Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Melody Johnson was a guest this weekend on “Speak Out,” the KKDA Sunday morning radio show hosted by Judge Mary Ellen Hicks.  Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Chuck Hoffman was also was guest on the show.  

Both FWISD leaders appealed to the public to support “Prevail to Graduation,” the effort this Saturday, September 6, to reach out to personally contact students who have not yet returned to classes.  

“‘Prevail to Graduation’ is part of a larger effort we have – Project Prevail—to increase the graduation and ensure the success of our students,” Dr. Johnson told Judge Hicks.  “We are literally going to knock on the doors of the kids who haven’t come back to school this year.”

Many volunteers are expected to participate in this collaborative effort between the District and the City of Fort Worth.  Spearheaded by Dr. Johnson and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, the initiative is modeled after one in Houston, Expectation Graduation, which has produced exciting results.  Since Houston began their program four years ago, more than 3900 students have returned to Houston area schools.

“A lot of people think the first day or the first couple of weeks of school aren’t that important,” Dr. Johnson said.  “We’re going to bring them back.”

Dr. Johnson will begin the day walking in the O.D. Wyatt High School attendance neighborhood with Fort Worth Mayor Pro-Tem Kathleen Hicks.

Volunteers are needed for the walks that will target the attendance neighborhoods around three Fort Worth high schools:  Eastern Hills High School, O.D. Wyatt High School and Diamond-Hill Jarvis High School.    Those would like to volunteer should contact Dr. Danna Diaz, Fort Worth ISD Office of Student Engagement, at 817-871-2099 or Carol Everhart, City of Fort Worth, at 817-392-2227.

“This is critical,” said Judge Hicks.  “These are our children, and our children are our responsibility. It’s time to respond.”