District in Pictures
October 19, 2018
Eight More Students Earn College Board Commendations
The College Board recently announced eight more top WFISD students in its 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program contest – in addition to previously announced National Merit Semifinalists Kerri Lu and Ryan Faulkner. Six seniors were named Commended Scholars for scoring in the top 3 percent on the PSAT: Hirschi’s Tyler Morton and Alexis Nicolas, and Rider’s Benjamin Moffat (not pictured), Vy Phan, Austin Taack, and Aaron Wheat. (They are pictured below with WFISD Board President Dale Harvey, far left.) Two Hispanic students (pictured in bottom photo with Mr. Harvey, far right) were also top scorers, earning the title of National Hispanic Scholars. They are Hirschi’s Ramon Rodriguez and WFHS’s Daniel Portillo. All 10 seniors were honored at Monday’s school board meeting.
Equine Science Students Dissect Fetal Horses
Equine Science teacher Keyla Bush brought nine fetal horses into her classroom for students to dissect and, in so doing, they learned how different body parts-- like the digestive tracks and eyeballs -- compare to full-grown horses. For example, a foal’s developing digestive track is a mere one foot long; in a full-grown horse, it’s 100 feet long. More differences: A foal’s brain is undeveloped and the consistency of an oatmeal-type substance; intestines are not fully developed and seem more like mush; eyeballs are not fully formed, either. Can you guess the cost of a fetal horse? Just $99.99 from Ward’s Science, a vendor for dissection.
Zundy Elementary Fifth-Graders Describe Dyslexia to Classmates
Just what is it like to live with dyslexia? Zundy Dyslexia Therapist Pamela Spruiell took her fifth-grade students into five classrooms to share their experience on what life is like when you have dyslexia. The project was part of Dyslexia Awareness Month. “I am soooo proud of these dyslexia students for getting up in front of other classes and sharing about their struggles with dyslexia,” she said. They shared their difficulties with reading “because the words seem kind of blurry and move around.” Another said, “I have trouble hearing all the sounds in a word when I try to spell it.” Another student said she confuses her b’s, d’s, p’s, q’s, and 9’s. “I sometimes try to read from the wrong direction,” said one, reading “saw” instead of “was”. Others shared difficulties with noise, disorganization, following directions and spelling irregular words that aren’t spelled the way they sound. “We had a great time sharing and my kids were SO proud of themselves,” said Mrs. Spruiell.
Fain Elementary Hosts Mayor for Special Interview
Wichita Falls Mayor Stephen Santellana sat down with Fain Elementary second-graders Monday to answer their questions about nearby Edgemere Park. Students held a microphone and asked carefully composed questions. The interview is just one piece of a larger project on their Fain neighborhood. Each grade level pursues a project as part of the school’s Project-Based Learning approach. Mayor Santellana explained to the children that all city improvements – including those at a park – are done through a system of priority and utilization. He praised the students’ initiative. “We all use the parks but not many come out with ideas to make them better,” he said. He urged the students to take their ideas to the Parks Board or the Parks Director.
Four Rider High School Theatre Students Introduced to Midwestern State University Theatre Program
Rider High School Theatre teacher Tabitha Cahanin took four of her theatre students to Midwestern State University to spend a day with their Theater Department as part of its special Honors Theatre Day. Ms. Cahanin and her four students (seniors Dominic Chavez, Gage Craig, Zoey Bennett, and Rebekah Tempelmeyer) sat in on two MSU courses, toured the MSU theatre facilities, met current students, ate lunch on campus, attended two workshops, then auditioned for scholarships for their department. Later that evening, they attended the MSU performance of Dracula. Pictured here: Rider students attend the Scenic Painting Workshop taught by Rider alum Joey McGinn, who demonstrated several painting techniques. “It was a fantastic day,” said Ms. Cahanin, who is in her third year as Rider’s theatre teacher. She also sponsors the Rider Drama Club and Rider’s International Thespian Troupe.
Career Education Center Teacher Featured in TCEA Spotlight
Education and Training teacher Lexi Law was featured in TCEA’s Tech Notes “Member Spotlight” dated October 17, 2018. The organization, which focuses on advancing technology in education, latched onto WFISD’s and Region 9’s Elementary Teacher of the Year to showcase her new role building future teachers at the Career Education Center. Mrs. Law shared how she sends students to campuses to be a resource to teachers and even to help them with technology. She is challenging her students to become Google Certified Educators Level 1 and Level 2 as part of her course. Click here for more: https://blog.tcea.org/member-spotlight-on-lexi-law/
Lamar Elementary Kinders Learn About Fire Safety
Kindergarten students at Lamar Elementary met firefighters and got a look at a fire engine during a fire safety field trip hosted by First National Bank. Students learned about basic fire safety and prevention. But the highlight of the visit came when Mark Toby of Fire & Safety Inc. shot a blast of instant fog from a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher at the children’s feet. They squealed as the hazy white fog swallowed up their feet before dissipating. Each student received a fire helmet, badge and a pizza lunch.
