Birdville ISD is in the midst of an exciting and transformative journey as we transition from Skyward, our longstanding Student Information System (SIS), to Focus—a modern, advanced platform that promises to elevate the educational experience for our students and improve the experience for you, our valued parents and guardians. 

The Skyward SIS has been in use in Birdville ISD for over two decades.  Our transition to the Focus SIS is aimed at recognizing the need to embrace modern solutions to serve our dynamic BISD community better.  As we navigate this transformation, your patience and understanding are genuinely appreciated.  The shift from a legacy system to a modern one is a significant undertaking, and we are grateful for your cooperation as we work towards a more efficient and sophisticated SIS. 

The District is aware that messages meant for specific campuses have reached unintended recipients at other campuses.  Please accept our sincere apologies for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused. We are fine-tuning the protocols to ensure accuracy. 

Turning our attention to registration, we began offering early registration for both returning students and students that are new to BISD in April using Skyward.  After the data was imported from Skyward to Focus, Focus had their system configured where parents and guardians had to verify their information.  However, the status appeared as “not started” in the system, causing confusion for many.  Hindsight suggests delaying registration until late July would have been smoother.  I can assure you that BISD and Focus are working as quickly as possible to address any issues found after the import of data from Skyward to Focus.   

Rest assured that our campuses and staff are committed to embracing the new Focus system and fully harnessing its benefits.  Please make note that schedules and class lists you see online today may undergo revisions as campuses finalize details for the upcoming year.   

Thank you for your active involvement in your child’s education and your support during this transition.  We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the best possible educational experience for your students and their families. 

Sincerely, 
Dave Lambson
Chief Technology Officer

The Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, July 27. The following link will provide you a summary of actions taken at their meeting.

> View July 27, 2023 e-review
> View Board of Trustees Website

Members of Birdville ISD’s Educators Rising chapters from Birdville High and Haltom High attended the national conference June 29 – July 2 in Orlando, Florida.  Rising senior Megan McMahon and May 2023 graduate Ryan King placed second in the nation with their Children’s Literature K–3 entry.  McMahon authored the book, King illustrated the book, and together they presented it and answered judge’s questions. 

Jaylee Martinson, a May 2023 graduate, placed ninth in the nation in the Educators Rising Moment competition in which she delivered a presentation of her journey toward becoming an educator.

Additional BISD students also competed at the conference as follows:

Representing Birdville High School were Leila Espino, Abigail Graham, Catherine Pace, Fatima Puente, Joeliz Cruz Ramos, and Ashlin Wood.  Birdville High’s Educators Rising teacher leader is Karen Kallas.  Representing Haltom High School were Genisis Alvarez and Ellen Kenny.  Haltom High’s Educators Rising teacher leader is Tiffany Cox.

The Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, June 22. The following link will provide you a summary of actions taken at their meeting.

> View June 22, 2023 e-review
> View Board of Trustees Website

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Gayle Stinson announced the appointment of A. Elizabeth “Liz” Peña as principal of Shannon High School. Peña is replacing David Williams, who was recently appointed principal of the Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning.

She has been an academic dean at Haltom High School since 2022, assistant principal from 2013–22 and District secondary summer school director since 2016. Prior to joining Haltom High, she served as the Haltom Middle School English department chair from 2012–13, Special Education department chair from 2008–12, and Pre-AP/Inclusion and English/ELAR teacher from 2006–12. Before that Peña was a Content Mastery Center teacher at Arnold Middle School in Grand Prairie ISD from 1999–2006; and a behavior interventionist from 1998–99 at Jefferson High School in El Paso ISD.

Peña earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dallas Baptist University.