District in Pictures
December 6, 2019
Rider, Old High Football Teams Met in Historic Match-up
On Friday, Nov. 29, rivals Rider Raiders and Wichita Falls High School Coyotes did something they’d never done before: They met in postseason, playoff competition. The event was the Region 1-5A Division II Regional playoffs at Memorial Stadium. This was the 56th season of rivalry competition, but the first postseason match-up. The Raiders won, 56-20, and now move on to the Texas High School Football Region 1-5A state quarterfinals. Tonight they play Lubbock-Cooper at Abilene Wylie’s Bulldog Stadium.
WFISD Welcomes New Chief of Police
Lieutenant Lahoma Vaughn is WFISD’s new Chief of Police, replacing Bill Horton, who retired in September. She has been in law enforcement since 1996 and recently retired from the Burkburnett Police Department as a lieutenant with a Master’s Peace Officer Certificate. She also has experience working in university and municipal settings. She is a graduate of Hirschi High School, the Wichita Falls Police Academy, Vernon College and Midwestern State University. In her second week of work with WFISD, she is busy reorganizing and standardizing the schedules of the 60 contracted officers who serve WFISD’s 26 schools. In her first week, she visited six campuses to meet principals and observe their operations. “Twenty more to go,” she said Tuesday.
Four WFISD Staff Members Gear Up as Team WFISD in ‘2020 Dancing for the Stars’
Teachers Kristin Howard (Jefferson Elementary) and Jennifer Taylor (Burgess Elementary), Ward Roberts (director of innovation and advanced academics) and Peter Griffiths (associate superintendent) are gearing up to participate in the 2020 Dancing for the Stars fundraiser. They will be volunteer celebrity dancers on TeamWFISD. The event, which will take place Feb. 14, 2020, is the key fundraising event for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wichita County and Midwestern State University’s Small Business Development Center. The four teammates will raise funds (each must raise $2,500) while they learn dance steps for the 6th season of the nonprofit event. Mrs. Howard, who has participated once before, holds the record for most funds raised. You can donate here.
Audio Visual Students Create 26 Career Program Videos
McNiel Middle School Hosts ‘A Night at the Museum’
Writing a short biography about one historical figure was not enough for McNiel 8th grade history students. They actually became their subjects for a special presentation called "A Night at the Museum." Students created costumes to dress like their subjects, then wrote and memorized a speech as their subject might have delivered it. On the big day, they stood silently in a room beside a written report glowing on their computers. Guests were handed flashlights as they entered the room. When a guest shined his light on a student, the performer came alive and delivered his or her speech. “This year, our featured performers included Harriet Tubman, George and Martha Washington, James and Dolly Madison, Mercy Otis Warren, Pocahontas, Daniel Boone and others,” said history teacher Kimbra Thomas. “Students did all research on their own time and designed their own costumes. We are incredibly proud of their efforts. It was all very impressive!” Event sponsors included Mrs. Thomas, Steve Chapman and Jessica Borton.
Rider/Old High Playoff Game Spurs Unique Band Camaraderie and Return of Poney Thompson
When Rider High School band director Loy Studer learned that Rider and Old High advanced to the third round of the playoffs and that competition would occur during Thanksgiving break, he had two concerns. First, he wanted a strong turnout of his band members for the band's performance but knew immediately that some would be unavailable because of the holiday. Second, he wanted retired longtime Rider band director Poney Thompson to conduct the National Anthem. Mr. Studer tweeted, asking for alums who could fill in for missing students, hoping he could round up 15 or so. “It quickly blew up!” he said. “Before we knew it, we had to add a registration form to keep up with all the responses.” By game time, he had solicited 140 alumni members and 30 8th graders to help out in the band for the historic playoff game. He also succeeded in getting Mr. Thompson to lead the National Anthem. “He means a lot to me and to the Rider community,” said Mr. Studer. “I try to find ways to honor his contribution as much as possible.”
Fain Elementary 5th Graders Present Resumes, Explain Career Paths
“Celebrity” listeners came to Fain Elementary Wednesday afternoon to serve as listeners to 5th graders who had one final task in their Project-Based Learning activity. They had researched a career field that appealed to them and created a resume for it. Then they sat down with a visitor to explain the course of action they will need to take to get them to their desired career. Celebrity listeners who took time out of their days to sit with Fain students included WFISD board members Bob Payton, Elizabeth Yeager and Katherine McGregor; WFISD staff members Mike Kuhrt, Frank Murray, Shad McGaha, Brady Woolsey, Scot Hafley, Ashley Thomas, Mae Walker and Misti Spear; and Chartwells Director Farai Sithole, among others. Pictured: Superintendent Mike Kuhrt completes his interview with a 5th grader with a handshake.
