District in Pictures
April 3, 2020
Instructional Specialists Write New Curriculum for School@Home
What a time to be an instructional specialist! This team of WFISD educators wrote and finalized lessons and activities for school@home in record time. Teachers submitted activities and lessons that fit in two categories: digital and low-tech. Then curriculum specialists took the ideas and created lessons for Choice Boards, along with a weekly planner. “The Instructional Technology team made sure all of our activities and lessons were accessible to students,” said Mae Walker. “Then the amazing Ward Roberts built our school@home site. Our hope was that our support with lessons would allow teachers the time to focus on student safety and well-being.” Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths said the new system will require constant adjustments and meetings. “It is a huge task, but we are up for it!” he said. Pictured: Students complete their first lessons on March 30, 2020: Day 1 of school@home. Click here to visit the school@home website.
Chartwells K12 Feeds the 11,000
The school buildings may be officially closed due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, but WFISD’s goal is that no child goes hungry during this crisis. During the first week after spring break, Chartwells served 11,448 meals to children under the age of 18. They offered Grab & Go meals at select schools and Durham Transportation bus drivers brought the food directly into student neighborhoods via bus routes.
Mr. Roberts Returns to Help Students
WFISD has its own version of Mr. (Fred) Rogers, the former PBS host of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, in Director of Innovation Mr. (Ward) Roberts. Mr. Roberts introduced himself to WFISD staff at last year’s Back to School Rally. Now, dressed in a familiar cardigan, he reappeared in a helpful video to introduce students to their new school@home schedule. He mentioned that Mr. Rogers often reminded his listeners whenever there was a crisis, you could encourage yourself by looking for all the people who are helping. You will always find helpers at work, he said.
Students at Barwise Middle School’s Food Stop Show Gratefulness
All that food! All that kindness! Students who benefited from the Grab & Go food packages handed out to them at Barwise Middle School couldn’t resist saying thank you.
27 Burgess Elementary Teachers, Staff Parade Through Neighborhoods
In a parade that lasted several hours, 27 Burgess Elementary teachers and staff drove through neighborhoods belonging to Burgess students. They shouted greetings to students, who waved and cheered. Everyone agreed: This parade was a feel-good time.
Yellow Rose Sertoma Service Group Provides $500 in Groceries for Homeless Students
When Debbie Gonzalez realized that some of WFISD’s homeless students were struggling to get full meals each day, she asked Attendance Coordinator Verna Honeycutt if the Sertoma Community Service Group could help. In response, the Group members conducted a video meeting and approved a gift of $500 for groceries. Ms. Honeycutt, Ms. Gonzalez and Joy Benson purchased the groceries, put together food boxes for 16 families, and delivered them all.
WFISD Students in JJAEP Continue to Receive Four Hours of Daily Instruction
Students assigned to the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) for Title V offenses, such as crimes against other persons or felony offenses, may have received a mandatory expulsion from school, but they still must receive four hours of education a day, plus written documentation that each one has been contacted daily. WFISD teachers assigned to JJAEP are busy conducting daily Google Meets classes from 8 a.m. to noon. Here, JJAEP math teacher Dewey Quickle demonstrates a math problem on a white board during his 8 a.m. Google Meets math class. “Students who are expelled still receive an education from WFISD teachers, who also go above and beyond for every one of the students,” said JJAEP teacher Sylvia Garcialeon. Other JJAEP teachers include Chris Neeb (science) and Heather Zimny (English). “We love what we do!” said Ms. Garcialeon.
Wichita Falls High School Administrator Starts Movement to Honor Senior Athletes
Wichita Falls High School Vice Principal Kory Dorman hung her son Kordell’s Coyote soccer jersey on the wreathe on her front door “until the Texas high school season resumes or until he has to return it,” she said. She challenged other parents of senior athletes to do the same and to pray for all senior athletes. She is following in the footsteps of others she follows on #2020StudentAthletesLifted.
Booker T. Washington Principal Starts First Day of School@Home with Pledge
Angela Rooney, principal at Booker T. Washington, launched her school’s first day of school@home with an enthusiastic live Facebook greeting. She led her students through the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and to the Texas flag, then asked for a moment of silence to reflect on something each student was thankful for. Making the switch to school@home required Booker T. staff to check out 153 Chromebooks, make 190 student and parent contacts, and assemble -- make, pack and address -- 144 packets.
Administrators Demonstrate Acting Skills in Good-for-a-Laugh Video
It sounds like a simple task for teachers to call their students at home to check in on them, but it’s not really as simple as it sounds. To help teachers, Superintendent Mike Kuhrt and Director of Innovation Ward Roberts starred in a video demonstrating the possible challenges they will face as they conduct video-chats with students. In one episode, Mr. Roberts played the part of a seventh-grade boy, who answered with grunts while pulling his hoodie tight around him. In another episode, Mr. Kuhrt played the part of a restless and distracted fourth-grade boy who wore his brother’s football helmet and tossed a small football throughout the conversation.
