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Inside FWISD February 9, 2023

In this edition:

Take a Look at What’s on the School Board’s Feb. 14 Special Meeting Agenda | FWISD Now Accepting Voluntary Teacher Transfer Applications | FWISD’s 2023 Virtual African American History Art Exhibit OpensFWISD February 2023 Policy Alerts Released | Equity and Excellence to Host DEI Series for FWISD Staff Feb. 14 | Billy W. Sills Lecture Series Highlights 100 Years of Lily B. Clayton ES | SLQ This Saturday | Spreading the Love | FWISD in the News | Dance Showcase Set for Feb. 15 Photos of the Week | Video of the Week

Take a Look at What’s on the School Board’s Feb. 14 Special Meeting Agenda

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education is considering the 2023-2024 school calendars and a resolution to compensate full-time employees and long-term substitutes for missed workdays due to the recent ice storm at a special meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and takes place at the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), 1050 Bridgewood Drive. In addition to the two action items being considered, trustees will receive a safety and security audit update.

For individuals who cannot join in person, this meeting is being televised by EdTV, the District’s TV station, on Fort Worth ISD’s LIVE YouTube channel, on Spectrum/Charter Cable Channel 192, AT&T U-Verse 99 and available the following day on the District Website’s Video on Demand.

FWISD Now Accepting Voluntary Teacher Transfer Applications

Eligible teachers interested in relocating to another school for the 2023-2024 academic year can now apply for a Voluntary Teacher Transfer.

Applications are being accepted through March 1, 2023, via the Frontline applicant tracking system. New this year, the application aligns with the “Intent to Coach” process for secondary teachers.

View the memorandum below for eligibility and application requirements and voluntary transfer procedures.

For additional information, email teachfortworth@fwisd.org.

FWISD’s 2023 Virtual African American History Art Exhibit Opens

African masks, depictions of Black culture and history makers make up FWISD’s 2023 African American History Art Exhibit collection.

More than 90 pieces of Fort Worth ISD artwork from students in grades kindergarten to 12 celebrating African American culture is now on display in an online art exhibit. Check it out here. The exhibit is curated by FWISD’s Visual Arts Department.

Multiple mediums make up the exhibit’s collection including drawings, paintings, photography, collages, graphic design, and mixed media.

“Overall, I think our students did a great job in creating pieces that celebrate Black culture,” said Ashlea Kiiing, art curator for the District’s Visual Arts Department.

Since 2020, FWISD Visual Arts has hosted virtual cultural heritage shows for African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian Pacific heritage months and Women’s History Month highlighting and recognizing student artwork. Prior to 2020, student work for cultural heritage exhibits was displayed in the foyer of the old Board of Education meeting room on Shotts Street for attendees to view as they arrived for Board meetings.

“We didn’t get a lot of participation, and very few people actually got to see it,” said Tiffany Frohm, FWISD Visual Arts Director. “Our cultural heritage shows did so much better virtually that we decided to keep that format and now we can share them on our social media and parents can see them no matter where they are… it’s one of our very successful ones.”

Teachers receive details the summer prior to the cultural heritage shows on how to submit their students’ artwork and information about the pieces. Students participating in the cultural heritage shows each receive a certificate, and high school students earn points toward their letterman jackets for their participation in the shows.

“It really means a lot to our students to be celebrated and highlighted in a show like this,” Ms. Frohm said.

The virtual 2023 African American History Art Exhibit is on display here throughout February.

FWISD February 2023 Policy Alerts Released

The Fort Worth ISD has released its February 2023 Policy Alerts.

The following District policies have been revised and or added:

Periodically, policies are modified or added to align with changes in the law, Texas Education Agency requirements, or to meet District needs.

Read the memorandum below for more Policy Alert details.

Equity and Excellence to Host DEI Series for FWISD Staff Feb. 14

Join Fort Worth ISD’s Division of Equity and Excellence for its DEI: A Pathway to Belonging Part I series, Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Register today for one of two sessions:

This is the first class in a two-course series designed to provide educators with a working definition of diversity and equity in the classroom. DEI: A Pathway to Belonging Part I is being hosted at the M.G. Ellis Building formerly M.G. Ellis Elementary), Room No. 305, located at 215 N.E. 14th St.

