Dr. Blaine's Blog

 

Dear Spring Branch ISD Families,

It has been a great start to a new school year!

Last year, our students and schools achieved strong results by focusing on our district priorities --reading, math and social and emotional supports at all levels, and the added focus on career and technical education at the secondary level.

This year, we remain focused on these priorities while ensuring our students have good attendance habits. We know children learn best when they are at school. Please help us by having your child attend school daily unless they are ill.

The research affirms attending school every day possible:

1. helps kids stay on track and maintain momentum,
2. promotes student learning and increases chances of graduation,
3. helps kids feel better about school and themselves,
4. improves mental health through socializing, developing friendships, building empathy and forming lasting relationships with peers; and
5. allows for a learning experience focused on each child’s needs to keep students from falling behind.

The research also shows that when families and schools have strong relationships, children are more likely to stay in school, graduate and do well academically and socially.

We are committed to supporting you and your family’s needs. We promise to communicate often and provide supports with on-going touch points throughout the year.

Thank you for partnering with us to prepare, educate and inspire Every Child in SBISD. Together, we will have a fabulous year!

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

 

Congratulations on making it to the end of the first semester! We have had a great year so far, and I want to thank our students, families, staff, and community for the ongoing support and partnership for the benefit of Every Child – we truly are stronger together.

At the beginning of the school year, I wrote to you about our ongoing commitment to T-2-4 for Every Child, and we have been hard at work delivering on that. I also introduced you to our new Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate, which define our aspiration for who we want our students to become.

This first semester has shown us a multitude of examples in which our students are demonstrating these Core Characteristics, and I’m so proud to share with you just a few examples:

Academically Prepared: Last June, third grade students from the Spring Branch Academic Institute (SBAI), competed in the Math League’s national virtual competition. Andrew Lau, now a fourth grader at SBAI, won first place in the Third Grade Division. Andrew is described as having ethical leadership, a sense of responsibility and discipline, and a kind heart…all qualities that are valued in SBISD! Read more: https://bit.ly/3rSq98n

Ethical & Service-minded: At Spring Woods High School, the saying “All Means All” is practiced daily and is what the third annual United Football Game in November encompassed. Cheering students looked on as Spring Branch ISD life skills students starred as athletes on the football field. Spring Woods varsity football players took leadership roles as coaches and mentors, calling the plays and giving guidance. Watch highlights of the Unified game here: https://bit.ly/3GwdDQg

Empathetic & Self-aware: In October, we ran a story that featured Memorial High School student Carolyn Branca, who after overcoming personal challenges with dyslexia, founded a club called Dyslexia-NOW as a place where students could support one another and share tips and tricks for learning strategies and self-advocating when help is needed. Read more:https://bit.ly/30coE9V

Persistent & Adaptable: The Wilchester Elementary community has excitedly been following the progress of fifth grader Grace Schneider, who demonstrated confidence and courageousness while competing in the third season of American Ninja Warrior Junior. In last week’s grand finale, Grace proudly took home a bronze medal! Read more about her journey: https://bit.ly/3oFChYH

Resourceful Problem-solver: This fall, Guthrie Center architectural design program students Neena Lester and Amelia Nuzzo participated in a design competition centered around students’ interpretation of what “shelter” means to them and their solutions to it. With six weeks to design and present their architectural interpretations, and out of 98 entries, Neena earned the People’s Choice Award and Amelia was a top five finalist. Read more:https://bit.ly/3GvYJJS

Communicator & Collaborator: A group of 78 students from Northbrook, Memorial, Spring Woods, and Stratford high schools, as well as The Guthrie Center, Spring Branch Academic Institute and Westchester Academy are working together to plan a first-of-its-kind event on April 23 - Spring Branch ISD Super Saturday: Unity Within the Community. These students are tasked with putting their minds together to form a 75th Anniversary celebration event that is geared towards the entire community, from students to parents to community members. I can’t wait to see what they come up with! Read more: https://bit.ly/31RjCk3

I am so excited to see all the amazing things our students will achieve in the second half of the year!

As we head out on this well-deserved holiday break, take some time to relax and celebrate with loved ones. We are grateful for the strong first half of the school year our students and staff made possible through their hard work. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

From my family to yours, happy holidays!