Dear Parents, 

You have likely heard about TEA’s announcement in January that in order to participate in STAAR/EOC assessments this spring, a student must be present at school. That announcement was followed by the Texas Tribune’s interview with Commissioner Morath on Feb. 11. I am writing to you in the hopes of providing some clarity regarding this issue.  

Among other things, the Commissioner made the following points during his interview: 

1. There are several federal and state laws that require all 1,202 school districts in the state to administer STAAR/EOC. In fact, EOC assessments are still a part of the Texas graduation requirements. TEA has posted a one-page listing of all of these laws on their website at:  https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/state-and-federal-required-tests.pdf 

2. There are several federal and state laws that require all 1,202 school districts in the state to administer STAAR/EOC. In fact, EOC assessments are still a part of the Texas graduation requirements. TEA has posted a one-page listing of all of these laws on their website at:  https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/state-and-federal-required-tests.pdf 

As a district, we are committed to complying with federal and state laws relating to state assessments. We are also committed to providing the safest environment possible for students and staff on our campuses. While we believe that teacher assessment of learning is the most meaningful form of knowing our students as learners, we recognize that data from tests like STAAR and EOC can help us evaluate the impact of the COVID pandemic on student learning. 

We would very much like to have as many students as possible participate in STAAR and/or EOC assessments this spring in the safest testing environment possible.  

High school parents, please know that not participating in End-of-Course assessments (EOCs) at the high school level does have implications for students since, under current law, students are required to perform successfully on EOCs to meet graduation requirements. Although many students may have future opportunities to take EOCs before graduation, we believe that it is important for students to participate in EOCs after the teaching of the course. 

We cannot thank you enough for your support throughout this very challenging year. 

Sincerely, 
Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D. 
Superintendent of Schools

A parent/guardian requesting to change from face-to-face to online learning or from online learning to face-to-face learning may do so no later than the Friday of the fifth week of each six weeks grading period. This will give campuses five school days plus four weekend days to change formats and make scheduling changes if needed. Call your student’s campus no later than the date listed below for each six weeks period. Campuses need to be notified only if parents/guardians want to change instructional methods.   

Deadlines for submitting change requests: 

• Monday, March 29 to Thursday, April 1 for the sixth six weeks (Classes begin April 12) 

Changes Effective on: 
March 9, 2021 for Secondary students 
April 12, 2021 for Elementary students 

Students who are enrolled as face-to-face learners in Birdville ISD will follow the attendance guidelines and procedures listed in the Elementary and Secondary Student handbooks. 

• Elementary Student Handbook (See page 27)  
• Secondary Student Handbook (See pages 18–21) 

This change returns face-to-face learners to the traditional Attendance for Credit procedures, as well as to the excused and unexcused absence criteria. Make-up work may be assigned to students through a variety of means including, but not limited to: 

• Canvas, 
• Seesaw, 
• Other virtual platforms, or 
• Paper/hard copies. 

Completion of make-up work does not change attendance status (excused or unexcused). Make-up work will be graded according to the guidelines set forth in the Elementary and Secondary Student handbooks. 

All students enrolled as remote learners and any face-to-face student placed on medical quarantine will continue to earn Attendance for Credit according to the guidelines in the TEA-approved Online Instructional Plan. 

All BISD offices and campuses will be closed March 15–19. Enjoy your week!

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced on March 9 that the District is joining forces with Texas Health Resources to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all District employees. This includes part-time and/or substitute employees.

Employees who have not yet received a vaccination are invited to sign up with their district. Texas Health Resources will contact those who signed up and provide them with a link to schedule a vaccination time and location that works best for them.

“We are extremely grateful that Texas Health has offered to help protect our employees from COVID-19 by offering these vaccinations,” said Dr. Darrell Brown. “This will help keep our teachers and other employees safe and allow us to return to a more normal learning environment for our students.”

The vaccination program with BISD is part of Texas Health’s continuing outreach efforts in North Texas to improve the health of people in the communities it serves by protecting them from COVID-19.

“It is our privilege to work with the Birdville ISD to bring vaccines to these critical front-line workers in education,” said Texas Health CEO Barclay Berdan. “These vaccines are safe and effective and will help turn the tide on this pandemic.”

Texas Health, designated a vaccination hub for Tarrant County by the state of Texas, has been actively vaccinating North Texans through numerous community clinics designed to make the process simple and efficient for patients while maximizing clinic throughput.  The health system also is working with area community health clinics through a series of mobile clinics to reach underserved populations.

In recognizing the importance of teachers in community health, Texas Health is supporting the request from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include people who work in school and childcare operations.

“So many people have sacrificed so much during the pandemic, including healthcare workers, first responders and others on the front lines,” said Winjie Miao, Texas Health senior executive vice president and chief experience officer. “We are appreciative of teachers and other school district employees who have given so much of themselves and are honored to be able to help provide critical protection for them.”

For more information about Texas Health’s vaccinations efforts in North Texas and its response to COVID-19, visit: www.TexasHealth.org/Vaccine

Get groceries on Saturdays in March:  March 13, March 20 and March 27 (while supplies last)! Provided by the Tarrant Area Food Bank—distribution begins at 10 a.m. at the BISD Plaza in North Richland Hills. Enter the parking lot at 6361 Boulevard 26.