Volume 8, Number 5 September 16, 2016
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!” The Blanco ISD
Construction Management Class Kicks off Building Project Architect Firm Fromberg Associates Teams Up with Class to Construct Ag Building Addition
When architect Randy Fromberg heard about Blanco ISD
implementing a new Construction Management program in
its curriculum, he felt a desire to help it be successful.
“In my 35 years of practice, I have noticed a shrinking
construction workforce and fewer real craftsmen,” said
Fromberg. “I believe that this is due in large part to young
people by-passing the building trades in their education and
career choices.”
“What students should realize is that construction is a pro-
fession that involves math, science, technology, teamwork,
art, and innovation. It can be both financially and personally
rewarding to contribute to our built environment.”
Fromberg, who designed both the high school and the ele-
mentary renovations for Blanco ISD, saw an opportunity to
extend his services to the new Construction Management
program when he was contracted to oversee the addition to
the current Ag Science building.
What developed was a relationship between teacher and
architect to incorporate the building addition into a class-
room project, letting the students learn all the elements that
are involved in a construction project.
“Allowing the students to be a part of the Ag Facility Ad-
dition Project is a great way for our students to get real life
Drew Cummings of Fromberg Associates (left), and teacher Calen McNett (right) review architectural plans with students.
experience by using the knowledge they have acquired in class and
applying it to the addition,” said teacher Calen McNett.
“The students have designed the addition from the ground up, and
will be involved in every aspect of the project. The project will in-
corporate over 90% of the required curriculum for the Construction
Management course.”
The joint venture had its kickoff on Thursday, when architect
Drew Cummings from the firm met with students, and shared archi-
tectural drawings that were based upon plans the students had gener-
ated.
Fromberg said, “It is difficult to find good, well-rounded building
designers. Having actual construction experience makes for a much
more practical building designer, and instills an appreciation of a
collaborative, holistic building process. I hope that some of Blanco’s
students are drawn to ar-
chitecture or engineering;
there are also excellent
opportunities in the design-
build field.”
Board of Trustees
Darrel Wagner, President
Charles Riley, Vice President Tim Nance, Secretary
Joe Hernandez
Troy Immel Larry Kuebel
Liza Struck
Superintendent
Dr. Buck Ford
Cont’d on...
Page 3
Spanish AP Students Recognized
(L to R) Spanish AP teacher Edit Quintanilla, student Sarai
Godinez, high school principal Keitha St. Clair. Not pictured
Yanet Betancourt, Josielynn Hernandez, and Melvin Vizcaino.
The Bell, Vol. 8, No. 5 Page 2
BOARD BRIEFS
The school board met on Monday, September 12. Among
the items addressed at the meeting:
“Spotlight on Students—High School”: Principal Keitha St.
Clair recognized Spanish AP students who had passed the
AP exam.
Received an update on Blanco CoAPT’s (Coalition on
Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse)
successful Drug Free Communities grant award.
“District Recognition”: Dr. Ford recognized members of
the CoAPT coalition.
Received notice that the update on BISD Goal #3 (BISD
will master state and federal academic standards, and BISD
will close the gap that exists between student groups in
standardized test scores) will be moved to the October
board meeting. TEA had not released disaggregated test
data and distinction recognitions yet.
Received an early release notice for Wednesday, January
18, 2017, 12:00 noon—the middle school will be hosting
the District Academic UIL Contest.
Received an update on TASB’s pay systems review.
Received notice that a board team building workshop has
been scheduled with TASB for Monday, January 23, 2017,
from 6:00—9:00 PM.
Approved the creation of an Audit Committee.
Board President Darrel Wagner appointed Tim Nance and
Liza Struck to the Audit Committee.
Approved TASB
Policy Update 106,
affecting local poli-
cy EHBAF (Local),
which addresses
special education
and video/audio
monitoring.
Approved resolu-
tions regarding
extracurricular
status of the Blanco
County and Gilles-
pie County 4-H
organizations, and
approved adjunct
faculty members.
Adjourned to Exec-
utive Session.
Reconvened to
Open Session.
Adjourned.
CoAPT Members Honored
Several members of the Blanco Coalition on Awareness,
Prevention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse (CoAPT) were
honored and congratulated for their volunteer work that led to
the awarding of a Drug Free Communities grant.
Blanco CoAPT Members
(Front Row) Dr. Buck Ford, Keitha St. Clair.
(Back Row, L to R) Rev. Carlos Cloyd, Jan Christiansen, Amy Hackebeil,
Chris Delatorre, Terry Neill, June Newhouse, Kat Staas, Brad Taylor.
Several additional members of Blanco CoAPT were not present.
BHS students who had passed the Spanish AP exam were
recognized at Monday night’s school board meeting.
“All AP tests are hard, but the Spanish test is a monster,”
said principal Keitha St. Clair.
“We had four students who dedicated themselves to pass that
exam. They worked after school with their teacher. They were
relentless in their pursuit.”
“Because they passed their exam, they received college cred-
it for Spanish. We are all very excited about their success in
passing that exam.”
