2010-2011 FO RT WO RT H IS D A N N UA L R E P O RT
M AK I N G
SECOND
E V ERY
C OU N T
T AB L E OF C ON TE N TS A Day in the Li fe I nsi de Cove r Letter fro m Wal te r D an s by 1 About Us 2 M a ki n g Every Se co n d Co u nt 6 Awards & Ho n o rs 8 Pro g ram Hi g h l i g hts 20 Stu d ent Su p p o r t 30 M a ki n g Every Ce nt Co u nt 36 Fi scal Res p o n s i b i l i ty 38 Di g i tal D i str i c t 45 Op eration al Su stai n ab i l i ty 46 M a ki n g Every Co n n e c ti o n Co u nt 48 Parent & Co mmu n i ty Par tne rs 50 Stu d ent O u treac h 55 Cou nting o n To mo r row 58 20 11-20 1 2 Prev i ew 60 Ou r Scho o l s 63
A DAY IN THE
LIFE It starts early and ends late at Fort Worth ISD. Every minute an opportunity to teach, guide and support. Every minute a chance to make a difference for a lifetime.
2:37
p.m.
immunizations
LIBRARY
IN THE
ONE TUTORING
OF ONE-ON-
ADVANTAGE
ELEMENTARY KIDS HIT THE PLAYGROUND RUNNING
4:16
p.m.
04
Students give a gift from the heart during a blood drive
6:43
questions about
0
p.m.
answers a mom’s
a.m.
02
12:21 p.m.
08
A school nurse
11:02
TAKES
1:14 p.m.
A group of friends opts to learn through lunch
09
A STUDENT
6:58 A.M.
Building
An honors assembly recognizes
ISD Administration
a.m.
10:56 a.m.
at the Fort Worth
8:17
An English teacher leads
9:29 a.m. a reading in the round
Teens stream toward class minutes after first bell
JROTC raises the flag
10
Band members tune up for early morning practice
01 students’ academic achievements
7:24 a.m.
11
DANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
3:16 P.M.
LAST BELL SENDS YOUNG STUDENTS HEADING TOWARD THE EXITS AND HOME
07
LEAP TO NEW HEIGHTS
05
8:12
p.m.
An athlete powers toward the goal line as night settles in
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LETTER FROM WALTER DANSBY
Maybe that’s part of the reason we are moving toward great things at the Fort Worth Independent School District. We have the plan for academic success and the metrics that will tell us how it’s working. We also realize there are just so many days, hours and minutes to teach students all they need to know, engage them in their learning, and send them off ready for college and career. This report looks at how we are making every second count:
“ T
“
A LETTER FROM WALTER DANSBY
o achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.
the innovative directions we’re taking and the everyday things our students, teachers and staff do that contribute to success and set our District apart. This report also shows how we are making every cent count – a responsibility made more urgent than ever by the state funding crisis. We managed to minimize the impact of the crisis on campuses. We kept teachers and parents up to date and answered their questions. In doing so, we strengthened
- Leonard Bernstein, conductor and composer
existing relationships and created new ones. Relationships are highlighted throughout this report, which shows how we are making every connection count. A recent best-seller about successful businesses says teamwork provides the ultimate competitive advantage. Our team is more than District employees. It’s also students, parents and the community working together and accomplishing many exciting things. Here’s a year’s worth for you to examine and enjoy.
Walter D. Dansby, Interim Superintendent
Melody Johnson resigned as Fort Worth ISD superintendent in May 2011, after leading the District for nearly six years. In June, the Fort Worth ISD Board of Education selected Walter Dansby, a 37-year veteran of the District, as interim superintendent.
1 MISSION
ABOUT US
2
TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED IN A COMPETITIVE GLOBAL ECONOMY
OUR VISION EDUCATING FOR LIFE
Ray Dickerson, President Juan Rangel, Vice President, District 8 T.A. Sims, Secretary, District 4 Carlos Vasquez, District 1 Tobi Jackson, District 2 Christene C. Moss, District 3 Judy G. Needham, District 5 Ann Sutherland, District 6 Norman Robbins, District 7
12
cabinet
members
three goals 1. Student Achievement 2. Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness 3. Family Involvement & Community Partnerships
NINE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
MARGARET BALANDRAN, Exec. Director, Bilingual & ESL; SHERRY BREED, Assoc. Supt., Elementary School Leadership; ART CAVAZOS, Chief of District Operations; KYLE DAVIE, Chief of Information & Technology; BARBARA GRIFFITH, Senior Communications Officer; JOSIE GUTIERREZ, District Steward; HANK JOHNSON, Chief Financial Officer; ROBERT RAY, Chief of Schools; SYLVIA REYNA, Chief of Administration; MARIA SANCHEZ, Assist. Supt., Secondary School Leadership; MICHAEL SORUM, Chief Academic Officer; BERTHA WHATLEY, Chief Legal Counsel
60.5% HISPANIC
American
Thirteen percent
BILINGUAL/ESL
WHITE/ANGLO
11,501 Career & Technical Education
60,302
Economically Disadvantaged
Five thousand eight hundred
seventy-nine S p e c i a l
1 0 , 9 5 3
F O R T
ELEMENTARY
W O R T H
E M P L O Y E E S
Twelve percent professional support
EIGHT PERCENT
3.2% Campus administrators
I S D
Educational aides
28.9%
Full-time teachers
TWENTY-ONE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS
Auxiliary staff
46.3%
13 h i g h sch ool s
Twenty-four
SCHOOLS
middle schools
81
E d u c a t i o n
0.3 percent Native American 7, 6 9 8 G I F T E D & TA L E N T E D
22,985
African-
ASIAN/ PACIFIC ISLANDER
1.6% C ENT RA L A DMINIST RATO RS
3
ABOUT US
24.5%
1.8%
N E A R LY 8 0 , 0 0 0 F O R T W O R T H I S D S T U D E N T S
ABOUT US
4
AN A M ER I CA N HE RO U.S. Coast Guard Seaman
I
n 1980, a former Western Hills HS student made the ultimate sacrifice.
Apprentice William Flores was
stored. This allowed the jackets to Bobby Flores, was researching float to the surface. Flores and 22 his uncle on the Internet and
aboard a cutter that collided
other crewmembers went down
discovered the Coast Guard
with an oil tanker near Florida.
with the ship. Twenty-seven
planned to name a new cutter
As Guardsmen jumped into the
survived.
after him: the CGC William
water and swam away from the sinking cutter, Flores stayed
Ray Flores. In 2000, the Coast Guard
behind to help injured and
posthumously awarded Flores the With Bobby and other family trapped shipmates. One of his last Coast Guard Medal, its highest members looking on, we added acts was to tie open the door of a locker where lifejackets were
honor. Last year, Flores’ 9-year-old William Ray Flores to the Fort nephew, Waverly Park ES student Worth ISD Wall of Fame.
Former Fort Worth ISD students on the Wall of Fame
BYRON CHAMBERLAIN (Eastern Hills, 1989) - NFL Pro Bowl player and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos
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Alumni added to wall in 2010-2011
Walter Dansby (Dunbar, 1969) – Fort Worth ISD Interim Superintendent whose long career with the District includes Deputy Superintendent for Operational Management and Human Resources, high school principal, head
SCOTT AND STUART GENTLING
basketball coach and teacher
(Arlington Heights, 1961) acclaimed artists and twin
ORMER LOCKLEAR (JENNINGS AVENUE SCHOOL) -
brothers who created “Of Bird
NATIONALLY FAMOUS BARNSTORMER AND SILENT FILM ACTOR
and Texas” folio
WHO INSPIRED THE 1973 FILM “THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER”
Yovani Gallardo (Trimble Tech, 2004) - pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, National League All-Star and National League Silver Slugger Award winner
Juan Hernandez (Arlington Heights, 1967) immigration expert and author
SEDRICK HUCKABY (O.D. WYATT, 1993) – ARTIST WHOSE PAINTINGS ARE IN THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART IN NEW YORK AND OTHER PRESTIGIOUS COLLECTIONS
WINDELL MIDDLEBROOKS (Trimble Tech, 1997) – actor made famous by Super Bowl ads; now starring in ABC’s “Body of Proof”
Ginger Rogers (Central High) – dancer/singer/actress who won the 1940 Best Actress Academy Award for her role in “Kitty Foyle”
(Arlington Heights, 1952) – Film & Television actor (“The Green
Van Williams Hornet” and “Surfside 6”)
ABOUT US
One Hundred twenty-nine
5
6
10
11
SEC making every
09
12 01
7
OND count
AWARDS & HONORS
8
P O LY P OW ER
T
he green invention of two Polytechnic HS students is generating a lot of talk and a lot of electricity.
