Inside Bryan ISD, the Bryan ISD employee newsletter, is back! We’re excited to share the first edition with you.
A NOTE FROM DR. WHITBECK
It feels to me like October ended the same way it started, cloudy and rainy, but I love this change as we’re off to a bright and sunny start in November. I know October can be one of the toughest months we have in education. There is so much excitement in August and September as the school year begins. As we creep into October, get into our routines and hit that long stretch without a break, we tend to take a dip. Instead of taking that dip, let’s re-energize ourselves.
Here’s my request for you, and I’m making the same pledge for myself. Please, take time for yourself. I know with all of the requirements, long hours, and effort it takes to provide our students with the best education, this request may seem crazy. But, if it’s possible, make sure you get good, quality sleep and take care of your health. Make sure you’re active, and take a little time to do something you enjoy. It may be quality time with family, long walks, inspiring worship services, fishing or whatever brings you joy. We have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first so that we can be our best for our students.
I also want to thank you for continuing to model the Essential Eight. I know tolerance was a little harder than kindness in a number of ways. It’s harder to create projects, displays and other visuals. It’s also harder to model, when our most challenging students are at their most challenging. I am so grateful for the patience you exhibit with your students. When that patience wanes, remember this quote from John Quincy Adams, “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” Not at first, but how many times have we commented in May on the amazing change we saw in a student over the course of the year.
I’m making my way to more campuses for Salsa with the Supt., and I’m enjoying hearing from you. If I haven’t made it to your campus yet, and there’s anything we can do, please reach out and let me know. I have gratitude for you and what you do for the children of Bryan ISD. We are a strong family, and I’m looking forward to a wonderful month of November.
ESSENTIAL EIGHT
In October, students learned about the Essential Eight characteristic of tolerance. Defined as “desiring to understand and accept others,” students learned the importance of valuing one another.
*Please note, the video may be blocked at your work computer because of its social media classification.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Social Media Spotlight
To join the annual Over the Edge fundraising campaign for the United Way of Brazos Valley, three Bryan ISD teachers (Helen Farrar and Timothy and Tara Bailey) rapelled 110 feet down the Hilton College Station. Thanks for your compassion and bravery!
In early October, KBTX featured Jaime Mosqueda, Johnson Elementary dual language teacher, in its “Names and Faces” segment. Mr. Mosqueda recently experienced something few can imagine enduring, and he’s found the strength to continue inspiring his students day after day through his love of music and teaching.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Oct. 11 was one of the most wonderful times of the year for the Bryan ISD Education Foundation (educationfoundation.bryanisd.org)! Thanks to your donations, Foundation Board members and leaders played “prize patrol,” presenting 28 teacher grants totaling $40,021 to Bryan ISD classrooms and learning spaces. The money raised will have a direct impact on the learning experience of our students.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Open Enrollment is available until Nov. 16, 2018, for Bryan ISD employees to add, change or delete insurance coverage for the 2019 plan year.
You will sign up for all benefits through the District’s online enrollment system, www.inrollplus.com or meet with an enrollment specialist at your campus during your campus’ scheduled time. First-time users to InRoll Plus will enter their last name, last four digits of their social security number and their date of birth under the New User section of the welcome page. You may also view the Login Video Tutorial for step-by-step instructions. Users will then be prompted to Create Your Account and choose a User Name and Password, as well as two security questions to register. For returning users, if they have logged into InRoll Plus in the past year and registered a User Name, they will enter their User Name and Password in the left-hand side of the screen. If users do not remember their User Name and/or Password, they can click the “Forgot Username?” or “Forgot Password?” links below those fields. If it is between Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., users can use the Chat Now feature, and a representative will be able to assist them in recovering their User Name or Password.
Enroller Campus Visit Schedule (If You Do NOT Self-Enroll Using the Online Enrollment System)
For questions about Open Enrollment, call the Bryan ISD Employee Benefits office at 979-209-1092.
FYI AROUND BRYAN
Private Property Notice
Employees from a Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) contractor named Davey Resource Group (DRG) will need to access all BTU-owned poles and equipment located on and around private property, including behind privacy fences. DRG employees will perform an audit of field assets, including poles, transformers, conductors, pedestals, and service-drops, throughout the entire BTU system—including Brazos County, and parts of Burleson and Robertson counties. Click here to learn more.
