HOUSTON ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN DROP-OFF PROCEDURE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
To address safety concerns on campus, the Houston R-1 School District announced adults are no longer allowed to accompany students into the elementary building. The move –– made at last Tuesday’s school board meeting –– was made shortly after shooting threats by a 16-year-old male student.
“This has been a recommendation by our intruder training company for some time, and this is a time of day where it is difficult to keep track of everyone who has entered the building,” a release from the school said. “It is also very difficult to track whether everyone is out of the building who should be at the appropriate time.”
The district said similar procedures are already in place at surrounding schools.
HOUSTON CHOIRS EARN TOP STATE RATING FOR 12TH STRAIGHT YEAR
The SSAA and concert choirs from Houston High School received “1” ratings last Thursday at the State Music Festival. It was the 12th straight year the choir department has achieved the distinction. Along with the two state plaque medallions, Houston earned 54 individual district medals and qualified 27 students for state. Every student who completed in ensemble and solo events earned a medal.
Students can receive anywhere from a “1” outstanding rating to a “5” mark for ineffective. A medal is earned with a 1 or 2 rating. Students with 1 ratings advance to state.
Advancing to state with “1” ratings were:
• Vocal solo: Macy Smith and Lucas Bailey.
• Vocal ensemble: Adryanna Kirn, Amelia McKinney, Bailey Moore, Carly Crawford, Ebin Smith, Ellie Locke, Emily Scott (two events), Gabi Hicks, Gracey Sullins (2 events), Hunter Brim, Jade Sisco (two events), Jaden Beasley, Kaitlyn Root, Lance Smith, Leila Shelhammer, Liliana Amick, Lucas Bailey, Smith, Paige Dennis, Rheanna Martin (two events), Savannah McNaughton, Summer Floyd (2 events), Tyler Gross, Vanessa Kirkwood, William Wilson, Wyatt Rist and Zach Brannan.
Receiving “2” ratings and medaling were:
• Vocal solo: Moore, Kirn, Brannan, Kirkwood, Floyd and Jaekan Moss.
• Vocal ensemble: Root, Crawford, Kirkwood, Hicks, McKinney, Kirn, Shelhammer, Lucas Bailey, Wyatt Rist, Brannan, Ebin Smith, Wilson, Lance Smith and Gross.
Students were judged on tone quality, diction, posture, breathing, rhythm and note accuracy, memorization, tempo, interpretation, phrasing, dynamic stage presence, ensemble precision, balance and blend.