Blackland Prairie Leadership Academy
Round Rock ISD
Here is our video to review for arrival and dismissal procedures. More information will be emailed next week, including dismissal numbers.
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_4rAqqYdvdd7Amb_5sX-nqmDhEmsiW1Z/view?usp=sharing
Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1Z-EkKJkIxktMmaLZhlRuHHa-NXz2ebdvi0Um2OzBhhc/edit?usp=sharing
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Barbara Allen as an Educational Assistant at Blackland Prairie Elementary!
Ms. Allen is excited to step into a full-time role after serving as a Guest Educator at BPE for the past five years. Prior to her work in education, she completed a 32-year career at Southwestern Bell.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Allen enjoys spending time with her family, running her accessory business, and baking homemade desserts such as peach cobblers and pies.
Welcome to your new full-time role at the Prairie, Ms. Allen!
Ms. Allen is excited to step into a full-time role after serving as a Guest Educator at BPE for the past five years. Prior to her work in education, she completed a 32-year career at Southwestern Bell.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Allen enjoys spending time with her family, running her accessory business, and baking homemade desserts such as peach cobblers and pies.
Welcome to your new full-time role at the Prairie, Ms. Allen!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Lisa Brill to Blackland Prairie Elementary!
Ms. Brill joins BPE as our Dyslexia teacher, bringing 26 years of teaching experience. She earned her degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She is passionate about empowering students to unlock the code to reading and build lifelong confidence.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Brill enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog Lexie, staying active in nature, and volunteering in the community.
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Brill!
Ms. Brill joins BPE as our Dyslexia teacher, bringing 26 years of teaching experience. She earned her degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She is passionate about empowering students to unlock the code to reading and build lifelong confidence.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Brill enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog Lexie, staying active in nature, and volunteering in the community.
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Brill!
Congratulations to our Staff of the Week, Ms. Davis! As one of our dedicated 2nd grade teachers at the Prairie, she was recognized this week for her commitment to growing leadership skills. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our Wildcats!
Congratulations to our Staff of the Week, Ms. DeDear! As one of our outstanding 5th grade teachers at the Prairie, she was recognized this week for her exceptional work in fostering collaboration. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our Wildcats!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Townsend, our new Special Education teacher at Blackland Prairie Elementary!
Ms. Townsend is a Texas A&M graduate entering her 16th year in education. Having previously taught Pre-K, 3rd, and 4th grade, she is passionate about creating a positive classroom where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, baking, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Townsend!
Ms. Townsend is a Texas A&M graduate entering her 16th year in education. Having previously taught Pre-K, 3rd, and 4th grade, she is passionate about creating a positive classroom where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, baking, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Townsend!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Liz Warrick to Blackland Prairie Elementary!
Ms. Warrick is joining our team as a Special Education Resource and Inclusion Teacher. She specializes in small-group instruction and loves helping students achieve key learning breakthroughs.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, potlucks, and spending time with her husband and four-year-old daughter. A fun fact about Ms. Warrick is that she and her daughter are currently on a mission to visit all the best playgrounds in Cedar Park and the Greater Austin area!
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Warrick!
Ms. Warrick is joining our team as a Special Education Resource and Inclusion Teacher. She specializes in small-group instruction and loves helping students achieve key learning breakthroughs.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, potlucks, and spending time with her husband and four-year-old daughter. A fun fact about Ms. Warrick is that she and her daughter are currently on a mission to visit all the best playgrounds in Cedar Park and the Greater Austin area!
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Warrick!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Miller to Blackland Prairie Elementary!
Ms. Miller brings 16 years of teaching experience to our campus, having previously taught third grade. She is joining our team as a Special Education Resource and Inclusion teacher and is thrilled to support our Wildcats this year.
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Miller!
Ms. Miller brings 16 years of teaching experience to our campus, having previously taught third grade. She is joining our team as a Special Education Resource and Inclusion teacher and is thrilled to support our Wildcats this year.
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Miller!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Horn, our new Art teacher at Blackland Prairie Elementary!
Ms. Horn is entering her third year of teaching elementary art and is thrilled to return to BPE after previously completing her student teaching here while attending UT Austin. Her goal for this school year is to help our Wildcats express themselves creatively, build problem solving skills, and have fun.
A few fun facts about Ms. Horn:
Favorite color: Lavender
Plant parent to three house plants
Traveled to Mexico this summer
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Horn!
Ms. Horn is entering her third year of teaching elementary art and is thrilled to return to BPE after previously completing her student teaching here while attending UT Austin. Her goal for this school year is to help our Wildcats express themselves creatively, build problem solving skills, and have fun.
A few fun facts about Ms. Horn:
Favorite color: Lavender
Plant parent to three house plants
Traveled to Mexico this summer
Welcome to the Prairie, Ms. Horn!
We are excited to welcome Ms. Sabrina Ellis to the Blackland Prairie family as our new music teacher.
Ms. Ellis is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied Music Education and Performance. This marks her fifth year in education and her first year teaching elementary music. Outside the classroom, she enjoys gardening, exploring new places, drinking coffee, and spending time with her partner and two cats, Walnut and Poppy.
Please join us in giving Ms. Ellis a warm Wildcat welcome.
Ms. Ellis is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied Music Education and Performance. This marks her fifth year in education and her first year teaching elementary music. Outside the classroom, she enjoys gardening, exploring new places, drinking coffee, and spending time with her partner and two cats, Walnut and Poppy.
Please join us in giving Ms. Ellis a warm Wildcat welcome.
