2 High Schools in Los Fresnos? Your thoughts?

[TEAM FALCON]

What I'm hoping will be done after the bond is passed is that the 9th grade campus they hope to build will actually become the new HS. And the current HS become the 9th grade campus.

In order for that to happen the new building needs to have a capacity of about 2500-3000.

I emailed the Superintendent to ask if the money they hope to receive from the bond has already been "finalized". I mean, the news paper says the new HS will hold only 1250 students. He mentioned that Phase I of the 9th grade campus will call for a capacity of 1250 students with phase II will call for continue development of the 9th grade campus.

I feel that constructing another campus with similar capacity would not address growth problems far into the future. It might address growrh problems for the next 10-15 years. But then what? We will not be able to, or want to, construct a 3rd HS would we? By creating a big enough 'new HS', we can assure ourselves that any future growth would be taken in stride.

Maybe the decision is too late. I think the discussion for the amount of the bond was where this should have been bought up. I for one should have been more involved in the initial discussions to provide my opinions. If it's too late, then we dont have a choice. If it's not too late, then I hope we stay with one HS.

I guess I have selfish reasons for keeping ONE high school in Los Fresnos. If there is ONE thing that unites us all is the academic and athletic success of Los Fresnos High.

We might have disagreements during school board election season, but we ALL like to brag about out Los Fresnos High.

We might have disagreements during city election season, but we are all united under the Friday night lights.

We might be competitive during little league games at the city park, but we all wear maroon and gold.

If there is one thing that would continue to unite a small town like ours would be to keep intact ONE high school.

I may be wrong here, but I might not be alone.

Therefore, I hope the decision makers feel the same way I do and construct a new facility that would allow for the future Los Fresnos High to be located there.

The current HS can serve as the 9th grade campus for many many years. I understand that this decision is complex and involves a tremendous amount of planning.

But I hope the decision to have 2 High Schools was NOT based on what would be the easiest to do, but what would be the BEST for the community.

[salty]

I respect your opinion completely but strongly disagree on one BIG high school. I doubt you will find a single administrator that feels one big high school serves the student better than two smaller ones. However, my main reason for wanting two high schools is very simple-- we will have TWICE as many children having the opportunity to participate in all school activities. Just think of the hundreds of our kids that will be left out each year simply because we want only ONE school to cheer for!

Education is totally about what is best for the child, not what is best for our community. Our community will adapt and support all of our schools. Thanks for your great site. Salty

[TEAM FALCON]

Good points. Like I said, I have selfish reasons for keeping one high school.


I think if we were to have 2 high schools, at the very least, we should not try to have them compete directly against one another for playoff spots, etc.

If we had a 4A school and a 3A school, or a 5A school and a 4A school, I think that would make a lot of people happy.

Imagine...2 teams from LF having a chance to make the playoffs every year..nice.



With 2 High schools means, 2 valedictorians, 2 groups of top 10 students, more kids participating in UIL, sports etc. big time benefits.

The benefits of 2 HS outweighs the benefits of 1 high school no doubt.

Like I said, I have selfish reasons.............

[TEAM FALCON]

We're inching closer and closer to losing our 'small town' atmosphere.

I like being a small town. I don't know about you.

Here's an article in today's Herald:

Hudson proposing new Los Fresnos subdivision

By VICTORIA MANNING
The Brownsville Herald

January 11, 2007 — The Los Fresnos City Council on Tuesday heard a presentation from Brownsville developer Bill Hudson, who proposed a subdivision be built there in the next 15 years.

“He owns 747 acres that are to the south and east of town,” City Administrator Mark Milum said. “Two hundred of them are in the city limits already, but he would like the city to annex the rest.”

Milum added that the proposed subdivision would have 2,100 homes and two school sites.

“Hopefully, we can work out a deal,” he said.

Also at the meeting, the city council welcomed a new member to the Los Fresnos Community Development Corp. board.

Council members chose long-time Los Fresnos resident Eddie Cruz to succeed board member Carl Macomb, who stepped down.

“Carl was a good member,” Milum said. “He helped the CDC a lot.”

Milum said Cruz would be a good asset for the board.

