Brownsville Independent School District

A Message from the District - Superintendent Letter to Parents and Staff

2020-07-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Parents and Staff,

The Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) is working and collaborating with local and state agencies to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in our area. On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño and the Cameron County Health Authority issued a Joint Emergency Health Control Order delaying in-person, face-to-face public and private school instruction. On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the BISD Board of Trustees approved a Resolution to support the County Joint Order and requested the City of Brownsville Commissioners’ Court to support delaying in-person, face-to-face instruction.

Furthermore, on Friday, July 17, 2020, the Texas Education Agency authorized school districts to limit on-campus instruction for the first four weeks of school. After the first four weeks, the school district can limit the on-campus instruction for an additional four weeks, as needed, with a board approved waiver.

We have also modified the 2020-2021 School Calendar to delay the first day of class until Tuesday, August 25, 2020. The teachers will begin their contracts on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Based on the updated information, the following adjustments will go into effect:
A. Schools will remain closed until further notice.
B. Faculty and Staff will be providing distance learning instructional support to ALL students through the following TEA approved instructional models:
1. Synchronous – two-way, real-time, live, instruction between teachers and students, through the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
2. Asynchronous – a curricular experience where students engage in the learning materials on their own time, interacting intermittently with the teacher via the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
C. District staff will have the flexibility to work from home, from campus, and/or from their respective departments during the distance learning timeline.
D. Essential employees will be asked to report to their respective campus/department area as needed to maintain district operations and services.

The district will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to provide a safe working environment for essential employees who will be reporting to work.

I want our parents to know that we are committed to provide our students with an exemplary instructional program that will continue to prepare them for college and career readiness. Our principals will be providing further information on the campus procedures for our children’s distance learning participation.

Thank you to everyone in our community for your patience and continued support as we adapt our school system to meet the educational needs of our children. We look forward to a “Strong Start” and stay safe.

Sincerely,
Dr. René Gutiérrez Superintendent of Schools

BISD Continues to Ensure the Safety of All Campuses

2018-02-21T08:13:00.001-06:00

BISD has received several false reports and threats against our campuses, some from students posting messages on social media. We remind everyone that making false reports and threats against our schools is a very serious offense, with severe consequences including possible criminal charges. BISD continues to take every necessary measure to ensure the safety, security & protection of all our students, schools and staff. To report suspicious activity, please contact the BISD Police Dept. hotline at (956) 982-3085.

BISD Middle School & ECHS Regional Science & Engineering Fair Results

2018-02-15T13:45:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to all BISD students who participated in the Rio Grande Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at UTRGV. All students who placed in the top three of their division will advance to the next level of competition. BISD has 49 students in the Senior Division and 21 students in the Junior Division who advanced to the State Science & Engineering Fair scheduled for March 23-24, 2018, in San Antonio. Junior Division Results / Senior Division Results

Porter ECHS Fine Arts Building Groundbreaking Ceremony Postponed

2018-02-11T19:48:00.002-06:00

Due to inclement weather, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Porter ECHS Fine Arts Building originally scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2018, will be postponed. A rescheduled date for the ceremony will be announced soon.

BISD Youth Connection Project presents, “Know the Signs”

2018-02-09T15:09:00.001-06:00

This presentation for parents and students will provide essential information about the warning signs of depression and suicidal thoughts. It will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Central Administration Building. Click here to view invitation.

Porter Early College High School to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony

2018-02-08T17:02:00.001-06:00

The BISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas cordially invite the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Porter ECHS Fine Arts Building, a Tax Ratification Election (TRE) priority project, on Monday, February 12, 2018, at 10 a.m.

February is Career and Technical Education Month

2018-02-07T14:22:00.001-06:00

BISD takes great pride in providing educational opportunities to prepare our students for high-wage and high-demand careers. During the month of February, we celebrate the accomplishments of our CTE students, and we thank our dedicated CTE staff. Learn more by visiting the BISD Career and Technical Education website.

