2011-2012 Fort Worth ISD Annual Report

“Success demands singleness of purpose.�

- Vince Lombardi

2011 - 2012 Annual Report Fort Worth Independent School District

Walter Dansby Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dunbar High School Graduate

What does Singleness of Purpose look like?

already reaping rewards. This annual report offers

To the mayor of Fort Worth, it’s the joy on

many examples, including:

her grandson’s face when they’re sharing an adventure in learning. To one of our parent

•

Consistent Bell Schedules

volunteers, it’s staying connected to her

We adopted common bell schedules for our

children’s education by helping any way she can

traditional high schools and middle schools.

at their school. To two high school friends now

This change alone will result in several more

headed to different universities, it’s never losing

weeks’ worth of core-subject classroom time.

sight of their academic and career goals. To me, Singleness of Purpose is all of our stakeholders

•

Master Scheduling

– each with his or her own interests and talents –

We went school by school, program by

moving the ball down the court as a team toward

program and class by class to pinpoint

the ultimate goal of student achievement.

where resources were needed most. You can imagine some of the difficult conversations

Singleness of Purpose has been my mission

and decisions. But, we pulled together, put

since becoming superintendent of the Fort

personal feelings aside and made choices

Worth Independent School District. We’ve taken

based on what was best for our kids.

significant strides toward obtaining it and are

•

Gold Seal Programs of Choice and Schools

I hope this snapshot of 2011-2012 inspires you as

of Choice

it does me. Together, we can provide our students

As one team, we redesigned high school

with the ultimate competitive advantage. As one

with these groundbreaking opportunities.

graduating senior – a Superintendent Scholar and

Gold Seal Programs give students an

the top 5A female swimmer in the state – says,

unprecedented head start on college

“I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of

and career.

many people – my parents, my coach, my teachers and fellow students. I am motivated to do better

You will also read about a new kind of

for them.”

collaboration among our community partners.

I have invited leaders from non-profit groups and

Now, that’s Singleness of Purpose.

community organizations to participate in the strategic planning for the District and to support schools in ways that make the most sense for everyone. It’s extremely important that they, too, work under one umbrella for the sake of

Walter D. Dansby

our students.

Superintendent

nPurpose Superintendent Walter Dansby keeps his eye on the ball – a special one signed by the 1989-90 Paschal High School basketball team, the last team he coached.

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”

- John F. Kennedy

TABLE OF CONTENTS 02 ABOUT US

06 PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

20 TEACHING & LEARNING

38 BUDGETING & BUILDING

08 ON PURPOSE: BETSY PRICE

26 ON PURPOSE: MICHAEL SORUM

44 ON PURPOSE: ELIDA GONZALEZ

14 ON PURPOSE: CARLO CAPUA

30 ON PURPOSE: JOSE RAMON LOPEZ & JOSE LUIS LOPEZ 34 ON PURPOSE: SHAWN BUCHANAN

48 SAFETY & SUPPORT

54 PARENT INVOLVEMENT

62 HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

58 ON PURPOSE: SUZAN KHAN

64 ON PURPOSE: JULIA ANDERSON

74 LOOKING AHEAD

1

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

DISTRICT PROFILE OUR 2011 — 2012 BUDGET Operating Budget

$588,295,961

OUR SCHOOLS Total Number of Schools

140

Instruction

60.37%

Elementary School

83

Instruction Related

8.75%

Middle Schools

28

Support & Community Services

16.3%

High Schools

14

Pupil Services

11.52%

Alternative Schools

15

Administrative Support

2.29%

Debt Service

0.0%

Intergovernmental Charges

1.05%

Per Pupil Expenditure*

$7,154

2011-2012 Tax Rate

1.322

OUR DISTRICT Accreditation District High Schools

(M&O and Interest/Sinking Fund Rates Combined)

Texas Education Agency Southern Assoc. of Colleges & Schools

TEA Campus Ratings

2

Exemplary

6

Recognized

33

Acceptable

61

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

OUR STUDENTS*

ON PURPOSE

TAKS ALL STUDENTS MET 2010 STANDARD*

Total Enrollment

81,511

100%

Bilingual/ESL

21,926

23.4%

Grade

Math

Read/ELA

Career & Technology Education

14,556

17.9%

Gr. 3

77

83

—

—

—

Economically Disadvantaged

61,642

75.6%

Gr. 4

82

75

84

—

—

Gifted & Talented

6,576

8.1%

Gr. 5

79

81

—

81

—

Limited English Proficient (LEP)

23,094

28.3%

Gr. 6

73

76

—

—

—

Special Education

5,910

7.3%

Gr. 7

67

76

88

—

—

Gr. 8

65

81

—

63

91

Ethnic Distribution

Writing Science

Soc.St.

Hispanic

48,255

59.2%

Gr. 9

62

82

—

—

—

African-American

19,033

24.5%

Gr. 10

65

87

—

65

90

White/Anglo

11,639

14.3%

Gr. 11

83

91

—

84

96

Asian/Pacific Islander

1,414

1.9%

All Grades

74

83

86

74

93

Native American

259

0.3%

TRANSPORTATION

OUR EMPLOYEES* Total number of Employees

10,129

100%

Number of Buses Running Daily

362

Full-time Teachers

5,131.8

50.7%

Number of Bus Routes

1,540

Auxillary Staff

2,469.6

24.4%

Number of Students Transported Daily

18,176

Professional Support

1,195.3

11.8%

Number of Miles Driven in 2011-12

Educational Aides

834.6

8.2%

Campus Administrators

403.7

4%

Central Administrators

94

.9%

Beginning Teacher Salary (2010 — 2011)

$47,164

Avg. Experience of Teachers

10.6 Years

Avg. Experience with FWISD

8.3 Years

Student/Teacher Ratio

15.9:1

* 2010-2011 Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS)

4,858,251

NUTRITION SERVICES Breakfasts Served Daily Meal Price

24,428 Reduced $.00, Paid Students $.75

Lunches Served Daily Meal Price

58,636 Reduced $.40, Elem. $1.50, MS/HS $1.90

Students Eligible for Free/ Reduced Meals

67,271

3

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

LINES REDRAWN In October, the Board of Trustees approved a new redistricting map made up of nine single-member districts. The previous map had eight single-member districts and one at-large position – that of the board president. Under the new plan, the Board chooses a president from among the nine trustees. The map was created after a series of public hearings and input from a citizens advisory committee, a demographer and the District’s legal counsel. The new District 9 takes in parts of the old Districts 1 and 8.

HISTORY MADE – TWICE! Trustee Juan Rangel became Fort Worth ISD’s first

In May, trustees elected a new president: longtime

Hispanic school board president following the

board member T.A. Sims. He became the first African-

December resignation of President Ray Dickerson.

American selected to the post. Sims is also a registered

Major accomplishments under Mr. Rangel’s leadership

pharmacist and president of Sims Enterprises. Also

include the Board’s implementation of the new nine

in May, District 3 Representative Christene Moss was

single-member district map and the selection of Walter

chosen as vice president and District 5 Trustee Judy

Dansby as Fort Worth ISD Superintendent. Mr. Rangel

Needham was named secretary.

is the principal of JRE Fort Worth and has served on numerous boards and committees. He now represents District 9.

4

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

NEW MEMBER WELCOMED Trustees made room for one more on the dais with the

Top row: Carlos Vasquez, District 1; Tobi Jackson, District

approval of Joe Ralph Martinez to represent District 8.

2; Joe Ralph Martinez, District 8; Ann Sutherland, District

Martinez, a realtor, was selected to fill the remaining

6; Juan Rangel, District 9; Norman Robbins, District 7.

year of an unexpired term.

Bottom row: Christene C. Moss, Vice President, District 3; T.A. Sims, President, District 4; Judy G. Needham, Secretary, District 5.

OUR VISION Educating for Life

OUR GOALS 1. Student Achievement 2. Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness 3. Family Involvement and Community Partnerships

5

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS 6

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Fort Worth ISD’s Parent and Public Engagement Department collaborated with more than 400 partners – an increase of 20 percent from last year. Partnership activities included Adopt-A-School, Chairs for Teaching Excellence and the Campus and District Teacher of the Year Recognition Dinner. In this section, we want to highlight some of the new partnerships, the exceptional growth in programs and just what is possible when community partners work as a bigger team with Singleness of Purpose.

7

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

BETSY PRICE FORT WORTH MAYOR ARLINGTON HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

“Educating our children takes more

Mayor Betsy Price enthusiastically supports

than just schools. It requires parent

Superintendent Dansby’s Singleness of Purpose

involvement and mentors. It requires

and is helping the District strategize for success.

work in the classroom and at home.

Her own Steer FW Education Task Force began

It requires support from our

meeting in fall 2011 with District officials to help

entire community.”

place community resources where they are needed most. Mayor Price visits our schools, participates in District events – evenings and weekends – and is one of the most visible and vocal cheerleaders for public education.

