District in Pictures
December 20, 2019
Magazine Ranks WFISD’s ‘UPSTART’ Program Among State's Top 12 Outstanding Programs
The Texas School Business magazine recognized WFISD’s UPSTART program in the magazine’s 13th Annual Bragging Rights 2019-2020 special issue as one of the state’s 12 top innovative programs. The 12 programs were selected from 200 nominations. “It’s our hope that the 12 districts we chose inspire others to follow in their footsteps,” wrote Texas School Business Editorial Director Dacia Rivers. WFISD’s UPSTART program supplies pre-K students and their families with Chromebooks and internet access to complete lessons in 20-minute segments per day to ready them for kindergarten.
Kirby Middle School Student Auditions for America’s Got Talent
Elisa Dease, an 8th grader at Kirby, has already achieved a prestigious spot with her singing talent: She is First Chair Soprano for the Texas Music Educators Association Region 7 All Region Middle School Choir. But last weekend she did more: She auditioned in Dallas for America’s Got Talent, the popular talent competition. She sang “Perfect,” by Ed Sheran. “She’s a very creative and talented singer and writer,” said Kirby Principal Shannon Cunningham. Elisa is also busy writing her first book, a novel called Warrior’s Story. Elisa circulates new chapters to several Kirby teachers to solicit their feedback on it.
Kirby Middle School Teacher Receives Belated IDEA Grant After Graduation
When a WFISD staff member arrived at Kirby Middle School on Friday to surprise Stacey Hohertz in her classroom with an IDEA Grant, it was the staff member who got the surprise. Ms. Hohertz wasn’t in the building because she was busy graduating from the University of North Texas with her master’s degree in Educational Leadership. The presentation would have to wait. But when Ms. Hohertz finally received the delivery on Monday, she revealed that she hadn't been able to attend her graduation either. She not only missed the hoopla associated with her IDEA Grant but also all the festivities of her graduation because she was ill on Friday. However, she did succeed in graduating and collecting the largest IDEA grant check issued this year. The $4,549 grant, titled “Robotics for All,” will pay for more robots for her quickly growing classroom of students.
Scotland Park Elementary Teacher Creates Annual Snowman Gift that Documents Students’ Heights, Fingerprints
Every year, Scotland Park pre-K teacher Hailey Parker helps her students create this special gift for parents at Christmas. She measures each child and has boards cut to each student’s exact height. She spends her Thanksgiving break priming all 22 boards. Students use their finger prints to decorate their snowmen, which come with a poem: “Lean this snowman against the wall to remember when I was this small. Fingerprints made the mouth and eyes. This snowman is just my size. So take him out each Christmas and see, I’m not as little as I used to be!”
Wichita Falls High School Teacher Taps Filmwriting Experience in LA, NYC to Write Old High Christmas Show
When WFHS Theatre Director Christopher Turner was looking for a Christmas show for his students to perform, he found options limited, since there was no money for paying royalties. So Mr. Turner tapped his filmmaking background in Los Angeles and New York City, where he wrote, produced and directed more than 20 films. He resurrected an old idea he’d had for a TV show pilot. “It sat on my computer for years,” said Mr. Turner. “I pitched the concept to my production class, and they loved it, so through three weeks in October, I sat down and just wrote.” He tailored some of the characters to specific students. “We then workshopped the play and, through the seven-week rehearsal process, I continued to rewrite characters to fit their actors better.” Auditions were open to all WFISD students. The play, "Son of Claus," was performed Dec. 13-15 with four shows in three days. It received rave reviews and motivated several students to want to participate in the next play, “which was the reason I did this,” said Mr. Turner, pictured far right. He taught for five years in NYC while he earned his master’s degree in theater education and performed off-Broadway and in a movie, Bird Man, that won an Academy Award in 2013. He prefers writing screenplays and usually spends his summers shooting movies. “I do have a couple one act play ideas to possibly have my students perform next year,” he said.
