The Ridge Report
News and Events for Blue Ridge High School
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School Board Recognition Month 2024
January is School Board Recognition Month and BRHS is honored to celebrate its trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district’s schools and students. The theme of this year’s School Board Recognition Month is Locally Elected, Community Connected, which highlights the connection between school trustees and their communities. School board members are the largest group of locally-elected officials in the state. Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one way to say thanks for all they do. Our school board is so important because they bring a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of our local community to their role.
The dedication and leadership of our school board has allowed us to recover and even grow in the aftermath of last year's tornado. The staff and students of BRHS would like to show our appreciation to the outstanding BRISD School Board for their support and leadership each and every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Shelly Enloe, Mr. Kevin Dauster, Mr. John Gaulden, Mr. Scott Cessna, Mr. Matt Grier, Mr. Gary Lillard, and Mr. Phillip Pulliam. We appreciate you!
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Happy New Year!
We hope everyone had a restful break and are ready to kick off the spring semester! The next few months will be busy at BRHS, so please make note of the following upcoming events and deadlines:
All students who are interested in beginning, or continuing, dual credit courses in the 2024-2025 school year need to fill out the Dual Credit Interest Survey for 24-25 form in the Student Google Classroom by January 19th in order to begin the process to participate in dual credit for the next school year. Please see the attached flyer for important dates and requirements for participating in dual credit-including the application process, TSI testing, registration, and payment deadlines. Seniors- Our next FAFSA 101 Night is coming up on January 17th from 6 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. If you weren't able to make it to the one in December, please make plans to join us. Remember- FAFSA/TASFA Completion or an Opt Out Form is a state graduation requirement. Fall 2023 Dual Credit tuition reimbursement forms are due on January 22nd. Students must attach a printout of their grades with the form. Students must have a grade of 70 or higher in order to be eligible for reimbursement. The ASVAB Career Inventory and Military assessment test will be offered on Wednesday, January 31 and is free and open to all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Deadline to sign up in Mrs Ingersoll’s office is Monday, January 22nd. This is an excellent opportunity for those considering joining the military or who are interested in various career fields they might be good at. Current 8th graders will be coming to the Blue Ridge High School Campus for a Freshmen Focus day Wednesday, January 24th to see first hand the different programs of study that we have to offer. We will also have a Freshmen Focus Night for parents and students from 6 to 7:30 that same evening where you will hear all about our programs of study, electives and graduation requirements that will help in navigating your high school career. Please see attached flyer for details. 2024-2025 Course requests will be done in English classes during February in order to plan for next year. For those who are interested in learning more about our dual credit process, we will have a dual credit information night on Wednesday, February 24th. See attached flyer for more information. Seniors- Please complete our Class of 2024-Decision Survey on your post-graduation plans. Once you make your FINAL decision, please bring your acceptance letter or admission banner by the counseling office so we can take your picture and put your info up on our Senior Decision Hall of Fame that will take shape after we return from the break.
US History Trip to the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Mr. Shanlian's US History students recently had the opportunity to visit the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. While there, they learned about the holocaust and had the chance to hear from a survivor of the Jewish escape from Germany. Read below to hear more about the experience from our students.
"I had the honor of getting to attend the field trip to the holocaust museum. The tragedy we learned about it is one that many try to forget but after seeing the information displayed in the museum I don't think it should ever be forgotten. The layout of the museum allowed for us to walk through and see the holocaust through the years. I think the best part was getting to hear from Bert, who was a survivor of the kindertransport. Hearing him in real life and hearing his story set heavy on your heart by hearing the turmoils he had to face.This made me realize that the holocaust will be important until the end of time no matter how many years pass."
- Malaina Baker
"Visiting museums like The Holocaust and Human Rights Museum can be incredibly impactful and eye-opening. The Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is a place that aims to educate visitors about the Holocaust, as well as other human rights violations throughout history. It provides a space for reflection and learning, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the atrocities that occurred during World War II and the importance of standing up for human rights.
As we entered the museum, we were greeted by friendly staff, powerful exhibits, artifacts, and photographs that tell the stories of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. These displays help to humanize the events and make the history more relatable. The workers did a great job of thoroughly informing us about everything that happened. It's truly a humbling experience to see the personal belongings and hear the stories of one specific survivor, at 94 years old, who lived through such a dark time in history. The museum also provided us with information about the historical context of the Holocaust, including the rise of Nazi Germany and the systematic persecution and genocide of millions of people.
Learning about the events leading up to the Holocaust helps us understand how such atrocities can occur and serves as a reminder to actively work towards preventing such horrors from happening again. One of the most powerful aspects of the museum is the emphasis on human rights. It specifically highlighted the importance of equality, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their race, religion, or background. This focus on human rights encourages visitors to reflect on their own actions and consider how they can contribute to a more inclusive and tolerant society.
Overall, the trip to the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum was an emotional and thought-provoking experience. It's a place that challenges us to confront the darkest parts of history and inspires us to be agents of change in our own lives. I'm beyond thankful that I had the opportunity to visit and learn from such an impactful and knowledgeable place. My favorite part of the whole experience was hearing the story of the Holocaust survivor. In the 45 ish minutes that he was speaking, he shared the story of his family, his travel route to escape, his personal experiences in foster care, and his own thoughts, feelings and emotions. Hearing his story gave me a whole new perspective on the Holocaust. At first, there wasn’t much that I understood about the Holocaust, but after hearing his story, it had felt like I had been there with him, going through the same thing he was, at the same time.
