Superintendent's Letter - Monday, May 2, 2022

 May 2, 2022

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

We are starting May this week and embracing what a busy time of year it always is in the Spring! It is celebration, recognition, and awards season!!!

Our educators @ Burton ISD are an inspiration to our community and their dedication to providing the best education possible for our students does not go unnoticed! We are so very thankful to each and every one of our staff who are committed to doing what is best for kids! The importance that the staff of Burton ISD place on education is immeasurable. You are the heart of our community. HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!!!

                                                  

Education is one of the top priorities for parents, teachers, and the community as we focus to keep students engaged with learning. I have no doubt that Burton ISD will continue to go places and rise above and beyond what is expected of us as we experience new and upcoming challenges in education. 

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                      

Superintendent's Letter, Monday, April 25, 2022

 April 25, 2022

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

Let’s stand up together for Public Education. Life lessons are learned early and most definitely in the school buildings. The challenges we see today are a call to stand up and let the voices be heard about transformational work being done in our public schools. Teachers and students have shown flexibilities, resilience, and optimism throughout the last couple of years. Our education system is building up stronger communities. Safety and security, academic progress, mental health, and emotional well-being are areas that we all agree on and want to ensure that our public schools are addressing. 

Shared priorities and common goals with parents and educators can break down barriers that lead to inequities and improve family engagement strategies to promote a deeper involvement in what parents and teachers prioritize. Trust and meaningful two-way communication between schools and families is critical to a shared purpose. In the Lone Start State we can work together for the sake of our kids in our schools. We are always stronger together. Educational excellence for schoolchildren through advocacy, visionary leadership, and high-quality services to school districts must be a priority. Although Burton ISD has its own unique challenges, there is always a common ground of key priorities that support our students and educators. A shared network of supporters in our corner provides a togetherness so that we might learn, connect and stay focused on students’ achievement and outcomes.  

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, April 11, 2022

 April 11, 2022

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

TEA aims to improve teacher retention coming out of pandemic.

Recently, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath presented the 2021 Annual Report to the State Board of Education, showing just how much student learning was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has been aware of the ‘COVID slide’ for a while now, but with this report, the state is able to compare STAAR testing scores from the year before the pandemic (2018-19 school year) to the year coming out of the pandemic (2020-21). STAAR testing was not issued during the 2019-2020 school year due to the onset of the outbreak. It shows testing scores for reading and math, in particular, have significantly decreased. An accompanying chart shows the percentage of students who meet STAAR grade level standards. For math scores in particular, for third graders, it decreased by 18%. For eighth graders, it decreased by 19%. Morath went on to explain how the state is planning to tackle the “slide”, which starts with addressing the teacher shortage. “We know that teachers are, in fact, the most important in-school factor impacting student outcomes. In-school is important, because there are other factors in a student’s life,” Morath said. Earlier this year, the governor established the Teacher Vacancy Task Force, with the TEA leading its efforts. Part of that task force’s goal specifically focuses on retention. The full article can be accessed @ https://www.kxan.com/news/education/texas-education-agency-aims-to-improve-teacher-retention-coming-out-of-pandemic/

We look forward to hearing more from our state representatives as information develops. We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues.

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, April 4, 2022

 April 4, 2022

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

Teacher Appreciation – More Important Now than Ever 

It is always essential to show our appreciation to teachers as they have undoubtedly chosen one of the hardest professions currently. This year, more than ever before we need to be more intentional about showing appreciation and going deeper in building relationships in our districts.

“To be clear is to be Kind”. This is the motto we should be living this year. Clear in our expectations, realistic in the execution of those expectations and it needs to be clear that working with teachers to help our students is a priority for Burton ISD.

Teacher appreciation does not always mean a special lunch or gift card. Teacher appreciation is making sure that we have built relationships with teachers to check on their families, to make sure they are taking breathers and are doing well. A phone call, text, email or simple conversation is important this year- more than ever, to show our teachers that we see them as individuals too. Take some time to show our staff that you really care this semester. Thank you!

Our staffs’ work @ Burton ISD contributes to advancing educational goals and helps us concentrate on reaching group achievements. Each individual staff member adds value to the entity at large to maintain a commitment to students and the district. 

Happy School Librarian Appreciation Day to Mrs. Karen Douglas who always is there to promote and encourage the love of reading for our students.  