Rider High School Band, Orchestra Students Move on to Region Performance
Eleven Rider band and orchestra students (whose names are listed on the poster below) advanced to either Region Band or Region Orchestra after competing in October at the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association); Allie Estaban and Janell Huff made both. Some students also advanced to Area, which is one step away from making All-State status. In all, Rider landed 50 percent of the available spots for Area for flute, oboe and clarinet, said Rider Band Director Loy Studer. “Both of our foreign exchange students made Area also,” he said. The Area round is the first weekend in January 2020. Students must earn first chair at Area to have a chance to compete in the Texas All-State Band or Orchestra. “It is very hard to do,” said Mr. Studer.
WFISD Staff at North Texas State Hospital Participate in Christmas Parade
When you’re a special education teacher assigned to work at the North Texas State Hospital, as some WFISD employees are, you get used to things being different for you than at any other campus. Michelle Kimbrough, a WFISD English teacher at NTSH, is a retired Sergeant First Class in the US Army with 23 years of service under her belt. She is pictured here dressed as a Storm Trooper for the Adolescent and Children’s Unit “Star Wars” Christmas parade float, sponsored by the hospital. Coincidentally, on Dec. 13, she gave a STAAR test in the morning, then portrayed the Star Wars Storm Trooper in the afternoon. “We could call her a double STAR,” said Anita Lockwood, NTSH special education teacher with WFISD.
Kindergarten Teacher and Her Mother Team Up at Milam in 7th Year Together
When Sheila Verret retired, her daughter Missy Wallace – a WFISD kindergarten teacher – invited her into her classroom to help out for a couple days a week. “That lasted about a week,” said “Miss Sheila,” who loved it so much that she began coming daily. For seven years she has kept the same five-days-a-week schedule her daughter does. They ride to school and home together, making her volunteer days last from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. She reads with students, works one-on-one with them, and assists other teachers when she can, sometimes making lunch runs. Now that the mother/daughter team is at Milam Elementary, she offices in the hallway and has befriended many of the older students, who give hugs just like the little ones. Since she is “paid in hugs,” she insists her compensation is higher than ever. Here, Miss Sheila (left) and Ms. Wallace (right) help oversee 88 kindergartners making gingerbread houses on Tuesday. “This is her love,” she said of her daughter’s devotion to the classroom. “It makes it my love.”
Education Center Third-Floor Team Executes 'Christmas Vacation' Movie Theme for Holiday Lunch
How do you decorate for a Christmas lunch set to the theme of National Lampoon’s "Christmas Vacation" movie? Staff members who have an office on the third floor of the Education Center masterfully coordinated the elaborate décor efforts that included wooden cut-outs and painting of Clark Griswold’s Ford LTD station wagon, the crummy trailer and a stage covered in lights to resemble the 25,000 bulbs on Clark’s house. In a corner, a tree – with the top cut off and a squirrel hiding inside– is decorated in tinsel. Posters around the room spout movie quotes, and the doors into Room 302 are covered in movie nostalgia. The third-floor creative team is pictured dressed in Griswold family style in top left photo.
Cunningham Elementary Regional Day School for the Deaf Welcomes Signing Santa
A signing Santa visited the Wichita Falls Regional Day School Program for the Deaf at Cunningham Elementary on Wednesday. “What a blessing for our students to be able to sign to Santa and make their wishes known,” said Deanna Draper.
Burgess Elementary Art Teacher Displays Clay Pots
Burgess art teacher Alissa Donaldson created an elaborate display in the school foyer of clay pots and clay turtles belonging to students in grades 1 - 5. “Clay is such a magical material in an elementary classroom because every student becomes completely engaged in their project,” said Ms. Donaldson. “They are really getting to play with ‘mud’ and turn it into something. What child wouldn’t love that experience?” Students learned about the story behind Mata Ortiz pottery, created Chinese blue and white pottery, contemporary clay pinch pots painted in bright colors, and made turtles, stamping a pattern in their turtle’s shell using the bottom of their shoes. Putting their work on display is a vital part of the art program “because it encourages students to talk about their art with others,” said Ms. Donaldson.
