Colleagues,

Check out the following stories and information in our latest edition of  Inside FWISD: 

• Newly-elected Trustee Sworn in at Fort Worth ISD Special Board Meeting: Dr. Camille Rodriguez Will Represent District 1
• Make Your Voice Heard! Participate in the Superintendent Search Process: Share Feedback Via Survey, Community Engagement Events
• FWISD Celebrates Employees with Service Recognition Awards
• Here Are Two Ways FWISD Is Connecting with Families This Week
• 22-23 FLEX Professional Learning Guidance Document Now Available
• Is Teaching Your True Calling? Tuition Assistance Still Available for Alternative Teacher Certification: District Accepting Applications Through May 31
• FWISD Briefs: Southwest HS Wins World’s Largest Robotics Contest; Don’t Miss the Final Billy W. Sills Lecture of Season Set for May 28; Construction for New Central Administration Building moves to the Next Phase; Kirkpatrick MS Opens Grocery-Style Food Pantry
• Celebrating Pyramid Pride : Southwest, South Hills Pyramids to Host Community Events Today and May 21
• What Are You Passionate About? William James MS Teacher Publishes Children’s Book
• Texas PTA Recognizes FWISD Volunteer Coordinator with One of Its Highest Honors
• FWISD in the News: YWLA Seniors Announce College Plans at Signing Day Event; A/E Professionals Offer FWISD Students Career Advice at Bond Bid Preview Event; FWISD Swears In Dr. Camille Rodriguez as District 1 Trustee; District Announces Summer Food Program Details; FWISD Hosts Hiring Fair for Teachers, TA and Operations Applicants; YWLA Discus Thrower Makes School History; District Announces Superintendent Search Survey, Community Engagement Events
• Photos of the Week: Arlington Heights HS Clinches Inaugural Flag Football Championship; Southwest High School Raider JROTC VEX Robotics Team Wins World’s Largest Robotics Competition; Board of Education Recognizes FWISD Scholar Athletes; Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School Celebrates State Track Champion Angel Sanchez; YWLA Gems Visit George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum; New Northside Eats Food Pantry Opens at Kirkpatrick Middle School; I.M. Terrell Academy’s First Graduating Class Presents Its Senior Fine Art Major Exhibition 
• Video of the Week: Diamond Hill-Jarvis Sophomore Angel Sanchez Makes School History at State Track Meet 

Dear Fort Worth ISD Employee,  

 

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education is eager to hear from you regarding the search for the next District superintendent.

 

You are an important member of our community, and your insights are highly valued.

 

This is a reminder to please join us on tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17 at 5:30 pm at the Fort Worth ISD Professional Development Center, 3150 McCart Ave., Rooms 108 or 256, Fort Worth, 76110. The executive search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will facilitate an informal conversation to learn more about the qualities and characteristics you want in our next District leader. 

If you are unable to attend, please make sure you share your thoughts through the community survey at https://www.fwisd.org/supsearch.  Even if you are able to attend, it’s important to take the survey. See the message from Board President Tobi Jackson below.

Thank you for your time and your leadership.

 

 

In-person and virtual community input sessions announced

 

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education wants to hear from you about the qualities you want in the next superintendent of the Fort Worth ISD.

Beginning today, Monday, May 9, you can take a short survey indicating what characteristics you value in the District’s next leader. All District stakeholders – parents, employees, students, faith leaders, partners, civic groups, and other community leaders – are encouraged to share their opinions.

Important notice: The Fort Worth ISD has relaunched the Superintendent Survey today, May 9, 2022, as of noon to add some informational data. If you took the survey this morning, you will need to retake it before it closes on May 27 in order to have your voice heard. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

You’ll find the survey at www.fwisd.org/supsurvey or by following this QR code starting today, Monday, May 9. The survey will remain open until Friday, May 27.

