In this edition:
District to Issue First Installment of Incentive Pay to Eligible Employees This Month | Dr. Ramsey Invites Stakeholders to Join Superintendent Advisory Groups | FWISD Moves Forward with Second Bond Issuance for 2021 Capital Improvement Projects | COVID-19 Leave for FWISD Employees Expires Dec. 31 | FWISD Winter Break Reminders | Talent Management Is Accepting Applications from Internal Candidates for Leadership Roles Through Jan. 4 | Alternative Certification Tuition Assistance Available for FWISD Employees | Beat the Deadline: Complete SafeSchools Training by Jan. 31 | Morningside ES to Receive New Playground in Time for Christmas | Help Us Stuff the Bus! | FWISD Campuses Recognized for Building a Positive School Climate | FWISD in the News | Photos of the Week | Video of the Week
District to Issue First Installment of Incentive Pay to Eligible Employees This Month
Fort Worth ISD employees will notice extra in their take-home pay this month.
The additional funds are the first installment of an employee incentive payment approved by the Board of Education last month. The incentive will appear separate from the employee’s regular payroll check.
To show appreciation for District employees, trustees, on Nov. 8, unanimously approved a resolution supporting a $2,000 incentive payment for every full-time and 180-day substitute employee. There is also a $1,000 incentive payment for qualifying part-time and other substitute employees who are not categorized as 180-day substitutes. Federal withholding is deducted from the incentive pay.
The resolution underscored the need to both hire and retain employees in today’s competitive public education environment.
This month’s incentive is one of two installments. The second installment will appear in paychecks in June 2023.
Employees hired and working as of September 1, 2022, are eligible for the December payment, and employees hired and working as of January 4, 2022, are eligible for June 2023 payment.
The payments are being funded by ESSER money.
Employees with questions may call the Compensation Department at 817-814-2080 or email compensation@fwisd.org.
Dr. Ramsey Invites Stakeholders to Join Superintendent Advisory Groups
Editor's Note: The following is an important message from Superintendent Angélica M. Ramsey about opportunities to join Superintendent’s Advisory groups.
Happy Thursday, FWISD employees!
I want to share information about an opportunity to be a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory.
As a part of our ongoing effort to authentically engage our stakeholders, FWISD is proud to announce the creation of five advisory groups for the 2022-2023 school year. During the school year, I will meet with students, parents, teachers, support staff, and the business and larger community to provide updates and receive feedback.
These advisory groups are essential to making sure we reflect the community we serve. If you are a part of the FWISD support staff, teachers, parents and/or community/business partners, you are invited to join one of my committees. This commitment is for about an hour every other month for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year and the entire 2023-2024 school year.
If you are interested in joining this advisory, please use the form below to nominate yourself.
Support Staff:
Teachers:
Parents:
Community/Business:
www.fwisd.org/communityadvisory
I will ask that employees not sign up for the parent advisory, but for the role you occupy as a staff member. This will allow the District the maximum opportunity to include more voices.
FWISD Moves Forward with Second Bond Issuance for 2021 Capital Improvement Projects
With the approval of a parameters order that allows staff to proceed with the issuance of bonds not to exceed $300 million, the Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) Board of Education voted Tuesday night to authorize the second issuance of bonds under the 2021 Capital Improvement Program. The first $150 million issuance closed Sept. 2022.
“Although we are projecting the first $150 million will be utilized by the end of July 2023, and funds may not be needed until this time, we believe it is in the best interest of the District to move forward with a $300 million issuance at this time due to the recent reports regarding the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) reaching its bonding capacity,” said FWISD chief financial officer Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria. Issuing under the PSF guarantee allows school districts to issue debt with a bond rating of AAA and borrow at a lower cost.
Arrieta-Candelaria added that bond elections in November may use up all available bonding capacity before July 2023, when the District would need more funds for its projects.
In Nov. 2021, FWISD voters approved a $1.211 billion capital improvement program to fund the construction, renovation, and upgrade of middle schools throughout the District, a new elementary school in Benbrook’s Ventana neighborhood, three elementary replacement campuses for Eastern Hills, Worth Heights and Maudrie Walton elementary schools, and four early childhood centers embedded in schools around the District.
The District has until April 30, 2023, to sell the bonds under the PSF guarantee.
Also at the Board Meeting Tuesday:
- Trustees heard a proposed agenda for the upcoming 88th legislative session, which begins Jan. 10, and presented their legislative priorities for the upcoming session. The Board is seeking public feedback on its legislative priorities list.
