Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Week of April 2 - 6


Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

Congrats to our BRHS UIL Academics Team as they finished as the District Runner Up this past Saturday.  We are so proud of our kids and coaches for all of their hard work in reaching their best performance in more than a decade.  For 2017-2018, our goal for every campus team to win 1st or 2nd at the district meet, and the High School Academic Team accomplished just that with a record high point total of 376 points.  Please read my community blog for more information on our academic excellence.

Please remember that term contracts are due Monday, April 2 to Shawn Harris.


Professional Learning

The Summer Professional Learning Plan process is beginning.  Here are the steps.
  1. CLICK on this link.
    1. Make a copy
      1. File → Make a copy
    2. To rename, replace the word, Template with YOUR NAME.
    3. Share with your administrator.
  2. Complete Steps 1 and 2 BEFORE your Summative Conference with your administrator
  3. Complete Step 3 and submit to your principal prior to your last work day, May 29, 2018.

Your Summer PLP will include professional learning that you will do this summer that will earn you 5 flex days in the 2018-2019 school calendar.  Please note that the professional learning listed in your Summer PLP must be completed prior to August 8, 2018 in order to earn the flex days.

Testing Announcements
Please read your Test Administrator Manual prior test day.  HERE is a link to your Test Administrator Training.  If you have questions about anything, please consult your counselor.

Business Announcements

If you have not done so already, please make sure that you have created a new username and password for Frontline (AESOP).  You cannot access your account until you have done so. Emails were sent our Monday, March 26th with the link. You can now download the app on your phone and use access code 7354.

Staff Shoutout

Thank you to the following people who volunteered to help out with our HS UIL Academic Meet.
  • First Baptist Church  and First Methodist Church Volunteers with the hospitality room.
  • Kenny Williams and Stacey Raymer for serving as contest coordinators
  • Angie Lillard for organizing the hospitality room.
  • Eduardo Vargas for helping with WiFi issues

Special Thanks to Katie Pelzel and Missy Douglas for all of their extra help in the past 2 weeks with STAAR testing, and to Rene Sawatsky for leading our writing teachers in completing part 2 of the Writing Pilot in grades 4 and 7.

Showcase Showdown

The following people have won a ticket to the Showcase Showdown on Friday, May 25.  
  • Bob Bean
  • Melissa Bolton
  • Mary Buchanan
  • Taylor Hopper
  • Phillip Lentz
  • Scott Leslie
  • Leslie Patterson
  • Joanna Verde
  • Donald Young
Every week we will pull 10 names.  Find out how many tickets you will get to win the Prize is Right on Friday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events
Fri, Mar 30 - Bad Weather Day (NO SCHOOL & HAPPY EASTER)
Mon, Apr 2 - Term Contracts need to be turned in to Superintendent’s Office
Fri, Apr 6 - End of 3 weeks (Make sure gradebooks have minimum number of grades)
Fri, Apr 6 - TELPAS Window Closes
Tue, Apr 10 - Thu, Apr 12 - STAAR Testing Week
Wed, Apr 11 - #LoveMySchoolDay - Use your Twitter and Facebook account to tell the world why you love BRISD.

May 30-31
REMINDER - We’re having training on May 30-31. This will help you get 2 of the 5 flex days for 18-19 knocked out right at the beginning summer!
* May 30 - Vertical teams
* Alignment of 8-12 essential standards
* R10 content experts will be here
* May 31 - Rigor and Mastery Training
* If you’re PLP focuses on differentiation, questioning strategies, extensions, interventions, etc. -  THIS DAY IS FOR YOU. Region 10 will be here to lead these break-out sessions!
If you can’t make these training days due to vacation plans, you must inform your principal immediately.




Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Weekly Communication 3/26 - 3/30

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

This week the board approved some personnel incentive plans for you.  In the business section below, check out info on our Sick Leave Bank and Early Resignation Incentive.  In the coming months, we will be working hard to explore options regarding our teacher and staff salary scales in an effort to get even more competitive in staff salaries.

Tickets to the Showdown - Read below to find out if you have won a ticket in our Showcase Showdown on May 25. Everyone has earned 2 to start with, but you can earn more just by being awesome and by having your name drawn.

CURRICULUM ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are excited to report that Matthew Todd will be our new curriculum director.  Mr. Todd has done a great job for our district as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and most recently elementary principal. We are excited that Mr. Todd will take his knowledge and expertise to the district level so that we help our principals, teachers and campuses make even greater gains in their learning.

