In this edition:
Fort Worth ISD Selects Finalists For 2021 District Teachers Of The Year | What You Need To Know About Pre-K/K Registration Promotions | Join Eastern Hills Pyramid Thursdays for Eastside Reads | The Bookmobile Is On The Road Again To Promote Full-Day Pre-K And Kindergarten In Fort Worth ISD: Easy Online Registration Begins April 1 | DHJ Boys Soccer To Compete In Playoff Round 5 Friday | Inside FWISD Enforces Content Deadlines | FWISD To Observe Week Of The Young Child 50th Anniversary With Daily Themed Activities, Bookmobile Pop-Up Events, April 12-16 | Insights Into Future FWISD Careers Available At Bi-Monthly Networking Event | Do You Know The Plan When Severe Weather Happens?| FWISD Accepts District Advisory Committee Nominations: Nominations Due By 5 p.m. April 16 | FWISD Announces February Spring Wellness Challenge Staff Webinar Winners | 2 FWISD Educators Part of New Film Project Amplifying the Voices of Black Men in Fort Worth | Facebook Awards Community Action Grants To 3 Organizations With Ties To FWISD Programming | FWISD Offers Teachers Online Promethean Training | Food Available At Multiple Sites For FWISD Families, Community | Inside FWISD News Briefs | Fort Worth ISD Snapshot | Community Resources | Calendar | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog
FORT WORTH ISD SELECTS FINALISTS FOR 2021 DISTRICT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Fort Worth ISD recognized 10 District Teacher of the Year finalists with surprise campus visits. Schools were creative in the way they surprised their honorees, with drum lines, cheerleaders, banners, balloons, and student performances to show their appreciation.
The finalists will advance to the next phase of the District Teacher of the Year selection process, which includes a panel interview in mid-April.
Elementary
Angela Ferguson, fourth grade Math and Science – Lowery Road Elementary School
Brigit Lopez, K-1 Physical Education– Western Hills Primary
Olivia Olalde, fifth grade Bilingual – Alice Contreras Elementary School
Anthony Smith-Wright, fifth grade Science and Social Studies – Eastern Hills Elementary School
Secondary
Ann-Denise Anderson, ninth – 12th grade Art 1, Photography 2 & 3, AP Studio Art, Drawing, 3D – Polytechnic High School
Vanida Chanthaphone, seventh and eighth grade English and Reading – Monnig Middle School
Casey Kirchner, 11th and 12th grade U.S. History, Pre-AP U. S. History, Leadership – R. L. Paschal High School
TeNeal “Charlie” Metcalf, ninth, 11th, 12th grade AP & Pre-AP Biology– Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Tobie Moser, sixth and seventh grade Science – Young Men’s Leadership Academy
Each finalist received a floral arrangement and a gift card from Central Market, the sponsor of the District Teacher of the Year award program.
Earlier this week, the District recognized 134 dedicated teachers as Campus Teachers of the Year in a big and unique way. The honorees were invited to attend a drive-through celebration featuring music, balloons, and special gifts from CTOY sponsor Central Market. View photos from the celebration in the Fort Worth ISD Snapshot photo gallery below.
The Elementary and Secondary District Teacher of the Year winners will be announced in early May. Each of the two award winners receives a $5,000 honorarium from Central Market. The eight finalists will receive a $1,500 award from Central Market.
What You Need To Know About Pre-K/K Registration Promotions
Editor's Note: In an effort to equip FWISD employees with essential information for a successful registration process, Inside FWISD will run “What You Need To Know” segments throughout the month of April. The following information provides employees with tips for promoting registration on their respective campuses.
Pre-kindergarten/ kindergarten registration is in full swing across the Fort Worth ISD, and several campuses are getting creative spreading the word out.