Mayor Price’s advice for keeping on purpose: “Never give up. It’s not the setbacks that define us – it’s how we respond, get back on our feet and push forward. I hope that I can help pass on this important life lesson to our youth, because they will soon take the baton from us and lead this city to

8

even greater heights.”

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Mayor Betsy Price and her grandson, Price Carter, engrossed in one of their favorite and most important activities: reading.

NPURPOSE

9

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

2,482 – A HEALTHY TURNOUT The Fort Worth ISD District Walk hit its stride this year. Close to 2,500 people turned out May 12 to walk a total of 4,251 miles. That’s a 215 percent participation increase from the year before. The fitness event is held at the athletic tracks of every District high school, and every high school track reported at least 100 participants. The Humana Foundation donated $10,000 to pay for publicity, bottled water, bus transportation, promotional T-shirts and other incentives – all to get the community stepping out for better health.

TRAILBLAZING FOR FUN AND FITNESS U.S. Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) helped dedicate a new fitness trail at M.L. Phillips Elementary School, wrapping up the year-long FitKids project.

Wet weather forced the ribbon-cutting indoors, but the trail was inviting even in the rain. Congresswoman Granger, a graduate of Eastern Hills High School, has been the Capitol Hill champion for FitKids, which is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FitKids was implemented by Fort Worth ISD in partnership with Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

10

In all, six elementary school campuses in the District received fitness trails as part of the partnership.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

DRIVEN TO ACHIEVE Perfect attendance was the requirement for entering the “It’s Cool to Stay in School” contest sponsored by Score a Goal in the Classroom. Eligible students drew a key from a basket.

One at a time, they pushed their key’s panic button, hoping it would be the one that would set off the alarm of a 2012 Dodge Challenger donated by Moritz of Fort Worth. When Diamond Hill-Jarvis senior Jennifer Perez tried her key, the alarm blared, the crowd cheered and Jennifer jumped for joy.

WORDS FOR WHEELS It was Paschal senior Robyn Sims’ way with words that

Watson, both graduates of Fort Worth ISD.

won her a new Honda Civic LX in the first annual “Frank Kent Honda Words for Wheels” essay contest. Frank Kent

Three finalists won prize packages that included $500

Honda donated the car, and community-based credit union

Visa gift cards, oil changes and window tinting from Frank

EECU chipped in the cost of the tax, title and license.

Kent Honda. In Robyn’s essay, she told how she planned

The contest invited Fort Worth ISD graduating seniors to

a nursing career to help women. “My ultimate goal is to

answer – in 1,000 words or less – the question, “How do

establish a non-profit awareness campaign… that will make

I see myself in the future becoming an asset to the Fort

it known to women of all ages how to properly take care of

Worth community?” The contest was the brainchild of

themselves, and, if pregnant, their unborn child.”

Frank Kent owners and siblings Will Churchill and Corrie

11

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

MATCH THIS!

CREATIVE CONTESTS

JPMorgan Chase created a buzz, brought together

Comerica Bank held a holiday-themed boot design

individual donors and put money exactly where it was

competition and gave $14,000 to four Fort Worth

needed in our classrooms. Through the online charity

ISD elementary schools: George C. Clarke, Lily B.

organization DonorsChoose.org, District teachers

Clayton, E.M. Daggett and De Zavala. Local artists

posted funding requests for specific projects – things

competed in the Cowboys and Culture Holiday Boot

like books, technology and supplies. Interested donors

Design Contest. Students from the four schools

visited the website and found projects they wanted to

judged the entries with the assistance of Fort Worth

support. For several weeks, JPMorgan Chase and other

Mayor Betsy Price.

partners matched each individual donation up to $50.

It was all part of the “Tools for Classrooms” campaign

Target hit the mark with a project that inspired

sponsored by JPMorgan Chase in collaboration with

student creativity and engaged families at the same

Clear Channel Communities, which ran PSAs nationally

time. The “Winning Ideas” project called on teams

to drive donors to give.

of students to write proposals for their own project – something that would benefit students, emphasize

Our teachers, staff and parents helped spread the word

learning and involve families. The proposals

through campus websites and on Facebook. Donations

included how the teams would use a $500 gift from

to Fort Worth ISD totaled $1,800. Multiply that by two

Target to implement the projects. The winning

– the JPMorgan Chase and partners’ match – and a

teams were from Bruce Shulkey Elementary, Versia

minimum of $3,600 went to District classrooms.

Williams Elementary, Daggett Montessori, Stripling

12

Middle and Paschal High School.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS Comerica Bank became one of the District’s newest

Central Market sponsored for the first time the

and biggest Adopt-A-School partners. The company

Campus and District Teacher of the Year Recognition

matched branch offices with 10 elementary schools:

Dinner. More than 400 teachers and guests attended

Benbrook, Bonnie Brae, George C. Clarke, Lily B. Clayton, the celebration. Central Market presented checks Como, E.M. Daggett, De Zavala, M.L. Phillips, I.M. Terrell

totaling $18,000 to the District Teacher of the Year

and Woodway.

finalists. The two 2012 District Teachers of the Year (elementary and secondary) were announced: Susan

Xerox Corporation also became an Adopt-A-School

Moore, South Hills Elementary School, and Tania White,

partner and promptly presented a $2,000 donation to

Dunbar High School. One week after the dinner, Central

Harlean Beal Elementary School. The money will go to

Market surprised each teacher at her campus with

the school’s Student Incentive Program to help buy

a cake and a check for $5,000.

educational items, school supplies and uniforms.

TEAMING UP FOR BETTER NUTRITION Superintendent Walter Dansby welcomed a group of

affects performance. The group plans to pilot a lunch

young business leaders who want to make a difference

menu in one of our elementary school cafeterias and

in the school lunch line. The group is Mayor Betsy

couple it with education in the classroom. The Task

Price’s new Steer FW Education Task Force. For their

Force also wants to engage parents in the project by

first project with Fort Worth ISD, the Task Force will

providing a take-home recipe book created by kids.

target student nutrition, which research shows strongly

13

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

CARLO CAPUA CO-OWNER Z’S CAFÉ, STEER FW EDUCATION TASK FORCE WESTERN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

“Whether learning a language, starting

Carlo Capua fell in love with teaching and working

a business or running a marathon, you

with students after graduating from Texas Christian

are going to run into walls. See them as

University. Seeking adventure, he taught English in

opportunities – to show you how badly

Japan for four years and in Mexico for three

you want something.”

years. He returned to Fort Worth eager to see his family again and enjoy his mother’s great cooking.

Shortly afterward, he and his mom opened Z’s Café. Now, as a member of Mayor Price’s Steer FW Education Task Force, Carlo is combining his love of good food with his passion for working with students. The Education Task Force has made student nutrition a priority and will work with Fort Worth ISD cafeterias, students and families.

Carlo’s passion: “Nutritious foods. I believe they can improve student achievement and behavior, can be both economic and creatively rich and can be prepared

14

and presented in such a way that students will try them and like them.”

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Restaurant co-owner Carlo Capua plans to help District cafeterias dish up healthy foods that look good and taste good, too.

NPURPOSE

15

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

UNITED FOR EDUCATION United Way’s 2020 Bold Goal supported District students

grades, attendance and behavior to identify struggling

of all ages. The Bold Goal, part of the “Learn Well:

students and intervene when needed.

The Education Initiative,” calls for 20 percent more ontime graduations from United Way selected schools in

Big Brothers and Big Sisters partnered with United

Tarrant County.

Way of Tarrant County and the Fort Worth ISD to expand students’ perspectives on life after high school. The

Because the path to graduation begins early, United Way

“Beyond the School Walls” program was piloted in several

worked with District staff to implement the “Leveled

middle schools. At least once a month, approximately 25

Literacy Initiative” at seven elementary schools.

students were transported from school to local businesses

The initiative’s small group-guided reading approach is

for some on-the-job time with their mentors.

designed to keep students on grade level and on time.

United Way helped provide additional teaching time,

United Way also enabled GO Centers on the District’s

activities that promote parental involvement and access

high school and middle school campuses to serve more

to specialized reading resources. Collaboration with the

students than ever. A total of 8,455 students visited the

Target Foundation increased parent involvement and

centers during the school year to learn about college and

supported professional development for reading teachers.

career opportunities, college applications and financial

A partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Worth

aid. The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce continued its

provided summer reading programs to boost the reading

support of the GO Centers. The Chamber makes important

abilities of elementary students over the summer months.

connections to business and university partners who help staff the GO Centers.

United Way also supported the “Middle School Initiative,” putting College and Career Readiness coaches at eight

United Way committed more than $1.2 million to the “Learn

District schools. The coaches assist students with goal

Well: Education Initiative” at Fort Worth ISD for the 2012-13

setting and career planning. The coaches also monitor

school year.

