BISD Campuses Apply for TTIPS

BISD campuses that have been designated as "Focus" campuses based on campus performance for the past 2 years are eligible to apply for one of the five TEA Texas Title I Priority School (TTIPS) grants. The intent of the TTIPS grant program is to achieve lasting positive reforms in the state's most struggling campuses through highest-quality implementation of strong evidence-based interventions. These interventions are designed within a framework of one of seven school reform models. In order to apply for these grants, these campuses need to have parents and community members involved in deciding which model to use for their grant reform activities. The following meetings have been set up at eligible campuses: Besteiro Middle School August 4, 2015 at 3:30 pm Cumming Middle School August 11, 2015 at 10 am Oliveira Middle School August 4, 2015 at 4:30 pm Perkins Middle School August 4, 2015 at 4:30 pm Stell Middle School August 3, 2015 at 11 am Aiken Elementary August 4, 2015 at 3 pm Cromack Elementary To be announced El Jardin Elementary August 4, 2015 at 3:30 pm Garza Elementary August 6, 2015 at 5 pm

New STAMP Requirements

The Science, Technology, Architecture, and Medical Professions (STAMP) Program is a district initiative started in 2012-2013. The STAMP entrance requirements for all 8th grade students for the 2016-2017 school year are as follows: • Students must be in the 8th grade and be promoted to the 9th grade. • Students must apply to the program. • Students must pass all state-mandated assessments for promotion. • Students must achieve and maintain exemplary academic status. ** Students must have successfully completed (passed) 8th grade Algebra. ** This is an important addition to the entrance requirements for the STAMP program for the 2016-2017 school year. All 8th grade students who have an interest in applying to the STAMP program for the 2016-2017 school year must take Algebra this current school year. A letter will be sent home to all 8th grade BISD students and parents notifying them of the additional program requirements.

Health Benefits Survey Results

The Employees Benefits Department recently surveyed employees about BISD health benefits including ways to reduce costs. Thank you to the many employees who responded to the survey. View the results.

New Faces, New Places

Dr. Zendejas has announced new campus administrator assignments for the 2015-2016 school year. Elementary Schools Hudson...........................................Rachel R. Ayala Keller...........................................Javier Garza Palm Grove.......................................Carla Pereira Russell..........................................Oscar Cantu, Jr. Putegnat.........................................Dr. Aidee Vasquez Middle Schools Faulk............................................Benita Villarreal Perkins..........................................Beatriz Hernandez Stell............................................Liz Valdez Early College High Schools/Alternative Schools Brownsville Early College High School............Acacia Ameel Brownsville Academic Center......................Felipe Reyes Additional assisgnments will be announced as they become available.

Play Ball

The BISD Wellness Fitness Center invites you to watch a softball game between the Maintenance Rangers and Transportation Scorpions on Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 pm at Porter Early College High School. DJ Longhorn will be the featured commentator.

Oliveira Band Advances to State Finals

Congratulations to the Oliveira Middle School Band for advancing to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Honor Band State Finals. The Oliveira Band, under the direction of Gaspar Garcia, will compete in the 2015 TMEA CCC State Honor Band competition on July 23 during the Texas Band Masters Association convention in San Antonio, Texas. In 5A, Pace ECHS Band ranked 3rd in area competition and is the 1st runner-up to state. The Lucio Middle School Band ranked as the 1st runner–up in middle school conference CCC and the Besteiro band ranked 3rd in area competition and 1st runner-up to state in the CC conference. Congratulations to our band students, parents, and directors on their outstanding achievements.