Bowling Green High School
Weekly Newsletter for Aug. 17, 2018
Virtual Reality Tour of the #NewBGHS2020
BG Daily News: Virtual tour allows glimpse into BGHS future
Wearing a virtual reality headset, members of the Bowling Green Independent School District’s board of education saw the future of Bowling Green High School on Monday.
Board members took a virtual tour of the renovated high school with technology provided by RossTarrant Architects, the Lexington-based firm designing the school additions that are currently under construction.
“It was really amazing,” said Jane Wilson, the school board’s vice chair. “It was a very interesting way to experience in 3D what the new school will look like.”
One common theme board members appreciated was the building’s spacious facilities and abundant natural light. The high school’s current circular design doesn’t give many classrooms a view outside. More natural light was also a big request from school staff, according to Principal William King, who said each classroom will have windows.
The school will also depart from convention by eschewing student lockers or classroom desks, King said.
Students will instead use Chromebooks and collaborate at tables. King likened the building’s atmosphere to a college campus or even like a “Google headquarters.”
“We want a building that’s going to last for many years,” King said, referring to the modern design.
Officials said the school’s facilities need an upgrade. The school’s interior previously had a more open concept before a major renovation in 1987 added more walls.
The tour took board members through the school’s entrance, classroom space, a large courtyard where the natatorium now stands and an expansive common area with a “social stair” that doubles as seating.
“I can see kids using that,” Wilson said, referring to the social stair.
Several gathering areas allow for collaboration, such as dry erase walls in the common area.
In June, the board approved bids for phase one renovations that will add a 90,000-square-foot classroom wing to the school by early 2020. At the time, Superintendent Gary Fields said the bids came in under the project’s estimated budget of $22.5 million.
Later on, once funding is available, a second phase will add a new auxiliary gym, library, a two-story commons area and a 700- to 800-seat performing arts center.
Board member Michael Bishop had seen drawings for the renovations, but he said taking the virtual tour “brings it all together.”
“You could see things from different perspectives,” Bishop said.
The tour allowed board members to view the finished school at different times of day and consider how to manage glare from the sun, for example.
Board member Frank “Hamp” Moore said he appreciated the school’s open layout and classrooms.
“It really ought to make for better learning,” he said.
Board members took the tour before their regularly scheduled meeting, during which they heard an update on utility work that’s continuing at BGHS.
Greg Hosfield, a project manager with RossTarrant Architects, said construction has had a minimal impact on school activities. Workers are installing utilities for the entire, multiphase project.
During the meeting, board members approved change orders with an increase of $37,610.28. Part of the cost increase resulted from workers locating a water line in an area they didn’t expect to find it. The line had to be moved to accommodate storm drainage.
Based on the early phase the project is in and the nature of the work, Fields described the need for the change order as “pretty typical.”
“There are times when it’s sometimes hard to locate key functions, water lines, other things,” he said. “Some of this is a little guesswork.”
In an interview after the meeting, Fields said the construction hasn’t impacted the school day at BGHS.
“That’s one of the real positives of the plan we’ve come up with,” he said.
Rafferty's Bowl - This Saturday @WKU
375 brand new @lenovo Chromebooks being delivered to BGHS for incoming freshmen in the @BGHSLEADacademy.
Biology and Honors Bio students started the school year @BGHSLEADacademy with an open-ended and individually designed lab experiment. The students transitioned science content of the scientific method into direct practice and learning. It’s been a great start to the new year.
Photographers developing their processes, Section Editors making decisions, PR Team learning their trade. We’re off and running! #BgGem
Bowling Green High received some special visitors today! WKU President Dr. Caboni and Big Red gave some Purples their Fall 2019 admissions letters!
Awesome to see the AP World kids passionately debating opinions!
Congrats to Ashley E. earning a Medical Translator Certification this summer! We are SO PROUD of you!
A few members of the Freshman @BGPurpleVolley team spent the day Saturday working Alex's Lemonade stand to help raise money to support Childhood Cancer! Already setting the example for @BGHSLEADacademy and @BGHSPurplesNews ! Winning in the community and on the court!
Students creating maps in Geography
BGHS Teacher Phyllis Sweatt received the KACTE Teacher of the Year Pride Award
Summer FCCLA News
Students are gearing up for the new year. Students have been working to make FCCLA known to all by already posting signs in the school.
If students need more information see Ms. Sweatt in the Foods Lab. So far we have 3 events confirmed:
1) Training for Officers and Newcomers on August 31 @ Hillview Heights. Newcomers will be invitation only.
2) The first meeting is scheduled after school on Tuesday, August 21 from 3:05 to 4:05. Come to join in on the FUN.
3) Membership Campaign, students will travel to Holiday World on September 15th. Limited seating - Join in on the fun.
FCCLA Students assisted the YSC of BGHS with Readifest on Tuesday, July 31 @ Parker Bennett. Students included Zam Vung, Destiny Hood
and former student Nay Zar.
FCCLA students attended National Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, June 28 -July 2.
Students placement included: Kho Zum Be competed in FCCLA – STAR Events Competition received a Gold medal and placed3rd at the National Level for Fashion Construction.
Mercedes Butts, Adaia Beason and Zaria Spurling-Morris receive Silver medals for Illustrated Talk on Teen Suicide.
Johnna Wolfe and Destiny Hoods attended summer FCCLA camp @ the FHA Leadership camp for training on how to become strong leaders in FCCLA.
Camp dates were June 4-6, 2018.
Kentucky Youth Storytelling Torchbearers
Purples Golf
Purples Volleyball
BGHS Cheer Calendar Girl
School Picture Day - August 21st. Don't wear Green!
Interested in learning about VEX Robotics, 3d Printing, Programming, and other cool technologies? Contact Mr. Fulkerson to join the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP)
Italy and Greece Trip 2019
Are you interested in traveling abroad in June 2020? I'm planning our trip options for two years from now and would love your input. If you or your student is planning to travel with us, please email me your top three destination choices to tiffany.lowder@bgreen.kyschools.us. That will help me decide what our student travel interests are to better meet your needs. Please send me your email requests no later than September 15, 2018.
BGHS Class of 1988 Reunion
September 21-22, 2018. Please click on the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmEdb9djOnPTvYlThwBjX9VtF7dhW_eZbtZ6KesTENklp8CQ/viewform or https://www.facebook.com/notes/bg-purples-class-of-1988/bghs-class-of-1988-reunion/1795508640542808/ to register. Class of ‘88 also invites BGHS classes of 1987 and 1989 to join them for a tailgating party at 5:30pm on Friday, September 21 before the football game. Please message us if you plan to attend.
For more information go to our Facebook page @BG Purples Class of 1988
About BGHS
Email: william.king@bgreen.kyschools.us
Website: http://www.b-g.k12.ky.us/1/Home
Location: 1801 Rockingham Avenue, Bowling Green, KY, USA
Phone: 270-746-2399
Twitter: @bghspurplesnews