Custodians Use Paper Towels, Gloves to Keep WFISD Facilities Sanitary
Even though WFISD facilities are closed to the public, two custodians are still working at most WFISD buildings to enable the comings and goings of a few staff members who need to use the buildings each day. At the Education Center, Angela Harney (pictured) follows her regular routine of emptying trash and a special cleaning routine. Because of the pandemic, janitorial staff are going through more gloves than before and have stopped using rags. Instead, they wipe down chairs and furniture with paper towels that can be tossed after each employee’s space is cleaned. However, one thing they’re NOT running out of: Toilet paper. Ms. Harney is a contract employee with ABM Building Value Co. and has cleaned WFISD school buildings for 19 years.
Fain Elementary Teacher Introduces a Book Perfectly Suited to Today’s Times
Fain third-grade math and science teacher Harley James posted “Penguin Problems,” a book by Jory John, as a read-aloud for her students. She believes it perfectly addresses today’s Coronavirus difficulties. The book features a penguin who struggles to see the good in each day. For him, every day is too cold, too dark or marred by the fact that he can’t fly. A wise walrus encourages him to see the good: “Look around you, Penguin. Have you noticed the way the mountains are reflected in the ocean like a painting? Have you gazed upon the blue of that cloudless winter sky, my friend? Have you felt the sun as it gently warms your back?” He reminds Penguin that he wouldn’t trade his life for any other, “and I am quite sure you wouldn’t either.” They agree they are both exactly where they need to be. Ms. James said she and her students will continue to share positive perspectives during this unusual time.
Crockett Elementary Chromebook Deliveries Completed Despite Downpours
Crockett administrators distributed nearly 150 student devices to parents through a campus pick-up system this week. They distributed the rest in deliveries despite Monday’s downpour of rain. “A huge thanks to the staff who helped and got soaked,” said Principal Jesse Thomas, who made the final 30 deliveries Tuesday.
TAG Teacher Struggles to Photograph Fungus to Share with Students
The problems of being in quarantine! This week, Talented and Gifted instructional specialist Jamie Jo Morgan was intent on photographing the bioluminescent fungus that was part of a new experiment. The students had seen the fungus’ parent colony. They had discussed bioluminescence in nature. And they had made new colonies by cutting small pieces of the parent colony to put into bread crumb agar. But this was the week to view the growth of the new colonies! Mrs. Morgan struggled to get a good photo of the glowing green fungus. WFISD continues to offer its TAG services through the Choice Board System with School@Home. “We weren’t surprised when the site went live Sunday night, and we had students working to complete all four of the choices on the first day,” she said. Pictured: She photographed the fungus with a low-light camera, then in daylight. “The glow really is a stunning green against darkness when you see it with your own eyes,” said Mrs. Morgan. “These photos don’t do it justice.”
Southern Hills Elementary Teacher Encourages Students to Read to Her
Southern Hills bilingual first-grade teacher Jessica Esteves has made technology her new best friend. By leaving her Google Meet open during her office hours, she encourages students to connect with her and read to her at any time. “Even though we are not in school, we can still listen to our students read to us,” she said. “Technology is our new friend.”
Celebrity Readers Bring Bedtime Stories to WFISD Facebook Page
WFISD students are enjoying a nightly bedtime treat called Goodnight Wichita Falls each weeknight at 8 p.m. Celebrity readers are reading a bedtime story to students who tune in to watch the video on WFISD’s Facebook Page. This week’s celebrity readers included Superintendent Mike Kuhrt, Associate Superintendent Peter Griffiths (who read his story dressed in his Superman Snuggie), Communications Officer Ashley Thomas, and KAUZ Newschannel 6 anchor Ashley Fitzwater.
Dyslexia Team Still Serving Students with Choice Boards of Daily Tasks
Dyslexia Coordinator Diann Davenport has been facing this challenging time with a team of dedicated workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. “They created Choice Boards for their students to pick tasks each day, created review materials, made sites for their families to keep informed, and gathered a large amount of data needed for me so the District can remain in compliance,” said Ms. Davenport. They have listened to parents’ concerns, reassured students, and been a source of strength for one another. They have surmounted challenges such as being unable to video lessons due to copyrights, and they have tried not to overwhelm parents with extra phone calls. They have also helped students over the phone who can’t meet on Google Meets.
Career Education Center’s Plant Sale Goes On…with Digital Purchases Made on New Website
Every year, students in the Career Education Center’s Horticulture program produce a crop of healthy, vibrant plants for a special spring sale. This year’s bumper crop of plants has been bigger and better than ever, and the greenhouse has never been as full as it is now – but the COVID-19 lockdown threatened to shut down the sale. Here’s how the sale will happen now. Every plant was labeled with its features and price and uploaded to a new website. Shoppers can shop online today and tomorrow and schedule a pick-up date with a special parking spot number and a 30-minute pick-up slot. Shoppers must pick up items, load them into their vehicles, having no interaction with others.
Lamar Elementary Coach Creates Soccer Skills Challenge for Students
This at-home time is a great time for students to stay active. To help them, Lamar Coach Kyle Redding created a soccer challenge, pictured here, for his students.
