At their regular meeting March 4, Blanco ISD trustees heard an update from Vanguard Contractors Project Manager Joel Benjegerdes on the Blanco Elementary School renovation and construction project, which is now focused on the Alamo-style original school building. Millwork in classrooms in both wings is 90 percent complete, and flooring and ceiling tile work is scheduled to be completed within the next month.

Pedernales Electric is committed to the leaders of tomorrow. For more than a decade PEC has offered scholarships to local high school and home-schooled seniors in its service area, and applications for 2013 scholarships are now available. PEC will provide 14 scholarships to deserving seniors this spring, with amounts ranging from $2,500 to one $10,000 scholarship.

The Blanco High School Career Fair was held Friday, February 15.

Blanco Masonic Lodge # 216 delivered over sixty free tooth decay prevention kits to first graders at Blanco Elementary this week as part of a state-wide program to improve dental health. “We’re glad to be able to present these kits to Blanco first graders,” said Lodge representative Terry Miller. Each kit contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a two-minute timer (this is how long teeth should be brushed!), a toothbrush cover, and information about good dental care in both English and ...

Fourteen Panther Band students qualified for state at Solo and Ensemble competition held last Saturday at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio. “We had an outstanding showing this year,” said band director Brian Hecimovich. “Many judges were very impressed by how prepared Blanco students were, especially being one of the first regions in the state to go.” Comments on judges’ cards included “very mature presentations” and “excellent musical expression by all players.” Acco ...

Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford reported to Blanco ISD trustees at their February 11 meeting that the PTO of Blanco Elementary School has purchased Raptor Visitor Management software to keep out unwanted visitors and more closely monitor those who come into the school. Each visitor must have his or her driver’s license scanned, and an instant background check is performed to see if the individual is a sexual predator, has a restraining order, custody issues, or other custom alert.

Ten Blanco Middle School students earned Region 12 All-Region Band honors in auditions held at Navarro High School on January 22. Over twenty schools and well over 500 middle school musicians tried out for a spot in the band. The schools came from 1A, 2A, 3A, and private school districts.

Blanco High School’s UIL Academic Team has placed high in area invitational meets at Burnet, Boerne, Ranger College, and Round Rock during the month of January. “We’ve been very competitive this year at the invitational meets in academic events, as well as speech and debate,” said UIL coordinator Russell Kirkscey. “We’ll have plenty of competition at district.

Blanco Middle School, performing Tim Kelly’s The Marvelous Playbill, won the District 27-AA One Act Play competition held Wednesday evening at Blanco Middle School. “One Act Play is considered a team event—and in the theater world, we call this team an ‘ensemble’,” said event judge Perry Crafton. “Blanco has a very, very good ensemble.” Both Comfort and Lago Vista put on good performances, but Blanco’s strong ensemble performance carried the day. “I was a little nervous w ...

The GVTC Foundation is accepting applications for the 2013 Ola Armstrong Scholarship. Ten thousand dollars will be awarded to a college-bound student who best demonstrates characteristics of community involvement by volunteering in the communities in which they live. To qualify, the student must be a high senior and living within the GVTC service area.

“We are ready to jump into our Spring activities,” said PTO President Lisa Barnett. “Currently, we are looking for committee members and volunteers to help with the Father/Daughter Dance (February), Walkathon (March), and School Store (T/W/Th before school in the elementary cafeteria).” Interested parents that are interested in helping, or have any questions, may contact the PTO President at var user = 'admin.60231'; var tld = 'com'; var dom = 'ptomanager'; document.write(''); docume ...

On Wednesday, January 9, officials from Blanco ISD and Johnson City ISD met with county first responders to coordinate and plan in regards to emergency and crisis situations that schools may face. “This was a good meeting,” said Blanco ISD superintendent Dr. Buck Ford. “It was very encouraging and supportive to see all of the local first responder officials at one place.

The library of Blanco High School was packed at Monday night’s BISD trustees’ meeting, not just with parents of Blanco Middle School UIL champions being honored, but with parents of elementary school students seeking answers about the safety of their children at school in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, shootings.

Blanco Speech and Debate team at Salado. Left to right: Annie Albrecht, Eleanor Kirkscey, Alina Aly, Paxston Koehl, Chris Barnett, Robbie Arlitt, Thomas Kirkscey, Callie Nance, Levi Windham, Charlsey Smith, Kristin Watt.

The 3 students pictured were the top sellers for the PTO Poinsettia Fundraiser. John (left) was the 2nd place winner; he received a $50 Target gift card. Carson Riba (center) and Hayden Riba (right) were the first place winners. Both of those boys received $150 Visa gift cards. The winning class was Mrs.