Fourth graders from Birdville ISD’s Mullendore Elementary traveled to Austin and San Antonio on an Education in Action Discover Texas Field Trip, February 28, 2023, to experience what they are learning in Texas History. Students visited the Texas State Capitol and The Alamo. 

During the charter bus ride to Austin, students discussed why Texans are so proud of their unique heritage and participated in activities and games in preparation for their day. In Austin the students visited the Texas State Capitol where their legislators, The Honorable Kelly Hancock, State Senator, District 9 and The Honorable Stephanie Klick, State Representative, District 91, office. Students saw first-hand where Texas laws are made as they toured the State Capitol including the Senate and House of Representatives chambers with a focus on the legislative process, leadership, and Texas leaders, past and present. Students then traveled to San Antonio where they toured The Alamo, one of the most famous missions in the United States, and learned about the Battle of the Alamo’s role in the Texas Revolution. 

”Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips are based on the understanding that the most effective way for students to learn is through experience,” stated Jennifer Pasteur, Education in Action’s Executive Director. ”Student activities during Discover Texas Field Trips reinforce and supplement Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) learning objectives in fun and hands-on ways at significant Texas sites that bring the content to life.” 

Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips make it easy for teachers to take their 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classrooms on organized, fun, and educational site-based learning experiences. Education in Action handles all details, including round-trip charter bus transportation, meals, and reservations, and provides the TEKS-based program curriculum so participating teachers can focus on their students and making connections between the experience and what students are learning in the classroom. 

Discover Texas Field Trips are presented by Education in Action, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering educated and involved young people. In addition to one-day Discover Texas Field Trips to Austin, San Antonio, Waco/Georgetown, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Education in Action also offers summer Lone Star Leadership Academy camps for outstanding 4th-8th graders. During the weeklong, overnight camps, participants experience significant Texas sites in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston with Texas educators and a focus on leadership. For more information about Education in Action visit www.educationinaction.org and www.facebook.com/educationinaction. 

David E. Smith Elementary students/staff will begin attending school with the students/staff assigned to W.T. Francisco Elementary starting in August 2023. This merger of two schools into one family is happening so that the existing Smith Elementary building can be torn down and a new campus can be constructed on that site. By the fall of 2025, the students/staff at both schools will move to the Smith Elementary site. 

Visit website for more information

Congratulations to BISD’s two National Merit Semifinalists who have advanced to Finalist standing in the competition.  They are: 

Sonya R. Demaree, Birdville High School 

Matthew S. Barnett, Richland High School 

BISD was closed Tuesday, Jan. 31 through Friday, Feb. 3 due to inclement weather. The District’s 2022–23 calendar has enough instructional minutes as required by the state. Therefore, Jan. 31 – Feb. 3 will not have to be made up by staff or students.

• Friday, Feb. 17 is still a student holiday/teacher flex day.
• Monday, Feb. 20 is still a student holiday with campus staff participating in professional development. District and departmental staff will continue with regularly scheduled activities.
• Friday, April 7 is still a staff/student holiday.

If there are additional closures due to weather, the District may have to reevaluate the use of inclement weather makeup days.

BISD estuvo cerrado del martes 31 de enero al viernes 3 de febrero debido a las inclemencias del tiempo. El calendario 2022-23 del Distrito tiene suficientes minutos de instrucción según lo exigen los estatutos estatales. Por lo tanto, del 31 de enero al 3 de febrero no será necesario que lo recuperen el personal o los estudiantes.

• El viernes 17 de febrero sigue siendo un día feriado para estudiantes/día flexible para maestros.
• El lunes 20 de febrero sigue siendo un día festivo para estudiantes y el personal del plantel participa en desarrollo profesional. El personal del distrito y de departamentos continuará con las actividades programadas regularmente.
• El viernes 7 de abril sigue siendo feriado para el personal y los estudiantes.

El viernes 7 de abril sigue siendo feriado para el personal y los estudiantes.

Si hay cierres adicionales debido al clima, es posible que el Distrito deba reevaluar el uso de días de recuperación por mal clima.

Finance department earns prestigious Award of Excellence 

Birdville ISD is proud to be among the third group of educational institutions recognized by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) with the prestigious Award of Excellence in Financial Management. Established in 2020, the award is given to Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that demonstrate professional standards, best practices, and innovations in the area of financial management and reporting.  

The criteria to qualify for the Award of Excellence in Financial Management is stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.  

 “The Board and I are delighted that BISD has been honored with this prestigious award,” said Superintendent Dr. Gayle Stinson. “Our finance team works tirelessly behind the scenes to support the vision of our district and our commitment to each and every student. We’re grateful for this acknowledgement of all their hard work.” 

“These organizations have gone above and beyond to demonstrate transparency by meticulously documenting their districts’ policies and procedures,” said Tracy Ginsburg, TASBO Executive Director. “Not only have they showcased the ways they monitor spending, improve budgeting, implement controls, and enhance financial reporting, but they have shared their best practices with colleagues throughout Texas, helping even more educational organizations to better utilize taxpayer dollars.”  

Members of the district’s finance team will be honored at an awards reception sponsored by Frontline Education in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 15 during the 2023 TASBO annual conference. 

On Thursday, Jan. 26, BISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved the naming of three facilities impacted by the 2022 Bond. 

Shannon High School will be renamed Bob E. Griggs High School, effective with the campus’s move to the new location on Denton Highway. The school mascot will remain the shamrock. Dr. Bob E. Griggs served as BISD’s superintendent of schools from 1993–2002. 

The special education wing at the new Denton Highway property was named Linda Kunkel Specialized Learning Center. Linda started her career at Birdville ISD in 1981 as a special education resource teacher. She continued in that role from 1981–88. After earning her master’s degree and educational diagnostician certification, Linda became an educational diagnostician in BISD and graciously served students and families in that role from 1988–99. During that period, she became the first diagnostician employed at Shannon High School. 

The new partner elementary school combining Smith and Francisco elementary schools will continue to carry the name David E. Smith Elementary with the cafeteria being named Francisco Cafeteria. The school colors will be red and blue, and the school mascot will be a Lion.