Ignacio Ramirez Moreno and
Inexpensive and portable, the
dam on the Trinity River to test
Jairo Valdez developed a micro
Hydro Poly Generator, as it’s
their invention. It produced
hydroelectricity generator out
called, could provide electricity
enough electricity to power
of a salvaged alternator from
for areas of third world countries a laptop computer! that have none – an eco-friendly
an 18-wheeler. In doing so, they
were named Texas State Finalists solution to an international
Ignacio was also named a finalist
in the Siemens We Can Change
issue. Poly teacher Mike Beaupré
in the Siemens Competition in
the World Challenge.
took the students to a low-water
Math, Science and Technology.
RESULTS SHOWED THAT FORT WORTH ISD STUDENTS MET OR EXCEEDED THE STATE STANDARD ON 91% OF MEASURES TESTED.
1st grade national winner “On crazy sock day, she wore hilarious socks. She told us to sock it to drugs. That means don’t do drugs.” - Will Lourcey, Tanglewood ES 1st grader Will Lourcey told what he liked about his teacher, Melody Sample, and ended up the 1st grade winner of Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales essay writing contest. Will won a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at Olive Garden.
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AWARDS & HONORS
NINETY-ONE PERCENT
2011 TAKS
11
UIL MEDALS WON BY PASCHAL HS SCIENCE TEAM PASCHAL’S 9TH/10TH GRADE TEAM WON THE STATE TITLE IN THE JETS TEAMS ENGINEERING COMPETITION AND FINISHED 3RD IN THE NATION. THE 11TH/12TH GRADE TEAM CAME IN 9TH IN THE NATION.
TWO
Students from W.P. McLean MS took their vision of tomorrow to Washington, D.C. for the national finals of the National Engineers’ Week Future City Competition.
4.5.2011 It’s a Boy! 4:30 p.m. a Santa Gertrudis calf, made his debut 80 lbs. Wrangler, on an April afternoon in the Arlington Heights HS 3 ft. Agriculture Barn. Senior Megan Burgess assisted Ag teachers Cody Davenport and Lindsey Fowler with the weighty delivery. Wrangler and Mama Annabelle are doing fine!
SOUTHWEST HS STUDENTS WON 1ST PLACE IN STATE UIL CONTESTS: MADISON CAMPBELL, ANCHORING ROBIN ELKINS, SPORTS REPORTING
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Students awarded scholarships from Chesapeake Energy Corporation
56 Thousand Dollars Amount each student receives annually for scholarships renewable up to four years: Silverio Canchola, Carter-Riverside HS • Katy Levee, Dunbar HS • Mayra Lopez, Trimble Tech HS • Abigail Rosales, Paschal HS • Raul Salas, Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS • Shanequiwa Sledge, Polytechnic HS • Angel Solorzano, Western Hills HS • Jasmine Washington, Dunbar HS
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Students named TCU Community Scholars. Each of the following students received full-tuition ($32,400/year) or full-ride scholarships ($43,940/year): Erika Alonso, Trimble Tech HS Payton Anderson, Dunbar HS Karli Beckner, Trimble Tech HS Jacqueline Chairez, Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS Jhala Criss, Trimble Tech HS Rozlin Draper, Trimble Tech HS Selina Lopez, South Hills HS
$20,000
AWARDS & HONORS
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Horatio Alger National Scholarship awarded to Phonevimonh
Perfect attendance
Luangsouphom,
put an Arlington
Carter-
Heights HS student
Riverside
in the driver’s
HS, for the
seat. Students
university of
with no absences
his choice.
during a six-week
NINE
Andres Munoz, Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS
STUDENTS AWARDED
Thi Nguyen, Polytechnic HS
$5,000 HORATIO ALGER
Thy Nguyen, Dunbar HS
0 days absent
grading period had a chance to win a car. Freshman Jelani Russell picked the lucky key that started a 2000 Chevy Camaro donated by Petrie Automotive. Jelani
SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH
is not old enough to
Janette Quezada, Trimble Tech HS
THE BURLINGTON
drive, but will have
Cristina Rios, Trimble Tech HS
NORTHERN SANTA FE
Lourdes Paredes, South Hills HS
Raul Salas, Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS Micaela Scott, O.D. Wyatt HS
FOUNDATION.
the wheels to do so the minute he gets his license.
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SENIORS NAMED
Merit Scholarships:
Sai Gourisankar, Paschal HS Chance Harper, Paschal HS Timothy Kuhnen, Paschal HS
SUPERINTENDENT SCHOLARS
920
TWO
students received university-sponsored National Merit Scholarships: Benjamin Cristol – Paschal HS Jackson Romine – Paschal HS
Scholarship offers to Fort Worth ISD students
22
Fort Worth ISD students advanced
to the state History Fair
TOTAL AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS
Entry in the Individual
$37,493 WAS RAISED BY FORT WORTH ISD EMPLOYEES FOR THE MEXICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE EDUCATION FUNDRAISING DRIVE TO SUPPORT 92 SCHOLARSHIPS.
Montessori’s Jeffrey Tullis won Outstanding Documentary category for “The Orchestra as Diplomat.” Our Social Studies Department received the Project INSIGHT Teaching American History grant back in 2008. Since then, the TAKS passing rate of students instructed by grant teachers has risen
Students from William James MS took top honors at the Texas Junior Classical League competition.
$34.5 Million
competition. Daggett
1st place
14 percent.
German language students from Paschal HS and Southwest HS qualified for state German competition. They demonstrated their skills in culinary, art, grammar and cultural categories.
AWARDS & HONORS
109
3
students received $2,500 National
AWARDS & HONORS
12
CAR E E R SKILL S GET TO P SCOR ES
S
shined at SkillsUSA competitions.
Job Skill Demonstration, Southwest HS
DeUnta Stewart
Advertising Design, Trimble Tech HS
Advertising Design, Trimble Tech HS
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Jonathan Tejeida
State T-Shirt Design, Southwest HS
Graphics Communications, Trimble Tech HS
Grant Robinson
Nathaly Arambula, Madison Campbell, Lisa Le, Joey McReynolds
Broadcast News Production, Southwest HS
Broadcast News Production, Southwest HS
Technical Information, Trimble Tech HS
Madison Campbell
Broadcast News Production, Southwest HS
Advertising Design, Trimble Tech HS
Technical Education (CTE) programs
3rd Place Cynthia DeLaTorre
National: 2nd Place Nathaly Arambula, Madison Campbell, Lisa Le, Joey McReynolds
State: Best of Show Karli Beckner
tudents in Fort Worth ISD’s Career &
Laura Lopez Advertising Design, Trimble Tech HS
2nd Place Elizabeth Gonzalez
1st Place Jesus Aguayo
National T-Shirt Design, Southwest HS
Texas Pin Design, Southwest HS
Plumbing, Trimble Tech HS
CTE
STUDENTS
REAP REWARDS
Edgar Rojas Martin Urbina Collision Repair Technology, Trimble Tech HS
Edgar Resendiz
Ned Kemble, active in Future Farmers
Rozlin Draper and Erica Alonso, Health
of America at Arlington Heights HS,
Science Technology students at Trimble
received a $3,000 scholarship for his
Tech HS, received full scholarships to
participation in the Fort Worth Stock
Texas Christian University.
Show Calf Scramble. Trimble Tech’s Jazmin Rodriguez is going Andrea Rodriguez, a Medical
pre-med at Cornell University in Ithaca,
Professions student at North Side HS,
New York. She will major in biology.
was awarded a research internship in the Department of Psychology at
Trimble Tech students Omar Arciniega,
the University of Texas Southwestern
Alfredo Fernandez and Martin Urbina
Medical School in Dallas. The award
received scholarships to the Universal
included a stipend of $2,300.
Technical Institute in Houston.
2
Outstanding Soloist awards: Charles Hall, Southwest HS; James Lockhart, Western Hills HS
THIRTY G O L D MEDALS
43
silver medals
NINE
THREE
Fort Worth ISD students excelled at state UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest for Choir, earning:
bronze medals
schools won UIL Choral Sweepstakes: Dunbar HS, Southwest HS and Wedgwood MS.
twenty-one middle school and high school bands received a Division I in UIL Concert and/or Sight-Reading Contest.
fourteen gold medals were won by orchestra
and Ensemble competition.
TWO
OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS
Trevor Cavallero, Southwest HS Aaron Pritchett, Paschal HS
4 300
and band members at state UIL Solo
high school bands earned a Division I at UIL Marching Contest.
students attended Fort Worth ISD’s 2nd annual Mariachi Spectacular de Fort Worth workshop. The conference featured mariachi legend Jose Hernandez.
13
AWARDS & HONORS
128
choir students, a record number, advanced to state UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest.
students made All-State Choir: Chris Solorzano and James Lockhart, Western Hills HS; Chelsey Payne, Dunbar HS; Harold Moon, Southwest HS.
TWO HUNDRED FIFTY
AWARDS & HONORS
14
3
high schools staged a hit with Jubilee
students showed and sold their work at the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival. They earned a record $7,800. Student winners in the 2011 Mayfest Arts Festival won cash awards totaling more than $500.
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students advanced to state in the 17th Annual Texas Visual Art Scholarship Event (VASE) and 6 students won state medals.
