District in Pictures
November 22, 2019
Booker T. Washington Elementary Teacher Honored as ‘Be Bold' Teacher Spotlight Award Winner
Booker T. Washington 5th grade science teacher Janet Hughes is November’s “Be Bold" Teacher Spotlight Award winner. This award is a collaboration between First Bank, KAUZ and Wichita Falls ISD to honor one teacher each month who shows outstanding dedication to WFISD students. Ms. Hughes is in her 20th year of teaching. “My mission, every year, is to give my students the best year I can give them because they don’t get that year back,” she said. “I make sure I teach them everything they need to know, build relationships with them, help them make good decisions daily, and hopefully have a lot of fun and make great memories. My theme this year: 'Science is like magic, only real!'”
Fain Elementary Students Make Presentations Thursday at Midwestern State University’s Eureca Program
As part of their Project-Based Learning, Fain fourth-graders stood in front of a large crowd at MSU Thursday and presented their research on the topic, “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader.” One by one, Owen Davis, Sam Fernberg, Kase Lukert, Jade Moore and Kendall Snodgrass spoke by memory, explaining one fact each about the epidemic of non-readers. They noted that lack of reading skills affects one’s health, creating stress and loneliness. Then they explained their project of selling books to raise money for the Wichita Adult Literacy Council and expertly answered questions from the crowd. In another presentation, a Fain 3rd-grade team presented research on childhood hunger and shared their involvement with food drives and the Food Bank to help alleviate hunger in Wichita Falls.
WFISD Leaders Get Sneak Peek at Community Healthcare Center
Superintendent Mike Kuhrt, WFISD Board members, Director of Nursing Debi Mills and others got a sneak peek Monday at the Community Healthcare Center that will open soon behind Zundy Elementary School. There is still paperwork to be completed before the opening, but the building itself is nearly ready. The clinic will be a convenient addition to the Zundy neighborhood, saving parents, teachers and students time when they need medical attention.
Rider High School Staff Make a Memory at Bi-District Game
When the Rider High School marching band lined up their program’s enormous on-field chess pieces in preparation for their half-time program, Rider administrators saw their opportunity to make a memory. They climbed atop the unique accessories for a photo. Pictured left to right: Principal Cody Blair, Assistant Principals Sally Mroczkowski, TiAda Radtke, Amanda Mann and Troy Farris.
Lamar Elementary Art Students Draw Self-Portraits with Favorite Color
Students in Megan Halford’s Lamar Elementary art classes created a wall to remember using their own faces. They started by choosing their favorite color of the rainbow. Then they drew a self-portrait using only the color they had chosen. “Our focus for this project was the color wheel as well as variety,” said Ms. Halford. “They’re so excited about this wall and love pointing out their picture.” She plans to continue the project as a yearly tradition and as a reminder that “when we all come together, amazing results happen,” she said.
Risk Management Director Completes Certification
Betsi Morton, manager of WFISD’s Risk Management department, completed her Certified School Risk Management designation as part of the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, the nation’s preeminent provider of insurance and risk management education. She completed five CSRM courses and their exams. “Their tests are mostly scenario based, and you are required to apply what you learned to each scenario,” said Ms. Morton.
‘BEE Bold’ Early Childhood Coalition Wins Award in Spelling Bee
Early Childhood staff members Jane Ann Bruner, Amy Countiss, and Stephanie Parsons participated Nov. 15 in the Wichita Adult Literary Council (WALC) 23rd Annual Spelling Bee. Their team name was BEE Bold, a nod to WFISD’s 2019 “Be Bold” motto. Though the team didn’t win the Bee, they did come away with one award: “Best Team Costume.” The three women serve on the North Texas Area United Way Early Childhood Coalition with WALC Director Carla Arinder. “We were honored to support an organization that empowers people to read, changes lives and promotes literacy,” said Ms. Countiss. The non-profit provides free tutoring services to help community members obtain their GED, a driver’s license and more. Pictured in costume left to right: Jane Ann Bruner, Amy Countiss, Stephanie Parsons.
