District in Pictures
December 15, 2023
Holiday Open House: A Singing Success!
On Wednesday, choir classes from all over WFISD came to the Education Center to share their beautiful voices and carol in the holidays! Schools featured were: Sheppard Elementary, Fowler Elementary, Ben Franklin Elementary, Barwise Middle School, Cunningham Elementary, Crockett Elementary, McNiel Middle School, Fain Elementary, Ben Milam Elementary and West Foundation Elementary
National Merit Commended Scholars Recognized at WFISD Board Meeting
Congratulations to WFISD's National Merit Commended Scholars who were recognized at Monday night's board meeting:
Myles Thomas - Hirschi High School (not pictured)
Sai Chada - Rider High School
Mahdi Kabir - Rider High School
Ben Kemp - Rider High School (not pictured)
Chaitanya Reddy - Rider High School
High school juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Approximately 34,000 high scorers were named National Merit Commended Students. We are proud to have five National Merit Commended students in WFISD.
"Elves on the Shelf" at Milam Look Strangely Familiar This Year...
Sarah White-Jones Honored as National Board Certified Teacher
This week, West Foundation Elementary teacher Sarah White Jones was recognized by the Texas National Board Coalition for Teaching (TXNBCT) as a National Board Certified Teacher!
A National Board Certified Teacher has achieved the highest professional credential in the field of teaching. The certification is a means to professional growth and improvement, and it is designed to promote excellence in teaching. Earning National Board Certification requires that teachers analyze their teaching practices and connect their content knowledge and pedagogical skills to positively improve student learning.
Ms. White Jones is the first elementary teacher in WFISD to achieve this accomplishment and only the second NBC Teacher in all of WFISD! Only 0.29% of teachers in Texas are National Board Certified! Congratulations, Ms. White Jones!
LIFE is Sweet!
Mrs. Meek’s LIFE-1 students delivered sweet treats to all of the staff at Cunningham this week. This experience helped Mrs. Meek’s smart cookies work on their social skills and learn the importance of giving to others.
Zundy Elite Dream Eagle Crew Takes Flight!
The ZEDEC has taken flight! Zundy is launching the "Zundy Elite Dream Eagle Crew!" Similar to student council or PALS, accepted nominations from teachers for 4th and 5th graders who met criteria to join the ZEDEC and be a positive role model at school for their peers of all ages. They enjoyed a movie/popcorn afternoon for their first meeting and learning what they will be assisting with in the next semester. They are guided by Zundy's At-Risk Coordinator, Mr. Jordan.
The Grinch AND Mr. & Mrs. Claus Visit Brook Village!
Last week, Brook Village students were delighted with two special guests. The Grinch made a surprise visit on Thursday, and on Friday, Santa and Mrs. Claus graced the school with their presence. The students were filled with enthusiasm, eagerly seeking the opportunity to take pictures with the festive visitors. Some teachers also joined in the festive spirit, taking a seat on Santa's lap.
Burgess Elementary is Decking the Halls with Kindness
First-grade students at Burgess adorned a kindness tree by adding one act of kindness at a time during this festive season.
First Year Teacher Friday
This week's First Year Teacher Friday is on Alison Fields, first grade teacher at Southern Hills Elementary!
Kirby Science Classes Work Together on Frog Dissection Day!
Coach Gregory and Mr. Shores combined classes on Friday, December 8 for frog dissection day! Students applied their knowledge of organs and body systems by participating in a guided dissection. Students worked in groups to examine the various organs of the leopard frog and answer questions from Coach Gregory. Several teachers dropped by during the day including Katie Jones (English). Bryce Henderson, recounts, "My favorite quote came from a student in the afternoon who exclaimed, 'I'm definitely going to become a surgeon after this!'"
Sheppard Elementary Families & Staff Extend Generosity & Christmas Spirit!
WOW! Thanks to the generosity of the Sheppard Elementary families and staff, 18 children will have a wonderful Christmas! Sheppard families adopted nine students from Booker T Washington Elementary and nine from Burgess Elementary for Christmas. "We are so very proud of the generosity from Sheppard families and staff," said Sheppard principal Cindy Waddell.
McNiel Fall Musical has a Successful Opening Weekend
This past weekend, McNiel presented it's fall musical, The Music Man Jr. It was a collaboration between the Theatre and Choir departments at McNiel, led by Benjamin Henderson and Shara Spicer. The students did an incredible job with the show!
Cunningham Principal is "Through the Roof" to see her Students!
Amy Simmons, principal at Cunningham Elementary, decided to give a surprise greeting to students from the roof.
Zundy Students Gather for Annual "Sing-a-Long"
On Thursday, Zundy had their annual school-wide "Sing-a-Long!" Students and staff gathered in the gym and sang Christmas songs together. The event was led by music teacher, Mr. Lamb, and his band!
Big THANK YOU to First National Bank (& Santa)!
Thank you to Jan Waldmuller from First National Bank for delivering 600 cupcakes for the Southern Hills staff and students to enjoy while Santa visited. It was such a generous and tasty treat!!
