The B_Ridge to Excellence: November 2018

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Week of December 3

The +10 Mindset

To the right, I have shared an image I found on the internet about the importance of reading. If you aspire for your children to succeed in reaching their college or career goal, reading is critical. The less students read, the more likely they will not achieve their goal; however, if students read 20 minutes per day, they can gain a robust vocabulary and achieve succeed academically by reaching the 90th percentile. That means of 100 students, a student who reads every day can be in the top 10.

To promote literacy, BRISD campuses have been pushing reading and writing in all classes. BRES has initiated the 40 Book Challenge which pushes students to read 40 books of their choosing by the end of the year. BRMS has implemented the 25 Book Challenge as well. I encourage you to join BRISD teachers and staff in pushing your child to read each and every day. By developing this habit in your students, tremendous benefits will lead to your child's ultimate success.

15 Days of Christmas

BRISD Board Members, Joe Harvey, Gary Lillard,
and Phillip Pulliam, kicked off Christmas by
handing out Christmas checks to all staff members
before Thanksgiving Break.
Thank you BRISD Board of Trustees

As part of our district goals to develop our personnel, the district uses the entire month of December
to shower our teachers with gifts and appreciation with the 15 days of Christmas. Every school day in December will have a special gift and message of appreciation to all BRISD teachers and staff members. They are truly a gift to our children, and we are extremely appreciative of them.

With that being said, I would like to invite parents and community to join us in this initiative. Whether it's a treat, a small gift, a Christmas card, or a personal letter of thanks, we want you to join us in spreading Christmas cheer throughout the district. If you would like to know more about the 15 Days of Christmas, please give me a call or send me an email. I would be glad to tell you more about it.

Upcoming Events

Sophomores, 8th grade, Kinder, 1st, and 2nd
grades were treated to ice cream parties to
donating the most to the Food Pantry

Thu - Sat, 11/29 - 12/1 - BBB at Farmersville Tournament
Thu - Sat, 11/29 - 12/1 - GBB at Valley View Tournament
Sat, Dec 1 - BR Christmas Parade
Mon, Dec 3 - EOC English I Retest
Mon, Dec 3 - JH Boys BB vs Whitewright
Mon, Dec 3 - JH Girls BB at Whitewright
Tue, Dec 4 - EOC Algebra 1 Retest
Tue, Dec 4 - HS Boys & Girls BB at Farmersville
Wed, Dec 5 - EOC English II Retest
Thu, Dec 6 - EOC Biology Retest
Thu, Dec 6 - UIL Speaking Events for MS at Bonham
Fri, Dec 7 - EOC U.S. History Retest
Fri, Dec 7 - UIL Speaking Events for ES at Bells
Dec 6 - 8 - Blue Ridge Basketball Tournament Boys & Girls
Mon, Dec 10 - BRHS Band Christmas Concert
Tue, Dec 11 - HS Boys BB vs Whitesboro
Tue, Dec 11 - HS Girls BB at Van Alstyne
Thu, Dec 13 - MS UIL Academics Paper Events at Van Alstyne

BRMS Students are now enjoying a new Gaga Ball pit
in the courtyard. Thank you to Mr. Lentz for thinking
of innovative ways to help the students enjoy their break time.
Thu, Dec 13 - MS Choir Christmas Concert
Fri, Dec 14 - ES UIL Academic Paper Events at Leonard
Fri, Dec 14 - HS Girls vs Howe
Fri, Dec 14 - HS Boys at Lone Oak
Sat, Dec 15 - MS One Act Play at Princeton
Sat, Dec 15 - Winter Sports Meet the Tiger at 7 pm
Mon, Dec 17 - JH Boys BB at Bells
Mon, Dec 17 - JH Girls BB at Howe
Mon, Dec 17 - BRISD Board Meeting at 7 p.m.
Tue, Dec 18 - Girls & Boys BB at Leonard
Tue, Dec 18 - Long Range Facility Planning Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m. (Bus leaves at 6 p.m.

