Allan
K. and Carolyn H. Bird
Education Center
Dedication
March 31, 2005
 A
standing-room only crowd filled the second-floor gymnasium
of Plano ISD's
Special Programs Center K-8 on Monday evening, March
28, to honor Dr. Allan K. Bird (pictured), 23-year
school board veteran, for whom the center was to be
dedicated.
During
a surprise announcement, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Doug Otto invited Dr. Bird's wife of nearly 40
years, Carolyn, to join
him at the podium. At that time, he announced to
Mrs. Bird and the more than 350 dedication guests,
that the center would be named in
honor of both Dr. and Mrs. Bird, at Dr. Bird's request.
Dedication Program
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto served as dedication event
emcee, introducing special guests and a video presentation,
"Who is Dr. Allan Bird?," which featured several students,
including the Bird grandchildren.
Duncan Webb, school
board vice-president, brought greetings from the
board and presented Dr. Bird with a proclamation from Texas
Governor Rick Perry. Mayor Pat Evans introduced Plano
City Council members who postponed their regular Monday
meeting briefly to join
Dr. Bird during the presentation of a City of Plano
proclamation in his honor.
Special Programs Center K-8 Principal Laura Childress described the
four programs housed at the center and invited Samantha
Hoing, student, to share her original
poetry with the audience. Guests gave her a
standing ovation, led by the Center's enthusiastic
faculty and staff. Samantha's
Poem
Testimonials were shared by John Muns, current trustee and former
school board president, and by Bryan Bird, Dooley Elementary
School principal and son of the Center's namesakes.
Guests enjoyed musical entertainment by a Mendenhall Elementary
School Choir Ensemble during the program and a Bowman
Middle School Orchestra Quartet prior to the event.
Dr. Bird's keynote address focused on church, family and education,
three facets of his life for which he explained
he is most devoted. He introduced each of his family
members, including his father, sister, wife, eight
children and numerous grandchildren.
Guests enjoyed a reception and tours of the Center immediately following
the ceremony.
Dedication Printed Program  (197k)
About Dr. Allan K. Bird
 Trustee Allan Bird is currently serving his seventh term on the Plano
ISD School Board. During his 23-year tenure on the board – the
longest for any Plano school trustee – he served for seven years
as president. First elected to the board in 1981 and serving through
1993, he was later invited to fill a vacancy on the board in 1996-97,
was re-elected in the spring of 1997 and has served on the board since
that time. He has worked with many fellow trustees and three superintendents.
Interest regarding the planning and smooth opening of Plano East
Senior High School during the late 1970’s sparked Dr. Bird’s
intent to seek election to the board. Since that time,
he has helped oversee the school district’s continued rapid
growth, construction of many new schools and the implementation
numerous district initiatives.
He commends fellow trustees and district staff for
their “visionary
leadership and sound financial planning.” Among PISD's 100
Heros named during the district's centennial celebration
in 1999, Dr. Bird describes public education
as “the best
bargain in the country and a system that we must work
to maintain.”
Director of Distance Learning Education at Texas Woman’s University,
Dr. Bird has also taught at Michigan State University, Our Lady of
the Lake University, UT Dallas and the Texas Health Science Center.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University
of Utah and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Recently inducted
into the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association Hall of Fame, Dr.
Bird was honored for demonstrating extraordinary commitment and contribution
in serving those with communication disorders.
A Practical Parent Education founding organizer, he said that the
parenting program “demonstrates the partnership between the
Plano community and its parents, providing the best tools and resources
to help parents succeed in child-rearing.” Dr. Bird and his
wife Carolyn are the devoted parents of eight children and 15 grandchildren.
Education Center Programs
The Allan K. and Carolyn H. Bird Education Center houses four programs
that support student and parenting success.
- Special Programs Center K-8 – promotes
behavioral, academic and social growth to allow students to achieve
success throughout school and life.
- Practical Parent Education – provides
support, resources and skills for parents as they
navigate the challenges and joys of child-rearing.
- Even Start
Program – builds healthy families
through development of life skills, literacy
skills and a strong commitment to family wholeness.
- School Age
Parent Program – provides parenting
skills for expectant teens and practical and
emotional support to stay in school and on track for graduation.
E-mail or Mail Congratulations
E-mail Allan Bird at abird@pisd.edu or
send mail to:
Dr. Allan K. Bird
c/o Superintendent's Office
Plano ISD Administration Building
2700 W.
15th Street
Plano, TX 75075
Related Link
Plano
ISD Board of Trustees - Profiles
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