Here are a few helpful tips from FWISD elementary schools/ pyramids about how to promote and rally families for Pre-K/K registration at your campus:
Benbrook Elementary
Recently, the school hosted Pre-K/ Kinder in-person campus tours over two days after school. Each family had an appointment. Upon arrival, they would receive a specially wrapped gift and a book from Michelle Grimes, a Parents As Teachers Parent Educator.
Families were greeted at the door with a quick temperature check, and off they went. A teacher personally escorted them around, showing off their classrooms and engaging the child in the space.
About 30 families were met and warmly welcomed into the Bulldog family!
Diamond Hill Elementary Pyramid Principals and Staff
Administrators and staff from the Diamond Hill pyramid recently gathered at the Food City grocery store on Long Avenue for a community meet and greet with parents, grandparents, prospective students and their siblings.
There was music, popsicles and vaccination registration support in conjunction with Blue Zones Project Fort Worth. At least 150 visitors asked about school, meeting principals and having fun. A special shout out to Ana Morales, Monica Ordaz, Marlyn Martinez, Liz Yoder and team for a successful event.
Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary
The school is calling on student ambassadors to assist them in registration promotion. On Monday, Van Zandt-Guinn launched its registration referral program.
Students are encouraged to refer a family member, friend or neighbor to register for FWISD Pre-K or Kinder. Students who refer someone are rewarded with a free dress day pass that allows them to wear spirit shirts, sports attire, wind or sweat suits and non-uniform color bottoms and skirts that comply with standard dress code guidelines. Students also have opportunities to earn popcorn parties, an extended recess on Fridays and a shout on the school announcements.
Recently, Van Zandt-Guinn Principal Débora Fuentes and Assistant Principal Joyce Bowens-Thomas met with Pre-K to fifth grade students to present details about the referral program. A video introducing the school's Pre-K titled "Meet our PK teachers!" teachers was also produced.
Looking for ways to promote Pre-K/K registration visually on your campus? The FWISD Communications Department has prepared printable flyers, posters, social media resources and other messaging that is available at fwisd.org/prekmarketing. The department also has a limited supply of registration T-shirts. For additional details, contact Erica Weaver, FWISD branding coordinator, at 817-814-1932 or email Erica.weaver@fwisd.org.
Join Eastern Hills Pyramid Thursdays for Eastside Reads
Read along with the Eastern Hills pyramid administrators and Family Action Center at 6 p.m. every Thursday through Eastside Reads. The pyramid will host the virtual story time for the next six weeks.
Enjoy virtual children’s stories weekly with pyramid principals. Eastside Reads videos will be posted weekly to each campus website in the Eastern Hills pyramid as well as on school social media pages.
Eastern Hills pyramid executive director Deborah Traylor will offer parents at-home strategies for increasing literacy in grades Kindergarten-5. This collaboration is an effort to ensure alignment with the District’s 100 X 25 FWTX initiative by providing early childhood enrichment opportunities focused on language acquisition and literacy development. These opportunities improve a child’s potential for school readiness and early academic success.
Fort Worth ISD’s 100 X 25 FWTX initiative sets a goal of 100% of third graders reading on or above grade level by the year 2025. Read Fort Worth convenes cross-sector community partners with a common goal of ensuring that students have the foundational literacy skills to read on grade level by third grade. The work is approached by gathering community partners motivated to achieve these common goals; bringing data to inform what action could produce the greatest impact; collecting community input from students, families, and teachers to co-develop interventions; and leveraging key stakeholders to implement solutions. For more information, visit http://www.ReadFortWorth.org.
View the flyer below for the complete Eastside Reads schedule and book titles.
The Bookmobile is on the Road Again to Promote Full-Day Pre-K and Kindergarten in Fort Worth ISD
Easy Online Registration Begins April 1
The Fort Worth ISD Bookmobile is hitting the road again visiting communities throughout the District to highlight full-day Pre-K and Kindergarten.
The Family Communications Department will continue their District-wide promotion of online registration for Pre-K and Kindergarten with outreach efforts to partnering community centers, apartment complexes, and places of worship.