BISD Celebrates School Counseling Week

2018-02-03T20:35:00.003-06:00

The 2018 National School Counseling Week is celebrated from February 5 to 9. This year's theme is, "School Counselors: Helping Students Reach for the Stars." BISD appreciates and acknowledges all the hard work and dedication our school counselors contribute to help our students succeed. Thank you!

2017-2018 Brainsville Inventions Results

2018-02-02T15:06:00.001-06:00

The Department of Advanced Academic Services hosted the annual Brainsville Inventions competition on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Lucio Middle School. Congratulations to the young inventors, in grades 3 -12, who demonstrated their inventions to the judges and visited with Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas. Brainsville Inventions is a competition designed to promote problem solving skills and creative thinking. Click here to view the results.

26th Annual Principal for a Day

2018-02-02T12:06:00.001-06:00

Brownsville ISD will host “Principal for a Day” on Friday, February 9, 2018. Each campus has invited a business or community leader to serve as a guest principal for the entire morning. Started in 1992, “Principal for a Day” allows guest principals to shadow a campus administrator and participate in a variety of school activities. The day concludes with a luncheon, where participants share their experiences. Over the years, many guest principals have continued their involvement with BISD schools. Guest principals can view the invitation here.

Besteiro Middle School to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony

2018-01-31T09:24:00.001-06:00

The BISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas cordially invite the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Besteiro Middle School track, a Tax Ratification Election (TRE) priority project, on Monday, February 5, 2018, at 10 a.m. Click here to view the invitation.

23rd Annual BISD History Day Awards & Results

2018-01-29T10:26:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to BISD History Day district champions Stillman Middle School and Veterans Memorial Early College High School! Thank you to Lopez Early College High School Principal Dahlia Aguilar, Dean of Instruction Michelle Hernandez and their administrative team, staff and the Social Studies Department for hosting this event, held on Saturday, January 13, 2018. First and second place winners will be advancing to the Regional History Day on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the UTRGV Edinburg campus. Junior Division Results / Junior Division Champions / Senior Division Results / Senior Division Champions

2nd Annual Family Wellness Day at Paredes Elementary

2018-01-25T14:02:00.001-06:00

Join Paredes Elementary School on Saturday, January 27, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for its 2nd Annual Family Wellness Day. Enjoy free activities for the entire family. Parents must accompany their children at all times. English / En Español.

Lucio Middle School to host Brainsville Inventions competition

2018-01-25T14:01:00.001-06:00

Brainsville Inventions is a competition designed to promote problem-solving skills and creative thinking. The event will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lucio Middle School. Students use their imagination to scientifically identify problems and create solutions in selected categories such as Environment/Safety/Pets, Helping with Disabilities/Medicine/Healthcare, Hobbies/Games/Sports, Household/Food/Industry and Technology/Communication/Music. Young inventors, in grades 3 -12, can either develop a new product or improve upon an existing invention. Click here for more information.

BISD MS Bands Dominate 2018 All-Region Band Auditions

2018-01-22T15:59:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to all BISD middle school band students and band directors for outstanding results at the Region 28 TMEA All-Region auditions, held on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Rivera Early College High School. BISD claimed 170 chairs out of 276 available, including 11 of the 16 first chairs. Click here to view the complete list.

BISD Band and Choir Students Earn All-State Honors

2018-01-18T13:10:00.001-06:00

The BISD Department of Fine Arts is proud to announce that 38 fine arts music students earned chairs in the Texas All-State Band and Choir, 7 more than last year and ranking them in the top 2% of music students in the state! These students will perform in the All-State Band or Choir at the TMEA convention in San Antonio on February 17, 2018. BISD students earned 15 first-chairs. This year, one of our students is a four-year All-State member. Nicholas Ochoa from Pace ECHS has the distinct honor of being a four-time All-Stater – three times for the All-State Band (French Horn) and this year for the All-State Choir (Bass I). Congratulations to these outstanding young adults who earned a place as one of the top high school musicians in Texas for the 2017-2018 school year! Click here to view the complete list.

