SSISD Offers Free Breakfast, Lunch For All Students in Grades Pre-K through 5 for 2019/2020 School Year
Free Meals for Douglass, Bush, Bowie, Lamar, Travis, and SSES Students
08/12/2019
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District, Child Nutrition Department is announcing a change to its policy for serving meals to children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for DOUGLASS ECLC, BARBARA BUSH, BOWIE, LAMAR, TAVIS AND SSES for the school year 2019-2020. These schools qualify to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program and will provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
However, SSISD students in grades 6-12 who wish to receive free or reduced-price meals for 2019/2020 must go through an application process similar to previous years. The application can be obtained online or in the form of a paper copy, available in English and Spanish. It is explained in a media release dated 8-13-2019 from Veronica Arnold, SSISD Director of Child Nutrition:
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District is providing online applications for free and reduced meal benefits for all students in grades 6th-12th. Households wishing to apply for these meal benefits should complete the online applications at https://www.mealappnow.com/mansul/splash.php or request a paper copy from the Child Nutrition Office at 631 Connally Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482. Household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. All information provided by the household is confidential. School and other program officials may require households to prove application information at any time during the school year. This year, the USDA has revised the application form. Please complete forms carefully, incomplete forms cannot be processed.
Terrific Tuesdays Will Raise Funds Through ‘A Walk to Remember’ on October 3
Persons in families which have been touched by Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and related disorders support the respite program in Sulphur Springs, Texas called “Terrific Tuesdays”. This weekly program provides 5 hours of respite for caregivers while providing five hours of fun, stimulation and social interaction for their ‘patients’ who are often family members. The primary way the non-profit program is funded is through an annual fundraiser called ‘A Walk to Remember’ which the public is invited to take part in, as well as several “mini-walks’. For 2019, the date for ‘The Walk’ is Thursday October 3 at 10:30 am at a new location, Celebration Plaza downtown Sulphur Springs.
According to program director Tammy Reardon, Alzheimers sufferers who come to the Terrific Tuesday program find friends, fun, music and interesting activities. Each participant is assigned a ‘buddy’ who helps them play the games, interact with the group and enjoy a meal and snacks amid a light ‘party’ atmosphere with seasonal or holiday decor. They can sing, laugh and enjoy memory games, crafts and stories. Each participant receives special individual attention, and many refer to the program as “their club”. While their loved one is at Terrific Tuesdays, caregivers can take ‘R and R’ time for themselves, take care of errands or put attention on personal business. Caregivers whose loved ones have attended Terrific Tuesdays have called the program ‘a blessing’ and ‘a treasure’.
To support the program, funds are necessary and have traditionally been provided through donations made during the early autumn at the annual Walk to Remember, at the mini-walks and through T-shirt sales. Individuals, church groups, business and industry leaders are among donors to Terrific Tuesdays. If you would like to help out, attend one of the mini-walks and purchase a 2019 T-shirt or just leave a donation by check. You could drop in during a Terrific Tuesday session at First United Methodist Church and leave a check, or you can mail a check to FUMC att: Terrific Tuesdays, 301 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482. You can also drop off a check made out to Terrific Tuesdays at the Senior Citizens Center at 150 MLK Drive on any weekday morning. Additionally, this year’s T-shirts are available at the Sr’s Center while supplies last at a cost of $20, and at any of the mini-walks.
For 2019, ten ‘mini-walks’ are planned prior to the Walk to Remember in October. The mini-walks are brief gatherings at sponsoring locations around Sulphur Springs which provide hospitality and refreshments and an opportunity to donate to the Alzheimer’s awareness cause. Here are the mini-walk dates, times.
Terrific Tuesdays (FUMC) Tuesday September 10 @ 10 am
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab, Wednesday September 11 @ 10:30 am
Sulphur Springs Seniors Center, Thursday September 12 @ 9:30 am
Wesley House Asst. Living, Friday September 13 @ 10am
Pioneer Crossing, Wednesday September 18 @ 10:30am
Hopkins Place Asst. Living, Wednesday September 18 @ 2pm
Carriage House Manor, Monday September 23 @ 10am
Rock Creek Health and Rehab, Wednesday September 25 @ 10am
Sulphur Springs Imaging Center, Thursday September 26 @ 10am
Sunny Springs Health and Rehab, Friday September 27 @ 10:30 am
Winnsboro Man Accused Of Swinging Knife At Another Man During Fight About A Sulphur Springs Woman
A 23-year-old Winnsboro man was accused Tuesday evening of wrestling another man to the ground, then swinging a pocket knife at him. The disturbance started when Cody Gene Pyron became upset a woman chose the other man as her boyfriend instead of him, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs police officers were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. to Quail Ridge Apartments, where they were told an active disturbance involving a knife was in progress. While en route, dispatchers were reportedly told Pyron also had a four-way tire iron, which he was using to strike a vehicle at the Helm Lane apartments. However, prior to arrival, they were advised Pyron had gotten into his vehicle, a black Ford Ranger, which he reportedly drove toward College Street, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Nick Floyd alleged in arrest reports.
Police reportedly asked for county deputies to be on the look out for the vehicle, and gave the description. Shortly after officers arrived, witnesses relayed a license plate relayed number for the suspect’s pickup, which he relayed to authorities as well, according to arrest reports.
