Several members of the BHS Speech and Debate Team competed in 2 tournaments in one day at the Yellow City Swing Tournament. In the Tascosa side, Pearson Bailey and Lars Nelson took 5th in Cross-Examination debate, Addison Hook took 3rd in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Kayli Munn took 2nd in Informative Speaking. On the Amarillo High side, Alyssa Perez took 4th in Lincoln Douglas Debate and Kayli Munn once again took the 2nd place trophy in Informative Speaking. Instructors are Cody Duncan and Steve Watson.
rebecca.calder
Crockett scholars visited Happy State Bank to interview for jobs as tellers at the Happy State Kids Bank. The Kids Bank program helps students learn the importance of saving and has been incorporated as part of the financial literacy curriculum at Crockett and Gateway. Tabatha Smith, Counselor at Crockett elementary and sponsor for the Kids Bank stated, “I believe one of the greatest gifts we can teach our children is financial literacy. This prepares them to be successful adults. Hands-on banking gives children the opportunity to experience real-world banking that they do not experience in the classroom.” Students may make deposits at the Crockett/Gateway campus on designated bank days. The first bank day is September 28th. To set up a savings account for students in 1st - 4th grade, visit Borger Happy State Bank or go to https://buff.ly/2Dabr4Y.
Back Row: Nathan Allison, Addison Bridges, Applynn Gutierrez, Joanna Stevens, Amare Munoz, and Ashton Garcia.
Middle Row: Tabatha Smith, Madison Ogans, Reed Packebush, Avery Thomas, Sydney Riggle, Molly Holt, and Ace Rivera Front Row: Denver Reeves, McKinley Trahern, Neriah Rodriguez, Rylee Brown, William East, Miley Garcia, and Wes Hukill Not Picture: Jori Alexander – Kids Bank Manager
rebecca.calder
The conference featured lectures and presentations by UIL contest directors, college professors, and high school teachers. Sessions included discussions on contest preparation, demonstrations, performances and contest administration. Students may choose from novice and advanced sessions in some academic areas, as well as small-group sessions in specific UIL activities. The information and knowledge gained will now be used to prepare students for UIL academic and speech contests in the Spring.
rebecca.calder
The Texas Nurses Association-District 2, in collaboration with the Panhandle Organization of Nurse Executives, is proud to announce the Third Annual Panhandle Great 25 Nurses recognition ceremony. The event was established to raise the awareness and celebrate the exemplary contributions of nurses to patient care, research, leadership, education and community service of more than 4000 nurses practicing in the Panhandle. The event coordinators set forth to promote the nursing profession and encourage individuals to consider nursing as a career path, and to create scholarships so that individuals could go to nursing school to better meet the healthcare needs of the community. Three million and growing strong, nurses represent the backbone, brain, heart, and soul of the health care system and continue to be the most trusted profession. Borger ISD is pleased to announce Crockett Elementary nurse, Abbie Cano, was chosen to receive this prestigious honor. This is the first year a school nurse has received the honor. Teresa Bodey, Gateway Elementary Principal, and nominating committee member stated, “What an honor it is for Abbie Cano to be selected as one of the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses. She invests so much of herself into serving the students and staff of Borger ISD. Abbie builds relationships with both students and parents thorough her caring and compassionate service. This prestigious recognition was determined by the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses Review Committee which evaluated all the nominations submitted by peers, family members, patients, former teachers, physicians, and administrators. The Great 25 were chosen through a blinded process by the Great 25 Committee panel based upon the established criteria with each nominee’s accomplishments in the following areas: 1) Leadership qualities, 2) Service to the community, 3) Compassionate caregiver and 4) Significant contributions. Mrs. Cano is very honored to be chosen for the award stating, “Choose a profession that you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life! I am truly honored and humbled to have received this award, to be recognized alongside so many other fantastic nurses. This award inspires me to want to be a better nurse today than I was yesterday.