District in Pictures
October 12, 2018
Superintendent Profiled by American Association of School Administrators
The American Association of School Administrators has applauded Superintendent Mike Kuhrt for his passion and savvy in serving the District’s youngest students. He is one of three school district leaders at the helm of districts who are considered successful models of early learning environments; they are featured by AASA in a special report. Mr. Kuhrt is part of the AASA Early Learning Cohort – a consortium of superintendents who are researching ways to develop programs for early learners that will promote lasting change in children’s lives. Mr. Kuhrt said he is committed to overcoming the barriers that restrict learning for 3- to 5-year-olds. Those barriers include hunger, access to health care or lack of steady work for the children’s parents. The profile highlighted WFISD’s Waterford UPSTART program and a summit that brought together many Wichita Falls social service organizations.
WFISD's Strategic Design Enters Second Phase
Community leaders sat alongside WFISD administrators Wednesday at the Education Center as they worked together in the second phase of the strategic design process with Engage 2 Learn. The second phase of the plan focused primarily on district facilities. The collaboration is the District’s outreach to the community to enlist their help in building WFISD into the best school district possible for Wichita Falls. On Thursday, they brainstormed what the ideal learning environment should look like for students. Pictured here from left: Burgess Elementary Principal Jeff Hill, Rider High School student Jack Cantrell, community member Dee Ann Martin, and WFISD Director of Elementary Curriculum Misti Spear.
Culinary Students Participate in Empty Bowls Fundraiser
Southern Hills Counselor Works with Three Former Students, Now Teachers
It’s not every day that former students show up again in your life in a consistent role, but that’s what happened to Southern Hills counselor Kenda Finn. This year she is working with three of her former Rider High School students, who are all now teachers with her at Southern Hills Elementary. Pictured here, clockwise from top: Art teacher Stacey Barton (Rider Class of 2009), First-grade teacher Megan Scroggins (Rider Class of 2008), Counselor Kenda Finn, and Kindergarten teacher Amanda Palmer (Rider Class of 2007). Ms. Finn taught science to all of them during her teaching stint at Rider from 2000 to 2008. “It’s exciting to work alongside these teachers,” she said. “All three were exceptional students in high school and have become amazing teachers. It makes my heart happy to think that something I did years ago may have helped encourage them to be teachers.”
Milam Elementary Teacher Hosts 'BURPS Party'
Ben Milam 5th grade teacher Amy Propp created a fun way to introduce the reading BURPS strategy to her students. She explains: “After about 10 minutes of drinking a clear soda and getting out all the burps they can, students then learn about the BURPS reading strategies.” The BURPS strategy: Box and read the title; Underline key words; Read, then re-read; Prove your answers by underlining evidence; Show which answers you can eliminate by marking with a check. The lesson, which she previewed throughout the week, was a hit. "I heard students say they couldn't wait to come to reading class today," said Ms. Propp. "One student told me she could barely sleep because she was so excited. A boy said, 'I loved this! Today was an awesome day!'"
Booker T. Washington Elementary Receives Funds for Student Birthday Bags
The Wichita Falls Police Association donated money to Booker T. Washington Elementary to provide Student Birthday Bags. “Our students love this little treat and look forward to it every year,” said Principal Mark Davis. “You’ve made our students’ day with this!”
Architecture Class Uses New Laser Printer
As the Career Education Center enters its second year of operation, teachers are receiving a few new pieces of equipment. Architecture teacher Amy Hughes has rejoiced in the new class laser printer, which allows students to reach new precision when cutting pieces to build models. Students create designs digitally in AutoCAD, a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software. Then they send it to the laser cutter. “The students have enjoyed using it,” she said. Career and Technical Education Director Michelle Wood ordered the machine but refused to pay its $500 shipping cost; she picked it up herself and delivered it to the CEC.
WFISD Maintenance Team Encourages Cunningham LIFE Classroom
When something’s not working properly, it can put a real kink in your day. A Cunningham Elementary LIFE classroom bathroom has a mechanical lift, which is a big help to wheelchair-bound students, but it has not been working for awhile. On their own, teachers looked for a company to service the lift battery, thinking this would fix the problem. No go. Finally, LIFE teacher Sarah Lucas gave up and called the WFISD Maintenance department and asked for help. A team that included WFISD electricians Ken Harney and Lee Moss came out and fixed it. The lift works properly now. “We appreciate all our maintenance team does for us,” said Assistant Principal Gena Ayers. “They are so helpful in doing the background things that help our schools, teachers and students be successful.” Pictured here is Ken Harney.
