FWAS November 2010 Newsletter.pdf - Fort Worth ISD

I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Meadowbrook
Elementary
Daggett Middle
School
Christene C.
Moss Elementary
2
3
4
Wedgwood 6th 4
D. McRae
Elementary
M.L. Kirkpatrick
Elementary
Washington
Heights
Elementary
Alice Contreras
Elementary
Carter Riverside
High School
Wedgwood
Middle School
Carter Park
Elementary
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
Red Ribbon Week at Carroll Peak
Red Ribbon Week was celebrated in the Dragons’ D.E.N. at Carroll Peak Elementary to encourage our
students to take a stand against the use and abuse of drugs and narcotics. Our students had a great
time with all of the wonderful activities as they took the pledge to be drug free. Each student
released a red balloon with the message “Carroll Peak Elementary Fort Worth After-School Program
is Drug Free!”

P A G E 2
Now our future achievers are
learning about colleges and
universities from all over the
world. Our students took on the
challenge of asking all the
teachers and administrators
from Meadowbrook Elementary
what college or university they
attended. With this information
the students are making
college and university pennants
to display outside of each
teacher/administrator’s
classroom or office. At the end
of this activity our future
teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs,
and scientists will have a
passport to learning about
colleges/universities from the
spectacular United States of
America to wonderful Mexico to
fantastic Russia. Meadowbrook
Elementary is looking forward!
Fast Forward With the Class of
2018-2023 at Meadowbrook Elementary
F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
Fast Forward is a class we are
offering to our Meadowbrook
Elementary students to gain
College & Career Readiness. We
want our buffalos to know that
you can’t “rewind” your life, but
you can push “fast forward” and
plan to achieve a successful
future. The students began their
journey by first indentifying and
setting personal and academic
goals, both short and long-term.
They are documenting all goals
in their own goal/guide books.
We have also had speakers come
and discuss college life and
careers.

P A G E 3 F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
The Daggett Bulldogs’ Old School Fun
Once again the Daggett Bulldogs open this year’s after school programming by setting out for new
trails, aiming for sure targets, and camping out in the great outdoors. The Daggett after school Bike Club
was a huge hit last year and returned with gusto. This year participants couldn’t wait to hit the great
outdoors as they formed the Bulldog Bike Club and expanded their biking prowess. The club’s instructor,
program leader Charles Diggs, said he was as eager as the kids and couldn’t wait to hit the open road. Their
expeditions take them along oak covered shaded streets in the historic neighborhood of Fairmont. The
club, which is made up of 10 regular members, studies bike safety, rules for driving, first aid, and bike
repair every week. One wise teacher was overheard stating “What’s the fastest thing on two wheels along
College Ave? Why it’s those biking Bulldogs.”
The fall of 2010 brought to the Daggett Middle School campus a strange sight; that of archery. The
21 st Century program, in conjunction with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, brought the great sport
of archery to the after school program. On the first session there were more than 50 students willing to try
with the help of certified instructors. The one thing in greater abundance than missed targets were the big
smiles on the students’ faces. WFAA of Channel 8 News featured the Archery Club in its After the Bell
segment for September. Melissa Murname, an instructor, said it best, “Archery gives kids a surefire sense of
accomplishment that they don’t have to be great athletes, just put forth the solid effort and they will hit
their target.” You can see them at www.wfaa.com/afterthebell
The Bulldog Wooffin’ It Club wasn’t going to be outdone by the other clubs this year, so they
formed the Camping Club. This club is made up of over 20 eager members who learn the joys of camping
out, fishing, canoeing, fire safety, first aid, campsite preparation and insect identification. The club went on
its first campout in October and had a blast. They have already begun planning for their next two trips this
spring. It’s going to be hard keeping these bulldogs contained, but then that’s what summer away from
after school is all about. See y’all next time.