16

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

CLOSE-TO-HOME HEALTHCARE A fifth Fort Worth ISD/JPS Health Network school-

of Churches and the Southside Church of Christ,

based health center opened to bring primary and

where the center is located.

preventive care to more of our students and their younger siblings. Southside Center is a collaborative

During the 2011-2012 school year, the Southside Center

effort that also includes the South Central Alliance

served more than 700 young patients.

EXCELLENCE REWARDED Fifteen Fort Worth ISD teachers were chosen as the

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

2011-2012 Academic Chairs for Teaching Excellence.

(2 sponsorships), Molyneaux Foundation, Outreach

Along with receiving the title and recognition, teachers

Communications, Patsy Luther Cantrell and Jan

were awarded $5,000 honorariums paid for by these

Luther Johnson, Performing Arts Fort Worth,

generous partners: Chase, Crescent Real Estate,

Quicksilver Resources, RadioShack, Sewell Lexus

Fort Worth Arts Education Partnership, Freese and

of Fort Worth and XTO Energy Inc.

Nichols, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP.,

17

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARTNERSHIP TAKES ROOT A tree planted in May formalized the growing educational partnership between Paschal High School and Texas Christian University. The tree stands at the intersection of Bowie Street and McCart Avenue, on the western edge of TCU. It can be seen from Paschal’s campus one block away. TCU/Paschal projects covered a variety of subjects this year, including English, science and math. Outside the classroom, Paschal’s Student Council worked with TCU’s Student Government Association, and Paschal’s newly-formed dance company had the opportunity to learn from TCU’s School of Classical & Contemporary Dance.

VISION OF CARING More than 1,700 Fort Worth ISD students are seeing their futures – and everything else – more clearly. Kids Vision for Life, a partnership between the Essilor Vision Foundation, the Alcon Foundation and the Fort Worth ISD Health Services Department (our school nurses), provided free vision exams at 39 elementary campuses and at the Kids Vision Fest event. The partnership also provided free glasses for all the kids who

18

needed them – a value of $171,000.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

PURE GOLD PARTNERS These community partners gave generously to our

employees against South Hills students and faculty.

Gold Seal Programs of Choice and Schools of Choice:

South Hills served up the 11-10 win.

Omni Fort Worth Hotel teamed up with South Hills

XTO Energy donated $25,000 to Paschal High School’s

High School to provide an outstanding edge for

Engineering Gold Seal Program of Choice. The company

students interested in hospitality careers. Opportunities said it was important to support a program that would include onsite visits, job shadowing, mentoring and

generate future engineers and possibly future XTO

college scholarships. This takes the school’s Culinary

employees. The funds will be used for a computer lab.

Arts Academy, a Gold Seal Program of Choice, to an exciting new level. Omni’s mentoring program will

JPMorgan Chase Foundation stepped up to help the

also benefit South Hills students in the AVID college

District’s newest Gold Seal School of Choice get off to a

readiness program. The partnership kicked off with a

good start. Chase donated $50,000 to the Young Men’s

charity softball game that pitted Omni Fort Worth Hotel

Leadership Academy, which opens in fall 2012.

19

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING TEACHING && LEARNING LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

TEACHING & LEARNING 20

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Fort Worth ISD views the classroom as much more than a place for teachers to deliver information. It’s where we engage young minds and inspire students to learn, think critically and value the opportunities a good education affords.

That means teachers must have all the tools and resources they need for excellence every day. This includes everything from a challenging and relevant curriculum to continuous professional development to the up-to-date technology that supports and expands teaching.

21

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

GOLD SEAL PROGRAMS OF CHOICE AND SCHOOLS OF CHOICE This was the first year of one of the most

still in high school. All of the programs are tied to core

comprehensive redesigns of secondary school

instruction in math, science and English language arts.

education in the nation: Fort Worth ISD’s Gold Seal Programs of Choice and Schools of Choice.

The District held a Choices Expo in the Riley Center

These courses of study engage students, support

of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

their interests and open exciting pathways to success

The Expo featured all the opportunities available through

in college and career. Every District high school and

the Gold Seal Programs of Choice. During the event,

some middle and elementary schools offer Programs

Michael Sorum, the District’s Deputy Superintendent for

of Choice.

Leadership, Learning and Student Support, hosted a live taping of a roundtable discussion with middle school

At the high school level, Gold Seal Programs include

students to answer their questions about the Gold Seal

everything from aviation technology to culinary arts

Programs. Dr. Sharon Meng, Assistant Superintendent of

to digital gaming. Students receive rigorous, hands-

the District’s Department of Advanced, Accelerated

on learning, internships and opportunities to earn

and Innovative Learning, hosted a second live taping

certifications, licenses and even college credits while

with students.

22

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Early College High School

Classes are held at Marine Creek Collegiate High School

It’s no wonder word is quickly spreading about a

on the campus of Tarrant County College Northwest.

Gold Seal Program of Choice at Diamond Hill–Jarvis

Here, students enjoy being part of a small, personalized

High School. It’s Early College High School (ECHS), an

learning community in a program that is ideal for

opportunity for students to graduate with 48 to 60

first-generation college students and others under-

hours of transferrable college credit. That’s up to

represented in college.

two years of credit that could translate into an associate’s degree – free of charge! Parents could save

In the first year of ECHS, 51 students were in the

$40,000 to $80,000 in college tuition, textbooks and

program. The program plans to add approximately 75

related expenses.

students every year.

23

OUR DISTRICT

24

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences

TABS highlights:

The Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences (TABS),

•

In November, a delegation of women scientists

a Gold Seal School of Choice, opened fall 2011. It was

from the Middle East and North Africa visited TABS.

a life-changing freshman year for dozens of students

The group was in North Texas to study women’s

interested in careers in healthcare science. A summer

contributions to scientific innovation, education,

program at the University of North Texas Health

leadership and public policy formation.

Science Center (UNTHSC) and TABS Prep at Stripling

•

TABS freshman Salma Elkhaoudi ranked third in

Middle School helped prepare students for their first

a medical terminology competition sponsored

year at TABS.

by Health Occupations Students of America. She moves on to compete at the state level next

Along with UNTHSC, The University of North Texas and Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus

school year.

•

UNTHSC employees contributed to a $2,000 grant

collaborated with the District to provide learning

that will pay for volunteers to teach TABS students

environments and resources most students

about personal finance and professional ethics.

don’t experience until college or even med school.

•

Students earned white lab coats after completing

Students may earn up to two years of college credit,

the Summer Bridge Program. During their first year

thanks to an Early College High School component

of TABS, they proudly wore the coats when special

of TABS.

guests visited their school.

•

The UNTHSC wrote a grant on behalf of TABS and

“All three TABS partners played such an important role

received $50,000 from American Honda Motor

in our experiences this year. They will continue to help

Corporation. The money will help buy advanced

us plan and strategize and to invest time and resources

scientific equipment.

in our expansion and future success,” said TABS Principal Troy Langston.

•

The Sid Richardson Foundation continued to support TABS with an annual gift exceeding $150,000 to enhance professional development and student achievement.

25

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

MICHAEL SORUM FORT WORTH ISD DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT FOR LEADERSHIP, LEARNING AND STUDENT SUPPORT

“Any child with a career interest or

Michael Sorum studied classical piano for 13 years.

passion can find a Gold Seal Program

He played clarinet in his school band and organ at

of Choice to help develop it. And with

his church. And, as leader of the design team

free transportation and no fees, every

that created the District’s Gold Seal Programs of

student has the opportunity to pursue

Choice, he made sure to include fine arts in the

his or her interests at Fort Worth ISD.”

offerings. The programs provide opportunities for students to receive licensures, certifications, college credits, advanced placement credits and an actual gold seal on their diploma. The Gold Seal difference is the power of choice. Want to play clarinet? There’s a Gold Seal Program of Choice for that!

Deputy Superintendent Sorum says students can look forward to: “More choice! With our first class entering its sophomore year, we are evaluating and refining programs so that, before long, every student will be able to take charge of their education, have more

26

choice and pursue what interests them.”

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

NPURPOSE Michael Sorum kids around with a clarinet but takes very seriously the full fine arts programs offered at every Fort Worth ISD high school.