Franklin Elementary Lions Celebrate 'National Talk Like a Pirate Day' with Digital Breakout
WFISD Students Come to Us Speaking 22 Different Languages
Don’t be fooled: WFISD is not just an English and Spanish-speaking district. Foreign Language Director Greta Benavides tracks the names and needs of students who come into the District speaking 22 different languages. English is most common; Spanish is second, Vietnamese is third, Arabic is fourth. WFISD instructs students in English/Spanish in its bilingual program that operates in three grade levels – pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade. WFISD will add bilingual instruction in second-grade next year and add one grade level per year until it is offered through fifth grade. Varying size bilingual programs operate now at Brook Village, Zundy, Southern Hills, Scotland Park and Lamar. Pictured here: On Thursday, Zundy Elementary Bilingual teacher Jessica Rivers is pictured teaching her kindergarten class about the vocabulary word, “rhyming.” Ms. Rivers taught for five years in her home country of Peru and has taught bilingual education for 10 years with WFISD.
Booker T. Washington Elementary Principal Praises Teacher for Positive Parental Contacts
Ben Milam Elementary Kinders Use Mock Bus to Practice Counting
Ben Milam Kindergarten teacher Shannon White came up with an active way to help her students recognize numbers and practice counting. "I had students draw a card with a number or a ten frame on it, build the number on a 10 frame on our projector, and then we counted out that many students to ride a bus that we created using their chairs on our carpet. They really enjoyed getting to take a pretend-ride in our classroom." A ten-frame is a graphic tool that allows children to “see” numbers. Students practiced counting as each bus rider climbed aboard.
Southern Hills Elementary First-Graders Make Sight Word Bracelets
Southern Hills first-grade teachers like Megan Scroggins are making a strong, concerted push for literacy this year. The campus goal is to have 87 percent of children reading on grade level by the end of the year, she said. Reading well includes learning sight words. “We knew we had to do something to make learning the sight words fun for our kids,” said Ms. Scroggins. “We thought, ‘Let’s use something they love: paper bracelets.’” Now children make paper "Sight Word of the Day" bracelets and wear them in class. “My hope is that constantly seeing and being asked about their words will help them transfer it into their long-term memory.”
Fain Elementary Students Learn About Apples from Chartwells' Theo the Lion
When the Discovery Kitchen visited Fain Elementary, Chartwells’ Theo the Lion came, too. He helped Chartwells' presenters teach a lesson on apples. Students learned how apples grow, why they float, and why they are so healthy. “The students made monster mouths with fresh sliced apples, sunflower butter and craisins,” said Marci Spruiell, public relations director for Chartwells. Turning a snack into a fun, interactive project is a highlight of the Discovery Kitchen, which travels to many WFISD campuses.
Cunningham Elementary Staff Treat Teachers to Frosty Surprise
Cunningham Principal Ashley Davis (left) and Assistant Principal Gena Ayers surprised staff with “Frosty Friday” treats – frozen chocolate frosty ice cream. They carted the sweet treats from room to room to boost morale and show appreciation for the hard work and dedication their teachers exhibit.
Partners in Education Earns $3,500 in Free Books from 2017 Book Fair
Last year’s first Read 2 Learn Book Fair was so successful that the program earned $3,500 in free books. “These aren’t just any books but popular, high-quality books that retail up to $17 apiece,” said R2L Coordinator January Cadotte, pictured here examining and showing off books from the first box shipped to her. She will distribute the free books at Read 2 Learn events this year. The homegrown remedial reading program officially kicked off its sixth year on Tuesday. Mark your calendar: The second annual Read 2 Learn Book Fair will be held at the Education Center December 3-9.
Horticulture Students Make Friendships Bracelets
Special Education students in Tonya Parham’s Horticulture class visit Deanne Holcomb’s Brook Village pre-K class once a month to complete a 45-minute activity. Mrs. Holcomb led the first activity by talking about how to make friends. Then, all students broke into groups and made friendship bracelets, then prepared peanut butter and jelly cracker sandwiches. “This was a wonderful experience for my students to interact with younger children,” said Ms. Parham. The high school students prepared the activity and provided snacks. “My students likened it to job preparation and experience with childcare,” said Ms. Parham. Their collaboration was part of the District’s Kindness Challenge Initiative.
Haynes Northwest Academy's Decimal Diner Serves Up Math
Kirby Middle School Students Complete First Engineering Challenge
Kirby Middle School science teacher Gwenna Gallenberger led Kirby’s TAME Team in its first engineering challenge of the year. The students in the Texas Alliance for Minorities group built a toothpick/marshmallow tower. Students tested their finished towers for strength and stability by dousing with soapy water. “It was good data for their next build,” said Mrs. Gallenberger. The organization helps prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Franklin Elementary Fifth-Graders Create Podcast
Fain Elementary Students Promote Charitable Giving in Video
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