F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
P A G E 4
Christene C. Moss Takes a Stand In Order to Sit
Students who were faced with not having enough chairs in their after
school poetry classroom did more than argue and complain about it.
Instead, their teacher encouraged them to write their feelings out on
paper. One student wrote, “Being without chairs is like having to sit on
your knees at the kitchen table.”
The teacher thought this was a chance to help her students know the
power of written words. She also wanted them to learn; children can make
a difference. Through discussion some students revealed their
contentment with not having chairs, while others expressed their strong
dissatisfaction. The pros and cons were listed on the board for them to
read, reflect, and re-think.
The students’ writings were read by their school principal, and in a short
time chairs were brought to the classroom. Everyone cheered and seemed
to feel as though they could conquer the world.
At Christene C. Moss Elementary, poetry is about more than rhyming.
Poetry is about helping students to get in touch with their feelings,
developing critical thinkers, expression, and learning how to use written
and spoken words in a respectful and responsible way.
What’s Going On at Wedgwood 6th
Wedgwood Sixth Grade and FWAS, along with Clayton YES! has gotten off to a
great start. Our students are having an awesome time participating in a wide
array of activities, most notably the Warrior Review Club. The Warrior Review
Club keeps all of us in Warrior Land in the know. The Club consists of about 10
students that keep us abreast of the latest fashion, educational opportunities,
faculty and staff interviews, and much more. The latest story featured our
Mathletes Club and Student Council members attending the Math and Science
Expanding Your Horizons Program. This event was sponsored by UT Arlington
Women’s Studies Program, which featured several hands-on workshops
designed to get girls excited about math and science.
Our students met other young women from all around the metroplex that are
interested in math and science. The program was a good way for girls to find
out what they like to do before they have to make up their mind.
We look forward to sharing many more great opportunities with all of our
students this year.

P A G E 5
Caption
describing
picture or
graphic.
D. McRae Digs Fort Worth After School
D. McRae students were hands-on when they took part
in the SLANT 45 project. The students, with the help of
their All Thumbs Garden Club teacher, created a project
idea. The children took part in creating a new Outdoor
Learning Environment on school grounds. The FWAS
staff provided student-centered lesson experiences
along with a community gardening day. Classes have
been meeting once a week, since September, to develop
and implement gardening plans. The students will be
hosting two community gardening days, the first of
which was held on Saturday, October 23rd. The
students came up with the idea because they felt that
the community needed an example of gardening for fun
and health. Mrs. Pirtle also wanted the Outdoor Learning Environment to act as a
community garden spot where parents could come and learn about gardening, and work
with their students and families to create gardens in
their own back yards. The garden club intends to share
the produce that is grown in the gardens with the
community. The garden is divided into sections, and
the goal will be for each grade level to choose what
kind of garden they want. For example, one grade is
growing plants to create a haven for butterflies.
Another will create a native Texas garden as they
study Texas in their grade level. This will encourage
our students to learn in depth about plants, insects
and how food is produced. The long term goal is that
we want to instill a love for the outdoors through
experiences in the garden.
F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
3 Cheers for M.L. Kirkpatrick
We’ve been having so much fun in the FWAS Program at Kirkpatrick
Elementary school. This school year we have a new group of FWAS
“Wildcat Cheerleaders”. The group consists of some returning girls
and some that are new to the program. The “Wildcat Cheerleaders”
had an opportunity to put on a performance at our Lights On!
program for family and friends. We had a very good turn out of
guests that came to see them perform the dance routine and cheers
they’ve learned with Ms. Jacqueline. The “Wildcat Cheerleaders”
practiced every Wednesday in the FWAS Program. The students
worked very hard and always had fun. These students also stayed
active and got their daily dose of exercise while practicing their dance
and cheers. We are very proud of our students at Kirkpatrick
Elementary After School Program. GO WILDCATS!!!

F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
P A G E 6
Washington Heights Tells Bullies: “It’s Not Okay”
This month in the
FWAS Program at
Washington Heights
our 4 th and 5 th grade
students researched
a very common but
serious topic:
bullying. They also
made posters that
promote no-bullying
in our school and in
our after school
program. This topic
was very interesting
to the students
because they
learned what
bullying is, the
different types of
bullying, why
children bully, consequences of
bullying, the percentage of children
affected by bullying, and how to
stop and prevent bullying.
It is very important for students to
learn about bullying prevention, and
what better way for them to learn
about it than getting into groups
and researching, finding facts, and
talking among themselves
about this topic.
This activity motivated
the students in to taking
action to make changes in
their classrooms, after
school program and at
home. The goal was to
help kids get a better
understanding of both
the causes and effects of
bullying. We also talked
about the importance of
speaking up if they are
being affected by bulling.
After this group activity
the students in the FWAS
Program at Washington
Heights know that “Its
Not Okay” and that the after school
staff cares about them and are
always willing to support and listen
to them.
Imagination on Stage at Alice Contreras
Our 2 nd graders put on a
production of The 3 Little
Pigs. With our teacher,
Veronica Lira as the lead, the
students were taught and
participated in all the aspects
of putting on a show. With
the play being practiced, the
students had to try out for
the various parts. Not
everyone could be the Big
Bad Wolf! While the parts
were being rehearsed, the
students learned how to add
body movements, voice
inflections, and proper
staging. The students also
made all the props themselves! The
little pigs’ houses were made out of
cardboard boxes, painted and
designed by the students, even with
windows! The students even
designed their costumes themselves
using butcher paper, yarn, and other
materials. The production was
enjoyed by all our parents and the
other After School students. They are
even planning on repeating the
production for our school’s Literacy
Night in November. The students
really enjoyed working hard on this
production for the last few months.
During this family event the
students also took on other
leadership positions with the
sign in sheets and passing
out flyers. The other
students not involved in the
production made posters of
their classes to put on
display with some artifacts
from their classes. All
students worked as a team,
and became very proud
owners of the production
themselves! We are very
proud of them and hope to
add more plays and
productions in the future!

