Loading

Inside FWISD JANUARY 18,2018

Be the First Alerted with the FWISD Mobile App

Users with the Fort Worth ISD Mobile App were the first alerted when the District decided to delay class start times, Tuesday, January 16, 2018, because of inclement weather. If you’re not already a user, be in the know, and download the District app today!

The decision to delay or cancel classes is a critical one, generally made after carefully monitoring weather conditions and staying in close contact with the Fort Worth emergency operations and National Weather Service. School cancellation is only decided upon when its determined that conditions have worsened.

Use the FWISD Mobile App, and be the first to receive immediate District messages on your electronic device. Also available through the District app are calendars, news releases, messages from school principals and lunch menus.

The free app is available to everyone – teachers, students, staff, parents and the general community -- in Apple and Google Play stores. The digital program is compatible with iOS and Android operating systems.

Be proactive. Download the Fort Worth ISD Mobile App, visit the District’s Know the Plan website and prepare for the next inclement weather event.

Technology Conference to Offer Practical, Engaging Tools

Add exciting and next-level technology to your toolbox for engaging students.

Mark your calendars, and make plans to attend the 13th annual Fort Worth Technology Conference from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, January 27 at Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave.

Nationally-known professional development trainer Amy Mayer, founder of education technology company friEdTechnology, is the featured keynote speaker.

FWISD teachers, staff, students, national and regional guest instructors will present multiple demonstrations, panels and workshops throughout the day. Corporate sponsors will demonstrate the latest education technology programs in the conference Exhibit Hall.

Conference organizers say this year’s event gives educators practical technology tools they can take back and immediately implement in their lesson plans and administrative tasks.

“Technology levels the field for students,” said Dr. Becky Navarre, assistant superintendent for the Department of Technology. “It gives the creative student a palette, the quiet student a voice, the struggling student options, and the excelling student vast opportunities.”

Registration is free for all FWISD employees and non-FWISD presenters. Pre-registration up until January 19 is $35 for non-FWISD attendees, and on-site registration is $45. A special gift and lunch is available for attendees who register early. Technology tools will be distributed as door prizes for attendees who stick around for the closing session.

Multiple District departments are approving trade-off credit for conference attendance.

For more details, visit www.fwisd.org/FWTC or contact the Division of Technology at 817-814-3100 or via email at edtech@fwisd.org.

View this video from the 2017 Fort Worth Technology Conference

CCMR ESSENTIALS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CONFERENCE SET FOR FEB. 2

Essential skills to prepare students for postsecondary success will be discussed at the fourth annual College, Career and Military Readiness Essentials Professional Learning Conference on Friday, February 2.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Education Service Center Region 11 building, located at 1451 S. Cherry Lane in White Settlement. Keynote speakers for the training include Fort Worth ISD Board of Education Trustee Jacinto Ramos and R. Mateo Magdaleno, a motivational speaker with a focus on diversity and community engagement.

The conference offers secondary school counselors, college and career readiness coaches, Texas Christian University College advisers, Programs of Choice and AVID coordinators the latest college and career readiness information and strategies from various state presenters.

For more details, call the Academic Advisement Department at 817-814-2575.

40th Annual Whiz Quiz Concludes with High School Finals

Join FWISD tonight for the ultimate finale to the 40th annual Whiz Quiz competition.

Teams from Benbrook, Paschal and Arlington Heights high schools and the Texas Academy of Biomedical Services (TABS) will square off in the 2017-2018 Whiz Quiz High School Championship, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the FWISD board room. CBS 11 meteorologist Jeff Jamison will moderate tonight’s event, and treats are being prepared in the Pizza Snob kitchen and served to audience members by O.D. Wyatt High School culinary students.

The first two nights of competition included sixth-grade and middle school competitors. McLean 6th Grade defeated Daggett Montessori to clinch the sixth-grade finals title, Tuesday, January 16. In a nail-biting finish, Daggett Montessori triumphed 280-260 against Stripling Middle School, ultimately obtaining the middle school championship.

Other teams advancing to the six-grade semifinals were J.P. Elder Middle School and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA). Other teams in the hunt for the middle school title were William James and Kirkpatrick middle schools.

Pizza Snob, one of the District’s newest partners, is sponsoring supplies for the culinary contribution to the 40th Whiz Quiz, which has been prepared by culinary students at Trimble Tech and North Side high schools the first two nights. The Southwest High School Jazz Ensemble is the musical entertainment between matches, while Gold Seal Advanced Media Program students from Southwest High School are participating in the event’s live production. Mr. Jamison and Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy are this year’s match moderators.

Be part of the audience at the Fort Worth ISD board room at 2903 Shotts Street. If you can’t make it in person, play along with the contestants by viewing the competition streamed live at www.fwisd.org and YouTube, or by watching Charter Cable channel 192 or ATT U-verse 99.

