Auditions for the 2016 Texas All-State Jazz Ensemble have concluded and included in this year’s highly selective roster is Jonathan Shier, trumpeter from Birdville High School. Jonathan will join the rest of the All-State Jazz Ensemble in San Antonio in February for rehearsals and a performance during the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.
Congratulations to the Birdville HS Jazz Ensemble for their recent selection as one of only two “2015 National Winners” in the Foundation For Music Education’s Mark of Excellence recorded music contest. Thanks to director Mike Cheripka for helping these students achieve this success! For more information, visit The Foundation For Music Education.
The ASPIRE program will not be running the weeks of Dec. 14-18 and Jan. 4-8. ASPIRE for the spring semester will begin on Jan. 11.
The Birdville Education Foundation supports innovative learning and promotes educational excellence.
The Deaf Education students at Smithfield Middle School (SMS) have two Battle of the Books teams competing against other schools across the nation for the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. for the championship. For information, contact Teresa Fuller at 817-547-5055.
Blue Team, Dec. 8
9–10 a.m. SMS vs. Illinois School for the Deaf
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. SMS vs. Alabama School for the Deaf
1:30–2:30 p.m. SMS vs. Louisiana School for the Deaf
Green Team, Dec. 10
10–11 a.m. SMS vs. New Mexico School for the Deaf
12:30–1:30 p.m. SMS vs. Phoenix Day School for the Deaf
2–3 p.m. SMS vs. Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
In recent weeks, we have seen some of the ugliest parts of humanity. The senseless attacks across Paris in November would make it easy for us to shake our heads and question why we try; it is hopeless.
As superintendent of schools for Birdville ISD, I am blessed to walk the halls and look at the faces of students and staff. When I do, I am reminded that we have great hope for change in our world. I see desires to be better. I see desires to help others. I see desires to learn from past mistakes and improve. I see desires to accept and be accepted. I see hope.
Allow me to share just one of many examples of how our children are making a difference in the world, one ribbon at a time.
Two fourth-grade students at Holiday Heights Elementary recently started an integrated math, science and social studies project. This project has taken them far beyond the classroom. They started a campaign to “Cancel Cancer” by pairing up with a medical genome center that is working on eliminating three specific types of cancer. These two students made special bows and then contacted a local business and had ribbons printed for their “Cancel Cancer” campaign. These two young ladies have a desire to make a difference in their lifetime.
Because of students like these two fourth graders, I hope you will share my optimism for our future. Why? Because these are but two of thousands that walk the halls of Birdville schools every day.
As we bring 2015 to a close, I want to thank the Birdville community for your support for our students and staff. It takes all of us working together to nurture the hope in the lives of our children. We all can positively impact the world.
If you want to buy a ribbon to support “Cancel Cancer” or just want to make a donation, visit the office at Holiday Heights Elementary. With your help, two fourth-grade students can change the world by cancelling cancer. Thank you students Sydney and Cheyenne for being beacons of hope for so many.