Then, beginning the week of Monday, May 16, you’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts at a series of community input sessions to be held over the following two weeks.  The in-person information-gathering events will be held at District high schools and, for employees, at other FWISD locations.  Here is a list of the upcoming community input sessions’ locations and times:

Monday, May 16, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Carter-Riverside HS
3301 Yucca | 76111 | Library 

Eastern Hills HS
5701 Shelton | 76112 | Library

Benbrook M-HS
201 Overcrest Dr | 76126 | Library

Arlington Heights HS
4501 W. Freeway | 76107 | Library 

Paschal HS
3001 Forest Park | 76110 | Library

 

Wednesday, May 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS
1411 Maydell | 76106 | Library

Polytechnic HS
1300 Conner | 76105 | Cafeteria

South Hills HS
6101 McCart | 76133 | Library

Western Hills HS
3600 Boston | 76116

 

Thursday, May 19, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Dunbar HS
5700 Ramey | 76112 | Library

North Side HS
2211 McKinley | 76164 | Cafeteria

O.D. Wyatt HS
2400 E. Seminary | 76119 | Library 

Southwest HS
4100 Altamesa | 76133 | Library 

Trimble Tech HS
1003 W. Cannon | 76104 | Cafeteria

 

MEETINGS IN ENGLISH:

 

Thursday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.

General Meeting
PDC (Professional Development Center)
3150 McCart | 76109

 

Thursday, May 26, 6:00 p.m.

General Virtual Meeting
www.fwisd.org/SupSearch

 

MEETINGS IN SPANISH:

 

Tuesday, May 17, 6:30 p.m.

General Meeting
PDC (Professional Development Center)
3150 McCart | 76109

 

Friday, May 20, 10:30 a.m.

General Virtual Meeting
www.fwisd.org/SupSearch

 

You can learn more about both the live and virtual events by visiting www.fwisd.org/supsearch .

“We want to hear from everyone – through the survey and the in-person events.  We want the participation of every person who supports and cares about our students and who have partnered with us to improve academic outcomes for all,” said FWISD Board President Tobi Jackson. “This is an opportunity to make your voice heard – and we are eager to listen.”

A new trustee will serve District 1 on the Fort Worth ISD Board of Education, and voters will have to wait a little longer to learn who will represent District 4.

Here are the May 7 election results:

• 55.68% of voters elected podiatrist Dr. Camille Rodriguez to succeed Jacinto Ramos Jr. – who recently announced his resignation -- in District 1, according to unofficial election results. Her opponent, police officer Aaron Garcia received 44.32% of votes.  
• With no one earning the majority vote in District 4, the race is headed to a runoff on June 18. The candidates with the two highest number of votes, physician Dr. Brian J. Dixon (47.46%) and community liaison Wallace Bridges (37.10%), will advance to the runoff. The race’s third candidate, correctional officer Trischelle A. Strong, finished with 15.44% of votes, according to unofficial election returns.  District 4 has been vacant since the Nov. 5, 2021, passing of trustee Daphne Brookins.

The Board is slated to canvass the May 7 District 1 election results, call a District 4 runoff election, and swear in Dr. Rodriguez on May 17.

Total, 2,858 voters participated in the May 7 FWISD Board of Education elections.

Both District 1 and 4 are unexpired terms, and candidates elected to those seats will serve on the Board until the terms expire in 2025.

Terrell Academy Dance Teacher Awarded $5,000

Thank you to North Texas Helpful Honda Dealers, who recently surprised I.M. Terrell Academy Dance Director Christen Reyes with $5,000 for the school’s dance program. The Teacher Appreciation Week surprise appeared on CBS 11 (KTVT) and NBC 5 (KXAS) newscasts.

 

 

Another One

FWISD Instruction Coach Drops Educational Gems and Bars in the Classroom

The music hits and news headlines keep coming for Fort Worth ISD instructional coach Thomas Mayfield, Jr. In this recent conversation with Fort Worth Report, Mr. Mayfield talks about how he uses music as a bridge to effectively teach students and keep them engaged.    

