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Inside FWISD October 20, 2022

FWISD Administers STAAR Benchmark Testing Through Nov. 18 | Election Day Now a Holiday for Most FWISD Students | Technology Makes Internet Content Filtering Upgrades | Arlington Heights Beats Colleyville Heritage to Remain Undefeated | Meet Us At SLQ |FWISD Congratulates Students Who Earned AP Capstone Recognitions | DHJ Teacher Awarded Grant | Central Administration Facility Update | CMA Foundation Recognizes FWISD Administrator for Music Excellence | 160 Students at Fort Worth ISD’s T.A. Sims Elementary School Each Receive a Pair of Brand-New Shoes | FWISD Schools to Celebrate Dia de los MuertosGive Us Your Best Shot During Two Scheduled Fall Immunization Clinics: Vaccination Campaign Still in Full Swing for Current School YearFWISD in the News | Photos of the Week | Video of the Week

FWISD Administers STAAR Benchmark Testing Through Nov. 18

Online benchmark testing for upcoming state assessments got underway earlier this week at Fort Worth ISD schools and continues through Nov. 18.

The exams support student learning, give teachers an idea of where students are academically, and offer a glimpse into how students might potentially perform on 2023 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments administered in the spring, said Sara Arispe, FWISD associate superintendent of Accountability and Data Quality. Benchmark results are also used to make necessary instructional plan modifications.

Fort Worth ISD administers two rounds of benchmark exams in the fall and spring ahead of the spring STAAR assessments.

The following benchmark exams are scheduled this fall:

  • October 18 – 28- Science Grade 5, Grade 8, Biology; Social Studies Grade 8 and U.S. History
  • November 7-18- Math Grades 3-8; Reading Language Arts Grades 3-8 and English I and II

Jerry Moore, FWISD Chief of Schools, said benchmarks attempt to mirror “a true testing environment as closely as possible.” As a result, campus staff are asked to follow testing protocols, including no visitors on school campuses during testing.

Last month, the Texas Education Agency informed superintendents and campus administrators that this year’s STAAR tests are being “redesigned to align more closely with effective classroom instruction.” Among the noticeable changes in the redesign are “non-multiple choice question types,” according to the TEA. This year’s assessments are transitioning from paper to online.

FWISD on-campus testing coordinators offer school staff resources and support for what students may expect on STAAR exams. Educators experiencing technical difficulties while online benchmarks are being administered are encouraged to contact the District’s Technology Help Desk.

The Texas STAAR exams are administered to students starting in Grades 3 and through high school.

Election Day Now a Holiday for Most FWISD Students

Election Day, Nov. 8, is now a holiday for most Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) students and a Professional Learning Day for District teachers and staff.

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education unanimously approved revisions to the District’s 2022-2023 traditional and intersession school calendars at a Sept. 27 meeting. The changes do not impact Early College High School students whose school calendars align with the Tarrant County College Academic Calendar.

Developed with input from FWISD stakeholders, including the District Advisory Committee (DAC) and District Employee Relations Council (DERC), the calendar revisions address safety concerns regarding using campus sites as polling locations and individuals having open access to the campus sites on Election Day.

The revised calendars still meet the minimum 75,600 operational minutes required by the state during an academic year.

Technology Makes Internet Content Filtering Upgrades

Editor's Note: The following memorandum from Marlon Shears, FWISD Chief Information Officer, provides details about an upcoming internet content filtering upgrade to District network systems.

Arlington Heights Beats Colleyville Heritage to Remain Undefeated

Arlington Heights defeated Colleyville Heritage 41-31 on Oct. 14 to improve to 7-0 on the season. The Yellow Jackets took down Colleyville Heritage behind a strong rushing attack led by Brian Furch Jr. Arlington Heights rushed for 408 yards in the game and Furch Jr. rushed for 278 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries.

Arlington Heights quarterback Eric Orozco added 66 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to go with his 68 passing yards. Brandin Monroe gained 64 yards on 14 carries to round out the rushing attack for the Yellow Jackets.

Keith Guidry and Markell Sanders each intercepted Colleyville Heritage quarterback Weston Smith to set up two of Furch’s four touchdown runs. Sanders’ interception came in the fourth quarter with Arlington Heights leading 34-31.

Arlington Heights hasn’t finished a season with a winning record since 2018 when it finished 6-4. The Yellow Jackets' remaining schedule includes road games at Southwest and Grapevine the next two weeks before closing the regular season at home against North Side.