Below is a listing of upcoming bookmobile dates and locations:
April 9: 3:15- 4:15 p.m., Crossings 820 Apartments, 4151 SW Loop 820, 76109
April 13: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Family Action Center, 3409 Stalcup Road, 76119
April 14: 2– 4 p.m., Waverly Park Elementary School, 3604 Cimmaron Trail, 76116
April 14: 5-6 p.m., Columbia Renaissance Square Apartment, 3801 WG Daniels, 76105
April 15: 2-3 p.m., Victory Forest Community Center, 3247 Hemphill St., 76110
April 16: 8-11 a.m., Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St., 76107
During these “pop-up” events, families will receive free resources on District early childhood programs, books for toddlers and young readers, and other community resources.
“The feedback from our families and partners have been amazing. We want the community to know we are here to help. The best way to do that is by meeting parents where they are and showing them all Fort Worth ISD has to offer,” said Jennifer Perez, Director of Family Communications.
Pre-K and Kindergarten in the Fort Worth ISD provide safe spaces that inspire discovery, learning, and there’s enough room for every child.
Remember, registration is now underway. To learn more about our early childhood programs, visit www.fwisd.org/prek.
INSIDE FWISD ENFORCES CONTENT DEADLINES
Inside FWISD is implementing new content deadlines, effective today, April 8, 2021.
All content submitted for inclusion in the newsletter must be sent to the Inside FWISD inbox, Inside@fwisd.org, no later than 10 a.m. Friday. For example, content requests submitted for the April 15, 2021 Inside FWISD edition are due no later than 10 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2021.
Exceptions will only be made after the deadline for content submitted by the FWISD superintendent or a department chief. All submissions received after the deadline will be considered for a future Inside FWISD edition.
Persons interested in submitting content for Inside FWISD must complete a News Release Worksheet and return it to Inside@fwisd.org.
Additional questions about the content deadline may be emailed to the Inside FWISD team at Inside@fwisd.org.
FWISD To Observe Week of the Young Child 50th Anniversary with Daily Themed Activities, Bookmobile Pop-Up Events, April 12-16
The Fort Worth ISD is observing the Week of the Young Child 50th anniversary, April 10-16 with a series of events bringing awareness to early childhood education.
Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children that advocates for public attention on the needs of young children, their families and the early childhood programs and services that meet their needs. At a March 22 Board of Education meeting, FWISD trustees issued a proclamation declaring April 10-16 Week of the Young Child in the District.
Throughout the week, the District will highlight Pre-kindergarten/kindergarten registration, which is currently underway, and host fun, interactive themed activities daily at schools throughout FWISD. All FWISD Pre-K teachers will receive the book, “The Very Impatient Caterpillar” / “La oruga muy impaciente” by Ross Burach. Pre-K students will go home with the book, “Misunderstood Shark” by Ame Dyckman and a weeklong family activity calendar.
The following daily activities are scheduled to celebrate Week of the Young Child throughout FWISD classrooms, April 12-16. Schools are encouraged to create social media posts of how they’re celebrating the week:
- April 12- Music Monday
- April 13 – Tasty Tuesday
- April 14 – We read Wednesdays
- April 15 – Artsy Thursday
- April 16– Family Friday
Look for the Fort Worth ISD Bookmobile in communities throughout the District during the week. The Family Communications Department is partnering with community centers, apartment complexes and places of worship for pop-up events to promote the District online Pre-K and kindergarten registration which began April 1. Families will receive free resources on District early childhood programs, books for toddlers and young readers, and other community resources at the pop-up events.