Thank you Dr. Miller for speaking to our future teachers
in Principles of Education about careers in education.
Wed, Dec 19 - Last Day of 2nd 9 Weeks
Thu, Dec 20 - Staff Work Day (Holiday for Students)
Fri, Dec 21 - Christmas Break begins
Fri, Dec 21 - Boys & Girls BB vs Bonham
Mon & Tue, 1/7-1/8 - Staff Development Day
Wed, Jan 9 - Students Return for 3rd 9 Weeks

Calendars

Elementary Duke Talent Search Winners
were recognized at the November 12
board meeting.

District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Blue Ridge Community Calendar

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave 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, November 13, 2018

Week of November 26 (Happy Thanksgiving Break!!!)

BRISD Long-Range Facility Planning
Committee toured campuses and set the focus
for next steps.

The +10 Mindset
This past week, the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee met on Thursday, November 8 at 6 p.m. The committee toured the campuses, and listened to financial advisor, Brian Grubbs, about the potential cost of new facilities which were presented by WRA Architects. The committee came to a consensus that the district needs to explore the options related to having a bond election for a new elementary school. CLICK THE LINK to access handouts from the meeting.

The committee will meet again on Tuesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the new Sanford Elementary in Van Alstyne ISD, and as always, all members of the community are invited. If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, please contact Shawn Harris at 972-752-5554.

Congratulations to the Blue Ridge HS Football Team

District Runners Up in their first year in 3A Competition

In the Board Meeting

Thank you Silver Tigers for having
breakfast with us on Election Day.

At the November 12, 2018 board meeting, the board recognized the Duke Talent Search Scholars
from the elementary school and the Boys Cross Country Team who took 3rd place and advanced to Regionals in their first year in 3A.

The board took action on the following items:

Approved the items in consent agenda,
Approved the purchase of a new Agriculture Science truck,
Approved the purchase of a new school bus,
Approved the district improvement and campus improvement plans,
Approved the purchase of a new sound system for the football stadium.

The board discussed the following items:

Results of Fall Teacher Feedback Meetings to improve the working environment of our teachers which is part of the BRISD District

Mr. Wink's Elementary Student Leader of
the Week is Evelyn Stewart.

Personnel Goal,
Progress the district is making to accomplish the BRISD Academic Improvement Goal using the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test data,
Results of the TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) which is part of the BRISD Academic Improvement Goal,

The next BRISD Board Meeting is Monday, December 17 at 7 p.m.

Congratulations Blue Ridge MS 8th Grade Football Team

District Champions in their first year in 3A Competition

BRISD Veteran's Day Celebration Highlights

Created by Melissa Stiney, BRISD Director of Instructional Technology

Mr. Wink's Elementary Student Leader of the
Week is Jayce Harris.

Upcoming Events

Fri, Nov 16 - FB Playoff Game vs. Grand Saline at 7:30 in Terrell
Fri, Nov 16 - HS GBB (Basketball) at Gainesville
Mon - Fri, Nov 19 - 23 - THANKSGIVING BREAK
Mon, Nov 26 - School Resumes
Mon, Nov 26 - JH BBB at Bonham
Tue, Nov 27 - HS GBB at Ector
Thu - Sat, 11/29 - 12/1 - BBB at Farmersville Tournament
Thu - Sat, 11/29 - 12/1 - GBB at Valley View Tournament
Sat, Dec 1 - BR Christmas Parade
Mon, Dec 3 - EOC English I Retest
Mon, Dec 3 - JH Boys BB vs Whitewright
Mon, Dec 3 - JH Girls BB at Whitewright
Tue, Dec 4 - EOC Algebra 1 Retest
Tue, Dec 4 - HS Boys & Girls BB at Farmersville
Thank you Stacy Arbanas, Carolyn Wink, and
Aubrey Corbett (not pictured) for all of your
work organizing our Food Pantry.

