the guidon online

Proposed schedule changes announced

adviser — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:14:37 +0000

It’s commonly known how rumors start, and if they are juicy enough, they spread like wild fire. The latest rumor making its way through the halls is talk of a new schedule.
While this new vamped schedule has been proposed and is likely to be put into place, it has not been passed yet, therefore, nothing is official.
Even though most people are okay with a little change, there are student concerns, such as when they have to get up in the morning, the length of passing periods, and the amount of seminar time.
“With this proposed new schedule, the final bell for school to start will ring at 8:08 and the bell signaling the end of the day will ring at 3:12,” chairperson of the committee Kathy Wagoner said. “The class lengths will change to 86 minutes and the passing periods will now be five minutes in length.”
When there were 1,100 students in the school, the passing times were increased to seven minutes because of crowding and slow movement, Wagoner said. However, now that enrollment is around 800 students, everybody gets to class on time, so the passing periods can be shortened.
Another big change students will see is a difference in seminar time.
“Instead of having seminar on just Gold days, students will have seminar every day,” Wagoner said. “On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, students will have 40 minutes between second and third hour with seminar teachers. Tuesday and Thursday, the students will have the same 40 minutes, but with an academy teacher, dedicating the first 15 minutes to an academy lesson. After the lesson, students will be able to pass out of the academy class.”
Currently, students get approximately 300 minutes of seminar in a two-week period. With the proposed schedule, that number will increase to 340 minutes. This schedule also allows students to have a long seminar period on Gold days one week, and then Maroon the next.
With this new schedule, it can open up many options to students, Wagoner said.
“Students will have more options for elective credits,” Wagoner said. “There will also be more opportunity for students to see teachers since seminar will be a daily occurrence.”
While this schedule has several great qualities, some are probably wondering, “why this change?”
“This topic generated from a negotiations meeting in the summer where the district was interested in HHS teachers teaching six classes instead of the five they teach now,” Wagoner said. “They felt that this change would provide more flexibility with teacher movement.”
Once the discussion started, a research committee of four teachers and three administrators began meeting in September. The committee consists of teachers Kathy Wagoner, Lynn Zimmerman, James Mages and Kelly Ackerman, and administrators Tom Albers, Martin Straub and Dr. Michael Hester.
“The committee discussed the schedule based on teacher feedback and conversations over what the important elements of the block schedule we have now were, and what they would want to keep centered around six teaching periods,” Wagoner said. “Then administration, which has experience with designing schedules, created one presenting it to the committee, then taking it to teachers to gather input. There have already been two meetings, and there is going to be a third.”
This schedule is still in the planning stages and in order for it to be put into place, it needs to be agreed upon by both parties of the negotiated agreement, which includes USD489 Board of Education and the bargaining unit (certified/licensed personnel).

Disrespect in the halls of Hays High?

Jackie Balzer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:41:34 +0000

Disrespect—that’s all it is. Whether it’s true or not and whether you think it’s funny or not, it’s disrespectful.

The latest trend making its way through the halls is the new Twitter account “HaysHighProbz.” Technology provides a whole virtual world that can be used in such great ways, but how does our student body choose to use it? By saying hurtful and rude things about teachers.

This collective group of students who have chosen to start this think they are such hot stuff because they are bringing Hays High “all the news, gossip, and things you want to hear about.” The best part is they think no one knows who they are. Believe me, this isn’t the case.

Why use Twitter? It’s simple. By using Twitter, these cowards can hide behind a name rather than facing the harsh reality of what they are saying.

It made me sick reading the tweet about Coach Keltner, one of the kindest people I know. Whether he knows my name or not, he always has a smile and always makes it a point to say hi. Seriously, who could care so little about someone else’s feelings to write “When Coach Keltner starts talking, never stops, and there is a glaze of saliva all over the ground in front of him.” It’s just rude.

Or about Mrs. Spicer. “Two hour long conversations with Mrs. Spicer when you want to change one class.” She is so nice and cares about nothing more than your future and only has your best interests in mind, and this is how you repay her?

