In November of 2009, Alex Brown, a 17 year old from Wellman Texas, was killed, not by a car, but by a simple text message. She lost control of her truck when she was texting and driving. A couple of weeks before the car accident, she had over 10,000 text messages. Her mother, Mrs. Brown, who teaches at the same school, heard that Alex had not made it to school yet. Scared, her mom called her phone and she did not answer. Her mom went looking for her and found her in the grass next to what once was her truck. Her truck had rolled over after she had flown out through the passenger’s side window.
Her mom called 911 hoping and praying that her daughter was going to be able to make it through. Hours passed by before the family finally had to say goodbye. From that day on, the family decided to make a foundation called Remember Alex Brown Foundation. Her parents go from state to state building awareness of the danger of texting and driving. Her parents display her beat up truck on a trailer to show teen just how bad texting and driving can truly be. The Brown’s also promote a device called “Get Home Safe.” This device is programmed to block all texts while the vehicle is operating. The device will also send a text to the parents if the device is being tampered with, the device costs $99, but is worth having to save your life and possibly the lives of others.
Is answering a text worth risking your life or someone else’s? We all know what consequences can occur when we are texting and driving, yet we still keep on texting when we’re behind the wheel. According to the “Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics” on www.edgarsnyder.com, the age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers is the twenty and under age group. Sixteen percent of all drivers younger than twenty are involved in fatal crashes. Over 90 percent of teens admit to doing multiple tasks while driving, such as talking on the cell phone, texting, eating, playing loud music, using mp3 players, and interacting with friends in the car. The teens polled admit texting diverts their attention, but they keep on doing it.
Should we be surprised that teens are texting while driving? Part of the problem is that some adults are not setting the example of safe driving. According to txtndrvie.com, “More adults than teens are texting while driving.” Forty-seven percent of texting adults admitted to having sent or read a text message while driving compared to 34 percent for teen drivers who admitted the same. “It is just as hard for adults as it is for teens to resist chatting with their friends sending off that quick text even in the midst of heavy traffic,” Lee Rainie says to the reporter. Lee Rainie believes that the adults are concerned about their teen’s texting behind the wheel but, before they deal with their children problems, they should focus on setting a good example.
Drivers who text behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to crash than a non-distracted driver. One of the most surprising facts is that this activity is more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. In his article “Texting while driving statistics” on Buzzle.com, Abhijit Naik reveals that a person who is texting while driving at the speed of 35 mph will cover 25ft before bringing the car to complete halt as compared to a distance of 4ft which a drunk driver would cover at the same speed. While texting and driving, the crash can take place in just about 2-3 seconds, with the driver’s reaction time being reduced substantially.
Each year 2,600 people die while using cell phones while driving. As a result, almost 28 states have banned texting while behind the wheel. Seven states prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving, such as California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. The Federal government prohibits the usage of cell phones on any official business or while using government-supplied equipment.
For the safety of the road and for our, or others ,lives, we should all think before we text while driving. Many places in the United States are teaching about the safety of driving. The Alex Brown Foundation helps in this effort by showing the teens at school what can happen while texting while driving. Also, Keepthedrive.com is having high school journalism classes write an article about statistics and facts about the dangers of texting while driving. Keepthedrive.com is awarding the winning high school journalism class up to 2,000 dollars, 2nd place 1,000 dollars, and third place 750 dollars. These are the types of leadership and initiative that we need to make us more aware of the dangers involved when we are distracted by our cell phones behind the wheel. Perhaps, with this awareness, we can save lives in the future.
