Thursday, September 29, 2016

Week of October 3

The +10 Mindset
This week students across the district took their first 6 weeks assessment.  The assessments were developed by our teachers with district guidance and support, and the rigor of the assessments matches the rigor of the STAAR test that students will take in the spring.  The purpose of the assessing students is 2-fold
  1. Gauge student learning and growth from last year.
  2. Identify instructional practices that contribute to or inhibit student growth.
Based on the results we receive, we will determine which students need additional time and support (intervention) and which students are ready to be challenged through more rigorous extension activities.  If you have any questions about the 6 Weeks Assessments and how your student is doing on them, you can contact your child's teacher or principal.  

Every student has a +10 goal.  In other words, if the student made a 60 last year, we want them to grow toward a 70 this year.  If the student made a 30 on last year's test, his +10 goal is making a 40.  The purpose behind this mindset is to condition our students to always grow into the excellence that is deep within them. We hope that you will take part in working with us to help your child reach his/her +10 goal for this year.



Check out this video by Mrs. Fritchman's students learning about syllables through the use of movement.


Upcoming Events

  • Fri, 9/30 - End of 6 Weeks Grading Period
    Katie Pelzel is leading HS teachers
    in a Lunch and Learn session.
    BRISD teachers are the 1st learners.
  • Fri, 9/30 - Senior Pictures
  • Fri, 9/30 - HS VB vs. Roxton 4:30 p.m.
  • Fri, 9/30 - V FB vs. Tom Bean HOME 7:30 p.m.
  • Sat, 10/1 - Cross Country at Commerce
  • Mon, 10/3 - NO SCHOOL - STATE FAIR DAY
  • Mon, 10/3 - JH VB vs Savoy AWAY
  • Tue, 10/4 - HS VB vs Tom Bean HOME 5:00
  • Thu, 10/6 - Cross Country Meet at Blue Ridge
  • Thu, 10/6 - JH FB (5:00) & JV FB (6:30) vs Valley View HERE
  • Fri, 10/7 - HS VB vs Dodd City (4:30) AWAY
  • Fri, 10/7 - HS FB vs Valley View AWAY 7:30 p.m.



Calendars
First meal of the year prepared by Charlotte Todd's Culinary Business Management Students-chicken enchiladas, rice and cookies.

District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar









Additional Information
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD sets 4 priorities for upcoming legislative session


BRISD Teachers hold 1st Twitter Chat
Melissa Stiney led our very first twitter chat about how to better engage students using Kagan structures, a new initiative in our district. We had several teachers sharing their thoughts in this chat. To see the #BRISDLearns chat, CLICK HERE

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please let a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 972-752-5554.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Week of September 26


The +10 Mindset

Growth in learning should be fun in order to accelerate growth and the desire to strive for it.  If it's not ever fun, what's the point?  Below is a video of Mr. Spurgers' physics kids having fun with learning.  Teachers at Blue Ridge are working hard to not only make learning challenging, but they are also finding creative ways to make chasing the challenge half of the fun.


Congratulations Rachel Evans and
Chaice Weatherford, Blue Ridge HS
Homecoming Queen and King
Great video highlighting great
great instruction from Mr. Spurgers'
Physics class.


Upcoming Events

    • Fri, 9/23 - HS VB vs Savoy 4:30  AWAY
    • Fri, 9/23 - V FB vs Collinsville 7:30 AWAY
    • Thu - Sat, 9/23 - 9/24 - TASA / TASB Convention
    • Sat, 9/24 - Cross Country at Trenton 8:30 a.m.  
    • Mon, 9/26 - 1st 6 Weeks Assessment Week Begins
    • Mon, 9/26 - JH VB vs Trenton HOME 5 - 8 p.m.
    • Tue, 9/27 - HS VB vs. Bells HOME 5 - 8 p.m.
    • Wed, 9/28 - See you at the Pole - FCA at 7:15 a.m.
    • Thu, 9/29 - JH / JV FB vs. Tom Bean AWAY  4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
    • Fri, 9/30 - End of 6 Weeks Grading Period
    • Fri, 9/30 - Senior Pictures
    • Fri, 9/30 - HS VB vs. Roxton 4:30 p.m.
    • Fri, 9/30 - V FB vs. Tom Bean HOME 7:30 p.m.
    • Sat, 10/1 - Cross Country at Commerce
    • Mon, 10/3 - NO SCHOOL - STATE FAIR DAY




My view from the Blue Ridge
Homecoming Parade
Calendars
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar




Additional Information
Homecoming in Blue Ridge was Awesome!!!  
Homecoming 2016 was fantastic.  Personally I had a great time seeing this wonderful and unique traditional, and I cannot wait until next year's Homecoming Parade and all the festivities.  Check out the great pictures and videos from the day.




Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please let a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 972-752-5554.



Thursday, September 15, 2016

Week of September 19

The +10 Mindset
Source:  Simon Sinek's Instragram post
Growth looks different for every person.  Some people start growing physically before others.  Some don't grow at all and then overnight, they grow 5 inches.  There is one inevitable truth about growth, and it is this.

IT WILL HAPPEN.

That is why it is important that we remind our students that it is not always best to compare ourselves to others by looking at our current state or our current proficiency in learning.  It is, however, very healthy to look at our progress over time and determine if we are making the necessary growth that pushes us toward mastery in learning.

One thought that we must always remember about growth is that it is not a race.  It is, however, a journey.  Some will grow faster while others will grow slower.  Furthermore, we must teach our students that the focus shouldn't be on the speed of growth, but on our commitment to our growth and personal development, for that is how we ensure that we set our sights on making lasting growth instead of growth that is fast and more likely unnecessary growth.


Upcoming Events
  • Ms. Pelzel's math students are proving their learning
    by creating an instructional video on how to solve
    specific problems.
    Fri, 9/16 - Homecoming Parade at 1 p.m.
  • Fri, 9/16 - VB vs Wolfe City at 4:30  HOME
  • Fri, 9/16 - FB vs Quinlan Boles at 7:30 - HOMECOMING
  • Sat, 9/17 - Cross Country at Princeton 8 a.m.
  • Mon, 9/19 - September Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Tue, 9/20 - HS VB vs Trenton at 5 p.m. AWAY
  • Thu, 9/22 - JH & JV FB vs Collinsville 5 & 6:30 p.m. HOME
  • Thu, 9/22 - Yearbook begins selling ads
  • Fri, 9/23 - HS VB vs Savoy 4:30  AWAY
  • Fri, 9/23 - V FB vs Collinsville 7:30 AWAY
  • Sat, 9/24 - Cross Country at Trenton 8:30 a.m.  
  • Great job to BRES teachers on their Reading Night.
    Mon, 9/26 - 1st 6 Weeks Assessment Week Begins



Calendars
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar







Teacher Growth = Adult Growth
BRES Teachers in an after school learning
session on the power of Google Sheets
Learning isn't just for kids.  It's for adults as well.  Curriculum director, Amy Hopkins, is working with principals and teachers to offer a multitude of learning opportunities for our teachers.  The best thing about this form of learning is that it is being led by our very own teachers and administrators.  To the right, BRES teachers are engaged in an after-school training learning about the district's new lesson plan template and how to use Google Sheets to make more relevant and meaningful lessons.

Teachers in our district have the option to learn in a multitude of formats such as:

  • After-school face to face training
  • Lunch and Learn Sessions
  • Online Night Class from the comforts of their own home.
  • Twitter chats
It is so exciting to work in a place where teachers are continuously learning with and from one another.  When teacher learning and growth becomes the constant, student growth will certainly follow.   This is an exciting time in Blue Ridge ISD, and our teachers are a huge reason for the excitement that is growing.




Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please let a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 972-752-5554.




Thursday, September 8, 2016

Week of September 12

The +10 Mindset
We are completing the first 3 weeks of school, and wow, have they been fast.  This week, I would like to encourage you to take time to visit with your children about how the first 3 weeks have gone.  Here are a few questions you can ask them.

  • Which class is your favorite class and why?
  • Which class is a struggle for you and what makes it hard for you?
  • Who are you sitting with at lunch and what do you all talk about?
  • Are you having any problems with any students and if so, what are they?
  • What do you hope to accomplish in the next 3 weeks?
  • How can I help you do better in school?
Asking these starter questions can lead to some great conversations with your students.  Through these talks you can educate your kids on how to solve problems, how to persevere in tough times, and how to ask for help when needed.  The key to growth is not running from difficulties but pushing through them and learning from them.  A good conversation with words of acceptance and reassurance are exactly what every kid deserves to continue their pursuit for excellence.