Partners in Education Committee Replaces Recognition Banquet with Personal Award Deliveries
Changes, changes! What do you do when the Coronavirus social distancing requirements prevent you from hosting your annual recognition banquet? That was the challenge before the PIE Recognition Selection Committee. They met virtually on Google Meets for the first time ever this week. The five members discussed 56 nominations and picked 12 awards that will be personally delivered in May. “We will not be having the banquet, due to the shutdown,” said PIE Coordinator January Cadotte (pictured, right). “We will personally deliver the awards and take pictures and video when we are able.”
Lamar Teachers, Admin Deliver Supply Packets
Jefferson Elementary Staff Meeting Gets a New Look
A grid of 35 faces – that’s the new look of a staff meeting at Jefferson Elementary. This look is made possible through Google Chrome's "grid view" extension. Staff members are discovering new ways to change up interactive meetings and online instruction.
Haynes Northwest Academy Coworkers Enjoy Virtual Game Night
Since everybody is quarantining at home, Adrian Cargal instigated a Virtual Game Night with her Haynes coworkers. Principal Lori Apple, William Price and Cathy Nielsen kept her company. “What a great way to socialize and keep our distance,” said Ms. Nielsen.
Cunningham Teacher, McNiel Students Create Sidewalk Positivity
Community Relations Team Offers T-Shirt to Build Solidarity, Strength
Communications Officer Ashley Thomas created a T-shirt that reads, “WFISD – stronger together – (but still 6 feet apart).” She is offering the T-shirt to any staff member who might want it. Cost: $18. To order, contact January Cadotte at jbcadotte@wfisd.net.
WFISD Tech Team Completes Unprecedented Week
Just when you think you’ve seen and done it all, you get hit with a crisis like Coronavirus that shuts down all WFISD schools and transfers all schooling online. But the WFISD Tech Team plowed through the challenges and came out smiling. Pictured clockwise from top left: Julie Yandell, Lexi Law, Joe Camacho, and Frank Murray.
Milam Elementary Teacher Sees Growth – Literally
Milam second-grade teacher Delaney Pipes was delighted to receive an update from a student who had planted seeds and was now seeing a green leafy stem shoot into the sunshine at home. “We have growth,” the student said. “We planted these before all the craziness,” said Ms. Pipes. “This definitely would have been her good thing today.”
Jefferson Elementary Staff Appreciate Administration’s Surprise
This surprise gift was delivered to each Jefferson staff member's home and came with a note: "Attention passengers! This is your Captain speaking. Welcome aboard Flight COVID-19. We're in line and ready for take-off. We ask that you fasten your seat belts and secure your belongings. We are headed into new territory. But I hear the place we are going is full of wonderful, magnificent opportunities...."
Milam Teacher Introduces Idea of Virtual Handshake
When Milam fourth-grade teacher Tara Skipper met virtually with her students, she challenged them to help her come up with a type of virtual handshake that they could use to greet one another in their Google Meets. It turns out that not all ideas translate very well to video. The concept of a virtual handshake was foreign to them, she said, and a few seemed confused at the thought, but they are still working on it. “We are still brainstorming ideas,” she said.
Fain Elementary Principal Dons a Mask to Make Deliveries
In a pandemic, nothing looks the same – not even the delivery people. Here, Fain Elementary Principal Clarisa Richie makes a delivery of school@home paperwork. She wears a protective mask to stay safe and keep students safe.
Lamar Elementary Students Send Messages to Teachers
When Lamar teachers and staff drove through nearby neighborhoods in a parade to greet children, the students returned the greetings. “Many families made posters to send a sweet message to their teachers – from a distance,” said Principal Amanda Garcia.
PALS Create Video to Offer Encouragement to Fellow Students
Kirby Middle School STEAM Lesson Posted to Twitter
With Kirby virtual spirit, Kirby Middle School students needed only to follow their school on Twitter to get a STEAM lesson. This one highlighted a science experiment mixing oil, food coloring and water. “Food coloring dissolves in water, but not in oil,” said the tweet. “Because the oil is less dense than the water, it will float at the top. The colored droplets will begin to sink because they are heavier than the oil.”
McNiel Middle School Administrators Deliver School@Home Supplies
A wise superintendent once said that WFISD educators are part learning institution, part community service organization, part food distribution center, part health care facility and now, a public transportation hub. Here, McNiel administrator Jackie McCartney joins Durham bus drivers to make deliveries and make sure all students have the supplies they need for school@home.
Barwise Middle School Sends Staff Newsletter to Unite Staff
Barwise Principal Peter Braveboy (standing, center) and team members Chelsey Alsup, Jessica Gardea, Carlos Perales, and Peter Flynn wave after dropping off all school work to Barwise families via school bus. The photo was included in the most recent April Staff Newsletter, along with lots of other news.
WFISD Family Documents Second First-Day-of-School in 2020
It’s a family tradition at the Spurgers' household to take a First Day of Shool picture each year. This year, Career Education Center Assistant Principal Jennifer Spurgers and her family took two: They took a first-day photo when school started in August and now, for the first day of School@Home on March 30. Daughter Emily is an 8th grader at McNiel Middle School; husband Jeff teaches 6th and 7th grade social studies at Barwise Middle School.
#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