TSSEC State Qualifiers & Texas Music Scholars from Rider Recognized at WFISD Board Meeting
Congratulations to the TSSEC State Qualifiers and Texas Music Scholars from Rider High School who were recognized at Monday's board meeting. Students are pictured below with Rider High School's assistant choir director, Ayrian Norman.
TSSEC State Music Qualifiers: Lizzy Aranda (not pictured), Allie Calvert (not pictured), Krista Coons (not pictured), Adelynn Davenport, Brayden Jennings, Olivia Lane, Jenna Leslie (not pictured), Ruby Spear, Emily Spurgers (not pictured), Ava Thompson, and Alexis Trujillo.
Texas Music Scholars: Krista Coons (not pictured), Olivia Lane, and Emily Spurgers (not pictured)
Directors: Melanie Coons and Ayrian Norman
Kiwanis Club Kool Kids Award Handed to Scotland Park Third Graders
Two third grade students, Emily Perez in Mrs. Rojo's class and Jeremiah Pierre in Mrs. Giles' class were presented with the Wichita Falls Kiwanis Club "Kool Kids Award" for being outstanding students. Each student received a plaque, a bouquet of balloons and a $50 gift card to Walmart.
Cunningham Students Mail Letters to Santa
Mrs. Hughes ECSE 3's class used visuals to write letters to Santa today! Students detailed how nice they've been, what presents they would like, and then mailed them off in the North Pole mailbox!
New Ambassador Group for Zundy Announced!
ZEDEC (Zundy Elite Dream Eagle Crew) has been nominated! The new Ambassador group for Zundy supports day-to-day activities and acts as a link between the school and any visitors. They ensure new students and parents feel welcome and perform various duties within the school and community. They must maintain a satisfactory grade and behave according to social contract standards. They are the mentors for other students, and Zundy is proud to name them as ZEDEC!
The Polar Express Comes to West Foundation
Sarah White-Jones, a first grade teacher at West Foundation, wanted to do a Polar Express Day for all the first graders. She made three engines, a the ticket booth, and fun stations. She also decorated the wall around the rooms to resemble nighttime and snowing. Each child came in pajamas and was greeted by the ticket master with a golden ticket. They read the story, had hot chocolate, and did a writing craft activity. They colored the little boy like their pajamas and wrote what their one wish would be. Stations were making words with cookies and a Christmas tree where they sounded out the words to see if they were real words or nonsense words. They also received a bell on a red ribbon. The students had a blast!
Burgess Celebrates Ugly Sweater Day
Three brothers at Burgess Elementary made their own sweaters to celebrate Ugly Sweater Day on Tuesday.
Franklin Lion Leaders Visit Classrooms with Fun Activities!
Franklin Lion Leaders visited each classroom this week to lead the students in fun team building and kindness activities. These activities included a game called Character Keep Up and building a 'strengths chain' for each classroom. During this time, the homeroom teacher was gifted a 30 minute break to enjoy! The Lion Leaders are a group of 4th and 5th grade students that excel in leadership and character. They are sponsored by counselor, Gladys Pando and instructional coach, Laura Garcia.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Employees Bring Christmas Cheer to Scotland Park
Employees at Blue Cross Blue Shield purchased and delivered Christmas gifts for students at Scotland Park this week. Thank you, BCBS!
Crockett Students (& Elves) ROCK Around the Christmas Tree!
Crockett is full of rock stars, but Wednesday they were a little extra for "Rock Around the Christmas Tree" day! Even Santa's elves rocked out!
Celebrating the Retirement of Synthia Kirby
This week, friends, family, co-workers and CEC staff members said "Happy Retirement" to Career Education Center principal, Synthia Kirby. Mrs. Kirby has served as the principal of the CEC since it opened in 2017 and has worked for WFISD since 2002. After Winter Break, current CEC assistant principal, Jennifer Spurgers, will move into the role of principal. Congratulations on your retirement, Mrs. Kirby!
Burgess Community Donates Christmas Sweatshirts for All Students
The community donated money for all Burgess Elementary students to receive a sweatshirt for Christmas. Thank you for your generosity!
Teacher Tuesday
This week's Teacher Tuesday is on Caitlin Williams, Kindergarten teacher at Crockett Elementary.
If you're a teacher, click here to share your information so we can feature you!
WFHS Orchestra Brings Holiday Cheer to Hospice of Wichita Falls
On Monday, December 11, members of the WFHS Orchestra spread some holiday cheer at Hospice of Wichita Falls by performing various holiday tunes in the front lobby. "The holiday season can be a tough time for many families and it was nice to get out and share some music with the community," said Orchestra teacher, Kevin Nguyen.
Annual Gingerbread House Day Celebrated at Franklin
On Tuesday, December 12, Franklin kindergarten held their annual "Gingerbread House Day." On this day, all kindergarten students create festive gingerbread houses out of candies and sweets! Many parents and guardians joined in on the fun as well!
Market Street Sponsors Pop-Up Breakfast at Cunningham Elementary
Thank you to Market Street for sponsoring this week's pop-up breakfast at Cunningham Elementary School. On Tuesday morning, staff members were treated to breakfast pizzas from Market Street and warm scones and coffee courtesy of Chartwells.
#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.