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BISD Graduate Shines in the Workplace 

Congratulations to 2017 BISD graduate and former Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning (BCTAL) automotive technology student, Anastacia Clough, for being recognized at Freeman Toyota for earning her Master Diagnostic Technician certification. This is the highest certification level that a Toyota technician can achieve. Anastacia is the only female Master Technician in Gulf States Toyota. Gulf States Toyota represents all dealerships in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Anastacia is another reason #BISDShines. 

View the Video Presentation

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How to talk to your child when bad things happen:  A Message from BISD’s Counseling Services Team 

Holding Hands

Parents often wonder how to talk to their children when bad things happen and how much they should say. Having hard conversations is challenging, however, by having these difficult conversations we, as parents, ensure our children are hearing the correct message. Often children will hear stories from friends and see things on social media which allow them to create stories or worst-case scenarios in their heads. Your child will hear the news from someone, and it is important for parents to share their voice and reassurance, thus creating opportunities for deeper conversations and connections within the family. 

The Birdville ISD Counseling Services Department recommends the following tips to help parents talk to their children about when bad things happen: 

  • Listen to your child’s fears and concerns.  
  • This is big news and big news may have big emotions. Validate those emotions. It is ok to ask how they feel about what they have heard. 
  • It is important for them to feel safe. Reassure your child that his/her teachers and campus leaders are doing everything to keep them safe and that is why their schools have practice drills, so they can be prepared.  
  • Limit exposure to television and news. 
  • Be honest with your child(ren). Share as much information as is developmentally appropriate. For younger children, keep the message simple with less detail. With your older children, it is okay to share more details, address their feelings, and allow them to ask questions. 
  • Keep your routines as normal as possible and spend more time together as a family. 
  • Revisit this conversation after two or three days. 
  • Ask: How are you feeling? Do you have any new or different thoughts? Have you had any bad dreams or new fears? 
  • Look for changes in their sleep, play, other indicators, or increased anxiety. 

It is normal to have worries and be uncomfortable. Again, this is big news and there may be many feelings attached. Reassure your child that he or she can come to you at any time with any questions. You want to have open communication with your child so you can ensure they are receiving reliable information and answers. 

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s behavior, please feel free to reach out to your campus counselors or the counseling services department. Even though the school year is ending, Birdville ISD is still available to provide resources and support. 

Additional Resources: 

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Cómo hablar con su hijo cuando suceden cosas malas: un mensaje del equipo de servicios de asesoramiento de BISD 

Los padres a menudo se preguntan cómo hablar con sus hijos cuando suceden cosas malas y cuánto deben decir. Tener conversaciones difíciles es un desafío, sin embargo, al tener estas conversaciones difíciles, nosotros, como padres, nos aseguramos de que nuestros hijos escuchen el mensaje correcto. A menudo, los niños escucharán historias de amigos y verán cosas en las redes sociales que les permitirán crear historias o los peores escenarios en sus cabezas. Su hijo escuchará las noticias de alguien, y es importante que los padres compartan su voz y tranquilidad, creando así oportunidades para conversaciones y conexiones más profundas dentro de la familia. 

El Departamento de Servicios de Consejería de Birdville ISD recomienda los siguientes consejos para ayudar a los padres a hablar con sus hijos sobre cuándo suceden cosas malas: 

  • Escuche los temores y preocupaciones de su hijo. 
  • Esta es una gran noticia y una gran noticia puede tener grandes emociones. Valida esas emociones. Está bien preguntar cómo se sienten acerca de lo que han escuchado. 
  • Es importante que se sientan seguros. Asegúrele a su hijo que sus maestros y líderes escolares están haciendo todo lo posible para mantenerlos seguros y que es por eso que sus escuelas tienen simulacros de práctica, para que puedan estar preparados. 
  • Limite la exposición a la televisión y las noticias. 
  • Sea honesto con su(s) hijo(s). Comparta tanta información como sea apropiada para el desarrollo. Para los niños más pequeños, mantenga el mensaje simple con menos detalles. Con sus hijos mayores, está bien compartir más detalles, abordar sus sentimientos y permitirles hacer preguntas. 
  • Mantenga sus rutinas lo más normal posible y pasen más tiempo juntos como familia. 
  • Vuelva a revisar esta conversación después de dos o tres días. 
  • Pregunte: ¿Cómo te sientes? ¿Tienes pensamientos nuevos o diferentes? ¿Has tenido malos sueños o nuevos miedos? 
  • Este atento a cambios a la hora de dormir, juego, otros indicadores o aumento de la ansiedad. 

