Leander ISD Podcast Network
By Leander ISD
Leander ISD Podcast NetworkJun 05, 2020
Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends S1E11 FULL EPISODE
Summertime is bringing more than just the sunshine. We have a couple more episodes of Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends before we say curtains to our inaugural season! Our Hot Topics include lots of "learning": Virtual Empowered Learning, Summer Learning, Professional Learning. These issues and more rounded out our Hot Topics! We went behind the scenes with our CNS workers at Reed Elementary. Then, right after our audience questions, we went straight into an incredible storytime performance with District Nurse Cristin Wicketts and our campus nurses! Enjoy!
Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends S1E10
It might be the last week of school, but there’s still plenty to learn in our next episode! Athletics Director Jody Hormann tells us the district’s plan for strength and conditioning summer camps, Director of Research Sarah Martinez shares feedback from our remote learning survey, LEEF Executive Director Kristen Huguley shares details about our virtual State of the District, plus a few more Hot Topics.
May 21, 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
During the May 21 remote meeting, Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved a compensation plan for teachers and staff. They also approved new start times to accommodate academic and social-emotional needs, heard feedback from the district’s remote learning survey and hired a new Chief Technology Officer.
Review the agenda here. Watch the meeting here. Read our Board Briefs here.
Let's Learn With Bruce & Friends S1E9
Every episode has its own character. Episode 9 was all about levity. As we count down the days to the end of the school year, as tension shrinks from our shoulders down, we felt free to crack a smile and have fun.
Hot Topics were sizzling as we shared all things summer! What summer school will look like and what high school students should consider during these next few months made the playlist. Plus, we have a creative project for students to work on over the break, Time Capsule 2020! From summer to fall, we shared what the new school year could look like when school resumes in August. That's just the tip of the flame! We heard student voices from Plain Elementary and a performance from Cedar Park Middle School's Advance Theatre to boot!
May 19, 2020 Board of Trustees Budget Workshop
As May winds down, planning for August ramps up for Leander ISD. During the May 19, 2020, Special Called Meeting to discuss budget and employee compensation, Trustees weighed the options for increasing salary and improving benefits for teachers and staff.
Read our Board Briefs here. Review the agenda here. Watch the meeting here.
May 14, 2020 Board of Trustees Agenda Review Meeting
Meeting remotely, the Board of Trustees met for an agenda review meeting on May 14, 2020, to discuss the response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, a proposal to adjust school start and end times, and the district’s community outreach efforts around student experience.
Read and review the agenda materials here. Watch the video here.
Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends S1E8
What a great episode of Let's Learn, as we listen to district leadership talk about our hot topics which included summer school, revising the bell schedule, Summer Reading 4 All, and technology access. We also had, what's now considered, a rare glimpse into a middle school when Dr. Gearing toured Leander Middle School earlier this spring (before school buildings closed). LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D covered all your questions from cleaning the schools, TEA school calendar recommendations and even academic and athletic summer camps.
Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends S1E7
Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends featured a slew of new details about graduation scenarios, graduation requirements by grade level and how to get your student's belongings. It's Teacher Appreciation Week! We chatted with a kindergarten dual-language teacher from Knowles Elementary for some pro-tips on how to thrive in the next few weeks of remote learning. Words of encouragement from our Leander ISD Board members, plus, an incredible performance from a teacher from Block House Creek Elementary!
Let's Learn with Bruce & Friends S1E6
In Episode 6, we fielded lots of questions about remote learning and our future, which included our finances and hiring outlook moving forward. We also had the chance to hear from a student panel from Cedar Park High School's broadcast journalism program. We put a bow on the show with a positively delightful performance from Reed Elementary teachers and staff!
April 23, 2020 Board of Trustees
Construction and capital improvement plans from the 2017 bond will continue after the Board approved the borrowing and the construction agreements for several remaining projects during their regular meeting.
View the entire agenda here. Watch the video here. Read our Board Briefs here.
Come Zoom: Chat with the Superintendent - Elementary School Students
Students and parents watched as Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., assistant superintendents, and elementary school principals responded to questions about remote learning, spring events, access to buildings that are closed, and other items related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. The discussion, occurring via a Zoom webinar on April 22, 2020, is available on video via the LISD YouTube channel. As always, you can submit questions for immediate responses from our team on our Support Website or through Let’s Talk. We will also be available for our entire community every Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. on Facebook for Let’s Talk, Learn, and Have Fun with Bruce and Friends.
Let's Talk, Learn, and Have Fun with Bruce & Friends S1E5
In Episode 5 of our Facebook LIVE show, "Let's Talk, Learn, and Have Fun with Bruce & Friends," we learned more about report cards and how learning will be measured and communicated. An outstanding Vandegrift HS student panel gave their thoughts on what's happening from an international student perspective, and a super cute performance from Parkside Elementary kindergartners!
April 22, 2020 Board of Trustees Budget Workshop
In a workshop discussion focused on proposed compensation plan recommendations, Trustees considered and discussed the ramifications of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. The board’s interest in the safety and wellbeing of both students and employees was clearly evident in the discussion. Chief Financial Officer, Elaine Cogburn, and Chief Human Resources Officer, Karie Lynn McSpadden presented a coordinated package of personnel and budget options for the board to consider. Included were scenarios which examined questions the board had previously expressed regarding what might happen if enrollment or property value growth slows, or state funding formulas change significantly during the 2021 legislative session.
Come Zoom: Chat with the Superintendent - Middle School Students
We have to be physically apart from each other, but we can still be social. Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. hosted a live chat with middle school students in a Zoom webinar on April 21, 2020. During the webinar, Bruce, middle school principals, and assistant superintendents answered questions about virtual learning, spring events, and the overall district response to the COVID-19 response by Leander ISD.