Law Enforcement Students Create ‘Fallen Officer Memorial Tree’
Students in Autumn Weber’s Law Enforcement class at the Career Education Center honored the 120 humans and canines who died in the line of duty in 2019 by creating an ornament to honor them. They researched the list of fallen heroes, selected one and created an ornament with the fallen hero’s picture, name and End of Watch (day they were killed in the line of duty). The ornaments are hanging on a tree at the CEC.
WFISD Board Member Delivers School Supplies to Orphanage in Third Trip to Africa
When board member Mark Lukert travels, he doesn’t mess around. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro five years ago, then reunited with his guide, Alex, and porter, Jumanne, in November for an African safari and tribal visits. The trip was the first in a new business for the two-man team that Mr. Lukert helped arrange. “I managed to get 11 people, and Alex more than met our expectations,” said Mr. Lukert. The group stayed in Tanzania, visited Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Eyasi. “The animals were unbelievable,” said Mr. Lukert. The group also visited three tribes – the Hadzabe Tribe, the Datoga Tribe and the Maasai Tribe. He delivered three suitcases of school supplies to an orphanage and school. Nothing about the trip scared him, he said. “Even the nights we slept in big tents in the middle of the Serengeti – we could hear the animals outside but were assured they would not ever try to get in our tents.” After the trip, he said he realized again how blessed he is. Mr. Lukert has traveled to Russia, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Spain, Portugal, several of the Greek Islands, England, Peru, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. In April 2020, he will go to Thailand.
Plumbing Students Make Backflow Projects
If you want to understand how vital our safe drinking water is to the health of America, just create a Plumbing Backflow project like the CEC’s Plumbing students did under the direction of teacher Danny Cozby. The project illustrates how a potential hazard can contaminate otherwise safe drinking water. The projects represent any American city’s municipal water supply, said Mr. Cozby. “All of a sudden, you have a major water leak downstream, which causes a back-siphon, or backflow, to occur. The project demonstrates how the non-potable or chemical water back-flows into otherwise safe potable water and contaminates the city supply.” To illustrate how plumbers protect the health of the nation, students showed ways to keep drinking water safe by the use of air gaps, anti-siphon devices and vacuum breakers.
Zundy Elementary Receives Anonymous Gift that Paid Every Overdrawn Lunch Account
A generous anonymous donor paid off every overdrawn lunch account at Zundy Elementary – a $500 gift. “That’s right! Every balance is paid,” said Madeline Eubanks, Zundy’s At-Risk coordinator. “Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude!”
Booker T. Washington Teacher Illustrates Science Concept with Rolling Chairs and LEGO Blocks
It’s so important that 5th graders understand the concept of weathering, erosion and deposition that Booker T. Washington Elementary teacher Janet Hughes found an action-packed way to embed the lesson into her students. Students began by learning how the earth’s surface changes constantly from the breaking of rock (weathering), the moving of sediment that breaks off (erosion), and the dropping of the sediment in a new spot (deposition). They made a story booklet on how the three processes form sedimentary rock. Then came their race. They broke apart a stack of LEGO Duplo Blocks (weathering), then rolled in the chair with blocks in hand (erosion) and deposited the blocks at the other end and building up a new structure there (deposition). “It is a lot of fun – and loud!” said Ms. Hughes.
Business Marketing Students, Human Services Practicum Students Tour AT&T Stadium
On Nov. 19, students in Tandy Roberts’ Business and Marketing class and in Gretchen Nielsen’s Human Services Practicum toured the AT&T stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys. They learned about career opportunities with the Dallas Cowboys organization and found out everything they wanted to know about the stadium. “The tour took us to the top of the stadium and then down eight floors to the playing surface,” said Ms. Nielsen. “The students represented WFISD well and learned a lot.”
Scotland Park Student Council Members Help Church on Vacation Day
Fowler Elementary Kinders Use Broccoli to Make Art
Never underestimate the creativity of a kindergarten teacher. Fowler’s Meagan Dufour showed her students how to create beautiful autumn trees by painting with broccoli florets during a period of purposeful playtime.
Sheppard Elementary T.I.E. Club Hosts Visitor from Spain
The Sheppard T.I.E. Club, which teaches boys how to be gentlemen, hosted Chaplain Ramos in a recent meeting. He spoke on the importance of making good first impressions. He showed each boy how to make an introduction and allowed everyone to practice with a partner. Chaplain Ramos is currently deployed to Moron Air Force Base in Moron De La Frontera, Spain, but was at Sheppard during a short furlough. The T.I.E. Club is led by Military Family Life Counselor Kyle Hargrove and long-term substitute teacher Kyle Clark.
Read 2 Learn Book Fair Fueled by Christmas Shoppers
The third annual Read 2 Learn Book Fair was open to shoppers this week at the Education Center in Room 302. Community members and staff perused thousands of books to find their favorites. Popular books included Christmas books, Aaron Blabey’s Pig the Pug books and James Dean’s Pete the Cat books.
West Foundation Teacher Receives Grant from Sheppard AFB Club
The Sheppard Air Force Base Spouse’s Club awarded a grant to West Foundation LEAP teacher Sarah White-Jones.