For more information, email juan.garcia2@fwisd.org.

NBC 5 Airs Story About Clayton ES Teacher

Laura Beard Named An SMU Excellent Educator

Did you see Lily B. Clayton Elementary teacher Laura Beard on NBC 5’s “Texas Today” broadcast last week?

Last month, NBC 5 partnered with Southern Methodist University to select Mrs. Beard as an SMU Excellent Educator, an honor recognizing North Texas teachers who inspire and change students’ lives. For the last five years, NBC 5 and SMU have presented five teachers each year with the Excellent Educator recognition and $1,000 for the teacher and their school on behalf of SMU.

Catch Mrs. Beard’s Texas Today story online at NBCDFW.com/texastoday.

Billy W. Sills Lecture Series Highlights 100 Years of Lily B. Clayton ES

Join the Billy W. Sills Center for Archives for its February Lecture Series highlighting Lily B. Clayton Elementary School’s centennial anniversary. The discussion titled “If Walls Could Talk: 100 Years of Lily B. Clayton Elementary School” is Saturday, Feb. 11.

Author Debra Nyul is sharing stories she collected while conducting research for her book about the school titled “Rise and Shine: A Centennial Celebration.”

“Sweet Lily B.” celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. The four-room schoolhouse opened its doors to 79 students for the first time Jan. 30, 1922. Today the school is home to more than 500 Pre-K through fifth grade students and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a City of Fort Worth Historic Landmark.

Saturday’s free event begins at 9:30 a.m. with refreshments. The lecture starts at 10 a.m. and takes place in the University Grill at the Fort Worth ISD Administration Building at 100 N. University Drive.

SLQ This Saturday

Saturday Learning Quest continues strong with a day of learning and fun Saturday, Feb. 11.

Visit www.fwisd.org/slq to learn more about how SLQ programming benefits students academically and to discover class offerings available to FWISD parents!

Spreading the Love

Valentine's Day is next Tuesday, Feb. 14, and in the next edition of Inside FWISD, we want to show you some love.

Email us photos of how your classroom is celebrating Valentine's Day at Inside@fwisd.org.

FWISD in the News

The work of FWISD’s Parent Partnerships Department is featured in the Fort Worth Report.

District 4 Board of Education Trustee Wallace Bridges is listed among “Fort Worth’s Most Fascinating Blacks 2023” in the February issue of Fort Worth Black News.

FWISD educators talked to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about how the passage of pay raises and other support by the Texas Legislature could help teachers in the classroom.

The District's agriculture program appeared in a story on Spectrum News 1.

FWISD’s Alcon Children’s Vision Center was mentioned in an article by D Magazine.

Superintendent Angélica M. Ramsey’s recent message to parents that the District is reviewing options for the human sexuality curriculum was reported in Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Taylor Sheridan, a Paschal High School alum and creator of the television series “Yellowstone,” met with fans at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo last week, according to WFAA.

During last week’s ice storm, NBC 5 (KXAS) talked to North Texas superintendents, including Dr. Ramsey, about how their districts are reaching the limit of snow days built into this year’s school calendars.

Russell McQuiston, a member of FWISD's Safety & Security Blue Ribbon Committee was recently recognized by Lockheed Martin in its internal newsletter, Inside LM. Mr. McQuiston serves as Lockheed Martin's aeronautics security director.

Dance Showcase Set for Feb. 15

Make plans to attend the FWISD Dance Showcase featuring secondary school programs and the Texas Ballet Theater on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at I.M. Terrell Academy.

Photos of the Week

National School Counseling Week

It's National School Counseling Week and schools across FWISD are thanking all of its amazing counselors for their hard work and dedication with social media messages and other expressions of gratitude.

Van Zandt-Guinn ES Receives $10,000 Donation

Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary School received a check for $10,000 from Braver Together this week to help supply its food pantry and clothing closet.

100 Days of School

Students at Eastern Hills Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of school Feb. 8 with a dress up day.

Video of the Week

View more FWISD `Black History Month content at www.fwisd.org/blackhistorymonth.

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.

Credits:

Created with an image by Piman Khrutmuang - "Female Hand with pen mark heart shape on calendar date at 14th valentine day"