Monthly Archives: October 2014

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Congratulations to the BISD middle school singers

Congratulations to the BISD middle school singers who recently participated in the Texas Music Educators Association Region 5 Middle School Choir auditions.  More than 800 seventh- and eighth-grade choir members from Birdville, HEB, Mansfield and Arlington school districts competed for 233 chairs in the region Mixed or Honor Treble choirs.  Almost 40 percent of each region choir is filled with Birdville singers.  The region choirs will perform in a special concert at 5 p.m.  Nov. 15 at Martin High School.

2014 MS Region Mixed Choir

  • North Oaks MS:  Joshua Ahmed and Trent Jones
  • North Richland MS:  Bryce Beeson, Cade Braswell, Dylan Dodds, Caroline Durham, Alex Gonzalez, Jarred Gracy, Yamileth Mena-Rios, Simara Peyton, Maddie Whitlock and Jahari Williams
  • North Ridge MS:  Gilbert Morales and Preston Robertson
  • Richland MS:  Miguel Mendez
  • Smithfield MS:  Faith Adams, Ellen Ayers, Amanda Blackburn, John Blamey, Harrison Caltagirone, Riley Colton, Elijah Eastep, Darius Easter, Emma Everts, Kaleigh Farnan, Seth Goff, Cade Jankowski, Christian Jordan, Stephen Keil, Makena Krier, Amy Little, Sarah Reese, Lexi Rios, Christi Risenhoover, Ethan Robinson, Nick Rothe, Ashley Sanderson, Drake Sterling, Giovanni Valforte, Sarah Watkins, Samantha Whitington, Isabella Ybarra and Kendra Zitzman
  • Watauga MS:  Alaynna Barkley, Denyce Bustillos, Citlalic Dominguez, Mykel Estrello, Andrew Ferguson, Cassie Flowers, Gabbie Mallou, Michelle Martinez, Destyn Medina, Lucas Streanga, Noah Strickland, Joshua Vidal and Andru Wilson

2014 MS Region Honor Treble Choir

  • North Richland MS:  Madison Artist, Maddi Bazaldua, Haley Hanson, Emily Patrick, Alexius Pena and Yasmine Salah
  • North Ridge MS:  Maysen Garner and Caitlin Hoffman
  • Smithfield MS:  Jaclyn Beeter, Arianna Carrasco, Sierra Cope, Joy Johnson,  Addison Kahle, Morgan Martin, Lindsey McCallum, McKenna Neal, Kaylee Rademacher, Daisy Robeson, Gracie Sargent, Riley Sargent, Gabriella Snell, Lauren Wheeler and Katherine Wittner
  • Watauga MS: Libni Arroyo, Kaya Church, Cassie Dominguez, Amara Holcombe, Tran Le and Michelle Thai
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Digital Learning Spotlight: North Ridge Middle School

Story by: BISD Digital Learning Department

dlspotlightthumbnailFeedback Based on Student Performance
Adam Hogg and Christy Upton were introduced to Kahoot by Julie Hyman, Secondary Social Studies Coordinator and Michael Hanson, Digital Learning Specialist. These teachers immediately started thinking of ways to incorporate this into their lessons. Kahoot is a a game-based interactive formative assessment tool that can be used by individual students or small groups. Students use their own electronic devices, or school-owned devices, to answer teacher-made questions with results displayed. Students have fun while learning because they receive immediate feedback and can track their progress toward learning goals.

Kahoot is a great tool for teachers to monitor students’ understanding of key concepts in real-time. Data can be downloaded after each class period to gauge students’ overall progress. The ability to immediately collect data digitally, allows teachers to close gaps in student learning and re-teach on the spot, as needed. PLC teams review and compare student data to make decisions regarding knowledge and understanding of the standards.

To remind students to bring their own devices, Christy and Adam use Remind.com to send text message reminders the day before class.

Congratulations to Adam and Christy for being recognized as Digital Learning Spotlight teachers. They will each receive a Dell Venue 8 Tablet for classroom use.

For more information about using Kahoot and other online formative assessment tools visit the Digital Learning Platform website at http://bisddlp.weebly.com/student-feedback.html.

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BISD bands excel at weekend competitions

Congratulations to BISD’s three high school marching bands for successes at competitions on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Birdville High Mighty Hawk Band competed in the Wylie Marching Invitational and tied for 10th place overall out of 24 bands in preliminary competition. The Richland High Marching Band competed in the Wylie contest placing fourth overall in prelims with awards for Best Woodwinds, Best Percussion, and first place in their division. The Richland Marching Band went on to win the Wylie Marching Invitational. The Pride of Haltom Marching Band traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to compete in the Bands of America Super Regional Competition in the Edward Jones Dome. Out of a huge field of 64 bands in preliminary competition, the Pride of Haltom succeeded in making the top 14 bands for finals and finished 12th overall.

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High School Choirs Success at Region Auditions

Congratulations to choir students across Birdville ISD who competed in Region 5 choir competitions. Competing against schools from Arlington, HEB, and Mansfield ISD, singers from BISD had outstanding results. Best of luck to the All-Region Choir members as they prepare for their third round of auditions on Nov. 21, where the top five chairs in each section will advance to the final round of All-State Choir auditions.