Haynes Northwest Academy Staff Dress in Cardigans for ‘World Kindness Day’
On Nov. 13, all Haynes staff members wore cardigans to celebrate World Kindness Day or, as Haynes’ staff called it, “Mr. Rogers’ Day.” Pictured here, Haynes At-Risk Coordinator Marcus Mathis (left) and 3rd grade math/science teacher William Price (right) show off their cardigans. “I gave a little bio of Mr. Rogers over the announcements," said Principal Lori Apple. "I explained what he did for Public Broadcasting Service and children’s television. In the classroom, the teachers also showed a clip of Mr. Rogers and explained that he promoted kindness and understanding.”
Milam Elementary Teacher Amps Up ‘Guided Reading’ with Glasses
Good ol’ Pinterest. That’s where Milam 2nd grade teacher Allison Wilson got the idea to give her students big, fun glasses to wear during Guided Reading Groups to make it fun and engaging. “My students love putting their ‘readers’ on to read to me,” she said. “It’s fun for me, too!”
Kirby Middle School Science Team Bonds Using Art Project
Kirby’s science department – along with special guest, McNiel science teacher Jessie Mitchell – collaborated on a project outside of the school at Be Our Guest Creative Outlet. The department members did a painting project as a reminder to be thankful. “The Science Department is thankful for the opportunity to work together as a team at Kirby,” said Laura Checki, 8th grade Kirby science teacher.
Barwise Middle School ‘Receptionist’ is Gatekeeper, Superwoman
When you walk into Barwise, the first person you see is Loretta Williams. Technically she works as the receptionist, but Barwise insiders – and anyone passing through her office – know her as gatekeeper and Superwoman. She multitasks -- answering phones, relaying messages, dispatching student helpers, accepting passes, all while greeting students with “Good morning” – and, on this particular day, repeating the salutation until the student returned the greeting. Ms. Williams followed it up with one of her mini lessons: Don’t barge ahead with your request before you offer a greeting. "I like to help them with their manners and to have a positive attitude," she said. "Sometimes they just need a hug or a listening ear. I help them find learning opportunities in every situation. I tell them manners are important and will take them far in life." Students have paid homage to her Superwoman status by drawing pictures of her with a cape (below), which she posted on her office windows. “Everything that comes at her, she handles so well,” said Barwise Assistant Principal Erin Dillard. “People come in happy, crying, yelling or cussing. They don’t ever leave mad when they talk to her. Sometimes I just observe in her office and absorb all I can. I watch how she handles things and say, ‘Oh, that was good. I need to try that.” Loretta Williams has worked at Barwise for 21 years.
Lamar Elementary 4th Graders Take the Role of University Medical Students
Lamar 4th grade students in Jessica Garza Hernandez’s classroom were dubbed Lamar University Medical Students for a special activity. They put on hospital gowns and gloves to do “text feature surgery.” They were given patients with curious symptoms: One patient had difficulty understanding a section of text (he needed subtitles!). Another was unable to visualize the text (she needed pictures!). Then they did the appropriate “surgery” to fix the problems, then scrubbed-out and did a post-op report.
Milam Elementary 2nd Graders Learn About 2D and 3D
Toothpicks and marshmallows were the key elements in the hands-on activity for 2nd graders led by Allison Wilson, Jennifer Thompson, Reagan Carroll and Delaney Pipes. Students learned to make 2D and 3D shapes using the toothpicks and marshmallows. “The students loved it!” said Ms. Wilson. “It was a great hands-on activity that gave them a visual to see the sides, edges and vertices.”
Kirby Middle School Karate Program Involves More Than 100 Students
Karate is a fixture at Kirby. Every day, six P.E. classes teach karate. An after-school karate club meets for 90 minutes, involving students from 5th grade through 10th grade. For the past four years, students have studied karate’s three focus areas: character, mind and body. To study character, students learn seven principles: justice, courage, kindness, politeness, honesty, honor and loyalty. To study the mind, students learn an “I can” mindset and the importance of getting a great education. To study the body, students learn health exercises to live a long, happy life. Karate at Kirby includes three belt tests each school year. These difficult tests teach students to deal with the stress of life while making good decisions. Students train five hours for 12 weeks for these Bushidokan Belt tests. The first was Nov. 14. So far, the highest student belt rank is Junior Black Belt.
