District in Pictures
November 9, 2018
Rider/Old High Football Game is Family Favorite During Game Week -- and Always
Rider High School Boys Soccer Coach Dustin Holly and his 6-year-old son, Jackson, like the tradition of the Rider/Old High football game so much that they play the game in their back yard all year long. Coach Holly used spray paint to transform the grass in his backyard into a football field, complete with WFHS and Rider goalposts made with PVC pipe. “We did those over the summer when we were kicking field goals in the back yard. We spray painted them yellow to make them look official,” he said. Father and son love to be outside, and they play football in the backyard often. “He loves scoring touchdowns and then kicking the extra point,” said Coach Holly. The Rider/Old High tradition continues tonight; kick-off is 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
McNiel Middle School's Mock School-wide Election Mirrors Actual Results
McNiel Middle School sixth-grade Social Studies teacher Lora Vailes, pictured here, led her class in a mock election Tuesday, as did the other McNiel history teachers. With their Chromebooks open, students researched the Vote 411 Voter Guide to read up on candidates’ positions. Then students opened up a Google Form, scrolled to “McNiel Mock Midterm Election” and voted. At the day’s end, Assistant Principal Jackie McCartney announced McNiel winners: Ted Cruz as the winner for U.S. Senate, Pat Fallon as the winner for Texas Senate District 30, Mac Thornberry as the winner for U.S. House of Representatives District 30, Sid Miller as the winner for Commissioner of Agriculture, George P. Bush as the winner for Commissioner of General Land Office, Ken Paxton as the winner for Texas Attorney General, Dan Patrick as the winner for Texas Lt. Governor, and Greg Abbott as the winner for Texas Governor. The results flawlessly mirrored the actual results of Tuesday’s Midterm Election Night.
WFISD Choirs Wow Christmas Magic Crowd with Christmas Tunes
The Junior League’s Christmas Magic shopping market is an ideal venue for WFISD choirs to launch their Christmas repertoire – and many did. School choirs are pictured here performing throughout the weekend.
Crockett Elementary Art Teacher Wins $100 from Artsonia
WFISD Physical Therapist Completes IRONMAN on 38th Birthday Weekend
It took one year of her life for WFISD Physical Therapist Meagan Meachum to prepare specifically for Sunday’s IRONMAN, held in Haines City, Florida. She finished the 2.4-mile swim, the 112-mile bike ride and the 26.2-mile run in good shape, completing a total of 140.6 miles. Though she has trained for triathlons for five years and completed five half-Ironmans, this was her first full IRONMAN competition. Originally, the race was scheduled to take place in Panama City, Fla., which was pummeled by Hurricane Michael, so the location changed to Haines City. “I was still able to compete in the same weekend, which happened to be my 38th birthday weekend,” said Ms. Meachum. “However, the flat course in Panama City was nothing compared to the hills in Haines City. Running is my hardest part, with the rain, hills and lightning, but my work here in WFISD with special needs kids helped a lot.” How is that? “There are 26 miles in a marathon, and there are 26 letters in the alphabet, so I was able to think about each one of my kids each mile," she said. "I run for them because they can’t.” Fellow WFISD teachers and paraprofessionals downloaded the IRONMAN Athlete Tracker and followed her throughout the competition. Pictured here, left to right: Ms. Meachum, Jinna Barrett, and Tammy Roe.
Barwise Middle School Students Study, Test Genetics
Barwise students in Ferran Kaspar’s class are studying how genetic traits are passed on to new generations. Thirty-four days ago, they began their project by planting two varieties of Rapid Cycling Brassica (RCBr). Students collected characteristic trait data and logged it in their journals. On Day 14 through Day 18, students cross-pollinated the two varieties of Standard RCBr and Purple Stem Hairy RCBr. “Currently, students are waiting for the seed pods to mature so they can harvest the seeds, replant them and then observe what characteristic traits from the two varieties were passed down to the next plant generation,” said Mr. Kaspar. Students can track the complete life-cycle of these "fast plants" in a semester's time.