No one wants to go through the pain of seeing their loved one’s dead body or crashed car due to texting behind the wheel. We need to educate teens and adults about how hazardous texting while driving is. One thing we could do to stop texting while driving for both adults and teens is have a national week developed to, showing cars, and photos and videos about real situations that have occurred or can occur while you’re distracted on your phone. All these events could be part of a rally that concludes with a pledge to not text while behind the wheel
Parents should also sit down with their teens to talk about the safety issues on the road, they should tell their teens how texting while driving is the number one high factor for deaths in the United States. We should frightening drivers to make them think twice before they take their eyes off the road and put their minds on their phone. If your phone rings, pull over and take your texts and phone calls off the street while driving. A text message and a phone call can wait because it is either your life or another person’s life when you put your thumbs to work on a cell phone while driving. The more we are aware of the danger, the more people will listen. Together we can do it because not one person can change habit.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
FFA Article
Manor High School and Manor Middle School FFA (Future Farmers of America) students had the chance to participate as extras in a great movie, “Deep in the Heart”, based on the life of Dick Wallrath last Thursday, January 13, 2011. Dick Wallrath, the man who the movie is based on, is the single largest individual donor of the Texas FFA Association.
The students worked alongside actors and actresses, including Jon Gries, Dean Cain, Val Kilmer, and special cameo by Governor Rick Perry. The students really enjoyed themselves and enjoyed working with the actors and actresses. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students. The FFA students at MHS who participated in the film as extras include: Maria Cortez, Andrew Fiebig, Andres Hernandez, April Holman, Robert Horn, Lilibeth Ibarra, Devonta Jenkins Samantha lewis, Magen Manis, Maddy McKinney, Javier Mondragon, Nichole Morse, Mason Nyman, Brianna Ortiz, Michaela Ortiz, Harper Ortis, Cristina Reyes, Matthew Riley, Samantha Rodriguez, Chris Siens, Chad Smith, Megan Thurmond, and Jourdan Tucker.
These students hope that they will have another great opportunity to participate in a wonderful movie like the “Deep in the Heart” again.
The students worked alongside actors and actresses, including Jon Gries, Dean Cain, Val Kilmer, and special cameo by Governor Rick Perry. The students really enjoyed themselves and enjoyed working with the actors and actresses. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students. The FFA students at MHS who participated in the film as extras include: Maria Cortez, Andrew Fiebig, Andres Hernandez, April Holman, Robert Horn, Lilibeth Ibarra, Devonta Jenkins Samantha lewis, Magen Manis, Maddy McKinney, Javier Mondragon, Nichole Morse, Mason Nyman, Brianna Ortiz, Michaela Ortiz, Harper Ortis, Cristina Reyes, Matthew Riley, Samantha Rodriguez, Chris Siens, Chad Smith, Megan Thurmond, and Jourdan Tucker.
These students hope that they will have another great opportunity to participate in a wonderful movie like the “Deep in the Heart” again.
Soccer pre-season
This is a rebuilding year for our soccer program. The loss of key players due to graduation and injuries has left the Mustang soccer team stumbling through the pre-season. “I scheduled tough teams that would get us ready for district,” said Coach Rawls, head coach of the Soccer program. Rawls experienced the success of the Cross Country program due to their hard preparation during the pre-season and expects the soccer guys to do the same. “We have an extremely talented group of young men and I’m sure we will have success for the next couple of years,” added Coach Rawls.
The first games of 2011 were tough. The Mustangs faced Lockhart at home the first game and took a painful loss 2-0.The next couple of games against Lehman and Vandergrift were also losses. Then, the Mustangs went to the Rebel cup that took place at Hays. There, they faced their rival from last year Del Valle (5A) and lost after a very well-fought game. The second round of the tournament, the Mustangs faced Steele (5A) and took another loss but they played (what the Coach considered) the best game the Mustangs have had this year. “We beat them to the ball every time but we just need to hit the net,” said Coach Rawls. The last round of the tournament, the Mustangs played Leander and by this moment, the team had already consolidated and seemed to be working together as a unit. The Mustangs walked into the Rebel Cup as a not very organized and unstable team. They walked out, not with a first place but with lots of invaluable experience and union. The team had grown together and was ready to win.
The Mustangs won their first game this past Tuesday, January 18th, at home against Seguin (4A). The final score was 3-0 after a game that was completely dominated by the Mustangs. The way the team moved the ball and controlled the game was impressive and very much improved from the first games. “Sometimes you just gotta take lumps that will make you better,” said Coach Rawls. The Mustang Soccer team is in a 4A District which promises good results for this season.