 

 

FWISD Partner T3 Receives $2 Million Donation To Support High School Students

JP Morgan Chase recently donated $2 million to the Tarrant To and Through Partnership (T3) to increase the number of Fort Worth students completing high school with an associate degree or industry certification. Learn how this donation impacts Fort Worth ISD in this recent Fort Worth Report article.  

Survey available beginning Monday, May 9

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education wants to hear from you about the qualities you want in the next superintendent of the Fort Worth ISD.

Beginning Monday, May 9, you can take a short survey indicating what characteristics you value in the District’s next leader. All District stakeholders – parents, employees, students, faith leaders, partners, civic groups, and other community leaders – are encouraged to share their opinions.

You’ll find the survey at www.fwisd.org/supsurvey starting Monday, May 9.

The survey will remain open until Friday, May 27.

Then, beginning the week of Monday, May 16, you’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts at a series of community input sessions to be held over the following two weeks.  The in-person information-gathering events will be held at District high schools and, for employees, at other FWISD locations.  A list of locations and times will be shared soon.

You can learn more about both the live and virtual events by visiting www.fwisd.org/supsearch .

“We want to hear from everyone – through the survey and the in-person events. We want the participation of every person who supports and cares about our students and who have partnered with us to improve academic outcomes for all,” said FWISD Board President Tobi Jackson. “This is an opportunity to make your voice heard – and we are eager to listen.”

Fort Worth ISD selected its 2022 Elementary and Secondary District Teachers of the Year at a highly-anticipated awards dinner that recognized the best of the best in the District. This annual dinner is hosted by longtime partner Central Market. This year’s event featuredWFAA News 8 Daybreak anchor and FWISD graduate Marc Istook as the emcee.

Lishelle Covin, librarian at Waverly Park Elementary School, and Marcus Brookins, who is the band director at O.D. Wyatt High School, were announced as the 2022 elementary and secondary honorees, respectively. The annual awards dinner was held Thursday, May 5, at the Fort Worth Zoo. The event also celebrated eight other Campus Teacher of the Year winners who were finalists for the District award.

A special, late-breaking surprise was part of the festivities when Leo Vaughns, Jr. of Kirkpatrick Middle School was honored for being named Lifetime Achievement Secondary teacher in the state of Texas in the H-E-B Excellence in Education award program.

As the Waverly Park Elementary librarian, Ms. Covin works with students in all grades. She has 26 years of teaching experience, a master’s degree from UNT and bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. She knew early on that she wanted to be a teacher, and she received encouragement from her mentor and high school principal, Coach Sam Champion. Today, Ms. Covin tries to be the same kind of model for her students. “I love kids. Every child is a gift, with the ability to grow and do amazing things in life.” 

Take an inside look into Ms. Covin’s classroom in this video.

Mr. Marcus Brookins has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and 10 years of teaching experience. A graduate of O.D. Wyatt High School, Mr. Brookins said he had inspiring teachers. “Without them knowing it, they sparked an interest in my wanting to become an educator.” As a student at OD Wyatt, Mr. Brookins predicted he would one day be band director at his alma mater. Today, he tries to instill a passion for learning in his students and helps them reach their goals.  

Hear more from Mr. Brookins and his students in this video.

Both Ms. Covin and Mr. Brookins received a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market, the awards dinner sponsor.

