News

Did You Know?

Consumers familiar with the disparity in price between organic fruits and vegetables and conventional alternatives may be curious if that difference in price pays off with healthier foods. According to a 2014 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, it does. Researchers behind the study concluded that the antioxidant compounds in organic fruits and vegetables deliver between 20 and 40 percent higher antioxidant activity. That’s a significant benefit, as the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and legumes are associated with a lower risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and deaths from all causes. In addition, the Mayo Clinic notes that organically grown produce has traditionally had lower levels of pesticide residue than conventionally grown alternatives, though safety measures governing conventional produce and residue levels have changed in recent years and reduced that gap.

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Forney ISD Adding Six New Career & Technology Education (CTE) Programs for 2023-2024

Several new programs have been added to the already robust career and technical education opportunities for high school students at Forney ISD. In the 2023-2024 school year, program selections have been expanded to the current list to include: Automotive Technology, Construction Management, Cosmetology, Emergency Services, Exercise Science and Wellness, and Fashion Design. All six of the new programs will be offered at The Opportunity Central (The OC) starting this Fall 2023.

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Wranglers and Rhinestones!

Get your boots polished and your blue jeans starched! And bring out the sparkling accessories to brighten up the evening! The first Saturday in April brings the 5th Annual Casino Night for the Forney Education Foundation. This year’s event will be held at Silver Saloon in Terrell, April 1, 2023. Not only will there be casino games as well as live and silent auctions but also the announcing and awarding of the Teacher of the Year candidates from Forney ISD. There are still opportunities to be a sponsor at several levels for this fun event. Don’t delay on purchasing tickets as this event has sold out every year before the date! Individual tickets include dinner, 2 drink tickets, and $100 in casino chips.

The CDC Released a Preliminary Report Regarding Changes in Suicide Rates Examined by Race, Ethnicity, and Age.

The CDC released a preliminary report regarding changes in suicide rates examined by race, ethnicity, and age. Within the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the authors state that their “…analyses demonstrate disparities in suicide rates among populations based on race and ethnicity and age group in the context of overall suicide rates nearly returning to their 2018 peak after two years of declines.” More than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2021.

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What Do Pets See in Color?

The popular notion that pets see in black and white, notably dogs, is false. People once thought that their furry companions couldn’t see the color spectrum. However, the American Kennel Club reports that new research and conclusions about canine anatomy point to dogs having color vision, after all - it’s just a bit more muted than their human friends. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC’s chief veterinary officer, dogs have more rods than cones in their eyes, which improves low-light vision. Cones are responsible for controlling color perception. Due to these anatomical differences, it is believed dogs’s vision mimics that of a person with red/green color blindness. Color is perceptible for dogs, but not in the spectrum enjoyed by humans with healthy vision. Cats also can see in color, but similarly not with the same level of detail as people. Furthermore, their vision is much more attuned to up-close sight than to focusing on objects that are far away. According to Birdfact, an online resource about birds, birds have arguably the best eyesight and ability to detect color of any member of the animal kingdom. Birds can see more color than humans because they have a fourth type of light-receiving cone in their retinas (humans have three). Therefore, a pet bird will be in tune with vibrantly colored items in and around his environment. Arizona State University’s Ask a Biologist offers an interesting chart that illustrates colors certain animals can see at https://askabiologist.asu. edu/colors-animals-see. People who want to know if their pet rabbit can see color, or what those fish in their home aquariums can see, can consult the chart.

Remembering Our Teachers

Remembering Our Teachers

Remembering teachers that left an impact on your life helps to carry on their legacy. There are many fine teachers in Forney ISD, and my family has had the blessing to have had them as instructors through three generations of Forney ISD students. And even though I never attended school in Forney, I, too, was blessed to have many excellent teachers in my school career. One of those teacher/mentors was Mr. Jim Johnson at Texas A&M. On Sunday, February 28, 2021, a celebration of Mr. Johnson’s life was held for all of us Aggies and the other many, many people whose lives he had touched. He had passed away in May 2020 and, due to COVID, the memorial was postponed to the later date.

Ellis Island

Ellis Island

Young Catherine stood on the ship’s bow as it sailed into Ellis Island. She was a teenager. Her hair was tied behind her head. She had a slender neck. Young face.

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Forney Messenger

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 936, Forney, TX 75126
Physical Address: 201 W. Broad St., Forney, TX 75126
Phone: 972-564-3121
Fax: 972-552-3599