Two Juniors Named to Express-News Teen Team
Bandera High School Juniors Megan Greebon and Megan Moran were chosen by the San Antonio Express-News for their 2009-2010 Teen Team. The Teen Team is an advisory board for the Express-News, and requires the students selected to make a year-long commitment to the program. “This is an intense learning experience that will reap huge rewards for our journalism students” stated BHS Teacher Cindy Mazurek. The Teen Team will meet once a month and each member will have monthly assignments. The team also has a blog that that will be generated by the members and will contribute guest columns, reviews of movies, and stories to the newspaper.
Connie Young Takes Top State Art Award
Bandera High School Teacher Connie Young, has been named the Outstanding High School Art Educator for 2009 by the Texas Art Education Association. She will receive her award on November 12th in Dallas during the Opening General Session of the Annual TAEA State Conference. Ms. Young majored in art at Southwest Texas State University and has taught in our district for over 20 years.
Education Foundation Learns from a State Leader
The Board of Directors of the Bandera ISD Education Foundation had the opportunity to hear from one of the state leaders in the education foundation business during their September meeting. Larry Goddard is the Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation and Chairman for the Education Foundation Division of the Texas School Public Relations Association.
Mr. Goddard came to Bandera to present “The Responsibilities of a Bandera ISD Education Foundation Director” to members on the current board. The essence of his presentation concentrated on the Four F’s: Friendship, Focus, Fidelity, and Future. Once the presentation was completed, Mr. Goddard shared some successful fund raising ideas that he seen met with success. He also dialogued with the directors about the upcoming calendar year and discussed how the foundation can capitalize on planning successful events.
Friederich and Morrow Named Students of the Month
The Bandera ISD Board of Trustees recognized two outstanding children as Students of the Month for September 2009. All through the academic year, two students are chosen each month who best exemplify one of the five characteristics listed in Bandera ISD’s Graduate Profile. The five characteristics are: Independent Thinkers, Accepting of Diversity, Passionate, Academically Aggressive, and Good People.
The Board recognized Trenton Thomas Friederich, a Pre-K student; and Deja Morrow, a 4th grade student. Both of these exceptional children go to school at Alkek Elementary School. Each student received a commemorative certificate from their Principal Scott Tipton, a lapel pin from Board President Dr. Barbara Skipper, and a congratulatory letter from Superintendent Dr. Kevin Dyes.
More School Supply Donations Get Distributed
Bandera ISD has received more school supplies through the generosity of several individuals and organizations. Backpacks were the donation of choice this year from the Kiwanis International Club of Bandera County. Kiwanis Club member and Treasurer Denise Griffin dropped off several loads of backpacks that were distributed to Bandera ISD Elementary Schools.
More school backpacks came from State Senator Carlos Uresti and his staff. A volunteer for the Senator who lives in Bandera County procured 300 backpacks for Hill Country Elementary, Alkek Elementary and Bandera High School. Each backpack contained some school supplies and other items for boy or girl students.
Members from Bandera United Methodist Church stopped by the Bandera ISD Central Office on Friday to round out the week’s generosity. Bags and bags of pencils, pens, filler paper, binders, and more were dropped of to be distributed to the schools next week
Bandera ISD Students Celebrate Bandera!
Bandera ISD students from Alkek Elementary School and Hill Country Elementary School learned and participated in the Celebrate Bandera Circle of Life Intertribal Powwow held at Mansfield Park. Just one of the many events during Bandera’s 154th Anniversary Celebration weekend, the Circle of Life Powwow was a great way for students to enjoy and learn about the American Indian culture. Throughout the day, students moved from station to station and discovered history in action.
Teachers and Staff Rally at Convocation
In one last hurrah together before the start of the 2009-2010 year, Bandera ISD teachers and staff gathered together for their annual back-to-school convocation. A busy morning was on the agenda with several speakers taking the podium prior to the keynote presenter Mike Daggs.
Bandera ISD School Board President Dr. Barbara Skipper welcomed the staff back and shared the boards goals for the upcoming year. Next, Bandera ISD Education Foundation President Elizabeth Scott shared information about this years Educator Initiative Grants and how easy it is for teachers to apply. Dr. Kevin Dyes closed out the preliminary program with the annual State of the District presentation. Dyes outlined accomplishments and challenges for the district in six critical areas: School Finance; Facilities and Maintenance; Personnel; Academics and Student Performance; Community Involvement and Communications; and School Safety.
Keynote speaker Mike Daggs, from Tutt & Daggs, presented “Engage Life! Teachers Engaging Students”. Tutt & Daggs have been speaking to and inspiring groups for the past 10 years in the area of employee commitment and corporate culture. Both Tutt and Daggs are well-regarded by leaders across the nation, whose presentations lead participants through an entertaining time, designed to challenge their current level of commitment and inspire them to maximize their potential impact on the lives of the people they serve.
Freshman Get the Grand Tour During Annual Fish Camp
The Bandera High School Class of 2013 got the grand tour of the campus during this year’s annual Fish Camp. Moving throughout the morning to various rotation stations, the incoming freshman met their teachers, received their schedules and locker assignments, had their student ID photo taken, and much more. Tours of the campus were led by the Bandera High School Cheerleading Squad. Groups of students and parents followed the cheerleaders throughout the campus, and heard some insight into navigating the sometime confusing hallways. One of the last rotations included a motivational assembly conducted by Jostens. The assembly focused on the future and allowed the students to move forward in time by trying on a graduation gown and cap.
Lights! Camera! Action! New Teachers Take the Spotlight!
Twenty Five new teachers to Bandera ISD, started the school year a few days earlier to begin their 2009 New Teacher Orientation. “Lights! Camera! Action!” was the theme with the new teachers being the stars. The teachers received a welcome address from Board President Dr. Barbara Skipper who talked about the Board’s commitment to the teachers and students of the district. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Dyes introduced the campus and district administrators to the Bandera ISD novices, and emphasized the district’s mission statement and goals. Assistant Superintendent Regina Howell kept the new teachers on schedule as many different topics were covered during the first day of events.
Thanks for the Hard Work!
For many people, summertime is a time for vacations and relaxing. For Bandera ISD’s Support Departments - it means time to make sure that our schools are ready for another successful year! While the Maintenance Department completes projects that were scheduled, the Transportation Department was making sure that all district vehicles were ready for another year, and the Custodial Staff was cleaning and waxing over 441,000 square feet of classroom and office space. As a thank you for their hard work and dedication, district administration catered a barbeque luncheon for the support staff to enjoy. Bandera ISD new teachers were invited to the luncheon as well so they can meet many of the people who work behind the scenes to guarantee the success and safety of our students.
