FWPD Central Division Newsletter

August 2026

Fort Worth ISD began the 2026-2027 school year on August 11th

Key Dates for FWISD 2026-2027

• First Day of School: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
• Last Day of School: Wednesday, May 26, 2027
• Holidays and Breaks: The district observes standard holidays, including Labor Day, Thanksgiving, winter break, and spring break. Staff professional learning and preparation days are scheduled throughout the year, with exact dates to be determined by the district.

Back-to-School Events and Resources

• Tarrant County Back to School Roundup: This annual event provides free school supplies, haircuts, physicals, and social services for low-income students in grades Pre-K through 12. In 2026, the event will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Tarrant County College South Campus. Families must reside in Tarrant County and meet income requirements to participate backtoschoolroundup.org.

Programs and Opportunities

• Pre-K Program: FWISD offers a free, full-day pre-K program to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond fwisd.org.
• Choices Program: High school students can graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree at no cost fwisd.org.
• Extracurricular Activities: Students can participate in music, arts, sports, and leadership programs, including traditional ensembles, National Honor Society, and internships with local organizations fwisd.org.

Additional Information

• Families can view the full FWISD calendar online to track holidays, early release days, and other important events fwisd.org.
• Registration and school supply information are available through the district website and local community events.
  By planning ahead and taking advantage of these programs and resources, students and families in Fort Worth can start the 2026-2027 school year prepared and supported.

Back to School Safety Checklist~National Safety Council

As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, family life can get
pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips
that will help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.
Transportation Safety
Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that
they take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to
school:
Walkers
 Review your family's walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.
 Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing
the traffic
 Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are
coming
 Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or
intersections
 Stay alert and avoid distracted walking
Bike Riders
 Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with
your child.
 Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file
 Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street
 Stay alert and avoid distracted riding
 Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing
Bus Riders
 Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.
 Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the
bus
 Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb
 If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the
side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver
should always be able to see each other
 Get the facts on bus safety from Injury Facts
Driving Your child to School
 Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
 Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school's drop-off procedure
 Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street
 Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
 The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far
enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus
Teen Drivers
 Car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teens. Fortunately, there is something we
can do.
 Teens crash because they are inexperienced; practice with new drivers every week,
before and after they get their license
 Set a good example; drive the way you want your teen to drive
 Sign the New Driver Deal, an agreement that helps define expectations for parents and
teens
School Safety
Many School-related injuries are completely preventable. Follow these steps to ensure your
child's safety at school.
Backpacks
 Choose a backpack for your child carefully; it should have ergonomically designed
features to enhance safety and comfort.
 Ask your children to use both straps when wearing their backpack to evenly distribute
the weight on their shoulders
 Don't overstuff a backpack; it should weigh no more than 5% to 10% of your child's body
weight
 Rolling backpacks should be used cautiously since they can create a trip hazard in
crowded school hallways
Playgrounds and Sports
 To reduce strangulation hazards on playgrounds, have your child leave necklaces and
jackets with drawstrings at home
 A few bumps and bruises can be expected when your child plays sports, but head
injuries should never be ignored

Uplift Education – Hand in Hand Resource Fair 2026

How to Contact Your NPO

If you would like your Neighborhood Patrol Officer’s name, visit OneAddress. Type in your street address, click search, then click the "+" sign in front of the word “Neighborhoods.” Your NPO’s name and number are listed.

Certified Crime Prevention Specialist

• Nakeshia Holloway, (817)392-3960, nakeshia.holloway@fortworthtexas.gov

Emergency? Dial 911 - Police Non-Emergency Phone 817-392-4222

Central Division Police Webpage

Tarrant County Crime Stoppers

Options for City of Fort Worth Customer Service: Download the MyFW app App Store or Google Play; text hello to 817-835-MYFW (6939); go online to fortworthtexas.gov/report/ ;call 817-392-1234 or Email 1234@FortWorthTexas.gov

This newsletter was published by Nakeshia Holloway with the Central Crime Prevention Office.