27

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

TO THE STAAR AND BEYOND For the first time, students tackled the State of Texas

•

9th graders who took the Biology test achieved a

Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End-of-

Satisfactory or Advanced level at a rate of

Course (EOC) and STAAR 3rd-8th grade exams. STAAR

80 percent

replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

•

9th graders who took the English I test achieved

(TAKS) in 9th grade and below. And, as expected, STAAR

a Satisfactory or Advanced level at a rate of 45

proved to be more rigorous than TAKS in several ways.

percent in Reading and 25 percent in Writing

To help students and teachers make the transition,

•

Accelerated 9th graders who took the English II

STAAR EOC standards are being phased-in. The number

test scored 95 percent in Reading and 82 percent

of questions that must be answered correctly will

in Writing at or above the current standards

gradually increase until 2016. But, even the first tests had higher standards than the passing standards

Middle school students enrolled in high school courses

for TAKS.

for which there was an EOC assessment also took STAAR EOC exams. Here are their results:

Here is how Fort Worth ISD high school students fared

•

7th and 8th graders who took the Algebra I test

on EOC exams:

achieved a Satisfactory or Advanced level at a rate

•

9th graders who took the World Geography and

of 97-99 percent

Algebra I tests achieved a Satisfactory or Advanced •

8th graders who took the English I test achieved

level at a rate of 69 percent

a Satisfactory or Advanced level for 86 percent

Accelerated 9th graders who took the Geometry

in English I Reading and 72 percent in

and Algebra II tests had 97 percent at or above the

English I Writing

•

current standard

CONNECTED CLASSROOMS Fort Worth ISD completed equipment upgrades that will allow us to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for Internet access in the classroom. With more than 2,200 access points installed, all schools now have wireless network access.

28

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

HONORABLE RETURN The National Honor Society is back where it belongs at Eastern Hills High School. The school reactivated its chapter during a traditional candlelight induction ceremony in April. A total of 28 juniors and sophomores were inducted as members, while 21 seniors received honorary memberships. The National Honor Society recognizes high school students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service and character.

AG BARN ADD-ON Fort Worth ISD has always been proud of its barn facility. Now, there’s even more to crow about. We expanded the barn from 5,000 to 7,500 square feet. “We ran out of space for our large animals,” said Cody Davenport, the FFA advisor at Arlington Heights High School.

“The expansion allows us to open more space for our student projects.” The barn is used by Arlington Heights’ Future Farmers of America chapter as well as students in the school’s Agriculture and Horticulture Gold Seal Program of Choice. The Gold Seal program gives students a jumpstart on careers in veterinary medicine, wildlife management, animal science research and many other fields.

29

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

JOSE RAMON LOPEZ & JOSE LUIS LOPEZ TRIMBLE TECH HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2012 “Sure, we like to drive around, hang out

They met in 9th grade and hit it off – even before

with friends and listen to music. But,

they realized they shared both a first and last name.

we keep our priorities straight. We do

They remained friends throughout high school,

our work first and play later.”

sharing other similarities, including:

- Jose Luis Lopez “Another thing we have in common is families who push us. We have older sisters who expect us to do well in school. We have parents who expect us to work hard.”

- Jose Ramon Lopez

•

Favorite class – art

•

Favorite food – wings

•

Favorite sport – soccer

They’re also both good students looking forward to college. That similarity, however, will send them on their separate ways: •

Jose Ramon Lopez – Texas A&M University to major in biology (plans a career in medicine)

•

Jose Luis Lopez – Texas Wesleyan University to study criminal law (wants to help end drugrelated violence in Mexico)

30

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Jose Ramon Lopez (left) and Jose Luis Lopez (right) expect to stay friends over the miles – from College Station to Cowtown.

NPURPOSE

31

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

ONE GOOD BOOK “The Big Read,” a program of the National Endowment

School, collected over 1,200 non-perishable food items

of Arts and led locally by Texas Wesleyan University,

for the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

was a big deal in the Fort Worth ISD. The February 29th kick-off featured an all-star cast, including Fort Worth

Although the novel’s setting is Depression-era

Mayor Betsy Price, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Walter California, teachers said many students felt Dansby and Trimble Tech High School alum and star

“The Grapes of Wrath” helped them put personal,

of ABC’s “Body of Proof,” actor Windell Middlebrooks.

family and economic problems they have seen and

They each read passages from the selected book, John

experienced in perspective.

Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.”

Our Secondary Literacy Department said, “‘The Big In addition to reading the book, students researched

Read’ allowed students to develop an appreciation

the Great Depression, attended performances of

for ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ as a literary work, and to

“The Grapes of Wrath: A Living Scrapbook,” performed

understand how writers often use works like novels to

dramatic monologues, debated social and economic

inform the general public about social issues and to

issues, wrote persuasive essays and, at Paschal High

raise public consciousness about those same issues.”

32

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

SEEING BLUE Fort Worth ISD’s Edward J. Briscoe Elementary School

Unacceptable rating by the state in 2008 and 2009, but

learned in January that it was nominated for the

improved to Recognized status the past two years.

2012 Blue Ribbon Schools national award. Briscoe was the only school in Tarrant County nominated for the

“Our teachers and staff make sure students and

prestigious award, and one of 26 contenders statewide.

parents know the high expectations we have here.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public

We understand there are often challenges at home,”

and private elementary, middle and high schools

says Principal Buchanan. “But at Briscoe, students

for academic excellence and progress in closing the

can take pride in doing their best every day.”

achievement gap.

Blue Ribbon honors have gone to three other Fort Worth Briscoe, under the direction of Principal Shawn

ISD elementary schools in past years: Glen Park, Rufino

Buchanan, was nominated in the Improving Schools

Mendoza and Tanglewood.

category. Briscoe received an Academically

33

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

SHAWN BUCHANAN EDWARD J. BRISCOE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL/ LEARNING NETWORK DIRECTOR O.D. WYATT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE “I have always believed that elementary

Shawn Buchanan was “teaching” at age five.

teachers and principals are in a unique

During the summer, neighborhood children

position to make a difference in a child’s

would come to Shawn’s house to play school.

life. We have a responsibility to ignite a

Her grandmother made lunch. Her grandfather built

love of learning that will last a lifetime.”

little desks for all the children. Shawn’s mother, a librarian for the city of Fort Worth, supplied the books.

Shawn knew then she would be a teacher one day.

Indeed, she taught at both the elementary and secondary level before becoming an assistant principal and then a principal.

Principal Buchanan calls this an exciting time to be a Fort Worth ISD student because: “All of us at the District are working hard and working together for your success. School has never been more engaging, more relevant or more geared toward equipping students for college and the workplace.”

34

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

NPURPOSE Principal Shawn Buchanan, the daughter of a librarian, considers books an open door to “lifelong joy and adventure.”

35

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Rosemont Middle School students got a real-life lesson in what it means to serve one’s country.

Janice Sharp, a 7th grade science teacher, reenlisted in the Navy Reserve. And, she did it at school. The science teacher and mother of four children is a Quarter Master in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Her husband is also a reservist in the Navy.

In January, in front of students, faculty and staff, QM2 Janice Sharp raised her hand and promised to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This enlistment is her final one in completing her service. Her active duty service began in 1997 aboard the USS Nicholson, a destroyer out of Norfolk, Virginia. She began her career in the Fort Worth ISD in 2008.

MORNING MEAL MATTERS Fort Worth ISD’s “Kick-Start with Breakfast” program is more than doubling in size each year. The pilot program began in 2009-2010 with four schools. The next year it grew to 13 schools. In 2011-2012, 26 schools provided early morning nutrition in the classroom, including breakfast pizza bagels, breakfast burritos and pancake sausages-on-a-stick.

Studies show that eating breakfast can help test scores and help students pay attention in class and behave better.

36

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

A LESSON IN DETERMINATION When Paschal High School senior Michael Batts crossed

he graduated on time and in the top 10 percent of his

the stage May 31, 2012, at TCU’s Daniel Meyer Coliseum,

class. He will continue his rehabilitation while attending

cheers and applause erupted. Some 18 months earlier,

Tarrant County College in the fall. He plans to major

he lay unconscious in the hospital with a broken pelvis,

in speech language pathology and become a speech

broken ribs and a severe head injury suffered in a

therapist to help others who have suffered

car crash.

brain injuries.

Before Michael’s accident in November 2010, he was

Michael has a more immediate goal, too. “I want

ranked 10th in his class. He played saxophone in the

to be driving by the end of summer,” he says

marching band, sang in the choir and worked on the

matter-of-factly. That will take more rehab, more

school newspaper. After the crash, he had to relearn

recovery and something Michael has no shortage of:

everything – even walking and talking.

extreme determination.

Michael’s recovery, though not complete, has been remarkable. Even after missing five months of school,

37

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

BUDGETING & BUILDING 38

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

We cannot avoid mentioning the state funding crisis and its impact on our District – a projected $41 million shortfall this year alone. The situation called for unprecedented Singleness of Purpose. For months, every Cabinet and Executive Staff meeting included budget discussions. In May, District administrators from every division and department worked together for long hours reviewing each school’s master schedule to ensure efficiencies and meet student needs. We developed a plan that we believe will best serve our instructional needs, our District’s fiscal future and, most importantly, our students.

We also celebrated. We began the school year with four more new schools as the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) began winding down. All of the projects that were part of the original 2007 bond program approved by voters were completed on time and under budget. The savings allowed for additional CIP work, including extra renovations at all schools, track resurfacing at secondary schools and a new culinary lab at North Side High School.