Theatre. Students from Eastern Hills, Carter Riverside and Dunbar high schools produced and starred in “Shaking the Mess Outta Misery.�
eight students made area All-Star cast / 8 earned Honorable Mention.
4,000 high school and middle school students collaborated with Stage West Theatre to write, produce and perform a play.
were displayed by our young artists at the Elementary Art Show. awards: Arlington Heights HS and Western Hills HS advanced to area in the UIL One-Act Play competition.
one-act
fourteen
works
15
the Achievement Gap. A report released in December
recorded its greatest year-to-year gains in the All Tests
three
Taken category.
3
points for All Students (from 61% to 64%)
4
points for Hispanic (from 60% to 64%)
2010 by the Texas Education Agency shows the District
points for AfricanAmerican (from 50% to 53%)
points for Economically Disadvantaged (from 57% to 61%)
points for White (from 82% to 84%)
HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS
EXEMPLARY
Cesar Chavez Primary
Ridglea Hills ES
Burton Hill ES
Lily B. Clayton ES
Sam Rosen ES
George Clarke ES
Como Montessori
David K. Sellars ES
Riverside Applied
Alice D. Contreras ES
Seminary Hills Park ES
E.M. Daggett ES
South Hi Mount ES
Tanglewood ES
Daggett Montessori
South Hills ES
Van Zandt-Guinn ES
Clifford Davis ES
J.T. Stevens ES
Young Women’s
H.V. Helbing ES
I.M. Terrell ES
Dolores Huerta ES
W.J. Turner ES
McLean 6th Grade
Washington Heights ES
RECOGNIZED
Charles E. Nash ES
Waverly Park ES
Applied Learning Academy
North Hi Mount ES
Westcliff ES
Benbrook ES
Oakhurst ES
Westpark ES
Edward Briscoe ES
Hazel Harvey Peace ES
Worth Heights ES
Alice Carlson Applied
Carroll Peak ES
Learning Center
Leadership Academy
Learning Center
AWARDS & HONORS
F
ort Worth ISD continued to make progress toward closing
AWARDS & HONORS
16
TWENTY-FOUR Academic All-State students
3
The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) recognized the Western Hills HS boys and girls swim teams based on the teams’ average cumulative GPAs. The WHHS girls received the NISCA/Kiefer Gold Scholar Team Award with a team GPA of 3.854. The WHHS boys also earned Gold status with a team GPA of 3.760. Both teams ranked 10th in the nation.
Who Went to
Western Hills HS swimmers made Academic All-American: Adam Dowell, Colin Hatch and Olivia Pacheco.
Student athletes awarded scholarships on National Signing Day
DABIN HWANG, A TENNIS PLAYER AT PASCHAL HS, WAS RECOGNIZED BY STATE FARM INSURANCE AS ONE OF THE COMPANY’S 50 TEXAS SCHOLAR ATHLETES. HE RECEIVED A CHECK FOR $1,000.
MICHAEL HARRIS, A SENIOR AT
STATE:
Track and Field
Basketball
Kameron Holmes, Arlington Heights HS
NATION FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL
Arlington Heights HS, Boys
Dominique Joiner, Southwest HS
FOOTBALL RUDY AWARD.
Travis Williams, Arlington Heights HS
Boys’ 200m relay team, Southwest HS
Charles Hill, Jr., Trimble Tech HS
(Wesley Harris, Robert Rhodes, Willie
DEMONSTRATE THE EXEMPLARY
Robinson, Demondre Williams)
VALUES OF FOOTBALL LEGEND
Demondrick Coleman, O.D. Wyatt HS
Football Marquis Jackson, Arlington Heights HS
TRIMBLE TECH HS, WAS ONE OF TWELVE FINALISTS IN THE
THE AWARD RECOGNIZES PLAYERS WHO BEST
DANIEL “RUDY” RUETTIGER.
Wrestling James Floyd, Paschal HS
Swimming
Claudia Morales, Trimble Tech HS
Julia Anderson, Paschal HS
Tishiana Covington, Trimble Tech HS
Griffin Neville, Paschal HS
Shala Jones, Trimble Tech HS
32%
Increase in participation in
cross country at District high schools since last year
More kicks for kids! Fort Worth ISD reinstated middle school soccer. Campuses installed goals and provided new uniforms and equipment for boys and girls teams.
JASON SABOTIN, who teaches Honors English III at Arlington Heights HS, was one of 40 teachers statewide selected as Best in Texas Education finalists in the 2011 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT LILY B. CLAYTON ES, IS THE 2010 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR. THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY THE TEXAS SCHOOL COUNSELING ASSOCIATION.
Lynne Gibbon, a teacher at North
Paschal HS
Side HS, was named the 2010 Outstanding
choir director,
New Teacher for Area 5 by the Texas Health
was selected
Occupations Association. She is a registered
as a 2010 Region XI Teacher of the Year by the
nurse certified to teach Health Science
Texas Education Agency. She was also selected
Technology Education courses.
as the District’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.
TOTAL PEAK
PEAK PAYS AGAIN!
FOUR THOUSAND, NINETYEIGHT DOLLARS
PAYOUT TO
Average award ($1,531 more
TEACHERS
than the previous year)
FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR
$13,000 Maximum individual reward
The Public Educators Accelerating Kids (PEAK) Initiative delivered for a second year, accelerating academic growth and retaining teachers at traditionally hard-to-staff campuses. And that was extra money in the bank for the many PEAK teachers who improved student performance.
AWARDS & HONORS
Mabel Chang and Dean Wilson, in Fort Worth ISD’s Vision Services, were awarded the Natalie Barraga Award. The award presented by the Texas Association for the Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind recognizes excellence in public school programs for students with visual impairments.
SHEILA LASHLEY,
17
AWARDS & HONORS
18
1
of the best! Fort Worth is one of the nation’s “best cities for school reform,” according to a study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The report praised Fort Worth ISD for making great strides in the past five years.
PARENT AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT The National Network of Partnership Schools awarded the 2010 Partnership District Award to Fort Worth ISD. The District’s Parent & Public Engagement Department coordinates several nationally recognized business and school partnership programs.
The 18th Annual Dr. Roy J. Brooks Living Legends Award went to two key Fort Worth ISD administrators: Deputy Superintendent Walter Dansby (now interim superintendent) and Chief Legal Counsel Bertha Whatley. The awards are presented to area citizens dedicated to community service.
Art Cavazos, Assistant Superintendent (now Chief of District Operations), received the Distinguished Professional Eagle Award from the Association of School Business Officials International.
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
one
3
Award of Excellence
Golden Achievement Awards – the National School Public Relations Association
SEVENTEEN Gold Star Awards – Texas School Public Relations Association
Kathryn Everest, Director of Guidance and Counseling, was selected to serve on the State Board of Educator Certification. The Board oversees the preparation, certification and standards of conduct of public school educators.
THE FORT WORTH ISD PURCHASING DEPARTMENT received the Award of Merit for Purchasing and Operations from the Texas Association of School Business Officials. The award recognizes the District’s commitment to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services.
19
helps principals improve achievement at low-performing schools. A.M. Pate was rated Academically Acceptable for three of the last four years.
PRINCIPAL PLUS
Beverly Fletcher, Director of Art
Fort Worth ISD was one of four districts in Texas invited to join
Education, was named National Supervision
the largest initiative in history to improve the performance
and Administration Art
of public school principals. Our District was selected by the
Educator of the Year
Alliance for Reforming Educational Leadership (AREL) at the
by the National Art Association.
George Bush Institute at Southern Methodist University. AREL includes a nationwide network of experts working together to transform the way districts recruit, prepare and evaluate principals.
Patricia Rangel, Director of Early Childhood Education, received the Phyllis Jack Moore Professional Development Award from Camp Fire
2 grants to benefit libraries The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded grants to the libraries at Oakhurst and Sam Rosen elementary schools. Each library will receive up to $5,000 to expand, update and diversify its book collection.
USA First Texas Council.
MARTA PLATA,
The award recognizes
principal
a vital role in the nurturing
of Manuel
early childhood professionals who play and development of young children.
Jara ES, was named the
Georgi Roberts, Director of Health & Physical
2011 Woman of Distinction by Altrusa
Education, was named one
International, Inc. of Fort Worth.
of two winners of the new
Altrusa, a service organization
It’s Time School Summit Award. The award honors
focused on community needs,
Texas school leaders who
honored Plata for her contributions
are health champions
to her community and school.
in their communities. The Summit is sponsored by the Texas Education Agency and ACTIVE Life.
AWARDS & HONORS
ERIKA MOODY, principal of A.M. Pate ES, was named School Turnaround Principal of the Year. The award included a check for $5,000. The School Turnaround initiative
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
20
THE POWER OF CHOICE
I
t is one of the biggest changes ever at Fort Worth ISD: Gold Seal Programs of Choice.
Students take classes of their choosing –
•
Four-year plans for each program
everything from Aviation Technology to Culinary
•
Three trajectories within each program to
Arts to Digital Graphics & Gaming. This engages
serve every student skill level.
them in their learning for greater success in school and increased readiness for college
AAIL formed Gold Seal committees at each campus
and career. Students can even earn licenses,
to help with decision making and implementation.
certifications and college credits.
