Congratulations to the Birdville High School Lady Hawks basketball team for finishing the season as the Bi-District Champions for the fourth straight year. The team also set a school and program record with 24 wins this season.
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BISD Safety Drill Announced
Four times each year, Birdville ISD conducts a lockdown drill on each campus. Safety drills began in the District 15 years ago. Before the tragic shooting in Florida, BISD had a lockdown drill scheduled for the week of February 19. To look for ways to continually improve our response in various emergency scenarios, the District does not typically announce drills in advance. However, in light of last week’s events, we are announcing a lockdown drill on all BISD campuses on Thursday, Feb. 22 or Friday, Feb. 23. This will only be a drill. #BISDAlert
February 2018 Notes from Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown
This past week we witnessed another senseless shooting in the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Like each of you, I watched in disbelief with concern for the students, staff and families as the events of that day unfolded.
I want to take this opportunity to remind the BISD community that safety is my number one priority. If our students and staff do not feel safe, there will be little to no learning in our schools.
In the 2014 Bond, voters approved the addition of:
- Security fencing around all of our elementary campuses;
- Card readers on external doors which limit access to the buildings, and allow the District to keep campuses locked during the school day; and
- Additional security cameras on every campus allowing the District and, if needed, law enforcement, the ability to see what is happening in every building.
In addition to these measures, BISD has an Emergency Management Team (EMT) that meets several times each year and conducts safety exercises. The EMT also completed an extensive three-day Incident Command Training during summer 2017.
Four times each year, Birdville ISD conducts a lockdown drill on each campus. (Safety drills began in the District 15 years ago.) Before the tragic shooting in Florida, BISD had a lockdown drill scheduled for the week of February 19. As we look for ways to continually improve our response in various emergency scenarios, the District does not typically announce these drills in advance. However, in light of last week’s events, we are announcing a lockdown drill on all BISD campuses on Thursday, Feb. 22 or Friday, Feb. 23. This will only be a drill.
In addition to added safety equipment, specialized training and safety drills, the District has other measures in place as part of our overall safety plan. However, it is not in the best interest of student and staff safety to share all safety measures with the public.
As parents, I want to assure you that BISD is taking measures to prevent a Parkland, Florida scenario on one of our campuses. However, no plan is foolproof. Therefore, I am asking for your help. Students, staff, parents and community members are asked to be observant in your surroundings. Look and listen, and if there are questions or concerns, notify the campus principal, local authorities or report them on BISD’s Tip Line. BISD provides a “Tip Line” on our mobile app and on all District and campus websites.
Thank you for joining me in keeping our children and schools safe.
Sincerely,
Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D.
Superintendent
North Ridge Elementary Celebrates WRAD
North Ridge Elementary celebrated World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) with guest readers from the community. Thank you to the volunteer who read to the North Ridge Longhorns.
View pictures of WRAD at North Ridge [Opens in a new window]
Binion Elementary Celebrates WRAD
Binion Elementary celebrated World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) with guest readers from the community. Thank you to the volunteers who read to the Binion Bobcats.
Animal Adventure Program Visits Richland Elementary
AT&T DONATES $50,000 to bring
Animal Adventures Program to
40 DFW-area schools
Program Empowers Students to Discover and Apply STEM-based Solutions to Wildlife Questions; Promotes Awareness of Careers in Animal Welfare and Conservation
Colorful birds, cuddly mammals and crawling reptiles visited with students at Richland Elementary recently for a 45-minute interactive learning event as AT&T and the Dallas Zoo continued a series of Animal Adventure visits to 40 DFW-area schools. The educational outreach effort is in its third year and is again funded by a $50,000 contribution from AT&T.
“The Animal Adventures Program brings the real world of animals directly to our students in school,” said Linda Caram, Regional Director, AT&T External Affairs. “AT&T is proud to support this program and partner with the Dallas Zoo to bring this wonderful educational experience to students throughout the area. Hands-on, interactive learning can inspire our students to discover the world and help them discover their own passions and interests.”
AT&T is the Presenting Sponsor of the program for the 2017−18 school year. Part of the Dallas Zoo’s education department, Animal Adventures empowers students to discover and apply STEM-based solutions to wildlife questions, learn about careers in animal welfare and conservation, and nurture appreciation of animals and their connections with nature.
Aligned with TEKS, Animal Adventures supports concepts learned in the classroom. Trained to deliver age-appropriate content and messaging, Dallas Zoo instructors share fun, science-based facts that spark interest and create a sense of wonder. They pair these details with fascinating live demonstrations, showing off the animals’ unique adaptations and behaviors necessary for survival in their native habitats. Instructors also address conservation success and action to ensure that future generations can enjoy wild things in wild places.
Dr. Darrell Brown, Birdville ISD superintendent, attended the event and praised school leaders and students for participating in the program, as well as the zoo and AT&T for working to bring this innovative program to local schools.
“Animals – from the soft and furry, to the cold and crawly – can hold a child’s focus and fire their imagination,” Brown said. “I applaud the Dallas Zoo and AT&T for their continued commitment to bringing this innovative program to students in Birdville ISD and across the metroplex.”
View Pictures from Animal Adventure Visit at Richland Elementary [Opens in a new window]
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About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008−2017.
About the Dallas Zoo: The Dallas Zoo, named one of the nation’s Top 10 Zoos by USA TODAY, is the largest zoological experience in Texas. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the zoo features a 106-acre park, thousands of animals, and an education department that offers programs for all ages. The zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35 at Marsalis) and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500. The zoo is committed to conservation and education, providing hundreds of educational experiences each year and partnering with groups worldwide to protect species. The zoo supports many international conservation projects for elephants, giraffe, cheetah, gorillas, horned lizards and more.