11/22/2013
Children First, Always... The Bryan Way
Fantastic Fridays
William
Machett and
Broderick were working
in the rain to fix parking
lot lights at Rayburn.
‘Thank you’ to these
unsung heroes.
Lets keep talking ‘elephants.’
In recent Fantastic Fridays we began discussing topics
that may be sensitive but are intended to improve our district.
In the days ahead, we’re opening a dialogue about
proposed ideas to improve our district. Nothing is set in
Let’s continue the dialogue and talk about another ‘elephant’
stone, these are merely ideas, and I’m eager to hear yours.
in the room: ownership.
Do we own who we really are? Do we understand our
Keep an eye out for upcoming invitations to share your
thoughts. Within the constraints of our budget, the district
demographics through-and-through? Think back to
Convocation and our first core principle: Every child in
will work to reprioritize how we allocate funding and
resources based on needs, not just formulas.
Bryan ISD will be unconditionally accepted, supported and
One recent innovation tied to ‘need’ was the board’s
celebrated.
We are, by-and-large, a district of mobile students
adoption of our managed curriculum. This decision
addresses our high rate of mobility and helps ensure
(44 percent). Some 74 percent of our students are
economically disadvantaged, and we have identified more
instructional consistency in classrooms as students move
than 400 homeless students.
curriculum should never stifle your creativity or how you
Our changing demographics give us a great opportunity
to evolve as educators. Over the past two years, our
teach your lessons—it merely sets the framework to keep
teachers on the same scope and sequence.
instruction has increased in depth, rigor and quality, resulting
in every school meeting Index 1: Student Achievement. We
Speaking of mobility, did you know that we serve more
than 20,000 unique students every year? Yet, our average
must continue striving to educate all students, regardless of
snapshot enrollment is only 16,000—meaning, children come
their skin color, last name or income.
As the demographics of our district change, we are
and go constantly in Bryan ISD. While we may educate a
mobile population of low income students, we do so with
challenged to stretch our comfort zone and our approach to
education. Owning the Bryan ISD of today doesn’t mean
compassion and loving hearts—always wanting the best for
our kids.
from school to school. Please know that our managed
ignoring our rich heritage and past. It means facing our
realities and being willing to grow. If we don’t own our first core principle, who will?
Every child in Bryan ISD will be unconditionally accepted,
supported and celebrated.
[1]
Happy Thanksgiving
Tis the season...can you feel it yet?
WHAT ARE WE THANKFUL FOR?
Despite the pace of life this time of year,
we could all do well to slow down and
remember what this season is all about.
As Thanksgiving, Christmas and other
holidays of faith draw near, it seems we rush
ourselves to the brink of exhaustion.
But what if we started getting ourselves
in the mood to celebrate and be thankful,
say...right now?
What if we refused to rush to stores, rush
home, rush to work, rush to the dry cleaners,
and stopped for a few moments to listen to a
holiday tune?
What if, instead of popping into a
colleague’s office to discuss work, we stuck
our head in the door and said, “Which is
better? White cheddar popcorn or chocolate
covered pretzels?”
What if we played a little holiday music in
the hallways, or randomly wore a Santa hat
next week?
What if we took the time to tell our
students: “I’m thankful for you. I’m glad
you’re here. You make me and our school
better every day. Thank you, and Happy
Holidays.”
So often we’re trapped in the swirl of
consumerism, testing, deadlines, what’s
coming up next semester, what needs to be
finished this semester, and all the other
necessary, and sometimes unnecessary,
noise of life.
This holiday season, I ask each of us to
slow down a little, to remember sweet
sentiments (like the pictures to the left), and
to remember what is really important in life family, faith and friendships.
Share every moment possible with the
loved ones in your life. Each year we lose
cherished voices and faces that, while gone
in body, still linger in our hearts and minds.
Tell those who are still with you that you love
them now. Don’t just assume you’ll tell them
tomorrow. No day is guaranteed.
Celebrate what’s good and right this
holiday season.
May God bless each and every one of
you. I’m thankful for you, and I appreciate
what you do.
Be safe this holiday season, and enjoy
the gifts within our lives.
With love and respect from my family to
yours,
Tommy, Nicole, Luke & Hunter
Family Faith Home Love Food
Hope Our Future
Rain Learning from mistakes Friends
Pets Water
Indoor plumbing Blankets Babies &
Birthdays Wi-­Fi
Fannin Artwork @ City Hall
Family, trucks and
Batman--just some of what
Fannin students are
thankful for. Their
beautiful art is displayed
at the City of Bryan
Municipal Building. Our
kids remind us what’s
really important to be
thankful for.
A random ‘I love You’ Work Home & Balance Family Faith Home
Love Food Hope Our Future
Rain Learning from mistakes Friends
Pets Water
Indoor plumbing Blankets Babies &
Birthdays Wi-­Fi
A random ‘I love You’
[2]
Junior League Banquet
Thanks to the Junior League
for helping our students.
Board Members Kelli Levey and
Felicia Benford attended the
annual gala, paying tribute to
this fantastic organization.