Bayfield School District

Cubelets at BHS

This past year saw the introduction of technology at BHS and next year we are adding engineering to the menu. Over the coming weeks you will see short articles on what is available in this class. Firstly, let me say a little about the rationale. In technology class we cover hardware/software, applications, and a little coding. This is just but one part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math fields (STEAM) or STEM but we now include Art (specifically Digital Media). Therefore, I want to make sure that our students look at STEAM as encompassing and not as single areas. It makes sense to allow our students to make connections by offering ways to make knowledge and skill learned in one class applicable in another. For example, if a student learns code as skill, in another class this can be translated in to an "App," or building a website. In the new engineering class they will learn how to use coding skills to make machines do things! In this case, robotics. Engineering covers a wide field: chemical, electrical, mechanical, etc. We are focusing on a combination of electrical and mechanical, with 3D Computer-Aided Design to boot. There are pre-requisites, absolutely. Entry into this semester-long program is contingent upon having completed one or more of the existing CTE technology classes, or by instructor approval if Math, Physics, and English grades are B or higher.

I would like to introduce you to “Cubelets.” We have two standard kits which were funded by the Carl Perkins Grant through CTE. The kit comes with 20 magnetic blocks that can be snapped together to make an endless variety of robots with no programming and no wires. You can build robots that drive around on a tabletop, respond to light, objects, and temperature, and have surprisingly lifelike behavior. Instead of programming that behavior, you snap the cubelets together and watch the behavior emerge like with a flock of birds or a swarm of bees.

Check out this cool video on Cubelets.

Click "read more" to see further information on Cubelets. 

Tech at BHS

A new CTSO is being formed at Bayfield High School, a chapter of the Technology Student Association. The TSA Chapter Advisor is Paul Pyatt who is the CTE STEM Teacher (Technology & Engineering) at BHS. Mr. Pyatt said he is looking forward to seeing students enroll "now that we have the first semester well and truly in the bag" and they are beginning to build their digital literacy. This addition gives our students another option to be involved in a student run organization that will enhance their skills and provide that differentiation that is needed for college applications and employment in the workplace.There is a website that is currently a work in progress which can be found at  http://tsa.bhstechnology.com .

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Open to students enrolled in or who have completed technology education courses, TSA’s membership includes over 200,000 middle and high school students in over 2,000 schools spanning 49 states. TSA is supported by educators, parents and business leaders who believe in the need for a technologically literate society. Members learn through exciting competitive events, leadership opportunities and much more. The diversity of activities makes TSA a positive experience for every student. From engineers to business managers, our alumni credit TSA with a positive influence on their lives.

Spring Sports Begin!

Track, girls soccer, and baseball have begun! February 24th marks the beginning of all these sports seasons. Athletes at Bayfield High School are hoping for a successful season for spring sports. Come support Bayfield's athletes as they compete in the season's upcoming events.

Amy Roach,  Media Relations Intern, BSD

Welcome Corporal Cyr!

Welcome Corporal Cyr!

It is our privilege to introduce to the Bayfield School District staff, students, parents and community Corporal Dan Cyr.  Corporal Cyr has been appointed as the newly established School Resource Officer for the District.  Corporal Cyr graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Academy of Colorado at Colorado State University in 1993 and began his career in Law Enforcement in 1994 at the La Plata County Sheriff’s Department.  In 1995 he joined the Bayfield Marshal’s Office as a Deputy before taking a position with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in 2000 as an investigator.  Corporal Cyr returned to the Bayfield Marshal’s Office in 2009.  Corporal Cyr is a lead instructor at the Southwest Law Enforcement Academy, PPCT instructor, firearms instructor, field training officer and training coordinator for the department. 

FCCLA Districts

FCCLA members at the high school enjoyed a fun day filled with activities and team building exercises at the annual districts meeting. It was held at the county fair grounds in Durango and FCCLA members from Cortez, Ignacio, and Bayfield attended. They listened to a speaker sharing her experience in the Peace Corp and her journey in Madagascar. They also competed in a cupcake war where everyone was divided up into teams and given a theme to design their cupcakes. The students had a fun time working together to construct a creative concoction of cupcakes. The day was ended with the member's being asked to describe their experience in one word. "Spectacular!" "Fun!" and "Messy!" were said by the students; it was a successful and interactive day for everyone who attended. 

Amy Roach,  Media Relations Intern, BSD

Construction is Coming Along

The new performing arts building, the new  auxiliary gym (not pictured), and the new baseball field (not pictured) are appearing before our very eyes. The groundwork as already been laid and it seems as if it all appeared over night. Construction progress is on schedule and will be ready by September 2014. According to Marty Zwisler, Bayfield High School's construction representative, the baseball field will be completed and ready to play on for the season of 2015. The auxiliary gym has completed block walls on the east and north sides.The roof will be added in short matter of time. As for the performing arts building, steel and block walls have already been set and structural walls are being placed making it look more and more like the finished product every day. Students at Bayfield High School are very excited for all the new additions to their school and look forward to seeing all of the finished products next year. 

Amy Roach,  Media Relations Intern, BSD

Wish Week

Wish week is just around the corner. Student council has dedicated an entire week to granting students' wishes as best as they possibly can in order to fundraise money for a paricular wish-kid to make her dream come true: going to Disney World. It has been a huge success in past years where peoples' smallest wishes were granted and all for a good cause. It will begin on March 17th and go through March 21st. The week will entail all sorts of activities and games to raise money. All of the schools in the district are coming together to raise money for this child . The elementary school's wish week is this week and will be filled with exciting activites for all the students including fun dress up days. All the clubs at the high school are joining in to participate coming up wth all different ways to raise money. FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) is planning on doing a free throw contest during one of the half time shows at a Bayfield basketball game. NHS (National Honor Society) will be doing a raffle and FOR Club (Friends of Rachel) will possibly be doing a movie night. There will be a dodgeball tournament on March 17th to start the week off right. The entire school district is coming together for an excellent cause to make a kid's dreams come true.

Amy Roach,  Media Relations Intern, BSD

Students at Bayfield Compete in Indoor Track Meets

Preparing herself for a successful track season at Bayfield High School, Jessica Cusick has been competing in indoor track meets around the area. Her first meet was in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy. She ran the 500 meter dash and placed twelth out of fourteen, and the 300 meter dash, placing eighteenth out of twenty-two. Her last meet was in Albuquerque and she ran the 400 meter dash placing sixth out of twenty. She has been training with her dad, Matt Cusick, as her coach since September and plans to continue competing in indoor track until Bayfield's track season begins. "Running indoor track is helping me get my sophomore year of track back because I lost it due to an ACL tear from basketball. I really enjoy experiencing the indoor season and making me better runner." Pole vaulter John Arnold and distance runner Aubree Lorenzen have also been participating in some of the indoor meets. They are both getting ready for a successful track season at Bayfield in the spring. They both ran at Air Force in Colorado Springs, John clearing 13 feet and Aubree running the 1000 meter, placing 11th. John plans on vaultng in Albuquerque this weekend at a high school meet. All of these athletes are getting stronger and preparing themselves for a great track season at Bayfield.

Amy Roach, Media Relations Intern, BSD