Academy of the Arts at Bransom
January 23, 2017
A Note from Your Principal
I hope you are feeling as encouraged about your child's progress as we are about our students' progress in general. As we work to complete mid-year assessments, we are already seeing so much progress in student achievement especially in reading levels and math. We know this is due to the incredible work of our students and our teachers. Of course, parental and family encouragement and support plays a significant role in students' success as well.
During the next few weeks (and months) there will be a real push for our students to continue to progress. Waiting until it's time for state testing or for the end-of-year assessments to get serious about achievement is so stressful and who needs that? Personally, I have been known to procrastinate on things that challenge me or simply things I don't enjoy. The reality is the stress that comes with putting things off can be overwhelming. You know what they say about the Tortoise and the Hare - "Slow and steady wins the race." We will continue to keep our noses to the grindstone and finish the race as winners.
Always moving forward,
Mrs. Burchfield
Don't Forget Your Child's Yearbook Order
You May Have Heard...
The "What-If" report was suppose to provide the public with a model of where schools and districts would stand if the A-F Accountability System was actually in place today. Unfortunately, the standards and criteria for the new model is quite different from the current model. As you can imagine, the message the state presented took educators by surprise. One day we saw, "Met Standard." The next day we saw grades everywhere from A to F across the district.
Fortunately, we know that our schools are working hard to meet the needs of our students every single day. Every year we raise our own expectations AND work to meet the standards of TEA - Texas Education Agency in Austin. It is so great to work for a district who will put student success and achievement at the top of their agenda.
As the state works to adjust their "work-in-progress" accountability model for Texas schools, they will be hearing from educators, community members, and hopefully a lot of proactive parents who want to continue to support making the public schools system better than ever for all students.
Just to Keep You Informed
We know that the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) days seem like a long time away. However, it is important to open the conversation as soon as possible to help everyone be as prepared and informed as possible as soon as possible. The following dates are the published dates provided by the state. We do not anticipate these changing.
March 28 - 4th Grade STAAR Writing
March 28 - 5th Grade STAAR Math
(FYI - State requires 5th grade students to pass to be promoted)
March 29 - 5th Grade STAAR Reading
(FYI - State requires 5th grade students to pass to be promoted)
May 8 - 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR Math
May 8 - 5th Grade STAAR Math Retest (if needed)
May 9 - 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR Reading
May 9 - 5th Grade STAAR Reading Retest (if needed)
May 10 - 5th Grade STAAR Science
June 20 - 5th Grade STAAR Math Retest (if needed)
June 21 - 5th Grade STAAR Reading Retest (if needed)
If you are a parent of a 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th grade child, please keep these dates clear of all appointments. Your child's attendance and participation in testing is crucial for student, school, and district records.
The Academy of the Arts at Bransom provides free breakfast for all STAAR testers on their STAAR testing days.
Visitors are not allowed on campus on testing days in order to maintain the most secure testing environment for all students.
Congratulations to Bobcat Pride Award Winners!
Upcoming Calendar
This Week at Bransom:
Monday - Deadline to Order Yearbooks; BISD School Board Meeting
Tuesday - Kerr Band Performing for 5th Grade
Thursday - Talent Show Auditions after school
Friday - Spelling Bee
Next Week:
February 1 - 5th Grade to BHS for Little Mermaid Play
February 2 - CEIC Meeting for Members
February 3 - 100th Day of School; PTO SOUPer Bowl Luncheon for teachers and staff; Western Day
Important Upcoming Dates:
February 6-10 - National School Counselor Week
February 7 - Area Spelling Bee
February 8-10 - 5th Grade to Camp Grady Spruce
February 10 - Valentine’s Day Parties; 2nd Grade Science Rocks Program for Parents @ 8:00 am
February 14 - Valentine’s Day
February 16 - Schools of Choice Fair @ CHS 6pm
February 17 - End of 4th Six Weeks; Student Early Release at 11:45am (Teachers in Training)
February 20 - Teacher Professional Development/Student Holiday
February 21 - 5th Six Weeks Begins; Parent School of Choice Night at Academy of the Arts at Bransom
February 23 - Talent Show at 6:00PM
February 24 - Bobcat Pride Breakfast for invited guests
February 28 - PTO Spring Creek Fundraiser Night
March 3 - Spring Pictures; Potential PTO Movie Night
March 9 - Open House/Fine Arts Night
March 12 - Daylight Saving Time Starts
March 13-17 - Spring Break
Working Everyday to Prepare Students for Today and the Days to Come
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