Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Improving Technology & Systems

Spring Branch ISD students and teachers will be able to operate education software and apps on their net books with greater ease due to a partnership with Spring Branch ISD and Austin-based computing technology and services firm, Dell Inc.

In separate related news, SBISD earned an award last month for its use of a data management system for payroll, finance, human resources and other regular business-related needs. Tyler Technologies Inc. of Dallas presented the national award during a Boston conference.

Dell announced in May that SBISD had deployed its end-to-end virtual desktop infrastructure solution including Dell blade servers, storage and networking.

According to a company news release, this across-the-board infrastructure will empower students and teachers with access to online education resources and self-directed learning – both inside and outside of the classroom.

“Our students and teachers struggled to leverage current education software and apps on the net books because the net books were intended for lighter workloads,” SBISD’s Technology Director Wes Hargrove said in the news release.

“Dell addressed the need for increased use by providing a reliable, cost-effective solution that makes all online learning and education applications easier to use and access.” To maintain untarnished data center performance, the district will rely on Dell Services to provide a dedicated technical account manager who will advise them of the best practices and take proactive measures to solve any issues that arise.

Dell reports in its news release that this enterprise-class support gives increased peace of mind to the SBISD team and allows the district to better focus on the district’s top goal – helping students reach their maximum learning potential.

With the new infrastructure in place, SBISD plans to expand its “Bring Your Own Device” initiative and to allow even greater access to technology in the classroom.

“Our No. 1 goal is to give schools the technology they need to maximize personalized learning opportunities in the classroom,” said Dell’s Mark Horan, who is vice president and general manager of Education for the computer services and technology giant.

In separate but related news, Tyler Technologies announced that SBISD was a winner of its 2013 Tyler Public Sector Excellence awards for its Munis® and Eden enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, as well as its Verstrans® school transportation solution.

On May 29, SBISD along with seven other school districts from across the nation were presented with the Tyler Excellence Award at the Tyler Connect 2013 conference in Boston.

Winners shared their best practices and lessons learned with their public sector peers.

-- This report was compiled by Communications Dept. Intern Kali Venable.

Celebrating the Start of Something

Once a year we come together to celebrate the pinnacle of high school student achievement around our school district. While graduation ceremonies filled with relieved graduates, proud parents and family members may start and end in the blink of an eye, the accomplishments these celebrations represent are proud moments for the students, families and community of Spring Branch ISD.

On June 1st and 3rd, SBISD celebrated the Class of 2013. Ceremonies for our four high schools were held concurrently in the Don Coleman Community Coliseum on Saturday, June 1.

On Monday, June 3, students from Westchester Academy for International Studies donned their caps and gowns to walk across the same stage their peers had travelled days before. Ceremonies were also streamed live on the district website.

Links of Interest:
As distinguished speakers imparted words of wisdom to departing students, reflected back in a sea of mortar boards and gowns were hundreds of lives, thousands of accomplishments, millions of thoughts and ideas, and one overarching focus - the future.

Superintendent of Schools Duncan F. Klussmann's remarks during the ceremonies focused on the journey that lies ahead for our graduates, and how the district's goal of doubling the number of students who go on to successfully complete some form of higher education, a goal known as T-2-4, is the true test of our success as educators.

Dr. Klussmann stressed that "the success of our school district is not in how well you do while you are with us, but how well you do when you leave us."

He encouraged graduates to reach out to the community, and back to the school district, for support. "Our commitment to you does not end as you walk across this stage today. As you complete one journey, and begin a new one, we want to help.

In the next few weeks graduates will receive a letter from the school district asking that you stay in touch with us. The letter will include phone numbers of district and campus staff, including myself, that can help you in any way possible."

The SBISD Board of Trustees, Dr. Klussmann and the educators and staff of SBISD are proud of our graduates and are here to support you as you begin the next exciting chapter in your journey to career and life-success! Congratulations to all our graduates.

SBESA Student Scholarships

Four graduating seniors in Spring Branch ISD were each awarded $650 during the recent annual Installation and Scholarship Award Dinner sponsored by the Spring Branch Educational Support Association. At the annual dinner, the association also installed new officers for 2013-2014.

Graduating seniors awarded SBESA scholarships were:

  • Mercedes Meza – Northbrook High School
  • Katherine Goss – Stratford High School
  • Robert Barbosa – Spring Woods High School
  • Ryan Neal – Memorial High School
To receive this scholarship, students completed an application, wrote a short essay about their plans after graduation for continuing education, and provide a reference letter. A committee of SBESA members selected the winners. SBESA raises funds for student scholarships through their annual FunRaiser Night Auction, which was held in February this year at Northbrook High School.

At the recent installation and scholarship awards dinner, SBESA installed 2013-14 officers.

They are:
  • SBESA President – Shirly Labiosa
  • SBESA Vice President – Felipe Campos
  • SBESA Treasurer – Sandy Hanks
  • SBESA Secretary – Corina Silva
  • SBESA Parlimentarian – Emily Verdinez Member of the year was awarded to Julia Pena for her dedication this school year to the organization.