Week of January 15

The +10 Mindset

Mike McCreary,
President

January is Board Appreciation Month, and in this week's post, I would like to acknowledge the Blue Ridge ISD Board of Trustees for their commitment to the students and staff of our great district.  Below are the 4 goals that our trustees adopted, and I am happy to say that we have met all goals that were to be completed by January 2018, and we are making great progress on the goals that are to be accomplished by January 2020.

• Goal 1 - By the fall of 2020, BRISD will exceed national, state, and regional performance by demonstrating positive academic student growth on a number of assessment measured compared to the regional, state and national averages.

• Goal 2 - By January 2018, BRISD will develop a comprehensive personnel plan designed to improve the quality of educators in the district.  

Joe Harvey,
Vice-President

• Goal 3 - By January 2018, Blue Ridge ISD will create and implement a master facility plan that projects the needs over the next 5 years and includes facility assessments to determine the cycle for maintenance or replacement of existing structures and the need for new construction.

• Goal 4 - By January 2018, BRISD will develop a plan to prepare all students for college and career by making specific plans to promote a college and career mindset to all students, and ensure that by 2020 every senior from BRISD graduates with a plan to enter a post-secondary institution, military or job preparatory program.

This Tuesday, January 16, the board will be recognized for their efforts at their regularly scheduled board meeting. Please join me in thanking our dedicated and unified board of trustees who are the reason our district is moving in the right direction at such a fast pace.

Kevin Dauster,
Secretary

Kicking off 2018 Tiger Style
The New Year is starting off with a bang.  Here are a few highlights:

• Our teachers had a tremendous day of work on Monday, January 8 to prepare for the students returning. 
• The students have had a great start to the new year by working hard and chasing excellence in their learning. 
• The FFA program began their showing season with THE LARGEST TURNOUT at the Collin County Livestock Show.  Thank you parents, Mrs. Packard and Mr. Bean for your hard work supporting and leading our kids.  (More info in next week's post.)
• The Lady Tigers are 2-0 in District Play in basketball.
• The Tigers are looking good heading into their first district game on Friday.

I hope your year is starting out with a bang as well.  Let's work hard together to make 2018 a fantastic year for our students and our teachers.

Gary Lillard

Upcoming Events

• Fri, Jan 12 - HS BB vs Bland AWAY
• 
  Sat, Jan 13
• 7th Girls BB Tournament at Trenton
• 8th Boys BB Tournament at Trenton
• 8th Girls BB Tournament at Van Alstyne
• Mon, Jan 15 - Student & Staff Holiday
• Tue, Jan 16 - BRISD School Board Meeting at 6 p.m.

• 

  Tammy Phillips

  Tue, Jan 16 - HS BB vs Celeste HERE
• Thu, Jan 18 - Girls Powerlifting at S&S ISD
• Thu, Jan 18 - JH BB vs Dodd City HERE
• Fri, Jan 19 - HS BB vs Honey Grove AWAY
• Sat, Jan 20 - Boys Powerlifting at S&S ISD
• Tue, Jan 23 - HS BB vs Wolfe City HERE
• Thu, Jan 25 - JH BB vs Celeste AWAY
• Fri, Jan 26 - HS BB vs Trenton AWAY
• Sat, Jan 27 - Boys & Girls Powerlifting at Gainesville ISD
• Tue, Jan 30 - HS BB vs Bland HERE

• 

  Seth McGinnis

  Thu, Feb 1 - JH BB vs Wolfe City HERE
• Fri, Feb 2 - HS BB vs Celeste AWAY
• Sat, Feb 3 - JH BB Tournament

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

Phillip Pulliam,
new in December 2017

Election Information
The March primaries are coming quickly, and I wanted to share information about the election.  Here is how you can register to vote.  The deadline to register is February 5.  Early voting begins on February 20, and election day is March 6. 


Blue Ridge Alliance Update

The Blue Ridge Alliance met on Monday, January 8 at 6 p.m. at the BRISD Administration Meeting.  Representatives from the City, Chamber of Commerce, Blue Ridge ISD, and Mountainman Jerky were in attendance.

Edie Sims reported several accomplishments for the city in 2017 including the following highlights: land purchased for park area, all struck off properties sold, 6 street improvements, 7 ordinances created to affect budget, municipal court established, and council packets now are online.  For 2018 the City plans to complete improvement of  Ridgeway with concrete from Business 78 to State Highway 78, implement a marshal’s office, improve codification of ordinances, and improve code enforcement.

Faith Jech, president of the Blue Ridge Chamber of Commerce shared the plans for improving the chamber.  This included seeking input from local businesses on what they need, work with BRHS students to create videos to promote local businesses, promote job opportunities and help kids develop interview skills at BRHS, and begin to recognize the Business of the Month.

Mr. Wink shared information with the group about the school.  This included several accolades the students earned in the 2017 Fall Semester.  There has been a change in the board with Phillip Pulliam filling a vacant place until May 2018.  Also, he shared the district goals with the group and the progress of those goals.  The goals are academic improvement, college and career, facility improvement, and personnel recruitment, development and retention.

The BR Alliance will hold the 2nd Annual Fall Festival again  in October 2018.

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.