TESTING ANNOUNCEMENTS
REQUIRED TRAINING - All teachers and paraprofessionals must attend Test Administrator
Training on Tuesday, March 27.  Your counselors will give you more information.

Remember that you are RESPONSIBLE for reading your test administrator manual.

Test Administrator Modules (CLICK HERE)  must be viewed and certificates must be
printed off and turned into your counselor prior to Test Administrator Training on
Tuesday, March 27.  Your counselor may give you more specifics.

SCREENCASTS - Remember that your name and date must be typed on the certificates
before printing.  If you need more clarification, please view the following two videos:








UPCOMING EVENTS
Thu, Mar 27 - MANDATORY STAAR TEST ADMINISTRATOR TRAINING
Fri, Mar 30 - Bad Weather Day (NO SCHOOL & HAPPY EASTER)
Mon, Apr 2 - Term Contracts need to be turned in to Superintendent’s Office
Fri, Apr 6 - End of 3 weeks (Make sure gradebooks have minimum number of grades)
Fri, Apr 6 - TELPAS Window Closes
Tue, Apr 10 - Thu, Apr 12 - STAAR Testing Week
Wed, Apr 11 - #LoveMySchoolDay - Use your Twitter and Facebook account to tell the world why you love BRISD.
May 30-31 - REMINDER - We’re having training on May 30-31. This will help you get 2 of the 5 flex days for 18-19 knocked out right at the beginning summer!
* Alignment of 8-12 essential standards
* R10 content experts will be here

BUSINESS OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

New for 2018 - 2019:  BRISD will have a Sick Leave Bank.  This is a great benefit to add to our Personnel Package.  
Read about it here.  Donation forms will be handed out during inservice in August

At March’s Board Meeting, the board approved an Early Resignation Notice Incentive plan.  This is a way to thank our staff whom have been dedicated to our district for 5 plus years while also allowing the district time to plan for next school year.  See link for more information. Early Resignation Notice Information

The deadline to apply for the Early Resignation Notice Incentive is April 9.

Reminder about On The Job Injuries:
Principals shall require all employees to provide information to complete an Employers First Report of Injury or Illness form.  The employee shall be responsible for providing updated information as it occurs. The Employer's First Report of Injury form should be completed by the immediate supervisor and employee then forwarded to the Administrative Office on all accidents occurring at school or school sponsored events. It is imperative that all reports filed for Workmen's Compensation be filed within three days of the accident.  Blue Ridge ISD does use a network for Workmen’s Compensation claims.  It is your responsibility to check with Amanda or Kim about what doctors participate in the network to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.  

SHOWCASE SHOWDOWN

The following people have won a ticket for prizes at the Showcase Showdown on Friday, May 25:
Micki Smith, Joanna Verde, Ashley Elder, Scott Ball, Jennifer Adlof, Sonja Stephens, Kim Mounger, Erica Gudgel, Stephanie McPherson, Miranda Garlington.

Every week we will pull 10 more names.  Find out how many tickets you will win for the Prize is Right on Friday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Special Programs Announcements

Blue Ridge ISD Dyslexia on FB - https://goo.gl/dPkJiE

Technology Announcements

In order to handle all of your devices, programs, and other technology needs please remember to submit all requests for support through Eduphoria. This will allow the technology team to resolve your issues as soon as possible. Please click here to view a video on submitting technology requests in Eduphoria.

Media Center Announcements
Just a friendly reminder for all print jobs, please send them to:  mediacenter@brisd.net


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Weekly Communication 3/19 - 3/23

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

The 3rd quarter is coming an end, and we are winning the game of Excellence for Every Student.  It is important to note that
games are won and lost in the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter kids must execute each and every day to win their game of learning,
growing, and excelling.
 In order to ensure that every kid executes, there are a few things I want to remind you to check for in your classroom.
  • C4B4Me - Knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do should be ingrained in every student’s head.
  • Routines & Procedures - Are they high, tight, and consistent with your colleagues and do they focus on independence?
  • Relationships for Learning - Are your relationships pushing kids to reach their +10 goals? 
  • Engagement - At this point the guided learning, collaborative learning and independently learning should take the majority of your instruction.
  • Rigor - Instruction is hinged on the essential skills and making sure that every kid possesses the strategies to master those skills.