Fight the flu at BISD

2018-01-11T14:11:00.001-06:00

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a very contagious disease that spreads through droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk and others breathe in these droplets or touch surfaces where the droplets landed. Learn more about ways to prevent the spread of the flu: English | En Español

Notice of Public Hearing

2018-01-11T11:52:00.002-06:00

Brownsville ISD will hold a public hearing for the 2016-2017 Texas Annual Performance Report (TAPR) during a Special Called Board Meeting to be held on Monday, January 22, 2018, at 4:30 pm in the Boardroom of the BISD Administration Building located at 1900 E. Price Road. The TAPR includes a wide range of information on the performance of students. The report also provides extensive information on school and district staff, programs and student demographics. Parents, community members and other interested persons are invited to attend English | En Español

Lopez Lobo Battalion Cadets Interview Day

2018-01-11T09:08:00.001-06:00

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Lopez JROTC Lobo Battalion. In recognition of this milestone, cadets are undertaking a history project to capture memories of the first 25 years of the Lobo Battalion. The Lopez JROTC program invites former Lobo Cadets to share memories of their time as members of the Lobo Battalion. Cadets will be conducting interviews with former Lopez JROTC cadets on Saturday, January 13, 2018, in the Lopez JROTC building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please contact SFC Juan A. Olivarez at jaolivarez@bisd.us.

W-2 Forms Are On The Way

2018-01-09T14:35:00.001-06:00

All current BISD employees will receive their W-2 forms no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at their respective work locations. The W-2 forms for former BISD employees will also be mailed by that date.

BISD to hold ground breaking ceremonies

2017-12-20T09:09:00.003-06:00

Ground breaking ceremonies for the new soccer fields at Rivera and Hanna Early College High Schools will take place on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. The Rivera ceremony is from 9-10 a.m., followed by the Hanna ceremony at 10:30-11:30 a.m. View the Rivera invitation. View the Hanna invitation.

Register today for the Inaugural Wildcat Run!

2017-12-06T15:51:00.000-06:00

Besteiro Middle School is proud to announce its inaugural Wildcat Run, with a 5K or a 1-mile run/walk option. The event is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2018. Click here to register today.

BISD Superintendent nominated for 2017 RGV Citizen of the Year Award

2017-12-05T10:32:00.004-06:00

Dr. Esperanza Zendejas, BISD Superintendent of Schools, was nominated for 2017 RGV Citizen of the Year Award. You can read the nomination by clicking on this link.

Enroll in the Employee Sick Leave Bank

2017-11-13T13:44:00.001-06:00

The BISD Human Resources Department has announced the enrollment period for the Employee Sick Leave Bank, October 1-31, 2017. If a BISD employee or family member has a catastrophic illness, the employee may withdraw days from the bank. New members must complete an application form and have one local day to contribute. Enrollment is automatic for current members. A form must be completed to discontinue membership in the Employee Sick Leave Bank. For more information, call (956) 548-8051 or 548-8031. Download the flyer and application here.

District of Innovation Update

2017-10-30T08:19:00.001-06:00

At a special called meeting, the District-wide Education Improvement Council (DEIC) of the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) voted by a margin of 38-12 to submit the District of Innovation (DOI) Plan to the BISD Board of Trustees. The BISD District of Innovation Plan will be posted on the BISD website for at least 30 days. If approved by the BISD Board of Trustees, the DOI Plan will allow the BISD to propose a calendar whereby school may begin before the state mandated last Monday of August. During the regular school board meeting to be held on November 7, 2017, the BISD Board of Trustees will be asked to approve the District of Innovation Plan with a final vote requiring a 2/3 majority. In the event, the Board of Trustees approves the District of Innovation Plan, a copy will be provided to the Texas Education Agency for posting on its website. View the District of Innovation (DOI) Timeline and Plan.