39

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

EARLY NOTIFICATION The state budget shortfall meant spending had to

With that in mind, the Fort Worth ISD Board of

be cut. Since 85 percent of the District’s budget is

Education and District Administration offered an early

personnel cost, staffing had to be a large part

notification incentive payment to employees who

of reductions.

planned to resign or retire at the end of the school year. The payment – up to 10 percent of an employee’s

“One of the most effective ways to cut personnel

annual salary – rewarded individuals for their time

costs is by attrition,” said Superintendent Walter

spent with Fort Worth ISD. It also minimized the

Dansby. “And, the ability to plan around the number of

number of layoffs needed for the next year. Various

employees who will resign or retire at the end of this

stakeholders approved the early notification incentive,

school year gives us a real head start in saving the

including the United Educators Association.

District both money and jobs.”

ONLINE COURSE REQUEST Scheduling classes in the Fort Worth ISD got a lot

Online Course Request helped the District, too.

more convenient with Online Course Request. For the

Students’ course requests gave us the data we needed

first time, students and parents were able to go to the

to begin closely examining staffing ratios at our

District website, review the course catalog and create a

schools and determining the most efficient use

tentative schedule.

of resources.

STAFFING RATIOS Cabinet, Executive Staff and District administrators

Our Human Capital Management Department worked

diligently reviewed staffing ratios at every school

with those who lost their jobs to provide support,

and considered various reorganization possibilities.

including giving them access to a June job fair

This was to maximize how we utilize existing faculty

designed to help recent Fort Worth ISD graduates

and minimize the number of teachers we hire from

and seniors.

the outside. In the end, we laid off fewer than 100 employees and decided to eliminate another 129 jobs

Over the past two years, the District eliminated 113

already vacant. Most of those affected immediately

central office positions and 251 campus positions from

were library clerks and teacher assistants. We did not

the payroll.

lay off any Fort Worth ISD teachers.

40

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

CONSISTENT BELL SCHEDULES In February, we adopted common bell schedules for our

•

More opportunities for teachers to meet with

traditional high schools and middle schools. Beginning

students weekly (compared to the A/B

next fall, all of the District’s traditional high schools will

block model)

use a seven-period bell schedule. All middle schools will

•

More efficient use of staffing

operate under a 5x5 block schedule.

At the middle school level, the 5x5 block schedule “This will eliminate the inconsistent schedules that

will provide:

have created unnecessary obstacles for our students

•

instruction time in key content areas

and teachers,” said Robert Ray, Fort Worth ISD Deputy Superintendent for Program Efficiency, Effectiveness

The equivalent of eight weeks of additional

•

More minutes of class time within each instructional period

and Sustainability. “And, the changes will dramatically increase the number of hours of instruction.”

•

A lower student to teacher ratio class size

At the high school level, the seven-period bell schedule

The 5x5 schedule will still allow for multiple electives.

will deliver: •

The equivalent of an additional 5.6 weeks of

The District will monitor the bell schedule changes and

increased instructional time in core subjects

continually assess their effectiveness.

(compared to the 8-period model)

41

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

RIGHT ON THE MONEY Our financial management practices earned a Superior Achievement rating from the Texas Education Agency’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. Our Accounting Department also picked up Certificates of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association for School Business Officials International and the Government Finance Officers Association. This was the 26th consecutive year for both awards.

GRANT FUNDING The District was awarded more than $73 million in discretionary grant funding – far exceeding the goal of $40 million. More than $1 million in entitlements was received. Grant funding makes up approximately 28 percent of the District’s operating budget. District schools, meanwhile, received nearly $250,000 in gifts from private sources for use at the campus level.

Grant highlights include: Target Foundation - $125,000 for Early Literacy

21st Century Community Schools - $4.8 million for 40

JPMorgan Chase Foundation - $50,000 for the Young

schools to support after-school programming

Men’s Leadership Academy

District Award for Teaching Excellence - $1.7 million

United Way - $460,000 for Literacy, $730,164 for the

to support teacher evaluations, rewards and incentives

Middle School Initiative

Sid Richardson Foundation - $200,000 for the District

Humana Foundation - $10,000 for the District Walk

curriculum audit and $155,000 for Texas Academy of

AT&T Foundation - $100,000 for College Readiness and

Biomedical Sciences campus support

Dropout Prevention

42

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

EVERYBODY RISE!

ON PURPOSE

RISE campuses:

Fort Worth ISD combined federal and state funds to create the Redesign

•

Como ES

to Increase Schools of Excellence (RISE) initiative. RISE will help all

•

Daggett MS

students by:

•

Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS

•

Finding new ways to teach and lead

•

Dunbar HS

•

Creating fair teacher evaluations that help everyone

•

Dunbar MS

perform better

•

Dunbar 6th

Rewarding educators for performance

•

Eastern Hills HS

•

Forest Oak MS

In its first year at 25 campuses, RISE:

•

Glencrest 6th

•

Regularly brought teachers and administrators together

•

Handley MS

for open dialogue about improving teaching practices

•

International Newcomer Academy

Provided teachers with current, needs-based

•

Kirkpatrick MS

professional development

•

Meadowbrook MS

Provided on-the-job professional development to campus

•

Mitchell Blvd ES

leadership facilitated by external experts

•

Morningside ES

Piloted compensation based on both teacher and

•

North Side HS

student performance

•

Oaklawn ES

Engaged school communities in new ways, including Parent

•

A.M. Pate ES

Learning Walks

•

Polytechnic HS

•

T.A. Sims ES

The funds that make RISE possible:

•

South Hills HS

•

Teacher Incentive Fund

•

Sunrise-McMillan ES

•

Texas Title I Priority Schools Grant Program

•

W.J. Turner ES

•

Texas Turnaround Leadership Academy

•

Versia Williams ES

•

O.D. Wyatt HS

•

• • • •

43

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

ELIDA GONZALEZ W.J. TURNER ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL NORTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

“RISE will make a difference for so many

Elida Gonzalez became a withdrawn 14-year-old when

students. Things like the use of data to

her father passed away and her family moved to a new

pinpoint weaknesses and strengths,

city. Her parents had always stressed the importance

career day and college day events,

of a good education, but Elida’s world was turned

and student goal-setting can make

upside down. She credits the Upward Bound program

academic success and college seem real

that she joined in high school with helping her fulfill

and attainable.”

her parents’ wishes for her to go to college. As part of the program, she went to classes at Texas Christian University on Saturdays and in the summer. By her senior year, she was taking college level courses.

The timid teen turned into a confident leader – and lifelong learner. She is now working toward her doctorate and Superintendent Certification.

Principal Gonzalez’s advice to students of all ages: “Believe you can achieve your goal. If you believe it, you can do it.”

44

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Elida Gonzalez treasures the Upward Bound Perseverance trophy she was awarded at North Side High School. It reminds her - as a RISE school principal – of the power of good programs and people in a child’s life.

NPURPOSE

45

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

FOUR MORE SCHOOLS Four brand new Fort Worth ISD schools welcomed students and their parents on the first day of school: Rosemont Elementary, John T. White Elementary, Benbrook Middle and Jean McClung Middle. A total of five schools were built as part of the 2007 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and brought in under budget and on time. The first, Hazel Harvey Peace Elementary, opened August 2010. Beautiful, high-performing and sustainable – these schools were designed to serve students, conserve natural resources and fit seamlessly into the fabric of their neighborhoods.

46

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

A PROMISE DELIVERED Four years after voters approved the $593.6 million

Mr. Dansby treated all those in attendance to a short

CIP, Walter Dansby (then Interim Superintendent)

video, “Straight to the Classroom: A Promise Delivered.”

reported on its success at a special meeting. It was the

The video highlighted each of the new schools,

Combined Area Council Memberships of the Fort Worth

the money-saving geothermal HVAC systems, the

Chamber of Commerce, a group whose support helped

sustainable construction strategies and the District’s

significantly in the passage of the bond program.

commitment to transparency in all phases of the

The meeting was held at McClung Middle School, one

massive construction and renovation effort.

of the new schools built by the CIP.

COMMUNITY CONSIDERATIONS One of the great successes of the CIP was its

5th Annual Pillars Public Entity Award. The award is

utilization of not only large firms for construction-

given each year to a public organization that has

related projects, but also smaller and emerging

significantly impacted the construction industry in

companies. This effort was recognized by the

the Dallas-Fort Worth area while displaying leadership,

1,200-member Regional Hispanic Contractors

innovation and diversity in the administration and

Association, which honored the CIP with the group’s

management of its projects.

47

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT 48

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

The definition of school safety is always changing. Fort Worth ISD continually strives to stay up-to-date and even ahead of the changes. This year saw the implementation of the It’s Not Okay anti-bullying and the Know The Plan preparedness initiatives. Though both are designed to keep kids safe at school, they also involve families and even the entire community. Everyone has a role – whether it’s modeling respectful behavior or knowing what to do in the case of an emergency.

