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Inside FWISD July 28, 2022

In this edition:

FWISD Student Performance on State Assessments Moving in Right Direction: Full STAAR results , accountability ratings scheduled for presentation to the Board on Aug. 23 | Memo Details 2022-23 Employee Reporting Dates | Fort Worth ISD Invites You to Two Back-to-School Registration Events | Have Benefit Enrollment Questions? Here’s Where to Get Answers | FWISD Welcomes New Teachers with Interactive Professional Development | FWISD’s Annual YES! Conference Returns Aug. 4! | District Releases Revised Calendars Reflecting New Federal Holiday Observance | FWISD in the NewsPhotos of the Week | Video of the Week | View more stories throughout the week on the Inside FWISD Blog

FWISD Student Performance on State Assessments Moving in Right Direction

Full STAAR results, accountability ratings scheduled for presentation to the Board on Aug. 23

Student performance on state assessments is improving and in some cases surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to District officials.

At the Tuesday, July 26 Board of Education meeting, trustees received a preliminary report on grades 3-8 reading and math STAAR results. Sara Arispe, associate superintendent of accountability and data quality, told trustees that student reading scores in grades 3-8 are up, with most surpassing pre-pandemic scores reported in 2019. Grades 3-8 math scores reflected gains in each category in comparison to 2021, she said. The focus is on reaching and surpassing pre-pandemic levels in math.

The District uses NWEA MAP assessments three times a school year to measure achievement and growth in math, reading, and science. The correlation between how students perform on the MAP assessments is a good indicator to educators of how students will do when administered the STAAR exams.

District officials say that while there is still work to do at improving student performance, assessment scores are moving in the right direction.

FWISD expects to receive overall District and school accountability ratings by mid-August. A report detailing full STAAR results and accountability ratings is scheduled for presentation to the Board, Aug. 23.

At the same meeting, trustees also:

  • Announced the District’s blue-ribbon Safety and Security Committee will include leaders from law enforcement, military, academia, and business who are appointed by Board President Tobi Jackson. The committee will assist the District in awareness and implementation of safety and security measures as the new school year starts and will work directly with the District’s Safety and Security Department.
  • Approved the naming of the Bill J. Elliott Multipurpose Room for Kathryn Davidson. The educator served 36 years with the District, 34 of which were at Bill J. Elliott Elementary School.
  • Approved the promotion of Patricia Young to FWISD’s executive director of budget role. Ms. Smith, who has been with the District 14 years and currently serves as the general fund/position control budget manager, succeeds David Johnson.
  • Approved an order authorizing the issuance of $150 million in bonds to support the 2021 capital improvement projects. The funding will support construction, renovation, land acquisition, and equipment of school buildings.
  • Approved the 2022-2023 Student Code of Conduct. Students and their families will notice that the more than 50-page document has been updated to be reader-friendly. Updates to the document include the Acceptable Use Assets Policy and details about mandatory-only Central Office Conference (COC) hearings.
  • Approved ratification of the new District of Innovation plan. Trustees approved the plan June 28, and proper notification was submitted to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. Trustees must ratify the plan before it becomes final. The District of Innovation plan gives FWISD increased flexibility and local control to better meet the needs of the students and communities it serves.
  • Approved a memorandum of understanding agreement with Blue Jean Networks to support a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) at Carter-Riverside High School and Tarrant County College District campuses.
  • Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Education Service Center Region 11 to support students experiencing homelessness. The District is partnering with the service center to implement a more than $1.2 million grant that improves the identification and enrollment process for students experiencing homelessness. It also funds additional support for the intended students and their families, including tutoring, transportation, clothing, supplies, and additional resources.
  • Approved memorandum of understanding agreements between Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences (TABS) and O.D. Wyatt High Schools with the Tarrant County College District (TCCD) to continue operations of the Early College High School (ECHS) program. Through the ECHS program, students can earn their high school diploma and either an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree.

The next scheduled Board meeting is Aug. 23. View a recording of Tuesday’s meeting here.

MEMO DETAILS 2022-23 EMPLOYEE REPORTING DATES

Editor's Note: The following memorandum from Deputy Superintendent Karen Molinar details the 2022-2023 Employee Reporting Dates and the District's return to the five-day workweek starting Monday, Aug. 1.

Fort Worth ISD Invites You to Two Back-to-School Registration Events

On Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, at Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at Polytechnic High School from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) plans to offer two family-friendly back-to-school registration events to the general public.

First up is the Diamond Hill Back to School Resource Fair sponsored by District 9 Trustee Roxanne Martinez Aug. 5.

This event promises a comprehensive mall of all things back to school. It is billed as an opportunity to promote community engagement and pride and elicit excitement for the upcoming school year.

“I am excited to join the District, in collaboration with community partners, to provide students and families with backpacks and resources that they can use to start this school year on the right track,” said FWISD Trustee Martinez.

Rounding out the event schedule is The Race to Register: Fort Worth ISD Family Fun Day Student Enrollment and Resource Fair Aug. 13.

Whether you’re looking for help crossing the registration finish line or just a fun day out with the family, this race-themed event promises to deliver heart-pumping excitement at every turn.

“It has taken the collaborative spirit of multiple departments working together to bring events such as these to fruition because we know how important this is to our parents, families, but most importantly, to our future FWISD students,” said Dr. Marcey Sorenson, FWISD Chief Academic Officer.