The first games of 2011 were tough. The Mustangs faced Lockhart at home the first game and took a painful loss 2-0.The next couple of games against Lehman and Vandergrift were also losses. Then, the Mustangs went to the Rebel cup that took place at Hays. There, they faced their rival from last year Del Valle (5A) and lost after a very well-fought game. The second round of the tournament, the Mustangs faced Steele (5A) and took another loss but they played (what the Coach considered) the best game the Mustangs have had this year. “We beat them to the ball every time but we just need to hit the net,” said Coach Rawls. The last round of the tournament, the Mustangs played Leander and by this moment, the team had already consolidated and seemed to be working together as a unit. The Mustangs walked into the Rebel Cup as a not very organized and unstable team. They walked out, not with a first place but with lots of invaluable experience and union. The team had grown together and was ready to win.
The Mustangs won their first game this past Tuesday, January 18th, at home against Seguin (4A). The final score was 3-0 after a game that was completely dominated by the Mustangs. The way the team moved the ball and controlled the game was impressive and very much improved from the first games. “Sometimes you just gotta take lumps that will make you better,” said Coach Rawls. The Mustang Soccer team is in a 4A District which promises good results for this season.
MHS Girls Soccer 2011
The Manor Girls Varsity Soccer team has started off well this season with a record of five wins, one loss, and one tie. Despite the fact the team lost many keys players Laura Bustillos, Martha Salas, Kenia Navarro, Ada Portillo, Jazmin De Paz, and Lina Diaz due to there final year in High School. New players have joined with harder practices to make up for the loss.
The Lady Mustangs started off the season with some new changes such moving last year’s goalkeeper Megan Krueger to the field. Her goalie position was given to Katelyn Jameson, who has done a fantastic job so far. With some extra changes from Coach Guerra, the team seems to be going in a positive direction.
The Mustangs season started with friendly matches against Lanier. The game ended with a tie of 1-1. There were no surprises as this was just the first game. That would give the Mustangs a chance to change their flaws. Brackenridge and Lehman were right after, and the Lady Mustangs defeated both teams by one goal.
The Lady Mustangs went to play in a tournament at Brenham, TX an where, they would play against five teams. The Mustangs witnessed their first loss against St. Michaels High School who didn’t hold back and defeated the Mustangs 4-0. The Lady Mustangs were quick to react in their second match against La Grange that ended with a 6-0 win. Lamar and Huntsville were then later defeated by the Lady Mustangs giving them an overall record in the tournament of 4-1.
The Lady Mustangs went to Del Valley, Texas to face rival Del Valley High School, which seemed to be an even match. The match ended with a tie of 1-1 and both crowds rooted for their teams until the final whistle blow. With fantastic game play and impressive record of 5-1-2, you can be sure the Lady Mustangs are ready for their district games. Please come support the Lady Mustangs and school pride for on the great talent they have been showing in their first few games.
The Lady Mustangs started off the season with some new changes such moving last year’s goalkeeper Megan Krueger to the field. Her goalie position was given to Katelyn Jameson, who has done a fantastic job so far. With some extra changes from Coach Guerra, the team seems to be going in a positive direction.
The Mustangs season started with friendly matches against Lanier. The game ended with a tie of 1-1. There were no surprises as this was just the first game. That would give the Mustangs a chance to change their flaws. Brackenridge and Lehman were right after, and the Lady Mustangs defeated both teams by one goal.
The Lady Mustangs went to play in a tournament at Brenham, TX an where, they would play against five teams. The Mustangs witnessed their first loss against St. Michaels High School who didn’t hold back and defeated the Mustangs 4-0. The Lady Mustangs were quick to react in their second match against La Grange that ended with a 6-0 win. Lamar and Huntsville were then later defeated by the Lady Mustangs giving them an overall record in the tournament of 4-1.
The Lady Mustangs went to Del Valley, Texas to face rival Del Valley High School, which seemed to be an even match. The match ended with a tie of 1-1 and both crowds rooted for their teams until the final whistle blow. With fantastic game play and impressive record of 5-1-2, you can be sure the Lady Mustangs are ready for their district games. Please come support the Lady Mustangs and school pride for on the great talent they have been showing in their first few games.
MHS Broadcast Journalism triumphs!
