BISD Board Approves District of Innovation Plan

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On October 27, 2016, Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to become a District of Innovation (DOI). A District of Innovation is a concept passed in the 84th Texas Legislative Session in House Bill 1842 that gives traditional independent school districts most of the flexibilities available to Texas’ open enrollment charter schools. To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an innovation plan, as set forth in Texas Education Code chapter 12A.

BISD adopted an innovative plan that allows the District to be exempt from:

  • Minimum attendance for class credit or final grade;
  • First day of instruction requirements (allowing school to begin earlier in August); and
  • Length of school day requirements (awarding a student credit based on mastery of content as opposed to simply meeting class time).

“The District of Innovation is an avenue to allow flexibility so our educators can better meet the needs of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown.

To learn more about BISD’s District of Innovation Plan, visit birdvilleschools.net/innovation.

BISD Board Approves STEM Certification Plan

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Trustees also voted to move forward with having North Richland Middle School designated as a certified Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) campus. In order to qualify as a STEM-certified campus, all of the math and science teachers will be immersed in a year-long training experience that assists them in understanding and aligning their practices to the research which defines quality STEM instruction. Training for staff includes face-to-face and online sessions, as well as onsite coaching visits by STEMscope consultants.

Dr. Elizabeth A. Clark, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said, “Birdville ISD wants to embrace, implement and support innovative approaches that expand the opportunities for students and staff to personalize and enrich learning that goes beyond what the state uses in accountability.”

Blended Learning: Thoughts from Blended Learning Teachers

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“Blended [learning] preparations have really taken extra effort on my part. I have found myself working well beyond the ‘normal’ teacher work day. I have intentionally done so because I wanted to get ‘it’ right. I want to create lessons conducive for my students to learn at their level and yet challenging enough for them to progress in their proficiency levels.”

~ Christine Torres, Richland High School

  

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“Blended [learning] has been exciting and frustrating all at the same time. I totally believe in what we are doing, but the obstacles we face are great.”

~ Adrian Baylor, Birdville High School

View Blended Learning Website

An Awesome PL Opportunity – The Annual Online Google Conference!

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Mark Your Calendar – Google’s Online Conference It Takes a Teacher

 Register today for a free online conference presented by Google for Education on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Learn from over 100 sessions led by other educators. Learn new approaches & celebrate that #ItTakesATeacher.

 You will have the opportunity to:

  • Engage with other educators and school leaders to share with and learn from each other.
  • Hear from inspiring speakers like Linda Darling-Hammond, Jennie Magiera, Kevin Brookhouser and many more.
  • Explore the latest Google product news and get tips and tools from educators.

In the meantime, check out Google’s It Takes a Teacher page where you can share your stories with the hashtag #ItTakesATeacher.

In the coming weeks we’ll be sending you updates on the 100+ speakers and sessions. Stay tuned!

Dec. 2-3

Day and Time:

Friday – Saturday, December 2-3
Start on Friday – December 2 at 4 p.m.
End on Saturday – December 3 at 5p.m.

Where:

Online (Details to come)
Sessions around the clock, around the world

REGISTER NOW to get your spot and receive updates about the online conference right in your inbox.

 

RHS Marching Band Wins the 2016 Lone Star Preview Marching Contest

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Congratulations to the Richland High School Marching Band for being named Grand Champion of the Lone Star Preview Marching Contest in The Woodlands, Texas. During preliminary competition, the band placed first overall and won every caption in the AAA division including Best Auxiliary, Percussion, Musical Performance, Visual Performance, and General Effect. In finals, the band placed first overall as well as receiving caption awards for Musical Performance and General Effect. Of special note is the fact that RHS was the only 5A band selected for finals and competed against many recent UIL State Marching Contest finalists. #BISDShines

Blended Learning: Thoughts from Blended Learning Teachers

“I have heard great things about Membean and I am excited to get my students logged in and started on their journey through the program. My goal is to increase student writing, therefore using Membean to increase their vocabulary. I am looking forward to seeing student’s progress throughout the year and seeing if their scores increase due to this program.”

Tiffany Gaines, Haltom High School teacher #BISDShines #BISDBlended

 

“My students have really been great this week and doing amazing with their tabloid projects. My fifth-period students especially have taken this assignment to new levels and gone outside their comfort zone. We have students creating news broadcasts, radio interviews, posters and typing their articles on Google Docs.”

―Lisa Sandoval, Haltom High School teacher #BISDShines #BISDBlended

 

“My dad always taught me to look for the positive and make work fun. So for each person who has started the Blended Learning process let me give you this quote. ‘Let go of your disappointments, mistakes, and failures. May you find complete healing, renewed spiritual strength and courage to begin again.’ ” 

―Denise Jones, Richland High School teacher #BISDShines #BISDBlended

Nancy Sinclair, retired BISD Speech and Language Pathologist, named TAPED Outstanding Speech Language Pathologist in Texas Deaf Education

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Retired BISD Speech Language Pathologist, Nancy Sinclair, received a 2016 Special Recognition Award as “Outstanding Speech Language Pathologist” at the Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf (TAPED) state conference. Sinclair has had an immeasurable impact on so many lives in and out of deaf education. When she began 30+ years ago, in order to communicate with her students, she audited night classes in ASL. Sinclair is extremely knowledgeable about teaching Deaf/Hard of Hearing students. After retiring this past year, she agreed to assist a beginning therapist.