Santa & Friends Sold Out

The Santa & Friends performance for Friday, December 6 is sold out. No tickets will be available at the door.

Toys for Children

Dr. Montoya is sponsoring his annual Superintendent’s Holiday Toy Drive on December 4-18. Students, parents, employees, community organizations, and businesses are invited to donate new, unwrapped toys. The toys will be donated to local organizations that serve our neighbors in need including the BISD Homeless Youth Project. View more information.

Scientists at Work

Several hundred district middle school scientists will participate in the annual BISD Middle School Science Fair on Saturday, December 7. Special thanks to Principal Carla Pereira and her staff for hosting this important secondary scientific competition.

BECHS Senior Earns Gold

Blanca Estrada, a senior at the Brownsville Early College High School, received a gold award from The Hispanic Heritage Foundation. She was one of the 15 award recipients at the Houston Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards ceremony this fall. As the gold medalist in the engineering and mathematics category sponsored by ExxonMobil, Blanca was awarded $3,000 to support her plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.

New School Buses on the Road

On Thursday, December 5 at 10 AM, Brownsville ISD displayed several new school buses in the parking lot of the Administration Building located at 1900 Price Road. Representatives from the district’s Transportation Department were available to comment. District officials took decisive action to replace over one fourth of its 300 bus fleet last school year. As a result, the district recently took delivery of 18 new special needs buses. Another 42 regular buses are also starting to arrive and 12 additional regular buses will be delivered later in the year for a total of 72 buses. All the new buses are manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. out of Raleigh, North Carolina. The $6.4 million school bus upgrade was approved by the Board of Trustees last May. The district is also implementing an automatic bus replacement schedule to ensure a continual upgrade of the entire school district bus fleet over the next few years. View the press release.

Scientist at Work

Several hundred district middle school scientists will participate in the annual BISD Middle School Science Fair on Saturday, December 7. Special thanks to Principal Carla Pereira and her staff for hosting this important secondary scientific competition.

BECHS Senior Earns Gold

Blanca Estrada, a senior at the Brownsville Early College High School, received a gold award from The Hispanic Heritage Foundation. She was one of the 15 award recipients at the Houston Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards ceremony this fall. As the gold medalist in the engineering and mathematics category sponsored by ExxonMobil, Blanca was awarded $3,000 to support her plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.

New School Buses on the Road

On Thursday, December 5 at 10 AM, Brownsville ISD displayed several new school buses in the parking lot of the Administration Building located at 1900 Price Road. Representatives from the district’s Transportation Department were available to comment. District officials took decisive action to replace over one fourth of its 300 bus fleet last school year. As a result, the district recently took delivery of 18 new special needs buses. Another 42 regular buses are also starting to arrive and 12 additional regular buses will be delivered later in the year for a total of 72 buses. All the new buses are manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. out of Raleigh, North Carolina. The $6.4 million school bus upgrade was approved by the Board of Trustees last May. The district is also implementing an automatic bus replacement schedule to ensure a continual upgrade of the entire school district bus fleet over the next few years. View the press release.

BISD Goes Paperless on Check Stubs in January

Beginning on January 6, 2014, Brownsville ISD will no longer issue check stubs to employees in conjunction with direct deposit on payday. All employees will have access to a computer and printer at their campus or department work locations to view or print their own payroll or benefit information including a check stub from the Employee Online feature located on the BISD homepage. For assistance logging into Employee Online, call the Business Software Help Desk at 698-1254.

Breeden is Water Smart

Breeden Elementary School is the overall district winner of the “Get Water! School Challenge!” Breeden had 100 % participation in the number of pledge forms completed by parents for the kindergarten - 5th grade enrollment. Parents pledged to drink more water and less sugary beverages. Breeden Elementary will receive a Hydration Station as the district winner. Three other BISD elementary schools, Gallegos, 76%; Paredes, 52%; and Burns, 46%; are to be commended on their efforts to secure parent pledges. The School of Public Health, Brownsville Regional Campus, awarded water bottles to those who returned their pledges.

Band Students Break Records

BISD high school band students continued to set the standard by earning 154 chairs in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 28 All Region High School Bands. More than half the available chairs went to BISD students who also earned 202 district patches. In addition, a record 101 BISD band students advanced to 5A Area or Pre-Area competition. Pre-Area will be held on December 3 at Rivera High School and Area will be held in Alice, Texas on January 12, 2014. The TMEA Region 28 All-Region Concert will be held on Friday, December 13 at 7 pm at the Harlingen CISD Performing Arts Center. View results by campus.

The Magic of Christmas

There are still a few tickets available for the three public performances of Santa & Friends on December 4, 5 and 6 at 7pm at the Central Administrative Building (CAB) auditorium. Tickets are $5 and must be paid for in cash at the Fine Arts Department located behind the BISD Wellness Fitness Center. Children 2 years of age and younger are free. Seating is limited and tickets may not be available at the door. This year’s show is “The Magic of Christmas.” Toy donations to the Annual Superintendent’s Holiday Toy Drive are welcome. Call 982-3730 for more information.

Inventing for the Future

Brownsville ISD hosted the annual Brainsville Inventions Competition on Saturday, November 16 at Oliveira Middle School. Over 200 students participated in the event. View the article that ran in The Brownsville Herald on Sunday, November 17. View the lists of winners and judges.

STAMP Taking Applications for Next Year

The Science Technology, Architecture, and Medical Professions (STAMP) College Preparatory Program at Veterans Memorial High School is currently taking applications for the 2014-2015 school year. The first round application deadline is Thursday, December 19. The second round deadline is Friday, February 21. Click here to view the program’s website.

STAMP Taking Applications for Next Year

The Science Technology, Architecture, and Medical Professions (STAMP) College Preparatory Program at Veterans Memorial High School is currently taking applications for the 2014-2015 school year. The first round application deadline is Thursday, December 19. The second round deadline is Friday, February 21. Click here to view the program’s website.

Young Scientists at Work

The annual BISD Elementary Science Fair was held on Saturday, November 9 at four different middle schools, Faulk, Manzano, Stillman and Vela. Over 480 science fair projects were entered into this year’s competition. Special thanks to the hosting schools and the over 100 judges who assisted. View the list of 1st place winners and the science fair judges.

Inventing for the Future

Brownsville ISD hosted the annual Brainsville Inventions Competition on Saturday, November 16 at Oliveira Middle School. Over 200 students participated in the event. View the article that ran in The Brownsville Herald on Sunday, November 17. View the lists of winners and judges.

STAMP Taking Applications for Next Year

The Science Technology, Architecture, and Medical Professions (STAMP) College Preparatory Program at Veterans Memorial High School is currently taking applications for the 2014-2015 school year. The first round application deadline is Thursday, December 19. The second round deadline is Friday, February 21. Click here to view the program’s website.

Young Scientists at Work

The annual BISD Elementary Science Fair was held on Saturday, November 9 at four different middle schools, Faulk, Manzano, Stillman and Vela. Over 480 science fair projects were entered into this year’s competition. Special thanks to the hosting schools and the over 100 judges who assisted. View the list of 1st place winners and the science fair judges.

BISD Mobile Website

Brownsville ISD has a mobile-sized version of the district’s website designed especially for access with today’s smart phones. It features the most popular content on the district’s website. Students, parents, employees, and community members can stay up to date with the latest district news and information anywhere, anytime. To access the mobile site, simply navigate your phone to the district’s website address, www.bisd.us, and you will be automatically redirected to the mobile website. You may also go to google.com or another internet search engine and search for Brownsville ISD. Give it a try and don’t forget to save the district’s new mobile site to your list of favorites.

On a Roll

BISD choir students won more than 50% of the available chairs in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region and Pre-Area competition held on Saturday, November 9 at Porter High School. In addition, BISD students won more than 50% of the highly competitive and coveted first chairs. The Pre-Area students will now advance to Area Audition in Rockport-Fulton on January 11. All the students who auditioned this past weekend will participate in the TMEA District and Region Choir Concert on Saturday, November 16 at 6 pm in the new Harlingen CISD Performing Arts Center located at 3217 W. Wilson Road. The concert is free and open to the public.

Making Music

The 8th Annual BISD Estudiantina Contest was held on Wednesday, November 6 in the CAB auditorium. All six BISD high school estudiantinas gave strong performances with Hanna, Lopez, Rivera and Veterans Memorial earning Superior ratings. The Pace and Porter Estudiantinas earned Excellent ratings. The judges selected the Veterans Memorial High School group as the overall Grand Champion and awarded the school the Maria Aurora Arrese Memorial Trophy for 2013. This trophy is presented each year in tribute to Arrese who pioneered the Estudiantina Program in BISD. She began the program after school at Pace High School while she worked as a piano accompanist for the choral program. Today, over 1,000 BISD high school students participate in district estudiantinas. Congratulations to the students, teachers, and parents on their outstanding performances at the annual district competition.

BISD Administrator Featured on Local Program

Gracie Luna, the assistant principal at Paredes Elementary School, was the subject of a Con Mi Gente story which aired this week on KRGV TV. View the program.

Foundation Gifts Faulk Middle School

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation has selected Faulk Middle School to receive a donation of 27 musical instruments valued at $25,685.00 for the 2013-2014 school year. The donation is made possible through generous funding from the NAMM Foundation, an organization dedicated to advocacy efforts that work to keep music education strong. The Faulk Band will receive 3 new trombones, 1 new bari saxophone, 1 new tenor saxophone, 5 new trumpets, 1 new bass clarinet, 7 new clarinets, 6 refurbished clarinets, 2 refurbished flutes, and 1 refurbished alto saxophone. In addition, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation entered into a Commitment to Music Education Partnership with Brownsville ISD. The essence of this partnership is to work together to support, sustain and enhance music education in Brownsville public schools.

BISD Goes Paperless on Check Stubs in January

The start date has been delayed by a couple of months. Beginning on January 6, 2014, Brownsville ISD will no longer issue check stubs to employees in conjunction with direct deposit on payday. All employees will have access to a computer and printer at their campus or department work locations to view or print their own payroll or benefit information including a check stub from the Employee Online feature located on the BISD homepage. For assistance logging into Employee Online, call the Business Software Help Desk at 698-1254.

