District in Pictures
May 3, 2019
Kirby Middle School Celebrates Its State Champion in Number Sense
Sixteen Kirby Middle School students competed at the state Texas Math and Science Coaches Association championship in San Antonio last week, with eighth-grader Anika Sharmila (pictured left) emerging as the State Champion in Number Sense. The Kirby Number Sense Team placed second in the state overall, with seventh-grader Ann James (pictured top right) placing as the Number Sense State Runner-Up. Mohammed Sharar took fourth place. The Math Team and Science Team each took 5th place overall. “It has been a great day,” said Gwenna Gallenberger, UIL coordinator and Kirby 8th grade science teacher.
Haynes Northwest Academy Receives HRS Level 2 Accreditation
On Wednesday, Haynes Northwest Academy learned that the northwest elementary school was officially Level 2 certified in the Marzano High Reliability Schools system. Level 2 certifies that Haynes, under the direction of Principal Lori Apple (center), has effective teaching going on in every classroom.
Cunningham Elementary Receives HRS Level 1 Accreditation
Cunningham Elementary staff members learned Wednesday that their school succeeded in attaining the Marzano High Reliability Schools Level 1 certification. Level 1 certifies that Cunningham has a safe, supportive and collaborative culture – the first step in a five-step measure of school competencies. Cunningham's principal is Ashley Davis, pictured second from left.
Annual VASE Contest Brings Two State Gold Medals to Wichita Falls High School, One State Gold Medal to Rider High School
Ten WFISD students competed at the state level Visual Art Scholastic Event, or VASE, and three students earned state gold medals for their art work. The three state gold medal winners are Rider High School’s Ryann Ashlock, Wichita Falls High School’s Keely Foster and WFHS’s Faith Page. These students’ pieces are among the top of the 37,000 entries from around the state, with gold medals awarded to Rating IV Exemplary pieces, a ranking second only to Gold Seal awards that are awarded to the top 7 percent of state qualifying pieces.
22 WFISD Students Compete, 4 Place in TAME Competition
Four WFISD students placed in the Top 10 in competitions with the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, or TAME. Twenty-two WFISD students faced a design challenge as part of the 34th Annual State STEM competition. The event, sponsored by ConocoPhillips, was held at the Forest Glen Camp in Huntsville, Texas. Barwise Middle School student Abby Schreiber won 3rd place in the Engineering Design Challenge; Rider High School student Hung Dao won 3rd place in 12th Grade Math and 3rd place in 12th Grade Science; Wichita Falls High School student Robert Horvath won 6th place in 10th Grade Math; WFHS student Ellera Ashish won 5th place in the Engineering Design Challenge.
CEC’s ‘Crisco Kids’ Are Weight Loss Winners with Combined Weight Loss of 140 Pounds
The HealthyWage $10,000 School District Wellness Challenge that began in January is now complete. Participants competed in teams of five to lose the greatest percentage of weight in 12 weeks. WFISD’s 56 participants lost a total of 647 pounds, with an average weight loss per person of 11.6 pounds, or 5.3 percent. The CEC team, Crisco Kids, was the top losing team, winning $1,500 for a total 12.42 percentage weight loss, ranking No. 8 out of 331 teams. Crisco Kids (Synthia Kirby, Jeff Davis, Jennifer Spurgers, John Davis, Larry Krugle) lost a combined total of 140 pounds since January 25. Team members Synthia Kirby lost 33 pounds; Jeff Davis lost 38.8 pounds. Top 3 WFISD teams also included Fat Principals (Ashley Davis, Mark Davis, Tristan Browne, Laura Scott, Kristen Sarafis) who lost a total of 7.35 percent and ranked No. 59, and Fallstown Losers (Cathy Nielson, Adrian Cargal, Channdra Scott, Jennifer Sweeney, Bethany Calloway) who lost 6.98 percent and ranked No. 63. Top WFISD employee losers: Synthia Kirby (18.38%), Jeff Davis (15.51%) and Linda Jones (14.72%), Jennifer Spurgers (13.95%), Cathy Nielson (12.10 %). The 49 female participants out-lost the 7 male participants, 509.33 pounds to 137.53 pounds.
