Superintendent's Letter, Monday, November 29, 2021

 November 29, 2021

What a great week to be a Burton Panther!!!

Welcome back to what I hope was an amazing Thanksgiving/Fall Break for everyone. The time has definitely gone by quickly. Burton ISD is prepared with some energy packed opportunities for student learning as we round out this first semester of the 2021-2022 school year. This week we say goodbye to November and December is upon us. Looking forward to all that is to come for Burton ISD.

Burton ISD has an administrative team and staff that tirelessly commit to provide the best education to our students. We are continuously planning, adjusting, and implementing innovative and creative initiatives. Our leadership team takes the time to identify and address academic standards while supporting the overall learning environment. We appreciate all of those who are involved in our efforts and who work together with us as part of a team to keep Burton ISD moving in a positive direction. 

The Burton ISD educational plan ensures that standards are aligned, age-appropriate experiences for every student every year are put into place, and that the content being presented is built towards developing knowledge and skills needed by students that allow them to contribute back to local and societal expectations. This process helps determine rigorous programs and to develop strategies for filling the gaps in instructional delivery. 

Burton ISD is thankful for active community partnerships that integrate valuable resources into the educational curriculum. Utilizing partners with content expertise, supplemental enrichment and immersive opportunities enhance academic outcomes and give students a well-rounded approach to their learning. School and local community-centered approaches along with a focused communication framework leverages the district’s investment in our students. 

It is the dedication of everyone striving to be a team that will ultimately result in Burton ISD maintaining exemplary status. Thanks to all! 

Lots of great things going on in the upcoming weeks before the end of the semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out our new app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page. 

   

The pride of the Burton Panthers is embedded in all of us whether we are a student, an alumni, a community member, a staff member and employee, a parent, board member and/or a proud supporter and in many cases all of the above. We love our Panthers and like to think that the culture we are providing in educating our students is a reason why parents want their children to attend Burton ISD. We value our school district and always put students first. We are prepared to Dream Big, Sparkle More, and Shine Bright as the Future is Now for the Burton Panthers in 2021!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

Superintendent's Letter, Monday, November 22, 2021

 November 22, 2021

What a great week to be a Burton Panther!!!

Hello Burton Panther community and HAPPY THANKSGIVING week! Hope you are all enjoying some festive celebrations with family and friends, gonna eat some turkey, dressing, and pie, and most of all get some much needed time off to rest and relax! Safe travels, if you happen to be going on the road to visit folks or shop. 

 

It is definitely a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for and all that there is to be continually counting our blessings for. Our faith, our health, our families and the support of our loved ones, the time we spend with others and those friendships we have formed over the years, having a good job that pays the bills, an education, a roof over our heads, food on the table, and clothes on our back, freedom, liberty, community, happiness, and anything else that fills our lives with personal contentment. Remember during this time to be truly thankful!!!

The Latin spiritus, means “breathe life into” It means caring for ourselves, for others and for the universe. In the true sense, it can also mean building faith, hope, trust and love in the school community. Burton ISD really exemplifies this by getting to know our students, their strengths, and their needs. Students learn best when learning with other students and teachers thrive in collaborative cultures. The science of collaboration, the process of working together to achieve fundamental learning and well-being is the foundation for working in our schools. 

We cannot succeed in a complex society without partnering with others. A deeper form of human interaction is experienced whereby people learn from and support each other. Burton ISD is committed to the human values of care and conviction with respect to all our students, and we recognize that focused collaboration is necessary in relation to the daily lives of students and their progression of learning. 

The pride of the Burton Panthers is embedded in all of us whether we are a student, an alumni, a community member, a staff member and employee, a parent, board member and/or a proud supporter and in many cases all of the above. We love our Panthers and like to think that the culture we are providing in educating our students is a reason why parents want their children to attend Burton ISD. We value our school district and always put students first. We are prepared to Dream Big, Sparkle More, and Shine Bright as the Future is Now for the Burton Panthers in 2021!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, November 12, 2021

 November 15, 2021

What a great week to be a Burton Panther!!!

In Texas Association of Community Schools Today Dr. Susan Bohn, Superintendent of Aledo ISD provides some thoughts on LISTENING: Your Leadership Superpower

“There is something inherently special about a good listener. Mastering listening skills where the person speaking gets to share his or her thoughts without being interrupted and with the listener’s undivided attention is a significant skillset. 

Listening makes us better leaders; listening helps us be approachable; listening will help us round out our responses, which, in turn, helps our students and staff reach their full potential. Listening is a powerful tool. 

Without input from others, our solutions are often not the best solutions. Math teachers know more about teaching math than a superintendent who has never taught math. Transportation directors know more about running a bus system than a superintendent who has never run a transportation department. Board members who have lived in the community longer than the superintendent understand how our community will respond to issues. 

It is amazing what we can learn and how much better our organizations can be when our mouths are closed and our ears open.” Becoming a better listener takes time to develop the skill to practice listening and focus on the listener. By using listening skills as an opportunity to learn, have productive conversations and interactions, and grow confidence in the school district we can build a culture of effective communication which is essential to building and maintaining strong, positive relationships. 