Board Approves Amended Calendar

The BISD Board of Trustees approved an amended 2013-2014 instructional calendar at the meeting held on November 5. The district had submitted a request for a waiver day to the Texas Education Agency for the September 16 district closure due to inclement weather. The request was denied. A DEIC calendar committee recommended extending the school year by one more day at the end of the year. The new Board approved calendar reflects the following: •Last day for students will be June 6, 2014 (1/2 day, AM only) instead of June 5, 2014. •Teacher Preparation Day will be June 6, 2014 (1/2 day, PM) and June 7, 2014 (1/2 day, AM) •Graduation ceremonies will begin June 8, 2014 and continue through June 14, 2014. View the amended BISD calendar.

BISD Students Cast Their Votes

On Monday, October 28, children across Brownsville began casting their votes in the 2013 Kids Voting Brownsville (KVB) election. Each year, KVB holds a mock election based on the local, state and/or national elections for that year. By Thursday, October 31, approximately 30,000 Brownsville children, many of them BISD students, had cast their electronic vote at their respective campuses. Students in grades kindergararten-3 voted on items such as their favorite fruit or food. Students in grades 4-12 voted on select propositions that appear on the November 2013 Constitutional Amendment ballot. Voting ended on Friday, November 1 at 4 pm at all campuses. The KVB elections provide a way for young people to become educated in the voting process while learning that local and state elections are just as important as the national ones. View the results by campuses. Elementary | Middle School | High School

Family Assistance

The Buckner Children & Family Services STAR Program provides group skills-based training to children and youth 0-17 years of age and their families that is designed to reduce/prevent runaway problems, truancy and delinquent youth behaviors. The services include screening/intake, crisis prevention, counseling services, skilled-based training presentation, case management, case follow-up, and outreach. Services are free of charge and are provided through home visits, office visits, and school and community visits by professional staff. For more information, call (956) 423-7909, extension 222.

BISD Earns Highest Fiscal Rating

Brownsville ISD officials announced that the school district received the top rating of “Superior Achievement” under the Texas Schools FIRST financial accountability rating system. The Superior Achievement rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Brownsville ISD’s financial management and reporting system . This is the district’s 11th top rating in the Schools FIRST (Financial Accountability Rating System of Texas), a financial accountability system for Texas school districts developed by the Texas Education Agency in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999. The primary goal of Schools FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of school districts’ financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system. View the entire release.

Santa is Coming!

Tickets for the nightly performances of Santa & Friends went on sale Friday, November 1 at the Department of Fine Arts located at 708 Palm Boulevard behind the BISD Wellness Center. Evening performances are scheduled on December 3, 4 & 6 at the Central Administrative Building (CAB) auditorium. Tickets are $5 per person and must be paid for in cash. Children 2 years of age and under are free. Everyone is encouraged to purchase their tickets early as seating is limited. Tickets may not be available at the door. This year’s show is “The Magic of Christmas.” Toy donations to the Annual Superintendent’s Holiday Toy Drive are welcome. Call 982-3730 for more information.

Band Students Earn Most Chairs

BISD high school band students earned 17 of the 27 available chairs at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 28 Orchestra auditions held on Tuesday, October 29 at Harlingen High School. BISD students also earned 7 of the 12 available first chairs. A total of 12 BISD students will advance to the TMEA area audition to compete for chairs in the All-State Orchestra. The All-Region Orchestra will perform in concert on Saturday, November 23 at the Harlingen CISD Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to our outstanding high school musicians and their directors. View the results by school.

BISD Tops in Vocals

BISD choir students competed in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Middle School Choir Solo and Ensemble Contest in San Benito, Texas on Saturday, October 26. The BISD students earned more superior ratings than any other school district in the region. Congratulations to our vocal students and their directors. View the results by school.

BISD Students Cast Their Votes

On Monday, October 28, children across Brownsville began casting their votes in the 2013 Kids Voting Brownsville (KVB) election. Each year, KVB holds a mock election based on the local, state and/or national elections for that year. By Thursday, October 31, approximately 30,000 Brownsville children, many of them BISD students, had cast their electronic vote at their respective campuses. Students in grades kindergararten-3 voted on items such as their favorite fruit or food. Students in grades 4-12 voted on select propositions that appear on the November 2013 Constitutional Amendment ballot. Voting ends on Friday, November 1 at 4 pm at all campuses. The KVB elections provide a way for young people to become educated in the voting process while learning that local and state elections are just as important as the national ones.

Public Comment on Porter

The public is invited to comment on the Porter High School Targeted Improvement Plan during a public hearing to be held at the Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 5:30 pm in the Brownsville ISD Boardroom located at 1900 Price Road. TEC 39.106 requires a public hearing since Porter High School received an Improvement Required performance rating in the 2013 state accountability system. Click here to view Porter’s Improvement Plan.

Honoring Veterans

Several BISD schools will have students participate in the Annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9 at 1 pm. The parade will begin at Porter High School, proceed down Coolidge Street to Southmost Road concluding at Cromack Elementary School which is located at the corner of Southmost Road and 30th Street. The Veterans Day Parade is sponsored by the Southmost Veterans Day Parade Committee and the City of Brownsville to honor the brave men and woman who have served or are serving in the United States armed forces. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be held on Sunday, November 10.

Uniting Universal Languages

Brownsville ISD, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Colegio de Educación de Matamoros present the 20th Bi-National Conference to be held on Friday, October 25 from 4-7 pm and Saturday, October 26 from 9 am – 3:30 pm at the Veterans Memorial High School auditorium. Distinguished keynote speakers and over 30 presenters from the three organizations will share education trends in the areas of mathematics, writing and educational technology skills that support the needs of English language learners. For more information, call the BISD Bilingual Department at (956) 548-8271. View the Bi-National Conference program here.

BISD Bands March Into History

All six BISD high school marching bands earned 1st Division, Superior ratings at the Annual Pigskin Marching Competition held on Saturday, October 19 at the San Benito Stadium. This is the first time in the 75 year history of the district’s band program that all bands earned top ratings. BISD bands competed against 24 UIL Region 28 schools for ratings from 1 to 5 on the level of mastery demonstrated in their performances. BISD schools gave exceptional, stand-out performances. Congratulations to the students, directors, parents, administrators, and Board Trustees who support this outstanding program. View the BISD results.

We Love Our Campus Leaders

Texas Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed October 2013 as “Principals Month” in Texas. Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya, Board Trustees, and all Brownsville Independent School District stakeholders sincerely appreciate our elementary and campus administrators. The school leadership they provide is vital to the success of all district students. We applaud the positive difference that BISD school leaders make on student achievement in Brownsville. Thank you. View the Governor’s proclamation.

Way To Go!

BISD employees generously donated $309,492.96 to the district’s 2013 United Way campaign. Campus by campus, department by department, employees contributed so that the United Way of Southern Cameron County can continue providing support services to our local community. Thank you BISD employees for your strong support of this organization.

Conserving Energy at VMHS

Veterans Memorial High School is the site of a small-scale wind and solar energy demonstration project funded by a $240,000 grant from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Brownsville ISD received the grant award in April to purchase and install the renewable energy equipment used in the project. BISD contributed another $48,000 in matching funds which the district should recover in energy savings over the next 4 years. The equipment is expected to be fully operational by the end of October. Read the entire release.

Sick Leave Enrollment

BISD maintains a voluntary sick leave bank to assist employees in the event of a catastrophic illness that affects an employee or immediate family member. BISD employees who are currently enrolled in the sick leave bank will be automatically enrolled for next year. Employees who wish to enroll for the first time or discontinue membership must submit a form to the Human Resources Department, 1900 Price Road, Suite #106. The enrollment period is October 1 – November 22, 2013. No late applications will be accepted. For questions, call 548-8051, 548-8031, or 698-1244. Download an application here.

View Grades Online

Brownsville ISD sponsors the Home Access Center (HAC), an online software that keeps parents informed about their child’s academic progress at school. Using a simple login, parents can view grades and assignments for each course their child is enrolled in at school. To gain access, a parent/guardian must register and sign a user agreement at their child’s campus. School personnel will verify the information on the form and establish an account. Parents should contact the campus with questions regarding the Home Access Center.

BISD Acts on Bus Concerns

Posted October 10, 2013 BISD Acts on Bus Concerns Brownsville ISD officials are taking swift action in light of a second incident involving a school bus on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. At approximately 4:30 PM on FM 802 and South Padre Island Highway, Bus #447 experienced a fire in the engine compartment. The driver reported to the transportation dispatcher that smoke was emitting from the bus dashboard. The bus had 30 Rivera High School students on board at the time. The students and driver were safely evacuated and the driver was able to extinguish the fire. The bus was manufactured by International Corporation. Read the entire release.

BISD Teacher Named CATCH Champ

The University of Texas Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Team has selected Yolanda Cortinas, an Ortiz Elementary physical education teacher, as one of seven Texas CATCH Champions of the Year for 2013. Ms. Cortinas was selected for this award based on her dedication to creating healthy environments for children. She will be joined by six other CATCH Champions from schools, districts, and communities in Texas who will be honored on Thursday, December 5 at the Sheraton Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

Hanna Tennis Playoffs

The Hanna High School Tennis Team, led by Head Coach Terry Hoover, will compete in the UIL Area Team Tennis Tournament on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 at a site to be determined. This will mark the first time that an Area Team Tennis Tournament will be played since the area round just took effect this school year. Previously, the top two teams from each district would advance to the 16-team regional tournament. Now, only 8 teams will advance to regional competition. Go Hanna Eagles!

A Tradition of Excellence, 1915-2013

For 98 years, Brownsville ISD has provided a quality education for our community’s children. The addition of more students and schools has not changed that mission. Every BISD campus from the historic Putegnat Elementary School to the recently constructed Daniel Breeden campus has a fascinating history. Click here and select a BISD school to learn more.

Believe in BISD and Win

Brownsville ISD continues to roll out additional components of the district’s new Believe in BISD campaign which is designed to improve student attendance and increase enrollment. Sincere thanks to Cardenas Autoplex, Inc. for the generous donation of a new 2014 Mazda 3 which will be used as an incentive in the BISD Perfect Attendance Car Giveaway for high school students. The car will be on display at Sams Stadium during all high school football games. Beginning Monday, October 7, 2013, BISD high school students in good standing with perfect attendance may be eligible to win this Mazda 3 in June 2014. View the contest details.