This year, the MHS Broadcast Journalism decided to compete in the Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. The competition was open to all Travis County High Schools and Middle Schools. The requirements of the competition were to produce a 30 seconds video, whose purpose was to raise awareness of Dating Violence and Substance Abuse. Our Broadcast Journalism team won first place in the PSA Announcement beating many schools including last year’s winner, Westlake High School. The videos main actor (Logan Rambo) acted as a teenager who refused to take liquor, and had a glimpse of what would happen if he did. Other main contributors to the video included William Gutierrez and Quitin Walker as producer and camera man. The video will be shown on local TV and screened at the 6th annual Austin Student Filmmaking Expo.
The College and Career Center (both parts)
Written By: Haley Malone
College and Career Center
Our Manor High School College and Career Center is opening doors for the students of Manor High School to have the option to go to college or trade-school. The College and Career Center is designed to encourage freshmen to start thinking about college as well as preparing juniors and seniors to get ready to start applying to colleges. Mrs. Caldwell and Mr. De Leon are the masterminds behind the College and Career Center.
I interviewed Mrs. Caldwell about her thoughts and hopes for the program. The first question I asked her was what made her exactly want to start this program at Manor High School. Her response was that she wanted to expand the dreams of students at Manor High School beyond this town and the closed-mindedness and thoughts that you have to stay in-state or pick an agricultural career. She wanted to open up doors for our students and give them more opportunities.
Next, I asked her how her previous job had prepared her for working as the College Advisor for our district. She told me that she’s been in education for 25 years working in teaching, coaching, and administration. The correlation of work ethics and motivation from coaching has been great for her job as College Advisor at Manor High School. She said that being in administration helped her with leadership but that she would rather be around students. She likes to be a motivational leader for the students as well as an advocate for them. She really loves her students.
Then, I asked her what her hopes were for this program at Manor High. She told me that her hope was to have our program nationally recognized. She wants this program to be all about the students. She stated that the Texas A&M Admissions person told her they have received more applications from Manor High School than from any other high school in the Central Texas region.
I then asked her if she likes how the program is and if she was happy with the progress it is making. She said that the program is off to a great start and she’s happy the awareness of being able to go to college is being made more available to the students. She knows very well herself that going to college can change a person’s life. Last year about 91% of students applied to college throughout the United States.
I then asked her how she advertises the College and Career center to the students to make them more aware of its help and benefits. She said that there are always posters and bulletin boards around. The upcoming website will also get more students to be informed. There are also announcements about the College and Career Center.
The final question I asked was if she really loved what she was doing. She said, “Of course, I love doing this for the students, to help them to open doors.” It’s what Mrs. Caldwell and Mr. De Leon are here for.
Students Speak Out about College and Career Center
The College and Career Center is for the students, and so are Mr. De Leon and Ms. Caldwell. They are the reason for the success, but I wanted to know how the students felt about it. I interviewed a few students from the class of 2011who spent time in the College and Career center about how they felt about the College and Career Center and how they feel it benefits the student body.
The first student I interviewed was Cristopher Gutierrez, who recently got accepted into University of Texas at Austin and Texas A & M. I asked him how he felt the College and Career Center was benefitting him, and he responded by saying that the college and career center helped him fulfill his applications to college, which was the reason for his acceptances. He then told me that, after getting accepted to the colleges, they are now helping him complete financial aid. I asked him then if he had any suggestions about making the College and Career Center a better place and he says that it is fine the way it is, so he doesn’t see any real reason to change it. Cristopher says that Ms. Caldwell was a big influence for him to go the College and Career Center and apply to college, and she pushed him to complete his applications. He says had it not been for Ms. Caldwell, he most likely would’ve not come into the College and Career Center to start the application process, and that she is a great motivation.
I also interviewed Christina Villalobos about her thoughts on the College and Career Center. She told me that she feels the college and career center has helped her by helping her to find scholarships, apply to college and get accepted to college. She got accepted to Tarleton State and West Texas A&M. I asked her how she thought the College and Career Center was benefitting the students at our school, and she responded by saying that “It is benefitting a lot of people here because the staff in there know what they are doing:” I asked her if there was any way for the college and career center to be a better place and she said, “They definitely need more computers!” She also said the center could be a lot bigger.
