Inside FWISD May 19, 2022

In this edition:

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 the FWISD Is Connecting with Families This Week | 22-23 FLEX Professional Learning Guidance Document Now Available | Is Teaching Your True Calling? Tuition Assistance is Still Available for Alternative Teacher Certification: District Accepting Applications Through May 31 | FWISD Briefs | Celebrating Pyramid Pride: Southwest, South Hills Pyramids to Host Community Events Today and May 21 | William James MS Teacher Publishes Children's Book | Texas PTA Recognizes FWISD Volunteer Coordinator with One of Its Highest Honors | FWISD in the News | Photos of the Week | Videos of the Week | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

Newly-elected Trustee Sworn in at Fort Worth ISD Special Board Meeting

Dr. Camille Rodriguez Will Represent District 1

The Fort Worth ISD swore in its newly-elected Board of Education trustee, Dr. Camille Rodriguez, on Tuesday, May 17, during a special board meeting. Family and friends were present to support and celebrate.

On Saturday, May 7, voters elected Dr. Rodriguez to represent District 1 to serve the unexpired term of Dr. Jacinto Ramos, Jr, who resigned from the Board in March.

Read more about the newest trustee here and view photos of Dr. Rodriguez being sworn in here.

Make Your Voice Heard! Participate in the Superintendent Search Process

Share Feedback Via Survey, Community Engagement Events

There are still opportunities to let the Fort Worth ISD Board of Education know what qualities interest you in the District’s next superintendent.

Take the quick superintendent search survey by May 27 and visit www.fwisd.org/supsearch to learn more, including upcoming in-person or virtual community engagement 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.”

FWISD Celebrates Employees with Service Recognition Awards

The Fort Worth ISD values its team members' commitment and dedication. To show its appreciation, 40,000 items, including pins, tumblers, backpacks, and plaques, have been awarded to District employees this week.

Employees received the awards based on their number of years of service, emphasizing 1, 5, 10, and 20-year milestones. The awards were presented to each employee by their campus leaders or department head.

The District is home to over 10,000 full-time employees, the average of which has 10 years of internal service.

"We are proud to honor those achieving career milestones, whether this is their year 1, 5, 10, or 20+, for their integral contributions to continued student success," said Chief Talent Officer Raul Peña. "District employees can anticipate receiving these symbols of our sincere appreciation during May. We thank all employees for their commitment to the students of Fort Worth ISD!"

The 40,000 awards were organized and distributed by the District's Talent Management team. The carefully-executed operation began in late April and included five days allocated for daily pick up at 25-40 Districtwide locations.

Congratulations to all the award recipients!

Here are Two Ways the FWISD Is Connecting with Families this week

District-Wide Enrollment Registration Fair at the FWISD Administration Building Tomorrow

Calling all families of NEW and RETURNING Fort Worth ISD students! Do you need registration assistance? Maybe you still have a few unanswered enrollment questions? Don’t worry - District staff are here to help.

Beat the heat and join us Friday, May 20, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fort Worth ISD Administration Building (100 N. University Dr.) for the District-wide Enrollment Registration Fair!

Click here for more details.

Family Literacy Celebration Promotes Literacy and Physical Activity for the Summer

The Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) Student Placement Center invites families of bilingual/ESL students to attend the annual Family Literacy Celebration May 21.

Free books and information about summer activities and programs will be provided. There will be a wide range of book themes for students to choose from that will surely inspire their reading over the summer break!

Families will be delighted with a colorful performance by Ballet Folklorico Fort Worth, Inc. New to the event this year are public book readings in Spanish, English, and American Sign language for attendees. FWISD vendor Aramark will supply yummy muffins and drinks to stay hydrated.

Parents will learn about the variety of FWISD academic programs available for their students. District representatives will be on-hand to show parents how to access them.

There will also be information about summer adult education programs by Tarrant County College, Texas Christian University, and the FWISD. And to help keep everyone physically active this summer, the YMCA will be sharing tips!

This annual event is presented in partnership with Read Fort Worth and community partners, including the Fort Worth Library and Fort Worth Police, among others.

For more information about this event, please contact 817-815-7700.

22-23 FLEX Professional Learning Guidance Document Now Available

The Fort Worth ISD has debuted its 2022-2023 FLEX Professional Learning Guidance Document for District educators.

Check it out here.

Teachers are required to complete a set number of FLEX professional learning hours each academic year.

iS TEACHING YOUR TRUE CALLING?Tuition Assistance is Still Available for Alternative Teacher Certification

District Accepting Applications Through May 31

The Fort Worth ISD is once again accepting applications for its Alternative Certification Tuition Assistance Program! Submit your application by May 31.

With ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, the District is covering about $3,500 each in alternative teacher certification tuition and program fees for FWISD employees, specifically those interested in earning a teaching certification in elementary English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual; secondary science, math, and English language arts (ELAR) and special education.

Ask questions and learn more about the FWISD Alternative Certification Tuition Assistance Program at these upcoming virtual information sessions:

• 4:30-5 p.m., today, May 19 (Zoom meeting ID: 753 2599 1766, Passcode: rPat1c)
• 5-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 (Zoom meeting ID: 750 6413 1301, Passcode: m4rdUF)

For more details, contact Emily Camarena, FWISD Director of Teacher Residents and Pipelines, at Emily.camarena@fwisd.org.

FWISD Briefs

Amazing things are happening in and around the Fort Worth ISD!

Southwest HS Wins World's Largest Robotics Contest

The Southwest High School JROTC VEX Robotics Team is champion of the National Skills Match, the largest global robotics competition. The FWISD Board of Education recognized the group’s achievement on Tuesday, May 17.

