Hanna Band Is State Bound!

The Hanna ECHS Golden Eagle Marching Band was crowned the 2016 Area G Co-Champion on Saturday, October 29 at the UIL Area G Marching Contest held at the PSJA Stadium. Hanna shared the title with Harlingen High School. A total of 24 bands competed for a coveted spot in the 2016 UIL State Marching Contest. Brownsville ISD was represented by Hanna and the Rivera ECHS Red and Black Marching Band. Both bands turned in a stellar preliminary round performances with the Hanna Band ranked number 1. In the final round of competition, Hanna earned the right to be one of 4 bands to advance to the UIL State Marching Contest on November 7-9 in the San Antonio Alamodome. Hanna, under the direction of Dennis Ewing, is the only band in BISD history to win the Area G Championship and has done it twice, in 2008 and 2016. Special thanks to these band students, directors and parents on their hard work, dedication and determination. Best of luck to Hanna at State!

BISD Choirs Earn Superior Notes

BISD Middle School choir students hit all the right notes at the Region 28 Solo and Ensemble Contest held on Saturday, October 22 at Stillman Middle School. A total of 435 BISD students competed and 416 received Superior ratings on their solos, the top rating awarded. BISD had 48 singers compete in ensembles and all were rated Superior. In all, BISD choir students brought home 482 medals and ribbons. Congratulations to all choir students and their directors on this talented showing. View the results by BISD campus.

Election Clarification

A political advertisement for the current School Board Election claims that the Brownsville Independent School District, specifically the Transportation Department, is supporting a slate of candidates. While the advertisement does not identify who is responsible for the advertisement, the Brownsville Independent School District does not endorse any candidate(s) running for the current School Board Trustee positions and the Transportation Department did not authorize the endorsement of any candidates(s) as per policy.

Budding Scientists at Work

Brownsville ISD will host the annual Elementary Science Fair with four cluster events over two weekends. On Saturday, October 29, Russell Elementary will host Cluster 1 schools at Stell Middle School and Gallegos Elementary will host Cluster 2 schools at Vela Middle School. On Saturday, November 5, Garza Elementary will host Cluster 3 schools at Besteiro Middle School and Del Castillo Elementary will host Cluster 4 at Perkins Middle School. BISD’s young scientists have been busy preparing their projects for this annual competition. A special thanks to the hosting schools and many judges and volunteers who make the Elementary Science Fair successful.

BISD Salutes Our Veterans

Several BISD Schools will participate in the 17th Annual Southmost Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 5 at 2 pm. The parade will begin at 20th Street and Southmost Boulevard and conclude at Lima Street and Southmost Boulevard. The Southmost Veterans Parade was created to honor the brave men and women who have served or are serving in the United States Armed Services.

Textbook Hearings

The Publishers’ Textbook Hearings for the 2016-2017 BISD Campus Advisory Committee will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 8 am – 3 pm at the Central Administrative Building (CAB). Use SRN 891161029 to register.

BISD October Tradition

The BISD Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative has become a district October tradition. Since its beginning 7 years ago, this outreach has sought to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival within BISD. Funds are raised annually through $10 contributions which entitle BISD employees to wear jeans on Thursdays and Fridays in October. Other events include special themes every Friday in October. A luncheon will be held for breast cancer patients, survivors and their supporters on Friday, October 28 at 12 noon in the Boardroom. The 4th Annual BISD Mile of Hope will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 6 pm at Sams Stadium. All funds raised are donated to the BISD Mile of Hope Foundation and related breast cancer awareness activities. A total of 10 BISD full-time employees and/or students who are breast cancer patients recently received funds to assist with medical expenses. If you meet the qualifications and are interested in applying for medical assistance, complete this application form.

Veterans Memorial ECHS Senior Tops in State

Jordan Rudd, a Veterans Memorial ECHS basketball, soccer, and track athlete, is one of only two State Winners in the 2016 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award which recognizes student-athletes who have displayed excellence and integrity both on and off the field. State Winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and a silver medal. From that group, 10 National Finalists will be selected. Since 1994, Wendy’s and the Heisman Trophy Trust have been honoring the nation’s most esteemed student-athletes. Pedro Pinales, a Veterans Memorial football player, was also recognized as a Wendy’s Heisman School Winner.

Trio of BISD Artists Earn State Awards

Three BISD students earned first place awards at the state School Bus Safety Poster Contest Ceremony held on Tuesday, October 18 at the Texas State Capitol Extension Auditorium. Congratulations to Zeus Serrano, a 2nd grade student at Skinner Elementary, for earning a first place in Division I, Grades K-2; Erandy Ramirez, a 4th grade student at Skinner Elementary, for earning a first place in Division II, Grades 3-5; and Luis Rivera, a 7th grade student at Perkins Middle School, for earning a first place in Division IV, Special Needs. These BISD student artists are to be commended on their achievements. The poster contest and recognition ceremony is sponsored annually by the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation.

Porter Senior Named Wendy’s Heisman School Winner

Johnathan Gonzalez, a Porter Early College High School senior, has been named a School Winner for the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Award which highlights exceptional high school seniors and their achievements in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. Gonzalez will move on for consideration in the next stage of the program where he could be named a State Finalist. For 22 years, Wendy’s, in partnership with the Heisman Memorial Trophy, has recognized outstanding students and rewarded their commitment and achievements. Congratulations, Johnathan!

Tamez Named CATCH Champ

Fred J. Tamez, the BISD PE/Health Specialist, has been selected as a CATCH Champion by the CATCH Team (University of Texas and CATCH Global Foundation). CATCH stands for the Coordinated Approach to Child Health. Tamez, one of six CATCH Champions from across the state, was selected for his untiring dedication to creating healthy environments for Texas children. He will be recognized on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 5:30 pm at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston, Texas.