P A G E 7
Carter Riverside and Wedgwood Middle School
Celebrate Lights On!
F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
Annually, October is the month that we celebrate Lights On! After School. Lights On! is a
national celebration which highlights the importance of after school programs. On the CRHS
campus, we celebrated both before school and after school on Thursday, October 21. Groups
in Active Library, Fortune 500, and Eagle’s Nest all participated in a trivia contest. Students
answered trivia questions related either to Fort Worth After School in general or to the FWAS
program on the CRHS campus. Enthusiastic discussions could be heard as students debated
which information about the program was correct. Students received prizes based on correct
answers.
One of our seniors, Fernando Luna, led the activities during the afternoon program. Each year
the celebration always involves light bulbs, and this year was no different. Fernando and our
FWAS staff encouraged students to express their favorite part of the before/after school
program by writing or drawing on the colorful light bulbs. Favorites mentioned by students
included: snacks, video games, book club, time/space to complete homework, FWAS teachers/
staff, making new friends, card games, ping pong, and the list goes on. Pictured is 9 th grader
Daniel Loza, one of the prize winners.
On Oct 21, 2010, we celebrated Lights On Afterschool at Wedgwood Middle
School. We invited the whole school to attend, sent out flyers, and put up posters
in the school. Several parents, teachers, and even a board member from Clayton
YES! attended the festivities!
Everyone painted REAL light bulbs for our celebration of Lights On! The kids
really let their artistic abilities shine through in their work.
We served lots of goodies, punch and the students went home with a glow-in-thedark
bracelet for doing such an awesome job! We had a great time and a great
turn out.

P A G E 8
Boys to Men and College Readiness at
Carter Park
F W A S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0
Carter Park 5 th grade after school boys took a trip to Dunbar 6 th grade center to The Boys To
Men Expo on November 6 th . This seminar helped to improve the educational awareness for
young males and help improve their skills for everyday living and future careers. The
workshop included classes on Leadership, Respect, Education and Hygiene, College Prep, and
Careers. They all had a fun time and met lots of new friends. Kudos to the 5 th grade
after school boys.
The 5 th grade after school students took a tour to Dunbar high school on
November 4 th 2010. They toured the 9 th grade ward, school library,
chemistry lab, drama set, the famous wildcat cheerleaders, and basketball
team. The students were all excited—the tour let them know it’s never too
early to get college bound stay ready by getting your homework done,
reading your books, going to the library, asking your mom and dad to help
with homework, and going to school every day. “This was fantastic,” and
“school is cool all the time” is what the students told me after this trip!
(YEAH WE LOVE SCHOOL)

Our Mission Statement:
“To provide quality before and after
school programs in a safe
environment that result in
educational, physical, and social
development for elementary, middle,
and high school students.”
Vision: To provide a safe, enriching
after school environment for each
child in Fort Worth.
Fort Worth After School operates at 85 Fort Worth Independent School
District campuses. Fort Worth ISD, the City of Fort Worth and the
Texas Education Agency 21st Century Community Learning Centers
offer program support to the after school program.
FORT WORTH AFTER SCHOOL
5701 Meadowbrook Dr, 2nd Floor
Robert Arispe
Fort Worth After School
Phone: (817) 492-7946
Fax: (817) 492-7964
E-Mail: robert.arispe@fwisd.org
We’re on the web!
www.fwisd.org/fwas