2003-book-patrol-article-in-star-telegram  The BOOK PATROL is back on duty!  One of the team members, Lt. Marcia Conrad, said last week, “I believe that the Book Patrol has been a great opportunity — a win-win for us (local policemen) and the students as well.  Wow, they paid attention to us!  The children looked forward to our coming each week and enjoyed it.  They grew in every way… They were shy at first, but became so engaged that they would even volunteer to read a chapter out loud!  We mainly worked one-on-one and got attached to them.”

“Just think,” begins Ernie Horn, Executive Director for Score A Goal.  “Back in 1997 Fort Worth Chief of Police, Tom Windham, and Score-A-Goal-In-The-Classroom School Incentive Program collaborated to form the first in the history of the state of Texas, a police officers’ reading-mentoring program called ‘The Book Patrol.’  Teams of police volunteers visited Fort Worth ISD’s elementary schools once a week and read to and with the students who particularly were encountering the consequences of poor reading skills.”

“This extremely successful initiative is now blessing our community elementary school campuses.  Under the leadership of Joel Fitzgerald, our city’s new Chief of Police, several pilot programs were undertaken in the spring school semester of 2016, and is now active once more this fall.  SAGITC once again is the facilitator of the Book Patrol efforts, and it appears from all the feedback that it is a win-win for the children, their parents, and their hard-working teachers!  I am reminded of how very important good reading is; in fact, it is a proven fact that it is a value that lowers the nation’s crime rate.”

Under the leadership of FWPD Sergeant Brent Halford, the Central Division officers devotedly worked with Carroll Peak Elementary last spring.  The principal, Lear Linton, repeatedly said she believed that the Book Patrol is one of the most successful mentoring  programs that is helping change history in a very positive way.  She reported the majority of her low-performing students showed great improvement in their reading skills, reading stamina, and self-esteem, plus a new respect for the men and women in blue!  Sgt. Halford added that “It is imperative to note that, since the DARE Program no longer exists in the public schools, it is an excellent opportunity for the Book Patrol officers to be blest and to bless the wonderful students who are struggling with their reading achievements!”

Also last spring at FWISD’s Mary Louise Phillips Elementary, Officer R.M. McClellen led his team of outstanding officers of the West Sector to faithfully do the pilot reading program there which was equally as successful!

 

Score a Goal in the Classroom, in conjunction with Foot Cardigan, is hosting a new incentive program for outstanding North Texas students and educators!  This very kool award was presented to four for the 2015-2016 school year, and they are as follows: 1) ALICIA TITUS, student and 2) DAVID ROBINSON, Teacher-Coach – Comanche Springs Elementary – Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD / 3) JAYLIN TYLER, student at Carroll Peak Elementary – Fort Worth ISD / 4) JANAE ROSE-DOUGLAS, student – Nathan Adams Elementary – Dallas ISD  

PAULA WEATHERHOLT, teacher at Fort Worth Country Day, won the free weekend trip, stay at the Omni, and tickets to the Padres vs Giants game on July 17, 2016.  Paula deserved this annual award because of her excellent attendance record in the 2015-2016 school year.  Many thanks to JMI REALTY in San Diego for making this award possible, and CONGRATULATIONS, Paula!!                 

 

On July 9, 2016, Charles Qualls was named the 2016 recipient of the Bayard H. Friedman HERO Award at Lone Star Park during the Hero Dash.  Charles has been selected for being the most outstanding 2016 school maintenance worker in North Texas.  He has served his industry with outstanding passion, care and innovation, working at all the 142 Fort Worth ISD campuses and administration facilities.  Congratulations, Mr. Qualls!!

CAMILLE HALEY, Richland High School drama teacher, was honored May 20, 2016 during the Betty Lynn Buckley Awards for being the most outstanding 2016 Drama-Theater Teacher in all North Texas.  Camille Camille holds a BA in Drama from Texas Women’s University and a Masters in Theater Education from Emerson College.  She believes that to teach drama and theater is to teach her students about life — how to listen, how to think creatively, how to have empathy and most importantly, how to believe in themselves!

