Remote Learning Workshops for BISD Families/Talleres Sobre Aprendizaje a Distancia para Familias de BISD

Dear BISD Parents and Guardians:

In preparation for the 2020-21 school year and remote learning, we will be offering the following Live Webinars. Please view the attached files for directions to view the workshops.

Estaremos ofreciendo talleres de capacitación en vivo para familias con la finalidad de apoyar a sus hijos con el aprendizaje a distancia. Consulte los archivos adjuntos para obtener instrucciones para ver los talleres.

Thank you,
Brownsville Independent School District

Download the flyers here: English | Spanish

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Dear Parents and Staff,

The Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) is working and collaborating with local and state agencies to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in our area. On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño and the Cameron County Health Authority issued a Joint Emergency Health Control Order delaying in-person, face-to-face public and private school instruction. On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the BISD Board of Trustees approved a Resolution to support the County Joint Order and requested the City of Brownsville Commissioners’ Court to support delaying in-person, face-to-face instruction.

Furthermore, on Friday, July 17, 2020, the Texas Education Agency authorized school districts to limit on-campus instruction for the first four weeks of school. After the first four weeks, the school district can limit the on-campus instruction for an additional four weeks, as needed, with a board approved waiver.

We have also modified the 2020-2021 School Calendar to delay the first day of class until Tuesday, August 25, 2020. The teachers will begin their contracts on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Based on the updated information, the following adjustments will go into effect:
A. Schools will remain closed until further notice.
B. Faculty and Staff will be providing distance learning instructional support to ALL students through the following TEA approved instructional models:
1. Synchronous – two-way, real-time, live, instruction between teachers and students, through the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
2. Asynchronous – a curricular experience where students engage in the learning materials on their own time, interacting intermittently with the teacher via the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
C. District staff will have the flexibility to work from home, from campus, and/or from their respective departments during the distance learning timeline.
D. Essential employees will be asked to report to their respective campus/department area as needed to maintain district operations and services.


The district will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to provide a safe working environment for essential employees who will be reporting to work.

I want our parents to know that we are committed to provide our students with an exemplary instructional program that will continue to prepare them for college and career readiness. Our principals will be providing further information on the campus procedures for our children’s distance learning participation.

Thank you to everyone in our community for your patience and continued support as we adapt our school system to meet the educational needs of our children. We look forward to a “Strong Start” and stay safe.

Sincerely,
Dr. René Gutiérrez Superintendent of Schools

Brownsville Independent School District’s Food and Nutrition Services Department

The Brownsville Independent School District’s Food and Nutrition Services Department will be closing all meal distribution sites until further notice. The last day to receive meals is Thursday, July 16, 2020.

BISD Approves Resolution and Amended Calendar for 2020-2021 School Year

The Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) announces today that the Board of Trustees unanimously approved during an Emergency Called Board Meeting Resolution #017/2020-2021 requesting an order from the Cameron County Judge and the Mayor of Brownsville and their Commissioners Court that all BISD schools remain closed for on-campus, face-to-face instruction for all school age students until further notice and that it is safe for students, faculty, and staff to return.

“Due to the increased community spread, we feel that there will be a greatly enhanced risk of parent, student, and employee illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, arising from the current levels of contagion within Cameron County and the City of Brownsville,” said Dr. René Gutiérrez, superintendent of schools for Brownsville Independent School District.

The Resolution also requests that internet access be provided to students who do not have access to devices or internet that allow for them to meaningful participate in the district’s remote instruction program.

The Board of Trustees also approved an amended Instructional Calendar for the 2020-2021 school year delaying the start of school to August 25 with the last day of school on June 10, 2021. The calendar includes intersession days, which would be days considered for summer school. In addition, all holidays will remain the same.

“Our desire is to provide all students with the best instruction possible while ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,” added Gutiérrez. “By extending the start of our school year, we are ensuring the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. On-campus, in-person instruction will be available when it is advised from our local governments and public health departments for when it is safe to return.”

For more information, contact the Brownsville Independent School District at 956.548.8000.