Road Construction
Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) has announced utility work on William Joe Bryant Parkway that could impact traffic flow for some employees during commute times, and for our students and parents as they travel to and from area schools. The work is being done between Highway 6 and Texas Avenue and will take place over the coming months. Campuses and commuters near this work area need to be aware that traffic may be affected as drivers search for alternative routes. More information can be found at www.wjbproject.com.
RIBBON CUTTINGS
October has been a big month for ribbon-cutting ceremonies in Bryan ISD! Students from Jones Elementary cut the ribbon for its Texas A&M Reading Clinic on Oct. 18 and the first Bryan ISD Early Childhood Family Resource Center on Oct. 25. The Center is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for any Bryan ISD parent wanting PreK-3rd-grade resources, and the Texas A&M Reading clinic will provide Jones students with extra reading instruction from Texas A&M pre-service teachers in partnership with Bryan ISD and Read by 3rd.
More ribbon-cutting ceremonies are on the way in November, with the Texas A&M Reading Clinic at Fannin Elementary taking place Nov. 6 and the opening of Project Hope’s new facility at Bryan Collegiate on Nov. 8.
The Texas A&M Reading Clinic at Jones Elementary
The Bryan ISD Early Childhood Family Resource Center
MONTHLY RECOGNITIONS
National School Bus Safety Week and Crime Prevention Month took place in October. If you haven’t already, please thank our wonderful school resource officers, monitors and transportation employees for the excellent work they do every day.
KUDOS
Congrats to Rudder FFA for being the only chapter in Texas honored as a Premier Chapter at the National FFA Convention & Expo!
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Bryan/College Station is a vibrant place to live, learn and play. We live in a community with numerous opportunities to experience culture, music and exciting events. The upcoming events below are just a few of the many ways you can plug into our community.
- Nov. 2: Night Golf Party – Junior Achievement’s Shot in the Dark ‘Glow in the Dark’ Golf Tournament is Nov. 2 from 7-12 p.m. Click here for more information.
- Nov. 6-7: Musical – A MSC OPAS production of the Sound of Music will take place at 7:30 Nov. 6-Nov. 7. Click here for ticket information.
- Nov. 10: Block Party – The CASA Familia Fest at Henderson Elementary will include various family activities Nov. 10 from 4-7 p.m. Visit the CASA Familia Fest Facebook page for more information.
- Nov. 16: Christmas Lights – A special guest will flip the switch to illuminate the Christmas trees in Downtown Bryan along with a host of other festive activities Nov. 16 from 6-10 p.m. Click here for more information.
- Nov. 17: Classic Movie – Remember AOL? The Queen Theatre will be playing the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan classic You’ve Got Mail 8 p.m. Nov. 17. Visit tickets.queenbryantx.com/tickets to purchase tickets.
- Nov. 29-Dec. 2: Old-Timey Radio Play – Get your tickets now for Bryan Viking Theatre’s presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life Nov. 29-Dec. 2 at the Queen Theatre. Call 979-209-1119 to purchase $15 tickets. Visit bhsvikingtheatre.com for more information.
- Weekly Artisan Market – Every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. until Dec. 11 vendors, food trucks and music can be found at The Local Weekly Artisan Market at Lake Walk Town Center in Bryan. Visit lakewalktx.com/thelocal for more information.
- Weekly Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. farmers and vendors from around the Brazos Valley come to the Brazos Valley Farmers Market at in Downtown Bryan. Visit brazosvalleyfarmersmarket.com for more information.
STAY UP TO DATE WITH BRYAN ISD BLOGS
Teaching & Learning: blogs.bryanisd.org/theweekly
Advanced Academics: blogs.bryanisd.org/advacademics
PHOTO CONTEST
Bryan ISD employees are invited to submit a photo of themselves doing something interesting this school year outside of their job to info@bryanisd.org by 12 p.m. Nov. 15 with “PHOTO CONTEST” in the subject line of the email. The winner will be announced in the next newsletter and will receive $50 worth of Chick-fil-A gift cards. One entry per person and one photo per entry. The photo must be safe for work.
BRYAN ISD
Children First. Always.
Thank you all for doing this for us. Good information.