District in Pictures
August 23, 2019
Zundy Elementary Named New Seidlitz Campus
Zundy Principal Becky Hernandez (pictured holding sign) recently learned that the Zundy campus will now feature the Seidlitz program. Seidlitz provides research strategies to help students with language-learning. The campus was acknowledged at Monday’s school board meeting.
Albus, Spurgers named TASSP Region 9's Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year
The Texas Association of Secondary School Principals has awarded two WFISD educators top honors. Hirschi High School Principal Doug Albus was selected to represent TASSP as its Region 9 Outstanding Principal of the Year. Also, the Career Education Center Assistant Principal Jennifer Spurgers was selected as Region 9’s Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year. Both were selected from the 20 region Education Service Centers, nominated and chosen by their peers for their exemplary performance and outstanding leadership. Both are eligible to compete for the state title. Mr. Albus is a five-year principal who has been at the helm of Hirschi since 2015. Mrs. Spurgers is a four-year assistant principal on the CEC leadership team since 2017. They will be recognized at an awards dinner in June 2020 in Dallas and featured in a commemorative book titled, Texas Principals, Texas Heroes.
Sheppard Elementary Earns ‘A’ in New Letter Grade Accountability
At the regular board meeting Monday, Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths unveiled the District’s report card of grades in the state’s letter grade accountability system. Sheppard Elementary received the District’s only A, the top ranking. Superintendent Mike Kuhrt made it clear he was not a fan of the system that requires a 100-page manual to come up with a single letter grade. The letter grade reflects “one test on one day and a 100-page manual,” he said. “That’s not the same as what happens in our classrooms.” A newsletter from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) applauded 19 districts -- including Wichita Falls ISD -- that earned Bs despite having a high percentage of low-income students and English language learners. Pictured: Sheppard Elementary staff under the direction of Principal Cindy Waddell (front row, far left).
School Board Gives Across-the-Board 10 Percent Pay Raises to Non-Campus Based Personnel
WFISD staff in all positions start the 2019-2020 school year with a lot to be thankful for. On August 8, teachers/counselors/librarians/nurses received pay increases of 13 percent to 17 percent. Then, on Monday, board members voted in a 10 percent, across-the-board pay raise for all other full-time employees. The raises are the largest in at least 30 years, the result of a “perfect storm” of circumstances: A teacher pay raise mandated by House Bill 3, an influx of state funding, the state’s underwriting of full-day pre-k so WFISD no longer has to pay those bills, the success of June’s Swap-and-Drop election, and board members’ good will. In the board meeting, Superintendent Mike Kuhrt called the 10 percent pay raise “bold and awesome.” The pay increases mark WFISD as a premier district in North Texas. The Federal and State Programs employees, pictured here, are just a few recipients of the district-wide pay increase. Left to right: Assistant Director Ana Griffiths, secretary April Taack, Director Jackie Wheat.
Wichita Falls High School Class of 1955 Donates $2,300 to Scholarship Fund
With its class members now aged 82, the WFHS Class of 1955 will no longer host any more reunions. But that presented a dilemma: What should they do with the remaining money in their reunion fund? WFHS Class of 1955 member Nancy Ashbrook visited WFHS and donated the $2,300 remaining in their Class fund to the WFHS Scholarship Fund. “They wanted our students to benefit from their remaining account,” said WFHS College/Career Counselor Jessica Dixon. “We love our Coyote Alumni and greatly appreciate their support!" Pictured here, left to right: Nancy Ashbrook, Jessica Dixon.
Career Education Center Enrolls One Henrietta Student for Welding Program
This year, one student from Henrietta will participate in the Career Education Center’s welding program. It just happens to be CEC Principal Synthia Kirby’s son, Carson. The CEC and its programs are open to students from other districts if there is space in the program, if the sending district will pay the Average Daily Attendance funding that the student generates from the state, and if the student meets class prerequisites and provides his own transportation. In Carson’s case, he worked on his own time to meet the 10-hour OSHA prerequisite for his class, said Mrs. Kirby, pictured below with her son on the first day of school. “He also got his hardship driver’s license since he is only 15.” In the past seven years, Carrigan programs enrolled students from Archer City and Henrietta for welding, cosmetology and electrical tech, she said. “Last year was the only year we have not had a student from another school district since before I was the CTE principal.”