Then came the task of spreading the word about Gold Seal programs far and wide – to all internal
This year, the District’s Advanced, Accelerated and and external stakeholders. Innovative Learning Department (AAIL) laid the foundation for Gold Seal Programs,
The District’s Communications Department
a monumental task that involved developing:
strategized a marketing campaign that included
•
Three Gold Seal Programs at each school
a website, ads (print, radio and television), 15
21
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
informative videos narrated by celebrity alumni,
produced a video of the discussion for viewing on
automated phone call-outs, brochures, news
the District website.
releases, a Choices catalog, Facebook, Twitter, and more – in English and Spanish.
Our business and higher education partners are excited about the programs and are signing up to
Each campus held a Gold Seal open house for
support them with money, mentors and internships.
parents and students in the fall. These led up to a
We received 4,145 applications from students –
huge two-day Choices Expo where families came
outpacing the number of spaces available. At last
together under one roof to explore all programs
count, 2,908 students were enrolled in Gold Seal
at all schools. A highlight of the Expo was a
Programs for 2011-2012.
roundtable discussion between Fort Worth ISD Chief Academic Officer Michael Sorum and middle
Explore our many exciting Gold Seal Programs of
school students. The Communications Department Choice at www.fwisd.org/choice. and students in the Advanced Media Program
two hundred fifty-five
Identification Program, a tool that helps identify academically gifted
355 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN 627 DUAL CREDIT COURSES FOR THE FALL 2010 SEMESTER.
students. The search resulted in
high achieving juniors
in the Duke Talent
130 attended Navigating the
students participated
courses for the spring 2011 semester.
College Admissions Process,
221
students enrolled in 447 dual credit
a college readiness workshop.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
22
40
students qualifying for State Recognition
For the first time, the District tested all 8th graders for
and three students
college readiness. The testing was done through ReadiStep,
qualifying for
which helps students pinpoint early the skills they need
Grand Recognition.
to prepare for college. It helps teachers determine which students should be in Pre-AP classes.
TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES VISITED WITH HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS AT FORT WORTH ISD COLLEGE NIGHT. WORKSHOPS PROVIDED INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS AND ADMISSIONS.
23
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
4DAYS
ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS The Fort Worth ISD Leadership Academy put 9th and 10th graders on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington for four days during the summer. They toured the school, slept in a dorm and learned all about college admissions and financial aid. And perhaps best of all, they left with college-bound expectations.
6,045 AP exams were taken by District students.
high school and middle school students attended ACCESS Scholar Academies compared to 190 last year. The academies are designed to recruit new students into AP courses.
335 62
SCHOOLS COMPETED IN ACADEMIC UIL CONTESTS.
MORE THAN 500 AP students attended an AP Placement citywide study session hosted by the Office of Continuing Education at Texas Christian University.
campuses to determine
Bias Busters
how well the District
Faculties and staff attended
was doing at providing
workshops designed to change
academic opportunities for
preconceived notions about
A new report looked at all
all. Secondary campuses made especially high marks.
what gifted students look like.
As a result of the report,
Thanks to the “Perception of
elementary campuses will
Attributes Inventory,” more
now offer a new program of
students were nominated for
advanced academic services 2 ½ hours each week.
Gifted/Talented programs than in the past few years.
f o r t y - e i g h t Dare to Discover sessions over the summer provided hands-on, high academic classes for young students who like a good challenge and love to learn.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
24
“
Y
“
GIRL POWER
WLA is like a home away from home.
There are important lessons we learn and take away every day.
- Amani Gardner, YWLA 7th Grader
The District’s first single gender
Young Women, encourages critical The YWLA opened in August 2010
school, the Young Women’s
thinking, inspires confidence and
to 6th and 7th graders. It will add
Leadership Academy (YWLA),
develops the intellectual and
8th grade in 2011. The academy is
wrapped up an already successful social skills necessary for success located on the Near South Side first year with yet another
in college, career and life.
in a building that was completely
triumph: Exemplary status.
YWLA Principal Mia Hall likes to
renovated by the Fort Worth ISD
YWLA, a partnership with the
say the school addresses the
Operations team.
Foundation for the Education of
whole girl.
25
3,500
INVESTIGATIONS AT THE DISTRICT’S 228-ACRE
4,500
OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER (OLC).
conducted scientific investigations at the
STUDENTS CONDUCTED REAL-WORLD FIELD
teachers and students from
6th grade centers and middle schools Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.
Elementary lessons focused on basic science, ecosystems, life cycles and food chains. Middle school students studied man’s impact on the land and tested and analyzed water and soil samples. High school students learned about astronomy and conducted advanced soil and water quality testing. When the District’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps visited, lessons turned to map reading, survival, leadership and team building.
The Fort Worth ISD American Indian Education Program installed a Heritage Garden at the OLC. Students planted vegetables according to
SIX THOUSAND elementary students took part in outdoor field investigations at Pecan Valley City Park, Tandy Hills Natural Area and other Tarrant County locations.
Iroquois tradition. They took turns maintaining and monitoring the garden, recording temperatures, rain amounts, wind speeds and watering times.
Students living in community homeless shelters attended Red Canoe Adventures Day Camp where they conducted field observations along sections of the Trinity River.
1 , 5 0 0 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FLOCKED TO THE HANDS-ON, HIGHLYINNOVATIVE SCIENCE & MATH FALL FESTIVAL AT WILKERSON-GREINES ACTIVITY CENTER. STUDENTS EXTRACTED DNA FROM STRAWBERRIES, MADE THEIR OWN PERSONAL FLAVOR OF TOOTHPASTE, CREATED ATOM MODELS FROM GUMDROPS AND MUCH MORE.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
students participated in the Independent Research Fair, a year-long scientific project. Experiments included determining the amount of preservatives in fast food hamburgers, left brain/right brain research, and measuring electrolytes in sports drinks.
All 81 elementary campuses hosted a Family Math Night for students and parents. They put their math skills to the test with activities and games that can be played by the entire family at home. More learning fun was had at Camp Analytical, which was held on all elementary campuses for kids in grades 3 – 5.
OF ENVISION MATH SAW INCREASED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AT ALL ELEMENTARY GRADE LEVELS AND IN ALL DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS. THE ELEMENTARY MATH CURRICULUM EMPHASIZES PROBLEMBASED, INTERACTIVE LEARNING.
hundred
YEAR 3
THREE
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
26
14
STUDENTS TACKLED SUDOKU, TANGRAM PUZZLES AND OTHER MATH GAMES IN THE THIRD ANNUAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PROBLEM SOLVING COMPETITION. PRIZES WERE AWARDED – EVERYTHING FROM IPOD SHUFFLES TO DIGITAL CAMERAS.
talented math and science students received
a full year of college credit as part of the new Advanced Academic Immersion (A2I) program.
226 students
signed up for A2I Summer Acceleration.
6
secondary schools were added to the Algebra Readiness Grant initiative for a total of 14 campuses. Grant recipients designed, developed and implemented a comprehensive school improvement model for mathematics.
CERTIFIED BILINGUAL TEACHERS IN FORT WORTH ISD
“The goals of the project are to assist Fort Worth ISD to grow
A RENEWED GRANT FROM THE SID RICHARDSON FOUNDATION
their own teachers in bilingual education.”
GAVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE TO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
Dr. Rossana Ramirez,
STUDENTS CONSIDERING BILINGUAL EDUCATION AS A CAREER.
Project Director,
THE FUNDS WERE AWARDED TO THE FUTURE BILINGUAL TEACHERS
Future Bilingual
ACADEMY, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH
Teachers Academy
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THIS YEAR, 17 STUDENTS
at UNT
COMPLETED THE ACADEMY. THEY SPENT TWO DAYS ON THE UNT CAMPUS OBSERVING CLASSES AND TWO DAYS AT FORT WORTH ISD PLANNING AND DELIVERING LESSONS.
Our World Languages Department expanded
GERMAN STUDENTS AT PASCHAL, SOUTHWEST AND WESTERN
the popular Spanish
HILLS HIGH SCHOOLS HOSTED STUDENTS FROM PARTNER
Immersion program to include 2nd grade at Burton Hill ES and Morningside ES.
SCHOOLS IN GERMANY, EXPOSING THEM TO EVERYDAY LIFE IN FORT WORTH. OUR STUDENTS THEN TRAVELED TO GERMANY. THE EXCHANGE WAS PART OF THE GERMAN AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
The schools already offer the program in Kindergarten and 1st year, 3rd grade will be added. Curriculum is taught in Spanish 90 percent of the day.
new languages were added to the District’s Credit by Exams: Hindi, Arabic, Urdu, Vietnamese, Chinese and Napali.