My favorite exhibit was the wall with the ghettos, concentration camps, and death camps marked. The wall had pinpoints of each location for each camp. Hearing the number of locations seems like a lot, but when that wall is right in front of you, and you can see the amount of camps and ghettos, it makes the numbers sound so much more significant.
When we entered the room that showed the number of survivors from the most well-known concentration camps after seeing the wall of how many camps there were, the number of survivors seemed so small. One interesting fact I learned while in that exhibit was that the reason Auschwitz was and still is the most known concentration camp is because it was the camp with the most survivors. The photographs on the walls put into perspective what the Jews had experienced the whole time they were at the concentration camps. On some of the walls, there were small screens which showed videos of some survivors and/or their family, friends, or relative’s experiences while they or their loved ones experienced the concentration camps and hiding. Watching those gave an in depth perspective of what the victims and their loved once had been through, which gave me a much better understanding of why the holocaust was so heartbreaking for those around the world.
Overall, the whole trip was beyond educational and emotional, and an experience I would highly recommend to anyone who is passionate about history, human rights, or the holocaust."
-Hannah Wood
"The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is all about sharing the details of the Holocaust, how global human rights came about after the war, and the journey of human and civil rights in the U.S. They are all about making sure people know about the Holocaust and pushing for human rights to fight against unfairness and hate to not just jews in the Holocaust. They also advocate for LGBTQIA+, AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders), Children’s rights and Child labor laws, Native American, African American, and every other minority group you can think of. It is evident that the museum really wants to spread awareness of what has been going on in the world in hopes that one day the world will be a better place for everybody."
-Avry Collinsworth
Start Your New Year Off Right
1. Maintain adequate sleep- Teens need about 8-10 hours of sleep a night. Sleep quality is directly associated with behavior, eating habits and the ability to fight off infections.
2. Wash hands frequently to reduce spread of germs- only 30% of teens age 13-18 appropriately wash their hands. Avoid touching eyes and mouth throughout the day. Do not share food, water bottles, or cosmetic items with others, as this is a common way of passing illnesses and infections on to your friends.
3. Practice healthy eating habits- Promote your child's health with a nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with adequate hydration throughout the day. Healthy eating includes various aspects, such as making the choice to eat sufficient nutrient-rich food, drinking plenty of water during the day, eating timely and regularly, and not eating in a hurry. A body fueled with healthy food will help your teen stay energetic, focused, and calm.
4. Help your child deal with stress and anxiety- Homework, tests, social pressures—kids can face a lot of stressful situations every day. Research shows that stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on kids' health, just like it can on the health of adults. Parents need to know how to spot symptoms of stress and find ways to manage children's anxiety.
5. Recognize and avoid destructive, unhealthy friendships and relationships- Just as important as making good friends is recognizing unhealthy or abusive friendships and partnerships. These types of relationships can be very damaging to you mentally, emotionally, and physically.
6. Live an active lifestyle- Reduce your screen time. Engage in physical activity whether it be participating in sports, solo exercise or a walk with friends. Get moving.
7. Set a goal- Set a goal whether big or small and work towards accomplishing that goal. Whether it be to make a better grade in English, save up money for something you have really been wanting or learning something new. Set your goal, write it down, make a plan and take action.
Sick students
Please keep all sick children home from school- this includes fever greater than 100 degrees, vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours. If you are unsure, please call your healthcare provider or school nurse for advice.
~Nurse Melissa~
Welcome back to News from Collin College. Read on to get the latest information about Collin College and the Farmersville Campus.
Q. Did you know the Farmersville Campus is under new leadership?
A. Dr. Garry Evans is the new executive dean for the Farmersville Campus. Dr. Evans most recently served as a dean of academic affairs at the McKinney Campus, overseeing academic transfer courses, scheduling, and instruction. Prior to that, he served as a dean of academic affairs and workforce at the Plano Campus over Fine Arts, Early Childhood Education, and Education.
Dr. Evans joined Collin College in Fall 2012 as a professor of music at the Plano Campus, teaching music literature, music appreciation, and applied lessons, and serving as an ensemble director. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Tennessee Technological University, a Master of Music, Performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts, Performance, from the University of North Texas.
What do you love most about your career?
Dr. Evans: I enjoy helping students succeed, whether teaching in the classroom or supporting our faculty and staff. I love seeing students thrive in a positive and engaging learning environment.
What would you like parents and students to know about the Farmersville Campus?
Dr. Evans: The Farmersville Campus serves as a resource to all our regional communities. We offer a variety of workforce, academic transfer, and continuing education courses and provide support services that include onsite advising, tutoring, and career planning.
What would you like parents and students to know about Collin College?
Dr. Evans: Students who study at Collin College receive an excellent education at a fraction of the cost compared to other colleges or universities. With our focus on student success and low tuition, it is difficult to find a better value.
Q. Have you registered for spring classes?
A. Registration for spring courses is now open for all. Click here to view the schedule of classes.
Q. Did you attend the Quilts of Valor event at the Farmersville Campus?
A. The Collin College Farmersville Campus honored area veterans with handmade quilts in a Veteran’s Day celebration known as Quilts of Valor on Nov. 14 at the Farmersville Campus Library. This is the second year this event was held, in partnership with the Quilters Guild of Farmersville. Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Kyle Bellue was one of eight veterans to be honored in the special ceremony.
To find out more about the Farmersville Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/farmersville.
To learn more about Collin College, visit www.collincollegenews.com or www.collin.edu.
About Us
Email: trent.hamilton@brisd.net
Website: https://www.brisd.net/Page/9
Location: 11020 County Road 504, Blue Ridge, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 752-5554
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueridgehighschool
Twitter: @brhs_tigers