District in Pictures
April 9, 2020
First Week of School@Home Logs 16,000 Videoconferences with 81,650 Participants
Chartwells Serves More than 50,000 Meals to WFISD Families
Since Chartwells special breakfast/lunch/supper feeding program began with the school lockdown, they have distributed more than 50,000 free meals. Participation has steadily increased as the Texas Department of Agriculture has relaxed its rules, saying that a student need not be present for a parent to pick up his meal, and as word of the free meals has spread throughout the community. Except for supper meals, these numbers are actually lower than what Chartwells would serve on a typical school day. On a typical school day, Chartwells serves 5,000 breakfasts; now they serve about 1,450; at school, they would serve 9,000 lunches but now serve 2,500. But supper meals remain about the same, as Chartwells serves 690 at three sites, and on a normal school day, they would serve 670 at nine sites, according to Chartwells marketing director Emily Kincaid. All meals are part of federal and state programs that reimburse WFISD for meals served. Pictured: Cars line up at Barwise Middle School on Wednesday at 4 p.m. as a volunteer hands out free suppers of BBQ beef and a hot roll.
Technology Specialists Schedule Appointments for Curbside Tech Support
Beginning Tuesday, WFISD’s technology team began offering curbside tech support at Barwise Middle School -- by appointment only -- to students who needed help with their Chromebooks. Curbside tech support is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 am - 11 am and 4 pm - 8 pm. Don't forget to make your appointment because the schedule fills up quickly. To make an appointment, call 940-235-4333 or email techsupport@wfisd.net.
PIE Coordinator Adds on Community Partnership Coordinator Role
January Cadotte, the district coordinator of the Partners in Education program, will take on the leadership of a new program in addition to her current role. She has been selected as the Community Partnership Coordinator to oversee all community giving, including activities of the WFISD Foundation. She replaces former WFISD Foundation Executive Director Cheryl Pappan, who retired in January after 40 years of service to WFISD. Mrs. Cadotte has served with WFISD for seven years. In both roles, she will match community resources to WFISD needs.
Social Worker’s Two Daughters Each Win ‘Teacher of the Year’ Accolade
WFISD social worker David Shipley has something to celebrate during this strange time of COVID-19 quarantine. His two daughters, both teachers, were named “Teacher of the Year” at their respective schools. Daughter Lindsay Rogers (right) is Zundy Elementary’s Teacher of the Year; daughter Lexi Litke (left) is Teacher of the Year for Whiteside Elementary in Lubbock ISD. “Their mother and I are so proud of both of them being named Teacher of the Year at their campuses,” said Mr. Shipley. Neither daughter knows if or how their wins will be celebrated in this unusual year.
Fowler Elementary Teacher Creates Special Learning Space for Google Meets
While Fowler teacher Samantha Griego was wondering if she was “doing this work-from-home thing right,” she decided to set up a specific classroom-like learning space as her backdrop for her Google Meet chats with students. “I sure do miss my classroom and my students, but this little touch makes it seem like we are all together again in our happy place, Room 26 at Fowler Elementary,” she said. The set-up was so convincing that one student asked her if she were still at school.
Franklin Elementary Student Expands Choice Board Assignment to Float His Own Boat, the S.S. Cardboard
When Franklin third-grader Noah Fukasawa looked at the Science Choice Board that his teacher Kelli Doley gave him last week, he selected the activity of making an aluminum foil boat that would hold 40 pennies without sinking. He decided to make an extra-large boat that he could float in his pool. He named the cardboard-and-masking-tape boat The S.S. Cardboard. It held not only 40 pennies but him also. He climbed aboard and, oar in hand, successfully floated across his backyard pool while his mother, Sarah Fukasawa, filmed it all.
Fain Elementary Art Teacher Creates Private Facebook Group for Students
Teachers in Fain’s Art, Music, PE and library started a private Facebook page called "Fain Family Fun at Home." It's for Fain families and students to post art work or to share something fun from their lives. “It is more of a social emotional private group,” said art teacher Audra Roberson-Miller. “We have gotten lots of great pics of artwork, music assignments, physical education and books being read aloud.” Pictured: Students post pictures of Olaf and origami, both projects chosen from the Choice Board on the WFISD web page.
