Thursday, December 15, 2016

Announcements for Christmas Break

The +10 Mindset
UIL Academics is a focus for our district this year, and our eventual goal is to become district champions and have several students become state champions.  UIL starts in elementary and our
middle school and elementary coaches put in a tremendous amount of work and time in order to prepare our kids for the district meet last week.  As a result of this focus and concerted effort, our teams saw outstanding growth.

Our Elementary Team won 3rd place in the meet, and what is important to note is that the campus increased its overall point total to 304.3 points which was a 91 point increase from 2015 and the first time our district has earned over 300 points in a very long time.  We are extremely proud of our coaches and students for their hard work.

Our Middle School Team (4th place overall) almost doubled its point total by generating an outstanding increase in points from 243 points last year to 425 points this year.

It is critical to note that we are just in the first year of making UIL Academics a priority, and we are excited for what the future holds.  Please join me in congratulating our schools, coaches, and students for their efforts to make Blue Ridge academic competition a priority.


Upcoming Events


  • Fri, 12/16 - Early Release Day at 12:25 (ES) & 12:30 (MS/HS)
  • Fri, 12/16 - HS BB vs Tom Bean HOME
  • 12/19 - 12/30 - Christmas Break (BRISD will be closed)
  • Tue, 12/20 - HS BB vs Whitewright HERE at 2:30
  • Wed, 12/28 - HS BB at Ector Tournament
  • Thu, 12/29 - HS BB at Ector Tournament
  • Fri, 12/30 - HS BB at Ector Tournament
  • Mon, 1 /2, Staff Development (STUDENT HOLIDAY)
  • Tue, 1 /3, Staff Development (STUDENT HOLIDAY)
  • Wed, 1 /4, Students Return to School
  • Thu, 1 / 5, JH BB vs Honey Grove at 4:30 HERE
  • Fri, 1/ 6, Girls BB vs Wolfe City 5 pm HERE
  • Fri, 1/7, Boys BB vs Lindsay 7 pm. HERE
  • Sat, 1/8, MS BB Boys Tournament

Calendars
Throughout December,
we have been giving our staff
lots of appreciation and gifts.
We have enjoyed the
12 Days of Christmas
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar





Additional Information - #NotOnTheTest
As we end the 2016 year and begin the 2017 year, I want to direct your attention to all the things that BRISD does to prepare kids for the future that you will never see on a test, much less a STAAR test.  This week, I want to focus on the technology that is being used to drive student learning in BRISD.

Did you know that BRISD is a 1 to 1 district?  That means that every student is assigned a device that they use every day to drive their learning.  Also, our students are being expose code, a language in technology used to write software programs.  Below you will see 3rd graders participating in the Hour of Code initiative last week.  Hour of Code is a national initiative to expose students to coding and how code can change our kids' lives.

At BRISD, we are preparing kids for so much more than a test, and how we are rated by the state of Texas, based on one test on one day, will NEVER tell the entire story of what we do for kids.


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, December 14, 2016

Blue Ridge ISD Trustees Sign Resolution for Legislative Session

The Blue Ridge ISD School Board approved a resolution (CLICK HERE) outlining their top legislative priorities entering the 2017 Texas Legislative Session. The passing of this measure is the latest in a collective effort by the superintendents and school boards of Region 10 to communicate the top areas of interest that stand to impact the 812,000 students they collectively serve.

The priorities include the following:
  •  A call to repeal any A-F campus and district grading system
  • Opposition to vouchers or Education Savings Grants and 
  • An increase of funding for Texas’ public schools. 


The approved resolution was mailed to the Texas Governor’s Office and local senators and representatives on Tuesday.  “Blue Ridge ISD is proud to stand with all Region 10 school districts in this effort to communicate the needs of its district, the students in Region 10, and all schools in the state of Texas,” said John Wink, Blue Ridge ISD Superintendent. "We ask that all supporters of Texas public schools become informed about this session's legislation that will impact 5.2 million Texas students and take time to contact their legislators to learn more about their position on supporting public education."

To learn more about the Region 10 Legislative Priorities, please visit www.TexasStudentsMatter.com.




