SCHOOL DAYS
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GreatThings Boerne ISD
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, IN CLASSROOMS
Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary teachers give “air hugs” to their students via Zoom.
AND BEYOND
Courtesy of The Boerne Independent School District
The Boerne Independent School District has been named one of three finalists for the statewide H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. In January, administrators were notified that BISD was one of only three districts across Texas to be selected as a finalist for the prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. The award is designed to recognize school districts based on their commitment to student achievement through innovative programs; parent and community involvement; and professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators. Grant winners will be announced in May 2020, and the winning district will receive $50,000 to go towards student learning. BISD is the only district from the greater San Antonio area to be named for the award in a year where they were also given their second “A” rating in the state accountability system by the Texas Education Agency. Additionally in 2019, the BISD School Board was named the Board of the Region, and the district received the State Comptroller’s Transparency award for Business Operations. “We were very excited to hear of the honor,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Price. “We have innovative teaching styles in our district such as a focus on collaborative, action-based, and social-emotional learning that we are proud is being noticed.” It is this innovation and collaboration that has served the district well during the unprecedented school closures resulting from COVID-19. During the district’s scheduled Spring Break, the week of March 9-13, the first announcement of an extended closure was made, followed by more extensions in alignment with the district’s cities’ and county’s emergency declarations. The district quickly implemented remote work environments for their staff, and by day three of the first week, distance/remote learning curriculums were in place for students to continue their studies from home. Several years ago, district teachers began using Google Classroom as a means of communication and instruction for students in all grades. This application was the channel for the disbursement of assignments, and for students without technology or internet access at home, weekly printed packets were available for pick-up every Friday at each school.
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Dr. Price appeared as the Boerne Reads guest reader on Facebook Live on April 8 and read one of his favorite books, Wanted: Perfect Parents by John Himmelman. The program is sponsored by the Patrick Heath Public Library.
Two years ago, the district introduced Skyward Family Access, an internet-based student data management system that stores everything from school registration forms, assignment grades and report cards to attendance and heath reports. Skyward was another way of informing parents of their child’s assignments. Email and social media rounded out the district’s lines of communication with parents and the community. And finally, if Zoom was not a household name before, it quickly became one during a time of social distancing. BISD teachers utilized the video conferencing technology to engage their students through live activities, lectures and even exercise programs. “While the buildings may be closed, learning has continued in full