Manuel Abrego, former mayor, and John Peterson were reappointed to their positions on the board, which has seven members who serve two-year terms.

The city council’s next regular meeting is Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.

[falcon89]

Los Fresnos has to move on...We can still be a great community with great schools....We would be just bigger and stronger!

[TEAM FALCON]

I sent this email to the board 3 weeks ago.

You should email them your thoughts also.



Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 12:15 PM

Even though I, and many many others, would prefer that Los Fresnos remain with one HS, I understand that the district must continue with the planning phases of our new campus.

Here are my thoughts (for what they're worth).

We can decide not name the 9th grade campus, for now, and call it Freshman campus, or 9th grade Academy, etc.

After a few years, change new campus to the SO,JR,SR campus, and use the current HS as the FR campus, we could rename the current HS at a later date.

Look at one of the best schools in Texas , it's interesting to see what they are doing.

www.southlakecarroll.edu/files/CISD_ENROLLMENT.pdf
Southlake ISD , 7 900 students, has the following:
Elem: pre k-4 (5 campuses)
Intermediate: 5-6 (2 campuses)
Middle School: 7-8 (2 campuses)
High School: 9-10 (1)
Senior HS: 11-12 (1)

If we were to take a BOLD step and reorganize our campuses similar to what Southlake has, I think you will find (now I'm no expert in this field) that keeping grade levels together in the 5-6 grade, 7-8 grade levels, might be easier to manage and assist in instruction and development of our students. Personally, I've always has an issue with 6th graders mingling with 8th graders. I'm sure there are certain areas that 6th graders are not involved in right now in middle school and would better benefit by staying an extra year with 5th graders. Same applies to 5th graders at Lopez Riggins making the jump to middle school. I think if there was in 'intermediate' step after 4th grade (5-6 grade campus), we might find some interesting results.

Again, I'm sure most supporters of the "One HS movement" might be thinking about how it would benefit certain programs if we keep one high school, I think we would also have additional advantages in test scores, etc, if we had a similar organizational structure that Southlake ISD has.

I don't fully understand the complexities involved in campus planning, administration, logistics, etc, these are just my thoughts.

Seeing all of us (community) together, as Falcons, is special. Seeing all of our kids, as Falcons for years to come would be perfect.




Now, if we ABSOLUTELY HAVE to create a new high school. These are some names that I want to share. I would stay away from West, East, North.etc names, I think we can be a little more original than that.


Los Fresnos Rancho High (Ranchers)-or Los Fresnos Santo High (Saints/Pioneers)
The land on which the town is situated, however, was part of the El Portero del Espíritu Santo (also known as El Agostadero del Espíritu Santo) land grant, issued by Spain to José Salvador de la Garza in 1781. He established a ranch on the land he received and called it Rancho El Espíritu Santo.

Los Fresnos Palo Alto High (Cavalry)
The first major battle of the Mexican American War in 1846 fought not too far from the area.
When the Mexican cannon sounded, the U.S. troops assumed battle formation, but did not advance to engage the Mexican forces. Fearing that a charge would leave his supply train vulnerable to attack, General Taylor held his infantry and cavalry in a defensive formation and rolled artillery forward to respond. Most notable was his use of 18-pound cannons, intended for placement in Fort Texas . The fire of these huge guns tore at the Mexican lines, causing numerous casualties. By contrast, smaller Mexican cannon were much less effective and continually fired short of the U.S. lines.

Los Fresnos Yturria High (Ranchers, Wranglers, Vaqueros,Buckaroos, Bullriders,)-
Maybe we can ask Frank and Mary Yturria what they think, they're contributions to this area have been great.


Last but not least. If we waited to name the new 803 campus. Use it for 9th graders for a few years. Then, move the 9th graders to the current high school, and use the 803 campus for SO/JR/SR, we could name it:

Los Fresnos Falcón High -Falcons
José Salvador de la Garza was given the land grant initially around 1781. His wife was named María Gertrudis de la Garza Falcón

And then name the current high school at that time.



These are just my thoughts that I wanted to share with all of you.

GO FALCONS!!!

Jerry Martinez