SIX
grade. Next school
MORE THAN 150 A record number of Fort Worth ISD students joined chapters of the National Spanish Honor Society and the National Junior Spanish Honor Society.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
578
27
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
28
of Pre-Kindergarten (PK) teacher trainings All PK teachers completed 40 hours of Center for Improving the Readiness of Children for Learning and Education (CIRCLE) professional development. Teachers were mentored each month on teaching strategies. A new tool for classroom observation
CAMERA READY
quickly became a favorite: video flip cameras.
Fort Worth ISD was the only urban district
EARLY CHILDHOOD COMPLETED THE
selected to be part of a professional
TWO-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
development video produced by the Teachscape
PK EARLY START GRANT.
company. The video showcased the District’s PK
OUR DISTRICT WAS THE ONLY
English Language Learner and English
LARGE URBAN DISTRICT AWARDED
as a Second Language classrooms to
THIS GRANT AND THE PK ENGLISH
highlight developmentally-appropriate
LANGUAGE LEARNER GRANT,
teaching strategies.
3X3 A United Way grant funded reading intervention three times a week at three elementary campuses: David K. Sellars, W.M. Green and Clifford Davis. Teachers screened struggling readers and placed them in the appropriate level of intervention lessons. Teachers reported significant reading improvements.
DESIGNED TO MEET THE GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC NEEDS IN TEXAS.
four
Literacy Fairs
presented by our Secondary Literacy Department presented teachers with writing strategies for the classroom and tips for using new textbooks.
29
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Students who like math
I
“
“
A FUTURE IN MEDICINE
’ve actually seen a real brain, a real heart and real lungs – things I never thought I would do until high school or college. Every day I look forward to learning more.
such as:
- Alex Derrick, TABS Prep 8th grader not experienced until high school
and science love the Texas
•
Doctor
Academy of Biomedical Science
•
Pharmacist
Preparatory School (TABS Prep).
•
Veterinarian
A highlight of the program came
This exciting program opened
•
Emergency Medical
at the close, when students were
Technician (EMT)
presented with their own white
Forensic Scientist
lab coats.
August 2010 on the campus of Stripling Middle School, thanks to
•
or college.
a dynamic collaboration with the University of North Texas Health
The 74 8th graders who made
TABS Prep students going into to
Science Center and the University up the inaugural class spent
the 9th grade were eligible to apply
of North Texas.
four weeks in a summer bridge
to the Texas Academy of Biomedical
program prior to TABS Prep.
Science (TABS). The early-college
TABS Prep is a dream come true
The summer classes included
high school accepted 103 students.
for college-bound students who
hands-on lab activities normally
TABS opens August 2011.
want to explore careers
STUDENT SUPPORT
30
Forty-Nine students and their families attended the 2010-2011 I Dream, I Learn, I Win Family Summit. The annual resource fair and conference inspires and prepares students for college and career success.
444 volunteers descended on neighborhoods across the city for the 2010 Prevail to Graduation Walk. The September walk targeted teens who did not return to school in the fall.
H E R E ’ S H O W T H E D AY A D D E D U P :
TWENTY-TWO the re-enrollment process the day of the walk
18
STUDENTS RETURNED TO SCHOOL THE DAY OF THE WALK
21
students made a commitment to return to school
students started
MORE THAN 80 CAME TOGETHER WITH STUDENTS UNDER ONE ROOF. THE 2011 HIRING FAIR HOSTED BY CTE WAS HELD IN JUNE AT WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL CENTER. RECENT FORT WORTH ISD GRADUATES AND CURRENT STUDENTS SHOWED UP WITH RESUMES AND REFERENCES, HOPING TO LAND A FULL-TIME
MORE THAN 50 Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are offered at Fort Worth ISD high schools and middle schools.
OR PART-TIME JOB. THE EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE FORT WORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE JOBING FOUNDATION,
All CTE courses are based on the 16 career clusters established by the U.S. Department of Labor and include everything from architectural design to
THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE
broadcast journalism to cosmetology. Students learn the technical knowledge
SERVICES AND
and skills necessary to graduate prepared for entry into the workplace or
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
continued education.
academic performance of students with special needs is credited with helping the District meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Fort Worth ISD was the only large urban district in Texas to meet AYP in 2010. AYP is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
350
athletes are registered with Fort Worth ISD’s Special Olympics program.
thirtytwo
The improved
volunteer coaches
worked with the athletes
FOR TARRANT COUNTY.
The Special Education Department held its first-ever District-wide training for all bus drivers and assistants. They learned about student differences and how to handle behavioral incidents that might occur on the road between school and home.
STUDENT SUPPORT
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS
31
Coordinator Program to include secondary campuses as well as elementary schools. Coordinators lead school wellness teams, identify problem areas and coordinate wellness events to engage parents, school staff and students. This year, more teachers walked with students at lunch, Zumba classes were held after school, and many elementary campuses hosted
5 Walking School Buses
the Local Wellness
THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM STARTED WITH ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LAST YEAR AND EXPANDED TO FIVE THIS SCHOOL YEAR. ON SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE WEDNESDAYS, CHILDREN WALKED TO SCHOOL TOGETHER FOR FUN AND PHYSICAL
Each month, Health & P.E. presented the Golden
Department expanded
Sneaker Award to a school that had “gone the
Our Health and P.E.
A “SHOE-IN?” extra mile” for wellness. Yes, the prize is an
Seven Hundred WALKERS HIT THE TRACKS FOR FORT Eighty-Eight WORTH ISD’S 6TH ANNUAL DISTRICT WALK.
actual bronzed tennis shoe.
STUDENT SUPPORT
32
ACTIVITY.
wellness fairs.
12 to Tango
9,161 STUDENTS
,
PROGRAM EXPANDED FROM 8
672 PA R E N TS
SCHOOLS TO 12. CHILDREN LEARNED
attended
BALLROOM DANCING AND EVEN
nutrition classes,
COMPETED – DRESSED TO THE
a collaborative
THE DANCING CLASSROOMS
NINES. CESAR CHAVEZ ES WON THE GOLD AT THE FINALS HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON.
effort with the TexasAgriLife Extension Agency.
2 X 7 = JAMMING TIME “Jamming Minutes,” this year’s District wellness campaign, was a hit with students. Twice a day for seven days in a row, they put down their pencils and exercised right at their desks. Schools that held Jamming Minutes at the morning bell had fewer tardies. Kids made an extra effort to get to school in time to jam!
After School time is active time – for learning, fitness and community service. Students in K-12, who might otherwise be at home unsupervised, participate in all kinds of activities that promote educational, physical and social development. Teachers say FWAS students attended class more often, met more homework deadlines and improved academically by the end of the year.
14,745
33
1,968
students participated in Fort Worth After School (FWAS).
STUDENTS RECEIVED FREE EYE EXAMS AS PART OF THE KIDS VISION FOR LIFE PROGRAM.
Eight Hundred Fifty-Eight received free glasses with frames of their choice.
The program was launched in September 2010, thanks to Essilor Vision Foundation, Alcon Foundation and other District partners.
students received dental services through a partnership with John Peter Smith Health Network and Cook Children’s Health Care System.
TWO
STUDENT GROUPS, UNITED HIGH SCHOOL COUNCIL AND YOUTH FORUM FACILITATORS, JOINED TO FORM UNITED VOICES FOR CHANGE. ITS MISSION IS TO COLLABORATE IN ADDRESSING IMPORTANT CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ISSUES, HELP BUILD A COLLEGE-BOUND CULTURE AT SCHOOLS, AND ENGAGE CLASSMATES IN LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES.
19,499 Visits to Fort Worth ISD/ JPS School Based Health Centers Our School Based Health Centers bring much needed low cost, primary health care to students and their younger siblings. The fifth and newest center opens fall 2011 at Southside Church of Christ. The church leased the space to the District for $1.00 per year. The South Central Alliance of Churches also partnered in the center.
1 OF THE 100 BEST! America’s Promise Alliance named Fort Worth one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People. The organization praised the partnership between the city of Fort Worth and Fort Worth ISD, and the many innovative and meaningful ways it supports and engages students.
STUDENT SUPPORT
More than 12,500
STUDENT SUPPORT
34
B SHARP Imagine the thrill of taking the stage and performing with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Students in the new B Sharp Youth Music Program at Como ES did just that, performing throughout the community.
program. Next year, B Sharp will include 2nd grade. The goal is to eventually serve K through 5th grade students, create an orchestra at Como and then expand the program to other Fort Worth ISD elementary schools.
THIRTEEN Fort Worth ISD schools served Breakfast in the Classroom. We started Breakfast in the
B Sharp started at Como in October 2010 with 10 hours of weekly music instruction for 1st graders in the After School
B Sharp is made possible by the Goff Family Foundation and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Classroom last year with four schools. The response was so positive we quickly added nine more. Breakfast in the Classroom is a hit with:
$580,154 FOR CAMPUS SECURITY The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Grant allowed the District to: • Complete security audits and assessments of all Districtowned facilities
• Provide more training at campuses to improve employee response to unexpected emergencies
• Increase community and parent education
Students and parents – because kids start their day with a nutritious meal without having to show up extra early Teachers and principals – because they had fewer students tardy and noticed fewer disruptions in the classroom
A COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES GRANT AWARDED TO BENBROOK AND FORT WORTH POLICE DEPARTMENTS HELPED PURCHASE AND INSTALL STATE-OF-THEART VIDEO SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT AT FORT WORTH ISD SCHOOLS.