In all, the College and Career Center, to students, has been a good place. They’re truly doing their best to help the students plan their future, and speaking to a few students, it is working. We just want to thank the College and Career Center and Mr. De Leon and Ms. Caldwell for all of their hard work.
College and Career Center
Our Manor High School College and Career Center is opening doors for the students of Manor High School to have the option to go to college or trade-school. The College and Career Center is designed to encourage freshmen to start thinking about college as well as preparing juniors and seniors to get ready to start applying to colleges. Mrs. Caldwell and Mr. De Leon are the masterminds behind the College and Career Center.
I interviewed Mrs. Caldwell about her thoughts and hopes for the program. The first question I asked her was what made her exactly want to start this program at Manor High School. Her response was that she wanted to expand the dreams of students at Manor High School beyond this town and the closed-mindedness and thoughts that you have to stay in-state or pick an agricultural career. She wanted to open up doors for our students and give them more opportunities.
Next, I asked her how her previous job had prepared her for working as the College Advisor for our district. She told me that she’s been in education for 25 years working in teaching, coaching, and administration. The correlation of work ethics and motivation from coaching has been great for her job as College Advisor at Manor High School. She said that being in administration helped her with leadership but that she would rather be around students. She likes to be a motivational leader for the students as well as an advocate for them. She really loves her students.
Then, I asked her what her hopes were for this program at Manor High. She told me that her hope was to have our program nationally recognized. She wants this program to be all about the students. She stated that the Texas A&M Admissions person told her they have received more applications from Manor High School than from any other high school in the Central Texas region.
I then asked her if she likes how the program is and if she was happy with the progress it is making. She said that the program is off to a great start and she’s happy the awareness of being able to go to college is being made more available to the students. She knows very well herself that going to college can change a person’s life. Last year about 91% of students applied to college throughout the United States.
I then asked her how she advertises the College and Career center to the students to make them more aware of its help and benefits. She said that there are always posters and bulletin boards around. The upcoming website will also get more students to be informed. There are also announcements about the College and Career Center.
The final question I asked was if she really loved what she was doing. She said, “Of course, I love doing this for the students, to help them to open doors.” It’s what Mrs. Caldwell and Mr. De Leon are here for.
Students Speak Out about College and Career Center
The College and Career Center is for the students, and so are Mr. De Leon and Ms. Caldwell. They are the reason for the success, but I wanted to know how the students felt about it. I interviewed a few students from the class of 2011who spent time in the College and Career center about how they felt about the College and Career Center and how they feel it benefits the student body.
The first student I interviewed was Cristopher Gutierrez, who recently got accepted into University of Texas at Austin and Texas A & M. I asked him how he felt the College and Career Center was benefitting him, and he responded by saying that the college and career center helped him fulfill his applications to college, which was the reason for his acceptances. He then told me that, after getting accepted to the colleges, they are now helping him complete financial aid. I asked him then if he had any suggestions about making the College and Career Center a better place and he says that it is fine the way it is, so he doesn’t see any real reason to change it. Cristopher says that Ms. Caldwell was a big influence for him to go the College and Career Center and apply to college, and she pushed him to complete his applications. He says had it not been for Ms. Caldwell, he most likely would’ve not come into the College and Career Center to start the application process, and that she is a great motivation.
I also interviewed Christina Villalobos about her thoughts on the College and Career Center. She told me that she feels the college and career center has helped her by helping her to find scholarships, apply to college and get accepted to college. She got accepted to Tarleton State and West Texas A&M. I asked her how she thought the College and Career Center was benefitting the students at our school, and she responded by saying that “It is benefitting a lot of people here because the staff in there know what they are doing:” I asked her if there was any way for the college and career center to be a better place and she said, “They definitely need more computers!” She also said the center could be a lot bigger.
In all, the College and Career Center, to students, has been a good place. They’re truly doing their best to help the students plan their future, and speaking to a few students, it is working. We just want to thank the College and Career Center and Mr. De Leon and Ms. Caldwell for all of their hard work.