49

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

INOK The Fort Worth ISD’s anti-bullying efforts attracted

INOK the National Exemplary Program Recognition Award.

national attention and earned community support

Award winners were selected using a rigorous rubric. INOK

as the District launched the comprehensive It’s Not

was praised for its student-driven model which specifically

Okay (INOK) initiative. INOK encourages everyone to

addresses school climate and needs. The panel judging the

speak out and stand up for any person or group that

awards included representatives from law enforcement,

is bullied, harassed or discriminated against. INOK

education, and parent and community groups.

directly empowers students by creating INOK Student Organizations on campuses that determine topics of

“It’s overwhelming – the response INOK is getting,”

discussion and hold INOK-related activities.

said Kathryn Everest, Fort Worth ISD Director of Guidance and Counseling. “Despite the prevalent negative social

Exemplary Award

norms, kids really do want a kinder, more respectful

The School Safety Advocacy Council awarded

environment.”

50

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

Stripling Middle School Principal Keri Flores and others

•

ON PURPOSE

Sunrise-McMillan – Students participated in a poster

from her school went to Orlando, Florida, to receive

contest, signed pledge cards and attended an

the award. Stripling implemented several anti-bullying

assembly with INOK-related skits

activities that brought local and national attention to INOK.

More INOK highlights: •

The community-wide INOK launch included Fort Worth

Implementation

Mayor Betsy Price, Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead,

We decided to launch the INOK initiative in stages to

City Councilmember Joel Burns and several Fort

better serve all audiences. We expanded our effort at

Worth ISD Trustees

the elementary level and engaged the community. INOK

•

We introduced a comprehensive INOK manual that

asked our youth to support, lead, develop and sanction

explains the initiative and the roles educators,

social norms that promote respect and integrity for all

students, parents and the community can play in

people. Students were encouraged to team up to find

creating safe, respectful environments for everyone

ways to spread the INOK message – programs and projects

•

We expanded the INOK poster campaign on both

“by kids for kids.” They responded enthusiastically on all

elementary and secondary campuses to include the

elementary campuses. Student-driven activities included:

topic of violence

• •

Cesar Chavez – Students created an anti-

Parks and Recreation personnel and several After

Manuel Jara – Teachers recognized Kindness Kid of

School providers •

The Texas Counseling Association honored the

students with certificates and opportunities to win

Fort Worth ISD as an “Outstanding Institution for

a bicycle

Promoting Advocacy” in connection with the

T.A. Sims – A weeklong campaign, Bully Free Starts

INOK initiative

with Me - It’s Cool to Care, included a daily theme and a video created by students •

INOK trainings were held for Fort Worth City

cheating video the Week in each classroom, presenting deserving

•

•

•

The Amon G. Carter Foundation gave $30,000 to support training and materials

South Hills – Students created videos on INOK topics relevant to their classmates

51

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

KNOW THE PLAN Website Launched

Plan Put in Practice

If you know the plan, you know what to do! That’s the

The Fort Worth ISD, in conjunction with the City of Fort

simple message behind the “Know The Plan” website

Worth, practiced its EOP with a large-scale emergency

(www.fwisd.org/plan) launched this year by the District.

drill in May. The drill was carried out at Kirkpatrick

“Know The Plan” is the name given to Fort Worth ISD’s

Middle School and Kirkpatrick Elementary School.

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for dealing with

The general scenario of this drill assumed there was

unexpected emergencies. Being prepared and knowing

a hazardous materials incident in the vicinity of both

what to do can reduce fear, anxiety and losses that

schools requiring campus administrators to implement

accompany local events and widespread disasters.

a “Shelter in Place” response. One school was

Our EOP was developed using best security practices

evacuated to another District location, which involved

and the cooperation of local government. The plan

bringing in school buses for the transfer. Meanwhile,

covers the four phases of emergency management:

the second school tested procedures while remaining at

Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.

the campus. The EOP was developed under a Readiness

The “Know The Plan” website has valuable information

and Emergency Management in Schools grant received

for each phase. The information is directed to staff,

by the District two years ago.

students and families – because everyone has a role in emergency response.

52

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

COUNSELING AT ITS BEST The Texas School Counselor Association honored four

Heights Elementary School. CREST recognizes

Fort Worth ISD schools with the Counselors Reinforcing

counseling programs that improve the

Excellence for Students in Texas (CREST) Award. The

lives and achievement of students by utilizing

schools are Polytechnic High School, South Hills High

counseling strategies focused on data and

School, Wedgwood Middle School and Washington

accountability measures.

TEACHER SUPPORT According to the 2012 Fort Worth ISD Teacher Survey,

Dansby prominently shared the results of the survey on

most of our teachers believe they are supported by

the District website to let teachers know their feedback

colleagues. They also say they are happier with campus

was heard and valued.

leadership. However, many feel there is a lack of accountability for teacher performance.

The District’s Department of Accountability and Data

Overall, teachers also reported: •

Collaboration with colleagues

•

Confidence in delivery of instruction, use of data

Quality administered the survey. More than half – 53 percent – of teachers responded. Superintendent

and classroom effectiveness •

Commitment to student success

53

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARENT INVOLVEMENT 54

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

We know it’s vital for parents to be involved in their child’s education. We also know just how busy parents are these days. So, as well as finding more effective ways to engage parents, we looked for more convenient ways, too. Among other things, we took full advantage of social media (have you seen our Facebook page lately?), energized school websites and gave parents an online tool for checking grades and attendance. It was all geared toward empowering our most important partners in student success.

55

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARENTS STAY CONNECTED To moms and dads, Fort Worth ISD’s Parent Portal is

Parent Portal empowers parents and enlists them as

the next best thing to being in the classroom with

allies in the education of their children. Superintendent

their students. Attendance records, grades and teacher

Walter Dansby says the District-wide implementation

contacts are only a click away with the impressive

of Parent Portal supports the District’s top priority –

online tool. Parents are also able to set alerts to

improved academics – and he encouraged both parents

receive automatic emails if a student’s attendance or

and teachers to participate wholeheartedly.

grades fall below specified criteria.

To help parents logging on for the first time, the As promised, the District put Parent Portal in every

District posted an instructional video on www.fwisd.org,

school this year. By the end of April 2012, roughly

and schools held events where parents could stop by

17,800 parents had signed up.

and learn more.

56

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS Family Academy made its debut this year in two communities.

Parents learned all about communicating and partnering with teachers, participating in school events and helping their children at home.

The District also held Camp Pre-K, a transition camp for pre-kindergarten kids and their parents or guardians.

The camp gave the adults strategies to use at home during the summer to ready their children for their first academic experience.

57

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

SUZAN KHAN PARENT AND SCHOOL VOLUNTEER

“Education is a gateway to success, to

Suzan Khan has always followed her heart. As a

moving forward, to making a difference,

young woman, she traveled from Jordan to the United

to understanding, to communicating, to

States for what was supposed to be a month-long

becoming more productive and to lifting

visit with relatives. Instead, she stayed, married, had

up your lives and the lives of others.”

children and settled into Fort Worth. Once her children entered Bruce Shulkey Elementary, her heart told her to be as involved as possible in their education.

She joined the PTA and began volunteering at school.

She shelves library books, reads to children, helps them use the library computers, works PTA fundraisers and chaperones field trips. She also stays connected through Parent Portal, the online tool for parents.

“I can follow my children’s achievements from my home,” says Suzan. “Every day I check it!”

Suzan’s advice to other parents: “Volunteer as much as possible at your children’s school. It is one way to show your love for them, and

58

love is what our children want most from us.”

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Suzan Khan takes to heart the education of her two children, Mahmoud and Nancy.

NPURPOSE

59

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

CAMPUS SITES SOAR Campus website visits were up an astounding 91 percent

school year to help Campus Web Managers take

this year — 7,182,315 page views for 2011-2012 compared

ownership of the websites and the opportunities

to 3,751,670 for 2010-2011. These sites quickly became

they provide.

one of the most important District tools for parent, student and public engagement.

And the Webby Award Goes To ...

It may not be the Oscar, but the Webby quickly became

Fresh, reliable information is what kept people visiting.

a coveted honor and an effective incentive for keeping

Credit goes to the hard-working Campus Web Managers

campus websites up-to-date and engaging. Each week,

who populated and updated campus sites every day.

a “Campus Website of the Week” was named based

The Fort Worth ISD Communications team encouraged

on overall look, quality, timeliness and organization

growth by consistently providing ready-to-use District

of information. These standout sites then became

stories and videos. The Communications team also

finalists for the Webby, which was presented monthly.

hosted trainings and work sessions throughout the

60

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS The District’s social media presence and usage was

to websites and pages established to address

stronger than ever. But this year, we challenged

important issues and changes

ourselves to do more than just increase our Facebook

•

Listened

and Twitter following. We focused on building

While our numbers grew by thousands, the most

relationships. With customer service a priority, we:

rewarding pay-offs were the conversations that

•

Responded to postings quickly and in more

transpired. They made our Fort Worth Facebook and

personal ways

Twitter audiences feel more like real communities –

•

Shared information, photographs and videos

celebrating successes, sharing sadness, taking ownership

•

Used Facebook and Twitter to push audiences

and working together to help our students achieve.