Milam Elementary Student Competes in Wichita Falls Rodeo
A Milam Elementary 4th grade student, Levi, competed in the 2019 Wichita County Mounted Patrol Youth Rodeo and came away with a Reserve Champ belt buckle to show for his efforts. “He loves everything that has to do with the rodeo,” said his teacher Laurie Whisnand. “He was so proud to bring his buckle to share with the class.”
Fowler Students Sell Honorary Spaces to Create Veterans Day Flag Mural
This impressive flag is created by scores of squares, each one purchased in honor of or in memory of a friend or family member. Students combined the squares into a flag to honor them all on Veterans Day.
Kirby Middle School ‘Veterans Day’ Ceremony Honors Kirby’s Own
Veterans Day ceremonies at WFISD schools are events that honor community members, but they also celebrate the service of some of the school's own faculty. At Kirby, Cary Vanarsdall organized this year’s Veterans Day Celebration, setting up an Empty Man’s Table and the playing of TAPS. Students did a flag-folding demonstration. The ceremony honored the veterans who now work at Kirby: Shaun Beasley, Tami Davis, Richard Ross, Cary Vanarsdall, Amaris Wise, Melissa Sausuwan, and Kathleen Roseboom.
Chartwells Teaches Hirschi Teens How to Make the Most of Their Thanksgiving Leftovers
The Chartwells’ K12 program made a stop at Hirschi High School to show high school students how to make the most of their Thanksgiving leftovers. Chef Carrie Richardson and dietitian Sarena Glenn showed students how to make a turkey slider that featured homemade cranberry sauce. Of course, they sampled some sliders, too. “Students chose between a spicy jalapeno cranberry sauce and a mystery herb-infused cranberry sauce,” said Chartwells marketing director Emily Kincaid. “Recipe cards were provided so WFISD students can contribute something extra special to their holiday meal!”
Lamar Elementary Students Receive Fire Safety Training
Last Friday, Fire Station Number 3 visited Lamar Elementary to give fire safety training to students. Pictured: Lamar first-grade classes taught by Ranee McClane, Cynthia Polk and Claudia Lopez explore the fire truck.
Wichita Falls High School Honors ‘Coyote of the Week’
Wichita Falls High School staff reached back in time to resurrect a favorite tradition. They are nominating one student each week to be Coyote of the Week. Every week, one student from each grade level is nominated by staff members for going above and beyond in some way, doing something special, doing great work in the classroom or just being a model student. Students' names are announced over the loud speaker, their names are put in lights on the school billboard, and they receive a drink, a candy bar, a “Coyote of the Week” button, and a handwritten note explaining why they received the award. “’Coyote of the Week’ is something we used to do years ago, and we felt it would be a great way to recognize students once again,” said Assistant Principal Kory Dorman. Pictured: All the COTW winners for September and October.
Rider High School Student Wins California Boxing Tournament
Rider freshman Emmanuel Carrillo is a cross-country runner, a soccer player, a Road to College student, and “an all-around great kid,” said Rider Principal Cody Blair. And now Emmanuel is a boxing champion. Last week, he competed in the National PAL Boxing Championships in Oxnard, Calif. He fought twice against nationally ranked boxers from Missouri and Louisiana, where he won both fights by unanimous decisions. With the victories, he won the PAL Boxing National Championship. To prepare, Emmanuel completed a strict 4-week training camp where he ran 5 miles, worked speed bag drills, and worked out in his own gym before heading to practice from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day except Sunday. He stuck to a strict diet of eggs, tuna, salmon, chicken and vegetables. He said the hardest part wasn't the fights but all the work leading up to them. "We are very proud to have Emmanuel in our program and love seeing him flourish at Rider and outside," said Dustin Holly.