October is Pigskin

It’s time for Pigskin! Make plans to attend the 71st Annual UIL Pigskin Marching Competition on Saturday, October 19 at the San Benito High School Football Stadium. The 5A bands will begin performing at approximately 7 pm. Tickets are $8 and can be obtained from any high school band director beginning October 7 or at the stadium gate on the day of the performance. Seats sold by the band directors are grouped together by campus. Everyone is invited to support the BISD marching bands from Hanna, Lopez, Pace, Porter, Rivera and Veterans Memorial High Schools. BISD marching band students have been preparing for Pigskin since June and they are ready to entertain you with an enjoyable evening of music, dance, and precision. View the entire Pigskin schedule.

BISD Goes Paperless on Check Stubs

The addition of the new Employee Online feature, located on the BISD homepage, provides employees with an opportunity to access their own payroll and benefit information with just a few clicks on the computer. Beginning on Friday, November 1, 2013, Brownsville ISD will no longer issue check stubs to employees in conjunction with direct deposit on payday. All employees will have access to a computer and printer at their campus or department work locations to view or print their own payroll or benefit information including a check stub. BISD is going green on check stubs to save on paper and other district resources. For assistance logging onto Employee Online, call the Business Software Help Desk at 698-1254.

BISD Welcomes the State Commissioner of Education

The Texas Commissioner of Education, Michael L. Williams, will visit Brownsville ISD on Thursday, October 3 as part of his “Texas Tour” of public schools. His visit will be led by District 2 State Board of Education member and Brownsville resident Ruben Cortez, Jr. Commissioner Williams and Cortez, accompanied by Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya, will visit Yturria Elementary School at 9:15 am where Williams will address the BISD elementary principals. A little after 10 am, Williams and his entourage will visit Veterans Memorial High School to look at career and technology education programs. The Commissioner will visit schools in four Rio Grande Valley districts on Thursday. View the entire media release.

Garden Park Teacher GT Advocate

Dora Garcia, a 5th grade teacher at Garden Park Elementary, was selected by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) as the 2013 Gulf Coast Area Advocate for the Gifted. The TAGT Gulf Coast Area consists of five of the state’s Education Service Center Regions making Garcia’s recognition even more significant. She will be recognized during the 2013 TAGT Annual Conference scheduled on December 4-6 in Houston, Texas. This state recognition highlights Dora Garcia’s dedication and devotion to her students.

Topping the Charts

Brownsville ISD high school choir students once again established supremacy at the Region 28 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) District Auditions with 76 students qualifying to advance in competition. Hundreds of mid and lower Rio Grande Valley choir students competed on Saturday, September 28 at Rivera High School. Rivera High School topped the Brownsville list with 21 students earning high marks followed closely by Veterans Memorial with 20 students and Hanna with 17. Pace had 8 students who advanced and Porter had 5. Pace’s Yarlett Navarro earned Soprano I. Congratulations to these students and their directors on a successful debut.

BISD Welcomes the State Commissioner of Education

The Texas Commissioner of Education, Michael L. Williams, will visit Brownsville ISD on Thursday, October 3 as part of his “Texas Tour” of public schools. His visit will be led by District 2 State Board of Education member and Brownsville resident Ruben Cortez, Jr. Commissioner Williams and Cortez, accompanied by Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya, will visit Yturria Elementary School at 9:15 am where Williams will address the BISD elementary principals. A little after 10 am, Williams and his entourage will visit Veterans Memorial High School to look at career and technology education programs. The Commissioner will visit schools in four Rio Grande Valley districts on Thursday.

BISD Board Meets Monthly

At the meeting held on September 17, 2013, BISD Board Trustees approved changing Policy BE (Local) to hold only one regular Board Meeting per month rather than two. Beginning on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, the BISD Board will hold regular meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm in the Administration Building Boardroom located at 1900 Price Road. Agendas are posted in the lobby and outside display case of the Administration Building at least 72 hours before regular meetings. Meeting agendas are provided for visitors at the entrance of the Boardroom. Special meetings are called as needed and agendas are posted at least 72 hours in advance. Emergency meetings require a two-hour notice. All meetings are open to the public, except when the Board adjourns for closed meetings to discuss personnel matters, litigation, and property acquisition.

Hanna Choir to Perform for TMEA Statewide Conference

The Hanna Varsity Men’s Choir has been invited to perform for the 2014 Texas Music Educators Association Convention (TMEA) in San Antonio, Texas this coming February. The Hanna Men’s Choir is honored to be the first high school choir from Brownsville ISD as well as the first Men’s Choir from South Texas to perform for this esteemed group of professional musicians and educators. The Varsity Men’s Choir was the only high school men's choir selected to perform at this year’s convention from over 120 recordings submitted. The performance is scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Hanna High School Varsity Men’s Choir will sing a half-hour concert at the convention. The performance will feature two songs specifically written for the occasion by Dr. Z. Randall Stroope (Oklahoma State University) and Dr. Thomas Juneau (St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, PA). Both selections are being dedicated to the choir and written specifically for their TMEA performance. Dr. Stroope is one of the most critically acclaimed choral composers and Dr. Juneau is a native Texan whose choral works have brought wide acclaim throughout the country. Read more.

Mireles Honored as a Hero for Children

The State Board of Education (SBOE) recognized 17 Texans, including BISD’s own Eloisa Mireles, for collectively providing more than 100 years of volunteer service to Texas public schools at the SBOE meeting held on Friday, September 20 in Austin. View the entire new release.

Flu Prevention

Flu season is already here and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend 3 actions to fight it. BISD employees are also eligible for free flu shots. View the 2013-2014 BISD employee flu shot schedule and the CDC recommendations in English and Spanish.

State First Place for Ballroom Dancers

BISD secondary ballroom dancers earned first place at the Texarama State Team Match held in Galveston on Friday, September 13. A total of 110 BISD dancers faced heavy competition from Fred Astaire Dance Studios from Clear Lake, Katy, Lake Houston, Cypress, Champions, Ft. Worth, Sugarland, River Oaks, and The Woodlands. The judges and audience were taken by the talent and enthusiasm of BISD’s talented ballroom dancers who continue to earn statewide recognition on the dance floor. Congratulations to our students and their supportive and dedicated teachers and parents.

BISD Employee Online

A new feature, Employee Online, has been added to the district’s homepage under “Employment.” BISD employees can now view their own payroll and benefits information with just a few clicks. In order to set up an Employee Online account, BISD users will need their employee ID number as the user ID and Social Security Number without hyphens as the password for the first time. Once this information is entered, the system will prompt employees to change their passwords. Once the password is set, employees should record it somewhere safe because the password cannot be retrieved. If you need help logging in, call the Business Software Help Desk at 698-1254. View the guidelines and link to the new BISD Employee Online System.

Walk Rescheduled

Due to possible inclement weather, the 5th BISD Walk for the Future scheduled for Saturday, September 14th has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 21st.

2013-2014 BISD Calendar Amended

At the Board Meeting held on September 3, BISD trustees approval amending the 2013-2014 instructional calendar to include a Memorial Day Holiday on May 26, 2014. As a result, the last day of school for students was adjusted to June 5, 2014 and the teacher preparation day was moved to June 6, 2014. The high school graduation schedule was also changed. View the amended calendar.

Public Meeting on Budget and Tax Rate

Brownsville ISD will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at 5:30 pm in the Administration Building Board Room to discuss the school district’s budget which will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited. View more information.

BISD Continues Provision 2 Free Meals

Students of the Brownsville Independent School District will continue to receive a free breakfast and lunch under the Special Assistance Provision 2 program during the 2013–2014 School Year. Additional meals and a la carte menu items will also be available at a nominal price. The Food & Nutrition Service Department encourages students to take advantage of the free meals and low-cost, nutritious a la carte items. The FNS Department is fully committed to implementing the USDA’s School Meals Initiative and complying with the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans through a variety of meal planning approaches. The menus are planned to include a variety of well-balanced foods and are designed to increase the consumption of grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as other food sources rich in essential vitamins and minerals. The FNS Department shall continue to build upon the standard of quality that the community has come to expect and ensure that the Dietary Guidelines are met. Menus will be available to students at the cafeterias. Parents may contact the FNS Department regarding any concerns or questions on the program at 956-548-8450 or on the web at http://www.bisd.us/foodservices.

The White House Comes to Brownsville

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics (WHIEEH) and the Brownsville Independent School District (ISD) will hold a Roundtable on Hispanic Educational Achievement with Brownsville ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carl Montoya, WHIEEH Executive Director Alejandra Ceja, and other key leaders at 12:30-1:30 pm, Wednesday, September 4th, at Daniel Breeden Elementary School in Brownsville, Texas. This event is part of the WHIEEH 2013 Back-to-school Texas Tour. The tour is making nine stops throughout South and West Texas to engage community leaders in discussions about education and Hispanics. With over 54 million people, Hispanics are the largest minority group in the nation, and one of the youngest populations. It is clear that America's economic success is inextricably linked with the success of the Hispanic community. We must expand opportunities and improve outcomes for Hispanic students to meet President Obama's education goals - to have the best-educated, most competitive workforce in the world. At the roundtable, you will hear about the President’s education agenda – particularly in Hispanic educational achievement, and also be asked to share your insights about successful efforts in your community and issues of concern to inform education policy-making in Washington. View the media release.

Reporting Allegations of Bullying

Brownsville ISD prohibits bullying on school property, at school-sponsored or school-related activities, or in any vehicle operated by the district. Bullying may be verbal or written expression or expression through electronic means, or physical conduct. Bullying is not tolerated by the district and any student or parent of a student who believes that the student or another student has experienced bullying or that a student has engaged in bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited. Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, counselor, principal or other district employee. Students or parents may contact the district to obtain an incident report form that may be used to submit the complaint. Please note that after submission of the complaint to the district employee, the district may assign the complaint to a campus administrator to follow up on the submitted complaint and any other important matters pertaining to the complaint. We encourage you to communicate with your designated campus administrator during this time. More information about the district’s bullying policy can be found at http://pol.tasb.org/Policy/ of the campus administration office.