Booker T. Washington Elementary Celebrates Academics with 'Rock the STAAR' Parade, Carnival
Booker T. Washington Elementary has two big things to celebrate: Academic scores that show so much growth it places them No. 1 in the city and #2 in Texas, with respect to overall growth in their comparison group with schools from around the state. So on Saturday, the school joined with the community to celebrate with a “Rock the STAAR” Parade and Carnival, sponsored by the school’s PTA. The celebration drew community members, students from Midwestern State University’s Caribbean Student Organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members, teachers, WFISD school board members, the Air Force Color Guard, the Wichita Falls Fire Department and city officials.
Scotland Park Elementary Teacher Simplifies Routine with One Key Change
Scotland Park bilingual kindergarten teacher Taysha Matos is working smarter, not harder. When she recently color-coded all her students’ Chromebooks, she suddenly made life much easier on herself. “Now my kinders find their Chromebooks and put them up all by themselves,” she said. Students use their Chromebooks every day for Scientific Learning. Before color-coding, she placed all devices on their desks, then re-filed them in their storage cart when they were done. Now, students simply match the color of their Chromebook to the color on the storage compartment, putting everything away by themselves.
Ben Milam Elementary Enjoys New Lost and Found Racks
It’s easy to find a lost coat when it’s hanging right there, in plain sight. The Parent Teacher Organization at Milam Elementary provided new lost-and-found racks for Milam students, and the WFISD Maintenance Department put them together. The Milam PTO is extremely generous and always looks for new ways to meet Milam needs, said Principal Naomi Alejandro.
Rider High School Students Dodge Rain to Paint Parking Spaces
The Rider High School tradition of seniors painting their parking spaces to make a personal statement has taken a hit this year with the rain-drenched weekends. But many students and staff are “in process” with the project. Rider Human Anatomy and Physiology teacher Alisha Crouch snapped photos of these spaces that were successfully painted despite the raindrops. Pictured top: “Whataclass ‘19” belongs to Breanna Briggs; "Donut Park in My Spot" belongs to Brendon Miller.
Automotive Advisory Stresses Wichita Falls Career Potential for Car Lovers
Local car and truck dealer representatives joined Career Education Center auto tech teacher Larry Krugle, auto collision teacher David Boller, and others in an Automotive Advisory Meeting recently at the CEC. The collaboration is designed to keep WFISD teachers on the cutting edge of industry requirements so students will be prepared for entering the job market. Mr. Krugle and Mr. Boller stressed the value of the new practicum for top third-year students, which gives them real-world experience in a local business. Dealer representatives spoke of the excellent earnings and career opportunities locally for hard-workers who demonstrate a passion for the industry. Advisory committee meetings like this one are led by CTE Director Michelle Wood (far right).
Zundy Elementary Students Provide Centerpieces
Art work doesn’t have to hang on the wall to be enjoyed. Zundy Elementary students created these pieces of art work that served as centerpieces at the Kemp Center for the Arts during the recent Mystery Art Auction. “I am so impressed with the students’ work,” said Madeline Eubanks, At-Risk Coordinator for Zundy. Pictured left to right: Nancy Scott with the Kemp Center and Ms. Eubanks.
McNiel Middle School Presents Rathgeber Hospitality House with $1,000
McNiel Middle School students and staff raised money throughout the month of October by hosting Pink Tuesdays and by dressing up for Halloween. Then they presented $1,000 to the Rathgeber Hospitality House, which calls itself the “Hotel with a Heart.” The non-profit hotel provides affordable hotel lodging for families while a loved one receives medical care in Wichita Falls.
Franklin Elementary Students Create Holiday-themed Poetry and Display on Multi-sided Ball
The presentation of this poetry is part of its appeal. Franklin fourth-grade reading students in Courtney Kittrell’s classroom wrote holiday-themed poetry. They wrote acrostic, free verse and limerick poems, being sure to include “spicy” words to make them interesting. Then they formed the poems into a special, multi-sided ball, which made them easy to share with the class. Here, 4th grader Emily Calvert shows off her poetry ball. “The students loved the project,” said Ms. Kittrell. During the summer, Ms. Kittrell joined more than 100 educators from around the world for six days of learning innovative teaching strategies at the 2018 Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute.