COVID-19 Leave for FWISD Employees Expires Dec. 31
Editor's Note: The following memorandum from FWISD Health Services and Well-Being Department updates employees on changes to the COVID-19 Leave policy.
FWISD Winter Break Reminders
The fall semester may be ending for students today, but District employees have one day left before closing out the year for winter break. Winter break officially starts for FWISD employees at the close of business Friday.
Fort Worth ISD employees will observe a staff day Friday, Dec. 16, and will report back to work Jan. 3, 2023, for another staff day. District facilities are closed in observance of winter break Dec. 19, 2022- Jan. 2, 2023.
Teachers may spend Friday finishing grading and wrapping up the fall semester. The Jan. 3 staff day is a preparation day for the spring semester.
Winter break for students begins at the close of school today, Dec. 15. The District will welcome students back to classes Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Inside FWISD publications resume after the winter break. Our Inside FWISD team wishes you and your loved ones Happy Holidays and a Happy 2023!
Talent Management Is Accepting Applications from Internal Candidates for Leadership Roles Through Jan. 4
Fort Worth ISD internal candidates interested in transitioning into a leadership role for the 2023-2024 academic year have until Jan. 4, 2023, to submit their applications.
Employees interested in becoming a District counselor, data analyst, instructional coach, content coach or campus administrator are urged to apply. This is the only application opportunity for internal candidates. No late applications will be accepted.
Visit the Talent Management website for additional information on your desired position, including accessing the campus administrator talent pool application, or email questions to teachfortworth@fwisd.org.
Alternative Certification Tuition Assistance Available for FWISD Employees
Editor's Note: The following memorandum from Talent Management informs District employees who qualify to seek an alternative teacher certification of an opportunity to receive complete tuition assistance, including program fees. Applications for tuition assistance are due Jan. 6, 2023.
Employees with questions are urged to email Emily Camarena, FWISD Director of Teacher Residents and Pipelines, at emily.camarena@fwisd.org.
Beat the Deadline: Complete SafeSchools Training by Jan. 31
Editor's Note: The following memorandum from the Division of Technology is a reminder that the District's mandatory SafeSchools training must be completed by Jan. 31, 2023.
Training modules are available at https://fwisd-tx.safeschools.com/admin/main.
Have SafeSchools questions? Email aracely.chavez@fwisd.org.
Morningside ES to Receive New Playground in Time for Christmas
Christmas is coming early for approximately 380 students at Fort Worth ISD’s Morningside Elementary School.
This week, 181 community volunteers have signed up for 205 shifts to complete a student-designed, community-built playground and to revitalize the campus garden.
Morningside Elementary will cut the ribbon on its new playground at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. The playground and campus beautification projects are funded through a Challenge of Tarrant County Health and Human Services Commission grant.
Patricia Scott, Morningside Elementary interim principal, said the school playground and revitalization of the school teaching garden affords the campus a “wonderful opportunity” that benefits students and the community.
The state-of-the-art play space promotes elements of accessible play including Too Small to Fail literacy play panels, a garden and other campus beautification projects. In October, students at Morningside Elementary shared drawings with project organizers of what they envisioned the playground would look like. The designs were integrated into the creation of the playground project, led by community members.
For years, the District has partnered with Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit KABOOM! in its nationwide efforts to increase play space access to children and end play space inequity. This is FWISD’s sixth playground built this year. It is the most playgrounds KABOOM! has assisted in building in one area in a year!
This week, Morningside Elementary parents and community volunteers from eight businesses and organizations, led by KABOOM!, have been on the school site installing the playground of Morningside students’ dreams. Work on a beautification project to revitalize landscaping at the school’s entrance and 20,000 square-foot garden got underway in recent weeks and will continue throughout this week.
FWISD extends a special thank you to Morningside Elementary parents and groups from Fidelity, the U.S. Navy, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Ridglea Christian Church, Reading Partners, Texas Air National Guard, Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles and Bank of America, who are volunteering at the Morningside Elementary site this week.
Morningside Elementary is home to what many consider the largest school garden in Fort Worth. Over the years students have learned in the garden with a horticulture teacher and have planted flowers, herbs and and vegetables. Lessons in the garden have focused on reading, writing, math, and science
FWISD’s Morningside Elementary School, a part of the Fort Worth Historic Southside community since the mid-1930s, serves students in pre-kindergarten 3 through fifth grade.
Help Us Stuff the Bus!
Fort Worth ISD partner, EECU, is “Stuffing the Bus” with clothing items that many children need during the cold months. Sixteen EECU locations have colorful bins where customers and employees can donate new items such as socks, underwear, shoe vouchers, scarves, coats, blankets, blue and/or white polo shirts and jeans.