State Award for BISD Volunteer

Eloisa Mireles, a parent volunteer at Burns Elementary and Vela Middle School, has been selected for recognition as a Hero for Children by the State Board of Education (SBOE). Ms. Mireles, who has volunteered in BISD for over 20 years, is one of 15 volunteers who will be honored at the SBOE meeting on Friday, September 20 in Austin, Texas. She will receive a certificate and resolution. Mireles began volunteering while her children attended school and continued after they left. She has served on numerous district and campus committees, assisted as an office receptionist, prepared materials for teachers, recruited new families/volunteers, and performed many other duties that benefit students. Her contagious enthusiasm, responsible attitude, friendly demeanor, and professional manner have made Eloisa Mireles a role model for all volunteers. Congratulations to her and our many other BISD parents who generously donate their time each year.

BISD Open for Labor Day

All BISD campuses and offices will be OPEN on Monday, September 2, Labor Day.

Making History

The South Texas Cubs, composed of several BISD elementary students, diligently worked their way through a series of tournaments to compete at the Pony South Zone World Series in Schertz, Texas on July 24-27. The Cubs won first place and finished with a 32-0 winning record in the Shetland (Tball) Division making Brownsville history by earning two titles. Congratulations to these fine young athletes.

Incentive Pay for Classified Personnel with Degrees

On June 18, the Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees approved an incentive of $200.00 for classified employees who have an Associate’s Degree and $250.00 for classified employees with a Bachelor’s Degree. The incentives will be paid in two increments, December and May. Eligible classified employees may apply for the incentive pay by submitting a completed Salary Credit Enrollment form with an official transcript including degree notation to the Human Resources Department by Monday, September 30 at 5 pm. The Salary Credit Enrollment forms may be picked up in the Human Resources Department.

Brownsville Baseball News

The Brownsville All-Star Team, composed of several BISD students , is competing at the Pony League World Series in Washington, Pennsylvania.

3 Top State Awards for 21st CCLC

Brownsville ISD’s 21st Century Community Learning Center Program (21st CCLC) was awarded 3 of 5 of the most prestigious awards in the State of Texas at the 3rd Annual Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) Awards Ceremony held in Austin on August 8, 2013. First and foremost, the program was selected by the Texas Education Agency to receive the 2013 PRIME Award which recognizes the top ACE school districts in the state for their efforts to align their strategies and activities with the Texas ACE PRIME Blueprint. Additionally, the district’s 21st CCLC Program, Cycle 7, received the state’s 2013 Most Innovative Family Engagement Activity Award for the Boys’ and Girls’ Leadership Symposium which were held in Brownsville in Spring 2013. Lastly, Dr. Sylvia P. Atkinson, the Assistant Superintendent for Support Services who oversees this program, received 2013 recognition as the Top Administrator in Texas for her support and leadership of the district’s 21st CCLC Program, Cycle 6. Over the past 5 years, BISD has received almost $20 million in 21st CCLC grants to create and expand out-of-school-time programs. The 21st CCLC program serves approximately 4,437 BISD students at 37 campuses.

11 Schools Earn State’s Highest Honors

A total of 11 BISD campuses that recently achieved the Met Standard rating in the new state accountability system also earned a triple distinction designation in 3 potential areas: top 25 percent student progress, academic achievement in reading/english language arts, and academic achievement in mathematics. Only 759 schools out of 3,600 across Texas that Met Standard earned this designation. The BISD schools are: Brownsville Early College High School Resaca Elementary School Faulk Middle School Sharp Elementary School Stillman Middle School Victoria Heights Elementary School Ortiz Middle School Vermillion Elementary School Paredes Elementary School Yturria Elementary School Pullam Elementary School BISD’s number of triple designation campuses places it at the top of the Rio Grande Valley. Brownsville ranks higher than several large Texas school districts including Alief (9), Corpus Christi (5), El Paso (8), Fort Worth (7), Northside (10), San Antonio (8), and Ysleta (10). Brownsville tied with Austin ISD at 11 campuses. Congratulations to the students, parents and employees at these 11 schools.

54 BISD Schools Earn Top Rating

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) officially released the 2013 state accountability ratings today bringing good news for 54 BISD schools. This is the first year that the state is using its new, performance index-based approach to academic accountability. The 2013 ratings generally apply one of two labels to district and campus performance, “Met Standard” or “Improvement Required.” All BISD campuses, with one exception, earned the higher “Met Standard” rating by meeting three applicable index targets at the elementary and middle school levels and four targets at the high school level. Brownsville ISD earned a district designation of “Met Standard” by meeting index targets in all four areas. The four index targets are: Index 1-Student Achievement, Index 2-Student Progress, Index 3-Closing Performance Gaps, and Index 4-Postsecondary Readiness. Porter High School missed the Index 2-Student Performance target earning the campus a “Improvement Required” performance rating. “We have worked hard to make the transition to this new system. These ratings indicate that we are on the right track. We will use this performance data to continue to make improvements in our system,” stated Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya. “We are dedicated to one goal, improving student academic performance and preparing students to be college and career-ready.”

Trustee Resignation

With regret, the Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Dr. Christina L. Saavedra, Board Assistant Secretary, at the August 6 regularly scheduled meeting. Saavedra has assumed a full-time principal position at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in San Antonio for the 2013-2014 academic year. “Dr. Saavedra has been an invaluable school board trustee. We have all benefitted from her extensive knowledge and expertise in education, especially in the area of curriculum and instruction. Her positive attitude and wise counsel will certainly be missed by everyone in our district. We know that she will be extremely successful in her new position,” said Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya. In other action, the Board approved Cesar Lopez to serve the remainder of Saavedra’s term which expires in November of 2014. Lopez is currently employed as the Mercedes ISD purchasing agent. He is a former BISD employee having served as a bid control accountant in the Purchasing Department for 3 years.

Back to Back Presidents

A Veterans Memorial High School student, Crystal Sandoval, has made history by recently being elected as the national SkillsUSA President. Sandoval replaces Sergio Cavazos, another Veterans Memorial student, who was elected SkillsUSA President last year. Never before has this organization had “back to back” presidents from the same state, school district and high school. SkillsUSA is the largest student organization in the country with over 330,000 members. SkillsUSA’s mission is to help its members become world-class workers, leaders and citizens. The Veterans Memorial program advisor is Joe Valdez.

Texas Tax Free Weekend

Tax Free Weekend in Texas is scheduled one week earlier this year on August 9-11. Check out the details and fine print here.

Early College Expansion

Brownsville ISD will significantly expand early college opportunities to 9 secondary campuses this year thanks to a multi-million dollar Investing in Innovation (i3) Grant. The grant will fund an Early College Expansion Partnership (ECEP) with Educate Texas and Jobs for the Future. This partnership will prepare thousands of students at Hanna, Pace and Rivera High Schools and Garcia, Manzano, Oliveira, Perkins, Stell and Vela Middle Schools for college and career success over the next 5 years. To learn more about this bold and effective new program which begins Monday, August 26, contact Dina Chavez, ECEP (i3) Curriculum Specialist, at (956) 698-2123 or email dachavez@bisd.us.

Great News!

All Career and Technical Education students who registered for the Pharmacy Technician National Certification Test passed and are now certified technicians. Congratulations to: Hanna High School Students: Nancy Aldape, Angelica Alston, Harold Averill, Jorge Blanco, Ricardo Camargo, Catherine Diaz, Joe Espinoza, Heather Glover, Miguel Hernandez, Amanda Ibarra, Jonathan Inskeep, Martin Ramirez, Mario Rivera, Luis Stinson, Jose Suarez, Sabrina Vasquez, Alexis Longoria, Bryan Martinez, Ozkar Michi, David Ramirez, Kristian Zamora, Jasmin Santibanez Porter High School Students: Fabi Flores, Daniel Hernandez, Maria Moreno, Priscilla Rodriguez, Martha Villalpando Pace High School Students: Jacqueline Montiel Lopez High School Students: Cynthia Cardenas, Diana Cardona, Selena Garza, Queana Ibarra, Karina Rodriguez Rivera High School Students: Ariaza Alonso, Gonzalo Barrera, Adriana Contreras, Alan Cooper, Andrea Mireles, Elizabeth Sosa Veterans Memorial High School Students: Dora Loera, Ashley Ruiz, Karen Vasquez Brownsville ISD is very proud of these students and their teachers on this outstanding achievement.

A Big Thank You

The Board of Directors of United Way of Southern Cameron and the Economic Opportunities Coalition recently thanked Brownsville ISD for supporting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Project. A total of 79 student volunteers from Porter, Pace and Lopez High Schools served as certified tax preparers. The students filed 248 tax returns which provided in $ 258,050 in Earned Income Tax Credits to several BISD families, a significant economic impact for our community. This service also helped students be ready with tax information to complete their federal applications for financial aid, FAFSA, on time.

Summer Schedule

Brownsville ISD offices will follow the following abbreviated summer administrative work schedule beginning on Monday, June 17, 2013 and ending on Friday, August 2, 2013. 7:30 am – 5:30 pm – Monday through Thursday 8:00 am – 12:00 noon – Friday

Board Adopts A Sound, Balanced Budget

Great news! The Brownsville ISD budgetary process has come to a successful conclusion. The Board of Trustees adopted the 2013-2014 district operating budget at a Special Called Meeting held on Friday, June 21. In addition to being sound and balanced, the $529 million BISD budget includes long overdue pay raises of 2%-5% for all employees without drawing from the district’s local fund balance. Board trustees and administration also ensured that the budget included funds to maintain current teacher/student ratios, expand the middle school STEM program, and provide at risk middle school counselors. Badly needed infrastructure projects and bus fleet upgrades were also addressed in this budget. BISD is scheduled to receive about $15 million in state funding next year. Approximately $11 million will be absorbed by the employee salary increases.

GED Re-Testing

Registration for GED re-testing will be held on Monday, June 25, Tuesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27 at 4:30 pm at the GED Testing Center located in Portables #24 and #25 across from Sams Stadium. Cost for each re-test is $25.00. Call 698-0052 for more information.

BISD Students Post Gains on New Tests

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently released the 2013 passing rates for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) for Brownsville ISD. This is the second year for the state’s new testing program which is designed to measure post-secondary success. The state of Texas reported relatively stable End-of-Course (EOC) results this year. However, Brownsville ISD’s passing rates for 2013 showed significant increases in 4 EOC subject areas when compared to 2012 rates. English I Writing posted the largest overall gain at 10% followed by an 8% jump in English I Reading. Algebra I increased 5% and World Geography improved 3%. BISD also surpassed the state English I Writing passing rate of 54% with a rate of 56%. District students in grades 6-8 registered gains of 9% in science, 6% in social studies and 3% in both reading and math. Under state law, students in grades 5 and 8 must pass STAAR reading and math tests in order to be promoted to the next grade under the state’s Student Success Initiative. At the 3rd-5th grade level, BISD students gained 8% in math, followed by 4% in science and 3% in both reading and math.