Milam Elementary Teacher Continues Awarding ‘Scientist of the Month’
Despite the pandemic and school closures, some things can still continue as before. Milam 4th grade science/social studies teacher Tara Skipper is still selecting one student to be her Scientist of the Month. “Our new Scientist’s name is Ryder,” she said Monday. “He is planning a lesson or experiment to teach us one day this month. I told him he could video it, and we could watch it that way, or he could do it live on Google Meets one day.” She is sure he will come up with something fun for his fellow students to watch and maybe even try at home.
Rider High School Band Member Gives New Definition to ‘Distance Learning’
When Rider foreign exchange student Allie Esteban was sent home early because of Covid-19, she sent back photos documenting that she is still doing her class work from her home in Spain (pictured in Spain, far right). She played oboe for the Rider band until the Spanish government asked all citizens to return home because they were closing entry to their country for an unspecified amount of time. Another foreign exchange student from South Korea, Juhye Tak, remains in Wichita Falls – one of the few left here, said Rider Band Director Loy Studer. “She is a triplet and both her siblings are foreign exchange students in the U.S. Her parent felt it was safer for them to stay put.”
Wichita Falls High School Coach Stays in Touch by Video
When Coyote Coach Grant Freeman wanted to send out a message to his athletes, he posted a video on Twitter. Turns out a video is a good way to direct students to Google Classroom and to information about workouts and locations of WFISD meals.
Lamar Elementary Teacher Figures Out How to Share the Week’s Writing
If students were in class, Lamar teacher Claudia Lopez would have them read to her what they wrote during the week. But how do you do that with online learning? The same way! “They read to me whatever they wrote during the week,” said Ms. Lopez. “We are following the District’s school@home curriculum, and they are encouraged to share a photo of their work. I make corrections or revise their work. They correct it and send a new picture.”
Kirby Middle School Celebrates its Social Worker and Paraprofessionals
The Corononavirus may have shuttered all WFISD schools for now, but special appreciation days like Social Worker Appreciation Day on March 24 and Paraprofessional Day on April 1 are popping up on the calendar just as if school were in session. So the Kirby team sent a shout-out to its favorite social worker, DeNeka Johnson (pictured below, left), and to its team of paraprofessionals (pictured, right). “We are so thankful to have each and every one of them on our staff,” said Kirby Principal Shannon Cunningham.
WFISD Conducts Virtual Job Fair for Two Weeks
Trying to hire a top-notch staff during a quarantine is pulling new creativity out of WFISD’s Human Resources staff. This week marked the first week of WFISD’s two-week Virtual Job Fair. But what is a Virtual Job Fair? The two-phase process begins with candidates registering by creating and uploading a 2-minute Flipgrid video and a resume and by completing an online job application. In Phase 2, a district representative will contact each candidate to set up a Google Hangout and chat for several minutes. Principals will then select candidates for formal interviews.
Sheppard Elementary Students Read to Pets
As part of Sheppard Elementary’s Spirit Week Monday, students accepted a fun challenge: They read to their pets or to a stuffed animal.
Special Needs Fund Used to Meet Quarantine Needs
The WFISD Special Needs Account was useful this week in providing funds needed to purchase food boxes for needy families who have no transportation to take advantage of other food options. Debbie Gonzalez and David Shipley helped ready food boxes for distribution to families who were selected by counselors as needing help.
Sheppard Elementary Teachers Greet Students
There’s more than one way to say “hi” to your students. Here, Sheppard teachers took photos of themselves and created a special school-wide greeting.
Lamar Students Continue Science Project at Home
Lamar students learned how to grow cabbages as their third-grade science project. When they took them home to watch them grow over spring break, they had no idea what a good way it would be to continue the lesson. “Even during these virtual learning times, students are still taking care of their plants,” said teacher Robert Maxwell.