Pictured: Top Right - Board Trustee, Tammy Phillips signing BRISD Resolution. Bottom Left - Superintendent, John Wink explains the necessity of the legislative priorities to the board and members of the community. Bottom Right - Board President Mike McCreary signs BRISD Resolution advocating for 5.2 million Texas public school students.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Week of December 12


The +10 Mindset
As we get ready to wrap up the 2016 year, I want to highlight some very positive things happening at Blue Ridge ISD.  First, we are a culture of growth.  At every campus, the focus has been on how much growth students are making in their learning.  Second, staff members have been committed to their own personal growth.  Because we know that student growth can't be maximized without teacher growth, teachers and staff members have put in lots of hours outside the school day to find new ways to get better at meeting the needs of all kids.  Finally, we want all kids to succeed in everything that they do.

From academic classes to UIL Academics, from One Act Play to band and athletics, or from FFA to Beta Club, our district is firmly committed to ensuring that every student finds their own unique excellence.  What we do as a district can never be fully measured by one test on one day or in an arbitrary rating.  We will always judge ourselves by how much growth we make in every student.

As we finish this month, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for allowing me to serve as your superintendent.  Blue Ridge is truly a Bridge to Excellence, and it is an honor and privilege to be a part of such an outstanding community.  I pray that as we complete this last week of December, each of you will enter the Christmas week full of love, comfort and joy.


Upcoming Events

  • Fri, 12/9 - HS BB vs. Quinlan-Boles HOME
  • Sat, 12/10 - JV BB Tournament at Trenton
  • Christmas is here.  The outstanding
    work is by BRHS art student, Hannah Hinkle.
    Mon, 12/12 - Board Meeting at 6 p.m.
  • Mon, 12/12 - JH BB vs. Bland AWAY
  • Tue, 12/13 - HS Girls BB v Aubrey at 5 p.m. HOME
  • Tue, 12/13 - HS Boys BB v Nocona at 7 p.m. HOME
  • Wed, 12/14 - Silver Tiger Coffee Reception with Superintendent from 8:30 - 10 a.m. at BRISD Admin Building
  • Thu, 12/15 - BR Band Concert at HS Gym at 7 p.m.
  • Fri, 12/16 - Early Release Day at 12:25 (ES) & 12:30 (MS/HS) and Christmas Parties
  • Fri, 12/16 - HS BB vs Tom Bean HOME
  • 12/19 - 12/30 - Christmas Break
  • Mon, 1 /2, Staff Development (STUDENT HOLIDAY)
  • Tue, 1 /3, Staff Development (STUDENT HOLIDAY)
  • Wed, 1 /4, Students Return to School



Calendars

BRES hosted a fantastic Christmas program.
Thank you BRES staff for all of your hard work in putting this
together
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Athletic Calendar








Additional Information
Our UIL Academic teams from the elementary and middle school levels competed this week at their district meet.  Congratulations go out to Stacey Raymer and her One Act Play company for winning first place in their competition last Saturday.  Overall results will be coming soon and will be reported on Facebook.  Please stay tuned.  Thank you to our coaches and students for their hard work this week.  We are extremely proud of you.


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.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Community Question - Why are my Taxes Going Up?




Why are my taxes going up and where is all that money going?

This is a great question and a common one that many residents have, especially when no improvements have been made to their property.  If your taxes went up this year, the reason is because the Collin County Appraisal District increased the value of your property.  The school district had nothing to do with determining the value of your property.

Tax Rate
It is important for you to know that the tax rate in Blue Ridge ISD did not change from last year and remained the same this year at $1.5715 per $100 valuation.  This means that the only way for your  taxes to go up is for the value of your property to increase.

State vs. Local $$$
It is true that your taxes go to the local school, but there is a caveat.  Local taxes are combined with state dollars to fund every local school district in the state.  What is interesting to know is that since 2008, the state has taken on less financial responsibility to fund public schools.

The data below from the Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB) shows how the state has shifted the burden of funding public education over to the local taxpayer.  In other words, while local taxes have gone up, state contributions have not followed suit.  State aid for education has risen from $17.14 billion in 2008 to the present figure of $19.59 billion, representing a 12.7% increase. However, local property taxes have risen from $18.2 billion to $26.25 billion during that same time frame, an increase of 44.2%.


    • 2008
      •       
      • State 48.5%
      • Local 51.5%
    • 2017
      • State 42.4%   
      • Local 57.6%


2008
2017



    • 2018 (Projected by Moak Casey)

        Projected for 2018
      • State 37.1%
      • Local 62.9%






What does the Future Hold?
Based on the current funding formulas, these numbers will become more imbalanced in the 2017 - 2018 biennium if funding to public schools matches the Texas Education Agency’s budget request.  TEA is proposing $34.14 billion in general revenue, a decrease of $3.35 billion from the previous session. Local school districts and their taxpayers will continue to take on more responsibility to provide public education to 5.2 million students (a number that increases every year).