WFISD Adds Security Cameras Throughout the District
New, state-of-the-art security cameras have replaced all current cameras in WFISD schools. WFISD also upped the number of cameras, installing even more of them to improve safety as the 2019-2020 school year began. Also new: The Wichita Falls Police Department now has access to a live video feed of WFISD’s security cameras. Pictured here: Josh Snow, a member of the district’s Network Team, installs a camera at Rider High School.
Maintenance Crew Completes 1,900 Work Order Tickets During Summer
The WFISD Maintenance team, under the direction of Chris Fain, completed 1,900 work order tickets this summer – and the work continues. Projects include a Hirschi choir room remodel, a dividing wall and two bathroom refreshes at Farris Head Start, wall tile in a Burgess Elementary rest room, and the installation of washers and dryers at the three high schools. The flooring crew installed 6,000 square feet of vinyl composition tile. Another team replaced the plumbing under Burgess, the Hirschi High School kitchen and Milam kitchen. Rider High School’s auxiliary gym received new LED bulbs. Barwise Middle School was dressed up with a new ceiling in the Fine Arts hallway. Lamar’s portable buildings were re-roofed. McNiel Middle School received eight new HVAC units. Maintenance teams did gas testing and painting throughout the District. Total materials cost was $200,000, said Mr. Fain. Pictured Tuesday, clockwise from top: Welder Cody Ruddy (33 years with WFISD) and Vehicle Foreman Bradley Scroggins (7 years) begin work on a chain link fence at Hirschi; Building tech Cosme Ojeda (16 years) installs new ceiling tiles at Hirschi; Painter Ed Poore (20 years) paints in the Hirschi choir room.
Crockett Elementary Students Enjoy Water Slide Reward for Summer Reading
The Crockett students who completed librarian Amie Quintero’s Summer Reading Challenge came back to school to enjoy a big reward – a 65-foot inflatable one. On August 16, the giant water slide was set up outside the Crockett gymnasium and students spent an hour swishing down the slide. At 101 degrees, it was a perfect day for water slide fun.
Kirby Middle School Updates Interior with New Mural
Tristan Brown, Kirby’s School Improvement Specialist, shows off Kirby’s newest mural, painted by April Bradshaw. He points to this year’s WFISD motto: #BeBold
Barwise Middle School Teacher Floats Dinosaur Extinction Theory to Drive Lesson Home
Barwise 7th grade English teacher Bethany Heinze’s goal is to prepare her students to be lifelong readers. To that end, she posts something funny or eye-catching on her door each year. This year, she conspired with Barwise Assistant Principal Erin Dillard. Ms. Heinze posted this on her door: “Dinosaurs didn’t read. Now they are extinct. Coincidence? I think not!” Then she asked Mrs. Dillard to don a dinosaur costume, lie in front of her door and play dead. “I think it is funny, but also a valid point about the importance of reading,” said Ms. Heinze. “By reading, we grow in our knowledge and language skills.” The stunt gave her students a good laugh, she said.
Franklin First-Graders Learn Mistakes are OK
To help her students develop a Growth Mindset, Franklin Elementary 1st grade teacher Jamie Monroe posted this in her classroom: “Ms. Monroe has made 6 mistakes this year! It’s OK! Mistakes help us learn and be better.” She started counting her mistakes last year. “I noticed after we started intentionally talking about it, my students were less afraid to try new things,” said Ms. Monroe. “It’s also a good reminder for me! I can’t hold myself to being a perfect teacher. When I mess up, I laugh about it, learn and move on.”