Drop a comment by Monday of how you plan to win the 4th quarter, and you will receive a free jeans pass from me
 to give to your principal.


Curriculum Announcements

This spring we will begin preparations for the 2018-2019 school year.  Two things that we will do include transitions
sheets for our students and improving our lesson planning system.  To expedite this process, start taking note of strategies
that help your kids grow, and background information on individual kids that you believe next year’s teachers would need
to know.


For lesson planning next year, start asking yourself these questions.  How could this tool be more efficient for me next
year? What is something that annoys me about the lesson plan?  What do I do with this tool that makes me feel like I’m
going through motions that intentionally planning to help my students learn, grow and excel.
More
information will be coming after spring break.


TESTING Announcements
REQUIRED TRAINING - All teachers and paraprofessionals must attend Test Administrator
Training on Tuesday, March 27.  Your counselors will give you more information.


Test Administrator Modules (CLICK HERE)  must be viewed and certificates must be
printed off and turned into your counselor prior to Test Administrator Training on
Tuesday, March 27 from 3:45 - 4:45.  Your counselor may give you more specifics.


SCREENCASTS - Remember that your name and date must be typed on the certificates
before printing.  If you need more clarification, please view the following two videos:


Upcoming Events
Wed, Mar 21 - IMPACT Meeting at 3:45 at Central Office
Thu, Mar 27 - MANDATORY STAAR TEST ADMINISTRATOR TRAINING

May 30-31
REMINDER - We’re having training on May 30-31. This will help you get 2 of the 5 flex days for 18-19 knocked out right
at the beginning summer!
* May 30 - Vertical teams
* Alignment of 8-12 essential standards
* R10 content experts will be here
* May 31 - Rigor and Mastery Training
* If you’re PLP focuses on differentiation, questioning strategies, extensions, interventions, etc. -  THIS DAY
IS FOR YOU. Region 10 will be here to lead these break-out sessions!
If you can’t make these training days due to vacation plans, you must inform your principal immediately.

Allowable Accommodations
Are you logging the accommodations you are using with students?
Links to spreadsheets are found here - http://www.br-impact.com/p/blog-page.html


Professional Learning

The IMPACT team will have peer coaching sessions during the week of March 26, 2018.  Stay tuned for more details.


Staff Shoutout

Thank you to the following people who volunteered to help out with our track meets this week.
  • Charlotte Todd, 
  • Jennifer Stroup, 
  • Renee Murphy, 
  • BRISD Board Member Phillip Pulliam


Technology Announcements

In order to handle all of your device, program, and other technology needs please remember to submit all requests for
support through Eduphoria. This will allow the technology team to resolve your issues as soon as possible.


Special Programs Announcements

Blue Ridge ISD Dyslexia on FB - https://goo.gl/dPkJiE



Media Center Announcements


Just a friendly reminder for all print jobs, please send them to:  mediacenter@brisd.net




Health/Wellness

Please join the on site health screening for all employees Wednesday, March 21, sponsored by the Hunt Regional

Lab Solutions. Blood tests being offered are: Complete Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone,

Complete Blood Count and Hemoglobin A-1C (screen for diabetes). Colon Cancer screen kits are also available.

Appointments begin at 6:45 A.M. and conclude by 8:00A.M. TRS Aetna ActiveCare Select or ActiveCare Select Whole

Health is NOT in network  for these screenings. All other TRS plan levels are no deductible/no co-pay NO OUT OF

POCKET COSTS. THIS INCLUDES COVERED SPOUSES AND DEPENDENT18 AND OVER. All employees and spouses

who do  not have TRS health insurance are also welcome to participate pending verification of coverage.

Prevention, early detection and education are keys to a healthy and productive life style!


Contact Nurse Helen Thompson for a pre-admission form and to set up an appointment time.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Weekly Communication: 3/5 - 3/9

Central Office Weekly Communication

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

Pushing to Spring Break and Gearing up for the 4th Quarter
The last week of the 3rd quarter is coming up.  Let’s push our kids to work hard all the
way into Spring Break.  

Additionally, reflect on your procedures, relationships for learning and engagement
structures to determine what adjustments you can make to start the 4th quarter on March 19
with a strong start.

Your Vote = Your Voice
Election day is Tuesday, March 6.  
YOU CAN VOTE AT THE ADMIN BUILDING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 6.  

