Carl Whisenant of Lehman High School has been named Commended Student in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corp., will be presented to Carl. Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2008 competition by taking the PSAT.
  

Formal dedication ceremonies—every new school’s rite of passage—took place at Camino Real Elementary School (CRES) and Blanco Vista Elementary School (BVES) in an abundance of import and warmth on Saturday morning with remarks, recognition, songs and student-read essays.

At BVES, former Hays County Judge Eddy Etheredge told his audience of more than 100 “that with this dedication we are honoring our past, by dedicating ourselves to the future and the exciting challenges the future will bring.”

He noted the Blanco and San Marcos rivers (the school is less than one mile from the Blanco River) as “likely our single greatest economic development engine. As the currents of the rivers ebb and flow, the currents of change within our community gamely ripple along as well.”

Etheredge told the audience full of BVES students stories of events that took place near the Blanco River over the decades, including a famous horse race and a stagecoach robbery.

“Our past and our future are linked directly to water, periodically to the lack of it, and oftentimes to an overabundance of it,” he said. “It gives me a great sense of serenity to compare life to the rivers, always moving forward, never to return, directly tied to its origin, and strengthened by the waters joining it along the way.”

Etheredge addressed those who are new to the area, saying, “Welcome to our river of life. The knowledge and strengths of your origin will add to the vitality of our already strong currents."

At CRES, Principal Marivel Sedillo, told the crowd of more than 100 that over the past year, she experienced a rainbow of feelings, from anxiety to great anticipation to feelings of doubt that “I could get through it.”

“But when you seen your staff all together for the very first time and you see all of the students together on the first day of school, all you feel is an unexplainable joy,” she said

Two essays were read by students, one in English and one in Spanish, about the first weeks of school at CRES.

"It is like taking lessons among the stars," said Jesus Llanas in his essay. “You value us with your honor. We are ready for anything. We are here. We are waiting.”

Camino Real Elementary was named for a collective group of centuries-old routes from northern Mexico to today’s Natchitoches, Louisiana. One-half mile east of the school, Texas Highway 21, follows one of the old Spanish routes and is part of a 2004-designated National Historic Trail.

Mary Ann Mattis, a member of the Hays County Historical Commission, was instrumental in facilitating the partnership between the Burdine Johnson Foundation, the Historical Commission, Claycomb Architects and Camino Real Elementary School that enabled a beautiful map of Texas with the trail that is painted on the foyer of the school. She spoke of the trail's historical relevance, noting that it is the only National Historic Trail in Texas.
  

With Election Day one month away, students throughout Hays CISD are learning about the process of being an American in a variety of ways.

At Lehman High School (LHS), government classes are currently working on a project called Political Parties 101 to familiarize the students with the various perspectives, philosophies and platforms of the political parties.

“In our voting unit, we will go through the voter registration process, complete an activity called 'Are You a Liberal or Conservative?' which helps the students figure out and understand their political leanings on the spectrum and complete an actual Alabama literacy test circa 1953 to help with historical relevancy, value and the importance of the voting process,” said Shari Sears, chairwoman of the LHS Social Studies Department. “We are also promoting the voting process by handing out voter registration cards, posting early voting information, polling places and the requirements to vote.”

At Buda Elementary School, 3rd graders focused on the two presidential candidates, Barak Obama and John McCain and discussed what it takes to be president.

“Students created books that included who their Cabinet and Vice President would be, as well as the reasons they selected those individuals,” said Andi Bosar, 3rd Grade teacher. “They discussed issues they would change at school and what the two most important qualities one must have to be President.”

At Hays High School (HHS), students will participate in the National Student Mock Election on Oct. 30, said Suzan Pitman, HHS Instructional Strategist. National Student Mock Election is a non-partisan effort to help students realize the power of the ballot.

“Students will take to the voting ‘booths’ in the HHS library before and after school and during lunch,” she said.

Last week, six seniors collaborated via videoconference with the National Constitution Center and roughly a dozen other small groups of high school students around the country to set the National Student Platform.

“The platform created by this diverse, multi-state group of students is essentially what high school kids see as the most important issues and policy statements for them and are a recommendation for the next president,” Ms. Pitman said.