Fowler Elementary Student Incorporates Crochet Talent into School Work
Fowler fourth-grade teacher Kristi Moffett has watched one of her students incorporate her love for crochet into several school projects. When the class did its egg drop experiment, she crocheted something to hold her egg instead of using supplies from around the house. Recently, she crocheted a face mask and uploaded a picture for her teacher to see. “She is very creative and constantly thinks outside the box,” said Ms. Moffett. “I love seeing what she comes up with.”
Rider High School Team Makes Home Deliveries
Making home deliveries isn’t the typical job requirement of high school administrators, but the team at Rider was willing to branch out into “other duties as assigned.” They stayed safe, but they made sure that any Rider student who needed a paper school@home packet got one.
Zundy Elementary Teacher Pushes Herself to Achieve New Goals – Even Now
Even now, or perhaps especially now, Zundy bilingual/ESL kinder teacher Jessica Rivers is pushing herself to try new things. Until now, she hasn’t had the confidence to record herself reading a book. But now she is recording herself reading a book a week for her students. “Every time we meet through Google Meet, I ask them questions about the story. We review our 20 sight words every week, we review numbers, and we play a game to review additions,” she said. “We say ‘hi’ to each other, share good things, and I ask if they need anything. I feel like I am not doing a lot, but the small things I am doing is with love.” Pictured: A student snapped this photo of her teacher reading, then sent it to her, which gave her courage to read to them more.
'Goodnight Wichita Falls' Read-a-book Event Continues with Celebrity Readers
WFISD students who want to hear a bedtime story can tune into WFISD’s Facebook page each night at 8 p.m. Each week night, a celebrity reader reads through a Scholastic book. Times Record News Editor Deanna Watson (pictured) launched the week by reading “Cuddly Dudley,” by Jez Alborough. Other celebrity readers included Federal Programs Assistant Director Ana Griffiths, who read a story in her native Spanish, and KFDX broadcaster Tobin McDuff.
Milam Elementary Teacher Sees Effectiveness of School@Home Close Up
When you’re a teacher like Milam’s Shannon White – with a class to teach and your own child at home, ready to learn – you get a window into the effectiveness of the school@home curriculum as a teacher and parent. She sent kudos to WFISD’s Early Learning staff for creating an inspiring Math Choice Board for her pre-K daughter. “We played ‘Jump to the Number,’ and my child loved it so much, she asked for me to give her numbers all the way to 20, then made her own number path!” Ms. White has been thankful that she can actively participate in her own child’s learning. “Before all of this, I only got to hear about my daughter’s school day. Now each day, I get to facilitate it!” she said.
Cunningham Teacher Makes 66 Journal Deliveries
Lamar Elementary Teacher Reads Book to Her Students with Her Pets’ Help
Lamar first-grade teacher Ranee McClane involved her two donkeys, Hannah and Molly, in her reading of the book, "Too Tight Shoes," by Evangeline Nicholas. “Students loved meeting their teacher’s pets,” said Lamar Principal Amanda Garcia.
Rider High School Band Sets Up Virtual Meetings
Perhaps one lesson that will come out of the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine will be that many, if not most, meetings can work online. After all, life must go on. The Rider band members and parent meetings continued Tuesday for returning members and new members.
Fowler Teacher Gets Engaged During Quarantine
Samantha Griego, a Fowler Elementary teacher, reminded us this week that good things continue, despite the frightening news of the pandemic. She became engaged to her junior high school sweetheart, Luke Rallis, on Sunday, April 5. The two met in 7th grade at Zundy Middle School and were junior high sweethearts, then just friends until their senior year at Rider. Since April 5 marked their fifth year of dating, Luke – unsure of how long the quarantine would last – chose that day to set up a picnic and propose at the park. “We made our best efforts to practice social distancing,” said Ms. Griego. “The quarantine actually provides us with plenty of time to really think about what we want for our big day. We are feeling grateful to have found such a happy experience during this strange time.”
#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.)
Email: athomas@wfisd.net
Website: www.wfisd.net
Location: 1104 Broad Street, Wichita Falls, TX, USA
Phone: (940)235-1004
Twitter: @WFISDschools