Human Resources Department Hires 167 Teachers This Year
It’s been a busy hiring year for WFISD. Since January 1, the Human Resources team has hired 167 teachers, according to Human Resources Director Cyndy Kohl. But that’s not the half of it. Since January 1, WFISD has hired a total of 544 people. The HR team is pictured here: (back row left to right): Bridget Robertson, Terri Nowicki, Lisa Bean, Keli Sims, Amy Riding-In, Sarah Huizenga, Dayna Hardaway, Vanessa Dishman; center, Krystal Rose; front, seated: Cyndy Kohl.
One WFISD Family Celebrates School’s First Day with Three Photos
Taking pictures on the first day of school is a tradition for many families. Since all three members of the Spurgers family work for or attend WFISD schools, FDOS required three photos: One for McNiel 8th grader Emily Spurgers, one for Barwise 6th-7th grade social studies teacher Jeff Spurgers, and one for Career Education Center Assistant Principal Jennifer Spurgers. Mrs. Spurgers is a 20-year employee; this is Mr. Spurgers’ 13th year of teaching. “We all had a good first day,” said Mrs. Spurgers. “We all came home with stories of how it went.”
Community Healthcare Branch Opens This Fall in Zundy Elementary Back Yard
The Ralph Harvey Community Healthcare Center at Zundy, built by Gary Baker Construction, will open this fall at the west end of the Zundy campus. The facility will serve the entire community, but it will be especially handy for Zundy staff and students. It will be just a quick walk to the clinic for any teacher or student who needs medical attention, and then they can return to class, said Principal Becky Hernandez. “The advantage for us is that the medical attention will be immediate, so that recovery is faster, and they don’t miss school time.”
WFISD Maintenance Team Installs Rooftop Air Conditioners
On Thursday, WFISD Maintenance workers installed rooftop air conditioner replacements. “The replacement job went very smoothly and safely, with the work area cordoned off from student access,” said Energy Manager Alvin Dorsman. “Our guys worked with the Crane contractor as one team. I am very proud of how professional our men are when it comes to these big jobs.”
Fowler Elementary Teacher Receives ‘Classroom Christmas’ in August from ‘Help a Teacher’
To Fowler teacher Meghan Myracle, August felt like Christmas. The Fowler teacher received 10 boxes of school supplies from “Help a Teacher,” many of them anonymous. She was especially excited to receive many hardcover picture books with characters of diverse cultures – something she often went to YouTube to find for lessons. “There’s something about knowing every child in your class sees someone who looks like them in books,” she said. She also received a cursive alphabet chart, something she would have purchased on her own since that’s new this year for the second-grade curriculum. “I received everything from basic supplies like pencils and folders to Play Doh for lessons,” she said. “I am so, so grateful…Help a Teacher is a great resource, and I highly recommend it for teachers.”
Barwise Middle School Teacher Keeps Her “Why” in Plain Sight
Barwise 7th grade science teacher Brittany Sralla has a tradition: She allocates a drawer in her classroom to hoard any and all notes given to her by her students. “Even notes on scraps that have no name, they live in there,” she said. It reminds her of one thing that she always wants to remember -- “This is Why I Do This” – and makes it easy to find encouragement when she most needs it. Pictured here, Ms. Sralla sits atop the desk with a drawer labeled, “Why I Do This.”
Kirby Middle School Soaks in Prayer from City Hope Church
On August 10, Kirby hosted its Volunteer Beautification Day, which drew volunteers from across the city to help make Kirby amazing. City Hope Church volunteers are pictured here praying for the Kirby team and students. “That was an amazing day,” said Principal Shannon Cunningham. “City Hope has been very supportive to us, and they have a heart for teachers and public ed.”
Electrical Classes Receive Conduit Gift Valued at $2,156
Classes like the Career Education Center’s Electricity 1 and 2, under the direction of master electrician Chris Wilbur, welcome gifts of supplies. Jack Browne recently coordinated a gift from the SW Rotary Club of Wichita Falls – 180 1-inch conduit valued at $2,156. “We are always willing to take donations, but mostly on wire, MC cable or Romex – and any size of electrical conduit,” said Mr. Wilbur. “We will also take plugs and switches.” The electricity classes also work on lamps or any electrical items that can be carried to the CEC. They do the work for a small fee or donation.