Students and staff gathered in the library for “Monday Morning Quarterback” (MMQ) following the first presidential debate to discuss the individuals and issues facing the electorate. More MMQ sessions are scheduled for Oct. 16 and 30 at 4:15 p.m. in the Red Room of the library.

A Rebels Vote blog for teachers and students offers a safe place to try out new ideas and ask questions, she said. The first question, was, “Why Vote?”

At Dahlstrom Middle School, students elected representatives to participate in Student Council. “As it is an election year it would be worthwhile for students to experience these elections using parliamentary procedure,” said Amy Madden, Texas history teacher. "It is fun and it should streamline the process for each election."
   

The Hays CISD District Leadership Team (DLT) serves as an advisory committee to provide input to the superintendent throughout the year. The committee comprises teachers, non-teaching professionals, parents, business and community members as outlined in district policy.

Committee members serve staggered terms.

The DLT is seeking nominations from the following categories for 2008-09:

• Two community members (residents of the school district who do not have children enrolled in Hays CISD schools)

• Two business members

For nomination forms and more information, please contact Michelle Barrera, Hays CISD Executive Director of Human Resources, 268.2141, ext. 6027.

Completed nomination forms are due in the Human Resources Office by 4:30 p.m., on Oct. 16. A public drawing for the four positions will be held on Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m., at the Central Administration Office.

link to DLT Nomination Form (pdf)   
 

Merit Electric will be on-site at Shelton Stadium on Monday, Oct. 6, beginning at 7 a.m., to change out bulbs on the two light towers located on the North end of the stadium. This project will take at least four days to complete. Maintenance personnel will rope off the area around the light towers. Once all the bulbs have been changed, the lights will need to burn continuously for 100 hours, before they can be turned off. 
   

SAT prep classes will be offered on Saturdays, Oct. 4 through Oct. 25, at Lehman High School for all interested Hays CISD seniors. The classes, which last from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (free lunch provided) will prepare students for the Nov. 1 SAT. Deadline for registration is Sept. 29.  Information is available at the LHS, HHS and AHS counseling centers.
  link to additional info and online registration
   

The Hays CISD Board of Trustees is seeking nominations from the community for the name of the district's fifth middle school. The school, located on Highway 150 East, west of Hemphill Elementary School, is under construction and expected to open for the 2009-10 school year. New facilities are named after the area or subdivision in which they are located, historical schools, or after individuals who have made significant contributions to the educational program of Hays CISD or to the local community in general. Deadline for nominations is Oct. 17.  Nominations may be submitted in writing to Hays CISD by mail, 21003 Interstate 35 in Kyle, fax: 512.268.7121 or by email: newschoolname@hayscisd.net Nomination forms are available at the Central Administration Office or may be downloaded from the following link:
  link to New School Name Nomination form (pdf)
 
or submitted online using the following link:
  link to online New School Name Nomination form  
   

40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS

The 40 Developmental Assets is a framework adopted by Hays CISD based on the theory that building positive personal assets can help young people grow up healthy caring and responsible, and can protect them from high-risk behavior. For more information, and a glimpse of what the campuses are doing in celebration of the 40 Assets, 
use this link.

#22 School engagement--Young person is actively engaged in learning.

• Fuentes Elementary will conduct "Fall Into Assets!" Day on Oct. 31.  School-wide, the day will highlight the 40 Developmental Assets in such activites as cross-age learning buddies, a Ropes course,  a "Fuentes Star" photo of the entire campus, and a program by 5th graders called "We Care!"  Teachers will also build assets with activities in the classrooms.  Fuentes Elementary invites the community to participate in building assets in our students.
    

• The Hays High School Speech & Debate team had another successful weekend at Anderson High School as sophomores Taylor Kornfuehrer and Reagan Corn won their first trophies of the season. Reagan competed in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate and made it to the quarterfinals round, earning her a 5th Place trophy and two points towards qualification to the Texas Forensic Association state tournament.  She needs eight more points to earn a spot in Houston in March. Taylor competed in the novice division of Lincoln-Douglas debate and bested the competition, ending the tournament with a 6-0 record and a 1st Place trophy.

#7 Community values youth--Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.