The Bookmobile will roll into the following locations during the Week of the Young Child:
- April 13: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Family Action Center, 3409 Stalcup Road, 76119
- April 14: 2-4 p.m., Waverly Park Elementary School, 3604 Cimmaron Trail, 76116
- April 14: 5-6 p.m., Columbia Renaissance Square Apartment, 3801 WG Daniels, 76105
- April 15: 2-3 p.m., Victory Forest Community Center, 3247 Hemphill St., 76110
- April 16: 8-11 a.m., Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St. 76107
Pre-K and Kindergarten in the Fort Worth ISD provides safe spaces that inspire discovery, learning, and there’s enough room for every child. To learn more about our early childhood programs, visit www.fwisd.org/prek.
For additional information, contact Olayinka Ojo, director of FWISD Early Leaning, at 817-814-2450 or by emailing olayinka.ojo@fwisd.org.
INSIGHTS INTO FUTURE FWISD CAREERS AVAILABLE AT BI-MONTHLY NETWORKING EVENT
Spring into success and receive insight into a future career with the Fort Worth ISD by attending a District Networking Event.
Twice monthly, prospective employees and current employees looking to enter a new District role are invited to participate in the FWISD Networking Event. From 1-2 p.m., prospective employees may sign up for an exclusive 15-minute one-on-one virtual meeting with Central Office Staffing Coordinator Patrick Taylor or a Human Capital Management representative. In the sessions, attendees receive information on what to expect when applying with the District, a resume review and feedback, insights for a future career with FWISD and much more.
The next scheduled FWISD Networking Events are April 15 and April 29.
Limited slots are available for the FWISD Networking Events and are first come, first serve. Visit the Fort Worth ISD Careers pages on Facebook or Twitter for additional details on how to register for an available slot at a future network event.
Fort Worth ISD offers many career paths to help you spring into success. Hop into a career with FWISD today.
Do You Know The Plan When Severe Weather Happens?
Between now and June Texas is in the midst of severe storm season. We all know severe storms (tornadoes, hail, high winds) can happen any time in Texas.
Wednesday, April 7 was designated Safe Place Day, and residents were encouraged to take a few minutes to determine what they along with their family would do if a Tornado Warning were issued for their neighborhood.
If it is a closet, is it cleaned out enough for your family and pets to get in and be comfortable for an hour or so?
Have you planned ahead and placed bottled water in your safe place?
Do your family and friends know the location of your safe place so they can direct rescuers to you?
The National Weather Service would like you to share selfies of you and your family in your “Safe Place.” Post them to https://www.weather.gov/wrn/safeplaceselfie.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to consider a “Safe Place” at work, too.
FWISD ACCEPTS DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS
Nominations Due By 5 p.m. April 16
The Fort Worth ISD is currently accepting staff nominations to join its District Advisory Committee (DAC) in Places 1-12.
The DAC is a 21-member group that meets four to six times a year advising the superintendent and Board of Education on educational plans, goals, performance objectives, and major classroom instructional programs. The committee annually evaluates the District’s academic progress and assists staff in making appropriate changes in the District Educational Improvement Plan, according to FWISD Policy and Planning officials.
Nominations are being accepted April 1-16. District employees will vote for DAC members, in their peer groups, April 19-30. Nominations and self-nominations are due no later than 5 p.m. April 16 here.
The committee includes representatives from the District’s professional staff, parents with children enrolled in the FWISD, business and community partners. Terms on the committee are two years.
Have additional DAC questions? Contact Dr. Amanda Coleman, director of Board policy, governance and strategic support/elections officer in the Policy and Planning Department at 817-814-1956 or email amanda.coleman@fwisd.org.
FWISD Announces February Spring Wellness Challenge Staff Webinar Winners
Congratulations to Tameka Long of Como Montessori and McLean Sixth Grade Center, February winners of the Spring Wellness staff webinar. The webinars promote healthy and safe communities.
Mrs. Long, counselor at Como Montessori, earned an Apple watch for her recent participation in the February webinar “Physical Wellness with Dr. Kathlene Camp,” and completing pre- and post-webinar surveys. McLean Sixth, which had the highest percentage of any participating school in the February webinar, earned a free healthy luncheon from the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). The school was also named the campus staff webinar winner in January.
