KellerISD_Link Fall 2022

KellerISD

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A Magazine from the Keller Independent School District

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Keller ISD Families,

I hope you’ve had a great start to the 2022-23 school year, where we were thrilled to welcome back nearly 35,000 students on August 17. We’re already jumping into the second nine weeks, and it’s no surprise there are a lot of successes to celebrate – distributing more than 1,300 backpacks loaded with school supplies to families in need at the Back to School Bash; student musical performers earning state and national recognitions; student-athletes excelling in fall competitions; 13 students representing all four high schools earning National Merit Semi nalist recognition; and much more. We’re making great strides and I’m excited to see what the next few months hold.

This year, Keller ISD has embarked on a Strategic Planning process where parents, educators, and community partners are working to create a roadmap that is re ective of the community’s educational priorities for the next ve years. We have an amazing group of participants, and the meetings have resulted in crucial conversations and incredible insight that will propel the District forward. You can follow along at www.KellerISD.net/StrategicPlanning.

I know in Texas we use the word “fall” lightly, but as we gradually shift to cooler temps and fun fall activities, I’d like to take a minute to re ect on the many things we have to be grateful for in Keller ISD. Not only do we have amazing students, hardworking sta , and dedicated teachers, but our principals are second to none, and we’re proud to recognize all 42 of them throughout October for National Principals Month for the signi cant impact they have on the success and well-being of our nation’s students. If you haven’t already, be sure to thank them for all that they do on your campus!

Remember, you can keep up with the latest news, events, achievements, and learning taking place around the District and on your campus by following #CelebrateKISD on Keller ISD’s social media channels –@KellerISD on Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook!

Dr. Rick Westfall

On the Cover: Halting tra c with more than just her stop sign, Willis Lane Elementary School Crossing Guard Charla Lee goes out of her way to bring a little fun into crossing the road, all while keeping students safe and leaving behind an endless trail of smiles! Charla has been the Willis Lane Crossing Guard since September 2021. She’s a mom of three beautiful girls, two of which attend WLES, and in addition to volunteering her time on campus, she also serves on the PTA Board.

Board Spotlight with Dr. Charles Randklev

Keller ISD Board President

Where did you grow up and what schools did you attend?

I’m originally from Idaho, just outside of Idaho Falls, but my family moved a lot when I was younger. We ended up calling Texas home my junior year of high school. My wife and I both graduated from Carroll High School (now Carroll Senior High) in 1995. Keller and Southlake were still very rural back in those days. After graduation, I enlisted in the Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. I used my GI Bill and Hazelwood Act to cover my college tuition. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BS in Biology and the University of North with a PhD in Biology. I work for Texas A&M as a Research Professor focusing on natural resource management.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Biology! For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by nature. As a professional, I have been blessed with opportunities to explore the inherent beauty of nature and to train future scientists to do the same.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted a job that would allow me to be outside and to make an impact on my community.

What is one quote or saying that you live by?

I’m a big fan of Teddy Roosevelt and he has so many great quotes to live by. One of my favorites is the following: “Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

What do you like to do in your free time? Hang out with my family. My kiddos are still small and so I try to spend as much time with them as I can. Outside of family time, I really enjoy cycling, especially long-distance cycling events.

Why did you want to serve on the KISD Board of Trustees?

A great K-12 education is a proven path to social mobility and economic prosperity and a bridge to opportunity. In my profession I see this every day, the students I mentor come from different circumstances but all of them had a great K-12 education. So, my reason for serving is simple, I want to continue helping to improve student outcomes, whether it be graduating from high school, learning skills needed to pursue a trade or getting a college degree.

If you could offer one piece of advice to the students of Keller ISD, what would it be? Believe you can, do your very best, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. If you do these three things, success and personal growth will happen.

STUDENT SOUND-OFF

If you could choose to do anything for one day, what would it be?

Would you rather be invisible or able to fly?

Porter Bryson

Kindergarten Keller-Harvel Elementary

I would buy 100 stuffed elephants because I love them and then I would put them on my bed so it’s super comfy.

Well, flying because I do like airplanes.

Magnolia Quiroz

2nd Grade Caprock Elementary

Jaylan Burkes

4th Grade Bluebonnet Elementary

I would sing and play my guitar all day long because I love music!