CEC Plant Sale Raises More Than $3,000
Horticulture students at the Career Education Center have been selling plants grown from cuttings or seeds and reaping a nice profit. So far, they’ve sold more than $3,000 in plants and succulents that they’ve grown themselves. “The most enjoyable part of the plant sale is the students hearing the customers’ oooohs and ahhhhs at the plants they’ve grown,” said instructor Amber West. Students do all the weeding, pruning, pest management and planting. Profits will be returned to the program to purchase next year’s supplies and plants. The sale at WFISD’s CEC Greenhouse continues, although the Greenhouse will be closed Thursday, May 9. To set up a time to browse and buy plants, email awest@wfisd.net.
Scotland Park Students Work a Lemonade Stand for ‘Lemonade Day’
The Student Council members at Scotland Park set up a lemonade stand at 8th and Indiana Street in downtown Wichita Falls on Saturday for the city’s annual Lemonade Day. “They were assisted by Midwestern State University students, who put on some training classes and were advisors throughout the process,” said Joe Clement, Scotland Park at-risk coordinator. “A lot was learned about the skills to set up a business.” Students learned about loans, profits, the importance of location and many other challenges faced by successful business owners. Scotland Park Student Council sponsors are Mrs. Ashley Thomas and Mrs. Anna Bryant.
Kirby Middle School Student Uses Karate Lesson’s Folk Story to Inspire Art
Kirby seventh-grader Libby Martinez was so inspired by an ancient Asian folk story about a dragon-wrestling tiger told by her karate teacher Gene Silverstrand that she set to work on a special drawing. During the next 10 hours, she used Sharpie pens to draw a colorful beast that was half tiger, half dragon. As the story goes, the tiger searches the forest for something to attack or fight. He is aggressive and hungers for a life-and-death battle. His motivations are self-serving. However, the dragon flies happily among the clouds and treasures peace in his world. He has a higher consciousness and strives to protect the innocent. He observes the tiger and his intentions and feels he can do the greatest good by engaging with the tiger and controlling his aggressive actions. The two wrestle in a deadly battle, with both sides equally matched in speed and power. “Libby is just the best!” said Mr. Silverstrand. “That little girl has such a bright future!”
WFISD Firecrackers Team Competes in Special Olympics Spring Games
Twenty special education students on the WFISD Firecrackers team – past and present students alike – competed April 20 in the Special Olympics Spring Games, held at Iowa Park High School. The students were coached by Siobhan Loyd, Ben Milam student support teacher and a new coach and head of delegation, along with Adaptive Physical Education teacher Jay Kaster and Milam Assistant Principal Willis Norton. In one track event, four Firecrackers did so well that they earned gold, silver or bronze medals. “It was a great day for the students,” said Ms. Loyd.
McNiel Middle School Theater, Social Studies Students Collaborate to Make History Come Alive
McNiel social studies teacher Melanie Wright and McNiel theatre arts teacher Zac Jackson teamed up to provide their students with a unique, cross-curricular activity. Mrs. Wright’s seventh- and eighth-grade history students researched events leading up to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. The history students then provided information about specific historical events, such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, to Mr. Jackson’s Theatre 1 and Theatre 2 students. Using their research, the theatre students wrote scripts for one-act plays, interjecting humor or putting a modern twist on the historical events, such as creating a talk show featuring King George III as guest. Then, they performed the plays for the history students. Pictured: Mr. Jackson’s Theatre 2 students hold title signs for their plays.
Jefferson Elementary Teacher Procures Seattle Keepsake for Homesick Student
One day, Jefferson Elementary teacher Carly Guilliams was talking to Benjamin, one of her students who had moved last summer from Seattle, Washington, to Wichita Falls. He told her how much he missed his old city and school. He hoped to return for a visit sometime, but he didn’t know when that would happen. That got Ms. Guilliams thinking. “One of my best friends lives in Seattle, so I asked her if she could send him a little souvenir, since he was homesick,” said Ms. Guilliams. “The look on his face when he opened the gift was priceless. I will never forget that moment. He was so happy and appreciative.”