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Heller to the Blackland Prairie Elementary front office team!
Ms. Heller brings a passion for community and a wide range of interests to our school. Outside of the office, she enjoys Xeriscape gardening, home design, staying active, and reading history books. She and her husband also love traveling together to capture photography of landscapes and wildlife.
Be sure to say hello and give her a warm Wildcats welcome the next time you visit the Prairie!
Ms. Heller brings a passion for community and a wide range of interests to our school. Outside of the office, she enjoys Xeriscape gardening, home design, staying active, and reading history books. She and her husband also love traveling together to capture photography of landscapes and wildlife.
Be sure to say hello and give her a warm Wildcats welcome the next time you visit the Prairie!
Join us for Blackland Prairie Elementary Parent Orientation Night on August 27. We are offering three identical sessions so you can choose the time that works best for your schedule or visit multiple classrooms:
Session 1: 4:30 PM - 4:55 PM
Session 2: 5:00 PM - 5:25 PM
Session 3: 5:30 PM - 5:55 PM
Attend one of these times to meet teachers and learn more about what to expect this school year. We look forward to seeing our Wildcat parents at the Prairie!
Back To School Tip #5 - Car Rider Arrival & Dismissal Car Rider Practice Run
Our car rider line moves fast when everyone works together. You can help keep the line moving safely by practicing a few quick habits in your driveway this week:
Spotting your vehicle: Make sure your child can spot your car by its color, shape, or a specific window sticker among dozens of similar cars.
Car doors: Practice unlatching, opening, and closing the car door without help.
Buckles and backpacks: Have them practice unbuckling and climbing out while holding their backpack.
Staff and older students will be outside to help, but building these quick skills helps your child feel confident and keeps the line moving for all our families.
Back To School Tip #4 - School Supplies & Gear Lunchbox Practice Run
Lunch periods go by fast, and students get more time to eat when they can open their own containers. Try a quick practice run at the kitchen table this week:
Bento boxes: Check if your child can open the latches without spilling the contents.
Thermoses: Make sure they can twist off the lid on their own.
Snack packs and juice boxes: Practice opening wrapper notches and inserting straws.
A little practice now means your child spends lunch eating and relaxing with classmates instead of waiting for an adult to open a container.
Back To School Tip #3 - Daily Routines & Mornings Beating the Morning Rush
Getting back into a school morning routine takes a few days. The school day starts at 7:35 AM sharp.
Being on time means your child is unpacked, in their seat, and ready to learn when the 7:35 bell rings, rather than running through the front doors at that moment.
Try moving bedtime and wake-up times back by 10 to 15 minutes each day this week. An unhurried morning gives students time to unpack comfortably, catch up with friends, and start the day without stress.
Getting back into a school morning routine takes a few days. The school day starts at 7:35 AM sharp.
Being on time means your child is unpacked, in their seat, and ready to learn when the 7:35 bell rings, rather than running through the front doors at that moment.
Try moving bedtime and wake-up times back by 10 to 15 minutes each day this week. An unhurried morning gives students time to unpack comfortably, catch up with friends, and start the day without stress.
Back To School Tip #2 - Technology & Chromebooks Back-to-School Tech Check
Before the first day, spend ten minutes running through a quick tech check with your child.
Plug their Chromebook in to make sure it charges and powers on. Have them log in to test the connection. Student passwords reset on August 17 to prepare for the new school year, so make sure they log in before that date (they’ll get their new password when they return to school).
If your child's Chromebook had issues over the summer, write a brief note explaining what is wrong and when the problem started. Send that note with them on the first day so we can address repairs quickly.
Starting Day 1 with a fully charged, working device makes the morning run much smoother for everyone.
Before the first day, spend ten minutes running through a quick tech check with your child.
Plug their Chromebook in to make sure it charges and powers on. Have them log in to test the connection. Student passwords reset on August 17 to prepare for the new school year, so make sure they log in before that date (they’ll get their new password when they return to school).
If your child's Chromebook had issues over the summer, write a brief note explaining what is wrong and when the problem started. Send that note with them on the first day so we can address repairs quickly.
Starting Day 1 with a fully charged, working device makes the morning run much smoother for everyone.
Blackland Prairie Elementary educators recently gathered for professional learning focused on our Leader in Me journey. Staff reflected on our history as a Lighthouse school and reviewed key leadership principles to prepare for the school year. We are excited to continue empowering our Wildcats to learn, lead, and succeed together at the Prairie.
Now that we are a little over a week out from our first day of school on August 19th, we wanted to post some tips to make the beginning of school a little smoother for your family…
Back To School Tip #1 - Independence & Organization Label Everything Before Day 1
Unlabeled water bottles and jackets have a habit of disappearing during the first week of school.
Save yourself a trip to the Lost and Found by using a permanent marker or clothing label on anything your child brings to school:
Water bottles
Lunchboxes and containers
Jackets, sweaters, and rain gear
Backpacks and folders
When items have names on them, staff can return lost gear directly to your student's classroom instead of sending it to the lost and found.
We are thrilled to have all of our Wildcats teachers and most of our staff back on campus today (more staff coming on Friday). Our team gathered this morning to collaborate, reconnect, and prepare for an exceptional school year ahead at Blackland Prairie. We cannot wait to welcome our students back to the Prairie very soon.
All students will have a new ID Badge this school year for transportation, meals, library checkouts and more. Visit the district's One Badge webpage for all details.
Link: https://www.roundrockisd.org/page/one-badge