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                               

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, March 28, 2022

 March 28, 2022

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

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but what Burton ISD education innovations will last once the pandemic crisis has passed? It seems like we are at that place right now. With COVID-19 infections on the decline and nearly all school districts back to in-person learning, teachers and leaders finally can take a breath and look forward. A greater focus (and funding) for things like more flexible learning time and technology integration, mental health, and cultural relevance have led to creative education strategies.

There was a real acceleration in the last two years of districts switching quickly to try new  and innovative strategies. It will be important to monitor academic progress to see how it actually went to determine which of those approaches will actually be sustainable for the next five years and beyond. We have taken what we’ve learned from when we had to provide specialized and different services in a crisis moment, and are turning it into an opportunity for alternate models of instruction.

The extent to which COVID-19 has disrupted students’ learning—and the questions of how schools will provide the support students need as a result—can feel too big to grasp. Burton ISD understands how to approach this challenge and manage the classroom setting effectively.

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                       

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, March 21, 2022

 March 21, 2022

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

Every student has their own personal academic journey. When it comes to navigating through that territory, students may find that there are different ways of learning that work best for them. Personalized learning in Burton ISD recognizes that every student learns differently and that learning can be diversified to cater to a wide variety of students. Personalized learning can be defined by our teachers as an effective teaching practice for our students. 

Our schools and our students deserve quality educators dedicated to the process of developing high standards of excellence and innovative approaches to learning. Education is a personally rewarding, yet challenging profession. Burton ISD seeks individuals who are continuously committed to providing educational programs that can impact the future and implement change for our students.   

The idea that different students have unique learning styles pervades education. We should encourage students at an early age to try different learning strategies so they develop a toolbox of learning methods. Burton ISD offers the opportunity for engaging instructional practices and we can rest assured that our education system ensures a way for students to learn better, faster, and more comfortably in their own style

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                              

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, March 14, 2022

March 14, 2022

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

HAPPY SPRING BREAK 2022!!! Enjoy some rest and relaxation during the week! Have fun. Rejuvenate and fill your own bucket. Connect with those who make life become a bit easier.

We are a little over halfway through the school year, but there is so much still left to do. For our educators-don’t get overwhelmed or try to capture the moon, but simply try to remind yourself why you are in this profession. Create an excitement for the day that cannot be duplicated. Provide an engagement and a link for students to remember content more specifically compared to an average school day. Education is one of those things that you get what you put into it and we need to be reminded of this on a regular basis. When we are all in, we can see the benefits and results easily. 

The students and teachers in Burton ISD and across the nation have had so many struggles this year. Building relationships with students has been more important than ever. A simple arrangement where we can have meaningful conversation with each student can change a student’s life. Our students have been coming to school with much more trauma than we have ever seen. Many of their lives at home are more stressful than ever with either financial or social concerns. The Burton ISD students know that we care and that we make time for them-that is when we see change. Definitely, not an overnight fix. In many cases teachers won’t know the impact of these chats till years later- but the value is indisputable.

Take every moment and make it count. Not everything has to be done big like a transformation. A simple note of encouragement or a smile can have a lasting effect. Being a difference-maker is not always visible each day- but we know that Burton ISD has a lasting effect on students and teachers.

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                              

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, March 7, 2022

March 7, 2022

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

WOW, it’s already March and Spring Break is upon us next week. 

As we have celebrated Texas Independence Day and Texas Public Schools Week, it is important to remember the service that we provide as we focus on the mission of educating our students. Burton ISD stays committed to the purpose and strategic goals of our community to prioritize students. Our teachers show up to not only teach, but to encourage the appreciation for learning. We make an everyday impact! “Education is the movement from darkness to light.” – Allan Bloom

The 2020-2021 School Report Cards (SRC) are available on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website which can be accessed @ http://tea.texas.gov/perfreport/src/index.html. The SRC combines accountability ratings, data from the Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR), and financial information to give a broad view of campus performance. Available for each campus in Texas, the SRC is intended specifically to inform parents and guardians about a school’s individual characteristics and its academic performance. Due to COVID-19, campuses and districts received a label of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster for the 2020-2021 school year. Burton ISD not only reaches the expectations of accountability, but surpasses state averages in most areas. We are definitely moving forward in Burton ISD.

We welcome you to visit Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                   

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, February 28, 2022

 February 28, 2022

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

Some thoughts on public education:

• Parental rights and responsibilities are essential for a strong public education system.

