District in Pictures
March 1, 2024
West Foundation Honors Dr. Seuss With Dress Up Day
TAG Students Use Technology in Deforestation Unit
In a recent unit, 5th grade TAG students worked to answer the question: How can we use robotic technology to help with deforestation efforts in the Amazon Rainforest? Students learned about biodiversity, the effects of deforestation, and Brazil’s recent efforts to protect the Amazon. Students learned to code Spheros, and how to build VEX IQ Robots. Each team of students worked together using their tech to solve one of the following scenarios:
- collect and remove deforested debris
- create a Sphero seeding machine to disperse seeds
- design a robotic extension to attach a recording device in the Amazon canopy
- create a Sphero attachment to transport seed pods
McNiel Students Receive a Lesson in Nutrition
Eighth graders in Courtney Reames' class at McNiel Middle School are being taught about healthy eating through a pilot program by Texas A&M AgriLife. This week, they applied their knowledge by creating a nutritious snack. They made a fruit and yogurt parfait and a spinach and apple salad. Afterward, the students sampled their work!
Community Shows Support for Hirschi Basketball
The Hirschi High School community showed their support for the Husky boys basketball team and cheerleaders this week. They provided the students with a team dinner in the Hirschi library before they headed out of town for the regional quarter finals.
Cunningham Teacher of the Year Receives Yard Card Surprise
Last week, Meredith Hernandez was informed that she was voted Teacher of the Year by her Cunningham Elementary colleagues. In addition to the announcement, she also received a sweet surprise from Cunningham principal, Amy Simmons. "My principal was so thoughtful and put this sign out front of the school," said Mrs. Hernandez. "My class was so excited!"
WFHS National Art Honor Society Displays Work at Home & Garden Show
On February 25, the Wichita Falls High School chapter of the National Art Honor Society set up a booth at the Home & Garden show at the MPEC and displayed some recent work. They also promoted the WFISD Student Art Exhibition that will take place from March 18-21 at the Forum. The exhibition at The Forum will showcase works from all three high schools one last time. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Rider Students Awarded MSU Redwine Scholarship
Steve Garrison of Midwestern State University presented the Redwine Honors Program Presidential Scholarship to 2 of Rider High School's seniors, Damaya Phillips and Trinity Munoz. MSU awards only five of these scholarships each year, making it a huge honor and accomplishment to be chosen. Both students will receive a $10,000 scholarship each year for up to 4 years of enrollment and will be eligible to participate in study abroad, research opportunities, mentorships and residency in Honors housing. Congratulations to both Damaya and Trinity for all their hard work and commitment to continuing their education.
Franklin "Doctors" Show Off Letter and Number Knowledge
Franklin kindergarten students transformed into doctors on Friday, February 23! The doctors put all their knowledge of letters and numbers to use to perform surgery, bandage boo-boos, look at X-rays, and fill out charts and paperwork. The entire day was filled with medical themed academic activities! The doctors even had proper medical gear to get them safely through their day.
Bingos, Books and Brownies!
Milam Elementary hosted their Spring parent engagement event on February 29. The event was called Bingos, Books, and Brownies. Students played Bingo to win books while enjoying brownies. Families could also visit our Spring Book Fair. A fun time was had by everyone in attendance.
What a Wild Ride!
Fourth grade TAG students recently finished their unit on Egypt by utilizing special technology --- Spheros, Tello drones, and Airblock hovercrafts! Students used the Engineering Design Process to answer the question: How can we use technology to help with land and water resource management in Egypt? They learned how to drive the drone, hovercraft, and program/drive the Sphero Bolts. They also designed an Egyptian landscape using the digital design program Tinkercad. During their research, they learned that Egypt is currently working to build the world’s largest artificial river as a solution to water scarcity. Finally, students partnered up to build a Sphero attachment to transport construction supplies across the Egyptian landscape.
Burgess Shape Sorters
Students in Mrs. Hutchins' first grade class at Burgess Elementary had a shape feast this week. While covering their shape unit, the students sorted the three-dimensional snacks into their respective categories. Once they completed the assignment, the class was able to snack on their work!
Third Grade TAG Students Complete Arctic Circle Unit
Third grade TAG students completed a culminating activity for their Arctic Circle unit. "One of our goals for this unit was to introduce our students to computer programming," said Shasta Smith, GT Teacher. Throughout this unit, students learned about transportation challenges in the Arctic tundra and coding with Sphero technology. During the challenge, students participated in a mock Iditarod race where they designed a Sphero-driven sled to transport goods throughout cities within the Arctic Circle.
Community Relations Team Awarded at Annual Banquet
Congratulations to the Community Relations Department. This week, members of the Community Relations Department attended the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) conference in Sugar Land. During the annual awards reception, January Cadotte, Ashley Thomas and Chad Johnson received numerous awards for their marketing and public relations efforts during the 22-23 school year. The team walked away with 4 Silver Star Awards, 8 Gold Star Awards, 2 Best in Category Awards and 1 Crystal Award.
#TellYourWFISDStory
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 feature, please let us know by completing the form at the following link: www.wfisd.net/dip. We would love to include you in our weekly district news.