District in Pictures
March 1, 2019
WFISD Observes National Digital Learning Day for Fourth Year
On Thursday, administrative teams, community members and area school district personnel visited WFISD campuses to watch students in action as they use technology to learn. Digital Learning Day provides a showcase for teachers who are re-imagining school with innovative activities that include collaboration and new digital tools. After touring schools in the morning, participants returned to the Career Education Center to hear WFISD students and teachers discuss how technology and Google G-Suite have transformed their classrooms.
Wichita Falls High School, Rider and Hirschi Art Students Score 67 Gold Medals at VASE
Last Saturday, art students from all three WFISD high schools competed in the Texas Art Education Association’s regional Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). In the contest, WFISD art students earned 67 gold medals for their art pieces. Ten students will advance to the state VASE contest in San Marcos on April 27. Wichita Falls High School students earned 30 golds, Rider students earned 23 golds, and Hirschi students earned 14 golds. State qualifiers at WFHS, under the direction of teacher Chris Mayfield, are Abigail Ruddy, Briana Brown, Keely Foster, Mitzi Mendoza and Faith Page. Rider’s state qualifiers, under the direction of teacher Nancy Gail Kizis, are Ann Bear and Ryann Ashlock; Rider state qualifier under teacher Vicki Harding is Lauren Waters. Hirschi’s state qualifiers, under the direction of teacher Tommy Evans, are Avery Boyle and Venus Shirazy. Mr. Mayfield serves as WFISD’s regional VASE director. Pictured top to bottom: Rider High School, Hirschi High School, Wichita Falls High School.
Career Education Center Students Take Eight First-Place Awards at SkillsUSA Competition
Congratulations are in order for eight Career Education Center students/teams who nabbed first-place awards at the district SkillsUSA contest. Also, kudos to one team who placed second and six students who earned third-place awards. First-place winners: Nick Luebke, electrical; Dale Easterwood, collision; Adrian Escarcega, auto tool ID; Reggie Jackson, plumbing; Jack Cantrell, welding sculpture; Ian Hester, architectural drafting; Ben Howell, Information Technology Services; Auto Service Quiz Bowl participants Carlos Carmona, Adrian Escarcega, Garrett Koetter, Bobby Nettles, Matthew Oblisk, Jarek Stachowiak and Ivan Torres. Second-place winner: Robotics Team B. Third-place winners: Bobby Nettles, electrical; Kris Spraggins, CPR; Matthew Obelisk, auto tool ID; Bodie Oliver, welding; Robotics Team C. (Robotics team B and C members included Darius Williams, Bernard Saenz, Adrian Noah, and Michael Oates.)
Sheppard Elementary Jets Become UIL District Champions
The Sheppard Elementary Jets took first place at the UIL District competition last week, which was held at the Career Education Center. “All that hard work paid off!” said Principal Cindy Waddell. Twenty-four Sheppard students participated at the district level. Thirty-two students traveled to Graham ISD to compete in the regional meet. “Students have been working each week since November with their coaches,” said Ms. Waddell. Sara Rennhack is the campus UIL Coordinator.
Kirby Middle School Science Teacher’s Photos Win Display Space in Midwestern State University Library Renovation
You won’t be able to miss the display of Michael Mitchell’s two photos in Midwestern State University’s Moffett Library renovation because they will be so large: 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Mr. Mitchell is a Kirby Middle School science teacher, but he picked up photography skills when he worked for the Boy Scouts of America in San Angelo, traveling 21,000 square miles of West Texas and taking photos along the way. Mr. Mitchell is pictured here holding small versions of the photos that will be displayed. See more of his work at www.howlingcoyotephotography.com.
Community Relations Team Brings in 10 Merit Awards
WFISD’s Community Relations team won five gold and four silver Awards of Merit and one Crystal Commendation for a variety of printed projects produced for events throughout the year. The awards were among 1,400 entries and 500 winners acknowledged at TSPRA, the annual conference for Texas school public relations professionals. Pictured left to right: Webmaster Jessica Wilkins, Secretary Mandy Salas, Communications Specialist Ann Work Goodrich, and Communications Officer Ashley Thomas.
