The Dispatch, Vol. 30, Issue #2, 11.3.2017

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TRAINING WITH A BOXER Junior Evan Janowitz prepares for his boxing competition

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CONCERN OF STUDENT STRESS Students under dangerous levels of stress and what solutions are at hand

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DAY IN LIFE OF A ROCK CLIMBER Chris Lomeli climbs to new competitive heights as a boulderer

coming UP Nov. 7 AISD Bond voting day Nov. 20-24 Thanksgiving Break Nov. 30 Late Start Dec. 4-5 TFA State Qualifying Tournament

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Vol. 30, Issue 2 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

FRI. NOV. 3, 2017

THE DISPATCH

Climate survey reveals student body attitude Bullying, teacher-student respect, student engagement, and academic confidence are just a few of the areas that the AISD climate survey, a poll administered to AISD students, targets. In the spring of every school year, AISD conducts a student climate survey to gather statistics on the environments of each AISD school. The report assists district officials and Bowie administration to understand what areas need improvement. The area that garners the most concern is under student engagement, specifically in regards to a student’s level of enjoyment in school. “I think the reason that many students claim they do not enjoy the work they complete in class is that format is antiquated and feels disconnected to the rest of their lives,” school improvement facilitator Ruth Ann Widner said. Using the survey, administrators and teachers come up with ideas to improve student’s school experience. “I think that we could offer some more engaging courses at Bowie,” principal Mark Robinson said. “I feel like...we haven’t added new courses in a while, really hands on classes that have college and career connections.” Bowie plans to develop technology-based learning

by introducing personal student computers in the spring semester, as well as the recently implemented ‘Blend.’ “I think that there’s a lot that we can do with technology and instruction that make it more engaging to students,” Robinson said. “That is really where I feel like there was promise with blend that maybe hasn’t been fully realized, we still have to work out the kinks, but I’m hoping that we’re growing in that direction.” Student feedback is the main purpose for taking the climate survey, and it serves as a way to give adults a deeper understanding of a student’s needs to obtain a positive learning experience. “Work would be much more enjoyable if it were personalized projects, experience based learning, and engaging assignments,” senior Jimmy Counihan said. “I’m confident when I say the large number of people that don’t like class work transcends GPA and class rank, because even AP classes are teaching to a test so the class work can be bland and extremely serious.” Although the numbers are not drastic, there was a decrease in students feeling recognized and praised for their work. “I think letting kids know they are making a difference in our school community will help, and we see that done now with morning announcements- hopefully this can expand,” teacher

2017 Student Engagement Climate Survey Results 6.6 students out of 10 like to come to school

4.7 students out of 10 enjoy doing schoolwork 6.7 students out of 10 think that homework helps them learn things they need to know

ART BY Victoria Newell

Kiran Patel

News Editor

7.3 students out of 10 have fun learning in class Jessica Davis said. As a primary area of concern, low student engagement, is something that both administrative officials and students want to find a solution to. “Bowie administrators can improve engagement by finding additional funding for field trips and better classroom materials, giving teachers more professional development days to im-

prove their craft and create new lesson plans, and inspire connectivity between classes,” Counihan said. While staff and students solutions to these problems differ slightly, their end goal is the same; that students enjoy coming to school. “One thing administrators can do to improve the overall climate at school is to thoughtfully plan the course offerings each year

to ensure that students have options to take courses that allow for student innovation and creativity, and that match the student’s’ interests,” Widner said. “Our school leaders should also promote activities that support the social and emotional well-being of students.” Although the climate survey shows a few clear areas that need more attention and improvement , the over-

all results name Bowie as a welcoming and respectful environment. “I describe the classroom as this collaboration of learners, with the teacher as a learner and with the students as learners,” Robinson said. “Us learning from each other to understand what it takes in order for students to be able to learn and feel like that they are having fun.”

Post-game Whataburger enacts additional security

Due to the chaotic post-game student surge, Whataburger management has hired an officer Austyn Keelty Photo Editor

The post-game Whataburger tradition has been around for years. Either bonding over a win or grieving over a loss, students always have Whataburger to look forward to after any game. However, when traditions become a threat to students and other citizen’s safety, management is required to take precautions. Previously the Whataburger on Slaughter Lane had a part-time security detail and 24/7 live video running both in and around the premises. After a fight broke out between a customer and a student after the LBJ game, Whataburger decided to make some changes. “We decided to basically use security to prevent that from happening again. It’s mostly for safety, the reason being even though it’s a high school football game, high schoolers aren’t the only customers we have,” Whataburger manager Marcus Casillas said. “And as we saw during the first game, there was an altercation that occurred and could’ve been prevented if we did have security detail.” Every game night there will now be a security guard present the entire night after sporting events to ensure that laws are being followed and no more fights break out. Although it’s a high school related festivity, the reality of getting arrested or prosecuted is still possible. “Fewer people want to provoke altercation with a presence of a police officer, so not only do the

FOCUS IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS: A Whataburger employee stays focused on checking people out despite the post-game buzz. New security has been added by the restaurant to keep customers safe after sporting events. PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

customers feel safer, but the employees feel safer as well,” Casillas said. Due to the fact that Whataburger is off school grounds, Bowie High School has no liability in possible future violence; however, the overall actions of students, in or outside of school, still reflect Bow-

ie High School as a whole. “I feel like it reflects poorly on us as a student body because they feel that we need an officer there,” junior Rylee Holder said. “But I don’t think we need one there; we are all adults.” However, some students do not see a need for the extra security,

and that the security officer’s presence is a little stifling on the original post-game atmosphere. “I do not feel as if it’s necessary, maybe the staff at Whataburger does, but I don’t really think that we’re that disruptive or anything, just trying to have fun,” Holder said. “I don’t feel anymore safe,

because there was nothing scary happening in the first place. But it’s a little annoying having him there because he just stares at you and it’s kind of weird.” Nevertheless, the security officer has already aided some students trying to enjoy the postgame tradition. “He helped me jump my friends car after a game at like 12:30 in the morning, so that was helpful because her car was completely dead and it wouldn’t start and I needed help,” Holder said. Many students like the security officer. “That guy is super chill, he’s awesome,” junior Levi Ander said. Transitioning from total freedom to restrictions like a security officer has either had a negative or positive impact on students; moreover, the Whataburger tradition will have a different atmosphere from here on out. “My experience really hasn’t changed. It’s still just normal Whataburger,” Ander said. “He’s just really there to protect students from getting hurt, but it’s a little different because people are scared and it’s not as fun when people are nervous and scared to be around that environment.” Due to the positive results the security officer’s presence has made, Whataburger management also wants to keep the officer there for basketball season if possible. “One altercation is one too many. We want to make sure that we feel safe, the customers feel safe, and that everyone gets their food and is happy,” Casillas said.


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