Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Week of April 30 - May 4

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

May is here and that means one thing, kicking into high gear. The finish line is in sight. With STAAR, TSI, exam
week, and other academic targets such as MAP, it is critical that we remember that when the finish line is in
sight, we give the extra effort to finish strong. The key to reaching +10 is the desire to excel.

At-will letters of assurance will go out on Friday to all staff not on contract.

Curriculum Announcements

Summer is rapidly approaching and we are eager to plan some engaging summer learning opportunities at BRISD.
We would like your input on what type of summer learning you would like offered. Please click here to
complete a short survey about summer learning.

Professional Learning



Registration is now open for the Revolutionizing Learning Conference. It will be on July 24th and 25th at Royse
City High School. Please go to http://www.rlchat.com/ for more information or click here to register.

Interested in presenting?
Revolutionizing Learning is looking for presenters to lead engaging and exciting sessions during RL 2018. We would
love to see BRISD educators sharing their knowledge and excellence with other educators. Anyone who presents
at Revolutionizing Learning or any other professional conference will receive an additional Flex Day. If you are
interested please go to http://www.rlchat.com/ or click here to submit a session proposal. If you would like help composing
your proposal please email melissa.stiney@brisd.net


Testing Announcements
Please read your Test Administrator Manual prior test day.  HERE is a link to your Test Administrator Training
that you had in April to review your responsibilities. Mrs. Kay and Mrs. Douglas are scheduling testing meetings with each campus. Be looking for communication from them for your required testing meeting prior to the May STAAR and EOC administrations.

The end of the year MAP testing window is currently open and closes Friday, May 18th. When planning for MAP testing, please keep in mind that Algebra I, Biology, and US History EOC testing will take place May 8-10, and STAAR testing at the Middle and Elementary Schools will take place May 14-16.

See your campus administrator with any questions regarding the scheduling of the MAP tests. Also, be on the lookout for more communication from your MAP contacts (Ashley Elder, Mary Townsend, Stacey Flanagan) regarding the completion of this last MAP assessment.

Staff Shoutout

Special thanks to the entire Blue Ridge Elementary Staff for their calm and quick response to the events on
Tuesday afternoon. We appreciate your diligence and support in resolving the situation.

Showcase Showdown

The following people have won a ticket to the Showcase Showdown on Friday, May 25.  

  • Ann Ellingson
  • Miranda Hamm
  • Amanda Humphrey
  • Vanessa Joiner
  • Sherry Lord
  • Casey Moore
  • Terri Rodriquez
  • Jenny Schafer
  • Jennie Stroup
  • Donna Wiggins

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.

Below are the folks who are making donations for the End of the Year Showcase Showdown. I hope you are
finding "usual" and "unusual" things to "Make a Deal".



Upcoming Events
  • Apr 23 - May 1 - Early Voting at BRISD Admin Building
  • Fri, Apr 27 - End of 6 Weeks Grading Period
  • Wed. May 2 - Retirement Planning Seminar
  • May 7 - EOC Testing Week
  • May 14 - ES & MS STAAR Testing Week
  • May 25 - Last Day of School & Showcase Showdown

Technology Announcements

Anonymous Alerts: BRISD is implementing a new system for confidential reporting of bullying, cyber-bullying, and any other potentially harmful or urgent information. The system is called Anonymous Alerts and encourages students, parents, and staff to confidentially report on sensitive matters through private messages to our administration. Reports can be submitted through a free Anonymous Alerts app or from https://www.anonymousalerts.com/blueridgeisd/ If students/parents/staff choose to report from the app they will use the login: blueridgeisd and password: blueridgeisd. Please click here to view the student training video to see how this system works.

Special Programs Announcements

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

Business Office Announcements

May 1st will be the last day any food charges will be accepted for employees or employee children.

Media Center Announcements


Awards ceremonies and end of the year events are quickly approaching. Please make sure you send all special
printing jobs to mediacenter@brisd.net at least a week prior to the event.







Periodic Announcements:

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Week of April 23 - 27

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

I am excited to report that Melissa Stiney has been named our new Director of Instructional Technology.
As many of you know, Melissa has a proven record as an exemplary teacher, and for years she has been a model for
all of us to follow. She has been filling in the technology office a couple of hours per day for the past two
months, and when school ends, she will fill that role permanently. Please join me in congratulating Melissa
for moving into her new role.

