Bransford Blast
May 13, 2018
Happy Mother's Day!!!!
This week is show-off week for our third, fourth, and fifth graders! They will STAAR test this week, providing them an opportunity show-off their incredible learning. The building will be closed to visitors all week (see below).
The next few weeks bring a flurry of activities for our Texans. See below for a snapshot of what's to come. Check the grade-level Smore for specifics.
- May 14: STAAR Math
- May 15: STAAR Reading; 1st grade field trip
- May 16: STAAR Science
- May 17: STAAR make-ups; PTA 5:30 p.m.; 1st grade performance 6:30 p.m.
- May 18: STAAR make-ups;
- May 21: Bump it up day; 5th grade era's projects
- May 22: Choir trip
- May 23: Colleyville Public Library visits BES; Zoe's Spirit Night
- May 24: Field Day (see below for schedule and volunteer information)
- May 25: Weather make-up day, no school
- May 28: Memorial Day, no school
- May 29: 1st grade celebration; Career day; Picnic and Kona Ice during regularly scheduled lunch times (more information coming soon); ALL devices and chargers turned in today
- May 30: 5th grade celebration; 3rd grade celebration; PK celebration
- May 31: Last day of school; 11:45 a.m. release; Kindergarten celebration; 2nd grade celebration; 4th grade celebration
Looking forward to a fantastic week as we continue to build an excellent school together!
Educationally yours,
Jamie Halliburton
Bransford Principal
STAAR Testing = Closed Campus
Monday-Friday THIS week, May 14-18
Due to STAAR testing our campus will be closed to all visitors this week. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Monday: STAAR Math, 3rd and 4th grade, 5th grade retakes
Tuesday: STAAR Reading, 3rd and 4th grade, 5th grade retakes
Wednesday: STAAR Science, 5th grade
Thursday: Make-ups
Friday: Make-ups
Attention 5th Grade Parents
Boys Uniform
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwMx_Ou5P9zdeEhvOFZwZXpwbW9iX0htTFZuWG9xTk1nOGZv/view?usp=sharing
School Supplies
Watch D.O.G.S.
A message from Dr. Ryan regarding Mustang Panther Stadium
As we wrap up another great school year in GCISD, we are already looking ahead to next fall and the re-opening of Mustang Panther Stadium. I am sure that most of you have observed the progress on the facility while driving down Highway 26, but I am also sure that many of you have asked the question, “will this be ready by August?”
This year, Texas had a significant amount of rain, compounded with high winds, which has unfortunately delayed the completion date for the project. We have been working diligently with our football coaches and their respective opponents to make any necessary adjustments to the schedule. As a result, we have made the following changes:
Week One:
August 30: Grapevine v. Azle at Dragon Stadium
August 31: Colleyville Heritage v. North Forney at Dragon Stadium
Week Two:
September 7: Grapevine v. Abilene Cooper at Apogee Stadium (UNT)
September 7: Colleyville Heritage v. Carroll at Dragon Stadium
Week Three:
September 13: Colleyville Heritage v. Trinity at Pennington Field
September 13: Grapevine v. Northwest at Northwest Stadium
Week Four:
September 21: Bye week for both teams
At this time, the first planned home game for the 2018 season is the Colleyville Heritage homecoming game against Newman Smith High School on September 28.
We understand that this is not ideal for our families, fans and especially our players; however, the weather and its impact on construction is beyond our control. We have worked with neighboring districts to have great places for our students to perform and I am confident that our students, fans and community will show up and support our teams during these first few weeks of the season.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during the stadium construction. It will all be worth it when we are enjoying the performances from our students at the new Mustang Panther Stadium!
Dr. Robin Ryan
GCISD Superintendent of Schools
Personalized Programs Application System Re-Opens May 7
On Monday, May 7, at 8:00 a.m. the personalized programs application system will re-open. Interested parents can fill out an application by clicking on the online application system link at this website. Applications will be placed in available seats or on waitlists for personalized programs. There are seats available in Kindergarten dual language programs for students whose home language is English. There are also seats available in our high school STEM program for grade 9 or grade 10. All other programs will have a waitlist to which applications will be added in the order they are received.