BISD Employee Salary Increases

At the Regular Meeting held on June 18, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved the 2013-2014 Employee Compensation Plan including the following salary increases: Campus Staff (Administrators/Teaching Staff/Other Staff) 3.00% Increase Paraprofessional Staff (Certified Interpreter/Educational Aide/Auxiliary) 5.00% Increase Administrators Pay Grade 1-4 3.00% Increase Administrators Grade 5 and above 2.00% Increase

The Beat Goes On

Great News! School may be out but BISD student successes continue. BISD middle schools earned 3 of 4 available area spots in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) regional competition on June 12 at Harlingen South High School. In the CCC Conference, the Lucio Band, under the direction of Emiliano Camarillo, ranked first and advanced to the area round. The Vela Band, directed by Mario Sarmiento, also advanced to the area hearing. In the CC Conference, the Besteiro Band, directed by Lucy Treviño, earned a top spot and advanced to the area hearing as well. The TMEA area competition will be held on June 27 in San Antonio. Only 2 bands in each conference will be selected to advance to the final state hearing in July at the Texas Band Masters Convention. Kudos to the Faulk, Garcia and Manzano Bands that also represented BISD with outstanding performances.

GED Testing

GED Testing is available for first-time testers and re-testers at the GED Testing Center located in Portables #24 and #25 across from Sams Stadium. Registration for first – time testers will be held on Monday, June 17 at 1 pm in Spanish and on Tuesday, June 18 at 1 pm in English. Registration for all re-testers is Monday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 19 at 8 am. Those interested must attend one of the scheduled registration sessions and provide current identification. The cost for GED testing is $105.00 for all five tests due upon initial registration. Each re-test costs $25.00. For more information call 698-0052.

Getting Set for the Next School Year

Dr. Carl A. Montoya has announced changes for the 2013-2014 school year as a result of vacancies and/or reassignments: Area Assistant Superintendent/Support Services - Vacancy Chief Financial Officer - Mary Garza (Interim) Grants Administrator - Dr. Linda Gallegos Pupil Services Administrator - Randy Park (Interim) Cummings Middle School - Bertha Presas Lucio Middle School- Aimee Garza-Limon Brownsville Learning Academy - Dr. Edward Ude Canales Elementary - Vacancy El Jardin Elementary - Marina Flores Longoria Elementary - Myrta Garza (Interim) Paredes Elementary - Nicole Clint Yturria Elementary - Sandra Cortez Sharp Elementary - Vacancy

Announces Initial HB5 Assesment Requirement

Under House Bill 5 (HB 5), passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature and signed by the governor, high school students are now required to pass five State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) end-of-course exams to meet the new graduation requirements. The five assessments under HB 5 include Algebra I, English I (combined reading/writing), English II (combined reading/writing), biology, and U.S. history. The Texas Education Agency will be advising school districts and charters that students must pass all five of these end-of-course assessments to be eligible to graduate from a Texas public high school. As a result, students who have taken a required assessment - but have not yet passed - will still need to demonstrate satisfactory performance on that exam to meet the state's graduation requirements. View the entire release.

Going for the Gold!

BISD athletes from Hanna, Lopez, Pace, Porter, Rivera, and Veterans Memorial High School and the Triple T Program earned medals at the Special Olympics Summer Games held in Arlington, Texas on May 23-26.

BISD Students Recognized by Kids Voting USA

Brownsville ISD students were recognized in the June 2013 Kids Voting USA publication for participating in the Brownsville Spring 2013 Art and Multimedia Contests. The contest theme was “My Duty as a Citizen.”

32 Accept UTB Offer

The University of Texas at Brownsville has released the names of 32 BISD seniors who have accepted offers to join the University Scholars Program. The renewable scholarship includes tuition, most fees, $500 for books each semester, and possible housing, based on distance and circumstances. The estimated value of the UTB University Scholarship is $40,000 for 4 years.

Notice of Public Meeting

Brownsville ISD will hold a public meeting at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 21, 2013 in the Administration Building Board Room located at 1900 Price Road. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget which will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

Pace Graduation Update

The Pace High School graduation scheduled for 7:30 pm today at Sams Stadium has been relocated to the Rivera High School gym due to current and anticipated inclement weather. Each graduate will be able to have four people attend the graduation due to space limitations. KBSD will stream the Pace graduation live on Cable Channel 17 and the BISD homepage.

View BISD Graduations Live Online

The BISD high school graduations that are held at Sams Stadium will be streamed live on the district’s homepage at www.bisd.us for viewing by friends and family members who are unable to attend the commencement ceremonies. This will also give military personnel from Brownsville who are on active duty an opportunity to see their loved ones graduate. The commencement ceremonies at Sams Stadium will begin at 7:30 pm according to the schedule listed below. Pace High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, June 7 Lopez High School . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday, June 9 Porter High School . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, June 10 Rivera High School. . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, June 11 Hanna High School. . . . . . . . . . .Wednesday, June 12 Veterans Memorial HS. . . . . . . .Thursday, June 13 Brownsville ISD is pleased to make this service available to our community.

Eat for Free at BISD

Summer 2013 is quickly approaching! This year BISD Food and Nutrition Service is kicking off a multi-media promotional campaign that will bring attention to Food and Nutrition Service summer feeding program, Seamless Summer Option. The Seamless Summer Option is a continuation of the National School Lunch Program and will maintain the same meal service rules and claiming procedures used during the regular school year. The program is open to the public and will provide meals to children 18 years and younger at no cost. Adults may purchase a meal at the established rate of $3.25 for lunch and $2.00 for breakfast. The summer feeding program begins June 10th and will run through August 16th. The program will provide a wholesome breakfast served from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM. Lunch will shortly follow from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Everyone is highly encouraged to attend and enjoy nutritious meals throughout the week. Meals are not limited to BISD students; anyone 18 years and younger is welcome to participate. Did we forget to mention, the meals are free?!

2013 Memories

Yearbooks are currently on sale at BISD high school campuses. Get your copy before the end of the school year. Prices range from $75-80.

Hanna High School Teacher selected for LiftOff Summer Institute

Griselda L. Galvez, a teacher from Hanna High School in Brownsville Texas, has been selected again from across the nation for the prestigious LiftOff Summer Institute to be held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas this summer. For the first time, the program is partnering with NASA Johnson Space Center Office of Education and the Middle School Aerospace Scholars project. Teachers from across the U.S. will increase their knowledge of space education through the LiftOff Professional Development Summer Institute. LiftOff is a collaborative effort of Texas Space Grant Consortium members and affiliates, NASA, and industry. Teachers apply for LiftOff and are selected competitively. The workshops are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. The theme for LiftOff 2013 is Rockets to Robots. The program combines the strengths of collaborators to enrich teaching and learning of science, mathematics, technology and engineering.

Attention: Rivera HS Parents

June 12, 2013 is the end date for SES Providers to submit SES enrollment forms to the BISD Assessment Department. If a Provider signs-up your child after June 12th (or does not submit your child’s form to the Assessment Department by that date) your child will not receive services. Existing eligible students will continue to be served up until August 25, 2013 or until their per pupil allotment is exhausted, whichever comes first. Rivera High School graduation is on June 11th. A student who has graduated is not eligible for SES services. Please call the Assessment, Research, and Evaluation Department at (956) 554—2806 if you have questions.

Superintendent Announces Scholarship Recipients

Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya has announced the winners of the 2013 Superintendent’s Scholarships. A total of 57 graduating BISD seniors will each receive $1,000 to attend the college of their choice. Over $57,000 in scholarship funds was raised at the 10th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament hosted by Dr. Montoya at the Rancho Viejo Resort on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of local Brownsville leaders and district personnel. A total of 182 student applications were reviewed. “The participation of our local businesses and community organizations has made this tournament one of the largest in the Rio Grande Valley. I sincerely thank our sponsors for enthusiastically supporting our students and enabling them to continue their education,” said Montoya. In the last 10 years, the Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Tournament has provided $626,000 in scholarships to 524 deserving BISD graduates.

Garden Park Team Places at Globals

The Garden Park Elementary School Destination Imagination (DI) Team competed on May 22-25 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Global Finals. Nearly 1,250 student teams from 42 states and 14 countries competed in this international event. Garden Park’s Ram-A-tors Team placed 13th out of 76 teams in the Elementary Section Challenge E-Twist-O-Rama (Structural) category. This is the second time that a DI Team from Garden Park has advanced to the Global Finals. Way to go, Garden Park Ram-A-tors!

View BISD Graduations Live Online

The BISD high school graduations that are held at Sams Stadium will be streamed live on the district’s homepage at www.bisd.us for viewing by friends and family members who are unable to attend the commencement ceremonies. This will also give military personnel from Brownsville who are on active duty an opportunity to see their loved ones graduate. The commencement ceremonies at Sams Stadium will begin at 7:30 pm according to the schedule listed below. Pace High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, June 7 Lopez High School . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday, June 9 Porter High School . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, June 10 Rivera High School. . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, June 11 Hanna High School. . . . . . . . . . .Wednesday, June 12 Veterans Memorial HS. . . . . . . .Thursday, June 13 Brownsville ISD is pleased to make this service available to our community. View the graduation ceremonies here beginning at 7:30 pm on the designated days.

Hanna Varsity Choir to Perform at TMEA

The Hanna High School Varsity Men’s Choir has been invited to perform at the 2014 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention in San Antonio. This invitation marks the first time that a Brownsville ISD high school choral group has been selected to perform at TMEA. The Hanna Choral Department includes Gene Holkup, Head Choir Director; Jesus G. Morales and Selina Charles, Assistant Choir Directors. Alain Fabela is the accompanist. Four BISD middle school choirs have been asked to perform at TMEA over the years, Cummings Junior High Mixed Choir (Twice) in the 1950’s, Vela Middle School Mixed Choir in the 1990’s and Vela Middle School Treble Choir in 2012. The Hanna Varsity Men’s Choir has brought state honors to our school district. Congratulations to these outstanding students on earning this prestigious invitation.