“ The following awardees will be honored at the Third Annual Panhandle Great 25 Nurses Ceremony on Thursday, October 9, 2018, at Polk Street United Methodist Church at 6 pm, Amarillo, TX. Honorees Organization Melanie Allen, RN BSA Health System Beth Attebury, RN Childress Regional Medical Center Tony Badillo, RN BSA Health System Adonna Ballard, RN Region 16 –Educational Service Center John Blakley, RN Amarillo VA Health Care System Sis Bond, RN Amarillo Kindred Hospice Christine Brewer, RN BSA Health System Darla Caldwell, RN BSA Health System Abbie Cano, RN Borger Independent School District Shirley Collins, RN BSA Health System Lisa Formby, RN Hereford Independent School District Machelle Funtek, RN Northwest Texas Healthcare System/ Amarillo VA Health Care System Jay Griggs, RN BSA Health System Angie Hamilton, RN Northwest Texas Healthcare System Elizabeth Hammond, RN Amarillo VA Health Care System Carolyn Hudson, RN Northwest Texas Healthcare System Verena Johnson, RN Amarillo College Clint LaFever, RN Northwest Texas Healthcare System Dustin Lambert, RN Amarillo VA Health Care System Yessenia Longoria, RN Moore County Hospital District Misti Moore, RN BSA Healthcare System Melissa Peavey, RN Dalhart VA Health Clinic Teri Quattlebaum, RN Northwest Texas Healthcare System Charlene Seale, APRN Amarillo VA Health Care System Susan Stach, RN Region 16-Educational Service Center Jessica Welch, RN BSA Health System Jean Whitehead, RN Amarillo Independent School District 2018 Scholarship Recipients: Because of the generous donations of sponsors, each of the following nursing students will receive a $1,500.00 Scholarship to assist them in pursuing their education to advance the health of the communities they serve. These students will be recognized during the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses Ceremony: Recipient School/Degree Program Category Mary Graham Texas Tech University Health Science Center/2nd Degree BSN-Veteran to BSN Amanda Hokanson West Texas A&M University/RN-BSN Donna Kizziar Texas A&M University/ MSN LaTina Lewis West Texas A&M University/DNP-PhD. Justin Walker-Mulanax Amarillo College/ADN Tiffany Ruthardt West Texas A&M University/Traditional BSN
rebecca.calder
Borger Middle School Staff celebrates the three distinctions they earned
Schools from around the state received their first ‘grade report’ from the Texas Education Agency on Wednesday. Borger ISD received a “B” scoring 83 out of a possible 100 points in the various areas measured. The TEA report shows which schools met state education standards based on three areas: student achievement, student progress, and closing performance gaps. “I am excited to announce that our district earned a rating of “B” and all schools ‘Met Standard’. There are so many great activities going on in our district, but we always focus most on our core business- instruction, curriculum, and student learning. It is good to see independent confirmation of the academic success of our students,” stated Superintendent Chance Welch. Mr. Welch goes on to say, “Our schools have a lot of success to celebrate! I am proud of the overall 91 that our middle school earned, and I am also proud of the 91 our high school earned on College, Career, and Military Readiness, which is an area that we have emphasized for many years! BIS, BHS, and BMS all received distinction designations! Based on the original 2017 A-F results, Crockett made an overall gain of 9%. Crockett Elementary had a strong performance in reading and math which Gateway and Paul Belton played a vital role in achieving. As a district, we have a strong foundation to build upon!” A-F Relative Performance is an apples-to-apples comparison of similar school districts and is probably the most accurate indication of how a district is performing. Each district received a numerical score based on a comparison of performance to similar school districts. Borger ISD earned an 85 on Relative Performance when compared to similar school districts!