Curriculum Announcements

Please remember to follow the Response to Assessment process after you pull your data from Eduphoria,
so that you can use this data to create targeted and specific plans to help all students reach their +10 goals.

Groupings for STAAR and EOC testing must be finalized by Wednesday, April 25th. Please see your campus counselor
with any suggested changes based on FA5 results prior to the 25th.

GRADEBOOK CHECK - Please make sure your gradebook is up to date this week.

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
The End of Year MAP testing window opens Monday, April 23rd and closes Friday, May 18th. When planning
for MAP testing, please keep in mind that Algebra I, Biology, and US History EOC testing will take place May 9-10, and
STAAR testing at the Middle and Elementary Schools will take place May 14-16.

See your campus administrator with any questions regarding the scheduling of the MAP tests. Also, be on the lookout
for more communication from your MAP campus contacts (Ashley Elder, Mary Townsend, Stacey Flanagan) regarding
completion of this last MAP assessment.

Staff Shoutout

Special thanks go to Greg Morrison & Micki Smith for all of their work in getting our students through
testing for STAAR Alt 2.
Thank you to Dena Hamilton & Vanessa Joiner for all of their work in hosting a great Book Fair.

Showcase Showdown

The following people have won a ticket to the Showcase Showdown on Friday, May 25.  

  • Andrew Carlson
  • Courtney Christenson
  • Shawn Harris
  • Laura Larsen
  • Anna Miller
  • Darryl Spurgers
  • Rene Sawatsky
  • Chellia Tallant
  • Kelly Waddell
  • Kelly Whittington

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
  • Mon, April 23 - Begin implementing your responses to the 5th FA
  • Wed, April 25 - Administrative Assistants Day 
  • Apr 23 - May 1 - Early Voting at BRISD Admin Building
  • Fri, Apr 27 - End of 6 Weeks Grading Period
  • Wed. May 2 - Retirement Planning Seminar
  • May 7 - EOC Testing Week
  • May 14 - ES & MS STAAR Testing Week
  • May 25 - Last Day of School & Showcase Showdown

Technology Announcements
Updated Itunes Password: Freeze33//34
Anonymous Alerts: BRISD is implementing a new system for confidential reporting of bullying, cyber-bullying, and any other potentially harmful or urgent information. The system is called Anonymous Alerts and encourages students, parents, and staff to confidentially report on sensitive matters through private messages to our administration. Reports can be submitted through a free Anonymous Alerts app or from https://www.anonymousalerts.com/blueridgeisd/ If students/parents/staff choose to report from the app they will use the login: blueridgeisd and password: blueridgeisd. Please click here to view the student training video to see how this system works.

Special Programs Announcements

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

Business Office Announcements

May 1st will be the last day any food charges will be accepted for employees or employee children.

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

FREQUENTLY UPDATE YOUR EDUPHORIA WORKSHOP PORTFOLIO
Be sure you are frequently updating with any ‘outside the normal workday’ professional learning.
The district always wants to keep a record of all learning taking place by BRISD staff.
Remember that when you attend a BR offered class and do the survey, it automatically grants credit
to your portfolio.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Week of April 16 - 20

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

I would like to take this moment to thank you each and everyone of you for your hard work this week.  I know that STAAR testing week is stressful for everyone, but you made it a positive week. I would like to remind you that data is information, not condemnation.  When the results come in May or June, we will respond in the same way we have all year long, with a reflective lens on where we need to grow next.

One test on one day is a snapshot of our work.  It will never be the complete picture nor will it tell the entire story of our journey to excellence.  Furthermore, it does not define our value or even our worth as individuals.  Please remember this as we head into May.  You are great, and you do great things for kids.  Our purpose is not to be good on tests.  It is to be great at growing students and to be excellent at helping each one of them discover their purpose.

Curriculum Announcements

April STAAR testing is over, but May is right around the corner. Formative Assessment Test 5 will be
given next week. Please make sure that you properly prepare and motivate the kids to give their best
because these results will be used to drive interventions and extensions for the 3 weeks leading up to
our next STAAR test.

Remember to follow the Response to Assessment Process after you score your assessments.

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
Thank you for your hard work on this week' testing. Please keep up with your test administrator manual.
You will need it when you administer tests again in May.

