverty,” said Dr. Cheryl Mixon, FWISD Early Learning executive director. “This event is an opportunity to go beyond the classroom experiences and instruction to help create an enjoyable time for our students and their families.”

Clothing, shoes and toys will be distributed to children beginning next week.

In addition to receiving generous donations this Christmas, children benefiting from the Angel Tree drive will each receive a picture book.

Gifts are being accepted at the Early Learning Department offices, located at 100 N. University Drive.

Sign up today at www.fwisd.org/angeltree. For additional details, contact Wendy Carrillo or Estela Espitia in Early Learning at 817-814-2450.

Culprit Found in FWISD’s Network Interruption

After the tedious, painstaking work of trying to find the reason for this week’s major interruption of the Fort Worth ISD network, the Technology Department has located the likely cause. A 4-port switch, found in a Central Administration Building office, appears to have been at ground zero.

The general disruption lasted over two days and either denied employees access to the internet, resulted in slow online responses, caused phone service to drop intermittently or all three.

“It appears an office worker felt they may have needed additional network ports,” said McDeny Mojica, executive director of Network Services. “A much safer way to protect our network is to follow the procedure of submitting a Footprints ticket and we will help you determine what other equipment you may need to do your job.”

The 4-port switch has been removed and at last report the Administration Buildings network was working normally. The moral of this story: ask Technology for help!

Texas Governor Appoints Brookins to State Commission

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Fort Worth ISD Board of Education Trustee Daphne Brookins to serve a three-year term on the six-member OneStar National Service Commission this week.

The appointment, announced Wednesday, December 4 by Gov. Abbott, marks Ms. Brookins’ third assignment serving on the commission since 2013. The commission is the “state’s liaison to the Corporation for National and Community Service” and is responsible for preparing an annual three-year national service plan for the state as well as overseeing the Rebuild Texas Fund, which assists Texans recovering from Hurricane Harvey, according to a media release issued by the governor’s office. Her term on the commission is through March 15, 2022.

Ms. Brookins’ appointment to the OneStar National Service Commission is among two recognitions for the District's newest school board member this week. At its December 5 council meeting, the City of Forest Hill made a proclamation recognizing and congratulating Ms. Brookins on here recent election to the FWISD Board of Education.

“I am so grateful, humbled and honored to receive these prestigious awards, accolades and opportunities,” Ms. Brookins said. “I feel truly blessed and thankful and will do my best to continue to be a servant to our children, my community and to the State of Texas.”

Ms. Brookins fellow colleagues on the OneStar National Service Commission, also appointed this week, include:

  • Girien Salazar, executive director of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and minister at Houston’s El Tabernaculo Church
  • Annette Juba, deputy director for regional nonprofit AGE of Central Texas in Austin
  • Mike Morath, Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency based in Austin
  • Gene Seaman, former state representative, real estate developer and owner of Corpus Christi financial planning company Seaman Financial
  • Kate Williamson, owner and president of Midland-based government relations and strategic communications firm, Basin Hill, LLC

Ms. Brookins, a Youth Administrator at Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County won a special-called election for the District 4 FWISD Board of Education seat, November 5, 2019 and will represent District 4 until the term expires in May 2021. She succeeded 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.

A former Forest Hill Mayor Pro Tem and Councilwoman, Ms. Brookins currently works with young adults ages 16-24 at the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and is young adult motivational speaker and writer who serves on multiple local and state boards. Ms. Brookins earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University.

NAVY CYBER SECURITY EXPERT WILL JOIN THE FWISD WALL OF FAME

What: Induction of Retired Navy Capt. Roy S. Petty (Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School, 1976) into the Fort Worth ISD Wall of Fame

When: Friday, December 6, 2019, 2:30 p.m.

Where: Fort Worth ISD Administration Building, 101 N. University Dr., Fort Worth, TX

Summary: The former commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s Cyber Defense Operations will be inducted this Friday into the Fort Worth ISD Wall of Fame. Retired Navy Capt. Roy S. Petty (Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School, 1976) devoted his career to meeting technological challenges that threaten America’s prosperity and liberty. He also co-founded the U.S. Naval War College’s Center for Cyber Conflict Studies. Captain Petty’s successes earned him prestigious awards and recognitions.