Brackmeyer Interview
On Tuesday, January 11th, The WORD had an interview with Mr. Brackmeyer to talk about the schedule changes this semester. We decide to have the interview to answer the questions the student body had about the changes. We hoped to gain insight on the situation from Mr. Brackmeyer’s point of view so that we could then spread the information throughout the student body. In doing this, we hope that the students will understand that the changes are going to stay and that the people who made the changes are making the changes with good intentions and a common purpose.
Journalism: What was the purpose of the schedule change exactly?
Brackmeyer: One reason why the schedule changed was because the bus schedule was tied directly to the elementary and middle school schedule and because they changed our high school had to change as well .Also, I had a clear response saying that the students wanted more time to study and work on assignment that they had missed or weren’t there for do to whatever reason.
Journalism: Why don’t we start at 9:00?
Brackmeyer: 8:42 is later than most high schools. If it was my perfect world, I wished to start at 8:15 or 8:20 so that we could get out early and do more things later in the day. Since we are so dependent on the bus we have to end school later on in the day. Another reason is that there would be a lot of traffic if we ended later.
Journalism: Why are Monday lunches are different from the rest of the week? Why are they by halls instead of if you have A lunch you just go to A lunch?
Brackmeyer: One lunch would be over balanced because the number of students that are in interventions and freshman capture.
Journalism: Describe the decision making process at MHS?
Brackmeyer: The Manor high school leadership team meets every Tuesday and discusses all the issues and topics that pertain to our campus. Most decisions that are made are within the manor leadership team.
Journalism: Were you looking forward to this semester’s change?
Brackmeyer: Yup. I sure was.
This interview will be continued in the next article.
Journalism: What are your expectations for the students this semester?
Brackmeyer: I have high expectations to reach Exemplary status. I expect most students to be successful in their classes. I want students to reach Commended on TAKS. “We have a lot of potential in Manor High School…..there is no reason we can’t be an Exemplary campus.”
Journalism: How are the expectations for this semester going to happen with the new schedule?
Brackmeyer: The schedule change better accommodates the expectations for the student.
Journalism: Do you think that the new schedule could somehow hurt us or hit us in a negative way?
Brackmeyer: I feel like this schedule is only going to better accommodate my expectations. The academic study hall allows the students to work on their grades and things that they need to get done with teacher and missing work.
Journalism: Why were so many students told that if they would try harder to pass the benchmarks they would get out of interventions?
Brackmeyer: The thought process behind that is that students that are in interventions would try hard to get out and then they could be pulled out of the interventions. If you did pass your benchmark that will allow you to be released from them.
Journalism: How come so many students were not released?
Brackmeyer: The reason kids are still in there is because we are still in the process of evaluating were they are and at that point Mrs. Robertson is in charge of the decision with Mrs. Mann and I.
Journalism: Why did you change the name of advisory to M.A.S.H.?
Brackmeyer: The reason we changed is because you are no longer doing a 15 minute advisory and they were not really all that effective. Like I said earlier in the video, we talked about making an academic study hall. Therefore, we called is Manor’s Academic Study Hall or M.A.S.H. (for short) and also the expectations are different than those in advisory.
Journalism: Most students think that intervention and advisory is a waste of time or it is to long. What do you think about this?
Brackmeyer: If you don’t like being in interventions, take the time to study and work hard and pass the TAKS, because, in the end, when it is all said and done if, you do not pass the TAKS test, you do not graduate high school. There is no way we can change that rule or work around it. The interventions are created to help provide the tools the students will need to pass the TAKS. It is not a punishment.
Journalism: Why would you put M.A.S.H. after 3rd period?
Brackmeyer: Research has shown that they (interventions) are more effective in the morning because, by the end of the day, the students are tired. Some students need the time in the morning because, if they are athletes, they normally have to get out of 7th period to leave for a game. Now, if they were at the end of the day, they would not be able to get out of interventions to play the game.
Journalism: Last semester you said in one of our interviews that you make changes and like to hear responses from the student body. How can you listen to the student body if no one is asking us how we feel about the schedule change?