Or how about Donnie? For one, you can’t even spell his name right. Saying he has a “PHD in janitorial arts” isn’t that far off. He does a fabulous job and kudos to him for still getting up every morning to face the brats that go to this school. If I were him, you couldn’t pay me any amount of money to face the ungrateful and rude students at this school.

Ponder this: you say it’s all fun and games, and that because it’s “true,” there’s nothing wrong with it, but the majority of you would feel very uncomfortable reading the tweet to the teacher it’s talking about.

Where the cheerleaders are concerned, I’m astonished that the student section would turn their backs while they were cheering. They are your peers, classmates and friends. Why do people feel the need to cheer over them? Don’t cheer with them, whatever, but at least have the decency to be respectful to them while they are cheering.

I guess I just don’t understand why we are spending so much time and energy being mean to one another. Is this your definition of cool? Is this your definition of senior leadership? Is this really how you want to leave your legacy at Hays High?

Boys Swimming at Salina South

kendall kandt — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:33:48 +0000

The swim team took 4th at the Salina South Invitational. Newton took first followed by Hutchinson and Great Bend.

Derek Drees took first in the 50 free and Blake Matthews took second in the 500 free.

“A number of our swimmers had PR’s at the Salina meet.” swim coach Ann Adams said, “The hard work and attention to technique is really paying off. Our state-qualifying medley relay as well as our 200 freestyle relay shaved off some time. We now have several individuals who have respectable consideration times. After our last meet at Manhattan this Saturday we’ll know more about whose going to state.”

Ladies lose last game of McPherson tournament to host team

Kylee Filley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:56:49 +0000

The ladies were unable to maintain their winning streak on the final game day against McPherson. The girls didn’t lose in a blowout game. The final score was 42-52.

In the first quarter, the ladies pulled ahead with the score ending 9-13. The score at the end of the half was 24-25 with the lady Indians ahead.

Seniors Hanna Pfannenstiel and Paige Lunsford led the team in percentage of three-point shots made. Pfannenstiel had 50 percent and Lunsford had 25 percent. Lunsford had the most turnovers in the game with six and Pfannenstiel followed with four.

McPherson made a run in the third quarter with the score ending 44-31. The ladies won two of three games at the McPherson tournament, causing two teams that were undefeated to suffer a defeat.

Ladies cause Andale to suffer first loss

Kylee Filley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:54:11 +0000

The lady Indians stunned another group of players and coaches the second night at the McPherson tournament. When the ladies played against undefeated Andale, they finished with a strong lead 32-51.

In the first quarter, the ladies were ahead by seven ending in a score of 6-13. In the second quarter, each team made 13 points. The score at the half was 19-26.

Junior Katelyn Schumacher led the team in percentage of field goals made with 86 percent. Junior Megan Bird and senior Paige Lunsford followed with 50 percent and 43 percent. Bird led the team with 100 percent of free throws made. Junior Taylor Herman and Lunsford followed with 83 percent and 75 percent.

In the third quarter, Andale made a run closing the gap to seven points. The score at the end of the third was 32-39.

Lady Indians force Manhattan to suffer defeat

Kylee Filley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:52:16 +0000

The girls stunned teams and coaches as they won the game against undefeated team Manhattan. The game went into overtime and the final score being 55-58.

In the first quarter the girls were behind with a score of 23-12. Manhattan maintained their lead in the second quarter as well.

Senior Paige Lunsford led the team in points with 21. Junior Katelyn Schumacher followed with 10. Lunsford and senior Hanna Pfannenstiel had four assists in the game and junior Taylor Herman had three.

In the third quarter the girls attempted closing the gap. The score at the end of the third was 35-27. The girls attempts paid off in the fourth quarter with the game ending in a tie 48-48. In overtime the girls made a run making three more points than Manhattan.

Forensics season commences

Delphine Burns — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:40:25 +0000

As a new semester begins, the season of a popular extracurricular activity does as well. A new forensics season is under way and students are already hard at work practicing for their first meet.