Chat with the Superintendent: Zoom with High School Students
We have to be physically apart from each other, but we can still be social. Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. hosted a live chat with high school students in a Zoom webinar on April 20, 2020. During the webinar, Bruce, high school principals, and assistant superintendents answered questions about virtual learning, graduation plans, and the overall district response to the COVID-19 response by Leander ISD.
April 16, 2020 - Board of Trustees Meeting
The district continues to respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, with the Board of Trustees meeting remotely for its April 16, 2020, Agenda Review meeting. In addition to COVID-19, the Board discussed remote learning, bond sales, and construction. Listen to our Board Briefs podcast, including a summary of the meeting and the entire meeting audio. You can watch the meeting on YouTube and review the entire agenda on our Board Book website.
LTLHF with Bruce & Friends S1E4
LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. answers questions to some “Hot Topics” and discuss the launch of our Remote Learning Parenting Hub. You’ll hear from six graduating seniors, one from every LISD high school campus.
S1E3: Let's Talk, Learn, and Have Fun with Bruce
Season 1 Episode 3 focuses on the resources available to parents and allows us as a district to connect with our students. Watch a segment on mindfulness, a resounding performance from a graduating senior as well as hear LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing answer questions about our next steps. Enjoy!
S1E8 Student Voice: Peyton Johnson of Grandview Hills Elementary School
S1E2: Let's Talk, Learn, and Have Fun with Bruce and Friends
We announced our Remote Learning Phase 2 on April 1, 2020. In order to add clarity and connect with our students, families, teachers, and staff, Superintendent Bruce Gearing hosted our second episode of “Let’s Talk, Learn and Have Fun with Bruce and Friends” on April 1, live on Facebook. Hear our leadership team talk about our recent grading policy change, the impact on class rank/GPA, and phase 2 of our Remote Learning Plan. We also have a special guest performance by Danielson Middle School principal Mark Koller.
March 31, 2020 - Board of Trustees Special Meeting
Learning will continue even as our buildings remain closed as Leander ISD responds to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. In order to maintain equity and in consideration of the mental fatigue remote learning has on families, students, and teachers, second-semester grades for the 2019–20 school year will not be calculated for student grade-point average (GPA) or class rank.
The Board also granted Superintendent Bruce Gearing authority to readjust policy DEA (Local) and to require all LISD staff to be available for work April 6, even though most employees will do so in a remote capacity. In doing so, the district will no longer offer premium pay, which was its practice for hourly employees that actively worked while school facilities have been closed since March 13.
S1E1: Let's Talk, Learn and Have Fun with Bruce and Friends
As we respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and enter distance learning, teachers across Leander ISD are reconnecting with students and families. This was step on our remote instruction plan as we continue our operations outside of our schools. With our focus being on relationships, we want to reconnect with our families too. Superintendent of School Bruce Gearing will be LIVE on Facebook to chat, talk to members of our leadership team, and take questions from our community.
This episode was originally broadcasted on Facebook Live and created using Zoom.
S1E7: Whitestone Elementary School
Join Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. on a tour of Whitestone Elementary School with fifth-grade students Ava Outlaw and Joaquin Diaz De Leon as they share stories about arts programs, leadership opportunities, and the dual-language program at Whitestone.
S1E6: Cedar Park High School
How much worldly and global experiences can you squeeze into one conversation with three high school seniors in Cedar Park? The three fascinating guests on the Student Voice podcast - Evan, Vines, Tiras Park-Pie, and Carolynn Solario - spoke about their experiences living abroad, working with students from different cultures. In discussion with Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., the soon-to-be-graduates talked about the pressures of high school, especially a school like Cedar Park High School with a distinguished history for excellence.
S1E5: Cedar Park Middle School
In this episode, you'll hear the students talk about the difference between Leander ISD middle school and a Montessori program in Florida, technology in classrooms, and the amazing teachers of CPMS.
Editor's Note: We updated the episode on Feb. 18, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. due to a technical glitch with the audio.
S1E4: Deer Creek Elementary School
Have you ever pondered the actual definition of technology? What about the connection between hard cheese and life? Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. spoke about those topics and more with a tremendous trio of Deer Creek Elementary School students: Oliver Hallowell, Jazmin Cho, and Rylen Hudson. Note: This is a re-post because a previous version of this episode had a technical error.
S1E3: Student Voice - Rouse High School
Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. discussed books, theater, and student involvement with Rouse High School students Trevor Holt, Lidia Mazza and Jack Wingard. The three students talked about their principal, Christine Simpson, and the campus culture at RHS, located in Leander, TX.
S1E2: Student Voice - Wiley Middle School
Middle school is a time for transition and personal growth. Three students at Wiley Middle School in Leander, Texas, spoke with Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. about their school schedule, the size of their school, and YouTube fail videos. Hear 6th grader Danielle Terrell, 7th grader Dylan Hansanuwat, and 8th grader Erin Leach talk about their student experience. Wiley is a middle school located north of Austin, Texas, serving over 1,000 students in grades 6-8.
S1E1: Student Voice - Parkside Elementary
Three Parkside Elementary fifth grade students chatted with Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. about teachers, their learning styles, and learning spaces in their world-class school. Listen to Hannah Armstrong, Jay Moseley, and Kaushik Kelkar share their stories and opinions about life in a fast-growth elementary school. Located in Georgetown, Texas, Parkside Elementary School serves over 900 students in Leander ISD.
Trailer - Student Voice
All 41,300 students in Leander ISD bring a unique story and experience into our schools. The Student Voice podcast, produced by the School Community Relations team, features students sharing their stories and opinions about their learning. Join the conversation with our students! Subscribe today.