IHSS DFW Insider Matt Diggs projects Arlington Heights to finish in second place in District 4-5A DII behind Grapevine and face Frisco Independence in the first round of the playoffs. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football insider Matt Stepp’s latest playoff projections have Arlington Heights facing Lake Dallas in the first round of the playoffs.

Meet Us at SLQ

The next Fort Worth ISD Saturday Learning Quest session is Oct. 29.

Learn more at www.fwisd.org/slq.

FWISD Congratulates Students who Earned AP Capstone Recognitions

Thirteen Fort Worth ISD students from Arlington Heights and Paschal high schools recently learned they had earned the AP Capstone Diploma during the 2021-2022 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills.

To receive the diploma, participants must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP exams.

Congratulations to Ishika Acharya, Gatlin Adams, Nathalie Calderon, Becca Dehn, Angelica Gallegos, Jude Martin, Kathleen Bradshaw, Taylor Ledbetter, Emma Milton, Emma Patterson, Maya Seymore, Jackson Woodall, and Yuanyi Zhang.

Another 20 FWISD students from Arlington Heights, Paschal, McLean Middle, and Daggett Montessori earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate: Denim Atkins, Elise Hall, Andrea Saenz, Anderson Berger, Rylan Burns, Kamryn Enriquez, Emily Garcia, Francis Gulde, Hailey Hartung, Nicholas Kelley, Violet Krogness, Indie Lopez, Justine Ostransky, Giuliana Rios, Shreyas Sankpal, Anna Schwartz, Whitney Spradlin, Cass Wheatley, Maya Perez, and Elise Anderson.

DHJ Teacher Awarded Grant

Former Diamond Hill- Jarvis and AVID Alumnus Omar Davila returned to his alma mater this week to surprise his former teacher, Mrs. Katy Langston, and current DHJ AVID students with a scholarship! Davila named the scholarship in Langston’s honor and called her his hero for having a profound lifelong impact on his life.

Central Administration Facility Update

CMA Foundation Recognizes FWISD Administrator for Music Excellence

Music excellence shines bright in Fort Worth ISD’s Visual and Performing Arts Department.

This week, the CMA Foundation - a music education nonprofit of the Country Music Association – presented Jesse Cannon II, Fort Worth ISD’s new director of vocal and elementary music, with the Music Teacher of Excellence Award. The sixth annual awards ceremony was held Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mr. Cannon is one of 30 music educators across the nation selected by the foundation for this honor recognizing teachers who are committed to bringing quality and impactful music programs to their students and communities. Music Teacher of Excellence Award honorees receive a $2,500 personal stipend and a matching investment in their music programs.

“We are incredibly proud to support these 30 amazing music teachers through this program,” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation executive director in a statement earlier this year. “Music Education is essential to the well-being of students everywhere. We believe that without excellent teachers, a high-quality education for our students wouldn’t be possible.”

Mr. Cannon joined the FWISD in July and previously served as director of choirs in Duncanville ISD. Additionally, he is vice president and vocal division chair for the Texas Music Educators Association. Throughout his career, he’s led national and state award-winning choral programs and served on multiple local, state, and national choral association boards.

160 students at Fort Worth ISD’s T.A. Sims Elementary School Each Receive a Pair of Brand-New Shoes

This week 160 students at T.A. Sims Elementary each received a brand-new pair of shoes, donated by the non-profit, Maggie’s Sole Mission. Shoes were available in all of the latest colors and styles, and each student was invited to select the perfect pair. The smiles on the students’ faces were from ear to ear.

The story behind the organization is inspiring. Maggie Sohel was a longtime Fort Worth educator during the 1980s-2020s. She served as a teacher, assistant principal, and as the principal of T. A. Sims before she retired. As an educator, Maggie saw that many children would fall behind simply because they did not have shoes that fit. She often, secretly, bought new shoes for students and paid utility bills so they could attend school.

Maggie survived childhood poverty and become the first person in her family to attend college. She later obtained her master’s degree. She knew that education changed the trajectory of her own life. “If I can do it, you can do it, too,” is what she told her students.

Maggie believed that low-income students endure too much shame for things not in their control. She used to say, “You know how you feel when you put on a new pair of shoes? That is the joy and dignity that we want all students to experience.

Maggie was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and passed away after a valiant battle in 2020. During her last months of life, she and her daughter, Lisa Nichols, shared stories about her teaching days. Lisa recalled the many times that Maggie bought shoes for children. During their final conversation, Lisa promised Maggie that she would start an annual shoe drive for children, and Maggie smiled.