35
www.fwisd.org
“forwarded 2 that pic was
the school half why
“
did I send that?
Need help? Talk to your counselor, teacher, administrator or any trusted adult on campus.
IT’S NOT OKAY
it’s not okay
What is sexting? Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between cell phones.
W
ith that message, Fort Worth ISD took student safety measures to a new level.
The District collaborated with
they or their friends are in need.
the Safe City Commission, Crime
First year highlights include:
Stoppers and Santa Fe Youth
• 13 billboards, an It’s Not
• The incorporation of suicide and bullying prevention lessons into curriculum
Services on a comprehensive
Okay website, Facebook and
• A “friends 4 life” button on
campaign to put an end to
video messages and posters
the It’s Not Okay web page
bullying, sexting, teen dating
for campuses that focused
and campus websites that
violence and sexual harassment.
on behaviors that can put
allows students to report at-
students at risk.
risk behavior anonymously
The It’s Not Okay campaign
• Safety and awareness
encourages and empowers
trainings for students
appropriate levels
students to make healthy
and staff
of response
decisions and ask for help when
• Policy changes to establish
STUDENT SUPPORT
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
36
CE making every
37
NT count
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
38
SAVINGS TO SAVE TEACHERS “She handed me a jar full
S
econd grader Maria Meneses drew national attention when she emptied her piggy bank.
didn’t want that to happen.”
of change and said, ‘This is
The story of a second grader’s effort to save teachers’ jobs
for you,’” said Diamond Hill
Superintendent Melody
quickly spread. Maria made the
Elementary Principal Ellen
Johnson assured Maria and all
news and put an unforgettable
Verreault. “She said she had
students the District was doing
face on the education
heard that teachers might be
everything possible to keep our
funding crisis.
cut because of finances and she great teachers and principals.
The Texas school finance crisis presented
ISD and other districts. Bills proposed in Austin called for massive cuts to education. District officials implemented various strategies to minimize the impact on campuses. Through it all, we promised to be thoughtful and deliberate in taking action, to seek input and ideas, and to keep stakeholders engaged and well-informed.
THREE remarkable channels of communication came about as a result:
MAKE EDUCATION A PRIORITY WEBSITE (WWW.FWISD.ORG/ FUNDING) THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT LOADED UP THIS NEW WEBSITE WITH THE LATEST NEWS ON
204 “Ask Hank”
questions
SCHOOL FUNDING, A SHORT VIDEO EXPLAINING SCHOOL FINANCE, A LIST OF FORT WORTH ISD’S
Employees had their own questions
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND A CALENDAR OF
and concerns about jobs, incentive
OUR SCHOOL BOARD’S BUDGET WORKSHOPS.
offers and the like. To provide answers,
WE ALSO LISTED THE NAMES AND CONTACT
we created the hugely successful
INFORMATION FOR THE TARRANT COUNTY
“Ask Hank” column. Chief Financial
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
Officer Hank Johnson received and read hundreds of e-mailed questions. For questions that were similar, he
TWO HUNDRED MONEY-SAVING SUGGESTIONS
answered the best of the bunch. The District plans to continue the column and expand it to include other administrators answering questions in their areas of expertise.
S TAT E F U N D I N G C R I S I S @ F W I S D.O R G IN ADDITION TO QUESTIONS, WE ASKED FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR SAVING MONEY AND REALLOCATING RESOURCES. THOUGHTFUL ADVICE AND IDEAS POURED IN, SHOWING HOW MUCH OUR EMPLOYEES CARE AND, IN MANY CASES, ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR THE GOOD OF OUR STUDENTS.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
unprecedented challenges for Fort Worth
39
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
40
24-year winning streak Fort Worth ISD’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report once again won awards for excellence from the Association for School Comprehensive AnnuAl FinAnCiAl report Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2010
Business Officials International and the Government Finance Officers Association. The report has received
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
www.fwisd.org
the awards 24 years in a row.
Our financial management practices are right on the money. They earned a Superior Achievement rating from the Texas Education Agency’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.
The Trinity Occupational Program, our workers’ compensation program, is getting high marks. Actuarial reports show that net reserves (the amount to pay off all claims to date since 1986) have decreased by almost $6 million in the last five years. The program’s primary care and specialty physicians are committed to helping injured employees recover and return to work as
NEARLY $60 MILLION
IN GRANTS
soon as possible. The District added a convenient new feature this year: online injury reporting.
Fort Worth ISD aggressively pursued competitive funding opportunities to help meet financial needs. Grant funds at work in the District include:
$565,500
United Way of Tarrant County, Middle School Initiative
Seventy THOUSAND United Way, Reading Initiative
Management for Schools
30DOLLARS Thousand
$70,000
National Endowment for the Arts, Wall Visions murals project
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fitness trails on elementary campuses
$370,074 State of Texas/State Energy Conservation Grants, design and installation of renewable energy systems
$19.5 Million Texas Education Agency, Texas Title I Priority School Program for school transformation and improvement
ONE
TARGET FOUNDATION, H U N D R E D PARENTAL T H O U S A N D INVOLVEMENT D O L L A R S ACTIVITIES
Fort Worth ISD was the only school district in Texas to receive the $1.6 million Teaching American History grant in 2010. The fiveyear gift provides professional development for 5th, 8th and 11th grade American History teachers at 113 District campuses.
$ 3 0 8 , 0 7 1 Downwinders at Risk/
Sue Pope Fund, hybrid diesel/electric box trucks
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
and Emergency
U.S.
Incentive Fund
Education, Readiness
Department
U.S. Department of
of Education,
$11,957,853 Teacher
$580,154
41
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
42
3,816 employees actively contribute to 403(b) and 457(b) retirement/savings programs administered through Region 10. Enroll online at www.region10rams.org.
THIRTEEN INTERN ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WERE HIRED AS PART OF THE ASPIRING PRINCIPALS PROGRAM, A COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES
Our Division of Technology, Human Capital Management and Business & Finance Departments all worked together to put
A RESIDENCY THAT INCLUDES RIGOROUS ADMINISTRATIVE CLASSES AND ON-SITE TRAINING.
pay advice information at employees’ fingertips. Employee Self Service (ESS) began with a pilot program in October and went District-wide in the spring. ESS allows employees to go
183
TEACHERS ATTENDED CHAMPS, FORT WORTH ISD’S NEW CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM OFFERED TWO COMPONENTS: ONE FOR
online and update personal
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS AND ONE FOR SECONDARY TEACHERS.
information, review prior pay
ALL PARTICIPANTS LEARNED NEW SKILLS FOR KEEPING
records, check vacation and sick days, and access W-4 and W-2
STUDENTS ON TASK AND HELPING THEM ACHIEVE.
information.
56
SECRETARIES, CLERKS,
Fort Worth ISD adopted the
CAFETERIA WORKERS,
STEDI.ORG training model
BILINGUAL INTERPRETERS AND CAMPUS MONITORS
for substitute teachers.
PARTICIPATED IN EMPOWERMENT 2010.
Substitutes must take an
THE CONFERENCE FEATURED KEY-NOTE SPEAKERS
extensive online STEDI
AND WORK SESSIONS TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL AND
course and score 85 or
PERSONAL GROWTH.
better on the test.
TWENTY-THREE CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EMPLOYEES BEGAN WORKING ON THEIR GED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE AND THE WOMEN’S CENTER.
43
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
FIT FORT WORTH
I
t all began when employees asked, “Why don’t you offer us the physical fitness programs you offer students?”
We listened – and looked at the
Health, Cook Children’s Hospital,
Among the FIT Fort Worth
statistics: two-thirds of Tarrant
and the University of North Texas
highlights:
County adults are considered
Health Science Center.
•
overweight or obese. This meant
136 businesses offered discounts on purchases,
parents and teachers - students’
FIT Fort Worth includes weight
including fitness club
most important role models
management, exercise and
memberships
– were themselves making
nutrition classes for employees.
unhealthy choices.
There is a continually updated
were taught by District
website (www.fwisd.org/FIT) that
staff at 10 locations
This was a big issue requiring
has links to dozens of resources
a big initiative – one that would
and tells about upcoming
promote healthy lifestyle changes wellness events. We coordinate
•
•
Weekly aerobics classes
1,590 flu shots were administered
•
4,848 pounds were lost
in the community as a whole.
monthly messages to the
in FIT Fort Worth weight
We launched FIT Fort Worth,
community from the District and
management programs!
a partnership with the City of
all FIT Fort Worth partners.