Es normal tener preocupaciones y sentirse incómodo. Nuevamente, esta es una gran noticia y puede haber muchos sentimientos asociados. Asegúrele a su hijo que él o ella puede acudir a usted en cualquier momento con cualquier pregunta. Desee tener una comunicación abierta con su hijo para asegurarse de que reciba información y respuestas confiables. 

Si tiene alguna inquietud con respecto al comportamiento de su hijo, no dude en comunicarse con los consejeros de su plantel o con el departamento de servicios de consejería. Aunque el año escolar está por terminar, Birdville ISD todavía está disponible para brindar recursos y apoyo. 

Recursos adicionales: 

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CHARLES BUTT FOUNDATION SELECTS BIRDVILLE ISD LEADER FOR HARVARD INSTITUTES 

– Cohort includes more than 85 school leaders from across Texas – 

Jennifer Perry, Ed.D., BISD’s director of teaching and learning, was among the 85 school leaders from across Texas selected as the 2022 cohort of educators to attend summer institutes at The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education sponsored by the Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this will be the first summer that the Charles Butt Foundation is able to send educators to participate in the Harvard program since the summer of 2019. Of the 85 educators, 45 were selected in 2020 but were not able to attend the program due to COVID restrictions. The other 40 educators represent the newest cohort selected in 2022. 

Attendees, including individual principals as well as campus teams, will participate in one of two weeklong workshops on leadership development, coaching, or school turnaround led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts. Each program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond. 

“Dr. Perry is a true professional example of how better thinking is the key to better leadership. She has a clear understanding of how shaping meaningful culture can inspire people toward a shared purpose,” Superintendent Dr. Gayle Stinson said. “I’m honored for her and for BISD … it is exciting when one of our own is recognized for their influence in the education arena. Harvard picked a winner!”  

With these new cohorts, the Charles Butt Foundation will have paid for more than 1,400 educators to attend training at Harvard through the Raising School Leaders program, an initiative designed to develop stronger school leaders who will enhance the quality of education across Texas. The Charles Butt Foundation covers all expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, hotel, and other discretionary costs for a total investment of more than $10 million since the program’s inception. 

“Great teachers, along with strong school and district leaders, represent the most significant influencers of academic achievement and supportive culture,” said Tim Miller, Director of Leadership Development at the Charles Butt Foundation. “Our alumni often report that their Harvard experience is the best professional development they have ever experienced and that they return to their campuses energized, inspired, and empowered to make meaningful change that benefits all students.” 

For every participant in the Harvard Institutes, the Charles Butt Foundation covers all expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, and hotel – investing on average about $9,200 per attendee, for a total of about $1 million in sponsorships for 2019, and more than $9 million since the program’s inception.  

Following the Harvard Institutes, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders and are empowered to work together to create change at the campus and district levels. Alumni are sponsored to attend the organization’s annual leadership symposium and receive continuous support and professional development. 

A list of all attendees from across Texas can be found here. 

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#BISDShines at the State Special Olympics Competition

Congratulations to the Birdville ISD Special Olympics Students that competed at the State Track Meet, May 12 – 15 at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, TX.

Nick Hidrago Richland High School 4th place in softball throw 1st place in 50 meter dash

Nick Hidrago
Richland High School
4th place in softball throw
1st place in 50 meter dash

Ivan Dunlap Richland High school 2nd in softball throw 2nd in 100 meter dash

Ivan Dunlap
Richland High school
2nd in softball throw
2nd in 100 meter dash

Shakeb Syed Birdville high school 2nd in softball throw 4th in 50 meter dash

Shakeb Syed
Birdville high school
2nd in softball throw
4th in 50 meter dash

Alan Marquez Haltom high school 1st in softball throw 4th in 200 meter dash

Alan Marquez
Haltom high school
1st in softball throw
4th in 200 meter dash

lia Cockerham – Unified Partner Ivan Dunlap Andy Marquez – Unified Partner Alan Marquez

Unified relay team – 4th place
Elia Cockerham – Unified Partner
Ivan Dunlap
Andy Marquez – Unified Partner
Alan Marquez