Hirschi High School Pre-IB Students Make 'Of Mice and Men' Presentations
Chanea Bond’s pre-International Baccalaureate English II class at Hirschi High School is small. So when they requested an audience for their presentations on the book, “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck, English Curriculum Specialist Shera Rasmussen and Hirschi staff members Linda Fain, Tami Davis, Mandy Warren, Henri Naylor and Hirschi Principal Doug Albus were only too happy to show up. They listened as students linked the novel to historical events like the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Students created a Google Slides presentation, complete with images and specific references to the novel. “I was most impressed by the confidence and professionalism each student represented,” said Ms. Rasmussen. “It was great to see!”
Southern Hills Principal Finds New Way to Win Friends
Never underestimate a principal’s savvy at stirring up some excitement at his or her school. Southern Hills Principal Jeremy Lopez dressed up as a piece of pizza to celebrate National Sausage Pizza Day with staff and students. Marco’s Pizza on Maplewood donated pizza to the school. “Kids and parents LOVED it,” said Mr. Lopez. “One parent said she can’t wait to see what the next national food day will be.”
Crockett Elementary First-Graders Make Jack-o-Lanterns Trite with New Creations
It turns out that there’s a lot more you can do with a pumpkin than carve it into a Jack-o-lantern. Crockett Elementary first-grade teacher Jody Barnett had her students make storybook pumpkins. “Students chose a favorite character from a book and then created it,” she said. “We had a lot of fun.” The finished painted pumpkins -- Batman, Superman, Clifford, Pinkalicious and more -- lined the Crockett hallways this week.
Communities in Schools Holds College Prep Parent Night
On Wednesday, Communities in Schools (CIS) hosted a CIS College Prep Parent Night at Vernon College. The event informed students from all three high schools -- and their parents -- about the steps they can take today to prepare for college and a career. Three guest speakers addressed the crowd: WFISD Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths, VC Assistant Recruiting Coordinator Marco Torres, and VC’s Dual Credit Program Coordinator Melissa Moore. “We were so excited to have several families attend,” said Madison Black, CIS program coordinator.
Wichita Falls High School, Rider High School Choirs Join for Special Concert
On Monday, the Wichita Falls High School choir and the Rider High School choir teamed up to perform in a special combined concert titled, "Just a Little While Longer," at the Wichita Falls High School Auditorium. The Midwestern State University choir also joined in on the final number of the evening. Pictured here, the three choirs perform the finale, a song called "Please Stay," which raised awareness of suicide prevention. “What a great example of unity through song!” said Melanie Coons, Rider's head choir director. The purpose of the concert was to help raise money for both schools' spring trips. Rider will go to Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee; WFHS will go to Branson, Missouri. The concert was arranged by Ms. Coons, Rider Assistant Choir Director Sarah Cook and Wichita Falls High School Choir Director Chris Jarvis.
Lamar Elementary Family Turn-out Predicts Success
It’s not impossible to predict the future of a school, according to Early Learning Curriculum Specialist Jane Ann Bruner. Just look at how many families show up to important events. WFISD’s Early Childhood Language Facilitator Amy Countiss hosted Family Engagement meetings recently at Brook Village, Farris Early Childhood Center, Lamar Elementary and Burgess Elementary. As pictured here, a healthy turnout at Lamar was a good sign. “If family engagement is a predictor of student success, these students are on their way,” said Mrs. Bruner.
Chartwells Chef Makes Sandwiches To Go
Zundy Elementary Students Simulate Astronauts' Return from Space
Students in Zundy Elementary teacher Lindsay Rogers’ fifth-grade science class did more than just read about astronauts. After discussing the book, “All About Astronauts,” they talked about how the change in gravity affects an astronaut’s bones and muscles. Ms. Rogers instructed students to lie on their backs with their feet in the air for a few minutes, then to stand up. “The change they felt when they stood up was a simulation of how it feels for an astronaut when he finally comes back to Earth,” she said.