Fain Elementary Crossing Guard Doubles as Santa, Rudolph, Frosty
Fain instructional coach Veronica Snell has a little side gig at her school. She dresses up in costume and goes outside incognito to direct traffic as the school’s crossing guard. In the last couple weeks, she has directed traffic as Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman. “She dresses up almost every day,” said Fain Principal Clarisa Richie. “She keeps it lively around here!”
Head Start Teacher Helps Student with Patterns
Head Start teacher Emily Junek is pictured here working with a student to create an A-B pattern. During Free Choice Centers, teachers like Ms. Junek pull students to a teacher-led center to focus on a reading or math lesson. This particular day’s focus was patterning. Ms. Junek started her career with WFISD as a paraprofessional in a Head Start classroom. After two years, she completed an alternative certification program and went back into the classroom last year as a 3-year-old Head Start teacher. “She is a Head Start success story!” said Letitia Willis, Early Learning principal.
Crockett Elementary Students Make Holiday Cards for Police Officers
Crockett Elementary students made Christmas cards for Wichita Falls police officers, firefighters and other first responders. “We know they make sacrifices of not being able to spend time with their own families because they help make our community safe,” said Amy Collins, Crockett school counselor.
Lamar Elementary Students Receive Candy Cane Treats
On Dec. 16, Midwest Dental’s Paula Clark delivered 380 candy canes filled with sweet treats to Lamar students. Midwest Dental CEO Matt LeVasseur had toured the Lamar campus a week earlier and promised the Christmas treat then. Lamar PIE Partner Walmart on Greenbriar helped with the donation.
Wichita Falls High School LIFE Class Sells Snowflakes
The Wichita Falls High School LIFE class created and sold snowflakes to raise donations for Hospice of Wichita Falls for its Tree Lighting Campaign. The class goal was to sell 50 snowflakes for $5 apiece or to collect a donation of any amount to total $250. “Students surpassed their goal – donations totaled $373!” said Brenda Shepherd. The class traveled to the Hospice office on Johnson Road to present their donation to Executive Director Alisa Echols.
Rider High School Broadcasts College/Career Announcements for Fourth Year
When Rider senior Joshua Winsauer decided he would major in Environmental Science at Texas Tech, he passed his decision along to Rider staff members who serve as college and career advisors. Soon, they put his name and photo on the school’s television screens, where his future plans are broadcast for all students to see. Typically Rider scholarship clerk Stacey Longest posts the information for viewing on the school’s TV screens and on Rider’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. “We do this to show our younger students what could be in their future, plus recognizing the hard work our students go through to apply to college. There is a lot to most college applications these days,” said Julie Johnson, college and career advisor. The advisors post the decisions of about 30 students a year and have been doing this for the past four years.
Lamar Elementary Students Receive Christmas Haircuts from Salon V
Salon V staff members Brandon Sparks, Patricia Kirk, Malinda Rangel and Jamie Rangel visited Lamar Elementary on Dec. 16 to give haircuts to students with their parents’ permission. During a three-hour visit, Salon V hair stylists provided 46 haircuts. “The kids were over the moon and thrilled to have a new cut for Christmas,” said Kaycie Taylor, Lamar At-Risk coordinator. Lamar teacher Stacy Dean helped coordinate the effort.
Franklin Elementary Choir Performs Around Town
During the holiday season, the Ben Franklin Choir has spread Christmas cheer through their music at several locations: Brook Village, Brookdale Midwestern, Texoma Christian Care, Wells Fargo Bank and at Franklin Elementary. Director Abi Parker said she has a travel budget to pay for the choir’s local travels, but they also held Spirit Night fundraisers at local restaurants to raise more money. “It takes a lot of planning, but it’s worth it!” she said.
