UIL Modifies Fall 2020 Plan

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The University Interscholastic League (UIL) released modifications to the 2020–21 UIL calendar and updated its COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines. BISD administration just received this information and is thoroughly reviewing it. There is conflicting information between the order received from Tarrant County Public Health and the UIL. The District is confident the two organizations will provide clarifications to school districts in Tarrant County. We will communicate additional details and how the modifications relate to today’s order from Tarrant County Public Health as soon as we are able.  

View Tarrant County Public Health Order – https://www.tarrantcounty.com/content/dam/main/covid-cares/JOINT-CONTROL-ORDER.PDF 

View UIL Announcement – https://www.uiltexas.org/press-releases/detail/modified-uil-activities-calendar-and-covid-19-guidelines-for-2020-2021 

Important Announcement: Return to School Update – July 21, 2020

Important Information

July 21, 2020

Dear Birdville ISD Students, Staff, and Families: 

On Tuesday, July 21, Tarrant County Public Health and Human Services issued a Control Order (“the Order”) requiring school districts to start school with virtual learning only through Sunday, Sept. 27. This means that all students and teachers will begin classes in online learning, and BISD will keep buildings closed to students for regular on-campus, face-to-face instruction and activities until after Sept. 27.  

Following the Order, District officials are now adjusting our online learning plan to align with new state requirements. We can assure you that the District is committed to providing high-quality instruction to our students and ongoing support for our staff. Online learning in fall 2020 will be a different model from this past spring’s learning program. BISD will include academic and social/emotional supports to continue to meet the needs of our students and staff, while also meeting state requirements for accountability and student academic progress. Also, staff and students will follow BISD’s grading regulations. 

There is some flexibility in the Order to assist districts with serving students in specific circumstances. We will work quickly and thoroughly on implementation details and will provide additional information to you in the coming days.   

Birdville ISD will continue to monitor guidance that is issued from local health officials, as well as the Texas Education Agency and the Governor. We understand that these ongoing changes are challenging for our students, parents, and staff. We thank you for your continued support, patience, and trust during this uncertain time, and as we respond to these ever-changing requirements and plan for the return of our students and staff. Please continue to monitor our website for updates. 

Sincerely, 

Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D. 
Superintendent 

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Estimados estudiantes, personal y familias de Birdville ISD: 

El martes 21 de julio, los Servicios Humanos y de Salud Pública del Condado de Tarrant emitieron una Orden de Control (“la Orden”) que requiere que los distritos escolares comiencen las classes con aprendizaje virtual solamente hasta el domingo 27 de septiembre. Esto significa que todos los estudiantes y maestros comenzarán las clases en línea, y BISD mantendrá los edificios cerrados a los estudiantes para la instrucción y actividades presenciales regulares en el campus hasta después del 27 de septiembre. 

Siguiendo la Orden, los funcionarios del Distrito ahora están ajustando nuestro plan de aprendizaje en línea para alinearlo con los nuevos requisitos estatales. Podemos asegurarle que el Distrito está comprometido a proporcionar instrucción de alta calidad a nuestros estudiantes y apoyo continuo para nuestro personal. El aprendizaje en línea en el otoño de 2020 será un modelo diferente del programa de aprendizaje de la primavera pasada. BISD incluirá apoyos académicos y sociales / emocionales para continuar satisfaciendo las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes y personal, al mismo tiempo que cumple con los requisitos estatales de responsabilidad y progreso académico de los estudiantes. Además, el personal y los estudiantes seguirán las normas de calificación de BISD. 

Hay cierta flexibilidad en la Orden para ayudar a los distritos a servir a los estudiantes en circunstancias específicas. Trabajaremos rápida y exhaustivamente en los detalles de implementación y le proporcionaremos información adicional en los próximos días. 

Birdville ISD continuará monitoreando la orientación emitida por los funcionarios locales de salud, así como por la Agencia de Educación de Texas y el Gobernador. Entendemos que estos cambios continuos son un desafío para nuestros estudiantes, padres y personal.
Le agradecemos su continuo apoyo, paciencia y confianza durante este tiempo incierto, y a medida que respondemos a estos requisitos siempre cambiantes y planificamos el regreso de nuestros estudiantes y personal. Continúe monitoreando nuestro sitio web para obtener actualizaciones. 

Sinceramente, 
Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D. 
Superintendente 

Notes from Dr. Brown: July 8, 2020

Notes from Dr. Brown

I hope you and your family continue to stay safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The continued safety of students and staff weighs heavily on me, the Board, and my Cabinet. I trust this support group as we make plans for what school will look like this fall and beyond.  

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released information to school districts on Tuesday, July 7, about the return to school in the fall. The District is working through that document and will provide the BISD family with more details as they become available. 

BISD opened online registration on Thursday, July 2, where parents were given the opportunity to choose between face-to-face or online instruction. Thankfully, you do not have to register today. However, we will ask parents to enter their choice no later than two weeks before the start of school.  

If you want to register your child now, you may. We posted a document online on how to change between the two options if you choose to do so. Parents will be able to make changes up to two weeks before the start of school. There will still be options to change after that, but it will have to be done through your campus. 

The District has received some great questions from parents since registration opened. Based on what TEA released on July 7, we are developing an extensive FAQ that will address many of your questions. The FAQ will be posted on the District’s website as soon as possible.  

Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D. 
Superintendent 
Birdville ISD 

BISD will Stream Graduation Ceremonies Live!

Graduation 2020 FB Live

Do you have family and friends who are not able to attend graduation this year? BISD has been working with Globe Life Field to be able to livestream each of the graduation ceremonies using Facebook Live. Don’t have Facebook? That’s okay. Go to http://birdvilleschools.net/graduationslive to view the live event on the front of the District’s website.

Online Application for P-EBT is now open

This letter is intended for families with: 

  • Children who received SNAP food benefits for March 2020  
  • Children who are certified for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2019-20 Texas school year 
  • Children who attend a school that offers free meals to all students (Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2) 

If you do not meet at least one of these criteria, you are not eligible for the benefits described below. 

Dear Parent or Guardian,  

Your household may be eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to buy food. P-EBT is for children 5-18 years old who received SNAP food benefits for the month of March 2020 and children up to 21 years old who are certified for free or reduced-price meals at school in Texas during the 2019-20 school year. Children that attend a school that offers free meals to all students (Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2) are also eligible.  

The online application for P-EBT is now open. Please review the criteria to see if you need to apply to receive these benefits. The application link is provided below. 

Do I need to apply for P-EBT? 

Families that DID NOT get SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020 

  • Yes, you will need to apply. 
  • Fill out an application here: yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT 
  • The application is open until June 30, 2020. 
  • If you do not currently get SNAP benefits and your child is approved for P-EBT, you will be mailed a P-EBT card loaded with benefits.  

Families that DID get SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020 

  • You do not need to apply for children ages 5-18. Benefits were loaded onto your existing SNAP card by May 22.  
  • If you have children under 5 and/or between the ages of 19 and 21, you will need to fill out an application for those children. Fill out an application here: yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT 
  • If you get SNAP benefits and your child is approved for P-EBT, we will put funds on your current Lone Star Card.  

P-EBT is a one-time benefit for families issued through an EBT card (like a debit card). Families receive up to $285 per eligible child. You will have one year from the date the benefits were issued to use your P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits are non-transferrable.  

If you need help filling out the P-EBT application, please contact is 833-613-6220. For more information, please visit hhs.texas.gov/PEBT or call is 833-613-6220.