I would rather be invisible because I could be sneaky and eat chocolate.

I would be a teacher for a day.

Fly, so I could go to their homes if people need me.

Kaelani Tsosie

5th Grade

Sunset Valley Elementary

I would spend one more day with my dad.

Invisible, because you're able to see everything without anybody knowing you're there.

What do you think makes a good friend?

What are you thankful for? What is your favorite thing about school?

My friend is Aurora and she’s really nice.

I am thankful for this whole Keller-Harvel school. I love all the teachers and all the kids.

Lunch, recess, snack. In that order.

A good friend includes other friends and listens to them with your heart.

I am thankful for my family, my dog, my food and toys.

My favorite subject is Math, because I love multiplication and solving math problems; and Art, because I can be creative and make new things.

Someone who is honest, has a good personality, laughs, plays, is nice and kind.

I am thankful for our principal, my friends, my dad, my mom, my grandparents, my sisters and my cousins.

I like our co-curr teachers and all of our teachers. They help everyone. Ms. Sammie is nice too.

Honesty and when they actually listen to everything you have to say.

Someone who is supportive.

I am thankful for actually having a roof over my head and for everything that I have.

Reading and writing because it is my calm place and I don't have to think that hard about it. It is simple and easy for me.

Keller ISD Marching Expo

Since 2013, the annual Keller ISD Marching Expo combines bands from all four of KISD's high schools and its seven middle schools and brings the community together for a celebration of music from across the District.

“We initially started the Marching Expo out of a desire to celebrate our band programs on a larger scale,” said Keller ISD Director of Fine Arts Kim Blann. “At the start, we truly had no money and little support, but our goal was to create an opportunity for our community to celebrate the Keller ISD band program.”

Months of planning went into making this event run smoothly—including the staggering number of students, instruments, and volunteers that were transported from the campuses to the stadium, and the semi trailers and box trucks that accompany each high school marching band. As guests arrived, the middle school bands took up residence on the visitors side of the stadium and began entertaining the crowd with their upbeat stand tunes.

Without a doubt, a mutual respect and camaraderie could be seen between the feeder patterns as they cheered on their fellow bandmates.

“We wanted to create a night for students to celebrate what it means to be part of the larger band community, not just their individual campus bands,” Blann said.

Throughout the evening, each of the four high school marching bands took the field and performed their highly anticipated shows. With a wave of the drum major’s hand, the stadium erupted in sound as the students performed expertly arranged music and choreography. After months of rehearsals and on the brink of competition season, this event provides them with the perfect opportunity to perform in front of a large stadium crowd.

For this year’s grand finale, every student musician gathered onto the field to perform “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones, all together. In that moment, students and audience members alike set aside their individual school pride and collectively celebrated the skill, creativity, and hard work that was on display.

“Although it gives the band directors heart palpitations, it proves to be an impressive and heartwarming way to conclude the Marching Expo,” Blann mused.

“I am not sure we would have ever anticipated the enormous support the Marching Expo has generated over the year. We now have kids who have performed in this event every year of their band career,” Blann said proudly. “They started in the stands as middle schoolers playing a couple of stand-tunes, and ended marching an entire show on the field under the lights—the journey of growth is incredible to watch.”

Did You Know?

Holiday Schedule

Fall Break (District Holiday)

November 21-25

Winter Break (District Holiday)

December 19-30

Student Holiday (Teacher Prep Day)

January 2, 2023

College Spirit Days

On the first Friday of each month, Keller ISD's College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Department invites the entire KISD community to participate in College Spirit Days.

Wear your favorite college gear to help encourage college-readiness and inspire students to consider post-secondary educational opportunities.

year's

Tutor.com

Keller ISD will continue to partner with Tutor.com in an effort to provide additional academic support to students and families. Services are available for KISD 5th through 12th graders seven days a week, between the hours of 6 a.m. to midnight. Tutoring hours will be capped at 90 minutes per student, per week, with hours resetting every Friday.

Students can access online tutoring through KCloud, and will click the Tutor.com tile to log in to the service. Students needing academic support should always reach out to their teachers first, then are encouraged to use Tutor.com services as additional assistance when needed.