Wed, Dec 5 - EOC English II Retest
Thu, Dec 6 - EOC Biology Retest
Thu, Dec 6 - UIL Speaking Events for MS at Bonham
Fri, Dec 7 - EOC U.S. History Retest
Fri, Dec 7 - UIL Speaking Events for ES at Bells
Dec 6 - 8 - Blue Ridge Basketball Tournament Boys & Girls
Mon, Dec 10 - BRHS Band Christmas Concert
Tue, Dec 11 - HS Boys BB vs Whitesboro
Tue, Dec 11 - HS Girls BB at Van Alstyne
Thu, Dec 13 - MS UIL Academics Paper Events at Van Alstyne
Fri, Dec 14 - ES UIL Academic Paper Events at Leonard
Fri, Dec 14 - HS Girls vs Howe
Fri, Dec 14 - HS Boys at Lone Oak
Sat, Dec 15 - MS One Act Play at Princeton
Sat, Dec 15 - Winter Sports Meet the Tiger at 7 pm
Mon, Dec 17 - JH Boys BB at Bells
Mon, Dec 17 - JH Girls BB at Howe
Mon, Dec 17 - BRISD Board Meeting at 7 p.m.
Tue, Dec 18 - Girls & Boys BB at Leonard

Mr. Wink's Secondary Student Leader of the
Week is Jacob Duncan
Tue, Dec 18 - Long Range Facility Planning Committee Meeting at 7 p.m.
Wed, Dec 19 - Last Day of 2nd 9 Weeks
Thu, Dec 20 - Staff Work Day (Holiday for Students)
Fri, Dec 21 - Christmas Break begins
Fri, Dec 21 - Boys & Girls BB vs Bonham
Mon & Tue, 1/7-1/8 - Staff Development Day
Wed, Jan 9 - Students Return for 3rd 9 Weeks

Thank you to Ashley Elder for leading our new PBIS Rewards
program. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior in Schools.

Calendars
District Calendar
Elementary School Calendar
Middle School Calendar
High School Calendar
Blue Ridge Community Calendar

Creative Instruction
Erica Gudgel's 5th grade students show how they are learning the science concept of density in a fun way. 5th grade chefs are following a recipe and applying real world skills to investigate relative density and solubility.

Your Input Matters
If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, please leave 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, November 7, 2018

Week of November 12

The +10 Mindset - #NoExcuseNovember

Mr. Wink's Secondary Student Leader of the
Week is Avry Collinsworth.

Now that November is here, we are focused on No Excuse November. The purpose for No Excuse November is to challenge students, parents, and teachers to crush all the excuses that make us fail to grow in our work and in our learning. For example the biggest excuses made by most people are "I don't have time" or "I can't do that". That's simply not true. We have the time if we make it, and we can do anything we commit to do.

As you visit with your children this week, push them to not allow excuses to prevent them reaching their +10 Goals. Eliminate excuses like "I'm not a good reader", "I'll never learn math", "I can't write", and "I'm not good at this sport". These excuses are nothing more than a lie. They are just frustrations that we can overcome if we push ourselves to continuously get better.

Formative Assessment Week
This past week, your student took one or more 6 week

Congratulations to our BRHS Tiger Football Team.
They clinched a birth in the playoffs in their first year
in 3A competition.

assessments. The purpose of 6 weeks assessment is two-fold. First it is to gauge which essential skills your student mastered this past 6 weeks, and second, we want to determine how much growth your child made from the 1st 6 weeks.

In dealing with growth, each student has a +10 goal. The goal is used to gauge student growth from last year's STAAR test and/or from the 1st six weeks assessment. When you visit with your child about his/her performance on the 2nd 6 weeks assessment, ask these questions.

Great job to all the FFA kids that competed
last week at the Tarleton LDE Invitational competition!

What was your performance on your assessment?
How much growth did you make from last 6 weeks?
Which skills did you perform the best on and by how much?
Which skills do you need to work on for next 6 weeks?
What is your goal growth in the 3rd 6 weeks?
How can I help you improve your performance?

Great conversations with students about their learning are necessary to motivate them to continue to try harder. I hope you will take a few minutes to talk to your child about their growth on the 2nd 6 weeks assessment. It will definitely keep them focused on reaching all of their +10 goals this year.