What Are We Doing About It?
To alleviate future burdens on public schools, Region 10 superintendents are asking state representatives and senators to increase the basic allotment by $275 per WADA (Weighted Average Daily Attendance). While this will not solve all of the problems in school finance, this increase would generate $302,542 in state funding for Blue Ridge ISD and help every school in the state of Texas. This increase in the state's contribution would not raise your taxes but rather ensure that the ISD property taxes you already pay actually go towards the purpose of the tax – our schools!

What Can You Do About It?
To make your voice heard, all you have to do is contact your state senator and state representative. Their contact information is below.


Here are the Region 10 Legislative Priorities if you want to learn more about them.


Collin County-District 3

Texas State Senators


Texas State Senate District 8--Senator Van Taylor
Capitol Office: EXT E1.708
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0108
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
District Address: 6301 Preston Road, Suite 700
Plano TX 75024

Texas State Senate District 30--Senator Craig Estes
Capitol Office: CAP 3E.18
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0130
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
District Address: 2525 Kell Blvd., Suite 302
Wichita Falls TX 76308



Texas State Representatives




Texas State House District 33--Representative Scott Turner
Capitol Office: EXT E1.318
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0484
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 6537 Horizon Rd., Suite B.
Rockwall TX 75032

Texas State House District 66--Representative Matt Shaheen
Capitol Office: EXT E1.322
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0594
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 5304 West Plano Parkway
Plano TX 75093


Texas State House District 67--Representative Jeff Leach
Capitol Office: EXT E1.314
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0544
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 777 E. 15th Street, Ste. 202
Plano TX 75074

Texas State House District 70--Representative Scott Sanford
Capitol Office: EXT E2.210
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0356
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 115 W. Virginia, Suite 103
McKinney TX 75069

Texas State House District 89--Representative Jodie Laubenberg
Capitol Office: CAP 1N.7
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0186
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 206 North Murphy Road
Murphy TX 75094


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.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Week of December 5

The +10 Mindset
Blake Cooper from Friends of Texas Public Schools
speaking to Region 10 leaders this past week
at Blue Ridge ISD
Texas Public Schools do amazing things for 5.2 million students every day.  Texas public schools create future ready students, and they expose them to tremendous opportunities and experiences that can never be measured on a standardized test.  Our goal is to continue to improve at meeting the needs of all kids and increase the opportunities that will help them meet and even exceed their potential.

Today, the future of Texas public schools is at risk as the Texas legislature convenes in Austin on January 10.  There are 3 issues that will severely damage all Texas public schools if not addressed.
  • The A-F Accountability System
  • Vouchers or Education Savings Accounts
  • Decreasing State Funding of Schools
PLEASE READ THIS FLYER to get a better picture of the position of the 80 districts in Region 10 and what we would like to see happen in this legislative session.

Over the next few weeks, I will tell you ways that you can positively influence the future of Blue Ridge ISD in this next legislative session.


Upcoming Events
Alise Burke's art students are doing amazing things everyday.

  • Sat, 12/3 - MS UIL One Act Play in Trenton
  • Sat, 12/3 - Blue Ridge Christmas Parade is CANCELLED
  • Mon, 12/5 - JH BB vs. Wolfe City HOME
  • Tue, 12/6 - HS Girls BB vs. Detroit AWAY
  • Thu, 12/8 - BRES Christmas Program at 6 p.m.
  • Fri, 12/9 - HS BB vs. Quinlan-Boles HOME
  • Sat, 12/10 - JV BB Tournament at Trenton
  • Mon, 12/12 - Board Meeting at 6 p.m.
Our Elementary students are
being exposed to the real world
through field trips.



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







Additional Information

The BRISD Food Pantry is filling up.  Please contact
your school if you would like to get involved.
The BRISD Food Pantry is filling up and we are already helping students and their families in the BRISD community.  I would like to thank some very important people for getting this started.  Special thanks go to Carolyn Wink, Terri Rodriquez, Matthew Todd, Anthony Figueroa, Dena Hamilton, and the BRHS Beta Club for all of their work in getting this program started.  This program will go a long way in helping our students meet their basic needs so that they can grow in their learning in school.

Special thanks goes out to Lowe's of McKinney for donating 2 cabinets for us to store our canned and boxed food items.



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.