Region 5 All-Region Choir

  • Birdville HS:  Xavier Baker, Sarah Boyd, Lily Boswell, Sean Cazier, Hannah Detrick, Kiefer Detrick, Dennis Gartman, James Frazier (Alternate), Logan Perrin, Austin Perrin, & Emily Schuck
  • Haltom HS:  Noah Brehm, Haley Clark, Marion DeGuzman, Abigail Del Cristo, Tristan Langrehr, Marcus Medina, Alejandro Narvaez, Marissa Suazo, Cody Vital (Alternate), & Katlyn White
  • Richland HS:  Alivia Atkinson, Kendall Dobbins (Alternate), Matt Garner, Ruth Kingsbury, Gabe Reyer, & Eunique Thomas-Belmonte

Region 5 All-District Choir

  • Birdville HS:  Jared Burleson, Victoria Golden, Audrey Ham, Halie Moore, Alecia Pipkin, & Erin Ruhlman
  • Haltom HS:  Celina Bradley, Katie Cooper, Stanley George, & Alex Hawes
  • Richland HS:  Alberto Alfaro, Caylee Blocker, Lacie Eagan, Carlie Hagar, Austin Jones, Braden Kelley, Sabrina Trotter, & Josh Watson

9-10 Honor Choir

  • Birdville HS:  Mason Doyle, Danielle Farnan, Hannah Green, Trey Harmening,  Shali Hartman, Sariah Keil, Jesika Lopez, Patrice Pierre, Savannah Shapley, &  Maggie Williams
  • Haltom HS:  Omar Bustillos, Cyan Burkhart, Jesus Castillo, Thomas Jones, Sara Lawson, Kennan Lukacs, Melanie Martinez, Kathy Rivera, Jonathan Salas, Sydney Satibanjong, Shelby Siefkas, & Catherine Suazo
  • Richland HS:  Ruth Andrews, Brooke Christoffersen, Anastacia Clough, Preston Conger, Caleb Dollarhide, Greg Fehribach, Hailey Frith, Beyonce Green, Kayla Jefferies, Rachel Kelly, Christina Soto, Brad Symank, & Emilie Torres
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Notes from Dr. Brown, October 2014 Edition

NotesFrom
Early voting for the November 4 General Election is from October 20-31. On the November ballot, the BISD community will have the opportunity to vote on a bond proposal developed by a diverse group of citizens (parents, grandparents, senior adults and business leaders) from all parts of the district. The proposal includes:

Security Upgrades

  • Enhance security throughout the District

Rebuilds

  • Birdville Elementary
  • The Academy at West Birdville Elementary
  • North Richland Middle

Science Upgrades

  • Provide for safe and compliant science labs

Technology Upgrades

  • Provide a robust wireless network to serve every classroom
  • Replace obsolete technology devices
  • Fund technology upgrades to meet current and future instructional needs
  • Will be paid for within five years

Renovations & Upgrades

  • Address critical renovation needs requiring action in the next one to three years
  • Improve Facility equity among high schools

If voters approve the proposition, the $163.2 million proposal would increase property taxes approximately $3 per month on a house valued at $120,000; approximately $6 a month on a house valued at $225,000; and approximately $9 a month on a house valued at $330,000. (These values are prior to the $15,000 homestead exemption.) However, for residents age 65 or older who apply for the “Over 65” homestead exemption, state law prohibits the district from raising school taxes. Therefore, BISD residents who have an “Over 65” homestead exemption will not see an increase in their school taxes if the bond program is approved by voters.

I want to encourage you to accept BISD’s Get 5 Challenge.

  •  Get Informed about BISD’s 2014 bond proposal
  • Get Five of your Friends
  • Go Vote!

Vote early October 20-31 or on Election Day November 4.

For specific details on the 2014 bond program or voting locations, visit www.bisdbond14.net

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BISD excels at Region 5 All-State jazz audition

Congratulations to the BISD band members who competed in the Texas All-State Jazz Band audition and were selected as region jazz band members. Special recognition goes to those who qualified as an Area Candidate as they will continue the audition process in hopes of being selected to the Texas All-State Jazz Band. They are:
 
Haltom High: Ian Bassham, alto sax; England Nguyen, tenor trombone; Kamron Curry, bass trombone; and James Daley, bass guitar.
 
Richland High: Quinton Hackworth, alto sax; Tanner Reddoch, alto sax; Dylan White, baritone sax; Evan Milligan, baritone sax; Tylar Cravens, trumpet; Jonathan Duer, tenor trombone; and Colton Reddoch, drums.
 
Birdville High: Liam Rhodes, alto sax; Ian Worley, tenor sax; Katryna Parisi, tenor sax; Reece Neathery, tenor trombone; Jonathan Shier, trumpet; Jared Henry, trumpet; Matthew Edwards, trumpet; Jordan Amara, trumpet; and David Harris, drums.