The Community Enrichment Center and Tarrant Area Food Bank will provide groceries to families at various BISD feeding stations. Groceries will be distributed at the same time meals are being distributed by BISD (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.).
Today’s groceries* will be distributed at Academy at C.F. Thomas, 8200 O’Brian Way, North Richland Hills, 76180.
*While Supplies Last
The Community Enrichment Center and Tarrant Area Food Bank will provide groceries to families at various BISD feeding stations. Groceries will be distributed at the same time meals are being distributed by BISD (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.).
Today’s groceries* will be distributed at Watauga Elementary, 5937 Whitley Rd., Watauga, 76148.
*While Supplies Last
The Community Enrichment Center and Tarrant Area Food Bank will provide groceries to families at various BISD feeding stations. Groceries will be distributed at the same time meals are being distributed by BISD (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.).
Today’s groceries* will be distributed at Binion Elementary, 7400 Glenview Dr., Richland Hills, 76118.
*While Supplies Last
Devices and Internet Connectivity for Students
This past week, parents received a survey from campus principals with questions about internet connectivity and device access at home. Based on the survey results, the District is prepared to distribute Chromebooks beginning Monday, March 23. In order to provide internet connectivity and devices to as many homes as possible, the District is limiting the number of Chromebooks that may be checked out to one per household for students to share. Principals will “screen” the requests for “wants” vs. “needs” to ensure all of the “needs” are met first. Once the “needs” are addressed, the District will move on to supporting the “wants” and increasing the number of devices per household.
The devices will be checked out at three distribution sites using a drive-thru method:
Many communications companies are offering to help families concerned about internet connectivity during this time. The following is a list of available options:
A LIMITED number of BISD WiFi hotspots will also be available for families that need internet connectivity during the closure but are unable to take advantage of the options above. BISD Technology strongly recommends contacting the companies listed above before requesting a BISD WiFi hotspot.
We are excited to empower BISD students with access to internet connectivity and technology devices during this challenging time.
A request form has been created for each of our pickup locations. The form must be completed prior to visiting a pickup location. If you would like to request a Chromebook for your student(s), please select a pickup location below*:
To help families, BISD is adding an evening technology distribution from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26 at Haltom High School only.
Click here to reserve your time Haltom High School Distribution Site Request Form: 5501 Haltom Rd., Haltom City, TX 76137
* By submitting a request form, you agree that your student(s) will follow the guidelines as outlined in the Birdville ISD Responsible Use Guidelines for Technology when using the device and that the device will be returned upon request by the District. Ownership of the device shall, at all times, remain with the District. All technology devices and WiFi hotspot requests will be reviewed by the campus principal before distribution.
Technical Support
BISD students or staff members needing technical support assistance may submit a Help Ticket at https://helpdesk.birdvilleschools.net.
Parents trying to assist their student(s) with technical support, but the student does not know their portal login information, may email Helpdesk@BirdvilleSchools.net with their name, email address, phone number, student’s name, ID, grade level, and campus. We will forward the contact information to our remote support team, and someone will contact them by email as soon as possible to assist in resetting the password.
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El Departamento de Tecnología de Birdville ISD está trabajando arduamente para apoyar a los maestros, estudiantes y familias durante este tiempo.
Aparatos y conectividad a Internet para estudiantes
La semana pasada, los padres recibieron una encuesta de parte de los directores de las escuelas con preguntas sobre la conectividad a Internet y el acceso a aparatos tecnológicos en el hogar. Con base en los resultados de la encuesta, el Distrito está preparado para distribuir Chromebooks a partir del lunes 23 de marzo. Con el fin de proporcionar conectividad a Internet y aparatos tecnológicos a la mayor cantidad de hogares posible, el Distrito está limitando el número de Chromebooks que se pueden apartar a uno por hogar para que los estudiantes los compartan entre sí mismos. Los directores “evaluarán” las solicitudes de “quisiéramos un aparato tecnológico” contra “necesitamos un aparato tecnológico” para garantizar que todas las “necesidades” se satisfagan primero. Una vez que se cubran las “necesidades”, el Distrito continuará apoyando aquellos que “desean un aparato tecnológico” y aumentando la cantidad de aparatos por hogar.
Usted podrá recoger un aparato tecnológico en tres sitios de distribución utilizando un método drive-thru:
Muchas compañías de comunicación están ofreciendo ayuda a familias quienes estén preocupadas por la conectividad al internet durante este tiempo. La siguiente es una lista de opciones disponibles:
También estará disponible un número LIMITADO de puntos de acceso WiFi de BISD para familias que necesitan conectividad a Internet durante el cierre y no pueden aprovechar las opciones. BISD Technology recomienda encarecidamente ponerse en contacto con las empresas mencionadas anteriormente antes de solicitar un punto de acceso WiFi de BISD.
Estamos entusiasmados de capacitar a los estudiantes de BISD con acceso a dispositivos de tecnología y conectividad a Internet durante este momento desafiante.
