Cub Connection Newsletter
Brenham ISD Newsletter and Tip Sheet
March 2019
Help us celebrate Brenham ISD during Texas Public Schools Week (March 4-8)!
Join Brenham ISD in celebrating the first public school district in Texas! All parents and community members are invited to help us celebrate Texas Public Schools Week by visiting any Brenham ISD campus the week of March 4-8.
Donuts with Dads and Muffins with Moms will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the library on each campus. Please bring your ID and check in with the front office when you arrive. Follow the #BISDwired hashtag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter on Wednesday, March 6 to see how we are teaming up for success in Brenham ISD. Send a special note of thanks or a Cub Compliment to Brenham ISD staff members on Thursday, March 7 for “Thank a Teacher Thursday.”
- Monday, March 4 - Muffins with Mom, Hats off to BISD (wear your favorite hat)
- Tuesday, March 5 - Donuts with Dads, We're wild about BISD (wear camo or animal print)
- Wednesday, March 6 - #BISDwired for success, Team up for success (wear college or sports gear)
- Thursday, March 7 - Thank a Teacher Thursday, Public schools are our future (dress like your future career)
- Friday, March 8 - Follow Us Friday, Green out (wear Cub green from head to toe)
Don't have a child in Brenham ISD? Pick a campus you're curious about and give it a try! Have a new student coming up next year? Here's your chance at a sneak peek! ANY person is welcome on ANY campus at ANY time this week!
Brenham ISD selected as TABSE Demonstration District
The Brenham Independent School District has been selected as a Dr. Thomas Randle Demonstration District by the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE). The organization stated that Brenham ISD and Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson were selected based on a track record of success and visionary leadership relating to school improvement, student achievement and closing the achievement gap.
“We are honored to be selected to receive this prestigious honor,” said Jackson. “We realize we are a small rural district, but we aim to offer an Ivy League education to the students of Washington County.”
Jackson and members of his leadership team were invited to share their success strategies at the TABSE state conference held in Galveston, Texas on February 21. Jackson and the Brenham ISD team gave a presentation to conference attendees on the numerous curricular programs that are bringing statewide attention to Brenham ISD. Among the initiatives discussed were the opening of the Brenham Early Childhood Learning Center, the implementation of STEAM Academies at all three elementary campuses, and the expansion of the Gateway Gifted & Talented Program.
In addition to the presentation, Brenham ISD was spotlighted and recognized at the TABSE Educators Awards Gala at Moody Gardens Hotel on February 22. Jackson was also invited to attend a breakfast featuring State Education Committee Chairman Senator Larry Taylor. Jackson joined other superintendents from across the state to visit with Senator Taylor about legislative priorities regarding public education.
“I left the meeting feeling optimistic about the future of public education and the potential legislation that will take place at the 86th Legislative Session,” Jackson said.
2019 Arts & Appetizers a success at new location
The Brenham ISD Education Foundation hosted its annual Arts & Appetizers event at a new location last night, the Ant Street Inn. The event featured a variety of unique artwork created by BISD’s emerging artists from the elementary level to high school level. Along with student artwork, this year's event offered a variety of auction items including Rockets tickets, a Hill Country getaway, and a duck hunt.
Many thanks to all who attended and our generous sponsors: Ant Street Inn, Appel Ford & Hyundai, BBVA Compass, Bluebonnet Electric, Brenham National Bank, Crain Group, Design II, LTY Engineers, Mike Hopkins Distributing, Plan North, Solutions in Sound and Van Dyke Rankin Insurance.
Photo credit: Brian Weeks
Brenham Middle School teacher helps students see the world
Brenham Middle School teacher Ben Lewis is no stranger to world travel. He's visited over a dozen countries and even taught lessons on 3 continents! Lewis has sponsored student trips to Europe to explore the cities of Rome, Pompeii, Paris, Versailles, and London, as well as a trip to the US presidential inauguration.
Lewis says, "I'm extremely proud to once again bring students from Brenham ISD to distant destinations. Helping them see the world in a different light is incredibly fulfilling, and watching them discover something new is the best feeling in the world. We look forward to representing our district and our small corner of Texas in the best way we can."
Click here for more information about Mr. Lewis' class and travels.
3rd grade Gateway students travel to City Hall
Click here to read a feature story about this experience from the City of Brenham.
“Start Your Engines” Campaign Encourages Brenham Independent School District Families to Choose Breakfast at School
To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available for school breakfast, Brenham ISD schools will celebrate National School Breakfast Week during March 4-8, 2019.
Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for many families to find time for a healthy breakfast. However, US Department of Agriculture data show that more and more students are starting their day with a nutritious breakfast in their school cafeterias. The USDA School Breakfast Program currently serves 14 million students every day. Studies show that students who eat school breakfast are more likely to:
- Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math
- Score higher on standardized tests
- Have better concentration and memory
- Be more alert
- Maintain a healthy weight
The National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) campaign theme, “Start Your Engines,” reminds the entire school community that school breakfast provides a healthy and energizing start to the day for students. Students will be encouraged to show their enthusiasm for “Start Your Engines” from March 4-8 with special menus, cafeteria events, and more. This week we invite students to start their engines with muffins, donuts, homemade banana bread and breakfast tacos. During the week, incentive rewards will be offered to elementary students who join us for breakfast.
“A healthy breakfast at the start of the day is one way to ensure students are getting the best education they can,” said Sandra Baxter, Child Nutrition Director. “National School Breakfast Week helps us educate parents and students about all the healthy, great tasting, and appealing choices we offer”. The district serves over 1,300 breakfast meals daily through the federally funded School Breakfast Program. School nutrition professionals in Brenham ISD prepare breakfast and lunches every day that meet federal nutrition standards – limiting fat, calories and sodium – while encouraging students to choose from the fruits, vegetables and whole grains offered with school meals.”
The “Start Your Engines” campaign is made possible by the School Nutrition Association and Kellogg’s®. Parents and students can follow the fun on Facebook.com/TrayTalk using the hashtag #NSBW19. For more information about Brenham ISD meals, visit www.brenhamisd.net or www.schoolnutrition.org/SchoolMeals.
About National School Breakfast Week
National School Breakfast Week was launched in 1989 to raise awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program, a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions since 1975.
Great organizations are made up of great people, and Brenham ISD is no exception! We have the most dedicated, fun-loving, caring educators in the biz! Thank you for being awesome, BISD! You are appreciated!
Brenham Independent School District
Website: brenhamisd.net
Location: 711 East Mansfield Street, Brenham, TX, USA
Phone: 979-277-3700
Facebook: facebook.com/brenhamisd
Twitter: @BrenhamISD