Brackmeyer: Well, I think that I have asked. I am listening and I understand that with change there is always going to be criticism. I do try to listen but at the end of the day we have to make the ultimate decision to do what is in the best interest to the student. I will always be here to listen.
When our cameras turned off, we sat and had a conversation with him. The things he said were honest and just so moving. When we were sitting all together without the video he said everything with a passion. The one thing I remembered the most was when he said, “When you get that (college degree) no one can take it away from you...It is yours and it will always be yours.” What he said is true. Once we get out of here and into college and graduate, that college degree is yours. Now, he also talked a lot about being fair. “In high school, I am teaching you to be fair, because out in the real world, it is not going to be fair.” When he said this, I realized that he is trying to be fair so that when we leave here we will understand that, yes, things may not be fair, but just because things are not fair does not mean that we cannot be fair. I feel we as humans should never judge someone on their decision or situations they get themselves into. We should take the lesson that Mr. Brackmeyer is trying to teach and apply that to our everyday lives. Before you judge someone, be fair, and don’t be afraid to ask questions, because that is the most important thing you can do to, find out what truly is really going on.
In the end, we gained true insight on how everything works at MHS and why our staff members do what they do. I know that, as kids, when we come to school and a change is made or a teacher gets mad or upset with us, we tend to act like the victims of everything. When I came back from the break just to find out that the schedule changed, I was really upset. I heard from a lot of the kids, “Man it’s not fair,” or “It’s all Mr. Brackmeyer’s fault.” This interview showed us that Mr. Brackmeyer is not a bad man. In fact, he is a very good, fair man. He bases most of his decisions on what we, the students, need. I know it’s hard to understand, but all of us students need to get past the fact that there is a change and start asking why there is a change. Mr. Brackmeyer clearly shows us that he truly does care and, whether you chose to believe it or not, he does have good intentions.
One of the most important skills needed in one’s life is communication skills, and in high school is where it all starts. Think about how much better schools would be if there was more communication between the students and the staff. Complaining is not communication. Yes, complaining is a way to express yourself, but what in the world do you gain out of complaining. Nothing. Complaining actually re-enforces problems. Communication is having a talk, face-to-face, listening to and understanding what the person is saying or what they mean. If we had face-to-face communication in our schools, between the staff and the students, we would gain respect and understanding for each other and for why things are the way they are.
Journalism: What was the purpose of the schedule change exactly?
Brackmeyer: One reason why the schedule changed was because the bus schedule was tied directly to the elementary and middle school schedule and because they changed our high school had to change as well .Also, I had a clear response saying that the students wanted more time to study and work on assignment that they had missed or weren’t there for do to whatever reason.
Journalism: Why don’t we start at 9:00?
Brackmeyer: 8:42 is later than most high schools. If it was my perfect world, I wished to start at 8:15 or 8:20 so that we could get out early and do more things later in the day. Since we are so dependent on the bus we have to end school later on in the day. Another reason is that there would be a lot of traffic if we ended later.
Journalism: Why are Monday lunches are different from the rest of the week? Why are they by halls instead of if you have A lunch you just go to A lunch?
Brackmeyer: One lunch would be over balanced because the number of students that are in interventions and freshman capture.
Journalism: Describe the decision making process at MHS?
Brackmeyer: The Manor high school leadership team meets every Tuesday and discusses all the issues and topics that pertain to our campus. Most decisions that are made are within the manor leadership team.
Journalism: Were you looking forward to this semester’s change?
Brackmeyer: Yup. I sure was.
This interview will be continued in the next article.
Journalism: What are your expectations for the students this semester?
Brackmeyer: I have high expectations to reach Exemplary status. I expect most students to be successful in their classes. I want students to reach Commended on TAKS. “We have a lot of potential in Manor High School…..there is no reason we can’t be an Exemplary campus.”
Journalism: How are the expectations for this semester going to happen with the new schedule?
Brackmeyer: The schedule change better accommodates the expectations for the student.
Journalism: Do you think that the new schedule could somehow hurt us or hit us in a negative way?
Brackmeyer: I feel like this schedule is only going to better accommodate my expectations. The academic study hall allows the students to work on their grades and things that they need to get done with teacher and missing work.
