Author: Administrator

Texas Literacy Initiative Newsletter

Volume 1, issue 6

February 2013

A focus on
Early childhood!

TLI Highlights

The very first Goal found in our Texas Literacy Initiative Grant is to “Increase the oral language and preliteracy skills of participating preschool children.” With that in mind, BISD has been very busy attempting to reach the District Goal that all Pre-Kinder students reach the score of 90% Making Adequate Progress on their End of the Year CPALLS Assessment.
BISD has held Professional Development trainings for OWL and CIRCLE Core Curriculums, Data Analysis Meetings which include MOY Goals, Professional Development trainings on RWP/CPQ and Think-Turn-Talk. BISD even has an online Course in Project Share with a Workgroup dedicated to meeting the needs of our 0 to School Age student population which starts up again on 2/18.
Upcoming PD trainings for our 3 year old and Pre-kinder teachers are: Infant and Toddler Language Development and Listening Comprehension which will be held at each campus.
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2012 Excellence in Education Finalists!
Brownsville Independent School District has been named one of the 2012 Excellence in Education regional finalist in the HEB Excellence in Education Awards!
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards celebrate public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. With more than $600,000 in cash prizes awarded to deserving teachers, principals, and school districts, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards is the largest monetary recognition program for educators in Texas and one of the largest in the nation.
Our very own Castaneda Elementary and Gallegos Elementary schools have been given the honor of a visit from the H-E-B Early Childhood Award Category Team. This award is designed to recognize teaching excellence for children under age 5. The award can be used to support existing Kinder Readiness programs or to develop a new one so that children are prepared to succeed at grade level in Kindergarten.
Congratulations BISD!

Calendar of Upcoming Events
2/19 CSCOPE Overview
2/22 End of 4th 6 Weeks
2/26 1/2 Day Teacher Prep
2/28 1/2 Day Early Dismissal
2/28 Up to Date DIP to TLI Off.
Professional Development Activities/Goals
Completion of RWP/TTT
Inf. & Toddler Language Dev.
Listening Comprehension
Fluency
CSR/Making Connections
Making Connections

21 BISD 2012 PreK
Centers of Excellence!
The Texas Kindergarten Readiness System (KRS) evaluates the effectiveness of prekindergarten, Head Start, and community-based licensed child care programs in preparing children for kindergarten. The KRS analyzes data from participating prekindergarten programs and from each student’s kindergarten reading diagnostic instrument administered at the beginning of the child’s kindergarten year. The analysis results in certification of prekindergarten programs that are successful in preparing students for kindergarten school entry.
BISD’s 21 Centers of Excellence are: Aiken, Benavides, Castaneda, Cromack, El Jardin, Gallegos, Garden Park, Garza, Gonzalez, Hudson, Longoria, Palm Grove, Pullam, Putegnat, Resaca, Russell, Skinner, Southmost, Vermillion, Victoria Heights, and Yturria Elementary Schools. ¡Bravo!

2013 Leadership Summit
Sponsored by
Texas Education Agency/University of Texas System

Brownsville Independent School District Administrators, Principals, DL Liaisons and TLI Teacher Specialists attended the Second Annual TLI Leadership Summit in San Antonio, Texas. For two days in February, the focus of their attention was on the Implementation Maps and the Texas State Literacy Plan and how both converge around instruction as the primary driver to improve student outcomes. BISD has “taken ownership in changing literacy culture by setting goals, reaching benchmarks, providing data-driven instruction, and aligning Age 0 through Grade 12.” In closing, the 2013 Leadership Summit guided leaders through a process for using the TSLP as a powerful instrument for continuous reflection, planning and improvement—> double loop learning!
Response from our attendees was great. The TLI Leadership Summit was a success! Our documents were taken by TEA to Washington where they will be using them for a report on the grant status. BISD will be following up with the campuses on the work from the Summit.

Houston came to Brownsville! Early this year, a delegation of officials from Houston ISD came to Brownsville and visited our elementary, middle school and high school campuses. They were interested in the district’s literacy plan, TLI Grant, and ELA instruction. All campuses showcased our literacy practices and the visitors were impressed!

BISD’s 21 Centers of Excellence
BISD was informed by TEA that 21 school cites are designated
as Pre-Kinder Centers of Excellence! Pre-Kinder Centers of
Excellence banners were received and are displayed at:
Aiken, Benavides, Castaneda, Cromack, El Jardin,
Gallegos, Garden Park, Garza, Gonzalez, Hudson,
Longoria, Palm Grove, Pullam, Putegnat, Resaca,
Russell, Skinner, Southmost, Vermillion Road,
Victoria Heights, and Yturria Elementary Schools.

Aiken PK, 2nd Grade, and TLI Specialist receiving
Banner of Excellence from TLI Director, M. Gonzales
And TEA Representative, D. Dycha.

“BISD, HEB and UTB Working Together towards a worthy goal!”
Gallegos Elementary and Castaneda Elementary will be visited by Representatives from the H-E-B Early Childhood Award Category Team.
We know they will shine!