Upcoming Events
  • Mon, 9/12 - Reading Night at BRES at 6 p.m.
  • Tue, 9/14 - VB vs Dodd City HOME
  • Thu, 9/15 - JH / JV vs Quinlan Boles at 5 & 6:30 p.m. AWAY
  • Fri, 9/16 - Homecoming Parade at 1 p.m.
  • Fri, 9/16 - VB vs Wolfe City at 4:30  HOME
  • Fri, 9/16 - FB vs Quinlan Boles at 7:30 - HOMECOMING
  • Sat, 9/17 - Cross Country at Princeton 8 a.m.
  • Mon, 9/19 - September Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Calendars
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar



Homecoming Week is Here!
Homecoming Week is here.  There will be lots of morning activities at school, so make sure your child doesn't miss school on Friday.  Additionally, the parade starts at 1 p.m. and ends with a pep rally at the high school at 2:30 p.m.   The game begins at 7:30 p.m and we hope to see everyone there as we show our Tiger Pride when we play on Friday.


Get Healthy in September
Are you looking for ideas to get healthy and fit? Check out the American Heart Association newsletter for September. 


Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please let a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 972-752-5554.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Week of September 5

The B_Ridge to Excellence
Our focus at Blue Ridge ISD is about growing learners into leaders.  This week, I encourage you to discuss with your child how he or she is leading himself/herself to become a better learner.  Here are a few questions that you can ask.

  • How well are you doing at staying on top of your school work?
  • How well are you doing at taking good notes to make sure you remember what you learn?
  • What are you doing at paying attention and staying focused in class?
  • What kinds of questions are you asking your teacher to learn more or to get help?
  • What are two or three things you are learning from your classmates in a class that is challenging for you?
Becoming a great leader starts with becoming a great learner first, and great learning comes with focus, discipline, determination and perseverance.

Do you want your middle or high school student to be a better writer?  
Our students are improving their writing with the use of our new Chromebooks, and there are 5 Useful Chrome Extensions for students to add through the chrome extensions.  Watch this 3 minute video and ask your HS student if they have these 5 extensions on their Chromebook?


Enrollment Update
On Monday, August 29, the Blue Ridge ISD Board of Trustees adopted the 2016-2017 budget and tax rate.  The tax rate for 2016-2017 remained the same at $1.5715 per $100 valuation, and the adopted budget will be $8,824,166.

Additionally, the board reviewed enrollment numbers comparing the first week of school enrollment for the last four years.  Enrollment is up 62 students from last year's enrollment, and in the last 4 years, the district has grown 91 students.  In our enrollment, the number of transfer students increased from 60 to 81 this year alone.  We will continue to monitor growth and housing development to anticipate future growth for our district.

Below is a slideshow that illustrates our district's growth.



Upcoming Events

  • Fri, 9/2 - Pep Rally at 2:30 at BRHS
  • Fri, 9/2 - VB vs Boles AWAY at 4:30
  • Fri, 9/2 - FB vs Whitewright HOME at 7:30
  • Sat, 9/3 - VB at Cumby Tournament
  • Mon, 9/5 - Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
  • Tue, 9/6 - VB vs Community AWAY at 5:00
  • Wed, 9/7 - JH & JV FB vs Honey Grove HOME at 4:30 & 6:00
  • Thu, 9/8 - FB vs Honey Grove AWAY at 7:30 
  • Fri, 9/9 - VB vs Tom Bean AWAY at 4:30 


Calendars
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar


Follow BRISD on Social Media
Blue Ridge ISD has so many exciting things going on that we can't list them all, BUT you can follow them all, by visiting our webpages, liking our Facebook pages and following our Twitter accounts.  Here is a list of the Twitter and Facebook accounts by organization, and below the list is an awesome example of  how we are sharing our schools with you.  Mr. Todd, BRES Principal is using Periscope to live stream exciting events at BRES through the school's Twitter account.

Webpage    Facebook      Twitter
BRISD      Facebook      Twitter
BRES       Facebook      Twitter
BRMS      Facebook      Twitter
BRHS       Facebook      Twitter
Athletics                         Twitter

What I'm Learning



Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please let a comment below. Comments are not published immediately. Please do not leave negative comments about individual people. If you have a negative comment, please email the principal, superintendent or call 972-752-5554.