Brownwood ISD teachers and staff gathered Monday in convocation to kick off the 2010-2011 school year. They not only celebrated last year’s accomplishments, but they were encouraged to focus on new goals for the year to come.
The Brownwood High School Marching Band set the mood for the day by performing three pieces, “Distortion”, “Celebrate Good Times” and the School Song/Fight Song.
Dr. Reece Blincoe, BISD Superintendent, took the stage to announce the unveiling of campus banners acknowledging the Texas Education Agency ratings. Administrators took to the stage in what looked like a parade of honors. The TEA released school accountability ratings in July giving Brownwood good marks. CLICK HERE for county school rating results.
Blincoe then charged the teachers not to stop with these honors, but to continue to “think anew and act anew”. BISD recently applied for a $1 million technology grant through the state. Results of the schools that would be awarded the grant were not available Monday for announcement during the convocation. 50 applications were submitted for the Connections Grant, 16 applicant schools were interviewed, and 8 of these will each selected to receive a $1 million grant to be spent on technology. Blincoe said that the school plans on buying more laptops, 100 iPads, software and training if BISD receives the grant.
“We feel like we’re going to get it,” Blincoe told the teachers. “If we do, it’ll be $1 million more to you.”
Blincoe said that with a progressive school system, Brownwood ISD is thinking ahead to envision what a graduate needs to become to be a successful person in society and in the workforce. He outlined the BISD Graduate Profile:
- A responsible decision maker
- A confident life-long learner
- A healthy individual
- A literate communicator
- An informed citizen
- A productive worker
Teachers were also reminded of how Brownwood ISD’s forward thinking approach must continue to work with industry and corporations in the Workforce-Education committee efforts.
“We need to honor all occupations… we also need people working in the industrial park but also people who provide services such as the police and firefighters,” said Blincoe.
The importance and the difficulty of obtaining certifications was also outlined. Blincoe said that helping students achieve post-high school certifications will enable graduates to join the workforce after graduation. He also stressed the necessity of students to complete certifications to help BISD keep career tech funding intact.
“We have to have enough workers,” stated Blincoe. “We have to listen to our industry and see what skills do you need so we can help start providing some of those skills.”
Pictured are some of the award banners presented Monday.
