Cleburne High School has long promoted an accepting atmosphere or doing your own thing as long as your thing isn’t considered unacceptable by adults or peers.
That hasn’t really changed, but enforcement of stated rules may be slightly more strict under new principal Jennifer Baadsgaard.
There will be no piercings except in the ears, no unnatural hair colors and no trousers that sag to the thighs. In addition, no electronic devices may be activated except for classroom use.
Baadsgaard acknowledged having conversations with students Monday about adornments and apparel on the first day of school.
“I’ve talked to some of the guys and girls about piercings, hair color and saggy pants,” the former San Antonio administrator said. “Piercings are acceptable in the ears only. The hair color has to be natural. If someone can be born with it, you can have it, but no purples, blues or greens. And no saggy pants. They have to be up. That goes for skinny jeans, too.”
Students were merely corrected the first day. The first day is now over.
“At some point, it’s not about dress code,” Baadsgaard said. “It’s about defiance of the rules.”
Punishment will vary according to the violation.
“Phones and other electronic devices will be confiscated if they’re not for instructional use. There will be a fee to pick them up. The first time dress code is violated, we give them the opportunity to change. We give them a warning. After that, it’s defiance. We give them detention.
“Today, I explained to some of the students that piercings are anything going through the flesh, even if it’s clear or a wire or string. You have to take them out.”
She said she believes she got a positive reception from the multi-pierced.
“They were very polite to me. And when I saw them again, they didn’t have the piercings in. I think it’s a matter of talking to them with respect and telling them why.”
That’s Baadsgaard’s secret to discipline — respect.
“The words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ will get you a whole lot more than the words ‘because I said so.’ I tell them I shouldn’t expect less of them than from others.”
She said she heard no major complaints on the first day. Some seniors received schedules with unexpected classes.
“This summer, when we were looking at the transcripts, we saw courses they needed to be able to walk the stage at graduation,” Baadsgaard said. “They understood the reason.”
Understandably, seniors expect fewer changes than juniors, sophomores and freshmen.
“It can’t be easy getting a new principal your senior year,” Baadsgaard said.
She said she got a few questioning looks.
“I can’t make an assumption that they all know me,” Baadsgaard said. “The first thing I do is introduce myself, and I make sure I’m visible.”
She said her first-day interaction with teachers was smooth. A change in registration may have helped.
“The teachers had told me that all the kids pick up their schedules in the commons area from student council,” Baadsgaard. “We changed that. The students find their name on a list, go to that room, turn in an information sheet and get a schedule in return. The attendance ladies said that went a little quicker than before.”
Most of the students were friendly, she said.
“Even the ones who weren’t chipper had their reasons,” she said. “Either their schedules weren’t what they thought they would be, or they found out they can’t wear their hair a certain way. I understand why they’re upset. But it’s not OK for them to break the rules. We’re going to keep going over the rules to make sure everybody knows them. I think it’s important that everybody knows the expectations before you hold them to it.
“I had a conversation with one girl who had blue hair and one who had [electric] red hair. I asked how long it would take them to change the color. One is going to be able to do it tomorrow, the other at the end of the week.”
Baadsgaard said she was pleasantly surprised with cafeteria decorum the first day.
“The assistant principals were telling me, ‘Don’t freak out about lunch.’ Hey, lunch was great. I felt like I died and went to lunch heaven. It was a lot less stressful than the middle school where I came from, and all those kids were wearing uniforms.”
Tasting lunch was another matter.
“I haven’t had time to eat lunch, but I’m kind of excited,” she said, “because kids can have pizza every day and salad every day. This is kind of nice.”
Local News
Related Photos
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First-grader Max Martin gets in some free time with modeling clay as he waits for the bell to ring, signaling the start of the first day of school at Adams Elementary. Most Johnson County students returned to school Monday. Burleson students start school today. Lisa Magers/CISD
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Jacquelyn Johnson shares a few parting words with her son, Matthew, a kindergarten student at Adams Elementary, as they wait for the bell to ring on Monday’s first day of school. Courtesy photo
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Fourth-grader Nicolas Martinez recites the Pledge of Allegiance at his first day at Santa Fe Elementary. Monica Faram/Times-Review
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Irving Elementary library paraprofessional Sherrie Eiler gives Travis Fleece, 7, a hug. Steve Knight/Times-Review
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Adams Elementary fourth-grader Chloe Scott makes the first of what will be hundreds of trips to her locker. Lisa Magers/CISD
Discussion
Shaping their futures
First commandment of CHS: There are rules. Obey them
- Cleburne
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
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Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
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Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
- Man defends himself against two suspects
- Venus registers minor quake
- USGS registers minor county quake
- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
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Never forgotten
