From Restoring Tractors To Art And Photography, Hays CISD Students Do It All

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

Hays Consolidated Independent School District strives to “nurture students to become extraordinary citizens through unique, personal educational experiences through an innovative community of learners while celebrating our diversity and legacy.”

Hays CISD is home to two four-year high schools, six middle schools (6-8 grade), fourteen elementary schools, an alternative high school of choice and disciplinary center.

Hays CISD has nearly 20,000 students enrolled between its 24 campuses according to the district’s website.

Here is a quick look at what Hays CISD students and staff were up to the week of January 21 thru January 25. 

On January 23, Hays CISD recognized three Lehman High School welding and construction students’ efforts to restore a 1954 Farmall 100 tractor.

The tractor was purchased by the Heiser Family in 1959 and housed on their ranch in Seguin for years.

On October 9, 2018, Junior Julian Padilla, Senior Trent Armstrong and Senior Ray Heiser began work on restoring it to its original glory. After nearly four months of work, the restoration is complete; the tractor will be shown as part of the Hays County Stock Show.

The Hays CISD Digital Learning Team has created an online magazine highlighting some of the incredible things going on throughout the district on Wednesday. This is their first edition, and the district is looking forward to sharing more of their stories in the coming months.

Hays High School junior Illiana Dedlgao has been recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2019 Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. A student of HHS RT teacher Angela Milligan, Illiana’s recognized work is in the Sculpture category and the striking piece she created in part portrays the Aztec’s fabled Quetzalcoatl.

Exciting things are happening at Fuentes Elementary School. Residents and parents may remember that last year the campus became a Fine Arts Focus School. This year, the district is thrilled to announce the addition of a world music program at the campus.

For kindergarten through second grade, the world music program will have an emphasis on percussion. Third through fifth graders at the campus will concentrate on string instruments. These courses will teach students skills necessary to play instrumental music.

Hays CISD believes participation in fine arts promotes a healthy and well-balanced educational experience. Students who connect with their creativity learn valuable skills. Additionally, they build lasting friendships and deep connections to their campuses by joining a band or theatre troupe and entering other types of fine arts competitions and performances.

Applications to transfer to the Fuentes Fine Arts Focus Campus are open through Thursday, February 28, 2019.
All student transfer requests must be submitted electronically at:

• www.hayscisd.net/FineArts2019
• www.hayscisd.net/BellasArtes2019 (En Español)

For more information about the Fuentes Fine Arts Focus Campus, contact Principal Regina Butcher at Regina.Butcher@hayscisd.net.

Students who live in the Fuentes Elementary attendance zone are automatically accepted to the program. Parents should register for school as normal next year. New transfer requests are accepted from students who attend any Hays CISD elementary school. Students who are already on an approved transfer to attend Fuentes do not need to reapply. Seats are limited and new transfer requests will be considered in the order in which applications are received. No transportation is provided for Fine Arts Focus transfers.

On Thursday, the Hays CISD Child Nutrition Department released a message for Hays CISD parents, who are furloughed federal employees or working without pay.

Children of government employees who are furloughed or working without pay may be eligible to receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch meals at Hays CISD.

Hays CISD Child Nutrition services encourages households that experience a change in economic circumstances to apply for free and reduced meal benefits. Furloughed employees or employees required to work without pay qualify as a change in economic circumstances.

Affected families my apply online at https://www.schoolcafe.com/#/initial.

If anyone has any further questions, please contact the Child Nutrition Office at (512)268-1336.

Eleven talented, creative Lehman High School Art Department students have been recognized in the 2019 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards regional competition! All of the honored students are Lobo Photography 3 or Photography 4 students of LHS Art teacher Debra Flynn and all of the recognized entries are in the Photography category.

The “golden lining” to the big news is that two of the honorees–Daniel Ramirez (with five recognized entries) and James Trevino are GOLD Key winners, qualifying them for national judging and a possible trip to New York City.

Two of Daniel’s recognized pieces received Silver Keys and Sean Simcoe won a Silver Key, as well. Honorable Mention recognition went to Jay Barrientos, Jessica Benitez Garcia, Madelyn Bowen, Trysta Briones, Kalei Engleman, Emma Hodges, Anjaenette Medellin Garcia (2 HM awards), Clarisa Sanchez, and Daniel Ramirez (2 HM awards).