If you feel so inclined, you may donate at any local EECU branch, the FWISD administration building, or the Teaching and Learning Center. Collection runs through Jan. 6, 2023, and Fort Worth ISD students will receive items, based upon need.
FWISD Campuses Recognized for Building a Positive School Climate
Seminary Hills Park and Greenbriar elementary schools have earned recognition from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for their implementation of Restorative Practices. Both campuses received the Restorative Discipline Badge of Distinction with the leadership of Mrs. Nicole Montalvo, Restorative Practices Specialist.
Restorative Practices is a process that is centered on fostering belonging over exclusion, social engagement over control, and meaningful accountability over punishment.
Seminary Hills Park is recognized as “Beginner” and Greenbriar is recognized as “Experienced” on the Restorative Discipline Practices Fidelity Continuum Scale (FCS). This scale provides a reliable and efficient measure of the extent to which school personnel are applying the key components of Restorative Practices (RP). Of the now 20 campuses in Texas recognized by the TEA for restorative practices, Greenbriar is the second school to earn the Experienced implementation level.
Mrs. Montalvo established a campus Restorative Leadership Team that meets regularly for training, data collection, and monitoring. Her final task was submitting a comprehensive portfolio to TEA for the FCS rating.
“This honor is a testament to the commitment of the leadership, Seminary Hills Park Principal Nakita Brewer, Greenbriar Principal Lindsay Staros, and staff,” said Mrs. Montalvo. “Their dedication to serve students and families in implementing a relational approach to building school climate and addressing student behavior has been one of learning, growing, and discovery.”
Here are a few teacher testimonials:
“We start every day with a quick morning meeting (circle). This gives all of us a chance to settle in and switch gears from whatever is going on at home and get ready for our day. It allows me to get a pulse on who may need some extra support that day. It lets the students decompress by taking a few minutes to relax together and focus before we start instruction. Our daily meetings (circles) strengthen our relationships with each other and make our day go much smoother. Students have learned how to be empathetic and how to give grace when someone is having a rough day.” -Mrs. Gamez, 5th grade ELAR.
“RP has helped my class in many ways. The community circles foster our classroom family and students enjoy sharing with and hearing from their classmates. The relational agreement we made at the beginning of the year holds us accountable and is a great reminder of our expectations.” -Ms. Shaffer, 4th grade. DLE
“I love doing community circles with my students. We are able to build connections with each other, which has created a safe classroom environment. It really sets the tone for our day.” -Ms. E. Davis, Kindergarten
FWISD in the News
A partnership between Fort Worth After School and First Tee that exposes FWISD students to golf and teaches leadership skills is featured in the Fort Worth Report.
Fort Worth ISD is among multiple area school districts mentioned in a Fort Worth Report story about winter break observances.
Two proclamations were read at this week’s Fort Worth City Council meeting recognizing the Forest Oak Middle School football game and Western Hills High School alumnus Gen. Michael E. Langley.
Video of Polytechnic High School’s 110th anniversary celebrating its first senior class appeared on Spectrum News 1.
Fort Worth ISD’s 2022-2023 Academic Chairs for Teaching Excellence honorees received a shoutout in the NBC 5’s “Carter in the Classroom: The Highlighter,” a weekly segment that spotlights the great things occurring in North Texas schools.
Stories about the District’s Parental Consent to surveys announcement appeared in The Dallas Morning News and Dallas Innovates.
FWISD’s Career Advancement and Hiring Fair, hosted Saturday, Dec. 10, received mentions on WFAA (Channel 8) and CBS 11 (KTVT) broadcasts.
Fort Worth ISD was among the area school districts that lowered flags to half-staff in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The schools were mentioned on FOX 4 (KDFW) and CBS 11 (KTVT).
Fort Worth ISD recently launched a mathematics curriculum in its elementary and middle schools focusing on “problem-solving and conceptual learning” that was recently featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Photos of the Week
Merry and Bright!
'Tis the Season!
Offering Warmth This Holiday Season
An Evening of Mind-Stimulating Friendly High School Competition at Fort Worth ISD
You're Hired!
Celebrating the Holidays
Happy Holidays
Pancho Claus Visits Manuel Jara ES
Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony Selects William James MS Educator to Compose Piece for Spring Concert
Spreading Holiday Cheer
On the Record
Poly Celebrates 110th Anniversary of First Senior Class Graduation
Costco Presents 125 Hubbard Heights ES Students with Christmas Gifts
FWISD Hosts Mariachi Spectacular 2022
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.