rebecca.calder
Borger High School math instructor, Kimberly Johnson was named Region 16 Secondary Teacher of the Year at the recent Fall Kickoff. Every fall, 40 Regional Teachers of the Year are selected -- one elementary and one secondary teacher from each of the 20 Education Service Center regions in Texas. Six finalists are then chosen from among the 40 semi-finalists. Following an interview process, the Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year are chosen from among the six finalists. Associate principal at BHS, DeDe Conaway, is very proud of Johnson stating, “Kim Johnson is one of the best teachers that I have had the honor of working with and she truly deserves this recognition.” Among other accomplishments, Johnson organized the first BHS Math Fair to highlight students’ accomplishments in math, science, and engineering skills. Six-hundred out of 777 enrolled students participated in the event. Johnson was able to raise over $10,000 for prizes for participants. The event garnered huge community support from judges, sponsors and event attendees. Judges included CEO’s, engineers and other leaders from local industry such as Solvay, Phillips 66 and CP Chem. These judges provided invaluable feedback to students regarding their projects. Matt Ammerman, BHS principal, expressed this about Mrs. Johnson’s honor, “Borger High School is extremely proud of Kim Johnson. She brought her love of math to bring her community together in an amazing way!”
Thomas Hodge, BHS Mathematics Department Head sums up Mrs. Johnson’s accomplishments, “Great job from an extraordinary teacher to not only get all the students involved but the entire community. I might be a leader of the department, but Mrs. Johnson’s spirit and drive should inspire us all to try to be better teachers!”
Mrs. Johnson is very honored to receive this award stating, “I am so proud to bring this award back to Borger ISD! We have such amazing teachers that go above and beyond for their students, and a community that was overwhelmingly supportive in not only our math fair last year but ALL the events we have at our Borger schools! I am SO proud to be in a town that cares so much about our students and their future successes.”
rebecca.calder
The Velma Freeman Gillespie and Zelma Freeman Root Foundation was established in 1995 by Mrs. Gillespie’s family to honor a deserving teacher at the end of each school year. Velma Freeman Gillespie and Zelma Freeman Root were twin sisters who both taught in the BISD system for over twenty-five years each. Mrs. Root came to Borger in 1944. Mrs. Gillespie came to visit her from Arkansas in 1946 and never went back. Mrs. Gillespie taught in Borger Junior High School for 25 years. Mrs. Root taught at Borger High School for 26 years. Both retired in 1971. After retiring from BISD, Zelma Root taught at Frank Phillips Junior College for five years. Mrs. Gillespie had two sons, Dr. Hamp Gillespie and Dr. Mike Gillespie, who both graduated from Borger Independent School District. After Velma Gillespie passed away in October 1994, her sons wanted to honor their mother and aunt by establishing the foundation. The award is given to a deserving teacher in the academic field who possesses the following: A concern for students and the capability to inspire them.
The ability and willingness to work cooperatively with colleagues.
A drive to initiate activities that improve instruction for students.
An ability to work effectively with different groups in the community.
The desire to stay informed of current educational theories and practices”
An ability and willingness to make meaningful contributions to education.
Examples of innovations started in the nominees’ classrooms.
Campus nominees included: Manda Gowdy, Pre-K instructor at Paul Belton, Teresa Jeffers, Dyslexia instructor at Gateway Elementary; Tiffany Willis, 4th grade instructor at Crockett Elementary; Kacie Kaake, SPED math instructor at Borger Intermediate School; Shauna Campbell, 8th-grade math instructor at Borger Middle School, and Kevin Kuehler, Borger High School Band Director. This year, the Root-Gillespie award went to Teresa Jeffers. Mrs. Jeffers was recognized at the Borger ISD Convocation. She will receive $750 to spend in her classroom. Each campus nominee will receive $250 for their classroom. Several years ago, Borger ISD realized a need for teachers to help identify and meet the needs of students with dyslexia. Mrs. Jeffers selflessly offered to help serve BISD students by attending many trainings to widen her reach to these students. For four years, Mrs. Jeffers divided her day and expertise between Reading Recovery and the Borger Dyslexia program. Mrs. Jeffers also devotes herself to helping others outside of the world of education. She volunteers her time to helping raise money and shopping for disadvantaged children each Christmas through Angel Trees and Rainbow Room foster care projects. Gateway principal, Teresa Bodey states, “Teresa Jeffers has a calling, and it is teaching. She teaches not only her students, but she teaches us all in humble service and human kindness and true compassion. She leads by example - teaching us all to wear a smile, have faith and never stop learning. She is a beloved friend, colleague and a consummate professional. She is worthy of this award and continues to leave a legacy of learning to touch the lives of all she encounters.”
rebecca.calder
Borger ISD is pleased to announce Melissa Purcell will be the assistant principal at Crockett Elementary and Thomas Torres will be assistant principal at Borger Intermediate School.