McNiel Science Students Test Reaction Time in Study of Nervous System
Students in Tim Bragg’s science class tested one another’s reaction time to sight, sound and touch in a unique way. They tossed one another a meter stick and observed reflex responses and voluntary responses. They also measured their reaction times. The lab was part of a study on human body systems, particularly the nervous system. “It was fun watching them enjoy learning how the body works,” said Cheryl Nix, who observed the lesson.
Maintenance Crew Choir Dreams of White Christmas
It’s becoming a favorite tradition: After the WFISD Maintenance team sets up the risers and sound shell for the Christmas Magic bazaar, they test out their handiwork by singing a tune. Here, they sing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas." "These men always come through for us," said Fine Arts Director Kelly Strenski. "Their annual serenade is icing on the cake. They certainly know how to #BeBold.”
Career Education Center’s Fairytale Court Finds Three Little Pigs' Wolf ‘Not Guilty’ of Arson
Students in the CEC’s Law Enforcement class, taught by Autumn Weber, set up a Fairytale Court to try some of the characters in familiar fairy tales. “Fairytale Court is a great introduction to how court works and is easy to adapt, since students know the stories and can create solid defenses,” said Ms. Weber. One class focused on the Three Little Pigs. “When the defense attorney cross-examined one of the pigs, he got the victim to admit he was prejudicial against wolves. The wolf was found ‘not guilty’ of the crime of arson,” said Ms. Weber.
Cunningham Elementary Students Collect Cards for Soldier Care Packages
It all started when Tom Haines from St. Marks Church contacted Cunningham Elementary and asked if students would make cards for Iraq soldiers. He was assembling care packages for the soldiers deployed from Ft. Bragg. Students in pre-K through 5th grade responded by creating cards, said Rebecca Alfert, Cunningham assistant principal. Then 5th graders in Kim White’s social studies class went a step further: They created a memorial for veterans, including posters and pieces of history from family members. Veterans who were invited to eat with students during the week of Veterans Day viewed the special memorial.
Haynes Northwest Academy Teacher Takes Time to Thank Student Each Week
Haynes teacher Madelyn Barron is creating a weekly tradition: She thanks one student each week for working hard and helping others. Her strategy is part of the Haynes’ Gratitude Challenge. “I think my kids need to feel appreciated by their teacher,” said Ms. Barron. “They love it. It makes them feel extra special. It helps me hit everyone’s love language.”
Lamar Elementary Eats Up Luby’s Pie Day
On Tuesday, Luby’s Cafeteria made the best delivery of the year to Lamar Elementary: Pies. For Lamar’s official Pie Day, Luby’s donated pecan pie, cheesecake, cherry pie and chocolate/coconut cream pie, all for staff to enjoy. Pictured here, Lamar Principal Amanda Garcia prepares to cut the pies. Luby’s makes similar deliveries to all WFISD schools and the Education Center throughout the year.
Education Center Staff Serve Thanksgiving Meals at Schools
All year, they write budgets, plan curriculum, write copy, answer phones, hire employees and administrate programs. But on one day this week, every one of the Education Center employees tied on an apron and served parents in the Thanksgiving lunch cafeteria lines at WFISD elementary schools. The volunteer effort provided extra servers for the special Thanksgiving event in schools throughout the District without costing any money, and it also nurtured camaraderie between parents and the schools. The team that served Tuesday in the West Foundation cafeteria is pictured here. Left to right: Kelly Strenski, Travis Armstrong, Jessica Wilkins, Diann Davenport, Jane Ann Bruner, Stephanie Parsons, Scot Hafley.
Kirby Middle School Students Tour Career Education Center
Lamar 2nd Grade Bilingual Class Earns Best Behavior Award for 8th Straight Week
PE Coach Kyle Redding presents a sports trophy to the PE Class of the Week – and one 2nd grade bilingual class under Blanca Brezina has won the best behavior trophy for the past eight weeks. “Our students strive to behave while they are in school and having a recognition like this one is such a great way for them to continue,” said Ms. Brezina.
#IAMWFISD
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.)
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