CLASSES BACK IN SESSION FOR BURTON ISD
Burton ISD marks the beginning of a new journey today (Thursday), as students head back to class for the start of the new school year.
Classes are starting up for approximately 495 students across Burton Elementary School and Burton High School, although those classes will take place differently for some students. Sixty-eight elementary school students and 34 high school students will receive instruction remotely.
Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy, superintendent of Burton ISD since 2015, said the school district has placed a priority on keeping students and staff safe and protected, with measures including stricter cleaning plans, ample personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, and limiting visitation to essential staff.
Dr. Kennedy said one of the hardest parts of preparing for this school year has been teaching the teachers a new method of instruction, pushing out both in-person and remote lesson plans. She admitted that putting together a plan for asynchronous instruction has been “a moving target”.
While COVID-19 has brought about many negatives, there have been some good things to come about as a result of the pandemic. Dr. Kennedy said the district’s hiring of Anna Preuss as a district nurse earlier this month is one of those positives.
Elementary School Principal Melinda Fuchs, who has spent seven of her 21 years in the school district as the elementary school principal, said a priority for staff has been to get remote learning set up to where on-campus and remote students are receiving the same lessons. She expects some students will need some help getting up to speed with the new instructional method.
High School Principal Matthew Wamble, in the middle of his second year as high school principal, said teachers are thinking outside the box to figure out how to make remote learning engaging and rigorous in order to give students what they need. He said the added focus on remote learning is keeping educators on their toes, and believes it will make them better teachers overall. Ultimately, he thinks students and staff are ready to get back into a school routine they have not had since mid-March, even if this routine does look different.
Fuchs said the pandemic has established a greater sense of teamwork among staff and teachers. Dr. Kennedy said that teamwork will be key in getting through any adversity, hence this year’s theme for Burton ISD, #TEAMBURTON.
Click here to view Burton ISD's reopening plan.
(All photos by Mark Whitehead)
Burton ISD Enrollment has grown to almost 500 students! I can remember in 2003 when it was losing students and enrollment was closer to 200. The commitment of the Burton ISD taxpayers, School Board and parents in 2007 to vote for a $7 million bond has certainly reaped great benefits for the community. The struggle to improve education for ALL students resulted in dramatic academic, cultural, technological and even athletic advances. Since then Burton ISD students, parents and teachers have maintained high standards and continued to excel. The past and current Board members can be proud of their stewardship of school finances and for the vision to bring about such a rapid turnaround that has been sustainable over the past almost twenty years.
The challenge before the District is uncharted. But the community, parents, students and staff seem resolute and confident. Based on past results, I am confident they will persevere. Best wishes and God’s Grace on those that attend and are employed with Burton ISD.
Yes sir.
Burton ISD is one of the best small school districts around.
In fact, it generally out performs Brenham ISD in many areas.
Way to go Panthers!!!