Fort Worth, Tarrant County Public
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
44
$11,151,500 CONSTRUCTION
Peace Elementary is the first new school completed under the 2007
SAVINGS AS OF APRIL 2011
Benbrook MS • John T. White ES • Jean McClung MS • Rosemont ES
TOTAL CIP BUDGET
HAZEL HARVEY PEACE ES
$50 million
BUDGET FOR
Capital Improvement Program (CIP). It opened under budget and on time in August 2010. Four more schools are on schedule to open August 2011:
$1.5 million renovation Glory days are back at Fort Worth ISD’s Farrington Field. A major renovation had the athletic field, which was built in 1939, looking like a champ again – just in time for football season. Improvements included new paint, artificial turf and a public address system. Locker rooms were refurbished and public restrooms were brought up to current accessibility standards.
The makeover was paid for by the $596.3 million bond package approved by voters in 2007. The bonds also funded improvements at Scarborough-Handley and Wilkerson-Greines athletic fields.
Connects
45
way to share information about students and communicate with parents: Connects. The system allows teachers to perform student-centered analysis,
200
miles
administration tasks and
PA R EN T P O RTAL OUR DIVISION OF TECHNOLOGY PILOTED PARENT PORTAL IN 10 SCHOOLS. IT ALLOWS PARENTS TO MONITOR ATTENDANCE, GRADES, ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS SCHEDULES – ALL FROM HOME.
LearnEd
real-time reporting.
OF CABLING RUNS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT TO SUPPORT ALL COMPONENTS OF THE DIGITAL DISTRICT – ENOUGH TO STRETCH FROM FORT WORTH TO AUSTIN!
We created LearnEd, technology to provide teachers and staff with many options for virtual professional development, including online courses, webinars, video conferences and traditional videostreamed meetings.
4,100
Number of handsets installed as part of the District’s new phone system The Division of Technology replaced all phones with a state-of-the-art Cisco Unified IP system. The old phones were no longer supported by the manufacturer.
Web 2.0
The District partnered with Google to boost student performance and facilitate learning. New Web 2.0 tools provide student e-mail, virtual document sharing, and other cutting-edge resources.
DIGITAL DISTRICT
Teachers have a whole new
$ 1 5 , 2 1 3 I N S U N - P O W E R E D S AV I N G S A new solar electric system at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center is projected to save the District $15,213 per year in utility bills. The majority of the costs was covered by grants and rebates from the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), ONCOR and TXU.
1,208,020 gallons and
15,300,000 KILOWATT HOURS AND $1,900,000
$4,845
Savings from May to August 2010 A new water management system at the Clark Stadium soccer fields has sensors that tell when and where to water. With a savings of almost $5,000 in the first few months, it won’t
ELECTRICITY AND COST SAVINGS FROM MULTIPLE ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES IMPLEMENTED DISTRICT-WIDE
take long for the District to recoup the $15,795 cost of the system.
A $227,000 grant from SECO will include wind turbines, a solar energy system and highly efficient LED/solar security lights.
ALL FIVE
OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
46
of our newest schools are examples of sustainable design. Energy management is just one element. Others components include: • • •
Optimizing land usage Locating the facility in relationship to community elements Enhancing the teaching and learning environment through acoustics, lighting and ventilation
school buses than any other district in the nation. This year, we expanded our green machine fleet
3
DIESEL/ELECTRIC HYBRID BOX TRUCKS Have you seen them? They say “Driving With Purpose” in big bold letters on
to include:
the side. The trucks were paid for by the
THIRTY
Downwinders at Risk/Sue Pope Fund.
HEAVY DUTY HYBRID BUSES
AND TRUCKS
=
EIGHTEEN
PERCENT BETTER FUEL ECONOMY
2 more diesel/electric hybrid school buses They are equipped with wheelchair lifts, a collaborative effort between District Operations and our Special Education Department. A grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act paid for the buses.
OUR BUSES HAVE CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE MEDIA, TOO. SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION NEWS MAGAZINE CALLED FORT WORTH ISD ONE OF FOUR DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY “GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO GO GREEN.”
OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
Fort Worth ISD has more hybrid
47
48
making every
CON N E
49
C T I ON count
PARENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
50
ART FOR ALL
A
rt brings people together.
In the case of the “Wall Visions”
expressed their dreams for
directed the project. Art teacher
project, it bonded diverse groups
careers and the fields of study
and muralist Jo Dufo served as
of students, educators and
offered through the District’s
the project coordinator, working
the community. “Wall Visions,”
Gold Seal Programs of Choice.
with art and media teachers from
funded in part by the National
Polytechnic HS students painted
Southwest, Polytechnic and the
Endowment for the Arts, included
the second mural at Campesinos
Advanced Media Program (AMP).
two larger-than-life murals and
Restaurant. It celebrates the
Local professional artists and
a video documentary of the
lives and achievements of
filmmakers provided guidance
whole process.
migrant farm workers. Students
and assistance. AMP’s “Wall
interviewed community elders in
Visions” documentary premiered
doing their research.
May 2011 at the Modern Art
One mural, by Southwest HS students, covers the west wall of
Museum of Fort Worth.
the Fort Worth ISD Professional
Beverly Fletcher, Fort Worth
Development Center. Students
ISD’s Director of Arts Education,
to the Math-Science Trail sponsored by Chesapeake Energy and Texas Christian University.
1,800 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES TIED TO SUPER BOWL XLV, SUCH AS SLANT 45 AND SUPER
TWO THOUSAND
elementary schools sent 5th graders
students were designated RadioShack Scholars.
804
students received coveted Academic Sweatshirts for
earning a 3.8 GPA or higher their first two years of high school. Lockheed Martin underwrites the program.
SUNDAY HOPE WALK.
fifty
DONATED BY CHASE BANK WILL HELP FUND TWO GOLD SEAL THOUSAND PROGRAMS OF CHOICE AT POLYTECHNIC HS: ADVANCED MEDIA PRODUCTION & COMMUNICATIONS AND CULINARY ARTS.
dollars
IBM underwrote the Celebrate
30 more Adopt-A-School partners Our Adopt-A-School partners increased from 392 to 422.
The Vital Link program partnered 400 7th graders with
37 businesses for a week-long internship that
THREE
Workshops sponsored by Freese & Nichols, Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford and Liberty Mutual
applied classroom lessons to real workplace situations.
Community Partners reception and an Adopt-A-School breakfast for principals and their business partners. IBM, Hillwood and Thomas S. Byrne sponsored a recruitment luncheon for Fort Worth ISD’s Gold Seal Programs of Choice.
53
DISTINGUISHED EMPLOYERS OF FORT WORTH TEENS encouraged student employees to earn good grades and stay in school. In 2010-2011, Distinguished Employers at nearly 200 locations positively impacted 2,000 students who work and go to school. The organization is a collaboration with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
STATE FARM FUNDED THE ELIMINATING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP SUMMIT. AFTER THE SUMMIT, 32 PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO CHURCHES ABOUT STRATEGIES THEY CAN USE TO READY STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER.
PARENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
THIRTY-SIX
51
1,129
FORT WORTH ISD EMBRACED SOCIAL MEDIA EARLY ON. BUT OUR AUDIENCES IN THAT ARENA GREW DRAMATICALLY IN 2010-2011, ESPECIALLY WHEN AN UNUSUALLY LONG SPELL OF BAD
Twitter followers (up from 400 a year ago)
WEATHER HIT IN JANUARY. WE ANNOUNCED SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND THE DISTRICT WEBSITE. OUR FACEBOOK AUDIENCE GREW BY THOUSANDS. OUR TWITTER FOLLOWERS ALMOST DOUBLED. WE HAVE GENERATED 1,341 TWEETS SINCE WE BEGAN
5,000
USING THIS SOCIAL MEDIA IN MAY 2009.
Facebook fans (up from 1,050 a year ago)
SEV ENTY
Videos produced this year by the Communications Department
H AV E YO U S E E N OUR CAMPUS WEBSITES L AT E LY ?
Total views of videos posted on www.fwisd.org To view videos or watch live Board of Education meetings, go to
THEY ARE TEEMING WITH ACTIVITY – ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND PHOTOS, THANKS TO OUR CAMPUS WEB MANAGERS. THEY SHARE POSITIVE NEWS, HELP BUILD CAMPUS CULTURE AND FORM IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS WITH STUDENTS, PARENTS AND STAFF.
www.fwisd.org and click on Video on Demand. Our library of more than 330 videos covers District initiatives, student events, messages from administrators and much more.
2,293 BROADCAST
AND PRINAT
NEWS STORIES
FEATURING FORT
WORTH ISD
THIRTY
-TWO ParentLink messages sent per student
Eight Hundred Forty Contacts made with news reporters
ParentLink instantly delivered messages to parents about important school events and changes in school operations that might affect students. We sent a total of 26,304 messages to 2,546,390 contacts with a delivery success rate of 73 percent.