Tutor.com is available in all subject areas and at all academic levels, and tutors are available for English and Spanish instruction. This resource also provides free self-paced SAT/ACT preparation and the ability for students to test their content knowledge with a variety of diagnostic and practice quizzes.

LEARNING

Math and Reading Program

Preschool – High School

Cook Children’s Virtual Health

How does the school-based program work?

Your child’s nurse connects virtually with our provider and uses specialized equipment to listen to the heart and lungs, assess ears, throats, etc. Parents have the option of being a part of the virtual visit by logging into a secure website.

Will my child see a Cook Children’s provider?

Yes, your child will be seen by a Cook Children’s board certified pediatrician or certified nurse practitioner. A summary of your child’s visit will be sent to the primary care physician of your choice.

Does this service replace my child’s doctor?

Virtual care is not designed to replace your child’s primary care medical home. It’s important you have an established relationship with a primary care physician to properly assess your child’s development and over all well-being.

Cost:

today

Patients with Medicaid and CHIP covered

For

First

after

Bringing the expertise of Cook Children’s directly to your child’s school. Conditions that can be treated:

Is my video visit private and secure? Yes, we use a private, secure, and HIPAA-compliant video program.

What if my child needs medication? If needed, an electronic prescription will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice.

Register today at schooltelemed.org or, if you have questions for the Cook Children’s Telemedicine Services Coordinator, please call: 682-885-3426

Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been with KISD?

This is my fourth year with KISD as the Director of Health Services. I spent 10 years in another school district as a school nurse and Health Services Coordinator. I have been a Registered Nurse for over 28 years with the majority of that time working with children.

How did the partnership between Cook Children’s Telemedicine and KISD begin?

The partnership between the Cook Children’s Telemedicine program and KISD Health Services started as a pilot program with a few select campuses around 2015 and grew to a district-wide partnership the following school year.

What led you to choose school nursing?

The school nurse at my children’s elementary school made such a positive impact on the students of our community. As I volunteered around campus in other areas of the school, I witnessed the connection between health and learning through her interactions with the students. She always had a special way of grasping a child’s attention while teaching them about health topics and it piqued my interest. There is so much more to school nursing than the perceived band-aids and ice packs. School nurses are critical thinkers, problem solvers and educators in their own way. There are many important connections between health and learning.

Is this service available on all campuses?

Yes, it is a district-wide program on all campuses.

How have you seen this service benefit our families?

This is a great benefit for our students and families; it is an all around timesaver for everyone. If they choose to do so, parents are able to virtually attend the visit with their child, campus nurse, and the Nurse Practitioner. Students are diagnosed quickly and are given a treatment plan by the telemedicine provider the same day they present to the campus nurse with a health issue. If appropriate, prescriptions are electronically sent to the pharmacy where the parent can pick up the prescription and begin treatment at home. The parent misses less time from work and the student may return to school much sooner than if they had to wait on an in-person appointment with their primary care physician. The Telemedicine team will also assist families with referrals for chronic conditions and follow up appointments as needed.

What do KISD nurses like about using Telemedicine on their campuses?

Our school nurses strive to keep students in school as much as possible. This is one valuable tool that they have available to them to help with that goal. Cook Children’s has worked hard to develop a program that is efficient for everyone. The equipment is excellent quality and easy to use. It is a rewarding experience to help students recover quickly where they feel good and are able to return to school with their teachers and classmates.

Tricia Atzger-John MSN, RN

KISD Director of Health Services

TCHS Student Gives Back to Former Elementary School

Timber Creek High School Junior Ethan Evans loved attending Eagle Ridge Elementary School as a child and has nothing but fond memories of his time there. So when he had the chance to give back to the school community that had such an impact on him as part of his final Eagle Scout project, he jumped at the opportunity.

Ethan joined the Cub Scouts in the first grade, eventually becoming a Boy Scout in 2017, and is the proud member of Keller-based Scout Troop 1910. After 10 years of great experiences, mastering skills, and earning merit badges, it was time for Ethan to earn the designation of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank a young person can reach in Scouting and one that only about 5% of all scouts achieve.

Among the many requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, one must complete a community service project. Without pause, Ethan knew exactly what he wanted to do: create a high-end gaga ball pit for his beloved elementary school.