Wichita Falls High School Introduces ‘Coyote Kudos’
There are so many good things going on at Wichita Falls High School that the staff has introduced “Coyote Kudos of the Week” to acknowledge them. Each week, staff members nominate two Old High staff members for going above and beyond, doing something special, conducting an interesting class, or just being a model staff member. The two staff members are recognized by name on the announcements, their names are put in lights on the school billboard, they receive Sonic drinks and a certificate to display on their classroom or office door, and a handwritten note telling them why they received the award. The “Coyote Kudos” has been a follow-up program to Old High’s popular “Coyote of the Week” acknowledgements that recognize star students. “We also wanted to recognize our amazing staff members as well, so we created ‘Coyote Kudos’ to go along with it,” said Kory Dorman, WFHS assistant principal. Winners so far this year are pictured top, left to right: Deborah Gonzales, Kayla Crowley, Alexandra McClung, Jennifer Bronaugh, Veronica Kendrick, Tony Martinez. Bottom picture, left to right: Damian Polk, Boroskie Richard, Pam Belcher. Winners not pictured: David Harris, Erica Smith, Samantha Moorhead.
Parents as Teachers Program Maintains 98 Percent Retention Rate
Have you ever wished you could have a personal educator come directly to your home and help you out? That’s what Parents as Teachers (PAT) educators do for 250 students in Wichita County. Under the supervision of director Yolanda Lewis, the PAT program is a free service that starts with home visits to families where some risk factor is involved. Mrs. Lewis’ team of educators connect participants with resources and community services that can help them where they are struggling. Then they begin a program with them to educate their children during those early years when children learn so rapidly. “We hear often, ‘All I have is y’all,’” said Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis, a 20-year educator, moved to Wichita Falls six years ago specifically to take her position, which she says is her dream job. She has an education degree and a business management degree, making her adept at both running the budget for this federally-funded program and focusing on educating parents and their children. Mrs. Lewis is pictured here (top, bottom left) along with her team (bottom right).
‘Coats for Kids’ Distributes Thousands of Winter Coats to WFISD Children
Three retired teachers – Diana Costello, Judy Muir, and Debbi Schmidt – from First Christian Church have headed up a ministry of giving warm coats to school children since 1998. Last year, the annual Mary Sue Winstead Memorial Coats for Kids program finished giving out its first 10,000 coats; this year, it is embarking on the giving of the next 10,000 at a rate of about 500 to 650 coats per year. The women use all their creativity to purchase quality coats at bargain prices, then distribute them to elementary school children. The coat purchases are funded through love offerings at the church; this is never a budgeted item. “The Lord does provide,” said Diana Costello. Pictured here: Students at Southern Hills Elementary happily don their new coats.
Haynes Northwest Academy Secretary Logs 47 Years with WFISD
You thought your career with WFISD was long. Barbara Sims has logged 47 years with WFISD – the first 26 years as secretary at Crockett and the next 21 years as secretary/attendance clerk at Haynes. “She does it all with great efficiency, a smile on her face and stamina like I have never seen,” said Haynes Principal Lori Apple. “She stays calm in difficult situations, is compassionate, diplomatic and can hold her own when she needs to. She has seen thousands of changes in education over the years and continues to roll with the punches. At Haynes, she has survived nine principals.”
Fowler 4th Grade Teachers Cheer Students at Toy Bowl
At Fowler, 10 boys from the 4th grade participated in the Boys and Girls Club 63rd Annual Toy Bowl, a competition held at Veteran’s Stadium at City View High School on Saturday, Nov. 23. They got full support from their teachers – Britney Prickett, Barbara Beals, Heather Parker, Allison Kafer and Kristi Moffett – who bundled up to watch the game. “Even though the boys did not win and were a bit disappointed, they had the biggest smiles on their faces after the game,” said Ms. Moffett. “They are such a great group of boys.”
West Foundation Staff, Students Serve Lunch at Red Door
Schools had closed for Thanksgiving, but West Foundation staff, students and families were still spreading Thanksgiving cheer on Monday, the first day of Thanksgiving break. They took time to serve lunch at the Red Door and pass out student Thanksgiving artwork to the senior citizens. “We love this place!” said West Foundation Principal Kim Smith.
Fain Elementary Students Educate Rotary Club Members
All Cunningham Elementary Student Lunch Debts Cleared by Generous Gift
At Cunningham Elementary, a generous donor brought a smile to many faces. Katie Clymer delivered a donation from Armored Roofing Company, which paid off all outstanding lunch balances at Cunningham Elementary. "What an incredible way to give back and make a difference this holiday season!" said Emily Kincaid, Chartwells marketing director. Pictured: Chartwells Director Farai Sithole, Katie Clymer.
Church Surprises Scotland Park Staff and Families by Paying Off All Lunch Account Debt
#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