INSIDE DSISD
The latest news from Dripping Springs ISD
Week of November 15, 2021
DSHS SENIOR ADVANCES TO UIL STATE CONGRESS MEET
Dripping Springs High School senior Lizzie Galassini captured first place at the UIL Region 13 Congress Tournament to qualify for the UIL State Congress Meet.
Dripping Springs was one of just two 5A schools to advance all competitors to the regional finals as Brett Banks finished fifth overall and Zoe Costanza placed 10th.
The UIL State Congress Meet will be held Jan. 11-12 in Austin.
Congress is an individual contest in a large group setting that models the legislative process of the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined.
Some of the topics debated were providing tuition-free college, increasing natural gas sales to Germany, banning gifted and talented programs, paying inmates fairly for their work, and creating special Visas for at-risk Afghans.
In addition, six DSHS debate students have qualified for the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) state tournament in March: Jake Broyles (Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation), Brett Banks (World Schools Debate, Public Forum Debate), Daniel Hearne (World Schools Debate, Public Forum Debate), Chase Menjivar (World Schools Debate), Audrey Edwards (Public Forum Debate), and Mia Perez (Public Forum Debate).
DSHS CHOIR STUDENTS ADVANCE TO AREA
Nine Dripping Springs High School choir students qualified for the area round of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State auditions on Nov. 16 in Austin. A total of 16 DSHS students participated in the event after qualifying for the pre-area round based on their performances at the regional competition in October.
Students advancing to the area round are: Portia Schaeffer-Preston (Soprano 1), Anika Chalak (Soprano 2), Abby Wingrin (Alto 1), Sloane Ruley (Alto 1), Michelle Hinojosa (Alto 1), Kate Nolen (Alto 2), Colin Tuohy (Tenor 1), Jonathan Jensen (Tenor 2) and Brody Lane (Bass 2).
The area competition will be held Jan. 8 at Reagan High School in San Antonio.
Soprano 1
Portia Schaeffer-Preston – 4th Chair
Amelie Lawrence (1st Alternate)
Soprano 2
Anika Chalak – 4th Chair
Alto 1
Abby Wingrin – 3rd Chair
Sloane Ruley – 4th Chair
Michelle Hinojosa – 5th Chair
Alto 2
Kate Nolen – 4th Chair
Tenor 1
Colin Tuohy – 1st Chair
Tenor 2
Jonathan Jensen – 4th Chair
Bass 2
Brody Lane – 2nd Chair
WSE Receives International Dark Sky Association Award
Walnut Springs Elementary has been recognized as one of nine businesses/schools in the City of Dripping Springs to receive the "Be A Star" Award from the Texas Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association.
The Be A Star Award recognizes landowners who contribute to conservation efforts by protecting the night sky. Their properties were identified by the City of Dripping Springs as those that comply with the award criteria and are examples of compliance with the city's Lighting Ordinance. The nine winners will receive a 12” x 9” sign to display on their property that shows their lighting considers nature, their neighbors, and their shared view of the night sky.
Dripping Springs was the first Texas city and sixth in the world to be designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2014.
TIGER STRIPES FOR STAFF
Dripping Springs ISD is excited to announce a new employee recognition program called Tiger Stripes for Staff! On a weekly basis, DSISD staff, students, parents or community members can participate by leaving a positive note about a staff member through a short Google form submission here. The positive notes will be displayed monthly at the campus, department, and district level and staff will be entered into a drawing for a small prize. Read more about the program at dsisdtx.us/tigerstripes.
FALL SPORTS RECAP
The Tiger volleyball team concluded the 2021 season with a fourth-straight trip to the regional finals. Dripping Springs came short of another trip to the state tournament as the Tigers fell to district rival Canyon High School, 3-0. DSHS finished the season with a 37-16 record.
Tiger football lost 63-56 to Georgetown High School in the bi-district round of the playoffs to finish the year with a 10-1 record. The Tigers recorded their fourth undefeated (10-0) regular season in school history and captured at least a share of the district title for the sixth consecutive season. Junior quarterback Austin Novosad was named District 12-5A MVP to highlight the postseason honors for the Tigers.
DSHS put together a successful fall season with the girls’ cross country team placing third at the UIL State Meet to match their best finish in school history. Seniors Kate Ginther and Karsten Bobb were named to the UIL 5A All-State Team for finishing in the top 10 at the state meet.
Team tennis claimed at least a share of the district championship for the third time in the last four seasons. The Tigers advanced to the regional quarterfinals to finish 15-6 on the year.
NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING SUMMARY
LONG-RANGE FACILITY PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING RECAP
The Long-Range Facility Planning Committee (LRFPC) held its third meeting of the 2021-22 school year on Nov. 11. The committee is tasked with considering important decisions to ensure that Dripping Springs ISD continues to serve all students with a personal and exceptional education over the next 5-10 years. A video recording of the meeting can be found at dsisdtx.us/LRFPC.
Scott Leopold of Cooperative Strategies overviewed the agenda and the committee’s next steps. The committee worked in small groups and Mr. Leopold outlined a community survey draft with the committee and received feedback from the group.
The final Long-Range Facility Planning Committee meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 18, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Dripping Springs High School cafeteria. Members of the public may attend and observe the meetings.