CEC Graphic Design Students Make WFISD Sticker for Board Member’s Race Car
WFISD Board Member Mike Rucker’s race car has plenty of embellishments, but it was missing the most important one: a WFISD sticker. Graphic Design students at the Career Education Center came to the rescue. They took the small WFISD emblem, enlarged it using Adobe Illustrator, then printed it on vinyl and did a contour cut, said Graphic Design instructor Tandy Roberts. Today, the vinyl sticker has a prominent place on Mr. Rucker’s “John 3:16” race car.
Two Electrical Technology Students Wire up Panel Board
Electrical Technology students Nicholas Luebke (left) and Colin Myers (right) used their expertise to take on a special project at the CEC’s first home-build. They wired the panel board for electricity to the house.
Lamar Elementary Teacher Surprises Students with Their Own STAAR Posters
Two years ago, Lamar Elementary teacher Cristina Miser taught second-graders who wanted to encourage their older peers at the year’s STAAR Pep Rally. So they created posters to cheer on the fourth-graders that year. Fast-forward two years. Now Ms. Miser is teaching those same students, who are now in her fourth-grade class. So when she was looking for inspirational posters for her students, she remembered their past posters packed in a box that she moved into her classroom when she moved to fourth-grade during the summer. She and a fellow teacher dug them out, laminated them and hung them all over campus. She knew her fourth-graders would recognize their old work. They did! She knew they would be surprised to see them rehung. They were! “There were lots of ‘oooooooos’ and ‘Remember when we drew that?’” said Ms. Miser. “Sometimes it’s OK to be a hoarder!”
Rider High School, Wichita Falls High School Get Resurfaced Tennis Courts
The tennis action at Rider High School will happen this year on nine newly resurfaced tennis courts. The courts were last resurfaced in 2011. “It was long overdue. They look great,” said Rider Tennis Coach Kyle Apperson. He has 25 players on the JV/Varsity team and 90 students who use the courts for physical education tennis. Across town, Wichita Falls High School’s eight tennis courts were also resurfaced to ready them for a new year of competition. The Hirschi High School tennis courts were resurfaced last year.
Fain Elementary Teacher Creates 'Lewis Motor Speedway' as STAAR Review
What type of STAAR review would you invent for your third-grade math students if you were a huge Nascar fan? That was a no-brainer for Fain teacher Kristen Lewis. She turned her room into a race track -- the Lewis Motor Speedway -- and set out Nascar memorabilia that she has acquired over the years. Then she divided students into teams of three. “Each ‘lap’ consisted of three STAAR questions,” said Ms. Lewis. “After they completed those questions, they had a ‘pit stop,’ which was a brain-teaser-type question. The team that completed the ‘laps’ first got to celebrate in Victory Lane. Students were very engaged and really enjoyed it.”
Three Students Receive Fellowship of Christian Athletes ‘Impact Player Award’
At the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Night of Champions Banquet, three athletes received the FCA Impact Player Award. They are (from left to right) Wichita Falls High School senior Emma Kuhrt, who played varsity softball; Rider senior Ty Caswell, who played varsity basketball, and Rider High School senior Devon Browning, who played varsity volleyball.
Booker T. Washington Elementary Teacher Sets Up ‘Survivor Island’ for STAAR Review
Janet Hughes, a fifth-grade science teacher at Booker T. Washington Elementary, has taken her three classes of fifth-graders to Survivor Island this year for their STAAR review. She placed each student in a tribe, where they participated in challenges to earn resources -- such as fire, fresh water, space, shelter and food -- so their tribe can survive. They earn points to stay on Survivor Island. “For example, the first day, they built a structure with 10 cups. One person from each tribe got a chance to throw a bean bag and knock down another tribe’s structure. If your structure survived, the tribe earned a Shelter Resource Card,” said Ms. Hughes. On the final day, she will bring all her classes together so all tribe members can participate together in one big review to earn their final resources. “Anything to keep them motivated til May 15, the final STAAR testing day!” she said.