View more Whiz Quiz photos here, and be sure to catch the high school finals tonight.

Photograph by Michael Barera

FWISD’S Farrington Field Is The New Home of the Vaqueros

Fort Worth ISD’s Farrington Field is the new home of minor league soccer team, the Vaqueros.

The team, which recently came to an agreement with the District, announced this week that it will play all its 2018 season home games at the 18,500-seat venue on University Drive.

The Vaqueros last played at Farrington Field last May in a National Premier Soccer League Lone Star Conference match in which the club defeated the Houston Dutch Lions 3-0.

“The location, the amenities and the history of Farrington Field will create a stellar environment for the Vaqueros home matches in 2018,” General Manager Tobias Xavier Lopez said in a team media release. “The match the Vaqueros held at Farrington Field last year proved to be an overwhelming success, so we expect each match in 2018 to be even more enjoyable.”

Dr. Lisa Langston, FWISD’s interim athletic director, said the partnership with the Vaqueros bring multiple benefits including professional development and informational programs between FWISD coaches and the Vaqueros coaching staff, soccer clinics for the District’s middle school student athletes, and free admission to matches for FWISD employees and students.

“I look at it as a positive for the Vaqueros as well as Fort Worth ISD,” Dr. Langston said. “It’s an opportunity that’s far reaching.

“With the World Cup, this summer, soccer is going to be at the forefront.”

Open tryouts for the 2018 season are slated for Sunday, January 21 at Arlington Heights High School. The Vaqueros 2018 season gets underway this April.

For more information about the Vaqueros, visit www.fortworthvaqueros.com.

CTOY DEADLINE IS JANUARY 31

Fort Worth ISD schools have until January 31 to submit their 2017-2018 Campus Teacher of the Year selections to the Department of Community and Strategic Partnerships.

The award recognizes exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled teachers whose work inspires students, colleagues and the community.

Campus Teacher of the Year selections must have a minimum of three years with the District and a minimum five years teaching experience overall. Eligible candidates must also be a full-time, certified Pre-K to 12th-grade teacher in good standing, intent on continue teaching with the FWISD the 2018-2019 school year and meeting other eligibility requirements.

The 2017-2018 Campus Teacher of the Year honorees will be recognized at an after-school reception in April. Campus winners are also encouraged to apply for the District Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced this May. A District honoree each from the elementary and secondary school level will receive a $5,000 honorarium, and eight semifinalists will receive $1,000 cash awards.

An online form for campus winners must be submitted by the school principal no later than 5 p.m. January 31.

#THANKYOUTHURSDAY

Thank you to Pizza Snob, FWISD's newest partner and sponsor of the culinary treats at the 40th annual Whiz Quiz competition.

Pictured is North Side High School students preparing chicken and waffles, Thai salad cups and truffles for Whiz Quiz, Tuesday, January 16, 2018, in the Pizza Snob kitchen.
Pictured is Trimble Tech High School students who served buffalo chicken pinwheels, cauliflower soup, avocado salsa verde with chips, and strawberry shortcake for Whiz Quiz, Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

Join the FWISD Movers Team At The Cowtown

Start the new year off getting active. Join the Fort Worth ISD Movers Team in the Adult 5K at this year’s 40th Cowtown race.

Register by midnight Friday for the team pricing rate. By registering with the District team, employees have the advantage of a FWISD staffer picking up their packet for them prior to the race which they can obtain at the FWISD Administration Building and they forgo the hassle of having to pick up their own packet.

The Cowtown, the largest multi-event in North Texas, is scheduled for February 24 and 25. The Adult 5K will take place, Saturday, February 24, beginning at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Whether you walk or run, the race is a good way to stay fit. Join the Adult 5K and stick around to cheer on thousands of FWISD students from approximately 50 schools as they participate in the Kids 5K following the Adult 5K.

“We all know we need to be more physically active,” said Georgi Roberts, FWISD health and physical education director. While you’re doing it, why not “enjoy the beauty of Fort Worth and the beauty of our community?”

For more information, email Georgi Roberts or Brooke Sharples or call the Health and Physical Education office at 817-814-2595. To register for the race, visit cowtownmarathon.org.

Professional Learning opportunities for the month of January

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo continues through Saturday, February 3, 2018

Whiz Quiz High School Finals, Today, January 18, 2018

FWISD Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Transforming Family Involvement through Improved Communications, 5:30 to 8 pm Thursday, January 25 at the MLK Community Center, 5565 Truman Drive in Fort Worth

February is Black History Month

The Cowtown races, Saturday, February 24- Sunday, February 25, 2018

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.

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.