ELK NEWSLETTER
Burleson High School - October 2014
BHS STUDENT PERFORMANCE
BHS STUDENT CELEBRATION
BHS STUDENT SPIRIT
From the Desk of the Principal:
Wow !!! What a great start to the 2014-2015 school year. On behalf of the Burleson High School Staff, we are so thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in your child's life. The efforts of the staff and talented teachers strive daily to make a significant impact on all students and we will continue to work to improve the educational experience at BHS. I want to also thank the 2015 BHS Senior Class for their leadership to the campus, which has significantly impacted the great start to the year!!!
GO ELKS !!!!
Thanks again for your continued support!!!
Wayne Leek, Principal
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
"It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be." Quote by J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter. One thing noticeable at BHS is the variety of experiences our students have. It has been inspiring these first seven weeks watching our students work toward what they are growing to be. They are encouraging, supporting and challenging each other to maximize the experience of high school. We have 448 freshmen, 406 sophomores, 398 juniors and 335 seniors for a total of 1,587 students. That is 1,587 different backgrounds at Burleson High School. That is 1,587 students who will grow to be….somebody!
Kellie Conlon, Associate Academic Principal
What an exciting start to a great school year! We have seen a rebirth of school spirit and lots of success in academics, athletics, and fine arts. I want to encourage parents and students to continue to support all of our students as they exhibit their talents. I would also encourage parents to be sure their student is "plugged in" to some club, organization or activity at BHS. Being involved not only makes high school fun but also promotes academic success and builds skills that will be beneficial after high school.
Angelia Sifford – Assistant Principal / Sigma House
We are off to a strong start. The incoming freshmen know the way around their new school, and the upperclassmen are sharing the valued traditions of Burleson High School. All of our students are benefitting from the use of WICOR strategies used daily in their classes. We are rapidly nearing the end of the second six week grading period. School spirit is stronger than ever. It’s a great time to be at BHS. Go Elks!
Millie Ragle-Assistant Principal / Kappa House
School is off to a great start, and I hope your students are experiencing that. I also hope they have found a group, activity, organization, or team to be a part of. Students involved in extracurricular activities have higher grades and better attendance. Most of all, these are things that make school more fun and provide lasting memories - think back to your own school experience. If your child is not a part of something now, encourage them to seek out an activity and get involved.
Matt Zentell - Assistant Principal / Omega House
BHS RECOGNITION
Jazz Students Selected for Region 7 Jazz Band
Congratulations to the following (4) BHS band students who earned spots in the All-Region Jazz Band during Region 7 TMEA Auditions held on Sept. 23rd at Paschal High School in Fort Worth. These students along with other top students from the Ft. Worth area will perform a special concert with a guest clinician on Tuesday, November 18th, at Centennial High School. The performance will be at 7:00 PM. Admission is free.
Region 7 jazz honors were earned by:
Joseph Longoria - Bass Trombone
Ema Helfrich - Piano
Jacob Glosup - Drum set
Topy Nguyen - Tenor Trombone
All these students are members of the BHS Jazz Ensemble.
Marching Band Earns Top Region Honors
The Burleson High School "Spirit of the Elks" Marching Band earned yet another 1st division (superior) rating during the UIL Region 7 Marching Band Contest held at Burleson ISD Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18th. This year is the 20th time in twenty-one years that the BHS band has earned the top rating in UIL regional marching competition. The Region 7 contest included marching bands from twenty 5A & 6A schools from the following school districts: Aledo, Burleson, Cleburne, Crowley, Fort Worth, Granbury, and Joshua.
October Recognitions
Coach McElroy nominated for Dallas Cowboys Whataburger HS Coach of the Week
Caleb Dechert and Sam Rotholz nominated for DFW Varsity Players of the Week
JFROTC program enrollment exceeds 100
September Recognitions
BHS Students raise $800 for a Scholarship in Memory of Briggs Berry, a Grandview HS Senior
Madison Riley signs with East Texas Baptist University
Debate contest results at the North Crowley TFA Tournament: Sophomore Luke Eakin and Sophomore Eric Grizzle both went 2-1 in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate, and narrowly missed advancing! There were over 50 students in their division. Junior Tara Stanley advanced to the semi-finals in Domestic Topics- Extemporaneous Speaking. There were 40 students in her division. Junior Savannah Brown also advanced to the semi-finals in Domestic Topics- Extemporaneous Speaking, and she had never participated in a meet prior to this! There were also 40 students in her division.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Counselor Who's Who
Kappa House Counselor (A-Gi) – Debi Blevins
Sigma House Counselor (Gl-Ni) – Cindy Alley
Omega House Counselor (No-Z) – David Brown
Notes & Reminders
Students and parents, did you know that you can access current grades every day? With a Family Access Skyward account, you can see up-to-date information regarding progress at BHS. It is a very useful tool for families! Each parent and student has their own login information and internet access. If you need your login information, contact your house office.
Familiarize yourself with the registration/application deadlines for colleges, SAT/ACT tests, scholarships, and community service opportunities. The main reason students do not get their first choice college, housing or scholarship dollars is because they miss crucial deadlines. Allow at least two weeks for your counselor to complete your recommendation letter once you have made the request.
The fall is the best time to visit the campuses of your favorite colleges. Use one of your two college visit days to check them out first hand! Pre-approval forms are needed and available in each of the house offices.
COLLEGE AND CAREER
Events
201 students attended the PSAT/SAT boot camp.
533 parents and students attended the BISD College & Career Fair.
· 11/3 - Texas Success Initiative (TSI) at BHS.
· 11/11-Dual credit registration for students taking dual credit courses in the spring.11/11
· 11/13-ASVAB Testing
· 11/19-BHS student group to tour Tarleton State University.
