Fort Worth ISD | "Did You Know?"
Week of October 29 - November 5
GOLD SEAL EXPO, OPEN HOUSE EVENTS SET FOR NOVEMBER
Learn about Fort Worth ISD’s Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice at expo and open house events this November.
Students and families have opportunities to explore pathways to colleges and careers at Choices Expo, school and neighborhood open house events. More than 12,600 postcards were mailed to families with fifth- and eighth-grade children this week with information about upcoming key Gold Seal dates.
Students can begin submitting online applications for FWISD’s Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice, Friday November 9. Because all applications are now submitted online, it’s extremely important that parents have an active email address prior to starting the application process. District employees submitting applications for their own children may use their active directory login.
Choices Expo is slated for:
- 4-7 p.m. Friday, November 9
- 9 a.m.- noon Saturday, November 10
Online Gold Seal applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Friday, December 7.
Assistance will also be available through counselors and College and Career Readiness coordinators at FWISD campuses.
For more details, visit www.fwisd.org/choice or contact Ms. Ponder at karen.ponder@fwisd.org or call the Gold Seal office at 817-814-2584.
LATINO STUDIES COMMUNITY FORUM DATES SET
The District and Texas Christian University’s Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies are partnering to host the forums slated for:
- 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 30 at the North Side High School Culinary Arts Café, 2211 McKinley Ave., Fort Worth
- 6-8 p.m. Monday, November 5 in the Paschal High School Cafeteria, 3001 Forest Park Blvd., Fort Worth
The forum discussions will focus on the following:
- What children are learning about Latino/a culture and history in school
- What parents learned about Latino/a studies in school
- The importance of incorporating Latino/a studies in curriculum
- What the public wants children to learn about Latino/a studies in FWISD classrooms
The 2017-2018 school year, the District developed a similar K-12 overlay curriculum with a focus on African and African-American History and Culture.
FWISD ATHLETES ADVANCE TO UIL STATE FINALS
Whit Dennis, of Paschal High School, is making his second consecutive trip to the state finals after finishing 10th in the Region I 6A meet. Patrick Estes, his teammate, finished 12th and is an individual Top 10 qualifier for state, said Todd Vesely, executive director of athletics.
Eduardo Lopez, of Diamond-Hill Jarvis High School, becomes the first student-athlete in recent history to represent his school in the state meet after finishing seventh in the Region II 4A boys’ race.
Carlos Vellejo, of North Side High School, finished fifth in the Region I race, qualifying him for state.
The UIL Cross Country State Meet is set for Saturday, November 3 in Round Rock.
FWISD ANNOUNCES 2018-2019 CHAIRS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Sixteen Fort Worth ISD teachers have been chosen as the 2018-2019 Academic Chairs for Teaching Excellence. The selected teachers will be conferred with the title of Chair for Teaching Excellence for one year and receive a $5,000 honorarium. The campus of the winner will also receive a banner to be displayed in a prominent location. In addition, a photograph of each winner will be on display at the FWISD Professional Development Center for one year.
The Chairs for Teaching Excellence Luncheon is scheduled for November 14, 2018.
The Chairs for Teaching Excellence program was established in the Fort Worth ISD in 1994. It is modeled after the university-level Chair program and is designed to recognize and reward exemplary teachers. This program is unique because of its role in a public K-12 setting and for its rigorous selection process.
>>Click here for a complete list of sponsors and honorees.
WE REMEMBER ROSEDALE PARK
On Saturday, October 20, the Fort Worth ISD and the Carver Heights neighborhood celebrated the 60th anniversary of the construction of Maudrie M. Walton Elementary School, formerly known as Rosedale Park Elementary. Additional sponsors included the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society.
The Carver Heights neighborhood was one of a few across the country designed as a planned community specifically for professional African-Americans. Originally platted in the late 1940’s, it attracted Black professionals from across the city. The streets bear names such as Ellington, Bunche and Carver, after noted figures in Black History.
Former Star-Telegram journalist Bob Ray Sanders moderated a community forum entitled, “Separate but Excellent: Memories of Academic Achievement, Black History, and Cultural Pride in a Segregated Community Setting.”
Students performed and recognition was given to staff who were among the earliest employees of the school decades ago. Historic photos were also displayed around the school.
Many alumni have strong, passionate memories about the education received in this segregated school community. There were stories about the ‘extended family’ atmosphere and nurturing that many students received, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and cultural pride.
HUNDREDS ATTENDED FWISD HEALTH AND SAFETY FAIR
More than 400 people attended Fort Worth ISD’s annual Health and Safety Fair, hosted Saturday, October 20 by the Student Placement Center.
More than 30 vendors offered resources and information on health insurance, improving one’s overall health and much more. This free event, held at Billingsley Field House, promoted healthy lifestyles among FWISD families.
A total of 34 vendors are participate in the fair including Ident-A-Kid, the nation’s largest child identification program, Aetna, Baylor Scott and White, representatives from the JPS Health Network, Cook Children’s, and the Fort Worth fire and police departments.
While at the fair, 100 students received flu shots. Multiple students were also sent home with prizes including backpacks, jump ropes, frisbees and soccer balls.
READ FORT WORTH WINS $100,000!