Journalism: Why were so many students told that if they would try harder to pass the benchmarks they would get out of interventions?
Brackmeyer: The thought process behind that is that students that are in interventions would try hard to get out and then they could be pulled out of the interventions. If you did pass your benchmark that will allow you to be released from them.
Journalism: How come so many students were not released?
Brackmeyer: The reason kids are still in there is because we are still in the process of evaluating were they are and at that point Mrs. Robertson is in charge of the decision with Mrs. Mann and I.
Journalism: Why did you change the name of advisory to M.A.S.H.?
Brackmeyer: The reason we changed is because you are no longer doing a 15 minute advisory and they were not really all that effective. Like I said earlier in the video, we talked about making an academic study hall. Therefore, we called is Manor’s Academic Study Hall or M.A.S.H. (for short) and also the expectations are different than those in advisory.
Journalism: Most students think that intervention and advisory is a waste of time or it is to long. What do you think about this?
Brackmeyer: If you don’t like being in interventions, take the time to study and work hard and pass the TAKS, because, in the end, when it is all said and done if, you do not pass the TAKS test, you do not graduate high school. There is no way we can change that rule or work around it. The interventions are created to help provide the tools the students will need to pass the TAKS. It is not a punishment.
Journalism: Why would you put M.A.S.H. after 3rd period?
Brackmeyer: Research has shown that they (interventions) are more effective in the morning because, by the end of the day, the students are tired. Some students need the time in the morning because, if they are athletes, they normally have to get out of 7th period to leave for a game. Now, if they were at the end of the day, they would not be able to get out of interventions to play the game.
Journalism: Last semester you said in one of our interviews that you make changes and like to hear responses from the student body. How can you listen to the student body if no one is asking us how we feel about the schedule change?
Brackmeyer: Well, I think that I have asked. I am listening and I understand that with change there is always going to be criticism. I do try to listen but at the end of the day we have to make the ultimate decision to do what is in the best interest to the student. I will always be here to listen.
When our cameras turned off, we sat and had a conversation with him. The things he said were honest and just so moving. When we were sitting all together without the video he said everything with a passion. The one thing I remembered the most was when he said, “When you get that (college degree) no one can take it away from you...It is yours and it will always be yours.” What he said is true. Once we get out of here and into college and graduate, that college degree is yours. Now, he also talked a lot about being fair. “In high school, I am teaching you to be fair, because out in the real world, it is not going to be fair.” When he said this, I realized that he is trying to be fair so that when we leave here we will understand that, yes, things may not be fair, but just because things are not fair does not mean that we cannot be fair. I feel we as humans should never judge someone on their decision or situations they get themselves into. We should take the lesson that Mr. Brackmeyer is trying to teach and apply that to our everyday lives. Before you judge someone, be fair, and don’t be afraid to ask questions, because that is the most important thing you can do to, find out what truly is really going on.
In the end, we gained true insight on how everything works at MHS and why our staff members do what they do. I know that, as kids, when we come to school and a change is made or a teacher gets mad or upset with us, we tend to act like the victims of everything. When I came back from the break just to find out that the schedule changed, I was really upset. I heard from a lot of the kids, “Man it’s not fair,” or “It’s all Mr. Brackmeyer’s fault.” This interview showed us that Mr. Brackmeyer is not a bad man. In fact, he is a very good, fair man. He bases most of his decisions on what we, the students, need. I know it’s hard to understand, but all of us students need to get past the fact that there is a change and start asking why there is a change. Mr. Brackmeyer clearly shows us that he truly does care and, whether you chose to believe it or not, he does have good intentions.
One of the most important skills needed in one’s life is communication skills, and in high school is where it all starts. Think about how much better schools would be if there was more communication between the students and the staff. Complaining is not communication. Yes, complaining is a way to express yourself, but what in the world do you gain out of complaining. Nothing. Complaining actually re-enforces problems. Communication is having a talk, face-to-face, listening to and understanding what the person is saying or what they mean. If we had face-to-face communication in our schools, between the staff and the students, we would gain respect and understanding for each other and for why things are the way they are.
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