BISD fine arts students continue to excel

Texas All-State Jazz Band results announced
The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) announced results of the recently completed auditions for the Texas All-State Jazz Ensembles.  Congratulations to Richland High School junior alto saxophonist Quinton Hackworth and senior baritone saxophonist Evan Milligan for their selection to the TMEA Jazz Ensemble 1.  Hackworth placed second chair overall in the state and Milligan landed the coveted first chair. These young students will perform with their group at the 2015 TMEA convention in February at the San Antonio Convention Center.

Hall of Honor

BISD’s Athletics Department will honor the 2014 Hall of Honor class at a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Fine Arts/Athletics Complex. For tickets, call 817-547-5820 by Dec. 1.

2014 INDUCTEES

Keith Pickett

David Dixon

Rick Burleson

Tim Sanders

LaShan Malunowe

Lindsay Wilhelmson Strong

BISD voters approve $163.2 million bond package

Today, Birdville Independent School District voters approved a $163.2 million bond package that impacts every student and every school. Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown praised the efforts of the Board of Trustees, the 2014 Bond Planning Committee, the Birdville Backers, and the BISD staff and community. “These groups spent countless hours working to communicate the facts about the needs across the district,” said Brown. “I thank each of you for your continued investment in the future of our children and our community.”

Congratulations to the BISD middle school singers

Congratulations to the BISD middle school singers who recently participated in the Texas Music Educators Association Region 5 Middle School Choir auditions.  More than 800 seventh- and eighth-grade choir members from Birdville, HEB, Mansfield and Arlington school districts competed for 233 chairs in the region Mixed or Honor Treble choirs.  Almost 40 percent of each region choir is filled with Birdville singers.  The region choirs will perform in a special concert at 5 p.m.  Nov. 15 at Martin High School.

2014 MS Region Mixed Choir

  • North Oaks MS:  Joshua Ahmed and Trent Jones
  • North Richland MS:  Bryce Beeson, Cade Braswell, Dylan Dodds, Caroline Durham, Alex Gonzalez, Jarred Gracy, Yamileth Mena-Rios, Simara Peyton, Maddie Whitlock and Jahari Williams
  • North Ridge MS:  Gilbert Morales and Preston Robertson
  • Richland MS:  Miguel Mendez
  • Smithfield MS:  Faith Adams, Ellen Ayers, Amanda Blackburn, John Blamey, Harrison Caltagirone, Riley Colton, Elijah Eastep, Darius Easter, Emma Everts, Kaleigh Farnan, Seth Goff, Cade Jankowski, Christian Jordan, Stephen Keil, Makena Krier, Amy Little, Sarah Reese, Lexi Rios, Christi Risenhoover, Ethan Robinson, Nick Rothe, Ashley Sanderson, Drake Sterling, Giovanni Valforte, Sarah Watkins, Samantha Whitington, Isabella Ybarra and Kendra Zitzman
  • Watauga MS:  Alaynna Barkley, Denyce Bustillos, Citlalic Dominguez, Mykel Estrello, Andrew Ferguson, Cassie Flowers, Gabbie Mallou, Michelle Martinez, Destyn Medina, Lucas Streanga, Noah Strickland, Joshua Vidal and Andru Wilson

2014 MS Region Honor Treble Choir

  • North Richland MS:  Madison Artist, Maddi Bazaldua, Haley Hanson, Emily Patrick, Alexius Pena and Yasmine Salah
  • North Ridge MS:  Maysen Garner and Caitlin Hoffman
  • Smithfield MS:  Jaclyn Beeter, Arianna Carrasco, Sierra Cope, Joy Johnson,  Addison Kahle, Morgan Martin, Lindsey McCallum, McKenna Neal, Kaylee Rademacher, Daisy Robeson, Gracie Sargent, Riley Sargent, Gabriella Snell, Lauren Wheeler and Katherine Wittner
  • Watauga MS: Libni Arroyo, Kaya Church, Cassie Dominguez, Amara Holcombe, Tran Le and Michelle Thai

Digital Learning Spotlight: North Ridge Middle School

Story by: BISD Digital Learning Department

dlspotlightthumbnailFeedback Based on Student Performance
Adam Hogg and Christy Upton were introduced to Kahoot by Julie Hyman, Secondary Social Studies Coordinator and Michael Hanson, Digital Learning Specialist. These teachers immediately started thinking of ways to incorporate this into their lessons. Kahoot is a a game-based interactive formative assessment tool that can be used by individual students or small groups. Students use their own electronic devices, or school-owned devices, to answer teacher-made questions with results displayed. Students have fun while learning because they receive immediate feedback and can track their progress toward learning goals.

Kahoot is a great tool for teachers to monitor students’ understanding of key concepts in real-time. Data can be downloaded after each class period to gauge students’ overall progress. The ability to immediately collect data digitally, allows teachers to close gaps in student learning and re-teach on the spot, as needed. PLC teams review and compare student data to make decisions regarding knowledge and understanding of the standards.

To remind students to bring their own devices, Christy and Adam use Remind.com to send text message reminders the day before class.

Congratulations to Adam and Christy for being recognized as Digital Learning Spotlight teachers. They will each receive a Dell Venue 8 Tablet for classroom use.

For more information about using Kahoot and other online formative assessment tools visit the Digital Learning Platform website at http://bisddlp.weebly.com/student-feedback.html.