Se ha creado un formulario de solicitud para cada una de nuestras ubicaciones de entrega. El formulario debe completarse con anticipación antes de visitar un lugar de entrega. Si desea solicitar un Chromebook para su (s) estudiante (s), seleccione una ubicación de recogida a continuación *:
* Al enviar un formulario de solicitud, usted acepta que su (s) estudiante (s) seguirán las pautas tal como se detallan en las Pautas de Uso Responsable de Tecnología de Birdville ISD al usar el aparato y también que deberá devolver el aparato en el momento que el Distrito lo requiera. La propiedad del aparato permanecerá en todo momento con el Distrito. Todos los aparatos tecnológicos y las solicitudes de puntos de acceso WiFi serán revisados por el director de la escuela antes de su distribución.
Soporte técnico
Si un estudiante o miembro del personal de BISD necesita asistencia con soporte técnico, puede enviar un ticket de ayuda iniciando sesión en el portal en https://my.birdvilleschools.net y haciendo clic en el botón Sistema de tickets de Fresh Service.
Si un padre de familia intenta ayudar a su estudiante con soporte técnico y el estudiante no conoce su información de inicio de sesión para el portal, puede enviar un correo electrónico a Helpdesk@BirdvilleSchools.net con su nombre, dirección de correo electrónico, número de teléfono, nombre del estudiante, nivel de grado y nombre de la escuela. Reenviaremos la información de contacto a nuestro equipo de soporte remoto, y alguien se comunicará con ellos por correo electrónico lo antes posible para ayudar a restablecer la contraseña.
Birdville ISD’s Personalized Learning at Home plan will be delivered online beginning Monday, March 30, and allows students to study independently at different locations and times, without real-time communication taking place. The personalized learning plan will enable students and families the flexibility to learn on any device, anywhere, anytime, using any browser.
This plan provides support for students while recognizing that instructional settings at home may vary. Students may log on at different times throughout the day.
Teachers will spend the week of March 23 in professional learning and building online lessons, which will begin March 30. Until that time, please continue to utilize the enrichment and engagement resources at Personalized Learning: Student Online Resources, as well as those provided by your student’s teacher.
More information about BISD’s Personalized Learning at Home plan will be posted on the Personalized Learning: Student Online Resources web page by Monday, March 23.
Dear Birdville Community:
I am writing you today as a father, husband, community member, and educator. We are all being affected greatly by the health crisis that is sweeping across the world, and is now reaching our communities. As events have been canceled or postponed, and businesses have closed or reduced their services, it is apparent that we must consider that these closures may be extended for an indefinite period, based on continuing guidance from the CDC and other governmental entities. Our staff continues to work via virtual means (whenever possible), and we remain committed to providing support to our students as we navigate these uncharted waters.
Now is the time that we, as a nation and as a school community, must join together to support each other. The common thread within the Birdville family is the priority of our children. We exist to nurture and educate children in a healthy partnership. There has never before been a point in which this partnership has been needed more. With the changes that we are compelled to make because of COVID-19, it is prudent to redefine that partnership. Until we are able to return our children to their schools, traditional, direct instruction in a classroom will be replaced by distance learning and other unique learning opportunities. Much of our energies are being focused on designing these new learning platforms for your students, and we will soon be sharing with you what your part in this partnership will look like so you will know what to expect. Please be patient as we work to quickly transform the learning platforms for our students under these very challenging circumstances, as opposed to easily working collaboratively as we normally would.
We are thankful to Governor Abbott for canceling the STAAR/EOC exams for this year. This will provide needed flexibility for us to provide learning opportunities in a way that does not place unnecessary pressure on students. Our endeavor is to provide learning that prioritizes concepts in our curriculum. We have curriculum leaders making adjustments so that we can train our teachers and prepare them to best serve your children. Beginning Monday, March 23, you should be receiving additional learning opportunities for students. Please assist us by encouraging your child to take advantage of these distance learning options that have been created especially for their grade level.
This is a new adventure for all of us. While the use of technology is not new, moving to a distance learning platform as a primary tool of instruction is new. It will not be simple and it will not be perfect. However, we are committed to preparing thoroughly for this shift, and will continue making adjustments throughout this time. We ask for your commitment to support this instruction in your homes and to ensure that your children spend adequate time on the resources provided. Our children can continue to learn, they will simply learn in a different way.
For individuals who do not have internet access, free services have been offered by several national internet providers. For those students without technology devices, the District will support them via other means as much as possible.
I cannot underscore enough that this cannot be done without you. This redefinition of the education partnership places you in command of connecting your children to these resources. However, this learning will not be simply online modules. Your child(ren)’s same teachers are still here to design and provide lessons. They will reach out to you and your children if they have not done so already. Communicate with your teachers and your campus administrators if you have challenges to overcome in connecting with these learning resources.
What you should expect in the coming days?
As a reminder, the District has created a COVID-19 website as the primary location for District-related COVID-19 information (birdvilleschools.net/covid19). On this site you will find information on:
I have been an educator since 1984, and I could not have imagined what the world is currently experiencing. I am certain that many of you feel the same way. This is new territory, but I am confident that we will overcome this and return stronger and more determined than ever. Please be safe and keep your children safe. Allow us to serve as a support system for you and your children, and please know that we remain caring educators who are advocates for you and your children.
Sincerely,
Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Birdville ISD