Lamar ‘Nothing Bundt Cake’ Fundraiser Brings in Money for Playground
Pictured here, Lamar Principal Amanda Garcia (left) and At-Risk Coordinator Kaycie Taylor (right) inventory the cakes from Nothing Bundt Cake fundraiser. The effort brought in $3,754 that will go to the school’s playground fund.
Church Pays off Fain Elementary’s Lunch Charges
Compassion Church gave a special gift to Fain Elementary students. They stepped in and paid off all Fain Rockets’ overdue lunch charges.
Zundy Elementary Students Sign Up for Library Cards
It’s easy to forget that thousands and thousands of free books await us at the public library, and all we need to do is check them out. In a recent bilingual/bicultural event at Zundy sponsored by the Wichita Falls Public Library and Zavala Hispanic Heritage, 11 Zundy students filled out library card applications and received their cards. This Amo Leer Family Event included snacks and a presentation about a favorite book. This was the first event where Wichita Falls Public Library representatives joined in – but they will come back. “It’s a fantastic community partnership for Zundy!” said Zundy Principal Becky Hernandez.
Sheppard Elementary Principal Acquires Clothing for Haynes Northwest Academy and Others
Sheppard Elementary Principal Cindy Waddell has helped more than just her own campus this Christmas season. Antoinette Turner, who works as a school counselor for both Sheppard and Haynes, has watched Ms. Waddell gather up coats, shoes and gently used clothing for Haynes and other surrounding schools in need. “Many military families have donated items that are in very nice condition,” said Ms. Turner. Also, music and art teacher Stephanie Benson donated two new jackets from JC Penneys to two Haynes students.
Rider High School AP Seminar Students Conference in to Complete Team Work
What do Rider’s AP Seminar students do when they are too sick to attend school but their team still needs them? They video conference using their Chromebooks. “Technology is a life saver!” said teacher Chris Preston. “I had multiple students keep in contact with their teammates this week even though they were sick.” Students also used a shared document to type thoughts back and forth in real time. Another team discussed their topic via text message. “There is no pause button when it comes to AP Seminar,” said Mr. Preston. “These students will do whatever it takes not to let their team down. What did we ever do without technology?”
TeamWFISD with ‘Dancing for the Stars’ Raises Money for Two Non-Profits
If you’re looking for a way to create some Christmas cheer, consider donating to the dance team of TeamWFISD for their “Dancing for the Stars” fundraiser. The dance team of (pictured left to right) Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths, Jefferson 5th grade teacher Kristin Howard, Burgess third-grade teacher Jennifer Taylor, and Director of Innovation Ward Roberts is raising money that will go to two non-profits: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wichita County and Midwestern State University’s Small Business Development Center. The four teammates are raising funds in the sixth season of the nonprofit event.
Milam Students Read with ‘Friends’
Milam 2nd-grade teacher Jennifer Thompson brought in some special animal rings for her students to wear when they are reading to get them into the habit of tracking. She has just enough for one small group table of students. “This time of year, it is also nice to bring something new into the classroom to hold the students’ interest,” said Ms. Thompson.
Education Center Hosts Holiday Open House
Ten WFISD choirs or ensembles performed Tuesday at the Education Center’s Holiday Open House. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., a buffet of sweets and sandwiches greeted incoming guests who were treated to one of 10 caroling groups from local schools. Pictured here: Fain Elementary Choir. Other choirs that performed: Milam, Franklin, Rider ACAP, Lamar, Haynes, Rider Varsity Women’s Choir, Rider Guitar Ensemble, Barwise, and Burgess.
Southern Hills Elementary Christmas Challenge Prompts Kindness
Christmas is a great time to promote kindness to others – and it’s working at Southern Hills Elementary. Counselor Jennifer Ferguson started a Christmas Kindness Tree. Students recorded the kindnesses they completed on paper ornaments and posted them on the Christmas tree. Then Allyson Hardaway created a bulletin board in the hallway as a backdrop for student photos, where students can celebrate themselves being kind instead of being a Grinch. "It has been really awesome to see students making an effort to be kind to each other," said Megan Bodmann, math instructional coach.