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P-EBT Now Open

Flyer: English | Spanish
P-EBT How to Apply One-Pager: English | Spanish

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your household may be eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to buy food. P-EBT is for children 5-18 years old who received SNAP food benefits for the month of March 2020 and children up to 21 years old who are certified for free or reduced-price meals at school in Texas during the 2019-20 school year. Children that attend a school that offers free meals to all students (Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2) are also eligible.

The online application for P-EBT is now open. Please review the criteria to see if you need to apply to receive these benefits. The application link is provided below.

Do I need to apply for P-EBT?

Families that DID NOT get SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020
• Yes, you will need to apply.
• Fill out an application here: yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT
• The application is open until July 31, 2020.
• If you do not currently get SNAP benefits and your child is approved for P-EBT, you will be mailed a P-EBT card loaded with benefits.
Families that DID get SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020
• You do not need to apply for children ages 5-18. Benefits were loaded onto your existing SNAP card by May 22.
• If you have children under 5 and/or between the ages of 19 and 21, you will need to fill out an application for those children. Fill out an application here: yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT
• If you get SNAP benefits and your child is approved for P-EBT, we will put funds on your current Lone Star Card.
P-EBT is a one-time benefit for families issued through an EBT card (like a debit card). Families receive up to $285 per eligible child. You will have one year from the date the benefits were issued to use your P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits are non-transferrable.

If you need help filling out the P-EBT application, please contact is 833-613-6220. For more information, please visit hhs.texas.gov/PEBT or call is 833-613-6220.

Sincerely,

Brownsville Independent School District

_____________________________________________________

Estimado/a padre, madre o tutor:

Su hogar puede ser elegible para recibir los beneficios de la Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios por Pandemia (P-EBT, por sus siglas en inglés) para comprar alimentos. La P-EBT es para niños de 5 a 18 años que recibieron beneficios de alimentos del SNAP para el mes de marzo de 2020 y para niños de hasta 21 años que estén certificados para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido en la escuela en Texas durante el año escolar 2019-20. También son elegibles los niños que asisten a una escuela que ofrece comidas gratuitas a todos los estudiantes (Disposición de Elegibilidad de la Comunidad o Disposición 2).

Se encuentra disponible la solicitud en línea de la P-EBT. Revise los criterios para saber si necesita presentar una solicitud para recibir estos beneficios. A continuación se encuentra el enlace a la solicitud.

¿Necesito presentar una solicitud para la P-EBT?

Las familias que NO recibieron beneficios del SNAP para el mes de marzo de 2020
• Sí, necesitará presentar una solicitud.
• Complete una solicitud aquí: yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT
• La solicitud está disponible hasta el 31 de julio de 2020.
• Si actualmente no recibe beneficios del SNAP y su hijo recibe la aprobación para la P-EBT, se le enviará por correo una tarjeta de P-EBT cargada de beneficios.
Las familias que SÍ recibieron beneficios del SNAP para el mes de marzo de 2020
• No necesita presentar una solicitud para los niños de 5 a 18 años. Los beneficios se cargaron en su tarjeta del SNAP existente antes del 22 de mayo.
• Si tiene hijos menores de 5 años o entre 19 y 21 años, necesitará completar una solicitud para esos niños. Complete una solicitud aquí: yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT
• Si recibe beneficios del SNAP y su hijo recibe la aprobación para la P-EBT, pondremos los fondos en su tarjeta Lone Star actual.
La P-EBT es un beneficio único para familias emitido a través de una tarjeta de EBT (como una tarjeta de débito). Las familias reciben hasta $285 por cada niño elegible. A partir de la fecha en que se emitieron los beneficios, tendrá un año para usar sus beneficios de la P-EBT. Los beneficios de la P-EBT no son transferibles.

Si necesita ayuda para completar la solicitud de la P-EBT, llame al 833-613-6220. Para obtener más información, visite hhs.texas.gov/PEBT o llame al 833-613-6220.

Atentamente,

Distrito Escolar Independiente de Brownsville

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