Zundy Elementary Third-Grader’s Recycled Project Wins $500 Prize
The Arts Alive! Home & Garden Festival hosted a first this year: A Recycled Art Contest that drew 120 entries from WFISD students and other local schools. Two WFISD students were recognized for their art work. Valeria Granados, a Zundy third-grader under the direction of art teacher Reanna Lee, won the kinder-5th category for “Fancy the Weenie Dog,” which she made with old toys as a memorial to teacher Tory Conner’s dog, Fancy, who recently died. She won $250, which was put into a bank account for her, and $250 for her school from Texoma Community Credit Union. Southern Hills third-grader Jacob Wuensche, under the direction of art teacher Stacey Barton, created “Sea Serpent” and received Honorable Mention in the kinder-5th category. Texoma with Kids also sponsored the contest.
Zundy Elementary and Lamar Elementary Teachers Team Up to Link Classrooms Through Google Hangouts
Imagine you are in first-grade, and you have a partner at a school across town to share the stories you write or tell about the books you read. You can check in with your partner at your classroom’s Fluency Center. That technology-assisted collaboration is happening now between Claudia Lopez’s Lamar bilingual first-graders and Ana Aguilar’s Zundy bilingual first-graders. Southern Hills teacher Jessica Esteves and Scotland Park second-grade teacher Crystal Gilmore are also participating with their classes. “We are video conferencing through Google Hangouts to meet our new friends as well as practice our communication skills and reading fluency,” said Mrs. Lopez. Pictured here, Mrs. Lopez’s class (seated) videoconferences with Ms. Aguilar’s Zundy classroom (on the screen).
Burgess, McNiel, Barwise Teachers Write Lessons for Publication
Fifteen teachers from WFISD received Certificates of Completion for developing specialized lesson plans as part of the Texas Lesson Study. Their research-based lessons have been tested and taught in classrooms across WFISD. They are: (from Burgess) Monica Jacobs, Danielle Crites, (from McNiel) Jessica Mitchell, Logan Carrol, Jennifer Briscoe, Hanna Reames, Jeff Reames, Angela Baumann, Shelby Wolf, Jeri Helton, Melanie Wright, Chelsea Howells, (from Barwise) Kerri Mathis, Matthew Soucy, and Megan Flores.
Nearly 200 Visitors Tour Career Education Center at Open House
On Feb. 19, about 200 people attended an Open House at the Career Education Center despite predictions of threatening weather. All 26 programs were showcased, with students and teachers greeting guests and discussing class projects. The event was held in February in honor of CTE Appreciation Month.
Forty WFISD staff members Take ICS Training
On Feb. 18, 40 WFISD staff members participated in and were tested in Incident Command System (ICS) training, which enabled WFISD to become National Incident Management System compliant. Participants were trained by local preparedness leaders from the City of Wichita Falls, the Wichita Falls Fire Department and the Wichita Falls Police Department on the Incident Command System, which is required for all schools and districts that receive emergency preparedness funding. Since it’s likely that school personnel will be the first on the scene during a crisis on school property, they were trained to conduct initial response activities until first-responders arrive.
Southern Hills Elementary Welcomes Abe Lincoln
WFISD Athletic Director Scot Hafley has started his own tradition of visiting schools on Presidents’ Day in the guise of Abraham Lincoln. This was his second year to make an appearance at Southern Hills Elementary as the 16th president. He visited kindergartners and a second-grade class and handed out pennies – his version of a selfie. Mr. Hafley watched his own father dress as Mr. Lincoln and visit classrooms for many years and is now carrying on the family tradition.
Superintendent Sounds Out on Helping Families in eSchool News Article
WFISD Superintendent Mike Kuhrt's article, “Student Achievement Begins with the Family,” was published in the eSchool News, an online newsletter that focuses on daily tech news and innovation. “The biggest bang for our buck in developing strong students across grade levels comes from starting early,” he wrote. “Committing to focus on school readiness, partnering with community organizations, and looking to technology for an assist when needed, can go a long way toward helping provide students with the right tools to succeed.”
Kirby Middle School Seventh-Graders Complete Frog Dissections
Did you know that the way a frog’s organs are laid out in its body are similar enough to a human’s body that it can provide insight for students into how their own bodies work? Kirby Middle School science teacher Laura Checki knew her dissection activity would be the capstone to her instruction on body systems, so she enlisted the help of members of the Rolling Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists to help her seventh-graders, and those of Ana Dougherty, with their frog dissections.