The monthly staff webinar series, a partnership between Fort Worth ISD and UNTHSC at Fort Worth FitWorth, is an initiative to build healthier and safer communities through lessons and activities for FWISD staff. Monthly, the challenge targets an area of wellness including nutrition, physical activity and mental health.
Earlier this year, the District announced its partnership with UNTHSC to build healthier and safer communities in 2021 by introducing the Spring Wellness Challenge. Programming is available for both FWISD staff and students.
The FWISD campus with the highest percentage of participants in the staff webinar receives a healthy lunch and recognition in a future edition of Inside FWISD. One webinar participant will be selected monthly to receive a prize up to $500 as well as recognition in Inside FWISD. Prizes include an Apple watch, spa package, cooking class gift cards and much more.
Elementary, middle and high schools with the highest student participation throughout the challenge have opportunities to receive wellness makeovers through $10,000 in grand prizes.
2 FWISD Educators Part of New Film Project Amplifying the Voices of Black Men in Fort Worth
Editor's Note: The following content is from Amphibian Stage and have been modified for clarity.
Amphibian Stage's Artistic Director, Kathleen Culebro, and I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA educator and podcaster Dev'n Goodman have collaborated to create a video project amplifying the voices of Black men using personal storytelling, poetry and music in a new film titled THIS IS MY STORY.” Among the storytellers in the film is Dr. Carlos Walker, a FWISD Family Action Center director.
Filmed and edited by Fort Worth-based production company Shiny Box Pictures, “THIS IS MY STORY” explores the ways many Black men feel the need to self-censor.
It will first be offered on an invitation-only basis for in-person screenings at Amphibian Stage April 1-11. Beginning Sunday, April 11, the program will be available at no cost for streaming on Vimeo via the Amphibian Stage website. “THIS IS MY STORY” premieres virtually at 3 p.m. Central Standard Time.
About ‘THIS IS MY STORY’
“When have you been silenced?” We asked this question of Black men living and working in Fort Worth and received deeply personal responses. “THIS IS MY STORY” presents three stories from an educator, an event planner and a Veteran Peer Service Coordinator, each of whom have learned to be silent as a means of self-preservation – but at what cost?
With poetry from Calvin Walker and George Njomo, and a music performance from Amphibian Stage favorite, Tha Band, “THIS IS MY STORY,” a video project inspired by LaJohn McDonald Jr. and conceived by Ms. Goodman, challenges viewers to look deeper, shed assumptions and envision what is possible when we approach one another with understanding and compassion.
Click here for additional details about the film. View the trailer here.
Facebook Awards Community Action Grants To 3 Organizations with Ties to FWISD Programming
Three organizations with ties to Fort Worth ISD programs are recipients of $45,000 in Facebook Community Action Grants.
Tarrant To and Through (T3) Partnership is the recipient of a $25,000 grant. The Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Fort Worth and Camp Fire First Texas will each receive $10,000 from Facebook.
“The Facebook Community Action Grants program was created to address needs in Tarrant County by putting the power of technology to use for community benefit, connecting people online or off and improving STEM education,” a March 25 post from the Facebook Fort Worth Data Center states. “Facebook is committed to building strong partnerships within the community, and we embrace the opportunity to have a positive local impact.”
The Tarrant To and Through (T3) Partnership grant award supports an extension of the organization’s “technology and data platform, internship and job shadow program, and training to ensure Fort Worth Independent School District students have the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce,” according to a recent statement from the Facebook Fort Worth Data Center. Tarrant To and Through (T3) Partnership is an initiative that creates pathways for every Tarrant County student to receive personalized guidance, developmental mentorships, financial resources such as college scholarships and obtain postsecondary credentials, training and skills that allow them to thrive in the workforce. Fort Worth ISD entered a partnership with T3 last fall.
The Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Fort Worth grant supports “bookwidget subscriptions to help students work through problem-solving activities in small groups without risking loss of data due to bandwidth. The grant will also purchase an interactive whiteboard with 4K and touchscreen abilities, making possible collaborative graphic design work both in the classroom and virtually,” according to the Facebook Fort Worth Data Center. The Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Fort Worth supports the mission of Fort Worth ISD’s first and only single-gender school for young women, the Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Its purpose is to provide funding for programs that enhance academic achievement and offer leadership opportunities that promote the success of every student in college, career and life.
Camp Fire First Texas’ grant will support “STEM academic enrichment in Camp Fire's day-camp summer programs at Westcliff Elementary and Diamond Hill Station for 120 students,” Facebook Fort Worth Data Center states. Camp Fire First Texas provides camping and school readiness programming to youth in Tarrant, Parker, Wise, Hood, Johnson and Denton counties.
Tarrant To and Through (T3) Partnership, The Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Fort Worth and Camp Fire First Texas are among 16 organizations announced as 2021 Facebook Community Action Grant recipients on March 25. Click here for a complete list or grant award winners.
“I am proud to congratulate the excellent organizations chosen to receive Facebook's Community Action Grants this year,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Our technology toolbox grows every year, and it is organizations like these that keep our community and kids prepared for the future. I appreciate that, with this grant program, Facebook continues to be an important partner investing in the future of Fort Worth.”
FWISD OFFERS TEACHERS ONLINE PROMETHEAN TRAINING
Four self-paced Promethean e-Courses are currently open to teachers. District officials say the training is relevant to classes where new campus construction includes the installation of Promethean ActivPanel Titanium.
The following memorandum from Education Technology offers details about the courses, available through April 14.
FOOD AVAILABLE AT MULTIPLE SITES FOR FWISD FAMILIES, COMMUNITY
Multiple organizations across Fort Worth are offering food to help families through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March 2020, the Fort Worth ISD has partnered with multiple organizations to share information and organize food distribution events for families.
Curbside Meals To Go breakfast and lunch service is available at more than 20 designated FWISD locations for FWISD virtual learners. Meals To Go is available three times weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. FWISD students participating in virtual learning may pick up a combination of breakfast and lunch meals for the week and weekend at any of the designated meal pickup sites. For more information, contact the FWISD Child Nutrition Department at 817-814-3500.
The Fort Worth ISD has compiled a list of locations to find free and nutritious food here.
Food is available at these locations:
Food Distribution
1. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon
LVTRISE
8201 Calmont Ave.
Every Tuesday and Thursday LVTRise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living in the Las Vegas Trail area, distributes nonperishable food items to the community. For additional details, email Amortimer@lvtrise.org.
2. Every Tuesday, 3:45-5:30 p.m.
South Hills High School
6101 McCart Ave.
South Hills High School is offering free curbside, ready-made meals for children while supplies last. Meals are provided to families that show proof of children under age 18 in the household or if a child is present at pickup. Children do not have to be enrolled at South Hills High or a Fort Worth ISD school to obtain food.
3. Every Friday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Eastside YMCA – Centralized Youth & Family Programs
1500 Sandy Lane
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is offering Grab and Go Meals at the Eastside YMCA until the end of the 2020-2021 school year. It is open to all youth ages 18 years and under ─ no qualifications required. For additional details, call 817-571-3371
4. Friday, April 9, 9 a.m.- Noon
Herman Clark Stadium
5201 CA Roberson Blvd.
Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of fresh produce, meat dairy and groceries. For additional information, visit https://tafb.org/megamobilemarkets/
5. Wednesday, April 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (every Wednesday)
Bethlehem Baptist Church
1188 W. Broad St., Mansfield
Free, drive-thru food distribution open to everyone. For additional information, call 817-473-1236 or visit https://www.bethlehemmansfield.org/events/
6. Friday, April 16, 9 a.m.- Noon
Herman Clark Stadium
5201 CA Roberson Blvd.
Fort Worth ISD is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank to host a Mega Mobile Market food distribution event. Approximately 1,000 boxes of nonperishable food will be provided to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Each family will receive 100 pounds of fresh produce, meat dairy and groceries. For additional information, visit https://tafb.org/megamobilemarkets/
For the complete Tarrant Area Mobile Food Pantry Schedule, visit https://www.tafb.org/wp-content/uploads/mobile/mobile-pantry-schedule.pdf. Need food delivered? Call 817-857-7100 to speak with a live representative about how to access nutritious food.
