The Branch Area Careers Center hosted “College Day” on Tuesday October 6, where students were exposed to a range of post high school opportunities. College Day featured 38 colleges, universities, trade schools, and military representatives, providing a diverse range of options for students to explore. The event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Branch Area Careers Center team and Kellogg Community College.

October is National Physical Therapists Month. PTs help students build strength, mobility, and confidence every day. Thank you for all that you do!

October 2nd is National Custodian Day! We appreciate our custodial and maintenance staff for creating safe, clean, and welcoming learning spaces!

October is National Principals Month. Thank you to our Principals for leading with passion, purpose, and heart!

Next week is the October Kinship care group. Please call 517.279.6565 to RSVP.

Shout-out to our Tech Team for keeping Branch ISD connected and running smoothly every day! Thank you for all that you do!

If you’ve noticed an extra pep in our staff’s step on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, you can thank the amazing Waldron Learning Center students in Hillary Raymond’s High School SCI class! ☕🐾

They’ve officially launched the Bulldog Coffee Crew, and mornings around here have never been sweeter (or better caffeinated!). Twice a week, these hard working students take online orders, brew up fresh coffee, hot chocolate, and mochas, and hand-deliver them right to staff doors.

From practicing customer service in their official uniforms to running invoices with their Money Crew, they’re building awesome real-world job skills and spreading so much joy in our hallways.

Swipe through to see some of our crew at work! We couldn't be prouder of these incredible students, and we're so grateful to everyone who orders and cheers them on every week. 💙

#BulldogPride #HandsOnLearning #BulldogCoffeeCrew

The lockdown drill is complete

The BACC is having a lockdown drill

🥳Angie Taylor has officially completed 10 years of service as an Administrative Assistant / Office Manager at the BACC. Angie has kept our office organized and running seamlessly with a friendly face and a smile for the past decade. Thanks for your dedication, hard work and positivity every day!🙌

Congratulations to Cheryl Hawver on an incredible 20 years of dedicated service as a paraprofessional with Branch ISD Special Education! Your commitment, compassion, and support have made a lasting difference for countless students, families, and colleagues throughout the years. Thank you for two decades of showing up, making connections, and helping our students learn, grow, and succeed!

🎉 Congratulations to Nolan Kopkowski, Becky Jackson, Amanda Davis, Hilary Curtis, and Laura Arlt on 10 years of dedicated service to Branch ISD Special Education! Your expertise and commitment have made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless students and families. Thank you, all, for a decade of service, collaboration, and dedication to helping our students thrive!

From Students to Colleagues

One of the most rewarding parts of the Education Professions Program is seeing our students return to the very schools that helped shape them—this time as professionals making a difference.

We are incredibly proud to recognize our former Education Professions students, including graduates of our current Education Professions Program and alumni from our former Early Education and Education Academy programs, who now work within Branch ISD.

Our alumni are serving in roles ranging from paraprofessionals and special education teachers to inclusion support staff, school psychologists, and other educational professionals.

This is what “growing our own” looks like. Students discover their passion for education, gain real-world experience, pursue their goals, and ultimately return to serve the communities that invested in them.

Their impact doesn’t end when they graduate. They come back, give back, and continue making a difference in the lives of students every day.

We are so proud of where our students have gone—and even prouder to see the impact they continue to make right here at home.

Check us out on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1F1uJfyw1a/

Congratulations to Gina Newton-Midtgard on an amazing 25 years of dedicated service as a teacher with Branch ISD Special Education/Early Education! Your passion, commitment, and dedication to students have made a lasting impact on countless lives throughout your career. Thank you for 25 years of inspiring students, supporting families, and making a difference every day!

Congratulations to Sharon Demeester on an amazing 25 years of dedicated service as a teacher with Branch ISD Special Education! Your passion, commitment, and dedication to students have made a lasting impact on countless lives throughout your career. Thank you for 25 years of inspiring students, supporting families, and making a difference every day!

We kicked off the school year by investing in an incredible group of professionals—our paraprofessionals! 🎉

Last week, our Special Education Department launched Paraprofessional Bootcamp – Level 1, focused on building the knowledge, skills, and confidence our paras need to support students and classrooms every day.

We’re grateful for the energy, engagement, and commitment our paraprofessionals brought to the training. Great support for students starts with great support for staff!

🎉 Congratulations to Josie Smith for 15 years of service as a counselor at the BACC! Thank you for your dedication to the students you have served so well over the last 15 years. Your guidance and encouragement are greatly appreciated.💙

How does Branch ISD prepare for the new school year? We began with an opening day luncheon where staff are able to learn about department updates completed over the summer, network with all ISD staff, and celebrate the dedicated staff members who have contributed 10 or more years of service to our mission. Our featured presenter Gerry Brooks did not disappoint. He was inspiring, uplifting, and provided comic relief to get staff through the school year.