• Schools have the greatest potential to succeed when district leadership and locally elected school boards work together with parents and the community to improve student outcomes.

• Public school classrooms are the best places for most Texas school-age children to learn, grow, and become responsible citizens. 

• The goal of equitable educational opportunities that lead to positive student outcomes — ensuring every student can reach their full potential — can be attained if the appropriate resources are provided to frontline educators and public schools. 

• Local school governance — a longstanding tradition here in Texas — is the best approach to ensuring publicly funded schools are responsive to parents and community members.

• The Texas State Board of Education’s process for approving curriculum must continue to include community input-to ensure accountability to voters and parents. 

• Progress has been made in ensuring schools are welcoming and safe environments for all students.    

• Removing barriers to opportunities in Texas public schools should be a priority!   

We welcome you to visit the Burton Independent School District and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                   

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, Februrary 21, 2022

 February 21, 2022

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

Today is celebrated as Presidents Day and is a school holiday for Burton Independent School District.  

Some reflections on one of what should be our greatest passions — public education. Hopes that the love of teaching, learning, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to grow and to reach their fullest potential is sustained. Parents, teachers, school board members, and other elected officials can usually find common ground by focusing on the role of public education in bringing communities together to build a better future for our kids and our state. We are still hopeful, despite the contentious discourse we so often hear in the news. Most Texans understand and appreciate the importance of their local school district and the educators working hard to support their community’s students. We are reminded that we can still agree on more than the headlines might suggest. 

Teachers are the backbone of public education

First, the Charles Butt Foundation released the results of its annual survey on Texans’ attitudes toward public education. An important highlight and takeaway that resonated deeply is — namely, that Texans — especially public school parents — are broadly confident in our state’s teachers. 

Second, at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Midwinter Conference, the most pressing matter being discussed was teacher resignations and the lack of a strong pipeline of new teachers from colleges of education. Every district in the state and nation is struggling to recruit and retain educators.  

So…What we can all agree on

It is essential we start finding common ground. Amid all the contentious discourse on K-12 issues, no one should be surprised that many teachers are leaving the profession. Discussions on how to improve learning and instruction must start from a place where the work of educators is appreciated and respected, and where public education’s role in bringing people together to learn from one another is valued. Doing this will help our state become stronger and more unified. The process of thinking about where we might agree rather than disagree is a reminder that we can bring some balance to divisive conversations.

The potential of all Texas schoolchildren, especially when they have consistent, caring, and committed teachers in the classroom is beyond imaginable. Let’s all agree that nothing is more important to the future of our state, both economically and as a great place to live, than a strong public education system. 

Follow Burton ISD activities on our website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Superintendent's Letter - Monday, January 31, 2022

 January 31, 2022

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

Today is a Professional Staff Development Day for Burton Independent School District. So, it is a student holiday. This week we finish up January and move into a busy February! 

Ever thought about who we/you would be without teachers? Educators are trying their best to play multiple roles in the lives of their students during a time when there is so much uncertainty about what each new day will hold. As our teachers strive to implement successful instructional programs, provide high standards of instructional service, and comply with district policies there is no room for the faint of heart. Burton is very thankful for everything that our teachers bring to our students and school!

It is a time to welcome a sense of renewal and revitalization. Transformation is underway. As we listen to the needs and expectations of the Burton ISD community, our staff is prepared to focus on reassessing goals and strategies to enhance our mission. The gravity expressed around issues of innovation, leadership, and increased collaboration are commitments the Burton ISD staff make to solve issues and quickly pivot to better serving our students.  

We welcome you to visit one of the finest school districts in the state of Texas and thank you in advance for taking time to find out more about our schools, our professional staff, our exemplary students, and our excellent academic programs. Burton Schools are a perfect place to get an education that will prepare your child for a bright future. 

There is a tremendous amount of community support that goes into the success of our programs in Burton ISD. We appreciate everyone who helps make a positive impact on our schools. All of us working cooperatively make Burton ISD better together. So very proud to be a BURTON PANTHER! 

Lots of great things going on this semester. Follow all of our activities on the Burton ISD website @ www.burtonisd.net, check out the Burton ISD app, and keep up with the latest happenings on the Burton ISD Facebook page and other social media venues. 

   

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 2022!!! Have a blessed week and GO BIG RED!