Coyote Alum Returns to Educate WFHS Students on Turning Passion into a Career
Alex Temblador, a Wichita Falls High School alum from the Class of 2008, returned to Wichita Falls High School last Friday to introduce students to her life of freelancing as a travel writer and novelist. She related the ups and downs of her career in the 10 years since her high school graduation and how her love of creative writing opened doors and canceled out her previous dreams of becoming a history professor. “I didn’t get here the traditional way,” she said. She shared the option of freelancing as a legitimate alternative to the 9-to-5 work day, which she didn't like. After seven years of work, she published her first book, “Secrets of the Casa Rosada,” last week. She is pictured below, left, in the Old High auditorium with Leticia Nieto, who coordinated her visit. Students can follow Ms. Temblador's career at alextemblador.com.
McNiel Middle School Students Sing the Constitution's Preamble
It’s no secret that setting things to music makes learning easier. McNiel Middle School students in Kimbra Thomas’ Advanced U.S. History class gave that theory a run for its money when eighth-graders sang the Preamble to the United States Constitution. “I projected the lyrics, and they sang some – and giggled a lot!” said Ms. Thomas. “If I want them to learn, I gotta make them laugh, and they are laughing, so they are learning!”
Ben Milam Teacher Receives Sincerest Form of Flattery
Ben Milam fifth-grade math teacher Angie Bullard got a surprise when the school celebrated Twin Day as part of Red Ribbon Week. A student paid her the ultimate compliment by coming to school dressed as….her! “When she got to school that morning, she said she didn’t have a twin, so she borrowed her mom’s lanyard and put her hair in a bun,” said Mrs. Bullard. The student's belief: Lanyard plus bun equals Mrs. Bullard. “Made my whole day,” said Mrs. Bullard.
Rider High School Alum Pitches in World Series, Returns to Town for Rider Parade
Career Education Center Bistro Opens to the Public
On Wednesday, the Career Education Center opened its Bistro to the community with a Cajun Menu. Offerings included a salad bar, Cheesy Shrimp & Grits, Gumbo, Jambalaya, a Grilled Shrimp Plate, Po Boys, and Crawfish Etouffee. Featured desserts: Banana pudding, bread pudding, cheesecake, or beignets.
Kirby Middle School Students Use Art to Learn Google Sheets
Art makes learning fun. For Kirby Middle School technology students, it has enhanced lessons on Google Sheets. “Students learn to use conditional formatting to color cells into their own pixel art designs,” said Stacey Hohertz. The designs that have resulted, pictured here, have a look all their own.
Rider High School Student Council Members Make Mums
Franklin Elementary Teacher Sets Up Flipgrid Recording Studio
Students benefit from a little quiet and concentration when they make a Flipgrid video, so Franklin first-grade teacher Kellie Evans made sure they had what they needed. She brought in a Pop-up Pod to use as the class recording studio. “It helps with sound and distractions,” she said.
West Foundation Elementary Students Deliver Donations to Senior Citizens
Decorations Promote Unity and Honor Wichita Falls High School Senior After Tragic Death
Traditionally, both Rider High School and Wichita Falls High School cheerleaders spend time decorating their schools and the Chick-Fil-A restaurant ahead of their schools’ Friday night football match-up. But this year, WFHS cheerleaders were grieving the sudden and tragic death Saturday of WFHS senior Yajaira Garcia. WFHS cancelled its Rivalry Week decorating activities. To help their fellow students, the Rider cheerleaders took on the task of decorating for both schools at Chick-Fil-A and left this note of compassion and unity painted on the window: “Rider sends our thoughts and prayers to WFHS – One Family, One Team.” Yajaira, 18, had played for three years on the JV Lady Coyote Soccer team. She was preparing to be the manager of the Varsity team. The Student Councils from both schools will take up a donation for her family tonight at the Rider/Old High game.