This was the second year of the shoe drive, and the donation doubled. 160 students at T.A. Sims left school with smiles on their faces and new shoes on their feet!

FWISD schools to Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos

El Dīa de los Muertos is just a few weeks away. When the calendar rolls over from October 31 to November 1, those who celebrate Día de los Muertos believe spirits of deceased children come back down to earth to be with their families on November 1. When the clock strikes midnight and November 1 becomes November 2, the children return to heaven while deceased adults come down to spend the day with family.

Día de los Muertos is a day for families to celebrate the life and legacy of loved ones. Some decorate colorful altars with flowers, candles, pictures of the dearly departed, and food. Others celebrate at the cemetery with a picnic.

Among the observances in Fort Worth ISD, Paschal High School will celebrate Día de los Muertos on November 1 to honor and remember the loved ones of the Paschal community who have passed with a performance from the Paschal Mariachi Panteras. George C. Clarke Elementary School will decorate an altar at the school to be displayed on November 1-2.

Give Us Your Best Shot During Two Scheduled Fall Immunization Clinics

Vaccination Campaign Still in Full Swing for Current School Year

To ensure all students stay healthy this season, FWISD is partnering with local community agencies to strengthen our Your Best Shot campaign with two Districtwide vaccination clinics.

Scheduled for Nov. 19 at Arlington Heights HS and Dec. 10 at Eastern Hills HS, both from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Your Best Shot immunization clinics will aim to assist families still needing shot records to meet the State’s minimum school vaccination requirements for their students.

Click here to see the State’s minimum requirements for the following immunizations:

  • Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis
  • Polio
  • Measles/mumps/rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
  • Meningococcal
  • Hepatitis A

The District understands it will take a collaborative effort to make sure students have a safe and productive academic year. We also understand there are exemptions to the State of Texas Health Services immunization requirements. Click here to learn more about these exemption qualifications.

For additional information, contact Ottis Goodwin in the Department of Family and Community Resources at 817-814-2870.

FWISD in the News

Fort Worth ISD’s American Indian Education Program connects indigenous students with their culture and heritage. The program was profiled by Fort Worth Report.

Check out these stories about FWISD's Future Teachers Luncheon that appeared on FOX 4 (KDFW), Telemundo, and in the Fort Worth Report.

Superintendent Angélica M. Ramsey and other District officials talked with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about how FWISD addresses “racial disparities in suspensions.”

The District’s recent hiring fair was among the multiple North Texas job fairs highlighted in an NBC 5 (KXAS) story about organizations looking for qualified first-responder applicants, including school nurses.

Arlington Heights High School made Fort Worth Star-Telegram headlines after a stunning 41-31 win over state-ranked Colleyville Heritage Oct. 14 at Farrington Field.

Eastern Hills Head Football Coach talked with Scorebook Live about his team’s 20-7 win over Dunbar High School.

Fort Worth ISD’s Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice were featured among area school initiatives in Wayne Carter in the Classroom’s Highlighter segment on NBC 5 (KXAS). The segment spotlights activities in schools and districts across North Texas.

Photos of the Week

Polytechnic High School Homecoming Parade

Polytechnic High School students, staff, members of the community, and Homecoming Grand Marshal Tobi Jackson participated in the Polytechnic Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Burton Hills Elementary School Fall Festival

Burton Hill Elementary School hosted a Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 14 to give its students a chance to let loose and play after their hard work in the classroom

2nd Annual Induction for the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Lin-Manuel Miranda Chapter at Terrell Academy

Nine students were inducted into the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Lin-Manuel Miranda chapter at I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and the Visual and Performing Arts. The music of the I.M. Terrell Academy Orchestra resonated throughout the event and dancers graced the stage during the ceremony. See more in the Video of the Week below.

East Handley Elementary Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Students, families and school staff were all smiles at East Handley Elementary School's Hispanic Heritage Celebration hosted Oct. 13.

Saturday Learning Quest

Students and staff participate in a day of learning and fun at the Saturday Learning Quest event hosted at various schools across the District on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Fort Worth ISD Students Participate in the Future Teachers Luncheon

Students participate in a college fair and listen to Fort Worth ISD teacher Aracely Valdes share her testimony at the Future Teachers Luncheon at the Teaching and Learning Center on Oct. 19.

Video of the Week

Share your story ideas, successes, calendar items, photos, questions and feedback with us at Inside@FWISD.org. Content submissions are due no later than 10 a.m. Fridays for the next edition. Check the Inside FWISD blog, www.fwisd.org/insidefwisd, regularly updated throughout the week with additional content and features.

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