Construction Management Kickoff Cont’d from Page One...
The Bell, Vol. 8, No. 5 Page 3
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
Lady Panthers 2—0 in District Play Next Game at Florence Next Tuesday
Blanco’s Lady Panthers are enjoying a well deserved night
off, after posting impressive wins over Comfort and Ingram in
their first two games of District play.
“I’m excited that all three volleyball teams (Freshmen, JV,
and Varsity) are 2—0 in district play,” said head coach Amy
Hackebeil. “It was a clean sweep on Friday against Comfort
and on Tuesday against Ingram. Blanco didn’t drop a set at any
level of play.”
“For the most part we have played consistently. We have
been focusing on reducing our number of unforced errors, as
this will be key in beating tough teams. Our aggressive serving
proved effective as we came up with many aces.”
Although being 2—0 in district is a good spot to be in, there
are twelve district games in total. There is still a long way to
go.
“We are staying humble as we have formidable adversaries
coming up in our district schedule,” said Hackebeil,” but we
are glad to be playing at a level that will give us an opportunity
for great success.”
“We have multiple offensive options, tenacious defense, and
overall a strong team cohesiveness.”
The Panthers’ next opponent is Florence. It will be Blanco’s
second consecutive road game.
“Florence has a new coach, so we
can expect a change from last year. I
expect to see strong serves and persis-
tent defense.”
Hackebeil will be on the road to Flor-
ence this afternoon to scout the Lago
Vista vs. Florence game.
“I would like to commend Blanco ISD on the institution of a
Construction Management program at the high school. Our
business does not directly employ traditional construction
tradesmen, but we do interface with them continually as archi-
tects serving public and commercial clients throughout central
Texas.”
“By offering this program, Blanco ISD is offering students
another set of professional options that they can explore.”
“A BIG thumbs-up to BISD for its foresight in preparing the
next generation!”
Blanco Cheerleaders Thank Blanco EMS
for its Community Support
Blanco’s cheerleaders thanked the Blanco EMS on behalf of
Blanco ISD because of its service and support of BISD
schools.
“Blanco EMS is donating its services to our Friday football
games as a community service,” said business manager Mat-
thew Streger.
“We thank them for their support of Blanco ISD and its stu-
dents, fans, and visitors.”
Blanco Elementary Student Art
Displayed at Bean and Biscuit
The Bell, Vol. 8, No. 5 Page 4
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
Underage Drinking:
You Binge, You Bust (Part 4)
As part of our effort to reduce substance abuse by our young peo-
ple, The Bell will be running Public Service Announcements each
week to educate students and parents in regards to substance abuse.
Today’s information, the fourth this series, comes from a pamphlet
titled “Underage Drinking: You Binge, You Bust,” published by Edu-
cation Specialty Publishing LLC, Metairie, LA, 2010.
What is Underage Drinking?
The national legal drinking age is 21. When anyone under
the age of 21 consumes alcohol, it’s against the law. Underage
drinking can have serious consequences to a young person’s
health, development, and future.
Your Future
In most states, the penalty for purchasing or attempting to
purchase alcohol is the same or greater than the penalty for
possessing or consuming alcohol. Breaking an alcoholic bever-
age law can lead to criminal charges before your 21st birthday
and will remain on your permanent criminal record.
It is illegal for those under the age of 21 to drive with any
measurable level of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). This
zero tolerance law is in effect in all 50 states. Get caught drink-
ing and driving and you will be arrested, charged in criminal
court, and have your name posted in your local paper. Get con-
victed of a DWI/DUI and you might lose your license, but you
will get a DWI/DUI on your permanent record.
Many people think creating and using fake IDs is a harmless
part of growing up. But, using or creating a fake ID or driver’s
license to acquire liquor is a felony. Penalties vary, but usually
include jail time, fines, community service, and suspension of
your driver’s license. Convicted felons cannot ever vote or
carry a gun. And, as criminal records are public information,
for the rest of your life you will have to check “Yes” in em-
ployment questionnaires asking if “you have ever been convict-
ed of a felony.”
Not having a driver’s license and having a permanent crimi-
nal record is no way to start off your life. The best choice is to
steer clear of underage drinking.
Students in K-5th grade have been conducting line and color
studies.
Primary students have been exploring different types of lines
artists use, and primary/secondary colors.
Intermediate level students are building on their knowledge
of color and line, and going deeper. They are learning about
monochromatic color schemes, abstraction through line and
shape, intermediate colors, and creating the illusion of depth
and movement.
Through all these studies, Art History is integrated.
These works of art are partly inspired by Kandinsky, Ro-
drigue, and Silberzweig.
September 16—25
Fri, Sept. 16 Allison Dowdy
Sat, Sept. 17 Opie Romero
Tues, Sept. 20 Shirley Johnson
Pam Meier
Sat, Sept. 24 Felice Marek
Raul Miranda
Sun, Sept. 25 Bertie May
Aurelia Hernandez
The Bell, Vol. 8, No. 5 Page 5
Blanco Elementary Grandparents Day by Collin Gaskamp
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
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