Summer Schedule

Brownsville ISD offices will follow the following abbreviated summer administrative work schedule beginning on Monday, June 17, 2013 and ending on Friday, August 2, 2013. 7:30 am – 5:30 pm – Monday through Thursday 8:00 am – 12:00 noon – Friday BISD offices will be closed the week of July 1, 2013 through July 5, 2013.

Ortiz Student Artist Tops in Doodles

Nia-Isabella Garza, a 5th grade student at Ortiz Elementary School, is one of 250 State Finalists in the 2013 U.S. Doodle 4 Google competition. Chosen from more than 130,000 entries, State Finalists are the highest ranked doodles from each grade group from each state.

Cavazos Scholarships Awarded

Congratulations to the BISD student athletes who received Johnny N. and Nena S. Cavazos Athletic Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The 2013 Cavazos Scholarships were awarded to 5 students from each BISD high school at the Board Meeting held on May 21. The couple generously funded an athletic endowment that has provided college funds to graduating district athletes for many years.

Attention Employees

Meetings for the Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee Leagues will be held on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 pm for Volleyball and 6:45 pm for Ultimate Frisbee at the BISD Wellness Center. Join the fun. For more information, contact Anisa Gonzalez at 698-0194 or agonzalez@bisd.us. Wellness is Hot Stuff in BISD!

Seventeen BISD Students Earn Duke Notice

Congratulations to seventeen BISD 7th grade students who earned State Recognition in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. The program identifies and supports academically talented students who have scored 95% or higher on a grade level standardized achievement, aptitude or mental ability test. Identified students are invited to take the SAT or ACT and must be in the top 25% of the Talent Search Pool to qualify for State Recognition. The pool is highly selective and the scores earned by these students are the national mean averages of those in the 12th grade. These seventeen students earned recognition out of 256 BISD students who participated.

Employee Transfers

The employee transfer period will begin Monday, May 20, 2013. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 31 before 5 pm.

Middle School Artists Are Superior

BISD middle school students won 110 superior ratings and 24 silver medals at the Region One Junior Visual Arts Student Exhibition (VASE) competition held at Morris Middle School in McAllen on May 11. Alejandra Carillo, a Stillman Middle School student, received superior ratings and silver medals for both of her artworks. Congratulations to BISD’s middle school student artisits.

Hanna Makes List

Hanna High School made the 2013 Newsweek list of America’s Best High Schools.

Four Teachers Earn Rotary Award

For over 20 years, the Brownsville Rotary Club has honored BISD teachers for their teaching excellence. Selected teachers each receive a check for $1,000 to be used to continue their education or any other educational use which will enhance their classroom skills. The 2013 recipients of the Brownsville Rotary Endowment for Teaching Excellence are Rosalio Garcia and Francisco Sanchez from Veterans Memorial High School, and Antonio Padilla and Martina Rubio from Stillman Middle School. Congratulations to these outstanding educators and thank you to the Brownsville Rotary Club for its support of our educators.

Pace Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall

The Pace High School Select Choir, consisting of 31 members, will travel to New York City on May 16-19 to participate in the Manhattan Concert Productions’ Octavo Series. Three days of rehearsals and sightseeing will culminate in a performance at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. Dr. Edith Copley, Director of Choral Activities at Northern Arizona University and Music Director of the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, will direct the performance. Other trip highlights include attending a Broadway performance of “The Phantom of the Opera” and visits to the Julliard School, Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and other iconic New York City landmarks. The Pace students have been preparing for the trip in their classes by reading and writing about the history and culture of the city as well as Andrew Carnegie. On their return, the choir students will share their experiences with their peers in a final project.

BISD in the Spotlight

Brownsville ISD and Hanna, Pace, and Lopez High Schools have been selected to participate in the Texas Accountability and Intervention (TAIS) statewide video series. The Texas Center for District and School Support (TCDSS), in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency, is producing this series to highlight effective districts and campuses across our state that have demonstrated outstanding progress in implementing components within the TAIS framework. The BISD videotaping is scheduled for May 21-22.

Local Faulk Teacher selected for LiftOff Summer Institute

Claudia E. Cortez, a teacher from Faulk Middle School in Brownsville Texas, has been selected from across the nation for the prestigious LiftOff Summer Institute to be held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas this summer. For the first time, the program is partnering with NASA Johnson Space Center Office of Education and the Middle School Aerospace Scholars project. Teachers from across the U.S. will increase their knowledge of space education through the LiftOff Professional Development Summer Institute. LiftOff is a collaborative effort of Texas Space Grant Consortium members and affiliates, NASA, and industry. Teachers apply for LiftOff and are selected competitively. The workshops are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. The theme for LiftOff 2013 is Rockets to Robots. The program combines the strengths of collaborators to enrich teaching and learning of science, mathematics, technology and engineering.

Outstanding Porter Business Students to Participate Leadership Conference

Top students from Gladys Porter High School will be attending the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2013 National Leadership Conference, “Uncover Your Magic,” in Orlando, FL, May 8-12, 2013. Gladys Porter High School chapter members, Aolani S. Coello, Herbie B. Eckersley, Jr., Jesus B. Guerrero, Juan J. Moreno, and Jacob R. Benavides will join over 5,000 other conference delegates from across the nation to participate in national level business skills competitions, workshops, general sessions, and the national officer candidate campaigns and elections. Besides having the opportunity to excel, they’ll experience the city of Orlando, FL.

A College-Going Culture

Brownsville ISD high school seniors are applying to colleges in record numbers using the APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION. They are also completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in large numbers. Check out the BISD counts below. The Brownsville Learning Academy, Lincoln Park School, and Brownsville Academic Center are included in the numbers. Current student enrollment numbers are used in the calculation. FAFSA counts are updated every Friday by the Department of Education and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Three BISD Seniors Named Gates Scholars

Three BISD students have been selected for the 2013 Class of Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS). Congratulations to Eduardo Chavez, Veterans Memorial High School; Franco Estrada, Brownsville Early College High School; and Keila Rodriguez, Rivera High School; on this outstanding academic achievement. GMS selects 1,000 students nationwide to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at the college or university of their choice. Recipients are also provided with personal and professional development through leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career. The GMS Program, established in 1999, was initially funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Porter High School to Host Rachel’s

LITTLETON, CO – An hour out of the regular class schedule could spawn a lifetime’s worth of change for students and educators, as well as the communities they touch over the course of their lives. Such is the potential impact of the Rachel’s Challenge student assemblies that will take place on May 2nd. Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Following her death, Rachel’s dedication to kindness and compassion toward others – a legacy that spread rapidly through anecdotes and her own private writings – led her family to found Rachel’s Challenge. “Schools can be incubators for creating and disseminating great ideas, however, we are confident our new partnership with Porter High School will have a positive ripple effect beyond the campus and throughout this community as well.”

Training on New Time System

BISD and TimeClock Plus have scheduled training sessions for the new TimeClock Plus System that will be implemented district-wide. The training sessions will be for the department and campus administrators/timekeepers who will oversee the TimeClock Plus system at their respective locations. If you have any questions, please call the Payroll Department at 548-8391.

Hanna Earns Spot in National Top Ten

The Hanna High School Boys Soccer Team has been included in a national top 10 list in the Elite Soccer Report by Sheldon Shealer on April 23, 2013.

Improving Service

KBSD TV, the district’s instructional television station, will be off the air on Thursday, April 25 to perform necessary maintenance which will enhance transmission. The station will resume broadcasting early Friday morning, April 26.

Summer Schedule

Brownsville ISD offices will follow the following abbreviated summer administrative work schedule beginning on Monday, June 17, 2013 and ending on Friday, August 2, 2013. 7:30 am – 5:30 pm – Monday through Thursday 8:00 am – 12:00 noon – Friday BISD offices will be closed the week of July 1, 2013 through July 5, 2013.

Historic Highs for 2013 BISD Bands

Brownsville ISD secondary bands broke records in participation and awards earned during the 2012-2013 school year. A total of 36 bands competed with 30 receiving UIL awards and 22 earning UIL Sweepstakes awards. In all, 14 bands improved their UIL ratings over last year. BISD secondary band programs consistently earn respect across the state each year with this year being the best to date.

Authors Visit Schools

Twelve BISD elementary and middle school libraries will host three well-known children’s authors on May 6, 8, 9 and 10. The authors are Tom McDermott, a sought after first generation Irish-American story teller, singer, musician, percussionist and author of “The Ghouls Come Haunting One by One;” David Bowles, author of “Mexican Bestiary;” who resides in the Rio Grande Valley with his wife and children and writes a book review column that appears each week in The McAllen Monitor; and Claudia Villareal, an elementary teacher, who has made a splash in elementary schools and libraries across central and South Texas with her book, “The Alphabet Thief Who Stole the Vowels.” The authors’ visits are sponsored by the UTB/TSC Sabal Palms Writing Project, Brownsville ISD, and BISD Library/Media Services.

BISD Students Excel in Art

The Brownsville Fire Department has announced the winners of the 2012-2013 District Fire Prevention Poster Contest and the local Brownsville Fire Department contest. Several BISD artists placed in both competitions. The BISD Department of Fine Arts will host an awards ceremony on Friday, May 17 at 4:30 in the Central Administrative Building (CAB) auditorium to recognize the winners.

Middle School Choir Students Dominate

BISD students won 222 chairs or 75% of the total number of chairs available at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) middle school auditions held in Donna, Texas on Saturday, April 20. In fact, BISD swept every first chair in the competition. Congratulations to these fine young musicians and their directors.

BISD Hall of Honor

BISD recently inducted a group of middle school coaches and athletic coordinators into a new Hall of Honor designed to recognize coaches with 15 or more years of service. The first year coach inductees with over 30 years of service are Carol Muller, Stillman Middle School; Arminda Treviño, Vela Middle School; Guadalupe Abete, Cummings Middle School; Rey Garnett, Garcia Middle School; and Rolando Garcia, Perkins Middle School. The athletic coordinators include Art Cantu, Faulk Middle School; Charlie Alaniz, Perkins Middle School; Gilbert Garces, Garcia Middle School; Robert Lopez, Oliveira Middle School; Cornelio Landin, Stell Middle School; and Ruben Martinez, Vela Middle School.