“The first meet is scheduled for January 26,” Forensics sponsor Zach Butte said.

The season stretches a total of five months and will finish up in May if students from the team quality to advance to state competition.

“The state meet ends our season on May 5,” Butte said.

Although many Forensics meets occur on Saturdays, it is still an elected class. However, some students may not have room in their schedule to take Forensics as a class and choose to participate in the activity after school hours.

“We have 20 students taking Forensics as a class, and six students participating outside of class,” Butte said.

Butte said he is looking forward to beginning the season, but still has some nerves about competing at the first meet.

“I feel good about the students and the outlook for success this season,” Butte said. “However, I will feel better when we are all ready to compete.”

Boys basketball forces 20 turnovers in loss

Kellen Griffin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:52:30 +0000

The boys basketball team forced Salina South into 20 turnovers, but failed to win the game in a 53-42 defeat.

After one quarter of play the score was 16-14, in favor of South with the two teams battling back and forth.

Hays had just two points in the second quarter to fall behind 27-16 at the half.

The team managed to stay in reach in the third quarter with the score being 36-27.

Late in the fourth-quarter the Indians were able to cut the lead down to four at 46-42, before South pulled away by making free-throws down the stretch handing the Indians its loss.

Sophomore Jordan Windholz led all players in points with 13. Junior Derek Bixenman added seven points for the second most on the Hays team.

The next game for the boys is Friday, Feb. 3, at Concordia.

13kgriffin@usd489.com

Inauguration trip 2013

olivia zody — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:10:29 +0000

In 2013, students have an opportunity to go to Washington D.C. for the Inauguration day festivities and learn about the democratic processes surrounding it.

“This trip isn’t only for students but also for parents to travel along with us,” sponsor Abby Maska said. “The organization we are going through, World Stride, will also have trip leaders/instructors with us throughout the trip.”

The trip is for next year’s Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are in good academic standing.

“There has been a fair amount of interest in the trip so far,” Maska said.

There is a parents meeting on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.

“The trip is four days and three nights and will cost $1,689 if students register by February 15,” Maska said. “The cost includes: round-trip airfare, sightseeing transportation, course leaders, hotel accommodations, night chaperones in hotel, breakfasts and dinners, all admissions fees, evening activities, accident/health insurance, field journals, online educational resources, and 24-hour emergency support.”

For a trip itinerary click here.

“So far, 15 students have signed up for the trip, but I’ll know more after the parent meeting,” Maska said.

Maska encourages students to sign up ASAP.

“I think this will be a unique experience for our students in that they will get to experience the history and tradition of our nation in a first-hand way.

For more information contact Abby Maska at amaska@usd489.com

State Debate

dustin mulkey — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:59:40 +0000

State debate took place Jan. 13-14 at Olathe Northwest High School and Hays High sent four students to
participate.

Juniors Ryan Unruh, Courtney Hess, Heaven Vrana and senior Sam Drabkin went to state debate. They went in teams. Hess was with Unruh, and Drabkin was with Vrana.

There were 58 teams in the 5A division.

“We were in the top two-thirds out of 58 teams,” debate coach Zach Butte said.

The teams won two out of their six debates according to Drabkin.

Success of a good debate team is based mostly from experience, Butte said.

“We believe that 80 percent of our success as a debate group has everything to do with experience,” Butte said.

Three out of the four state debaters will be returning to debate next year as seniors, while the other one will be leaving high school.

“I hope that this experience will help the three members that will be returning to debate next year to have a successful year,” Butte said.

There were 58 teams in the 5A division.

“This was the first time in seven years that Hays High has sent two teams to state debate,” Butte said. “In the past five years we’ve sent at least a team though.”

In order to qualify for state, the debate team has to attend at least four varsity debate tournaments and has to have a winning record at those tournaments.

“We found ourselves to be successful,” Butte said. “Maybe not as successful as we wanted, but successful. We look forward to having another successful year next year.”