Read Fort Worth today received a $100,000 donation from Reliant Energy ® Gives during a special presentation at Fort Worth ISD’s North Hi Mount Elementary.
The Fort Worth ISD joins Read Fort Worth in offering a heartfelt “Thank You” to Reliant and its employees for nominating and promoting Read Fort Worth for this impactful program. Supporters of Read Fort Worth came together to vote over the past week and their turnout was truly amazing.
This donation will make a difference in the lives of children across Fort Worth! #100X25FWTX #ReliantGives
FWISD PARTNERED TO HOST DYSLEXIA RESOURCE FAIR, MEET AND GREET
The Fort Worth ISD partnered with several community organizations to host a Dyslexia Resource Fair and Meet and Greet, Thursday, October 25.
The Dyslexia Resource Fair and Meet and Greet was open to families of children with dyslexia and District teachers and administrators who want to learn more about how to support students. Connect with families of children with dyslexia while also obtaining free resources and learning of services available to children who are struggling as they learn to read.
Among the event’s participating partners were the Fort Worth Public Library, Learning Ally, Understood.org, Discovering Dyslexia of Tarrant County and Bookshare.
BENBROOK MS EIGHTH-GRADERS PARTICIPATE IN STEM GOES RED EVENT
More than 30 Benbrook Middle School eighth-graders participated in the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red North Texas event, Friday, October 19 in Bedford.
The event informed participating students about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers in healthcare.
Some breakout sessions focused on:
- Circuit boards
- Veterinary science
- CPR instruction
- Cardiovascular science and pacemaker simulation
- Robotics
Established in 2017, STEM Goes Red is a four-month education and mentorship program offered to 200 eighth-graders from the Fort Worth, Dallas, Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Irving school districts. The program encourages students to pursue STEM careers.
YWLA, SOUTHWEST HS PARTICIPATE IN STEAM CARNIVAL CTE DAY
The three-day event was hosted October 22-24 at the Education Service Center Region 11 facility. The event was designed to inspire the next generation of inventors with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).
This is not the first time YWLA and Southwest high School have showcased their broadcast and robotics programs.
Earlier this fall, the two schools participated in the Industry Discovery Expo, an event hosted by Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County that celebrated Careers in Texas Industry Week.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ONRAMPS PROVIDES COLLEGE EXPERIENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS
NORTH SIDE, WYATT, TRIMBLE TECH STUDENTS CLINCH TOP HONORS IN ANNUAL IRON CHEF CONTEST
Teams representing Fort Worth ISD’s North Side, O.D. Wyatt, and Trimble Tech High Schools brought home top honors this week at the fourth annual Iron Chef Competition, hosted by Fort Worth’s Community Food Bank.
Culinary students from the three schools were winners in the appetizer, entrée and dessert categories, respectively.
Fort Worth Iron Chef competition is similar to the “Chopped” cooking television show.
The dishes were judged by executive chefs Debbie Berry of Classic Q, Ryan Dawson of Circle T Ranch, and James Gaines, executive chef of Reata restaurant.
Sponsored by Tarrant County College, the Star-Telegram and FedEx Supply Chain, Fort Worth Iron Chef took place Thursday, October 19 at the TCC Trinity River Campus. Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald served as the event emcee.
FORT WORTH ISD RELEASES 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT
It’s here – online and in hard copy – the 2017-2018 Fort Worth ISD Annual Report! The title of the report is “You Belong Here,” because as Superintendent Kent Scribner says in the book’s opening pages, this last year was very much about creating a culture of belonging in our District – a place where everyone, especially students – feel included and valued.
Flip through the pages and relive the big achievements of the year. You’ll also enjoy the special profiles of inspiring students and other members of the Fort Worth ISD family who make it their job to help others know they belong.
FWISD 2019-2020 GOLD SEAL CATALOGS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Students and parents can begin browsing the book to learn about the District’s many Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice and the opportunities they provide.
Published annually, the catalog informs students and their parents of the District’s Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice opportunities, new application process, and lottery information.
“This catalog outlines Fort Worth ISD’s many Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice that can put your child on his or her best pathway for success in college and career,” Superintendent Kent P. Scribner writes in the catalog’s introductory letter. “Instead of asking students what career they want to pursue, let’s ask ‘What kinds of problems do you want to solve, and what experience do you need in order to prepare yourself?’”
For more details and a complete list of scheduled events, visit www.fwisd.org/choice.
FORT WORTH ISD OFFERS COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID HELP SESSIONS
The Fort Worth Independent School District, in conjunction with Tarrant County College and other District partners, will sponsor Fall semester college financial aid sessions in October through December, 2018.
Assistance will be available in both English and Spanish to help parents and students with completing the FAFSA/TASFA application.
All sessions will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m.
>>Click here for session dates and times.
PARENT PORTAL IS OPEN
If you haven't registered for Parent Portal:
- Request access to Parent Portal. Your child's school has up to 5 business days to approve your request.
- Have an account already? Login to the new Parent Portal
For Parent Portal help contact our Parent Info: parentinfo@fwisd.org and 817-814-2070.
FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Email: parentinfo@fwisd.org
Website: www.fwisd.org
Location: 100 North University Drive, NW 259 B
Phone: 817-814-2968
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortworthisd/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @FortWorth_ISD