Three Welding Students Place at Ranger College’s First Welding Competition
A week ago, Welding Technology Instructor B.C. Gilbert took seven of his Welding 1 students to an out-of-town competition to let them test their welding skills. They competed at Ranger College’s First Welding Competition in Stephenville, Texas. Three students placed in the Top 10: (left to right) Hirschi student Ethan Boren took 2nd place and 4th overall; Wichita Falls High School student Ruben Mendoza took 3rd place; WFHS student Luis Martell took 7th place.
Barwise Middle School Math Club Competes in TMSCA Competition
Barwise seventh-grader Chaitan Reddy placed 9th out of 117 5A-seventh graders at TMSCA’s Number Sense competition in San Antonio last weekend. Students from Barwise, McNiel, and Kirby participated in the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association Championship. The Barwise Middle School team took 17th place out of 52 5A schools that competed. Pictured left to right: Robert Salas, Luke Meador, Llovani Duran, Wilson Taing, Camden Stewart, and Mrs. Aranda.
Zundy Elementary Offers Little Free Library
It took a village to bring The Little Free Library to Zundy Elementary. United Way brought the materials and books; a WFISD maintenance team assembled it, and teacher Chelsey Mawson, pictured, is monitoring it and keeping it filled with books. “It is a community effort,” said Ms. Mawson.
Rider High School Students Solder Copper Pipe as Litmus Test
When students take an Introduction to Construction class, they’re studying a wide range of careers in construction, electrical and plumbing fields. To help students figure out what they most enjoy so they can narrow their focus as they move forward, electrical technology instructor Chris Wilbur gives them projects that introduce them to the skills of various careers. He asked Rider High School students in his Introduction to Construction class to solder copper pipe, a project designed to spark or identify an interest in plumbing. Here, the students show off their soldered pipes.
Wichita Falls High School Principal Recognized for JROTC Award
At Wichita Falls High School, Commanders Joel Jimenez and Larry Main recognized WFHS Principal Christy Nash (far left) for her leadership that led to WFHS JROTC Battalion Commander Caitlin Dawson receiving the Nationally Accredited Award of Honor Unit with Distinction. This award is obtained by scoring a 95 or above during the JROTC triennial accreditation inspection from the 5th Brigade United States Army Cadet Command. Pictured left to right: Ms. Nash, Joel Jimenez, Caitlin Dawson, Larry Main of the Disabled American Veterans’ Chapter 41.
CEC Students 3D-Print Mini Gutenberg Press
When the CEC hosted an Open House in February, Midwestern State University professor Catherine Prose visited Jeff Davis’ engineering and robotics classroom and was interested in the 3D printing done there. Then she made a request. “She expressed interest in 3D printing a desktop Gutenberg Press,” said Mr. Davis of the invention originally created in 1440. “We created two separate plates; one for a history lesson and the other as a printable business card. It turned out pretty awesome.”
Unstoppable Crockett Elementary Teacher Goes to Plan B When Internet Goes Down
When the Internet went down one morning last week, Crockett teacher Mariah Sutherland segued into her Plan B: Math games. Students played multiplication war with playing cards, Connect Four to practice multiplication, a board game called “Divide, Multiply & Conquer,” and “Race to Zero,” which is a subtraction game played with dice. “Technology is a wonderful thing, but I firmly believe kids need to take a break now and then!” said Ms. Sutherland. “I think the kids really enjoyed that break and doing things that are more kinesthetic. My math games always have a purpose, even if the kids do not realize the purpose.” She knows her students enjoyed the games because when the Internet came back up, students complained, so they continued with math games for the remainder of the class period.
Milam Elementary STEAM Club Students Make Plastic from….Milk
You already know that you can use milk to make butter, cheese and ice cream. But did you know you can use it to make plastic? That was commonplace in the early 1900s. Fourth-grade STEAM Club students learned that milk was used to manufacture buttons, buckles, beads and jewelry – even to make jewelry for Queen Mary of England. Tara Skipper led the group in heating milk and adding an acid (vinegar), which makes the protein molecules in milk reorganize so they can be scooped up and molded. “We had to do some trial and error measuring and heating, but they had fun doing it!” said Ms. Skipper.