News releases researched, written and distributed to the media
416
90,408
PARENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
52
53
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS DAY OF SCHOOL A FABULOUS ONE FOR YOUNG STUDENTS. JASON’S DELI AT 6244 CAMP BOWIE BLVD. DONATED AN ENTIRE DAY’S PROCEEDS TO EIGHT SCHOOLS. EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISORS IN BENBROOK COLLECTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THREE ELEMENTARY
AFTER-SCHOOL STAR POWER Actor Matthew McConaughey
livin foundation” will fund
sported a Rangers jersey for
twice-a-week activities
the announcement of
geared toward health and
KINDERGARTEN” BOOKLETS TO
a new after-school program
wellness. McConaughey,
PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
at Diamond Hill-Jarvis
a Texan, said he wants to help
HS. The Texas Rangers
teenagers lead active lives,
Baseball Foundation and
make healthy choices and
McConaughey’s “just keep
become great adults.
SCHOOLS. JPS HEALTH CLINICS DISTRIBUTED “COUNTDOWN TO
TO HELP THEM BUILD THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL START TO SCHOOL. WE ASKED:
265 TWO HUNDRED
pastors to encourage parents to visit their children’s schools on the first day
1,000 Visitors to the Billy W. Sills Archive Center People of all ages come to our Billy W. Sills Archive
FIVE
Thousand
DOLLAR
Center. They research, attend
honorariums were
lectures and simply take in
presented to 16 teachers
businesses to
the outstanding collection
chosen as the 2010-2011
grant flex time
of historic Fort Worth ISD
Academic Chairs for
memorabilia. Artifacts include
Teaching Excellence.
for employees to take their children to school
photographs that date back to the 1800s, 100-year-old graduation programs and hundreds of yearbooks.
PARENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
CHIPPED IN TO MAKE THE FIRST
parent trainings were held at the new Parent Engagement Outreach Center. The new center located at Rosemont 6th Grade Center provides parents with all kinds of educational resources, a
2
national award-winning programs,
ABRIENDO PUERTAS and PARENTS AS TEACHERS, provided hundreds of
parents with information and activities to help children succeed.
media library and computer stations.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund and McDonald’s sponsored Steps for Success, a day-long event to educate parents and students on how to prepare and pay for college.
A $100,000 grant from Target provided new ways for the District to connect with parents for student success: •
Parent University, a new program to help parents prepare children for middle school, high school and college
•
Summer Transition Camps, designed for parents of middle school students
•
A celebration co-sponsored by Ridgmar Mall honoring parent volunteers
•
Parent Recognition Essay Contest
$80,000 was donated to the District’s
Chairs for Teaching Excellence program by our generous business partners.
$30,000
FOURTEEN
PARENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
54
was donated by community partners to honor outstanding teachers at the Campus Teacher of the Year dinner.
THE FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY: •
Donated 500 passes to homeless students
•
Gave its first President’s Achievement Award to Morningside ES for the school’s exemplary garden
•
Presented bronze plaques to De Zavala ES that recognize the school as the location of Fort Worth’s first children’s museum
55
STUDENT OUTREACH
8-YEAR-OLD HAILED AS HERO
I
t’s not easy keeping your cool in a crisis – especially when the crisis involves someone you love.
But 8-year-old Dontasha
the emergency operator.
who knows her.” Tarrant County
Roberson did everything she was
The 2nd grader stayed on the
officials called Dontasha
supposed to do when her mother
phone except for a few seconds
something else: a hero.
slipped into a diabetic coma.
when she remembered there
They presented her with the 911
was food cooking and ran to the
Kid Hero Award during
kitchen to turn off the stove.
a ceremony at David K.
Dontasha’s mother was preparing dinner at the time. Dontasha
Sellars Elementary.
grabbed the phone, called 911 and
Dontasha’s mother called her
calmly described the situation to
daughter a “blessing to everyone
Thousand
Twelve
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
6th graders at Daggett
STUDENTS PLANTED 12,000
MS donated dog and
HEIRLOOM TEXAS DAFFODILS
cat food to Paws for
IN THE TRINITY RIVER
a Claus during the holiday season to help
CORRIDOR. THE PROJECT
animal friends in the
WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH
community.
VALLEYS AND STREAMS, INC.
The student councils at Benbrook ES
Fort Worth ISD students remembered America’s military
and the Young Women’s Leadership
during the holiday season. They sent cards to servicemen
Academy received the Honor Student
and women as part of the American Red Cross “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program. District partner Pitney Bowes received, screened and shipped the cards.
Council Excellence Award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The award recognizes the schools’ leadership, citizenship and community service.
Students at Como Montessori collected travel-sized toothpaste, shampoo and other personal care items for America’s troops deployed overseas.
$500 SENT TO
$300 JUST FOR JUMPING! The 5th Grade Student Council at Western Hills ES held a jump rope fundraiser that brought in $300 for the American Red Cross Japan Disaster Fund.
SISTER CITY STUDENTS AT ARLINGTON
HEIGHTS HS PARTNERED WITH FORT WORTH SISTER CITIES TO RAISE MONEY FOR RELIEF EFFORTS IN JAPAN. THE MONEY WENT TO NAGAOKA, FORT WORTH’S SISTER CITY.
1,240 SYMBOLS OF SUPPORT
STUDENT OUTREACH
56
The Anime Club and other Trimble Tech HS students folded and mailed 1,240 paper cranes to students in Japan, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. For each crane sent, the Besos Family Foundation donated $2 to rebuilding efforts.
57
STUDENT OUTREACH
“ I
“
A LINE OF HER OWN
didn’t really like what stores had for me, so I just decided to make my own stuff to fit my style. - Tanesa Peterson, Dunbar HS junior
Who needs “Project Runway”?
Tanesa, a Career & Technical
She made it an event, the Prom
16-year-old Tanesa Peterson is
Education student at Dunbar High
Princess Give-away, and enlisted
in business already, designing
School, says designing clothes is
the support of local businesses. All
hip fashions and selling them
something she has wanted to do
the selected Prom Princesses met
online. Her label is “Nesa Fab.” Her
since she was 12. She also wants to at Dunbar on Saturday, May 7, for a
customers are teens, tweens and
help others. For prom season, she
makeover that included hair, nails,
young adults. Tanesa’s styles were
created dresses for 35 seniors – 15
and makeup. By 4:00 p.m. they were
shown this year at fashion shows
from Dunbar, 10 from Arlington
out the door ready for a prom night
across the country.
Heights and 10 from Polytechnic.
to remember!
58
counting on
TO M O
59
R ROW
60
2011-2012 PREVIEW
GOLD SEAL PROGRAMS OF CHOICE 2011-2012 will mark the first year of Gold Seal Programs of Choice – a learning experience that engages students, supports their interests and opens exciting pathways to success in college and career. Every school will offer three courses of study and different trajectories within those courses to serve every student at every skill level. Internships, mentoring and guest speakers will give hands-on, real world applications to lessons and connect students with professionals in their chosen fields of study.
FOUR
financed by the 2007 Bond Program will welcome NEW CAMPUSES students: BENBROOK MS,
201 OVERCREST DRIVE, BENBROOK
Jean McClung MS, 3000 FOREST AVENUE,
FORT WORTH
JOHN T. WHITE ES, 7300 John T. White Road, Fort Worth
Rosemont ES, 1401 West Seminary Drive, Fort Worth
Also opening August 2011 – the Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences (TABS), a partnership between Fort Worth ISD and the University of North Texas Health Science Center and the University of North Texas. Located at 3813 Valentine Street, TABS will provide a unique, rigorous academic experience and put students on the road to realizing their dreams of becoming medical professionals.
RTAL | LOGO DRAFTS
61
We are making it more convenient than ever for parents to
T
L
get involved in their child’s education. After piloting the
FORT WORTH ISD
PA R E N T
Parent Portal at 10 campuses this year, the District will
PORTAL means thousands more parents will be able to go online to add more schools to the new portal in the fall of 2011. This
FORT WORTH ISD
PARENT
track their children’s attendance and grades. The Portal also contains school and District announcements OPT IONand 2 teacher
O PT I O N 3
contact information.
This exciting new literacy initiative is designed to make sure our children are reading at the appropriate levels early in their education. Assessments, acceleration efforts and intense
ON TIME
combining three transformational school improvement grants to form one initiative: Redesign to Increase Schools of
and 2nd grade levels to give students
Excellence, or RISE.
a solid foundation for school and
T O
ON GRADE
The District is
It will target 25 Fort
R E A D Y
FORT WORTH ISD
monitoring will be used at the PK, 1st
R I S E !
On Grade, On Time
1. Help schools teach
life success.
TO THE
STAAR AND BEYOND Hello STAAR. The Texas Education Agency is switching to a new student testing system in 2011-2012. It’s called the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). STAAR will be phased in, beginning with 3rd-9th grades. And the District is launching a campaign to give students, teachers and parents all the information, tools and resources they need for a smooth transition.
Worth ISD schools with 3 directives:
and lead students in new, meaningful ways 2. Create fair evaluations for teachers and principals that make them more effective educators
G E T
1
3. Monetarily reward educators for performance
2011-2012 PREVIEW
PA RE N T PO RTA L