Literacy Fort Worth

Who has the most efficient dismissal carpool line in Fort Worth ISD? That would be the leadership Academy at John T White…. 14min flat! DrJulissa Gómez Wow! And that’s even with me passing out the survey so parents can tell the board of managers what’s important to them.
Help shape Fort Worth ISD’s goals and guardrails, please complete your survey by September 15. MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD!

FWISD is asking for community feedback, both through in person listening sessions and an online survey. Let them know your thoughts! https://fortworthisd.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpc75eggVgOev9c

See you at FWISD’s inclusion fest!

George and I are having a blast hosting a Literacy Roundup table at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church talking with the community about identifying students with dyslexia and connecting them with services! Thank you Meadowbrook Alliance for inviting us!!

Among 117 campuses with ratings in both years, 41 improved by at least one letter grade, 53 stayed the same and 23 declined.

The number of A- and B-rated campuses grew from 43 to 52, while D- and F-rated campuses fell from 35 to 25.

Some of the swings were dramatic:

Diamond Hill Elementary climbed from a D to an A.
M.H. Moore Elementary moved from a D to a B.
West Handley Elementary jumped from an F to a C.
At the other end, Carter Park, Sunrise-McMillan and Woodway elementary schools each fell from a C to an F.

Middle school triggers takeover law as Fort Worth ISD sees slight rating improvement William James Middle School received its fifth straight F when Texas released academic accountability ratings Friday.

I hope everyone is having an awesome first week back to school. 🏫 📚

Here’s my regular PSA from Jen Hatmaker re. the first week of school for your consideration…

This Friday, at the end of the first week of school, you are forbidden to make a single plan tonight. And really? The whole weekend.

I will tell you why: your children are a full blown mess. They are so exhausted and overstimulated, they cannot even handle a simple question like “how was your day?” These are fighting words. Offer the wrong snack after school? Your tired child will come at you like a small sociopathic ninja. And the little kinder babies are literally in a coma.

THEY CAN’T DEAL. DON’T EXPECT THEM TO DEAL.

Think a celebration dinner tonight might be fun? That is the worst idea you have ever had.

No you will not go to the football game, unless you’d like to drag your screaming kindergartener out at halftime like we did with Sydney Hatmaker in 2005 because she didn’t want that blue Slushee.

No you will not let your kid go to a sleepover — unless you like picking up hysterical children at midnight because they can’t function.

Also, don’t take the bait. They have stored up all their feelings and worries and exhaustion all day, and you get it all. They will pick fights and act bananas. Don’t fall for it. Don’t join them in their crazy.

Just say things like:

Mmmmmm. That does sound frustrating.
I see. How about a snack?
You got a lot going on in that brain, don’t you?
Oh okay. How about some chocolate milk?
Order pizza, turn on a movie, and be done.

They need to go to bed. They need a dark room and a cozy blanket and no words. Let them sleep in tomorrow. Don’t make direct eye contact until at least Sunday. Do not poke the bear. The bear is wild with overwhelm and has the capacity to kill you.

If you made plans, you need to cancel them right now. Close the blinds, turn the lights down, feed and water the children if they can stay awake past 5:00pm, and tiptoe silently out of the room.

Did you know that TEA's new Parent Access to Supplemental Supports (PASS) program gives families of 4th grade students who did not meet grade level on the 3rd grade STAAR reading assessment up to $400 towards literacy tutoring? Check it out here:

PASS Public Page The PASS application will open in the Fall of 2026. This will be eligible students from the 2025-2026 school year assessments.

“We are trending in the right direction,” Parker said.

Mayor Mattie Parker encouraged audience members to look for ways to volunteer in the public schools.

“I have found the best way to help is just pick your neighborhood school that is closest to your home and ask that principal leadership team, ‘What do you need?’” Parker said.

She shouted out several nonprofits that work in the schools, including reading programs; Academy 4, which sends volunteer mentors into schools; Literacy Roundup, which provides free literacy screenings; and the Rotary Club of Fort Worth.

Parker touts Fort Worth City Council’s unanimity in confronting data center issue Mayor Mattie Parker addressed a range of questions at the Women’s Policy Forum, from schools to public comment at meetings.

Please make sure your voice is heard! Take a few minutes to complete the Fort Worth ISD School Board's Community Listening Survey to provide direct feedback to help shape the district's goals and guardrails.

FWISD | School Board Community Listening Survey The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.