The Inaugural Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD Reading Festival on April 18, 2016, was a huge success.  Every elementary school student in the district was invited to attend one of their community’s high school campuses to help improve their reading skills, their reading stamina and their self-esteem.  Each elementary school student had the awesome, fun opportunity to read with and to high school students from Boswell, Chisholm Trail and Saginaw High Schools.  Each young elementary student received free, age appropriate books and a variety of fun incentives and rewards.  One student and her mother commented that they agreed it was like coming to a Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey event at the high school they would be attending in just a few years!

You may contact us at 214-533-1333 to schedule your festival!!!

 

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Score a Goal In The Classroom Incentive Program have named Dr. German Augusto Gutierrez the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Bayard H. Friedman HERO Award for being selected the most outstanding Music Teacher in all of North Texas.  The award was presented at the 7:30 p.m. performance of the Fort Worth Symphony on May 14, 2016 at Bass Hall.

The Bayard H. Friedman HERO Award has been established, in his memory, to honor outstanding school employees.  Mr. Friedman, a renowned civic leader, was a strong proponent of challenging students and educators to continuously strive to raise the level of education and excellence of those in positions of serving our children and communities.

Dr. Gutierrez has taught and conducted the most outstanding young North Texas musicians since 2000.  His amazing leadership has helped hundreds of his students to received scholarships and recognition from many of the nation’s top universities.  Under his baton our community’s youth orchestra has achieved exceptional levels of recognition throughout the nation and abroad.

Dr. Gutierrez holds Musico Bachiller and Maestro en Musica degrees from the Tolima Conservatory in Columbia.  He and his wife, Silvia, have two sons, Nicolas and Gabriel.

In addition to the HERO Award, XTO Energy, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, presented German with a $1,000 honorarium in appreciation of all that he does for our community’s children.

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Score a Goal In The Classroom Incentive Program have named RAMON NINO, III the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Bayard H. Friedman HERO Award for being selected the most outstanding Music Teacher in all of North Texas.  The award presentation will take place at the 7:30 p.m. performance of the Fort Worth Symphony on May 14, 2016 at Bass Hall.

The Bayard H. Friedman HERO Award has been established, in his memory, to honor outstanding school employees.  Mr. Friedman, a renowned civic leader, was a strong proponent of challenging students and educators to continuously strive to raise the level of education and excellence of those in positions of serving our children and communities.

Mr. Nino is recognized as one of the most creative and passionate mariachi music teachers in all the nation.  Under his remarkable leadership, North Side High School’s Mariachi Espuelas de Plata has represented our community at numerous state competitions and successfully participated in competitions throughout the United States.  His talented students have performed at Carnegie Hall obtaining numerous standing ovations from the sell-out audience for their outstanding performance.

Our HERO received his Bachelor of Music degree from Texas A&M, Kingsville.  Ramon and his wife, Victoria, who is also an outstanding teacher, have one son nicknamed DITTY!

In addition to the HERO Award, XTO Energy, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, is presenting Ramon with a $1,000 honorarium in appreciation of all that he does for our community’s children.

BEVERLY FLETCHER, the Visual Arts Director of the Fort Worth I.S.D. was presented the 2016 Bayard H. Friedman HERO Award trophy and honorarium at the CRAYOLA DREAM-MAKERS FESTIVAL on February 25, 2016.  Her large fan club, well-wishers and co-workers turned out to honor our friend and very successful educator who has been a vital part of the Visual Arts Program at FWISD for over thirty-nine years.  Beverly received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education and Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Administration from the University of North Texas.

THANK YOU, Beverly, for using your outstanding administrative, superb artistic skills, INSPIRATION and great heart to serve the thousands of students and their teachers all over our Fort Worth area!