With the 2015–16 school year quickly coming to a close, I want to take the opportunity to recognize several groups of people who play such a valuable part in Birdville ISD. Parents, community members and our staff each perform a vital role in making Birdville ISD a great school district in which to educate children.

Thank you to those who volunteer their time in various roles across the District. Whether you are a member of the board of trustees or a campus mentor, PTA volunteer, booster club worker, or assist in another capacity, you significantly impact the lives of students every day.

I wish I had the ability to fast forward in time so each of you could see the influence you have on the life of a child. Since I can’t, I want to share part of an email I recently received.

“… I want to recognize W.L. Hughes for a lifetime of great advice that I slowly but definitely utilized over the last 36 years.

“I became a police officer and made sure I tracked down Mr. Hughes to let him know that I did not go to prison as we weekly discussed, that I took his advice on many issues to that point in my life. I have since completed 20 years in law enforcement …

“… I am thankful for the educators that I was blessed to know. Please let me know if there is a way to recognize Mr. Hughes for his lifetime of dedication to the pupils that attended his school.”

Though this message was regarding a former principal, it still reminds us of the power of an adult in the life of a child. Whether you are a parent, community member or staff member, what you say and do greatly impacts our future, our children.

Thank you, Mr. Hughes, for choosing a career in education that positively impacted many young lives. Thank you to our PTA and booster club volunteers for supporting schools and programs at so many different levels. Thank you to the members of our community that mentor, tutor and provide valuable resources to students and staff. Thank you to our staff for your dedication to making our world a better place through education.

If you haven’t already joined the volunteer ranks, I invite you to connect with the more than 6,000 volunteers in BISD who impact the future every year.

To our parents, community members and staff, I am proud to live and work with individuals who are so passionate about children.