Other food resources are also available:
- Find Food – Call 817-857-7100 or visit https://tafb.org/find-food/ or
https://www.facebook.com/tafoodbank
- Seniors and Homebound Individuals – Call 817-336-0912 or visit https://mealsonwheels.org/programs or https://mealsonwheels.org/refer/
- Community Resources- Visit https://tafb.org/community-resources/ or speak with a Community Resource Specialist at 1-866-430-6143 for help with applying for the programs
- Go Healthy! Recipe Library - https://tafb.org/recipes/
INSIDE FWISD NEWS BRIEFS
Editor's Note: Inside FWISD Briefs are quick-hit stories of activities and events happening locally and nationally.
FWISD Launches COVID Vaccination Resource Page For Employees
As a service to our employees, the Fort Worth ISD is consolidating information about COVID-19 vaccine opportunities.
Visit https://www.fwisd.org/covidvaccine to view the COVID-19 vaccination opportunities available to District employees. The site is continually updated as more opportunities for employees become available.
Tarrant County Public Health also offers local vaccine clinics on a regular basis. Learn more by visiting its website.
The following content is from the City of Fort Worth
The benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine
It’s COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness and Education Month. Throughout April, City News will be sharing fact-based information that provides details on how vaccines work, the types of vaccines available, what to expect before and after your vaccine appointment, and other helpful tidbits that will help you navigate as you make important health decisions for you and your family.
Today, learn the benefits of getting your family vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control provided a summary of the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination based on what we currently know.
A vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19
- All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19.
- Experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
- Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
A vaccination is a safe way to help build protection
- COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening effects, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family and others around you.
- Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. However, experts don’t know for sure how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. A COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
- Both natural immunity and immunity produced by a vaccine are important parts of COVID-19 disease that experts are trying to learn more about, and the CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
A vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic
- Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
- The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.
Register to get vaccinated
Tarrant County Public Health maintains an online portal that allows residents to easily register for a no-cost vaccine for residents with or without health insurance. Tarrant County Public Health will send an email, text message or phone message regarding upcoming appointments.
Learn more about the vaccine process in Tarrant County. The City of Fort Worth website provides additional information about the vaccination process and other providers in the community.
The following content is from the City of Fort Worth
When you’ve been fully vaccinated, how to protect yourself and others
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
We’re still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. After you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking precautions – like wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces – in public places until we know more.
People are considered fully vaccinated:
- Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you are not fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.
What you can start to do
If you’ve been fully vaccinated:
- You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying six feet apart.
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people of any age from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks or staying six feet apart, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. However, you need to pay close attention to the situation at an international destination before traveling outside the United States.
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
What you should keep doing
For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:
- You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least six feet apart from others and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
- You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
- If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and stay home and away from others.
- You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.
FWISD Celebrates Campus Teacher of the Year Honorees: FWISD recognized 134 dedicated teachers as Campus Teachers of the Year in a big and unique way this week. The honorees were invited to attend a drive-through celebration featuring music, balloons, and special gifts from CTOY sponsor Central Market. Here are a few images from the celebration. Below are photos from Tuesday's event. Look for photos from today's celebration in next week's edition.