Superintendent Kent Scribner will host the ceremony on Friday, December 6, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. at the Fort Worth ISD administration building at 100 N. University Dr., Fort Worth, TX. Captain Petty plans to be in attendance.

In addition to Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School, Captain Petty attended M.H. Moore Elementary School and W. A. Meacham Middle School.

Petty will join more than 180 other accomplished and influential alumni on the tribute wall that recognizes extraordinarily accomplished and influential FWISD alumni.

Cowtown Classic Rides Into Fort Worth

By Art Garcia

Inside FWISD Contributor

A holiday season tradition returns as the 2019 FWISD Cowtown Classic brings together girls’ basketball teams across the area and state for a three-day tournament. The action begins Thursday with eight games, three featuring District teams.

Arlington Heights High School faces Nolan Catholic High School for an 8:30 p.m. tipoff Thursday at Billingsley Field House. Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center is the site for Eastern Hills-Mansfield Legacy (5:30 p.m.) and O.D. Wyatt-Arlington Lamar (7 p.m.) showdowns on Thursday. The complete schedule is available here.

“What people will see when they come out this weekend is some really good basketball,” said Dr. Lisa L. Langston, FWISD Director of Athletics. “If you’re a fan of fundamental, solid basketball, this is definitely the place to come.”

Dr. Langston helped launch the Cowtown Classic, now in its 28th year, while she was the head coach at Paschal High. The idea at the beginning was hosting a great tournament with great teams to give FWISD players the opportunity to compete in front of college coaches.

“Back in the day before AAU was really popular, college coaches really did come to a lot of the high school games,” Dr. Langston said. “We wanted to get college head coaches to come to our games and recruit our players.”

The Cowtown Classic traditionally brings some of the region’s finest teams and players to Fort Worth. Two participating teams are in the top 10 of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Girls 6A rankings – No. 1 DeSoto and No. 7 Plano. Legacy is No. 16 in 5A. Frenship, a newcomer to the event, is No. 14 in the MaxPreps 6A rankings.

Dr. Langston can remember programs such as Tennessee, led by the late Pat Summitt, recruiting Duncanville’s Tamika Catchings at the Cowtown Classic. Catchings enjoyed a long career in the WNBA and is currently the general manager of the Indiana Fever. WNBA players Odyssey Sims and Alexis Jones also played in the Cowtown Classic.

“It accomplished what we set out to do,” Dr. Langston said.

The 16 teams will make their way through the bracket culminating in Saturday’s 4 p.m. championship game at Wilkerson-Greines. Tickets range from $4-15 and are available for purchase here.

HS STAAR Exams Set for December 10-13

Fort Worth ISD will join schools across the state in administering high school STAAR End of Course exams, December 10-13.

Parents can help their children prepare for performing well on State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams by:

  • Making sure they get a good night’s rest
  • Offering them a healthy and nutritious breakfast
  • Making sure they dress comfortably, complying with Fort Worth ISD dress code
  • Encourage that they think positively about the test and their abilities
  • Remind them to review their work for mistakes

Visitors on most school campuses are prohibited during testing week. Parents will be allowed to visit their child’s school but may not come to classrooms or the school cafeteria during the week of testing. Contact your high school campus for additional details.

The following STAAR EOC exams are scheduled December 10-13:

December 10-13

Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History

Tuesday, December 10

English I

Thursday, December 12

English II

Friday, December 13

All makeup exams for STAAR assessments administered December 10-12

For more information on STAAR, contact your child’s school or visit the Texas Education Agency website for additional resources.

Thank you, parents for all you do to help us prepare your children for success.

FWISD ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES LINEUP

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up let’s go. Let’s look at the show…

The Fort Worth ISD will host its annual Holiday Concert Series, featuring elementary, middle and high school choirs, orchestras and bands, December 9-19.

Daily, two groups of student performers will present mini concerts in the main lobby of the FWISD Administration Building, 100 N. University Drive, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

The following concerts are scheduled:

FWISD Safe Schools Training Deadline Approaching

Fort Worth ISD employees have less than a month to complete 13 mandatory Safe Schools online training courses for the 2019-2020 school year.

Earlier this fall, Art Cavazos, FWISD’s operations chief, announced that employees have until December 31 to complete the required Safe Schools courses. The previous deadline was October 31.

New hires must complete the courses within two months of their hire date.

All District supervisors will receive a monthly report of employees’ training progress.