Sheppard AFB Airmen Prioritize Reading to Sheppard Elementary Students
Nearly a dozen airmen made it a priority for one week this month to show up daily in Sheppard Elementary classrooms and read to students. Students in pre-K through second-grade listened attentively to their visiting military readers.
Burgess Elementary Rewards Kindness
Burgess Elementary teachers have been taking a proactive approach to building kindness into their students. When children are observed doing a kind act, they receive hearts with their names on them. This Burgess student’s name was selected in a campus drawing during Random Acts of Kindness Week, and he was able to select his own prize.
Talented and Gifted Students Tackle ‘Pringles Challenge’
You have two hours. How would you construct a container for one potato chip that must safely make it to four destinations through inner school mail—without breaking? That was the challenge Jamie Jo Morgan put before her fifth-grade Talented and Gifted (TAG) students. “It works to test and encourage engineering, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration,” said Mrs. Morgan. “They are judged on creativity, ease of access and, of course, if the chip survives.” When it was all over, 40 Pringles chips traveled throughout the district for three weeks protected by bubble wrap, packing peanuts, Styrofoam, pom poms, cotton balls and more. Pictured left to right: First-place winners Ellee and Fiona; second place winners Leila and Lorelei. First-place winners won two tickets to Peter Pan on Ice; second-place winners won gift cards to Bahama Bucks.
McNiel Middle School Hosts Spelling Bee
Six students competed in the McNiel Spelling Bee, an annual tradition at the school. This year’s winner was eighth-grader Helen Li. She will advance to compete against other students in grades 4 to 8 locally in the Regional Area Spelling Bee, sponsored by KAUZ on March 9 at the Career Education Center. Come to the CEC to watch it, or follow it on KAUZ’s live Facebook feed. The regional bee winner will compete in Washington, D.C., at the national competition later this year.
Lamar Elementary Now Serves Tea All Day
Lamar Elementary teachers and staff can now indulge in a glass of iced tea at any time of the day, thanks to Chartwells employees working at Lamar. “These ladies work tirelessly to provide three meals a day to the students, staff and families,” said Kaycie Taylor. The ladies making tea service possible – and for whom Lamar staff members are most grateful -- are Kyun Hansboro, Cris Winter, Sharon McGee, Debra Shadwick, Carmen Ibanez, Blanca Montanez and (not pictured) Kensley Merriweather.
McNiel Middle School Student Council Members Welcome, Educate Incoming Sixth Graders
McNiel Middle School Student Council members believe it’s never too early to say, “Welcome to McNiel!” They visited six feeder elementary schools to educate sixth-graders on what to expect when they arrive at McNiel in August. “This is an effort to help students transition into middle school,” said Lisa Williams. The dozen middle school students pair up and prepare talking points about what to expect in middle school and how it’s different from elementary school. The elementary students learn about dress code, lunch time, clubs, the bell schedule, UIL competitions, academics, physical education class instead of recess, and personal responsibility. McNiel educators who accompanied the 12 Student Council members on the whirlwind tour are pictured in the front row, left to right: Lisa Williams, Student Council sponsor Mark Dudley, Polly Birkhead.
Sheppard Elementary Student Council Sells More Than 1,000 Candy Grams
For several weeks, Sheppard Elementary Student Council members have been busy preparing Valentine Candy Grams. This year, they sold more than 1,000 at 25 cents apiece. “This is one of our biggest events that we do to give back to our student body,” said Brenda De Leon.
Milam Elementary Shows Off its Sensory Walk
Milam Elementary teacher Tina Bearden, who teaches transitional kindergarten, has incorporated a Sensory Walk into her classroom. A parent suggested adding the Sensory Walk and even helped fund it with the help of Delta Airlines and a family member. The Walk helps children who have autism, ADD and ADHD by giving them a structured way to get up and move through a variety of tactile and kinesthetic activities. Ms. Bearden allows her students to use the Sensory Walk as many times a day as needed. News Channel 6 featured the Walk and, Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths and Superintendent Mike Kuhrt (pictured below) visited Ms. Bearden’s classroom to see it, too.