• Several youth groups from Hays CISD schools gave of their time and abilities recently for a fundraising benefit for longtime Kyle physician Danny Rouch. A Hays High School based band called Texas FX performed for free at the benefit, even donating their tips to the cause.  Girl Scout Troops 315, 611, 616, 1403, 1495, 1731, and  1838, representing students form Buda Elementary, Barton Middle, Chapa Middle, Dahlstrom Middle, Fuentes Elementary and Hays High School baked goodies and assisted serving desserts and drinks as well as offering baskets for the silent auction. Mariachi Los Lobos students Monica Esquivel (2008 LHS graduate), Ray Herrera, AnnaLena Hinojosa, Cecilia Ortiz, Calrton Galvez, Andrea Villalobos and Director Adolph Ortiz performed for free. Students with the Kyle Baptist Church Youth Group painted faces.
   

• Dahlstrom Middle School students will participate in an assembly followed by a community rally on Oct. 30, beginning at the PAC and concluding in the DMS gym. The assembly will be Rachel's Challenge--treat others with kindness and compassion and you may just change the world you live in. Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy, and left behind a legacy with her simple challenge. Following the assembly, peer training will be conducted by Rachel's Challenge staff for a select group of students. The rally in the gym, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will unite local community leaders, businesses, parents and students will begin to start a chain reaction of random acts of kindness.

#4 Caring neighborhood--Young person experiences caring neighbors.

• Hays High School Choir Boosters will be selling memorial poinsettias to decorate the PAC. The flowers will be delivered directly to the PAC at the beginning of December and be on display until Dec 18th, when individuals can pick up their plants. Any plants not claimed will be donated to local nursing homes. All memorials and honorariums will be posted during the holiday concerts at the PAC. Plants are $15 each.

• Buda Elementary has just kicked off its 5th Year of Mentoring, celebrating 95 participants and a list of students eager to become a part of the "Buda Buddies" program.  If you are interested in becoming a mentor and reaping the benfits of being an important role model for children, please contact Lauri Schroeder at 268-8449 ext. 6737.

#24 Bonding to school--Young person cares about her or his school.

• Buda Elementary Kids Care Club was recently awarded a Kids Care Week 2008 mini-grant in the amount of $500. Forty-two Buda students, staff and parent volunteers attended the first Kid's Care Club meeting this past week. Next meeting will be Nov. 6.

#26 Caring--Young person places high value on helping other people.

• The 1st Annual Turkey Bowl competition between Lehman High School and Hays High School will begin Oct. 15. The two high schools will be in competition to collect the most canned food items through Nov. 3. All canned goods will be donated to the Hays County Food Bank as part of the organization’s “Turkeys Tackling Hunger” Thanksgiving Drive.
   
  Monetary donations will be accepted, $1 is the equivalent of one pound of canned food.
    
  “The school with the most pounds of food will be crowned the winner of the Turkey Bowl and will be announced during halftime at the Hays vs. Lehman football game on Nov. 7,” said Shelly Plumley of Hays High School. “Each year the winning school will receive a trophy, which was purchased by the defeated school.”
    
  Clubs, classrooms, organizations within each high school will also compete against one another as part of the drive.
    
  Elementary and middle school campuses throughout Hays CISD will be holding their own fundraising efforts and canned food drives as part of the “Turkeys Tackling Hunger” campaign. The district effort is sponsored by the 40 Assets Lunch Bunch.
    

• Barton Middle School Student Council organized a food drive to assist evacuees of Hurricane Ike through local food banks, and students in only a week brought 300 pounds of food.  "I am so excited that other people now know how caring our students are," said Karen Sinor, BMS Student Council sponsor.  "The students were very happy to help someone in need."  Robert Limon, PTA president, delivered the food to the food bank.
    

• Students at Wallace Middle School, during the last two weeks of September, had the opportunity to clear up overdue library book fines by bringing in canned or non-perishable food. They were asked to bring one item for every $1 they owed. While some students took advantage of the offer, others just brought in canned food to make the donation. Fifty-four pounds of food were taken to the Hays County Food Bank.

#17 Creative activities--Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.

• Saturday will be a big day for HHS Rebel Band with two contests. The day begins at the Westlake Marching Festival with a preliminary performance, then back to Shelton Stadium to participate in the LHS Lobo Band-hosted tournament. The band will load up the truck to return to Austin in anticipation of competing in the finals.