A College-Going Culture

Brownsville ISD high school seniors are applying to colleges in record numbers using the APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION. They are also completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in large numbers. Check out the BISD counts below. The Brownsville Learning Academy, Lincoln Park School, and Brownsville Academic Center are included in the numbers. Current student enrollment numbers are used in the calculation. FAFSA counts are updated every Friday by the Department of Education and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Summer Programs

The BISD schedule of summer academic programs is already available. Find out dates, times and locations for 14 different programs that will be available to students this summer.

Live television, webcast coverage set for UIL boys and girls soccer state championships

Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will provide live television coverage of UIL boys and girls state soccer championships this week from Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, while FOXSportsSouthwest.com will offer live webcasts. Tournament semifinals and finals will be televised live on Time Warner Cable’s SportsChannel and streamed on FoxSportsSouthwest.com. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is available to Time Warner Cable digital cable customers in Austin (Channel 888), Corpus Christi (Channel 888), Dallas (Channel 185), El Paso (Channel 24), Laredo (Channel 888), the Rio Grande Valley (Channel 888), San Antonio (Channel 888), and Waco-Temple-Killeen (Channel 888).

Summer Programs

The BISD schedule of summer academic programs is already available. Find out dates, times and locations for 14 different programs that will be available to students this summer.

Hanna Makes List

Hanna High School has earned a spot on this year’s Washington Post list of the most challenging high schools in America.

BECHS Students Tapped for Scholarships

The Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) has selected 22 Brownsville Early College High School seniors to participate in its Scholars Program at the University of Texas at Brownsville in the upcoming Fall semester. Only 30 GTF scholarships were available in the entire Rio Grande Valley. The GTF Scholars Program selection committee was so impressed with the BECHS model which prepares students for the rigors of higher education that the majority of the scholarships were awarded to BECHS students. GTF scholars receive supplemental funding for expenses that are not covered by any other financial aid up to $4,000 per year for two years. Additionally, recipients receive individualized academic support and personalized professional guidance.

Garden Park Destined for Globals

The Garden Park Elementary “Ram-a-tors” Destination Imagination (DI) team placed third at the state tournament held on April 12-13 in Katy, Texas. This earned the team an opportunity to advance to the DI Global Finals which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on May 22-25. The Ram-a-tors will compete with 2,000 talented students of all ages representing the United States and 14 countries. This is the second time that a Garden Park team has competed globally in Destination Imagination in recent history. A total of 11 BISD teams participated at the state tournament. These BISD students and their coaches are to be commended for advancing to state and global Destination Imagination competition.

Four BECHS Seniors Named Dell Scholars

Four Brownsville Early College High School seniors, Franco Estrada, Andrea Martinez, Samantha Olvera, and Roy Resendez, have earned coveted Dell Scholarships in the amount of $20,000 each. The Dell Scholars Program, an initiative of the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, recognizes students who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their educations. In turn, these scholars serve as positive role models and change the trajectories for their siblings, friends and communities. In addition to $20,000, the Dell Program provides its scholars with technology, a private scholar networking community, resources, and mentoring to ensure they have the resources they need to achieve their college degrees.

Hanna Bound for State

The Hanna High School Soccer Team is headed to the State Semi-Finals to challenge the Alief Elsik Rams on Friday, April 19 at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students at the gate. An all-tournament pass is $25. Hanna will host a pep rally on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 pm in the gym to recognize these outstanding athletes and their coach. Best of luck to the Eagles at State Competition!

Chess Success

Brownsville ISD teams competed at the SuperNationals Chess Championships held at the Gaylord Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee on April 4-7. The competition was fierce. BISD teams competed with teams from across the United States. Sharp Elementary School’s chess team ultimately earned 6th place in the K-1 Division. Teams from Hudson Elementary, Vela Middle School, Veterans Memorial High School, and Hanna High School also earned top places in their divisions.

Kudos to Porter High School

Porter High School was featured in the April 10, 2013 issue of the TTIPS newsletter which circulates statewide.

Artwork wins Brownsville fifth-grader Caribbean cruise

AUSTIN — Nia-Isabella Garza, a fifth grader from Ortiz Elementary in Brownsville, is the grand prize winner for the Texas General Land Office’s Adopt-A-Beach Treasures of the Texas Coast Children’s Art Contest. Garza’s watercolor shows a child with a recycling bag picking up litter on a Texas beach. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson selected Garza’s art from the more than 3,300 entries from across the state. “This peaceful beach scene beautifully carries the Adopt-A-Beach message that Trashing Texas Beaches isn’t cool,” Patterson said. “Twice a year, youth just like the one in this watercolor learn a real-world lesson about the impact of litter on our beaches through the Adopt-A-Beach cleanups.” Garza’s image, along with 39 runners up, will appear on the cover of the 2014 Adopt-A-Beach calendar The annual competition encourages schoolchildren to learn more about the Texas coast and express what they’ve learned through their art. Open to students in grades K-6 across Texas, the contest motivates thousands of young artists each year. Garza’s winning watercolor earns two round-trip, coach-class tickets from United Airlines to any United destination anywhere in North America, one 7-night Caribbean cruise from Royal Caribbean International departing out of Galveston, Miami, or Ft. Lauderdale and a class party at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels. The grand prize winner's teacher, Irma DeLeon, also receives two round-trip coach-class tickets from United Airlines and one 7-night Caribbean cruise courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

BISD Artists Earn Gold

Brownsville ISD was represented by 20 students from Hanna, Lopez, Pace and Porter High Schools at the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) exhibit held in Bryan, Texas on Saturday, April 6. The 2013 VASE event showcases 150 superior gold seal artworks that have advanced from regional competition across the state. Students also compete for VASE scholarships by attending hands-on workshops hosted by professional artists. Jueun Hwang, a Hanna HS student, was the recipient of a $600 VASE scholarship. Congratulations to our BISD art teachers and student artists on their outstanding success.

Saavedra Nominated for Second CUBE Term

Dr. Christina L. Saavedra, BISD Board Assistant Secretary, has been nominated to serve a second term as a member of the Steering Committee of the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE). Established in 1967, CUBE is the only national membership organization governed solely by urban school board members dedicated to the needs and interests of urban school boards. CUBE represents more than 100 urban school districts in 35 States, Ontario and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Member districts educate more than 7.5 million students in 12,000 schools with a collective budget of approximately $99 billion.

CAB Entrance Under Construction

The Jefferson Street entrance to the Central Administrative Building (CAB) and Sams Stadium has been blocked for road construction for the next two months. The only way in and out of this BISD complex is through Elizabeth Street. Everyone is advised to exercise caution and patience until the road work is completed. BISD security officers will ensure that the Elizabeth Street entrance and exit lanes remain unblocked.

Ortiz Earns Park Grant

Ortiz Elementary is the recipient of a competitive National Park Trust Kids to Parks (KTP) grant. One of two recipients in Texas. The grant includes funding for one park experience for students including school bus transportation, healthy snacks, park related fees or supplies; an official award certificate and KTP stickers; a pint-sized classroom Buddy Bison Wooly mascot; and a news story in the National Park Service e-newsletter and website. A total of 35 schools from across the United States received grants this school year. Special thanks to Karen Weaver with the National Park Service at the Palo Alto Battlefield for her assistance in helping Ortiz secure this award.

Board Approves Early Notification Plan

At the regularly scheduled board meeting held on April 2, 2013, the BISD Board of Trustees voted to open an Early Notification of Resignation Plan for employee requests from April 3, 2013 to May 2, 2013 for Special Assignment, Certified, and Classified personnel. The district will again offer early notification incentive pay in the amount of: Special Assignment/District-Wide Administration $1,500 Professional Hiring Schedule $2,000 Classified Employees $1,000 Any employee opting for the early notification payment must hand deliver a signed Letter of Resignation and a signed Waiver, and Release Agreement to the Brownsville ISD Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, office beginning April 3, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. and no later than May 2, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Please keep in mind that any employee opting for this payment will not be eligible for full time employment with BISD for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. Please also note that the incentive payment will be paid on July 25, 2013. For questions, contact: Maricela Zarate Puente, Administrator for Certified Personnel, at 548-8031 Carmelita Rodriguez, Administrator for Classified Personnel, at 548-8051 Click here to download the resolution in English/Spanish and the letter of resignation/retirement.

Dr. Montoya Among Five Appointed by Governor Perry

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed five members to the Texas School Safety Center Board for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2015. The board promotes safety throughout the state and advises the Texas School Safety Center in San Marcos, which provides school safety information and resources for the prevention of youth violence. Carl A. Montoya of Brownsville is superintendent of Brownsville ISD, and a licensed Texas peace officer on reserve with the Brownsville Constable's Office. He is a member of Texas Association of School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum, and Crime Stoppers of Brownsville. Montoya received a bachelor's degree and master's degree in education administration from the University of New Mexico, and a doctorate of education administration from New Mexico State University. He is being reappointed.

BISD Supports a College - Going Culture

Brownsville ISD high school seniors are applying to colleges in record numbers using the APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION. As of March 26, BISD high schools reported the following number of student applications as reflected in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board APPLY TEXAS SUITE. Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 students applied – 100% Hanna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .519 students applied – 81% Pace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364 students applied – 100% Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356 students applied – 86% Rivera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 students applied – 73% Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287 students applied – 88% Brownsville Early College . . . . . . . . . . . 54 students applied – 92% Brownsville Learning Academy, Lincoln Park and Brownsville Academic Center are included in the counts. Current student enrollment numbers are used in the calculation. 2011-2012 Archived Headlines

A Message to Parents

BISD students will be STAAR/EOC testing on April 1-5, 2013. The new STAAR/EOC tests are timed. Student attendance on these days is critical. Please stress the importance of rest, proper diet, and a positive attitude so that our students do their very best. It is also important that students arrive to school on time. Please note that no cell phones or electronic devices are allowed on BISD campuses during testing. As per the Texas Education Code, “Any irregularities in test security or confidential integrity may result in the invalidation of student results.” Thank you for your support of our students, schools and district.

Attention BISD Employees

Summer School 2013 applications will be available online beginning Tuesday, March 26 at 8 am through Tuesday, April 9 at 5 pm.