Rider High School Student was WFISD’s Only 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy Participant
Rider High School freshman Faith Worley participated this past summer in the 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy Camp at Houston/Galveston. She was selected for the camp as an 8th grader at McNiel Middle School. In all, 1,072 4th-8th graders attended the camp. Students developed leadership skills and learned Texas history by visiting historically significant Texas sites at the week-long camps. The camps are sponsored by Education in Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to inform young people how to be active leaders in their communities.
Zundy Elementary Teachers Brave Heat for Brief Treadmill Workout
Wichita Falls High School Seniors Launch ‘Senior Sunrise’
On the first day of school, the Wichita Falls High School Student Council senior officers sponsored a Senior Sunrise Breakfast. “It was a great way to start their last year of high school,” said sponsor Wendy Presson. Senior class officers are Lauren Anderson, Raylee Darden, Carter Milstead, Maddison Parkey, Claire Perry, Shannon Perry, and Valerie Ruiz.
Haynes Northwest Academy Welcomes New Teachers with Personalized Door Décor
Starting a new job is a pivotal moment in a person’s life. So after reading “The Power of Moments,” by Chip and Dan Heath, Haynes Principal Lori Apple decided for the second consecutive year to make a special moment for her new educators. Instructional Coach Adrian Cargal made special door signs for each new employee, complete with photos of and welcoming notes from each staff member at Haynes. “The author pointed out that most employees, no matter where you work, are shown where to put their things and then start receiving instruction about their new job. So, why not try and make the first day a memorable one?” Employees who received the surprise welcome door signs: Student Success Coordinator Marcus Mathis, Counselor Antoinette Turner, Nurse Angie Solorio, Diagnostician Deb McElhannon, Speech Services Tirzah Lujan, and 4th grade teacher Courtney Schrader. When one Haynes teacher received this special treatment on her first day last year, she told Mrs. Apple: “Please tell me you will do this every year. It made me feel so welcome.” Pictured left: Counselor Antoinette Turner; right, 4th grade teacher Courtney Schrader.
Zundy Elementary Starts New Video Series ‘Wellness Wednesday’
Zundy’s Madeline Eubanks filmed the year’s third “Wellness Wednesday” video this week. The video, captured by Laci Medlinger on her cell phone, was posted to the school’s Facebook page to give healthy tips to the Zundy family. The video series is designed to complement the opening in October of the Community Healthcare Center, located on the west end of the Zundy campus. The Zundy staff has also made a commitment to self-care, said Ms. Eubanks, so the videos will fit right in. Pictured here, Ms. Eubanks made this week’s video on tips to apply sunscreen in just two takes.
West Foundation Teacher Provides ‘Bathtub Seating’ for Reading
It’s fun to be a reader in Mary Martin’s class at West Foundation Elementary. During reading time, her 2nd graders have the option of squeezing into the classroom’s bathtub.
Lamar Kinders Make Snack for Fun Friday
Cooking creates memories that last a lifetime, so Lamar kindergarten teachers Stephanie Roberts and Elena Martinez bring cooking projects into their classrooms often. Mrs. Roberts' kinders made a snack on Fun Friday to celebrate her students’ hard work. “We made (cookies that look like) pencils, since we were learning about how to use school tools,” she said. Ms. Martinez said cooking also builds students’ listening skills. “The pure joy of cooking and creating something is a memory they will always have,” she said.
Rider High School Football Players Pause to Give Thanks
Farris Head Start Receives 75 Handmade Blankets from Red River Optimist Club
For 10 years, the Red River Optimist Club has been supplying Farris Head Start with cozy, handmade blankets. On Tuesday, Farris PIE Coordinator Lisa Little accepted this year’s gift of 75 blankets. They will be stored at the school and presented to students as needed. Each blanket is unique, and a student in need chooses his or her favorite.
Fox News Reports Kuhrt Story
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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
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