Math Telescoping Testing Registration Now Open
On Thursday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m. registration for the June 20th administration of math telescoping tests opened. The registration window will remain open through midnight on May 23, 2018. Parents must complete a two-step registration process to register their child online and then print the online confirmation to attach to the fee payment. Payment is due by 4:00 p.m. on May 24, 2018. Payments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Administration Building but MUST arrive by the deadline in order to be accepted. No exceptions.
Summer Reading
Stop the summer slide! "Research shows that kids who do not read during the summer months are more likely to fall victim to the "summer slide" — the learning loss that takes place during the long break from school. Parents say summer reading helps their child during the school year mainly because it helps keep their kid’s brain active and that reading requires constant practice," (Scholastic, 2018)
The GCISD Librarians have put together a Smore containing a wealth of information about how to keep kids reading over the summer. Remember, any reading that students do over the summer will count towards the 2018-2019 GCISD Reads challenge. Have a great summer and happy reading!
Planning for 2018-2019
In the coming weeks, we will begin to develop our class lists for next school year. In creating these lists we take into account district guidelines and keep in mind the need to create a balanced classroom for our terrific Texans. This process involves multiple variables. Below you will find some of the variables we will consider as we develop class lists for the 2018- 2019 school year:
· Gender balance
· Academic mix
· Personality and learning styles
· Peer relationships
· Class size
· Special needs
The objective is to place all students with a teacher in a balanced class that will support individual learning and growth. At Bransford, we are very fortunate to have an exceptional group of teachers and staff to work with our students and families.
Families have the optional opportunity to fill out this student class information form. This form will NOT be used for requesting a teacher, but will give you a chance to share valuable information about your child. There will also be a spot for your child to share. We will not be honoring specific teacher requests. The form will be available online to families from May 13 to May 20. Please complete this forms online with your student.
Final class lists will be posted at meet the teacher night in August. Thank you in advance for your insight!
Part I is to be completed by the parent/guardian. Part II to be completed by the student.
Dates to Know
- May 14: STAAR Math (3rd & 4th)
- May 15: STAAR Reading (3rd & 4th)
- May 16: STAAR Science (5th)
- May 17: PTA meeting
- May 29: Career Day
Click HERE for the 2018-2019 GCISD student calendar.
Save the Date for End of Year Celebrations
B.E.S.T. PTA
- Website: Check out Bransfordpta.com to keep you up to date on all the fun things happening at our school.
- If you would like to join B.E.S.T. PTA, visit www.joinpta.org.
Amazon Smile
BES Spirit Fundraisers
- Zoe's Spirit Night May 23rd
Back to School Fair
We are excited to announce that GCISD is once again partnering with the community to serve our economically disadvantaged students. The seventh-annual Back to School Fair is scheduled for Saturday, August 11, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Grapevine High School. This is a collaborative event sponsored by GCISD, CONNECT, the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation, and the Women's Division of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce. Last year, with support of our staff and community, these organizations provided free backpacks, school supplies and other back-to-school needs to approximately 1,200 GCISD students.
We are in desperate need of volunteers! We need both English and Spanish speaking volunteers - the more, the better. This is a very rewarding experience and you will be happy you were part of it - guaranteed! We need assistance with checking families in, guiding families through the fair, and assisting nutrition and transportation with bilingual communication.
Join us in the fun of helping our less fortunate families. We look forward to seeing you there.
Please sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4aafaa22aafc1-btsf1
If you have any questions, please contact Emberly Hill at emberly.hill@gcisd.net.
Class Wish Lists
- Art: http://a.co/1WTzRuL
- Music: http://a.co/5REoquu
- GT: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/323JAR02W7TVF/ref=cm_sw_em_r_z_g__wb
- Pre K: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2NZ20D33TR8W9?&sort=default
- Kindergarten: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/13ZIMC2V7S4IR?&sort=default
- 1st Grade: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2A01I6501J2JX?&sort=default
- 2nd Grade: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2VO8SWW62KG75?&sort=default
- 3rd Grade: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WKWZ0H3G1YM7?&sort=default
- 4th Grade: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1M413XK0V449K?&sort=default
- 5th Grade: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/9K8RMZTY3TU5?&sort=default
Bransford Elementary
Email: jamie.halliburton@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Domain/1354
Location: 601 Glade Road, Colleyville, TX, United States
Phone: 8173054920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bransford-Elementary-School-353295401423635/
Twitter: @BESTexans