The required Safe Schools courses for the 2019-2020 school year, available via fwisd.tx.safeschools.com, include:

  • Bullying: Recognition and Response
  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Child Abuse Mandatory Texas Course
  • CIPA: Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act
  • Email and Messaging Safety
  • FERPA: Confidentiality of Records
  • FWISD Avoid Deny Defend Active Shooter Custom Course
  • Health Emergencies: Overview
  • Password Security Basics
  • Protection Against Malware
  • Sexual Harassment: Student Issues and Response
  • Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Youth Suicide: Awareness and Prevention

Employees will be required to use their active directory and password to access the system. Google Chrome is the preferred browser for using Safe Schools.

In addition to the mandatory training courses, multiple other online courses are available to staff.

Contact the Help Desk at 817-814-4357 if you encounter any problems with your active directory or password.

For more details on the courses, contact Aracely Chavez, executive director of classified learning, at Aracely.chavez@fwisd.org or visit the Classified Learning webpage at www.fwisd.org/Page/2807.

Winning FWISD Invention Convention on Display This Weekend

Reception, Awards Ceremony Will Honor Student Inventors Saturday

This weekend’s Fort Worth ISD Invention Convention will recognize the District’s youngest innovators.

The annual event, which encourages students in kindergarten through the seventh grade to produce creative art and science inventions to improve the world, is hosted by the District’s Choice Programming and Enrichment division in collaboration with local nonprofit Imagination Fort Worth.

Projects will be judged Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7. Winning exhibits will appear in an Open House showcase from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7 at Western Hills Elementary School, 2805 Laredo Drive. Two young innovators will be presented with $250 scholarships from Imagination Fort Worth at a 2 p.m. reception and awards ceremony, following the open house.

Invention Convention projects focus on inventive thinking, creativity and applying critical thinking skills and also encourage students strive for knowledge and achievement in the arts and sciences, according to convention organizers.

For more details, contact Norma Burks, District coordinator of UIL and Academic Activities in FWISD’s Office of Innovation, at 817-814-1526 or email norma.burks@fwisd.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ask Elsie is a column where Chief Financial Officer Elsie Schiro tackles employee queries, or in areas outside her purview, asks other District leaders to answer them.

Dear Elsie,

Before it was the FWISD administration building on 100 N. University Drive in 1991, what was the building used for? I am just curious.

Is there truth to the rumor that the FWISD administration building is being sold? Where would the administration office personnel move to?

Rome

Dear Rome,

According to our Facilities Manager, Mike Naughton, the Central Administration Building was once known as the University Plaza and was a collection of shops and offices.

The District Administration Building houses about 400 employees, half of whom could be relocated closer to campuses, or closer to campuses in possible Learning Centers around the District. This could allow for a more modernized, efficient and smaller Central Administration facility. Nothing has been decided yet, but we are anxious to hear what our community thinks.

Elsie

Dear Elsie,

Would you clarify how teacher sick days may be used? We have been told we may not use sick days for doctor appointments, surgery, medical-related appointments, etcetera. Our campus was told we may only use sick days when we are physically sick. Personal days must be used for all other medical-related absences. Is this the District policy?

Thank you,

Confused Teacher

Dear Confused Teacher,

District Policy, DEC (LOCAL), for Compensation and Benefits Leaves and Absences states that Paid Time Off (PTO) may be used at an individual employee’s discretion, subject to the limitations sited at https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/1101?filename=DEC(LOCAL).pdf beginning on page 5.

DEC(LOCAL)

Paid Time Off (PTO) is defined as:

“Paid Time Off” (PTO) shall be defined as a bank of days in which the District pools state personal leave as state sick leave, local personal leave, and local sick leave and allows employees to use the days as need or desire arises.

PTO Usage Reasons:

PTO shall include time taken for:

1. An employee’s own illness or injury that prevents the employee from fulfilling the employee’s assigned duties;

2. Care of the employee’s newborn child, adoption of a child by the employee, or placement of a child with the employee for foster care, when the leave is taken in the first year after the birth, adoption, or placement;

3. Illness or death in the employee’s immediate family;

4. The reasons allowed for use of state sick leave accumulated before May 30, 1995 [see DEC(LEGAL)]; and

5. An individual employee’s discretion, subject to the limitations set out below.

PTO Designation

Although PTO may be taken for any and all purposes previously stated, state personal leave, state sick leave, local personal leave, and local sick leave days shall remain separate for the purpose of accumulation and the order of use deemed appropriate by each employee.