“Between myself and my two sisters, my family spent 10 years at Eagle Ridge,” Ethan said. “We love this school and what it has done for us, and we all have so many great memories from our K-4 years there.”

This past summer, with the support of Eagle Ridge Principal Stacy Blevins and funding from the Eagle Ridge PTA, Ethan rounded up volunteers from Troop 1910 – along with friends, family, and neighbors – and spent the day constructing the gaga ball pit from start to finish, just in time for the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.

“I learned about gaga ball pits from several church camps and youth groups I attended as a kid, and when I saw other schools had them, I was jealous that other kids could play this game at recess and I couldn’t,” Ethan said. “So when I had the opportunity to give back to my community, I immediately thought about how cool it would be for kids at Eagle Ridge to have this game to play.”

All together, it took a year of planning, months of quotes and approvals, and weeks of purchasing supplies and materials that ultimately led to six hours of hard labor on one very hot day at the end of July – but Ethan wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

“Because of the funding from the PTA, I was able to buy high-quality materials so that the pit will last a long time,” Ethan said. “Eagle Ridge was the best school I could have ever imagined, and my hope is that the kids who play in this gaga ball pit will make great memories here, just like I did.”

As for his volunteers, he said, “I couldn’t have done it without them!”

Principal Stacy Blevins feels so fortunate that Ethan chose to give back to Eagle Ridge because of his connection with the school.

“I was so impressed with his attention to detail and work ethic on this project – the quality of planning and work far exceeded any other Eagle Scout project I have had on a campus. Our students have loved the addition of the gaga ball pit,” Blevins continued, “it has added another layer of play to our playground and they can't get enough.”

In addition to Boy Scouts and Venture Crew, Ethan is involved with both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society at Timber Creek High School. After graduation, he plans to go to college to study computer science and video game design and development.

#CelebrateKISD

We kicked off our Fall 2022 semester of the Keller ISD Community Ambassadors program. This is an opportunity for Keller ISD parents, residents, business leaders, and employees to get to know more about the District, how it operates, who’s in charge and why decisions are made the way they are.

Lone Star Elementary hosted their annual Heroes Parade, in honor of 9/11. Students, staff, and the Charger community came together to show their support. Students were thrilled to see several emergency response vehicles make an appearance. Handmade cards were given to the local Fort Worth Police Officers, Firemen, and EMTs in attendance.

Students and staff around the district showed their school pride for national College Colors Day on September 2. They wore their favorite college gear to help encourage college-readiness and inspire students to consider post-secondary educational opportunities.

Angela Shortlege from Independence Elementary was named the Innovative Teacher’s Inspiring Students (IT'S) Award Winner for September. She incorporates Apple Pencils and iPads in her daily lessons to engage students and encourage them to be writers.

Trinity Springs Middle School Custodian Liz Coronado was recognized as our Heart at Work Employee of the Month winner for September. She was nominated for her for her quick thinking and care for students during a building water issue.

The Fossil Ridge Volleyball team honored teammate Ruslana Plaksii, a Ukrainian foreign exchange student at Fossil Ridge High School, with a night dedicated to showing support for her country including a surprise virtual visit from her parents and sister who she hasn't seen in over a year.

Two Keller ISD teachers were awarded TangerKids Grants to fund special projects on their campus. Beth Widmann, an inclusion teacher from Basswood Elementary, received a $750 grant to provide hygiene products to students who may have need of them. Additionally, Lone Star Elementary GT Specialist Kelly King, received $2,000 to help fund her “Engaging Young Minds Through the Innovative World of Robotics” initiative.

Keller ISD Council of PTA’s hosted their first Snack Chat of the year at Indian Springs Middle School where Dr. Westfall visited with PTA leadership teams from the Tribal feeder pattern about the the latest news, updates, and celebrations around the district.

Heritage Elementary's Nathan Bain and Sunset Valley’s Sojeet Prasai were recently surprised with a Kindle and headset for their summer reading and listening accomplishments. Over the summer, Learning A-Z partnered with Keller ISD (grades K-5) to encourage students to engage with Raz-Kids and Headsprout.

An impressive group of student leaders from CHS, FRHS, KHS, TCHS, and KCA gathered for the first Superintendent's Student Cabinet of the year, where they engaged in important conversations with District leadership, offered insight, and provided feedback about various topics.

ELLER ISD