Academy of the Arts at Bransom
January 9-12, 2018 (School Days 83-86)
A Note From Your Principal
Good afternoon, Friends and Families of the Academy of the Arts at Bransom! It is a great day to be a Bobcat. We are so excited about the new students who are on our campus today and the returning students as well. This is truly a happy place to be. We hope your break was restful and rejuvenating. It seems, in most cases, our students are ready to be back in the groove and expecting great things for this semester.
This reminds me that the final grades for the last grading period will be posted on Thursday (Grades 2-5) on Family Access and report cards will go home for Kindergartners and 1st graders as well. We are excited about the progress made during the first semester but this is a super time to start fresh with a renewed sense of urgency to finish the year strong. It's not too late to turn things around and never too early to set one's mind to greater heights.
I am especially excited for the next couple of weeks. Our school, along with all other schools in Burleson, will be completing the next round of M.A.P. assessments in reading and in math. This is a great way to measure each child's progress so far this year. As a short reminder: Our students take an assessment via the computer three times per year. The baseline assessments were given in September/October. In January, the second assessments are given so that we can compare individual progress. The measurements used to compare "on level, below level, and above level" are based on the scores of other students from across the nation at the same grade level. In other words, your child's scores M.A.P. scores will be compared to average scores of students at their grade level at the specific time of year.
In order to fairly assess your child a specific window for testing has been established (January 19-25) so please check with your child's teacher about specific days and times so you can appropriately schedule outside appointments. No one wants to miss out on the assessments. We know we have grown but we want to know how much!
Note: You may want to think of the assessments like the weight and height assessments done at the doctor's office. Doctors can compare your child's weight and height to the averages of other children their age.
We know this year everyone has worked hard at home and at school to increase reading levels as well as maintain great work habits. Both of these actions have made us ready for anything that arises so let's move forward and help our children be all that they can be this semester. Thanks for your partnership in our progress.
All the best to you and yours,
Mrs. Burchfield
SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR NEXT WEEK
Thanks for working with us to make sure that we are efficient and purposeful with our schedule.
Check out What's For Lunch in January
This Week:
January 9: Students return
January 11: Final Semester Report Cards will be posted
January 12: 4th Grade Austin Trip
Upcoming Calendar:
January 15: MLK Holiday No school
January 16: UIL Oral Reading Tryouts 3-4pm
January 19: Bobcat Pride Breakfast; UIL Storytelling Tryouts 3-4pm
January 22: School Board Meeting
January 25: CEIC Meeting; Alpha Pals Performance 6pm Cafeteria
February 7: 5th Grade to Camp Grady Spruce; 2nd Grade to Bass Hall
February 9: 5th Grade returns from Camp Grady Spruce
February 13: TAG Field Trip to Casa Manana/Trinity Park
February 14: Class Valentines Parties
February 15: BISD Choice Night at CHS - Please watch for more details for this exciting night. The district will be presenting information about educational/extracurricular choices provided to students and families throughout the district from elementary to high school. Our school will be fully participating in the event to support and highlight our unique opportunities.
February 16: End of 4th Six Weeks/Student Early Release
February 19: Student Holiday/Professional Development
February 23: Bobcat Pride; Kinder Zoo Field Trip; Talent Show Auditions
February 28: Elementary UIL at CHS
Remember to stay in contact with your child's teacher for grade level/class events.
BURLESON ISD SCHOOLS OF CHOICE APPLICATION INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE
We are so grateful for the great response of the community for supporting our new Academy of the Arts at Bransom. We love being a part of the Schools of Choice in BISD. It is that time of year when the option for applying for a different school of choice is available. We are hopeful that our current students at the Academy of the Arts at Bransom will be returning in the fall with the exception of 5th graders. If you are happy and feel well served, there is nothing for you to do to remain at Bransom. However, if you would like to apply for an alternate elementary school or middle school program, keep reading.
For more information on schools and programs of choice, application information and FAQs, visit: www.burlesonisd.net/choiceschools.
CALLING ALL WATCHD.O.G.S.
Main Objectives
1. Provide positive male role models for the students.
2. Enhance school security.
Who can be a WatchDOGS?
(D.O.G.S. - Dads of Greats Students)
Probably YOU!
We need positive male role models willing to volunteer to spend the day (or half day) on our campus. The volunteers will spend the day in classrooms, in the cafeteria, on the playground, and in other common spaces monitoring student activity but primarily being a hero in the eyes of their own child and many others - students and school staff. WatchD.O.G.S. can make the difference in the lives of students by reading with students, taking time to listen to students, sharing about their career/work, tutoring a group of students, or maybe just hanging out and being cool to the ones who need them the most.
WatchD.O.G.S. spend time with their own child(ren) throughout the day while taking time to visit other classrooms as well. Unfortunately, there are some students that do not have positive male role models in their lives on a regular basis. WatchD.O.G.S. can fill the gap at least for a little while. Know for sure, a WatchD.O.G.S. is the "Big Man on Campus" and kids will LOVE you! It will feel great for them but also for you.
If you have questions or concerns, please call the front office at 817-245-3600 and visit with Valerie Martin who currently is scheduling WatchDOGS. She is well informed and can get you on the calendar today for a future date. Please do not miss this opportunity to be your child's SUPERHERO.
GIFTED AND TALENTED REFERRAL WINDOW IS OPEN
Please pick up the referral paperwork from the office at any time. Thanks for helping us properly identify these students with unique gifts and needs.
INCLEMENT WEATHER NEWS
Burleson ISD is committed to providing a safe and quality education experience for students. Occasionally, weather factors outside of our control may impact the normal school schedule. When it comes to making decisions on a school delay, closing or early dismissal, our primary concern is always for the safety of our students and staff.
In the event of inclement weather, we strive to make a decision by 6:00 a.m. (or as soon as possible), because we know these decisions have a significant impact on families. Many factors are considered, including:
- Road conditions that impact the safe travel of students on buses and in cars
- Accumulation of snow or ice and projected accumulations
- Current precipitation and weather predictions
- Parking lot and sidewalk conditions
Once a decision is made, a notice will immediately be posted on the Burleson ISD website. Announcements will also be posted to the district Facebook page and Twitter account.
The district will send an automated phone call and text to all parents. This is why we request you please ensure parent contact information is correct in Skyward Family Access. For step-by-step directions on updating contact information for text message alerts, click here.
In addition, information will be sent to the news media, including major regional television and radio stations. Burleson ISD cannot guarantee that the media will report the decision. Thus, we encourage you to check multiple media sources as well as refer to the Burleson ISD website.
Academy of the Arts at Bransom - Ready to Begin Again Refreshed and Renewed!
Website: bransom.burlesonisd.net
Location: 820 S Hurst Rd, Burleson, TX, United States
Phone: 817-245-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BransomBobcats/
Twitter: @BransomBobcats