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.

TAKE PRECAUTIONARY STEPS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS FLU SEASON

The Fort Worth ISD is urging employees, students and families to take steps for staying healthy this flu season.

This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, and officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it is not too late to get a flu shot. The vaccine could still help reduce the number of people who might otherwise contract the virus as well as reduce symptoms for those who do contract it.

According to MedStar, the ambulance service provider to Fort Worth, influenza-like illnesses are up 1.9% compared to this time last season. Cases for November 2019 are up 81% from October 2019 and up 13% from November 2018, according to MedStar.

Frequent and diligent hand washing is another preventive measure. When hand washing is not possible, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is a good second choice.

Medical workers suggest that flu season is not a good time to exchange handshakes. Instead, consider the alternatives of fist or elbow bumping for a greeting.

Since contamination through water vapor is a significant possibility people who sneeze, or cough should cover their face with their elbow to minimize spreading droplets.

Flu season generally peaks in January and February.

Despite all precautions we know some people will get sick. When that happens the best course of action is to seek the advice of your healthcare provider and stay at home until 24 hours after any fever subsides. Your classmates and co-workers will appreciate your consideration in this regard.

Lastly, the Tarrant County Public Health website contains a lot of information on other preventive measures including a list of where to get a flu shot.

AHHS Students Earn Acceptance, Audition Invites to College Dance Programs

About 20 Arlington Heights High School dance students were recently accepted on the spot or invited to audition for dance schools across Texas and Missouri.

Last month, the high school hosted its fourth annual College Recruitment and Senior Showcase. More than 100 ninth through 12th-grade dance students participated in the event which included 12 master classes taught by college dance instructors, a senior showcase performance, auditions and interviews with college representatives.

AHHS is the only District high school dance programs offering an opportunity for its dancers to audition and meet with college representatives in one place, lowering the expense of students traveling to multiple college auditions, said Jackie Millan, AHHS assistant director of dance.

“We are honored to be able to provide this opportunity to students in our entire dance department,” Ms. Millan said. “This event brings the colleges to them to make acceptance into a collegiate dance program achievable without the added financial stress on families.”

The following students were accepted or invited to audition for college dance programs:

Alicia Gonzalez, Junior

  • Texas State University Dance
  • University of St. Thomas Dance

Katherine Wagman, Senior

  • Accepted into Texas Tech University Dance Program
  • Texas State University

Karla Espinoza, Senior

  • University of North Texas Dance Program
  • Texas Tech
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Sam Houston State University
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Texas State

Angella Holsey, Senior

  • UNT
  • Scholarship to Sam Houston State University
  • Texas State
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Texas Tech

Ryann Vance, Sophomore

  • Southeast Missouri State University

Abby Spencer, Senior

  • University of St. Thomas
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Texas State
  • Texas Tech
  • Sam Houston State University

Anna Scheffrahn, Junior

  • Texas Tech
  • Texas State
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Sam Houston State University

Jackson Rynd, Senior

  • Sam Houston State University (scholarship eligible)
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • University of St. Thomas

Keely Rawson, Senior

  • Texas Tech
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Texas State
  • University of St. Thomas

Alexandra Saenz, Senior

  • Texas Tech
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Sam Houston State University
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Texas State

Emma Kate Irwin, Junior

  • Texas Tech
  • Texas State
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Southeast Missouri State University

Rivers Hartzell, Junior

  • Texas State
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Southeast Missouri State University

Emily Reyes, Senior

  • Texas State
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Sam Houston State University
  • Texas Tech
  • Southeast Missouri State University

Shakinah Robinson, Senior

  • Texas State
  • UNT
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Tarrant County College Northwest (scholarship and dance company)

Na'Tayshia Preston, Senior

  • UNT

Diamond Beach, Senior

  • UNT
  • Texas State
  • Southeast Missouri State University

Jamia Johnson, Senior

  • University of St. Thomas
  • Texas State

Sarah Moreno, Junior

  • University of St. Thomas
  • Texas State

Alena DeLeon, Junior

  • University of St. Thomas

Social Studies Announces Elementary History Fair Dates

Save the date!

