Category Archives: #BISDShines

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2022 RAZZ Summer Reading Winners

BISD’s Summer Reading Program winners were announced this week. 

Each summer, Learning A‒Z and Birdville ISD provide an online reading resource and invite students to read, answer questions, and write about their reading, all from home.  

The Summer 2022 winners are: 

Brandon Sandoval, Hardeman Elementary, first-place, 1,284 minutes 

Cecilia Rayos, Snow Heights Elementary, second-place, 1,177 minutes 

Bavisha Sasikaran, Snow Heights Elementary, third-place, 1,153 minutes 

Vivaan Sharma, Green Valley Elementary, fourth-place, 1,115 minutes 

Layla Lias, Snow Heights Elementary, fifth-place, 956 minutes 

Congratulations to our winners and all the students that participated! 

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BISD trustees approved a decrease in the tax rate 

On Aug. 25, BISD’s board of trustees approved the 2022–23 ad valorem tax rate of $1.2798 per $100 valuation. The maintenance and operations (M&O) portion of the tax rate is $0.8659, a 5.82 cent decrease over the 2021–22 M&O tax rate. The portion to pay the voter-approved debt (I&S) remains unchanged at $0.4139. Since 2019, BISD overall tax rate has decreased 17.2 cents. 

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BINION ELEMENTARY NAMED AS A RECIPIENT OF A LIBRARY GRANT 

FROM THE LAURA BUSH FOUNDATION FOR AMERICA’S LIBRARIES 

Recently, Binion Elementary was one of 300 schools from 44 states across the country to receive a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. This year, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded $1.5 million in school library grants. 

Many of the libraries will use the funds to update and diversify their collections. 

“I am thrilled that children from 300 schools will soon have access to an updated library collection,” Mrs. Laura Bush said. “Students across the country turn to books to discover the world around them, and we know that opening a new book opens the door to new opportunities and learning.” 

Mrs. Bush revealed her 2022 summer reading list, which includes recommendations for young readers through middle schoolers as part of the Engage at the Bush Center series, presented by NexPoint. Selections feature books on adventure, humor, and discovery. 

“The books on this year’s summer reading list were selected to encourage children to keep reading over their summer break,” said Mrs. Bush. “Local libraries are a wonderful resource for our communities, and I hope children and parents will visit their local library to borrow each of the featured titles.” 

One of the 2022 Summer Reading List books was written by Giovanna McBride, the daughter of Mrs. Bush’s former chief of Staff, Anita McBride. Gigi at the White House! was published by The White House Historical Association and follows a young Giovanna as she tours the White House. Inspired by the Laura Bush Foundation, Anita McBride and her husband Tim McBride have donated copies of Gigi at the White House! to every elementary school that has received a grant since 2002. 

Grant applications for the 2022–2023 school year will open in late 2022. Visit laurabushfoundation.org to learn more. 

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded more than $19.5 million to more than 3,300 schools across the country. 

The George W. Bush Institute’s Education and Opportunity work, which houses the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries, is generously supported by The Allstate Foundation. The Laura Bush Foundation is managed as a restricted fund at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. More information can be found at laurabushfoundation.org. The Laura Bush Foundation is managed as a restricted fund at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.  More information can be found at www.bushcenter.org. 

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George W. Bush Institute 

The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day by influencing policy, not politics. Learn more at bushcenter.org. 

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Outstanding BISD Student Recognized for Service 

Sixty-two outstanding students from across Texas completed the 2021–2022 Lone Star Leadership Academy Alumni Council program. Members represented 38 school districts, four private schools, three charter schools, and one home school. You may read about each of the member’s individual projects, in the printable Lone Star Leadership Academy Alumni Council Newsletter! 

Avery S., First-year member 

Project: Bears for a Purpose – Avery and her friend developed guidelines on bears that could be donated to Cook Children’s Hospital. These guidelines were provided by a chaplain within the Spiritual Care Department of Cook Children’s Hospital to be sure the bears were safe to give to patients with compromised immune systems. Avery and her friend, with the assistance of Avery’s teacher, principal, and assistant principal, communicated these guidelines to the students of her school. As a result, 44 bears were donated and delivered to the Cook Children’s Hospital Spiritual Care Department to provide comfort to the young patients. Avery said, “There will always be problems along the way, but if it’s something you really want, those problems will be nothing.” Sponsor: Rebecca Berthold, Teacher. 

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Haltom High School Alum hired as Assistant Volleyball Coach at Purdue University 

Ainise Havili, Haltom High School class of 2014 alum, was hired as the assistant volleyball coach at Purdue University.  

Havili, a three-time AVCA All-American with the Kansas Jayhawks, joins the Purdue staff as the volunteer assistant coach. During her time as a Jayhawk (2014–17), Havili became the first player in Big 12 Conference history to be named Big 12 Setter of the Year. Additionally, Havili’s success led to four First Team All-Big 12 and AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team accolades and culminated in becoming Kansas’ All-Time Assists leader. 

Following her collegiate career, Havili played overseas from 2019–21 for the Allianz MTV Stuttgart in Germany (2019–2020) and Karayolları Spor Kulübü in Turkey (2020–21) before returning stateside. Since then, the former setter served as an assistant coach for the Texas Image Volleyball Club while working for Signature Consultants as a recruiter. 

Havili graduated from Kansas in May 2018 with a bachelor of science in sports management and earned a master’s in marketing from the University of Arizona in 2019 while competing for the Wildcats’ beach volleyball team. 

Congratulations Ainise! #WeAreBirdvilleISD