Culinary Students Host First of Three Soft Openings at Bistro
Culinary students are on the cusp of the most practical culinary experience of all -- running a restaurant. On Wednesday, they hosted the first of three soft openings of the CEC’s Bistro. The menu featured three entrees: Country Salisbury Steak, Mrs. Nusser’s Pot Roast, and Vegetable Wraps. They served sides of vegetables, stuffing or mashed potatoes, gravy or fruit. Invited guests selected one of five desserts. Lunches were served at the Bistro or as to-go orders. Pictured from left: Senior culinary students Kaelynn Wilson, Tiffany Tate, Kyler Niechman (a junior), and Ashely Calabrisi. The Bistro will open to the public Nov. 7.
Jefferson Elementary Teacher's 'Game of Life' Teaches Decimals
Jefferson Elementary fifth-grade math teacher Kristin Howard introduced a “Game of Life” to students this week. She paired students with partners, gave each set a wallet with $500 in it, and sent each pair to the “store” to shop. “They clicked a particular store on the slide, and it took them to a sales ad,” she explained. “They looked through the sales ad for the item they were purchasing to find the cost.” They recorded each price in a bank registry, then paid the cashier (Mrs. Howard) for each purchased item and told her the expected change they should receive. “Then I handed them a receipt, which is the password to their next store,” she said. The activity teaches adding and subtracting decimals and financial literacy.
Scholarship Season Begins This Month for WFISD Seniors
Counselors like Rider High School’s Julie Johnson work with high school students on all aspects of college/career planning. They talk about grades with ninth graders and how to build a GPA; they talk to sophomores about college and how to choose classes (regular, dual credit, Advanced Placement) for the future; they talk to juniors about college and career goals, walking them through college applications, resumes and FAFSA details. They talk to seniors about scholarships. Right now is scholarship season, with many deadlines this month. “Last year, Rider students were offered over $2 million in scholarships,” said Ms. Johnson. “We want to keep this number up, so Stacey Longest is working diligently to find new scholarships our students can apply for!” A current list of scholarships shows – really? – a Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship. “It’s a real scholarship,” confirmed Ms. Johnson. Students must write an essay on how to save Rider from Zombies – deadline October 31. Pictured here, Ms. Johnson discusses the SAT with Rider student Jesus Moreno.
Fain Elementary Students Join with Construction Students to Build Catapult
Fain Elementary fourth-grade teacher Frank Tarver came up with a practical way for students to study mechanical energy, force and motion. He and his students decided to build a catapult. Students researched the types of catapults and selected a design called the “ogre catapult” with a great launching distance. They discussed how to modify it to make it school and student-friendly. Then they asked Career Education Center construction teacher Scott Little and his students for help them choose the best materials and give them insight on how to build it. “Mr. Little and his students welcomed us into their classroom, discussed safety practices, best materials and variables that would affect the launching distance,” said Mr. Tarver. Pictured here, students give their finished catapults a trial launch.
Zundy Elementary Fifth-grade Students Overcome Fears in 'Fear Factor' Lesson
With Halloween just a couple weeks away, Zundy fifth-grade science teacher Lindsay Rogers incorporated a little Halloween “ick” into her science tasks in a lesson called “Fear Factor.” She placed task cards into boxes. “Once a student finds a card, they answer it with their group, and the next student puts his hand in the box to find another card.” Students are warned that inside the boxes are intestines (cooked spaghetti), maggots (cooked rice), bugs (raisins), human skin (cabbage), and eyeballs (peeled grapes). “It’s just a fun, engaging way to work on task cards,” said Ms. Rogers. “With Halloween around the corner, it worked perfectly!”
Head Start Staff Support Fellow Social Worker Facing Two Family Cancer Challenges
Cancer has struck not once but twice in the family of long-time WFISD Head Start social worker Lisa Little – and Head Start coworkers are rallying behind her. Lisa’s husband, John, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago; her daughter, Brea, has been fighting a brain tumor for five years. Both are currently undergoing chemotherapy. “The struggle for the family is significant,” said Farris Early Childhood Assistant Principal Carol Gibbs. “Lisa has been a dedicated employee who has continued to balance her work with the needs of her family members, showing up each day with a positive attitude and working for our students and families.” Various fundraisers have helped the family, including one last Saturday at Stone Palace that raised $37,000. Another “Burgers for Brea” event raised $16,000. Many Head Start workers participated in a T-shirt sale, with proceeds benefiting the family. On Wednesday, Head Start employees wore their T-shirts to support Mrs. Little.
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