61

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS 62

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

Scholarships were won. Records were broken. High notes were hit. Our students studied, trained and practiced their hearts out. And they shined – in all arenas.

We want to share with you some of the very top accomplishments.

63

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

JULIA ANDERSON PASCHAL HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2012

“I’m really grateful that I have the ability

Julia Anderson isn’t just a good swimmer – she’s

and the opportunity to train as hard

in an elite class with dozens of medals to show for it.

as I do. So, I try to make every practice

Her top wins and titles include:

count. I am continually inspired by my

•

2012 UIL Swimmer of the Year at the State Finals

competitors and teammates.”

•

Gold medals at the 2011 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, 400 and 800-meter freestyle relays (and set a record!)

•

2010, 2011, 2012 UIL 5A State Champion, 200-yard freestyle

Julia, a Superintendent Scholar, also made the semifinals in the 200-meter freestyle event at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. Although she didn’t make the finals, her training will continue. She will swim for Stanford University starting this fall.

Julia’s advice to students who want to excel in academics, sports or the arts: “First, manage your time. It will mean making some hard

64

choices. But, once you start seeing results, you’ll be motivated to study and train as much as it takes.”

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

NPURPOSE You can expect Julia Anderson to add to her haul of “heavy medal” when she hits the water with the Stanford University swim team this fall.

65

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

ACADEMIC ELITE Fort Worth ISD honored 158 students as Superintendent Scholars – a 45 percent increase from the previous year.

Superintendent Scholars are selected on the basis of membership in the National Merit, National Hispanic and the National Achievement programs as Advanced Placement Scholars. Some recognized students hold honors in more than one of these programs.

CASH FOR COLLEGE 868 scholarships were awarded to Fort Worth ISD

•

Alexander Keller – Paschal High School

students. Scholarship offers totaled $30.8 million

•

William Lyles – Paschal High School

dollars. Among them:

•

Emily Meigs – Paschal High School

National Merit Scholarships

•

Avinash Murugan – Paschal High School

Two Fort Worth ISD students won National Merit Scholarship Corporation $2,500 scholarships:

Chesapeake Scholars

•

Max Brozynski – Paschal High School

Seven Fort Worth ISD graduates received Chesapeake

•

Charles Jang – Paschal High School

Scholarship awards, each worth up to $56,000. The best part – each award is renewable for up to four years for a

Two District students won corporate-sponsored Merit

potential total of $224,000. The recipients are:

Scholarships:

•

Christian Castaneda – Polytechnic High School

•

Alexander Hulen – Paschal High School

•

Alexis Cotton – Southwest High School

•

Andrew Nguyen – Paschal High School

•

Raul Dominguez – South Hills High School

•

Elizabeth Ellis – Paschal High School

Five students won National Merit Scholarships financed

•

Aurora Perez – South Hills High School

by colleges and universities:

•

Tilija Stanojevic – Paschal High School

•

•

Veronica Valles – Paschal High School

Jacob Curtis – Arlington Heights High School

66

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

2012 DELL SCHOLARSHIPS

COLLEGE READINESS

Four students in the Advancement Via Individual

Advanced Placement qualifying scores and

Determination (AVID) program earned these

participation increased this school year by 10 percent.

$20,000 scholarships:

SAT participation also increased by 10 percent.

•

Maya Gutierrez – Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School

•

Reagan Harris – Trimble Tech High School

More and more students are racking up college credits

•

Martin Lara – Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School

while still in high school. In 2011-2012, 370 students

•

Justine Parker – Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School

enrolled in dual credit courses - compared to 43 students in 2007-2008.

WORLD LANGUAGE WINS

UIL ACADEMICS

William James Middle School won 1st place at the

Nine students represented Fort Worth ISD at the UIL

Texas State Junior Classical League Competition.

State Academic Meet in Austin. Paschal High School senior Charles Jang won 1st place in Biology.

Paschal High School students scored in the top 40 places out of 1,600 competitors in the North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad.

Paschal High School and William James Middle School students took gold, silver and bronze medals on the National Latin Exam.

STATE CHAMPS Three Paschal students claimed championships at the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association State Meet: •

Alex Hulen – 12th Grade Science

•

Matthew Roberts – 12th Grade Math

•

Dominic Yurk – Physics

67

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

SKILLSUSA Fort Worth ISD’s winning tradition at SkillsUSA

newscasts two days a week. An AMP newscast on the

continued. Students in Southwest High School’s

topic of school funding received the highest score of

Broadcast Journalism/Media Technology Gold Seal

any news broadcast at the state competition, earning a

Program of Choice took second place at the SkillsUSA

Superior rating.

national competition in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Broadcast News Production team of Alejandra

Southwest High School students also won 1st place

Arreguin, Lisa Le, Joey McReynolds and Judith Rios

awards at the state UIL contest. Joey McReynolds

had taken first place at the SkillsUSA Texas state

and Brittany Polonio took top prizes in the Feature

contest. These four students are part of the District’s

Story category.

Advanced Media Program (AMP), which broadcasts live

68

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS Dunbar High School students earned the right

Trimble Tech High School seniors Alex Aguirre and

to compete in the World Championship Robotics

Michael Menchaca won first place at the Health

Competition in St. Louis, Missouri.

Occupations Student Association state competition in the Emergency Medical Technician division.

Paschal High School students in Family, Career and Community of Leaders of America advanced to the

Carter-Riverside High School student Leo Rivera

national competition in Orlando, Florida, after taking

qualified to compete at the state Business Professionals

top honors at state.

of America competition. It was the second year in a row he qualified for state in Payroll Accounting.

RIGHT ON TARGET The Western Hills High School Air Force JROTC rifle team set a national record in three-position air rifle competition. It happened in March at the JROTC National Championship. Cadets Katelynn Law, Lara Lindberg, Alexander Maberry and Tommy San placed 8th overall, competing against teams from all branches of the military. This was the first time an Air Force team finished in the top ten.

69

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

A+ ATHLETES

TO STATE AND BEYOND

The Western Hills High School boys and girls

Swimming/Diving

swim teams made a splash with the National

•

Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA).

Kent Grimes, Western Hills High School – All-State Swim Team, 100 Backstroke

NISCA recognized both teams based on their average

Track & Field

cumulative GPAs. The girls received the Gold Award with

•

a team GPA of 3.66. The boys received the Silver Award with a GPA of 3.52.

Southwest High School Boys Team – Gold medal, 4x100-meter relay

•

Southwest High School Boys Team – Silver medal, 4x200-meter relay

Individual Western Hills swimmers scored

•

academically, too:

Robbie Rhodes, Southwest High School - Gold medal, 200-meter dash

•

Sara Blackwell – All-American

Golf

•

Justin Barnett, Mariel Honarmand and Sydney

•

Taylor – All-State

Wrestling

Elena Cervantes, Arlington Heights High School

•

Stephanie Ayala, Paschal High School

A FIRST FOR FORT WORTH ISD

•

Betty Ordorica, Trimble Tech High School

Blake Thomas, a senior at Trimble Tech High School,

•

Daniel Turner, Arlington Heights High School

won the National Interscholastic Athletic

Football

Administrators Association Texas state boys’

•

Wesley Harris, quarterback, Southwest High School

scholarship. The scholarship recognizes student

– completed 20 or 30 passes for 562 yards and

athletes’ outstanding scholastic, leadership and

9 touchdowns, tied state single-game record

sportsmanship qualities.

•

Robbie Rhodes, receiver, Southwest High School – 8 receiving touchdowns tied a single-game national record set in 1998; 394 yards set a singlegame state record

70

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

MIDDLE SCHOOL STARS

PLAYING IT SAFE

Basketball

Track

The District’s partnership with JPS Health Network

•

Girls – Wedgwood

•

Girls – W.P. McLean

came through again for students wanting to

•

Boys – Handley

•

Boys – Meadowbrook

participate in interscholastic sports. 1,317 middle school

Football

Volleyball

students and 1,197 high school students received free

•

•

comprehensive physical exams – a value of more

Meadowbrook

W.A. Meacham

than $75,000.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS Approximately 400 Fort Worth ISD students, ages 8-22,

Future Stars Day gave 175 special education athletes,

participated in Special Olympics events, including

ages 2-7, the opportunity to showcase their motor skills.

bowling, basketball and track and field. Our students

There was also a lot of teen spirit at the event, which

scored big wins in May at the Texas Special Olympics

is held each year at Arlington Heights High School.