BRISD Boxed Food Drive
Please do what you can to promote the Boxed Food Drive.  The winning grade gets an ice cream
party after Spring Break.


Curriculum Announcements

As a reminder, we have established interim points of contact while we begin the search
for a Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and a Director for Instructional
Technology.  They are the following:
  • Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment - John Wink
  • District Test Coordinator for STAAR & FA tests - John Wink and Matthew Todd
  • IMPACT Team - John Wink and Phillip Lentz
  • College and Career - John Wink
  • Technology Leadership - Melissa Stiney and Katie Pelzel (See this LINK for more info)
  • MAP Testing - Matthew Todd
  • Writing Pilot - Rene Sawatsky

TESTING Announcements
REQUIRED TRAINING - All teachers and paraprofessionals must attend Test Administrator
Training on Tuesday, March 27.  Your counselors will give you more information.

Test Administrator Modules (CLICK HERE)  must be viewed and certificates must be
printed off and turned into your counselor prior to Test Administrator Training on
Tuesday, March 27 from 3:45 - 4:45.  Your counselor may give you more specifics.

SCREENCASTS - Remember that your name and date must be typed on the certificates
before printing.  If you need more clarification, please view the following two videos:


Professional Learning


May 30-31
REMINDER - We’re having training on May 30-31. This will help you get 2 of the
5 flex days for 18-19 knocked out right at the beginning summer!
* May 30 - Vertical teams
* Alignment of 8-12 essential standards
* R10 content experts will be here
* May 31 - Rigor and Mastery Training
* If you’re PLP focuses on differentiation, questioning strategies, extensions,
interventions, etc. -  THIS DAY IS FOR YOU. Region 10 will be here to lead
these break-out sessions!
If you can’t make these training days due to vacation plans, you must inform
your principal immediately.

REMINDER - Content on Walls for Testing
Some of you were asking if an anchor chart with just a strategy can be left on your
walls during testing. I called R10 and got this verified.
Anything that would be given to students as a Supplemental Aid CANNOT be on
the wall for the general student. Below are screenshots of supplemental aids that
can be provided to certain students as supplemental aids. THEY CANNOT BE ON
THE WALL DURING TESTING. Here’s a link to these graphics on Lead4Ward - https://goo.gl/uPCZzN





Allowable Accommodations
Are you logging the accommodations you are using with students? Links to spreadsheets

Peer Coaching

The IMPACT team will have peer coaching sessions during the week of March 26, 2018.  
Stay tuned for more details.

Staff Shoutout

Thank you to the following people who volunteered to help out with our track meets
this week.
  • Charlotte Todd,
  • Jennifer Stroup,
  • Renee Murphy,
  • BRISD Board Member Phillip Pulliam


Technology Announcements

Melissa Stiney and Katie Pelzel are looking forward to assisting everyone in their
technology needs throughout the remainder of the school year. Please remember
to use Eduphoria for all device requests or to report device issues.

STAAR Online Testing: Eduardo has pushed the STAAR software out to all teacher
computers. In order to be able to see this software, you’ll need to restart your computer.
The icon looks like this:

Special Programs Announcements

Blue Ridge ISD Dyslexia on FB - https://goo.gl/dPkJiE

Business Office Announcements

Texas maximum mileage reimbursement rate for travel occurring on or after January
1, 2018 is 54.5 cents per mile.  Please use this rate from this point forward on any
mileage reimbursements.








Health/Wellness

Please join the on site health screening for all employees Wednesday, March 21,

sponsored by the Hunt Regional Lab Solutions. Blood tests being offered are:

Complete Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Complete

Blood Count and Hemoglobin A-1C (screen for diabetes). Colon Cancer screen

kits are also available. Appointments begin at 6:45 A.M. and conclude by 8:00A.M.

TRS Aetna ActiveCare Select or ActiveCare Select Whole Health is NOT in network

for these screenings. All other TRS plan levels are no deductible/no co-pay NO

OUT OF POCKET COSTS. THIS INCLUDES COVERED SPOUSES AND DEPENDENT

18 AND OVER. All employees and spouses who do  not have TRS health insurance

are also welcome to participate pending verification of coverage.

Prevention, early detection and education are keys to a healthy and productive life style!

Contact Nurse Helen Thompson for a pre-admission form and to set up an appointment time.