Category Archives: COVID19

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Birdville ISD Closed Jan 17-19

January 14, 2022  

Dear BISD Families, 

Because of the District’s inability to fill critical instructional and operational positions caused by COVID-19, Birdville ISD will be closed on Tuesday, January 18, and Wednesday, January 19, to help mitigate the spread of the virus. We will resume normal operations on Thursday, January 20.  During this closure, no remote learning will take place.  Our instructional calendar will not change at this time.  

At the discretion of the fine arts and athletic directors, high school extra- and co-curricular activities can continue as planned if staff are available to continue those activities. All activities involving our middle school and elementary students and staff are canceled beginning today through January 19. 

BISD will revise the District’s COVID-19 Dashboard to provide daily data concerning positive cases to better inform families beginning January 20. In addition, the district is working with TEA to begin free COVID testing for BISD students.  Information regarding registration, locations, and times will be forthcoming as soon as resources are made available by the state.   Currently, in-district testing is available for BISD staff. 

Our reality is that positive covid cases continue to rise.  This mirrors what is occurring throughout North Texas and across the nation.  We regret the inconvenience that this may cause families, however, it is important for us to do our part to break the cycle of COVID spread within the community.  During this closure, we encourage BISD families to continue following the advice of health professionals. 

We look forward to welcoming students and staff on Thursday, January 20.  Thank you for your continued support in this very fluid environment.   

Stay safe,  

Gayle Stinson, Ed.D. 

Superintendent of Schools 

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BISD Launches COVID Central Website

COVID Central Dashboard and More!

To better organize COVID-19 information and resources for parents and staff, BISD created the “COVID Central” website. On COVID Central you will find the COVID dashboard and other important COVID-19 related information resources.   

The link to COVID Central can be found on the front of the District and campus websites, as well as on  the BISD mobile app, the QR code posted on entrances to each District facility, or at birdvilleschools.net/covidcentral. As updates become available, they will be posted on COVID Central. 

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Health/Safety Protocols for the 2021–2022 School Year

Health/Safety Protocols for the 2021–2022 SCHOOL YEAR

Birdville ISD will continue to observe the following practices:  

  • Face Masks: Not required, but Strongly Supported 
    Per Executive Order No. GA-38 from the Governor, school districts cannot require masks to be worn. However, any child (or adult) in our schools is welcome to wear a mask to protect against COVID-19. This will be a personal choice for all families, and you are encouraged to take the action you feel is best for your child(ren) and your family. BISD supports all choices. 
  • COVID-19 Vaccinations: Not required, but Encouraged 
    For those eligible, the CDC has recommended getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but an individual’s vaccination status will not prohibit them from entering Birdville ISD facilities.  
  • Health Self-Screenings: Requested Daily 
    Students and employees should perform a self-check for COVID-19-related symptoms prior to boarding a bus or entering a Birdville ISD facility. Please do not come to school if you are sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. 
  • Social Distancing: Encouraged, where possible 
    When space and circumstances allow, students and employees are encouraged to maintain distance from others.  
  • Hand Hygiene: Continued Priority 
    Hand sanitizer will continue to be provided throughout Birdville ISD facilities, and students will be provided frequent hand-washing opportunities throughout the school day.  
  • Facility Cleaning: Frequent 
    Birdville ISD’s Facilities Management team will continue to focus on high-touch surfaces and deep cleaning any areas of concern, including using electrostatic applicators to sanitize classrooms no less than once per day and daily power washing of restrooms. 
  • Bus Cleaning: Frequent 
    At a minimum, buses will be cleaned after each route with an electrostatic applicator. A hand sanitizer dispenser is available at each bus entrance. 
  • Isolation: Required for those infected with COVID-19 
    Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. Isolation is required for BISD students and staff who are presumed to have COVID-19 or who have tested positive. (Additional criteria is available at birdvilleschools.net/covidprotocols) 
  • Quarantine: Optional  
    Quarantining is not required under current health guidelines.  
  • Visitors 
    Visitors will be allowed on campuses, including parents or guardians who want to visit their student for lunch. (See Face Masks above.) Please follow each campus’ procedures related to welcoming visitors back to campus.

Updates will be shared with parents and staff through the District’s various communications channels and posted at birdvilleschools.net/covidprotocols. 

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Summer Feeding Program: No Cost Meals for ALL children age 18 and under

Sandwich and Fruit

Community Pickup for both breakfast and lunch.
Parent Meal Pickup: Proof of guardianship must be presented at all six Summer Feeding sites.
Monday–Thursday:  9–9:30 a.m.

Binion, Holiday Heights and West Birdville Elementaries
Monday–Thursday:  June 7 – July 1
Breakfast:  7:30–8:00 a.m.
Lunch:  11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

North Richland Middle
Monday–Thursday:  June 7 – July 1
Breakfast:  7:30–8:00 a.m.
Lunch: 10:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

O.H. Stowe Elementary
Monday–Thursday:  June 1 – July 1
Breakfast:  7:30–8:00 a.m.
ESL Breakfast:  8–8:30 a.m.
Lunch:  11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Richland High School
Monday–Thursday/ June 7 – July 14
Breakfast:  7:30–8:00 a.m.
Lunch:  10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

School Closed July 5–9

For more information, call 211 or Text FOODTX to 877-877

View BISD Summer Feeding Program FlyerDownload

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
1.     mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2.     fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3.     email: program.intake@usda.gov.

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Planning for 2021-22: What we know today …

Note from the Superintendent

As the 2020–21 school year draws to a close, Birdville ISD is already in the midst of planning for the start of the 2021–22 school year. Like you, we are working hard to address the many questions regarding what school will look like this fall. Will we return fully in person? Will masks and other protocols remain? Will there be a remote learning option? These represent some of the questions we are hearing from our community and are the same ones we are considering as we work with the Texas Education Agency and our state and county leaders.  

On June 1, 2021, BISD will return to pre-COVID operations with face-to face instruction and masks being optional in classrooms and District facilities. As of today, our plans are to continue this practice when students return to school in August. 

BISD has received a few questions regarding the possibility of continuing the remote learning option into next year. The District is not planning to continue online learning next school year. We long to have our students back in the classroom, learning face-to-face with their teachers and having the much-needed social interaction we’ve all missed for since the pandemic began.  

This year has presented many challenges to us all. I cannot thank you enough for your flexibility and ongoing support as we continue to navigate the waters of constant change. No matter what modifications are needed for the future, our commitment to educational excellence and serving the needs of every child and family in BISD remains constant. 

BISD will continue gathering the information needed to make the best decisions for the fall semester, and will communicate those decisions to you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and continued trust. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Darrell G. Brown 
Superintendent of Schools