Summer Games held at the University of Texas at

Dozens of Yellow Jackets volunteered, keeping young

Arlington, taking home 11 first place medals.

competitors on schedule and cheering them on.

71

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC •

13 band and orchestra students were named to the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Ensembles.

•

Mariachi groups from North Side High School and Polytechnic High School advanced to the Texas State High School Mariachi Competition.

North Side placed 4th in the 4A contest. Poly placed 3rd in 3A.

•

15 orchestras and 8 bands received Sweepstakes – a Division I in UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest.

•

82 students advanced to the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.

CHORAL MUSIC •

W.P. McLean and Monnig Middle Schools received

opportunity, Trimble Tech presented “Schoolhouse

Sweepstakes – a Division I in UIL Concert and

Rocks Live! Jr.” in May to rave reviews.

Sightreading Contest.

• •

“SMASH” Make a Musical program. As part of this

•

90 students advanced to the Texas State Solo and

Theatre Department teamed up with Stage West

Ensemble Contest.

“Festival of the Kid.” District high school and

The Paschal High School choir sang at a benefit in

middle school students worked side-by-side with

April with the rock band Foreigner.

seasoned directors, designers and actors.

•

THEATER AND DANCE •

For the third consecutive year, the Fort Worth ISD

Trimble Tech High School was one of 10 high schools in the nation chosen to participate in NBC’s

72

Theatre Arts grew dramatically! Six middle schools added Theatre Arts programs: Applied Learning Academy, Benbrook, Daggett Montessori, Forest Oak, Glencrest 6th, and Jean McClung.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

ART EDUCATION

MILLIONTH CHILD

•

Art work created by Noah Esquivel (5th grade,

Usually it’s the performers who steal the show at

Luella Merrett Elementary) and Isabelle Sanchez

the Bass Performance Hall. But on March 7, it was a

(kindergarten, Alice Carlson ALC) flashed across the

visiting first grader. Elizabeth Martinez, a student at

Big Screen Plaza in New York’s Times Square in March.

Washington Heights Elementary School, became the

The National Art Education Association selected these millionth child to attend a free, live performance as

• • •

pieces to run during the organization’s

part of Bass Hall’s Children’s Education Program.

annual convention.

Many community partners make these cultural visits

More than 350 art students participated in the Main

possible, including major local foundations and donors,

Street Arts Festival, earning a record $8,700.

the Junior League of Fort Worth and the City of Fort

There were more than 150 student entries in the 2012

Worth Police Department, as well as the board, staff

Mayfest Arts Festival.

and administration of Performing Arts Fort Worth at

Four students won awards at the Youth Art Month

Bass Performance Hall. Fort Worth ISD Superintendent

State Competition sponsored by the Texas Art

Walter Dansby joined in the celebration along with Ed

Education Association. A mixed media piece by

Bass, Chairman of the Board of the Bass Hall.

Kirkpatrick Middle School student Viviana Vanzzini was selected for the “Governor’s Top 10” artworks.

•

District students had 21 winning works of art at the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event.

73

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

LOOKING AHEAD 74

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

With programs that stretch into summer and a new year to plan for, it’s hard to say where one school year ends and another begins. The teaching and learning and the budgeting and building are continuous at Fort Worth ISD. Despite the fact that state funding for schools will still be inequitable and insufficient, there are many bright spots on the horizon. Here are some of the great things we’re doing in 2012-2013.

75

OUR DISTRICT

PARTNERSHIPS PLUS

TEACHING & LEARNING

BUDGETING & BUILDING

SAFETY & SUPPORT

YOUNG MEN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (YMLA) A groundbreaking new School of Choice will open to 6th and 7th grade boys in the fall of 2012. It’s the Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA), the District’s first singlegender school for young men. Dunbar 6th Grade Center is being repurposed to house the new academy, which will offer a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Rodney White will leave his post as principal of Glencrest 6th Grade Center to become the inaugural principal of YMLA.

REALIGNING FOR RESULTS We are reorganizing our master schedule to better

Division will partner to develop three Learning

support our work and our students. Some of the biggest Networks. Each Learning Network will be made up of content specialists, school leadership directors changes this fall will include: and liaisons from various divisions in the District.

Consistent Bell Schedules – Our traditional high

The networks will be assigned specific clusters

schools will adopt a seven-period bell schedule, and

of schools.

our middle schools will go to a 5x5 block schedule.

This will dramatically increase the number of hours of

Learning Networks will support principals and

instruction our students receive.

teachers to provide the best in school leadership and classroom practice. The Teaching and Learning Division

Learning Networks – The District’s Teaching and

will continue to provide District or campus specific

Learning Division and School Leadership and Learning

professional development. It will also continue to write curriculum for the District.

76

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

ON PURPOSE

GOING PAPERLESS

new hires, retirements, resignations, separations and

New technology will eliminate a lot of paperwork

terminations. The technology update is a collaborative

and streamline many common processes in Human

effort of the District’s Human Capital Management,

Capital Management (HCM). Processes that will be

Business and Finance and the Division of Technology.

impacted by the new automation include transfers,

IT’S NOT OKAY – THE MOVIE Fort Worth ISD is out to stop bullying and disrespect

rewind button and give these same adults the chance

on the school yard and in the workplace. We will debut

to choose again – to be respectful, positive role models.

a video that expands our It’s Not Okay anti-bullying

The video is hosted by Fort Worth City Councilmember

initiative to target disrespectful adults. “It’s Not Okay –

Joel Burns and Fort Worth ISD middle school student

At Any Age” will take you, the viewer, through a school

Mia Cruz. It features student and staff actors as well as

day – it could by any school, anywhere – and let you

actors from community theaters.

spot the adults behaving badly. Then, it will hit the

77

78

Fort Worth ISD Schools Young Women's

Elementary

Howell, Natha

Sagamore Hill

Middle Schools

Beal, Harlean

Hubbard Heights

Sellars, David K.

Applied Learning Academy

Benbrook

Huerta, Dolores

Seminary Hills Park

Benbrook

High Schools

Bonnie Brae

Jara, Manuel

Shulkey, Bruce

Como Montessori

Arlington Heights

Briscoe, Edward J.

Kirkpatrick, Milton L.

Sims, T.A.

Daggett

Carter-Riverside, Amon

Burton Hill

Logan, Maude I.

South Hi Mount

Daggett Montessori

Diamond Hill-Jarvis

Carlson, Alice ALC

Lowery Road

South Hills

Dunbar 6th

Dunbar, P.L.

Carter Park

McDonald, Atwood

Springdale

Dunbar

Eastern Hills

Chavez, Cesar

McRae, D.

Stevens, J.T.

Elder, J.P.

North Side

Clarke, George C.

Meadowbrook

Sunrise-McMillan

Forest Oak

Paschal, R.L.

Clayton, Lily B.

Mendoza, Rufino

Tanglewood

Glencrest 6th

Polytechnic

Como

Merrett, Luella

Terrell, I.M.

Handley

South Hills

Como Montessori

Mitchell Boulevard

Turner, W.J.

James, William

Southwest

Contreras, Alice D.

Moore, M.H.

Van Zandt-Guinn

Kirkpatrick, Milton L.

Texas Academy of

Daggett, E.M.

Morningside

Walton, Maudrie M.

Leonard

Daggett Montessori

Moss, Christene C.

Washington Heights

McClung

Trimble Technical

Davis, Clifford

Nash, Charles E.

Waverly Park

McLean, W.P.

Western Hills

De Zavala

North Hi Mount

West Handley

McLean 6th

Wyatt, O.D.

Diamond Hill

Oakhurst

Westcliff

Meacham, W.A.

Other Schools

Dillow, S.S.

Oaklawn

Westcreek

Meadowbrook

Boulevard Heights

East Handley

Pate, A.M.

Western Hills

Monnig, William

International Newcomer

Eastern Hills

Peace, Hazel Harvey

Western Hills Primary

Morningside

Elliott, Bill J.

Peak, Carroll

Westpark

Riverside

Jo Kelly School

Ellis, M.G.

Phillips, M.L.

White, John. T.

Rosemont

Metro Opportunity School

Glen Park

Ridglea Hills

Williams, Versia L.

Rosemont 6th

Middle Level Learning Center

Green, W.M.

Riverside ALC

Wilson, Richard

Stripling, W.C.

New Lives School

Greenbriar

Rosemont

Woodway

Wedgwood

Success High School

Helbing, H.V.

Rosen, Sam

Worth Heights

Wedgwood 6th

Leadership Academy

Biomedical Sciences

Academy

We reduced the environmental footprint of this report by printing limited copies and posting the content on our website at www.fwisd.org/about.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 100 N. University Drive Fort Worth,TX 76107 817.871.2000 • www.fwisd.org