The Fort Worth ISD Social Studies Department is hosting its Elementary History Fair, February 10 and 11, 2020.

Students in the third through fifth grades are encouraged to complete research projects relating to the 2020 theme: “Breaking Barriers In History.” The FWISD elementary History Fair is being hosted at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Riley Center and aligns with National History Day program in Texas.

The event encourages students to research a topic of their choosing, act as historians, discovering primary sources, building historical context and forming historical interpretations. Their research projects, both individual and group, are then presented to teachers, students and others.

Social Studies Department officials say the fair helps students develop critical attributes for future success including:

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Project management skills
  • Research and reading skills
  • Teamwork
  • Oral and written communication and presentation skills
  • Self-esteem and confidence

For additional Elementary History Fair guidelines and resources, click here.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following are recent photos from across the Fort Worth ISD.

Inside FWISD Snapshot: November 2019 was full of memorable events in the Fort Worth ISD. Take a look back at some of them in this 5-minute Inside FWISD snapshot.

Teaching Chair Heartfelt Messages: So many inspiring acceptance speeches were delivered at the recent Fort Worth ISD Academic Chairs for Teaching Excellence Luncheon that we decided to share them in bite-size editions. Each day leading up to the winter break on www.fwisd.org, we will hear meaningful remarks from one of the sixteen 2019-2020 Academic Chairs for Teaching Excellence.

Ann Marie Burgess, J. Martin Jacquet Middle School, Lockheed Martin Chair for Teaching Excellence in Middle School STEM

Lauren Caldwell, Westcliff Elementary School, Kroger Chair for Teaching Excellence in Special Education

Mark Greenwood, Westcliff Elementary School, Blue Zones Project Chair for Teaching Excellence in Health and Physical Education

Naomi V. Gutierrez, Rosemont 6th Grade, Atmos Energy Chair for Teaching Excellence in Secondary Science

GM Financial Parade of Lights:Seven Fort Worth ISD bands and District officials kicked off the holiday season as participants in the 2019 GM Financial Parade of Lights, Sunday, November 24. Student performers representing the District in the parade included marching bands from Diamond Hill-Jarvis, North Side, Polytechnic, South Hills, Trimble Tech and Western Hills and North Side Mariachi Espuelas de Plata. board of Education members Tobi Jackson, Anne Darr, Daphne Brookins, Anael Luebanos and Quinton Phillips represented FWISD in one of more than 100 floats in the parade procession.

Annual Giving Thanks event : Hundreds of families from the Fort Worth ISD Eastern Hills High School pyramid were recently presented with food for a Thanksgiving dinner by Team America, the signature social platform of Texas Christian University Trustee and NFL Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.

Schools on Skates: Approximately 1,600 Fort Worth ISD third and fourth graders will get the chance to glide across the city’s only outdoor ice-skating rink, Panther Island Ice, this holiday season. Thanks to a partnership between Panther Island Ice, the R4 Foundation and Blue Zones Project, the 2019 FWISD Schools on Skates season got underway Thursday, November 21. More than 100 students from C.C. Moss and Washington Heights elementary schools were the first children from 20 FWISD schools to skate at the rink through December 18.

Cavile Coat Giveaway: More than 400 Fort Worth ISD students and their siblings in the Cavile Pace community will stay warm this winter, thanks to a coat giveaway held November 16. The Fort Worth ISD Family Action Center in partnership with Eberstein and Witherite, LLP and Fort Worth Housing Solutions hosted the Cavile Coat Giveaway at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County J.A. Cavile Branch. Fort Worth ISD students and their siblings who live in the Cavile Place apartment complex received free winter essentials and were also treated to free books, photos with Santa, playtime in a bounce house, a holiday photo booth, lunch and hot cocoa.

Hunger Project: Female student-athletes from Carter-Riverside High School teamed up with Feeding Children Everywhere and City post Church to package more than 10,000 meals for families, November 9.

Wall of Fame ceremony, December 6

Invention Convention Awards, December 7

FWISD Holiday Concert Series, December 9-19

HS STAAR Testing, December 10-13

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, December 13

Board of Education meeting, December 10

Fall Semester Ends, December 20

Stakeholders' Climate Survey Ends, December 20

Winter Break, December 23-January 3

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, January 4

Teacher Preparation Day, January 6

Spring Semester Starts, January 7

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.