Lone Star Governance Community Forums: The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education is hosting a series of virtual community forums this week to share with the public how they are focusing on Lone Star Governance to improve student outcomes. Launched on Monday, each night focuses on a specific stakeholder group. The series concludes tonight with a session for Spanish-speaking stakeholders beginning at 6 p.m. Here are video replays of the previously held stakeholder events.
District Champs: Congratulations to Southwest Boys Track who recently won the 7-5A Boys Track District Championship.
On the Move: Family Communications recently hit the road again in the Bookmobile promoting pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration. At "pop-up” events, prospective students and their families receive a FWISD PreK goody bag and get registered for Pre-K and Kindergarten.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
FinPath Offers Disaster Relief Resources for FWISD Employees
We hope you and your families were able to weather the recent record-breaking cold temperatures. We understand many of you may be recovering from damages in the coming days and weeks.
FWISD wants to remind you about a free benefit available to our employees. Through our partnership with FinPath, and their partner Salary Finance, we can provide access to local nonprofits and government services, for help with:
- Disaster relief
- Food assistance
- Home repairs
- Rental assistance
- Utility costs
- Prescription savings
- Much more...
You can request personalized referrals to meet your current needs here, where a member of the team will connect you with the support you need.
Register for your FREE FinPath account to learn more or schedule a meeting with a financial coach to help you get started.
April Is Financial Literacy Month
April is National Financial Literacy Month. It’s a great opportunity to review and upgrade your knowledge of how to manage your money. In partnership with our Financial Wellness Program provider, FinPath, we have a few activities designed to improve your financial literacy throughout the entire month.
The Challenge: improve your financial confidence with simple and engaging content
- Explore easy money management tips
- Learn helpful financial life hacks
- Unlock program features each week
On April 30, we will announce the winner for the Financial Literacy Month Challenge GRAND PRIZE. To enter, login each week to your FinPath account and unlock a program feature. Each week you unlock a new feature that will get you one ticket for the drawing, with the last week worth double points!
Register for your FREE account now at www.finpathwellness.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County Expanded Basic Needs Program for Families
Wear A Mask
CDC Tips on Properly Wearing A Cloth Mask
For more details, visit https://bit.ly/3aWGUVW.
FWISD Partners With Virtual Care For Kids To Offer Students Telehealth Services
In efforts to reduce COVID-19 spread, the Fort Worth ISD has partnered with Virtual Care for Kids to offer students and their families telehealth services. Free COVID-19 testing is also available for select FWISD employees by visiting www.virtualcarefamilies.com/fwisd-abbott.
Students can see a Texas-based pediatrician within minutes from home virtually via computer, smartphone or tablet for urgent care services including minor colds, the flu, sore throat, cough, ear concerns, headaches, sinus or allergy issues or pink eye. Additionally, Virtual Care for Kids is offering coronavirus screening and testing in English and Spanish. Visit https://urgentcarekids.com/fwisd/ to register for services.
FWISD is partnering with Virtual Care for Families to offer select employees with free Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 testing. All eligible employees must preregister to receive the test.
The following employees/departments are eligible for testing:
- Teachers
- Transportation
- Maintenance and Operations
- Custodians
- Child Nutrition Services
- Special Education personnel
District employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are advised not to arrive at a designated FWISD testing location and to contact their doctor or visit www.virtualcarefamilies.com to be connected with a provider.
Employees are encouraged to follow the instructions below to register for the free COVID-19 testing.
Employee Assistance Program Resources for FWISD Employees
Follow COVID-19 updates from the City of Fort Worth at fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/
Spring Trainings For Teachers
Lone Star Town Hall for Spanish speakers, April 8
Week of the Young Child, April 10-16
Board of Education Workshop (if needed), April 13
STAAR Testing, April 14-16
FWISD Networking Event, April 15
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. every Fridays for the next edition. Check the Inside FWISD blog, www.fwisd.org/insidefwisd, regularly updated throughout the week with additional content and features.
Credits:
Created with images by AnnRos - "football ball soccer" • TheDigitalArtist - "facebook social media communication"