Mrs. Purcell was the BISD District Math Coordinator last year and Mr. Torres taught at Borger Middle School. Mrs. Purcell is a Borger native and graduated from FPC with an Associate of Science, WTAMU with a Bachelor of Science and UTA with a Master in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She has been in education for 15 years – eleven of those years in BISD – teaching many subjects including Science, Social Studies, ELA, and Math. Mrs. Purcell states, “This year I look forward to learning and growing as an Assistant Principal under Principal Hatfield and look forward to becoming an integral part of the Crockett family.”
Mr. Torres has been a member of the Borger community since his family moved here in 1991. Graduating from Borger High in 1998, he is a true example of working hard to accomplish your dreams. Mr. Torres believes in Borger ISD and is proud to serve the citizens by supporting future students in becoming respectful and educated members of society. He gives credit to his success to his parents, family, and the many caring individuals that have influenced him positively throughout his own education. He believes, “There is no dream that cannot be achieved, no mountain that cannot be climbed if the individual never gives up on themselves and accepts help when they need it”.
rebecca.calder
Members of the Borger High School Mighty Bulldog Band recently attended an exhibition performance of Drum Corps International in Denton. Twenty-four band members, escorted by Kevin Kuehler, Borger HS band director, and Peter Mueller, Gruver HS band director, attended the DCI event held at Denton I.S.D. Collins Athletic Complex on July 19th.
DCI is a world-wide organization known as “Marching’s Major League”. The exhibition included performances by Arsenal of Albuquerque, NM, Music City of Nashville, TN, the Troopers of Casper, WY, the Mandarins of Sacramento, CA, the Colts of Dubuque, IA, the Crossmen of San Antonio, TX, Phantom Regiment of Rockford, IL, the Blue Knights of Denver, CO, the Cadets of Allentown, PA, Carolina Crown of Ft. Mill, SC and the Cavaliers of Rosemont, IL. The start of the performances was postponed until 7:45 pm due to record-setting heat in the DFW area. After the national anthem, each performance grew in complexity and scale with each corps. The student and director favorites were Music City’s show, which was entitled “Hell on Wheels”, a train-centered production and Carolina Crowns performance, entitled “Beast”. The Borger Band would like to thank the board and administration of Borger I.S.D. for the opportunity to attend this world-class performance. It was truly inspiring to students and teachers alike. The band’s 2018-19 marching season kicks off with summer band rehearsals on August 1st at 9:00 am in the BHS band hall.
rebecca.calder
The 2018-19 drum majors of the Borger High School Band attended band camp this past week. Frankie Barraza, a senior tenor sax player, and Kaleb Hughes, a sophomore trombone player, will be the drum majors for the 2018-19 edition of the Mighty Bulldog Marching Band. They attended band camp last week at West Texas A&M University in Canyon. Each student attending the camp auditioned for one of five high school bands at the camp on music provided by the university prior to the end of the 2017-18 school year. Frankie was a member of the HS Maroon Band, and Kaleb was in the HS Concert Band. All the camp bands performed a concert on Saturday, July 14th. Some of the pieces performed were Overture for Winds by Carter, Mount Everest by Galante, River of Dreams by Lopez and Shrek Dance Party, arranged by Murtha. In addition to playing in a band, Frankie and Kaleb had sectional rehearsals with an instructor with specific experience on their instrument. Both students also had the opportunity to take a private lesson on their instrument with WTAMU or band camp instructors. They were also in drum major and conducting classes. Instruction included basic conducting fundamentals, marching fundamentals and leadership techniques. Frankie and Kaleb attended camp on a scholarship provided for by the Borger Band Booster Club. Thanks go to the boosters for giving these students the opportunity to attend this fine camp. These exemplary students will now use this experience to further improve their participation in the Borger ISD band program.
rebecca.calder
|