Families in attendance can expect the following fun and helpful services:

  • Online Registration Support
  • Backpack/Book Giveaways
  • District and Community Resources
  • School Immunizations (Aug. 5 Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School event)
  • Food Trucks
  • Car Show (Aug. 13 Polytechnic High School event)
  • Music, Games, and so much more!

So, save these dates – Aug. 5 and Aug. 13! Trust us, these are two events you don’t want to miss.

For more information, contact the Family and Community Outreach and Marketing Department at 817-814-2970.

Have Benefit Enrollment Questions? Here’s Where to Get Answers

Get help making your 2022-2023 insurance coverage elections Aug. 4-18.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, assistance is available to Fort Worth ISD employees via the Benefits Open Enrollment Call Center. Call 817-710-8135 to speak with knowledgeable professionals who can walk you through the online enrollment process, answer benefit questions, and assist with election changes.

Please view the call center enrollment schedule for the assigned date help available to your campus or department.

The 2022-2023 Annual Open Enrollment period is underway and concludes Aug. 18. Access the benefits open enrollment portal at www.mybenefitshub.com/fortworthisd to select your insurance coverage for the new school year.

Insurance elections and/or changes made for the 2022-2023 year take effect Sept. 1.

For additional information, visit www.fwisd.org/benefitshelp, email benefits@fwisd.org, or call 817-814-2240.

fWISD WELCOMES NEW TEACHERS WITH INTERACTIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Your fresh start with Fort Worth ISD begins at the New Teacher Academy.

FWISD is excited to welcome all teachers new to the District and the profession to this weeklong event taking place at several locations, Aug. 1-5. New teachers must attend, and they will be compensated their daily rates for participating.

What is New Teacher Academy?

Five days of professional learning and interaction designed to maximize the success of new teachers. Our goal is to support new teachers by providing essential professional learning opportunities.

Registration

New teachers are asked to register. Additional academy information will be emailed upon completing registration.

Where is the New Teacher Academy located?

Three locations:

Southwest High School, 4100 Altamesa Blvd.: Core Content Teachers

I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA, 1900 I.M. Terrell Way: Fine Arts Teachers ONLY

Seminary Hills Park Elementary School, 5037 Townsend Drive: Health and Physical Education Teachers (HPE) ONLY

Educators not teaching fine arts, health, or physical education will report to Southwest High School.

For additional information, visit the Professional Learning webpage.

FWISD’S ANNUAL YES! CONFERENCE RETURNS AUG. 4!

Say yes to attending Fort Worth ISD’s eighth annual Yearly Enhancement Seminar (YES!) Conference.

Open to District secretarial, clerical, and administrative associates, the all-day event returns in person Thursday, Aug. 4, at O.D. Wyatt High School. There is so much in store for attendees! Professional development training includes sessions on payroll, budget, accounts payable, travel, and much more.

For additional YES! Conference details, contact Vanessa Crump at 817-814-2171.

District Releases revised Calendars Reflecting New Federal Holiday Observance

The Fort Worth ISD is adding a District holiday observance to the 2022-23 calendar.

Recently, the Board of Education revised the 2022-23 traditional, intersessional, and Early College High School calendars to recognize and observe Juneteenth (June 19, 2023) as a District holiday. The adjustment does not impact annual salaries. Employees who are still on contract June 19, 2023, have the day off in observance of the federal holiday.

Below are the revised calendars.

FWISD in the News

The playground ribbon-cutting ceremony at S.S. Dillow Elementary School was recently featured on NBC 5’s (KXAS) Wake Up to Something Good segment.

Western Hills High School alumnus Lt. Gen. Michael Langley is set to become the first Black four-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps’ 246-year history upon confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Check out these FOX 4 (KDFW), CBS DFW (KTVT,) NBC 5 (KXAS), and The Dallas Morning News stories to learn more about this FWISD trailblazer.

Photos of the Week

School Leader Retreat

The School Leadership Department kicked off the 2022-2023 school year with a welcome back School Leader Retreat this week. Sessions at the retreat focused on educational excellence, school experience and effective campus operations.

S.S. Dillow ES Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Volunteers from Fort Worth Independent School District, S.S. Dillow Elementary School, and Challenge of Tarrant County constructed the latest student-designed playground to ensure students have a safe, inclusive place to play. This is part of a nationwide effort by KABOOM! to end playspace inequity. Read more here.

Celebrity Sighting

South Hills High School teachers Vickie Jenson and Annette Smith met veteran educator and viral social media sensation Gerry Brooks on July 22, 2022, at the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association of Texas Conference in San Antonio. Mr. Brooks has over a half a million social media followers who follow him for his humorous videos focusing on real-world educational experiences.

North Side HS Mariachi Selected As 2023 TMEA Invited Mariachi Ensemble

Congratulations to North Side High School's Mariachi Espuelas de Plata, which was recently selected the 2023 Texas Music Educator's Association (TMEA) Invited Mariachi Ensemble. The ensemble will perform at the annual TMEA annual convention in San Antonio. "This is the first time that the invited mariachi has not been from a south Texas high school and we are super excited to represent North Texas, FWISD and North Side High School at the highest level possible," said Head Director Ramon Niño III. The invitation makes Mariachi Espuelas de Plata which a featured TMEA performance.

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.