Booker T. Washington Elementary Receives More than 2,000 Food Items from Food Drive
A food drive organized by Fit Body Boot Camp brought in more than 2,000 boxed or canned food items to Booker T. Washington during the last week of school before Christmas. Students also benefited from a garage sale put on by the school’s PTA that made more sales than ever before, said Principal Angela Rooney.
Milam Students Visit Santa House
Milam teacher Shannon White said her class loved everything about its recent trip to Santa House. Students came face to face with Santa, heard stories, ate cookies and made ornaments.
Education Center Sponsors Annual Give-Away for Special Needs Students
At this time of year, the Education Center office of Marchuetta Matthews, secretary to Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths, turns to red and green as raffle gifts are contributed, bowed and prepared for the Special Needs Giveaway on Dec. 20. All money raised supports WFISD’s Special Needs fund to help students all year long.
Hirschi High School Students Mentor Students at Booker T. Washington Elementary
Student athletes from Hirschi High School have become regulars at Booker T. Washington Elementary. The young men visit the elementary school weekly to mentor students. They read together and develop friendships to set examples for the young students.
Lamar, Scotland Park Families Enjoy Shopping Spree at Academy Sports
Wouldn’t you love to get a call like this one: Academy Sports called Scotland Park and Lamar At-Risk Coordinators Joe Clement and Kaycie Taylor and said they’d like to provide a shopping spree for students. Academy Manager Lynn Pearcy announced the surprise shopping spree to specially selected families on Dec. 9. They are pictured here during their shopping extravaganza.
Lamar Elementary Thanks the Wichita Falls Police Department for 50 Christmas Gifts
Mike Blevins and his crew from the Wichita Falls Police Department have donated 50 gifts through Operation Santa. Pictured: Staff from the Wichita Falls Police Department visited Lamar to deliver their gifts.
Barwise Middle School National Junior Honor Society Raises $350
The students involved in Barwise’s National Junior Honor Society raised money this year for the Hospice Tree of Lights Campaign. On Dec. 13, the group presented its check for $350 to Hospice during its radio broadcast campaign.
Sheppard Elementary Student Council Participates in Grinch Contest
Student Council members at Sheppard are spearheading a special contest to help the Grinch “grow his heart” this Christmas. When a class is caught being good or helping others, they earn a heart for their Grinch. They can earn hearts for keeping a quiet table in the lunchroom, cleaning their lunch table, or walking quietly in the hallway. Grinches are hung in the school cafeteria for all to see. The class with the most hearts earns a party from the Student Council.
Fain Elementary Enjoys Its Annual Sock Tree
First Christian Church has done it again – they’ve set up a special tree full of socks, knitted hats, gloves, and scarves for Fain children. This year they upped their giving by adding in 50 sets of pajamas. Sharon and Kerry Roach are responsible for this tree.
Booker T. Washington Staff Attend New Jerusalem Church Together
Kirby Middle School Advanced Band Students Create 'Recital' with QR Codes
Lamar Students Pose with Santa for Photos
First National Bank’s Jan Waldmuller arranged for Santa and Mrs. Claus to appear at the Lamar Christmas party. Each grade level of classes rotated through the cafeteria to sit on Santa’s lap for photos. Pictured on Santa's lap: Isabella Garcia, daughter of Lamar Principal Amanda Garcia.
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District in Pictures is a weekly publication developed by the WFISD Community Relations department. If you have events, recognitions or classroom activities taking place on your campus that you would like us to cover, please let us know by emailing Ashley Thomas at athomas@wfisd.net or Ann Work Goodrich at awork@wfisd.net. We would love to include you in our weekly district news. (Please know that we will do our best to cover every story idea submitted but it may not be possible to include everything every week due to time constraints.)
Email: athomas@wfisd.net
Website: www.wfisd.net
Location: 1104 Broad Street, Wichita Falls, TX, USA
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