Each of the eight finalists received a $1,500 honorarium from Central Market. They are:

2022 Elementary District Teacher of Year Finalists:

• Dr. Will Lela Combs-Jones, dyslexia interventionist, Oakhurst Elementary
• Katie Hartz, first grade, Overton Park Elementary
• Stephanie Bradley Plotner, Pre-K, Tanglewood Elementary
• Skylar Plunkett, kindergarten, Westpark Elementary

2022 Secondary District Teacher of the Year Finalists: 

• Cara Earnest, Honors English/OnRamps, South Hills High School
• James Korn, ninth-grade algebra, Arlington Heights High School
• Dr. Amber Reeder, health science, Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences
• Joshua G. Torres, English, yearbook/news, McLean Middle School

The dinner was attended by Superintendent Kent P. Scribner, Fort Worth ISD Board of Education trustees and Mabrie Jackson, senior director of public affairs of the H-E-B/Central Market Division. Dr. Tim Elmore, Founder and CEO of Growing Leaders and nationally recognized speaker and author, delivered the keynote address. The Paschal High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Mathew Sawyer, was the featured entertainment at the dinner.

Since 1985, community businesses and organizations have partnered with Fort Worth ISD to recognize outstanding classroom teachers in our District. Annually, one teacher at each campus is nominated and elected by fellow teachers for the honor of Campus Teacher of the Year. Community judges evaluate applications from the Campus Teachers to select District winners in each category.

There are 10 Central Market stores in Texas and more than 420 H-E-B stores throughout Texas and Mexico. H-E-B contributes more than $10 million annually to Texas education.  

Colleagues,

 

Check out the following stories and information in our latest edition of Inside FWISD: 

 

• Thank You! Thank You! Thank You, Teachers!
• What Qualities Would You Like To See In Your Next Superintendent? Tell Us!
• Are You Planning To Retire At The End Of This School Year?
• How Would You Like To Receive Classroom Supplies Next Year? Give Us Your Feedback By May 6
• Did You Know? More Than 30 FWISD Seniors Are Named TCU Community Scholars
• Photos of the Week: Paschal Junior Presents Research at TCU Student Research Symposium; Mathematics Problem Solving Competition; Arlington Heights High School Literacy Event; Academic Sweatshirt Program Celebration; Morningside Elementary Garden; Waverly Park Elementary Fourth Graders Travel to Austin; South Hills Elementary School Welcomes New All Pro Dad Programming and Co-founder Tony Dungy; Western Hills Pre-K Registration Fair a Success! Beautifying C.C. Moss Elementary with Bright Uplifting Murals
• Videos of the Week: Meet the 10 Finalists for FWISD’s District Teacher of the Year. Two Winners Will Be Revealed Tonight!
• FWISD in the News: Marine Creek Valedictorian Receives Full Ride to TCU

Please see this memorandum from the Board of Education President Tobi Jackson inviting you to provide your opinion about the qualities you want to see in the next superintendent of the FWISD.

 

Colleagues,

In our latest edition of Inside FWISD, you will find information about:

• Statements from FWISD and Dr. Kent P. Scribner
• ESSER Funds at Work in FWISD Classrooms: Newly Adopted Curricula Impact Reading and Mathematics Instruction
• FWISD Board of Education Adjusts Meeting Guidelines
• District Seeks 2022 Convocation Feedback
• Supplies for Teachers 2022 Feedback Sought
• Nominate Candidates for District Advisory Committee
• Act Now! Complete SafeSchools Training by Friday
• Arlington Heights High School Literacy Rally is Back!
• Be Sure to Circle These FWISD Dates on Your Calendar
• Pay Approved for Data Clerks, Campus Staff to Help with Pre-K Registration This Summer
• Know What’s on the Ballot: Early Voting  Now in Progress for May 7 Elections
• FWISD’s Best Communities for Music Education Streak Continues
• FWISD in the News
• Photos of the Week: Board Recognizes Trimble Tech Boys Soccer Team; Baseball Night with FWPD; CNS/Aramark Hosts Spring Health Fest Events at 5 FWISD Elementary Schools; Westpark ES Hosts Luncheon Celebrating Volunteers; 2021-22 JROTC Year Culminates with Pass in Review Ceremony; Hubbard Heights ES Celebrates Centennial Anniversary 
• Video of the Week: A Message to Parents About Online Registration