Spotlight on Trio of OAP Schools

Three BISD high schools qualified to advance to district competition at the One Act Play (OAP) Zone competition held at Hanna High School on March 20-21. Congratulations to the theatre troupes from Hanna, Lopez, and Veterans Memorial High Schools. Both Pace and Porter High Schools were also named as alternates in the competition. Samantha Caso from Lopez and Bianca Gallardo from Hanna were named Best Actresses. Otoniel Rivas from Veterans Memorial earned Best Actor recognition. The OAP 32-5A Competition will be held on Wednesday, March 27. District 32-5A Competition will take place on March 27th at Hanna HS starting at 1:00pm. Campuses will compete as follows: 1:00pm - Hanna HS performing "All My Sons" 2:00pm - Lopez HS performing "Boys Next Door" 3:00pm - Veterans HS performing "Gint" 4:00pm - Harlingen South performing "Flowers for Algernon"

STAMP Meetings

Students who have been accepted into the new STAMP College Preparatory Program and their parents must attend one of two important meetings at the Veterans Memorial High School auditorium on March 27-28 to learn about the required summer programs, transportation services, and course selections. Wednesday, March 27…6:00-8:00 PM For incoming 9th graders (2013-2014) whose last name begins with A-L. Thursday, March 28…6:00-8:00 PM For incoming 9th graders (2013-2014) whose last name begins with M-Z. For more information, call Michelle A. Seney, STAMP Administrator, at 574-5657 or email maseney@bisd.us.

Middle School Choirs Rock

BISD middle school choir directors and their students earned judges’ accolades at the UIL Choir Concert and Sightreading Contest held on March 5 and 6. Congratulations on their fine efforts.

Charro Days Artists

Congratulations to the Brownsville ISD students who placed in the 2nd Annual Charro Days Fiesta Art Contest.

BISD Supports a College - Going Culture

Brownsville ISD high school seniors are applying to colleges in record numbers using the APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION. As of March 7, BISD high schools reported the following number of student applications as reflected in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board APPLY TEXAS SUITE. Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428 students applied – 99% Hanna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .492 students applied – 75% Pace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 students applied – 96% Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 students applied – 82% Rivera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 students applied – 69% Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279 students applied – 85% Brownsville Early College . . . . . . . . . . . 51 students applied – 86% Brownsville Learning Academy, Lincoln Park and Brownsville Academic Center are included in the counts. Current student enrollment numbers are used in the calculation.

Public Notice

The March 19, 2013, Regular BISD Board Meeting has been cancelled, due to scheduled holidays. The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in the BISD Administration Boardroom.

Attention BISD Employees

Summer School 2013 applications will be available online beginning Tuesday, March 26 at 8 am through Tuesday, April 9 at 5 pm.

Garza Selected Coach of the Year

Brownsville, Tx.) – After leading his team to the Region IV-5A Tournament this past weekend, Brownsville Porter Head Coach Luis Garza was selected as the Coach of the Year for the All-South High School Sports Magazine Team. “This feels gratifying and I am very happy hearing this news,” said Garza. “All of the hard work year in and year out has finally paid off.” The Cowboys made school history as they went to the Class 5A Regional Tournament after defeating State Ranked McAllen Rowe 67-51 in the Regional Quarterfinals. Porter accumulated an impressive 33-6 overall record and their magical season ended against San Antonio Brandeis

2012 Alliance/Merck Scholars

Three 2012 BISD graduates have been selected to receive Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholarships for college as well as summer internship stipends. The recipients are Elisia J. Campos, a graduate of Rivera High School; George A. Garcia, a graduate of Lopez High School; and Ruben Santos, a graduate of Porter High School. The awards mark the fourth round of Alliance/Merck Scholarships for Hispanic students pursuing STEM careers. The scholarships are awarded to students in Brownsville, Texas; Elizabeth, New Jersey; and Los Angeles, California.

BISD Migrant Students Are Tops

Seven BISD students earned recognition in the 2013 Exemplary Migrant Students Program sponsored by The University of Texas in Austin. A total of 40 Texas students will be honored during the 26th Migrant Student Recognition Ceremony to be held in Austin on April 15. The students were selected based on academic achievement, participation in extracurriculuar and community activities, overcoming obstacles, and performance in earning high school credits through distance learning.

BISD Supports a College - Going Culture

Brownsville ISD high school seniors are applying to colleges in record numbers using the APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION. As of February 27, BISD high schools reported the following number of student applications as reflected in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board APPLY TEXAS SUITE. Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428 students applied – 98% Hanna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .479 students applied – 72% Pace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350 students applied – 95% Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 students applied – 81% Rivera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302 students applied – 67% Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 students applied – 83% Brownsville Early College . . . . . . . . . . . 51 students applied – 86% Brownsville Learning Academy, Lincoln Park and Brownsville Academic Center are included in the counts. Current student enrollment numbers are used in the calculation.

Signing Ceremony Marks Collaboration

On Tuesday, February 26 at 9 AM in the Praxedis Orive, Jr. Technical Training Center at the ITECC Building, 301 Mexico Blvd., Brownsville ISD Superintendent Dr. Carl A. Montoya and Texas Southmost College President Dr. Lily F. Tecero signed an important agreement that will extend the Dual Enrollment partnership between the two educational entities. Texas Southmost College is establishing a Career and Technical Education Academy in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology. In return for providing air conditioning and refrigeration equipment to TSC, Brownsville ISD high school students will be eligible for training and simultaneous college credit, without tuition charge, as part of this new Academy. View the media release.

Rivera Teacher Recognized

Julie Puckett, a Rivera High School teacher, is one of 26 educators selected by Texas A&M University for its 2013 Very Important Counselor (VIC) Program. VIC recognizes the outstanding service and important work of high school counselors, teachers and personnel in guiding students on the path to college. The award carries with it a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a Rivera student who is planning to attend Texas A & M University or Texas A & M at Galveston in Fall 2013. Ms. Puckett will also have the opportunity to visit Texas A&M University in College Station on April 15 and 16, all expenses paid, where she will be an honored guest a special VIC recognition dinner.

Nine DI Teams Advance to State

Nine BISD Destination Imagination teams from Garden Park, Keller, Pullam, and Sharp Elementary Schools, Besteiro and Garcia Middle Schools and Veterans Memorial High School (3 teams) will advance to the 2013 Texas Destination Imagination State Tournament to be held in Katy, Texas on April 12-13. Brownsville ISD was represented by 27 teams at the South Texas Border Bridge Destination Imagination Regional Tournament held in Alamo on Saturday, February 16. Awards were made based on high scores as well as anything considered outstanding and/or special. View all BISD DI results.

BISD Artists Earn Gold

BISD high school visual arts students and their teachers participated in the Region One Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) held on Saturday, February 16 at Memorial High School in McAllen. More than a dozen school districts with 1,000 students and artworks participated in this regional competition. BISD was represented by 198 students and 212 entries and earned 201 gold medals and a Superior rating. A total of 19 BISD students and 21 entries qualified to advance to the State VASE competition to be held on April 5 and 6 in Bryan, Texas. Congratulations to all BISD VASE participants. View the results by campus.

Public Notice -21st Century Community

The Brownsville independent School District is in the process of applying for the Texas 21st CCLC Program, Cycle 8, Year 1 Grant to continue learning centers several campuses. View the notice.

Educate Texas to support national efforts to scale college- and career-ready model for Texas students including BISD and PSJA

EDINBURG, Texas – Today two school districts in the Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA), announced a $5.6 million federal grant to expand the early college high school (ECHS) model in the region as part of the Early College Expansion Partnership. The Partnership includes the two districts as well as Educate Texas, a public-private partnership of Communities Foundation of Texas, and Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit based in Boston. The grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund, is part of a national $15 million effort to scale the early college model, and the Early College Expansion Partnership was selected as one of 20 national i3 recipients out of a highly competitive pool of more than 700 applicants. The early college model is a bold approach that provides students with the opportunity to earn up to two years of college credit, tuition free, while obtaining their high school diploma. View media release.

Trio Scores Success in Lifting

Three BISD female athletes will represent their schools at the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association Region I, Division I Powerlifting Championship on March 2 in Weslaco. Congratulations to Kayla Ortiz from Hanna HS who lifted 685 lbs.; Isabel Alvarez from Pace HS who lifted 780 lbs.; and Monica Gonzalez from Veterans Memorial HS who lifted 705 lbs. Best of luck to these amazing athletes as they advance in competition.

Hanna Student Selected as National Youth Correspondent

Sophomore Eva Garza will represent Hanna as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2013 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University. Garza was awarded the opportunity to join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive week long study of journalism and media. Garza was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies. National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on experiential learning through decision making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media. The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well known leaders in the media community. Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers, and recent graduates successfully entering the field. With distinguished faculty and guest speakers, the Washington Journalism and Media conference offers aspiring journalists an unparalleled experience. This week long program encourages and inspires young leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic field.

BISD Supports a College - Going Culture

Brownsville ISD high school seniors are applying to colleges in record numbers using the APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION. As of Friday, February 15, BISD high schools reported the following number of student applications as reflected in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board APPLY TEXAS SUITE. Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422 students applied – 96% Hanna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .472 students applied – 71% Pace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 students applied – 90% Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 students applied – 75% Rivera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 students applied – 61% Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 students applied – 81% Brownsville Early College . . . . . . . . . . 50 students applied – 85% Brownsville Learning Academy, Lincoln Park and Brownsville Academic Center are included in the counts. Current student enrollment numbers are used in the calculation.

Bee Ready: It’s Spelling Time!

Abigail Ytzel Morales, a Perkins Middle School student, captured the championship title at the 2013 BISD Spelling Bee held on Saturday, February 9 at Hudson Elementary School. Soren Bugtong, representing Vela Middle School, was the first runner-up. The top 8 BISD spellers will advance to the Regional Spelling Bee which will be held at South Texas College in Weslaco on Saturday, March 2. The 6 additional spellers who will compete with Abigail and Soren at the regional bee are: Priya Nikita Trakru Kayla Michelle Olvera Omar Nisar Hussain Amanda Leanne Garcia Yasmin Araceli Cadena Ariel Ivan Villanueva Manzano Middle School Brite Elementary School Hudson Elementary School Villa Nueva Elementary School Pullam Elementary School Ortiz Elementary School Special thanks to Marcy Martinez, Anchor/Reporter for KGBT Action 4 News, for serving as the celebrity judge and H-E-B for the generous donation of the Samsung Galaxy Tablets and accessories which were awarded to the top 4 BISD spellers.