Five Wichita Falls High School Students Sign with Midwestern State University for Art Majors, Minors
Five Wichita Falls High School seniors will pursue their art interests with art majors or minors at Midwestern State University next fall. In a ceremony Monday, four of the five formally signed with MSU. “They have done good work here, and I’m expecting them to do good work at MSU,” said WFHS art teacher Chris Mayfield. Pictured left to right: Daniel Portillo, Kayla Contreras, Eliana Beggs, and Nevin Diaz. Not pictured: Caitlin Dawson.
WFISD Job Fair Welcomes Potential Hires
WFISD staff members found unique ways of welcoming potential new hires Saturday at WFISD’s Job Fair. Pictured here, curriculum specialists showed up in camouflage gear "hunting for great teachers." The event took place at the Career Education Center. Left to right: Kory Dorman, Shera Rasmussen, Mae Walker, Sherry Parker, Taleigha Murray, Steve Henderson, Kristen Sarafis, Debbie Dipprey.
PreK and Kindergarten Round-Up Concludes -- For Now
Early Childhood staff members welcomed in new parents to sign their children up for preK and kindergarten on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. For the first time, the Prek and Kindergarten Round-Ups were held at Region 9 Education Center. However, because of stormy weather, WFISD will re-open Round-Ups at a later time, just in case the weather prevented some parents from coming. Future dates will be posted on Facebook, according to Ashley Thomas, communications officer.
Rider High School Yearbook Team Celebrates New Book
This week, the Rider High School Yearbook Staff rejoiced at the delivery of 62 boxes of new yearbooks. “I always love when the staff members get to see the yearbook for the first time and hold it in their hands,” said Rider journalism teacher Alexandra McClung. “It’s an incredible experience to see their faces light up because they can physically see and touch their hard work.” Twenty-three students produced The Raider 2019 book.
Ben Franklin Elementary Choir Sings for Assisted Living Communities
The Ben Franklin Choir, led by Abi Parker, spent one day this week visiting assisted living communities. They performed their favorite music pieces, then took time to shake hands and chat with audience members.
Hirschi High School Students Attend #EduHam, Hamilton in Dallas
On Thursday, 38 Hirschi High School students attended #EduHam, an educational experience provided through the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, that focuses on the founding of the United States. “We watched 15 students’ performances that adapted moments in American history for a modern audience,” said Hirschi English teacher Chanea Bond. “Our own Venus Shirazy was one of the performers chosen.” Students attended a question-and-answer session with the cast and crew, then watched Hamilton at Dallas Fair Park.
Cunningham Fourth Grade Writing Teacher Opens Italian Restaurant for a Day
Daryl Trotta, a Cunningham fourth-grade writing teacher, opened an Italian restaurant this week as a backdrop to practice editing. At the Punctuano’s Ristorante Italiano, students practiced punctuation by using pastas that, with their curved shapes, make remarkably tactile punctuation marks like commas, quotation marks, conjunctions and apostrophes. “Students edited restaurant reviews and created their own second course,” said teacher Daryl Trotta. “It wouldn’t be complete without a sweet treat….an Andes chocolate mint!”
Zundy Elementary Turns ‘Cinco de Mayo’ into ‘Cinco de STAAR’ Event
On Thursday evening, Zundy Elementary students of all grade levels welcomed their families into their classrooms for their “Cinco de STAAR” event. Family members participated with their children in STAAR review activities. The event included a homemade salsa competition, with everyone voting for their favorite. Winner was Tina Burney. The climax of the evening was a student performance of kinders through third-graders who re-enacted the Battle of Puebla with dancing and singing.
Retirement Breakfast Honors Soon-to-be Retirees
The final bell is about to ring in the careers of educators who were honored at a Retirement Breakfast Friday. The event was held at Southern Jeweled Warehouse. The retirees have over 1,000 years of service to WFISD. Retirees - thank you for all you have done to impact the lives of students in our district! Enjoy your retirement!
#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
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