The Dispatch, Vol. 30, Issue #6, 05.18.18

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MONET'S GARDEN Students celebrate a milestone in high school at a prom night inspired by Oscar-Claude Monet

GLIDING ON ICE Freshman Eliza Sparkes transitions from the UK while holding onto a passion for ice skating

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FINAL GOODBYES Senior staff members of the Dispatch reflect on the past four years of high school

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FRI. MAY 18, 2018

One year of Bulldog Nation

Jocelyn Brooks

Managing Editor

READ MORE “Robinson” pg. 2

May 30 Graduation June 2 SAT Testing June 4-9 Summer Drama Camp June 12 Deadline for Schedule Changes

Vol. 30, Issue 6 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

THE DISPATCH In the beginning, students on campus were introduced to the man behind Bulldog Nation, principal Mark Robinson, who not only gave the school new leadership, but a new voice. Nine months later, it became clear his plans for the school included much more than a new catch-phrase. “When he took over as the principal of Bowie he didn't come in and immediately make a lot of changes: he listened and asked questions,” administrative assistant Katie Gilman said. Following assistant principal Susan Leos’ interim role as principal, Robinson maintained her high involvement with the student body and utilized it to form better relationships with the students. “I've been fortunate enough to work with Ms. Leos and I have an understanding of who she is, and the thing I appreciate most about her is how relational she is and I've certainly tried to continue that because I think that is important,” Robinson said. “Whether it's the little bit of time I have to visit with everybody in the morning and doing the announcements or being in the classrooms— there's a lot the principal has to do and unfortunately a lot of it keeps me in my office, but I'm trying to get out of my office as much as possible because that’s the fun part of the job. That’s why I got into being a teacher: because I wanted to work with kids, not because I wanted to sit in an office all day.” This also inspired a “Principal’s Panel” for students of all grade levels who meet to talk about and share their views of the different aspects of the school and its functions. “We periodically meet and it's to make sure that I’m keeping my finger on the pulse of the student body,” Robinson said. “Then being able to get that feedback and put that into the conversations with the teachers I speak with is really helpful.” In addition to this, Robinson has developed relationships with student council Co-Presidents Jimmy Counihan and Mateo Huerta to further communicate with students. “Mateo and I are actually the first student council presidents to have a private audience with the principal,” Counihan said. “Traditionally, student council has acted completely separate from administration with the exception of CAC meetings where student council representatives are more or less figure-heads for the student body. While I still think the voice of students can and should be expanded greatly, I was happy that I was the one to reach out to Mr. Robinson and schedule our first meeting.”

coming UP

A review of the first year under Mark Robinson's leadership

a look

BACK

AUGUST

AUGUST

BOWIE STAR

Analyzing changes made this year under Robinson

On August 3, Robinson begins a weekly newsletter via email notifying the community about events happening on and around the campus.

"BULLDOG NATION"

On August 21, Robinson first coins the name "Bulldog Nation" when referencing the students and faculty on campus during morning announcements.

SEPTEMBER

PRINCIPAL PANEL

JANUARY

On September 28, Robinson held the first principal panel which allows for students of all grades to give feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the campus.

EVERYONE:1

On January 12, AISD issued chromebooks were distributed to students around campus under the organization of Robinson.

PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

FEBRUARY UPDATED SECURITY

Following February 14, the school shooting at Parkland, Robinson implemented changes to campus security to ensure the safety of students and faculty.

Campus improvements to be made during summer Maddy Rice

Managing Editor

In your first period class, you're wearing a hoodie, jeans and a blanket around your legs. But in the hallways, you're using your jacket to dab sweat off your forehead. By second period, it’s so humid and stuffy that you’re wishing you never wore jeans. The Bowie heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system has been a popular source of complaints from students, but the school has been unable to address the issues fully until now, thanks to the new AISD bond money. From June 1 to July 29, Bowie will be closed for renovations to the

hydroponic piping that operate the HVAC system in order to improve comfort in classrooms. During this time period, the Bowie office staff will be relocated to Akins High School. As a two summer project, the first installment will be the start to a better learning environment for students and staff alike, as described by the school’s Management Assistant to the Principal Debby Theis. “I am hopeful that once this project is finished, the student and faculty can look forward to entering a classroom that will be comfortable and conducive to learning on a daily basis,” Theis said. In order to preserve the safety of Bowie community

members, summer activities taking place at the school have been relocated to alternative locations. One of

march,” junior drum major Adam Dinkins said. “That camp will be moved to Bailey as well as our indoor

“ I am hopeful that once this project is

finished, the student and faculty can look forward to entering a classroom that will be comfortable and conducive to learning on a daily basis.” - Debby Theis

the activities affected is the summer camp for marching band students. “We have a camp dedicated to teaching the incoming freshmen how to

summer band rehearsals in August.” Despite the change in scenery, Dinkins is confident that he and his peers will be able to adapt to the changes

being thrown at them. “I believe that even though we are in a different environment, we will still be able to teach the incoming freshmen what they need to be successful in the fall,” Dinkins said. Another organization being affected is the Silver Stars, whose summer “kiddie camp” is where the team teaches students from 1st grade to 9th different dances and activities. Like the band camp, kiddie camp is also being moved to Bailey Middle School. “It will be kind of hard keeping all the kids since we aren't gonna be in our big gym here,” Silver Star junior Cecilia Ortiz said. “Finding space to practice our dances because the

school isn't as familiar to us as Bowie is. But other than that, the relocation won’t affect the running of the camp much.” For students who have been enduring HVAC problems for a while now, the promise of solving the issue has given students hope for the idea that they might not have to wear layers to school when it’s 90 degrees out. “I've been at Bowie for three years now, so having very inconsistent air conditioning has just become a regular part of Bowie for me,” junior Sophie Bega said. “I’m very excited to have a more reliable system in place to ensure the comfort of students and teachers.”


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