Business Office 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 out Monday, March 26th and again Monday, April 2nd with the link.  You can now download the app on your phone and use access code 7354.

Staff Shoutout

Special thanks goes out to the following people:
  • Kristen Lentz, who in addition to getting her students ready for English 1 EOC and juniors ready for TSI, has been working hard to help Erin Hale with her 7th grade reading and writing lessons.
  • Andrew Carlson went above and beyond to organize and execute the District Track Meet and then he reorganized again for Wednesday when the weather postponed it on Saturday.
  • Rebecca Kay, Missy Douglas, and Katie Pelzel for doing such a great job making our STAAR testing days go so smoothly.
  • Our 5, 8 and EOC teachers (Laura Larsen, Stephanie McPherson, Roma Morgan, Gayla Brummett, Kristen Lentz, Casey Moore, Micki Smith, JD Williams, Terra Mathers) for doing such a great job preparing all of our students to reach their +10 goals for the year.


Showcase Showdown

The following people have won a ticket to the Showcase Showdown on Friday, May 25.  
  • Maribel Arrendondo
  • Rick Bailey
  • Sandra Bocanegra
  • Susan Bohannon
  • Mitzi Mayfield
  • Laura Meserole
  • Roma Morgan
  • Renee Murphy
  • Marie Torres
  • Kelly Waddell
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.

SPECIAL NOTE - You will want to start collecting usual and unusual items because you may get an opportunity to
"Make a Deal".


Upcoming Events
  • Apr 16 - 20 - 5th 6 Weeks FA Testing Window
  • Apr 16 - 20:  PK & Kindergarten Roundup
  • Mon, April 16 - BRISD Board Meeting
  • Mon, April 23 - Begin implementing your responses to the 5th FA
  • Fri, Apr 27 - End of 6 Weeks Grading Period
  • Wed. May 2 - Retirement Planning Seminar
  • May 7 - EOC Testing Week
  • May 14 - ES & MS STAAR Testing Week
  • May 25 - Last Day of School & Showcase Showdown

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


Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Week of April 9 - 13

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of your for all of your hard work as we begin STAAR testing next week.  While no single test score tells the entire story of one student's learning, the results will not tell the entire story of all you have done to educate our students.  Thank you again and good luck.

Don't miss your opportunity to motivate every student to reach their +10 goals for the year.

#LoveMySchoolDay is Wednesday, 4/11/18.  
This is an initiative I started 5 years ago as an elementary principal to encourage educators across the world to use the power of social media to tell their story (a.k.a. the 411) about how awesome their school is.  Today it blows me away how many schools across the world participate in this hashtag event to tell their story.   

In a world of negativity that often attacks public school, we, as educators, must tell why schools are amazing and what they do for kids.  I invite you to join me in using your personal social media accounts to share pictures, videos and stories about why your school is amazing.  

SPECIAL NOTE - You never know.  There may be some surprises for those who join in the fun.

Curriculum 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.

Professional Learning - REMINDER

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
Be prepared for your testing responsibilities. Our kids have worked hard and deserve our best preparation. 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.

Staff Shoutout

Thank you to Rebecca Kay, Missy Douglas, and Katie Pelzel for getting everything ready for STAAR testing week.
Thank you to Anna Miller for all of her work in getting everything completed for TELPAS testing.
Thank you to David Terry, Leslie Packard, Casey Moore and Dena Hamilton for all of their work this year to make our Prom a huge success.
Please join me in thanking our paraprofessionals for all that they do for our kids each and every day.
Sandra Bocanegra, Heather Boyett, Mary Buchanan, Jamie Garza, Nicole, Gelvin, Amanda Humphrey, Vanessa Joiner, Renee Murphy, Patricia Scott, Lana Sikes, Chellia Tallant, Joanna Verde

Showcase Showdown

The following people have won a ticket to the Showcase Showdown on Friday, May 25.  

  • Scott Ball
  • James Carpenter
  • Alli Eales
  • Anthony Figueroa
  • Michael Gelvin
  • Dena Hamilton
  • Vanessa Joiner
  • Laura Larsen
  • Theresa Wade
  • Kelly Whittington

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 1:00 p.m.


Upcoming Events
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.
Thu, Apr 12 - BRES Art Show: Come out and support our young artists.

Special Programs Announcements

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


Business Office 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.