May 30 2018 Issue
Category Archives: Lake Travis
HP students feed homeless, hear their stories
Team with Mobile Loaves & Fishes
By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
On a recent rainy Saturday morning, 14 volunteers set out to feed Austin homeless people a hot meal and to hear their stories.
The volunteers included eight Hyde Park High School students — Ella, Ben, Jack Fischer, Jack Waugh, Ted Waugh, Quenten Schulze, Jackson Bauch and Amelia McConico — who formed a Mobile Loaves & Fishes leadership group to help bring awareness of homelessness in Austin.
Rattlesnakes & rat snakes are roaming
Carl Schuler and his dog become separated for twenty minutes due to a rattlesnake they encountered on their hike.
By LYNETTE HAALAND, MADISON PHARIS , Four Points News
With the warm weather this spring, snake sightings are frequent in the Four Points area including venomous types such as the rattlesnake and non-venomous ones, like the rat snake.
Steiner Ranch resident Carl Schuler and his dog encountered a rattlesnake recently, the first time in their two years of hiking on the Serrulata trail. Despite becoming separated by the snake, both him and his dog were able to reunite unharmed.
Another local hiker, Kirsten Saharek, states that she also encountered one during a dog walk recently.
10 VHS students compete in state UIL Academics Viper team wins first in district, region
L-R Pierce Lao, Bo Deng, Varun Gorti (not pictured Nicholas Rose)
Vandegrift students on the UIL Academics team competed in a variety of academic contests, and performed well among many district, region and state competitions. State was held May 4 – 5 at the University of Texas in Austin and 10 Vipers competed after preparing all school year.
“Whenever you see anyone with a ‘VHS Smarties’ shirt, give them a high five! These are our UIL Academic students for the 2017-2018 school year… and they’ve worked hard all year,” said Madeline Fulton, English teacher and the UIL Academics team coordinator.
LISD addresses safety, security
Photo credit: Phyllis Boddorf
Travis County Sheriff’s Office Erica Peters, senior deputy, and Steven Coleman, senior deputy, are the School Resource Officers at Vandegrift HS. Leander ISD partners with law enforcement agencies to cover all high schools.
By NICK BROTHERS, Hill Country News
In the aftermath of recent deadly high school shootings, — Santa Fe, Tex. on Friday leaving 10 dead, Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14 that left 17 dead, and others across the country this year — Leander ISD officials are addressing the district’s current safety and security systems with parents and students.
“We’re having some tough conversations right now about doing anything additional to our security upgrades,” said district spokesperson Corey Ryan. “We are working to implement programs that help build relationships between students with our faculty and staff.”
As for the notion of arming teachers in an effort to protect students, Ryan said the school district prohibits firearms on campuses and does not plan on changing its rules.