ACT and SAT Testing
SAT – December 6 (Register by November 6)
January 24 (Register by December 29)
ACT – December 13 (Register by November 7)
February 7 (Register by January 9)
ASVAB Testing
On Thursday, November 13th, Burleson High School will be offering the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. ASVAB is not a single test; rather, it is a battery of tests designed to determine an individual’s skills and abilities. In high schools, it is often used as a basic aptitude test. Any student in the 11th or 12th grade will be able to sign up to take the ASVAB if they wish to do so. The ASVAB is required for any person wishing to enter a branch of the military.
There is no fee for the test, but students must sign up to reserve a test spot. You may sign up in the Academic Office between October 27 and November 7.
One of the scores of the ASVAB is the military services’ entrance score which may be used by your child to explore career options in the military. Your child’s name and ASVAB scores will be released to the military unless you sign the opt-out form available in the Academic Office.
If you would like more information on the ASVAB, please visit: http://www.asvabprepinfo.com/ for more information.
NURSE'S STATION
It's Flu Season!
STUDENT GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Key Club
The Burleson (HS) Key Club was charted in 2004 and it was that year that it became an official key club recognized by the international organization. This 2014 – 2015 year is our 10th anniversary year and the officers plan to do it justice. So far this year the club has supported International’s Miracle Treat Day (buy a treat at Dairy Queen and that money goes to the Children’s Miracle Network); supported riders at the Cowtown Classic (bike race); raised money through golden ribbon sales for the Children’s Miracle Network; kept Burleson beautiful through Trash Bash (keep Burleson beautiful day event); supported Hajek Elementary with their fall festival; celebrated the history of Burleson at Founder’s day; raised over $500 for the Eliminate Project; and this club has so much more in store for BHS and its city.
Special key clubbers to recognize:
September Member of the Month: Mikayleigh Norris
Senior Officers: Taylor Jeffery and Anisa Vidic
2014 – 2015 Officers: Skyelar Armstrong, Nithure Rema, Alie Shipman, Vanessa Castañeda, and Payton Kinsey.
Find out more about the BHS Key Club at: www.groupspaces.com/BHSKeyClub
Elk Athletics
FOOTBALL
Varsity Football 4-4 / 3-2 in District
JV Football 6-2 / 5-1 District
9th A- Team 4-4 / 3-2 District
VOLLEYBALL
Varsity -3rd place in district 8-5A. District record 9-5.
JV 10-19
9A 14-18
9B 12-16
CROSS COUNTRY
Cross Country- District CC results: VB 4th, VG 5th JVB 3rd, JVG 5th Team Leaders: Zachary Payne -15th Emily Andress -19th
NEW TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
Lexi Yeado
English Department - Dallas Baptist University
Studied Business Management and played Division 2 tennis while she was there. While she was part of the team, they won 2 NCCAA National Championships, 1 Runner-Up finish at the NCCAA Tournament, and 1 Heartland Conference Championship. Lexi is a native Minnesotan and has been living in Texas for the past 5 years. Her high school mascot was actually the "Elk!" Her parents still live back in Minnesota. Her mother is a financial advisor for Edward Jones, and her father is the Vice President of Sales at American Flexible Products. She has one older brother who played hockey and studied Finance at Dallas Baptist University as well. He now works at Fidelity in Westlake.
Lexi still has a Minnesotan accent and does not use the word "y'all."
Steve Cuno
Autotech Department- Tarrant County College
Graduated from Burleson High School in 1984. Steve attended college at Tarrant County College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. He has lived in Hawaii, California, Maine and of course, the great State of Texas. Steve has been married for 25 years and has three beautiful Children as well as three beautiful Grandchildren. He has worked as an automotive technician for over 30 years and now has the opportunity to pass his knowledge on to these wonderful young people. Steve has been certified by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for over 25 years at the Advanced (Master) level. He has also been a Platinum Level winner of the Mark of Excellence program since the inception of the program. To make a long story even longer… Steve has won numerous awards for Outstanding Achievements. When Steve is not teaching, he loves anything to do with the outdoors and spending time with his family.
Shellee Key
Cosmetology Department - University of North Texas
I have taught cosmetology for 13 years. All of those years of teaching have been at Hill College. From Hill College, I received my CC Cosmetology Operator, CC Cosmetology Instructor, AAS in Cosmetology, and an AA degree. I hold a current license as a cosmetology instructor from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. I received my Teacher’s certification from University of North Texas in 2005. I am fortunate to be a part of this exciting industry with Burleson High School. To be able to teach and motivate students to excel in this field is a passion of mine. In my personal life, I love spending time RVing, reading and ‘stock showing’ with my husband of 11yrs and our two children.
David Blackburn
World History/US Government/Athletics - University of Texas at Arlington.
Fontbonne University, Saint Louis MO. BS Business Administration, Minor in Economics. Graduate 2008. College Soccer Player. UNT, Denton TX. MBA. Graduate 2011. UTA, Arlington TX. MS Political Science. Graduate 2014.
Family: Fiance'-Jessica Myers, One month old son-Leo Alexander Blackburn. Hobbies include: A voracious reader, avid runner, and middling, yet enthusiastic violin player.
Travis Hughes
World Geography / World History / Athletics -University of Texas at Arlington
I am in my first year here at BHS, eighth year teaching overall. I coach varsity football, where I coach the safeties, and I am the head boys soccer coach. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in History and Political Science. I have a wife, Sarah, who works here in Burleson at Hughes Middle School, a son, Grayson, who is nearly 2 years old, and another boy on the way! I am very excited to be here at BHS and look forward to a great rest of the year.