BISD Choir Members Earn Regional Spots

BISD placed 46 choir members and 7 alternates in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 28 District Treble Choir. Auditions were held on Saturday, October 15 in Donna. There were 80 chairs available. Special recognition goes to the BISD students who earned first chairs in their sections: Arleen Arambula, Soprano 1, Pace ECHS; Azaria Vasquez, Alto 1, Hanna ECHS; and Karina Alvarado, Alto 2, Hanna ECHS. The TMEA Region 28 District and Region Choirs will perform on Saturday, November 12 at the Harlingen Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to these talented BISD singers.

Famed Musician Comes Home to BISD

World-renowned Latin percussionist, Faustino Cuevas, will conduct a percussion clinic for students on Monday, October 17 from 10 am – 12 noon at Hanna Early College High School. Cuevas will be in town to perform at the Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival. Cuevas began playing drums when he was 11 years old at Cummings Middle School. He graduated from Hanna High School in 1992. He went on to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he discovered Latin percussion. Cuevas has performed on stage with Julio Iglesias, Britney Spears, Celia Cruz, Queen Latifah, High School Musical, Stevie Wonder, Santana, and Jennifer Lopez. Brownsville ISD is pleased to welcome Faustino Cuevas back to the school district where it all began.

28 BISD Elementary Schools Are Open Until 5:30 Each Day

Approximately 3,800 students currently participate in Brownsville ISD's Extended Day Enrichment Program each weekday. The school district offers the free program at 28 elementary schools, Aiken, Benavides, Breeden, Brite, Burns, Canales, Castañeda, Cromack, Del Castillo, Egly, El Jardin, Garden Park, Garza, Gonzalez, Hudson, Longoria, Martin, Morningside, Palm Grove, Paredes, Perez, Resaca, Russell, Skinner, Vermillion, Victoria Hts., Villa Nueva, and Yturria. The program assists parents with quality enrichment programs for students in grades pre-kinder through 5th from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM weekdays. The Extended Day Enrichment Program provides academic intervention, tutoring, homework assistance, and academic enrichment through sports, art and music activities depending on the individual campuses. A hot, nutritious supper is also provided. Student transportation will not be provided. For more information, contact the individual campus administrators.

Google @ BISD

The Google CS First Roadshow visited Brownsville ISD on Tuesday, October 11 at 10:45 am at the Central Administrative Building (CAB) located at 708 Palm Boulevard. Mayor Tony Martinez and Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas participated in an hour-long presentation which taught kids about the importance of STEM education through an interactive coding activity. Over 200 BISD 4th and 5th grade students from Castañeda, Del Castillo, Ortiz, Palm Grove, Pullam, and Yturria Elementary Schools attended the presentation that is designed to develop an interest in computer science education and grow their problem solving and technical coding skills. View the media release.

Google @ BISD

The Google CS First Roadshow will visit Brownsville ISD on Tuesday, October 11 at 10:45 am at the Central Administrative Building (CAB) located at 708 Palm Boulevard. Mayor Tony Martinez and Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas will participate in an hour-long presentation which teaches kids about the importance of STEM education through an interactive coding activity. Over 200 BISD 4th and 5th grade students from Castañeda, Del Castillo, Ortiz, Palm Grove, Pullam, and Yturria Elementary Schools will attend the presentation that is designed to develop an interest in computer science education and grow their problem solving and technical coding skills.

Exempt Day Fundraisers

Texas Public Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program may sell food and/or beverages as part of a fundraiser that does not meet the Competitive Food Nutritional Standards during the school day for up to six days per school year on each campus if no food and/or beverages for an exempted fundraiser are sold in competition with school meals served or consumed in the food service area. The BISD campus principals had the opportunity to select the six days for 2016-2017. They are: Halloween, October 31, 2016; Christmas, December 20, 2016; Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2017; Charro Days, February 23, 2017; Easter, April 13, 2017; and the last day of school, June 6, 2017. For more information, call the BISD Food and Nutrition Services Department at 548-8450.

A Message to Parents

Our school district, like many others in the United States has been victimized by a hoax appearing on Facebook about school violence. We take any such threats seriously. Our BISD police investigators working closely with other law enforcement agencies and Facebook were able to identify a high school student who was responsible for one post and he has been arrested. BISD campuses are places to learn and all precautions are being taken to keep them safe and secure. We ask you to talk to your children and remind them that any student who violates laws at school will not only be subject to disciplinary action as stated in BISD policies but may also be subject to arrest by the police and/or legal action may be taken. The safety of our BISD students and employees is our top priority.

Enroll in the Employee Sick Leave Bank

The BISD Human Resources Department has announced the enrollment period for the Employee Sick Leave Bank, October 1-31, 2016. If a BISD employee or family member has a catastrophic illness, the employee may withdraw days from the bank. New members must complete an application form and have one local day to contribute. Enrollment is automatic for current members. A form must be completed to discontinue membership in the Employee Sick Leave Bank. For more information, call (956) 548-8051 or 548-8031. Download the flyer and application here.

It’s Pigskin Time!

The 74th Pigskin Jubilee Marching Band Competition will be held on Saturday, October 22 at two locations. The Region 28 UIL 5A bands will compete at Bennie LaPrade Stadium in Donna at 4:45 pm and the 6A bands will compete at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen at 6:45 pm. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased from any BISD ECHS band director or at the gate on October 22. Tickets sold by band directors are grouped by campus. BISD students have been preparing since June for this competition and they will present an outstanding evening of music, dance and precision. View the schedule for BISD marching bands.