Read more here and view additional photos below.

Don't Miss the Final Billy W. Sills Lecture of Season Set for May 28

Do you like state and local history? Join Fort Worth ISD’s Billy W. Sills Center for Archives for its final lecture series event this season, Saturday, May 28.

Preservationist and author Libby Willis is sharing the story of David Ayers, a “pioneer merchant” who established the state’s first Methodist missionary society, according to the Texas State Historical Association. Refreshments start at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 10 a.m. program at the FWISD Central Administration Building, 100 N. University Drive. For more information, contact Lenna Hughes or Pamela Harmon at 817-814-2040.

New Central Administration Building Moves to the Next Phase of Construction

Fort Worth ISD is moving forward with the next phase of construction for its New Central Administration Building on Camp Bowie Boulevard.

On Tuesday, May 17, the Board of Education gave the OK for Superintendent Kent Scribner, or a designee, to obtain a City of Fort Worth permit for renovation the District’s property at 7060 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Kirkpatrick MS Opens Grocery-Style Food Pantry

Kirkpatrick Middle School is leading the way to help feed its Northside community. A grocery-style food pantry called Northside Eats has officially opened in the school basement.

Learn more about the pantry here.

Celebrating Pyramid Pride

Southwest, South Hills Pyramids to Host Community Events Today and May 21

Show your school pride at one of two upcoming pyramid and community night events hosted at Fort Worth ISD’s Southwest and South Hills high schools.

The Place to Be

Enjoy food trucks, live music, and student fine arts performances at the Southwest Pyramid and Community Night, Thursday, May 19, from 6-8 p.m. at Southwest High School, 4100 Altamesa Blvd.

Take a student-led tour of the Southwest High’s new expansion and see the Programs of Choice spaces that prepare students for college, career, and community leadership.

Twice annually, the pyramid hosts a neighborhood event for parents to gather information about its schools and community organizations and to celebrate Raider pride. Southwest pyramid schools include Southwest High School, Wedgwood Sixth Grade Center, Wedgwood Middle School, Hazel Harvey Peace, Bruce Shulkey, Westcreek, J.T. Stevens and Woodway elementary schools.

“All great neighborhoods start with great community schools. Here in the Southwest pyramid, we want to celebrate the amazing things our children are doing in our public schools,” said Southwest High Principal John Engel. “We are committed to making Southwest The Place to Be for students of all ages and in all schools. Pyramid Night is a celebration of that!”

For additional details, call 817-814-8000.

Celebrating the Arts

Food trucks, concessions, bounce houses, crafts, and much more are on deck for the South Hills Pyramid Fine Arts Festival, Saturday, May 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at South Hills High School, 6101 McCart Ave.

Sponsored by the South Hills High School Band Booster Club, the event also showcases the student artwork and performances from across the pyramid, pre-kindergarten registration and tours of the South Hills High School expansion.

“We felt it was important to create an opportunity for our students, parents, and staff to come together, as we have been through a lot these last 2 ½ years. The event focuses on student talent and performances, staff instructional practices, community collaboration, and celebrating our South Hills culture,” said Dr. Dorene Benavidez, Region III School Leadership executive director for the South Hills pyramid. “We hope to begin a new tradition in the south side of FWISD! Our community deserves to learn everything there is to know about our schools, and this is a great chance to make that happen!”

The South Hills pyramid includes South Hills High School, Rosemont Middle School, Greenbriar, Hubbard Heights, Richard J. Wilson, South Hills, Worth Heights, and Seminary Hills elementary schools.

Click here for additional festival details.

What are you passionate about? William James MS Teacher Publishes Children's Book

William James Middle School dyslexia teacher Delicia Barther is now a published children’s author!

Her book, “Dyslexia Does Not Have Me” debuted earlier this month. It is the story of a boy named David and his journey with dyslexia and finding confidence in his abilities.

“Writing a book has always been a dream of mine. My scholars at William James truly inspired me to get it done,” Ms. Barther said. “Dyslexia is something that I am extremely passionate about. It was important that my book was inspiring and reflected the students I currently serve.”

“Dyslexia Does Not Have Me” is available online via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bowker Bookwire.

Texas PTA Recognizes FWISD Volunteer Coordinator with One of Its Highest Honors

Congratulations to Fort Worth ISD Volunteer Coordinator Alma Pohler, recipient of Texas PTA’s Honorary Life Membership Award.

Mrs. Pohler, a nine-year FWISD veteran administrator, received the award at the Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs meeting, Saturday, May 14. The Honorary Texas Life Membership Award is one of Texas PTA’s highest recognitions for outstanding service to children and youth.

As volunteer coordinator, Mrs. Pohler oversees 8,000 District volunteers. She also engages parents in the community through projects like playground building projects, online registration support, food distribution events, and securing interpreters for community programs.

“Although her many talents and service are remarkable, it is her never-ending love for learning and avidly contributing to the Fort Worth ISD vision of "Igniting in every child a passion for learning" that inspires others daily. A tireless advocate and supporter of PTA, this year's honoree is always eager to lend a hand,” said Tiffany Rogers, Texas PTA Secretary in a recent statement.”

Mrs. Pohler is a true believer in the transformational power of education for its ability to open a world of opportunities for our children, break the cycle of poverty, and make one a better person.

She regards it as an honor to collaborate with parents and community volunteers. Mrs. Pohler says "they embody our human capacity for goodness and potential for greatness. Volunteers humble us with their generosity and nobility."