Teaching & Learning Newsletter
February 12, 2016
C2E
After a good day or a mediocre day, be proud of your effort and of what you have done well; draw out the positive lessons. Then start tomorrow as a fresh new day.
Terry Orlick, PhD, In Pursuit of Excellence
Affirmations
A big thank you to Karina McNeely, who put together an LLI training for our intervention program. She did an outstanding job training staff members. She went above and beyond by offering training sessions for those who could not attend the first training. She also offered a Spanish LLI training for one of our tutors and she provided training for the staff at Milam.
Coaching Tip
Open Yourself to New Ideas
To foster dialogue, you need to be open to what others have to share with you. This means that you value what others have to say or that you have faith that others hold within them wisdom, knowledge, ideas, and gifts.
Jim Knight, Better Conversations
Action Required Items
Core Content Area News
ALL ADMINISTRATORS
DDRT Meetings
DDRT Meetings continue to take place each Monday. Click here to access sign up sheet. Please note that you are asked to input whether the concern is academic or behavioral as well as if the primary concern is in reading or math. This helps with scheduling support in the meeting. Finally, thank you for continuing to document RtI in Aware as this helps ensure communication of student information.
Nominations being accepted for Student Heroes Program
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Student Heroes Award. The deadline for nominations is March 11.
The Student Heroes awards program recognizes Texas public school students in prekindergarten through high school who do outstanding things to benefit their fellow Texas students. Click here to nominate a student.
High School
Dates for Pulling Benchmark Data for Accountability Predictions
Data from secondary spring benchmarks will be pulled on April 12. Teachers planning to use scores for grades should retrieve those scores by April 11. Adjustments to the weighting of test questions will be made the morning of April 12 in order to obtain the most accurate prediction possible. Principals should expect to receive index score predictions by April 15.
Read 180 and System 44 Superhero Students and Teachers
Nominations are now open for Superheroes! Educators are asked to complete the preliminary nomination for at least one student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Read 180 or System 44. Principals are likewise encouraged to nominate teachers who have demonstrated commitment to equipping students to overcome academic challenges. Click here for more information.
The dates for the Secondary Spring Horizontals are shown below.
The dates highlighted in yellow are new dates due to a change in benchmark scheduling:
Middle Schools
The dates for the Secondary Spring Horizontals are shown above.
The dates highlighted in yellow are new dates due to a change in benchmark scheduling.
Dates for Pulling Benchmark Data for Accountability Predictions
Data from secondary spring benchmarks will be pulled on April 12. Teachers planning to use scores for grades should retrieve those scores by April 11. Adjustments to the weighting of test questions will be made the morning of April 12 in order to obtain the most accurate prediction possible. Principals should expect to receive index score predictions by April 15.
Read 180 and System 44 Superhero Students and Teachers
Nominations are now open for Superheroes! Educators are asked to complete the preliminary nomination for at least one student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Read 180 or System 44. Principals are likewise encouraged to nominate teachers who have demonstrated commitment to equipping students to overcome academic challenges. Click here for more information.
MSTAR
MSTAR testing on your campus should now be complete for the winter window. Please remind teachers to enter Universal Screener data into the MSTAR MOY 2016 Student Inventory in AWARE. Students in Tier 2B, 3A, and 3B and are currently receiving Intervention will also need to complete the appropriate diagnostic assessment. The deadline for diagnostic testing is Friday ,February 19.
2015-2016 Algebra Pre-Entry Program
The Algebra Pre-Entry Program (Algebra Readiness) is a process by which 7th grade math students are screened and recommended for placement in Math 8 or Pre-AP Algebra 1 based on multiple measures and teacher recommendation. Please pay particular attention to the timetable available at the following link. Click here
Call for Outstanding Student Nominations
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2016 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state. Nominees must be in 4th-8th grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate leadership ability, and be involved in school/community activities.
Elementary Schools
Data from elementary spring benchmarks will be pulled on March 9. Teachers planning to use scores for grades should retrieve those scores by March 8. Adjustments to the weighting of test questions will be made the morning of March 9 in order to obtain the most accurate prediction possible. Principals should expect to receive index score predictions prior to leaving for Spring Break.
PD Opportunity for Pre-K Teachers
Dr. Jean will be hosting a one day seminar in Austin on April 21, 2016 titled: Active learning Adventure: Let's make it purposeful, planful, and playful. For more information, contact Schronda McKnight, PreK Coordinator at 209-1061 or schronda.mcknight@bryanisd.org
Testing Window
Middle Of Year Pre-K Monitoring Assessment. Testing Window: Jan 20 - Feb 19
Hard Hats for Little Heads
Just a quick reminder to book your buses for Hard Hats for Little Heads.
When: February 25
Time for buses: 8-11am
Where: Reed Arena
Who: 2nd graders
If you have any questions, please contact Janyce Kinley.
Professional Development
PLCs & Learning Walk
We will not conduct a Campus Learning Walk this spring, but please make sure that you have both upcoming Principal PLCs on your calendar. March 8 & May 17
TE Day- Feb. 15
All employees have been communicated with regarding their attendance on February 15. The PD Department will communicate with principals after the 15th regarding any employees that fail to show up.
Advanced Academics
Advanced Academics programs in Bryan ISD have an exciting spring semester ahead of them. Check out the newsletter for a rundown of upcoming events, celebrations of success and tips for engaging gifted students. Please click here to view the Advanced Academics Newsletter.
Special Education
PRINCIPALS/APs
Special Education Teacher Meeting
On February 18, 2016, a meeting will be held for special education teachers at BHS, room 1200. Elementary teachers will meet from 3:15-4:00pm and secondary teachers from 4:15-5:00pm.
STAAR Alternate 2 Training
STAAR Alternate 2 Test Security Training for special education teachers will be held February 18, 2016, at BHS, room 1200, beginning at 4:30pm.
Bilingual Education
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
Bilingual Framework
The week of February 22 is an A week for the bilingual framework.
PRINCIPALS
TELPAS
The window for TELPAS administration is March 7 - April 6.
Curriculum & Instruction
Email: leslie.holtkamp@bryanisd.org
Website: www.bryanisd.org
Phone: 979-209-1049
Twitter: @bisdambassador