This week we will release on Friday for Thanksgiving-Fall Break and will resume school on Monday, November 29, 2021. We all have so much to be thankful for!

Lots of great things going on in the upcoming weeks before the end of the semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out our new app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page. 

   

The pride of the Burton Panthers is embedded in all of us whether we are a student, an alumni, a community member, a staff member and employee, a parent, board member and/or a proud supporter and in many cases all of the above. We love our Panthers and like to think that the culture we are providing in educating our students is a reason why parents want their children to attend Burton ISD. We value our school district and always put students first. We are prepared to Dream Big, Sparkle More, and Shine Bright as the Future is Now for the Burton Panthers in 2021!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, November 8, 2021

 November 8, 2021

What a great week to be a Burton Panther!!!

Hello Burton Panther community and happy “passed” 2021 BOND! I am absolutely honored to be a part of such an amazing community that supports what is best for kids and truly believes in the future of Burton ISD. Many heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making the 2021 Bond Election a success and especially those who exercised their right to vote, to let their voice be heard! I am proud to lead the Burton Panthers to continued academic excellence and on to extracurricular accolades. It is definitely a time to DREAM BIG, SPARKLE MORE, and SHINE BRIGHT as the FUTURE IS NOW for the Burton Panthers. We are blessed beyond imaginable in Burton ISD. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, our new app, and social media. 

We are so excited that the Burton ISD Bond proposal will provide expansions for Burton High School and Burton Junior High School, allow for Elementary growth, address safety and security, increase kitchen and cafeteria capacity, and upgrade band, fine arts, and athletic facilities. 

It’s pretty awesome to look back at where we have been and look forward to where we are going. One of our greatest accomplishments has been to “build” relationships which has helped us to be able to “build” and strengthen our district and the community. Love that word “build”. Whether we are virtual, in-person, or something in-between, we strive to communicate our vision for the great things to come for Burton ISD. The effort that goes into making Burton ISD one of the best school districts in Texas cannot be understated. Building new opportunities, programs, and facilities for our students might be challenging, but will surely end with positive results. Of course, there is always room to improve and we appreciate it when folks share their ideas about how to make us better. Education-focused thinking is ultimately what keeps us growing and thriving in so many ways.  

TEAMWORK continues to be a key factor in helping Burton ISD embrace what is yet to come. We will surely embrace our history, implement small changes to make a big impact, and with a strong and innovative team who is passionate about their work accomplish so much more together. Get ready for a transformation!

A quote by Helen Keller – “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” 

 

The pride of the Burton Panthers is embedded in all of us whether we are a student, an alumni, a community member, a staff member and employee, a parent, board member and/or a proud supporter and in many cases all of the above. We love our Panthers and like to think that the culture we are providing in educating our students is a reason why parents want their children to attend Burton ISD. We value our school district and always put students first. We are prepared to Dream Big, Sparkle More, and Shine Bright as the Future is Now for the Burton Panthers in 2021!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, November 1, 2021

 November 1, 2021

What a great week to be a Burton Panther!!!

Hello Burton Panther community! November is here and Election Day is upon us. Exercise your right to have your voice heard and vote on the proposed Burton Independent School District Bond tomorrow! For Precincts 410 and 413, the polling location is @ the Burton Community Center, 13100 West Washington, Burton. Precincts 311 and 312 will vote @ St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 8201 Old Gay Hill Road, Brenham. Election day polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2nd. Still have questions…find bond information on the district website @ www.burtonisd.net or go to  www.burtonbond2021.com. 

The Burton ISD Bond proposal will provide expansions for Burton High School and Burton Junior High School, allow for Elementary growth, address safety and security, increase kitchen and cafeteria capacity, and upgrade band, fine arts, and athletic facilities. A bond is funded with Interest and Sinking (I&S) monies and 100% of these dollars stay in Burton ISD!

“To understand is to know what to do.” - Ludwig Wittgenstein

The following was taken from the Texas Association of School Boards Update: 

What is the purpose of a Public Education? 

Sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics and ask the questions…

Why do we have public schools? 

What do we value? 

What are we trying to accomplish?

Bringing it back to the basics and thinking about the purposes of public education can help us keep conversations focused on student success and help us prioritize decisions that promote the long-term good of both our students and community. It’s not a viable or desirable future to only educate some students well. Our teams remain focused on educating every student well.

We expect our students to go through the public education K-12 system and come out at the other end able to pursue further education or find a sustaining job, hopefully with an interest in becoming involved in public service and expressing themselves by voting.

The Burton ISD is not only a place that provides safety, academic experiences, and extracurricular activities, but exists to educate children for both their benefit and for the greater good of our community, state, and world.                 

The pride of the Burton Panthers is embedded in all of us whether we are a student, an alumni, a community member, a staff member and employee, a parent, board member and/or a proud supporter and in many cases all of the above. We love our Panthers and like to think that the culture we are providing in educating our students is a reason why parents want their children to attend Burton ISD. We value our school district and always put students first. We are prepared to Dream Big, Sparkle More, and Shine Bright as the Future is Now for the Burton.