Jefferson Elementary Students Watch -- and Learn from -- Construction Pros at Work
While Tara Ramirez’s pre-K class was learning about construction and how to build things, Ms. Ramirez noticed that Knowles Fence was constructing a new fence next door to the school. She decided to ask her class to brainstorm questions for the construction workers, then take the class outside so they could watch them work. “I had my eye on those guys for days and was about to burst if I didn’t take advantage of that free lesson!” she said. The students asked about the workers’ tools, their education, and if they needed to know their numbers. The supervisor enjoyed the questions and let the students use his leveler and touch his electric drill, said Ms. Ramirez.
Jefferson Elementary Students Make Birthday Cards for WWII Veteran
World War II veteran Joe Cuba will turn 100 years old on March 2 and, to celebrate, he set a goal to receive 100 birthday cards. When Jefferson Elementary students heard about it, they jumped at the opportunity to help him. Students in Carly Guilliams’ class sent 43 cards. “My students loved this project,” said Ms. Guilliams. “One student got pretty emotional and said how happy it would make her to send him a card. They put so much thought and effort into what they had to say.” Mr. Cuba, who even talked about his goal on the Today Show, has now received 30,000 cards.
Lamar Elementary Streamlines Laundry Service with DonorsChoose Grant
With the help of a grant from DonorsChoose.org, Lamar Elementary staff workers have streamlined their laundry service to children. “Thanks to DonorsChoose, we have new laundry drop stations in the hallways,” said Kaycie Taylor. The bins make it easier for students to deposit clothes that need washing.
West Elementary Hosts Puppeteer
It’s fun to learn good life skills from a puppet. That’s the appeal of ventriloquist Nancy Burks Worcester, who visited West Elementary students and brought along her “friends,” puppets Larry the Crocodile, Waco the Weasel, Dr. Eddie the hermit crab and more.
Franklin Elementary Volunteers Bag 2,105 Pounds of Produce
On Saturday, 15 Franklin Elementary faculty members and families volunteered at the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank. They prepared more than 200 10-pound bags of zucchini, squash and carrots for the Area Food Bank’s Produce Express Program. The bags were then delivered to consumers in Vernon. This was the Franklin team's second opportunity to serve at the Food Bank; two weeks ago, they bagged potatoes for the Produce Express Program.
Two Iwo Jima Veterans Visit Sheppard Elementary
When Iwo Jima veterans travel throughout Texas every year, they always stop at Sheppard Elementary for a special lunch. This year, two Iwo Jima veterans enjoyed a lunch provided by Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden. Sheppard’s Parent Volunteer Organization provided vegetables and dessert. Student Council members and Sheppard AFB airmen served the lunch; the Sheppard Elementary choir and students put on a program for the group. “It is an honor to work with our community and sponsors to make this event successful for our Iwo Jima veterans,” said Brenda De Leon, Sheppard special education teacher.
Burgess Elementary Hosts IDEA-Grant Funded Numeracy Night
On Wednesday, 150 parents and children flocked to Burgess Elementary for its Numeracy Night. The special event was funded by an IDEA Grant won by teachers Jamie Newberry and Dana Arthur. Participants enjoyed games set up for everyone in grades pre-K through grade 5. Every child in the school received a Math Tool Kit that included coins, cards, measuring tape and manipulatives to help them practice counting.
Sheppard Elementary First-Graders Enjoy ‘Medical Learning Day’
First-graders in Cara Gaylor’s class at Sheppard Elementary looked forward to their “Medical Learning Day,” but the things they learned might not be what you would think. Pictured here, Mrs. Gaylor and student Mikaelynn Barrera get ready to enter the surgery room where they will do surgery on sentences to fix up their grammar and punctuation.
McNiel Middle School Eighth-Graders Write to 93-Year-Old Man
After seeing a media report about a World War II veteran turning 100 years old and soliciting 100 birthday cards, McNiel teacher Ashley Penney learned of 93-year-old Recil Troxel of Marlow, OK, who also enjoys receiving mail. Ms. Penney's McNiel eighth-graders got busy and wrote letters and sent cards to Mr. Troxel.
Cunningham Elementary Hosts Family Fun Night
Cunningham students and their parents didn’t have to go far this week to have fun. They simply showed up at Cunningham on Thursday night from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. for Family Fun Night. They wore pajamas and enjoyed popcorn, door prizes, a book fair and games for the family to take home.
#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