SSPD officers began speaking with witnesses and the alleged victim, an 18-year-old Rockwall man who claimed he’d just learned that his 18-year-old girlfriend, who lives at the location, had been “talking” with both him and Pyron, according to police reports.
The Rockwall man alleged Pyron became upset when he learned the woman chose the other man as her boyfriend, and struck the other ma with his fist, then put him into a “chokehold,” according to police reports. Pyron allegedly continued to strike the other man and they fell to the ground.
As Pyron got up off the ground, he allegedly picked up a pocket knife, opened it and swing it in the other man’s direction. Then, Pyron was accused, in arrest reports, of throwing the knife toward the other man’s vehicle.
Pyron reportedly retrieved a four-way tire iron from his vehicle, then struck the driver’s side of the other man’s car. The 23-year-old Winnsboro man allegedly hit the side mirror of the other man’s vehicle hard enough to knock it off and break it. Pyron then reportedly got into his vehicle and left the scene, Floyd alleged in arrest reports.
Floyd alleged multiple injuries were visible on the 18-year-old Rockwall man, including bleeding from knew scrapes and his nose, and marks on one arm. The 18-year-old refused medical attention, according to police reports.
The information regarding the vehicle Pyron was driving and that police were looking for Pyron in connection with the alleged assault was relayed to deputies, who stopped him on State Highway 11 east near County Road 2389. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Lance Burdick, Aaron Chaney and Sgt. Scott Davis reportedly assisted. The Pyron was taken into custody at 7:05 p.m., according to sheriff’s reports.
Multiple people alleged the same events as reported by the victim. Pyron was reportedly read his rights by deputies, then admitted to the altercation and damaging the other man’s vehicle. Thus Pyron was taken into custody and the vehicle he was driving was impounded, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Burdick transported Pyron to the county jail, where they were met by Floyd who booked Pyron into jail at 8:40 p.m. Aug. 13 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to arrest reports.
Pyron will be charged at large for misdemeanor criminal mischief for the damage he was alleged to have caused to the other man’s vehicle, Floyd noted in arrest reports. A criminal mischief offense report was made for the damage to the vehicle, according to police reports.
Pyron remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning. His bond on the aggravated assault with deadly weapon charge was set at $50,000, according to jail reports.
Wildcats Team Tennis Loses Pair of Road Matches Tuesday
It was a tough day on the road for Wildcats Team Tennis Tuesday, August 13th as they lost a couple of matches. The Wildcats day began in Hallsville against a former district foe. The Bobcats took at 16-3 win. The Wildcats then faced Spring Hill Tuesday afternoon and the Panthers got a 13-6 win. The Wildcats are now 1-6 for the season. They will play in a Whitehouse tournament on Thursday and Friday.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Drops Road Match at McKinney North, 3-1 Tuesday
Despite looking good in their first set in a road match at McKinney North Tuesday night (August 13), the Lady Cats Volleyball Team had a hard time keeping up with the Lady Bulldogs after that and ended taking a one sided loss. McKinney North won 3-1. Scores were 25-23, 9-25, 12-25 and 14-25. In the first set the Lady Cats jumped out in front 3-0 and never trailed during the set. Perhaps as a harbinger of things to come, the Lady Cats led at one point, 24-18. The Lady Bulldogs then reeled off five straight points to get to within one, 24-23. Then in a real agony of defeat moment, a Lady Bulldog server sent the ball into the net and the Lady Cats led 1-0. In unofficial KSST stats, Sydney Washburn led the way in set one with four kills and a block. Sadie Washburn had three kills. Erika VanBenthem and Brooklyn Burnside both had one kill. Kate Womack and Peyton Hammack each had a service ace. In set two, the Lady Cats got the first point after a Womack serve. The Lady Bulldogs scored the next five points and they proceeded to dominate the next three sets. Anything that could go wrong seemed to go wrong for the Lady Cats as McKinney North showed why they came into the match with a 6-1 record. For the match, Sydney and Sadie Washburn had six kills and one block each. VanBenthem and Burnside had three kills. Womack had a pair of service aces and Hammack had one. The Lady Cats are now 6-4 for the season. The Lady Cats will play next in a Wills Point tournament on Thursday and Saturday.
Blue Blazes Drill Team Preparing For Football Season Performances
The 58th line of the Blue Blazes Drill Team of Sulphur Springs High School is working to get ready for this fall’s football game performances. Christie McCullough is beginning her 14th year as Blue Blazes director.
Ms. McCullough said the Blazes attended their annual camp the week of July 28-August 2. She said the Blazes are in their second week of practices at high school.
There are 36 Blue Blazes this year and about half of them are brand new. There are five Blazes officers led by Captain Allie Owens. Ms. McCullough said she is excited by the leadership her officers bring to the dancers. She said she couldn’t ask for a better start to this year.
Ms. McCullough said the Blazes will be doing a hoop routine for the first football game at home and for the second game on the road. She said the Blazes learned the routine during camp, adding it’s performed to jazzy music.
Ms. McCullough said the Blaze Buddies Program would be gearing up soon. She said there were about 120 Blaze Buddies last year. Some of those Buddies have carried their interest in the Blazes into Middle School.
The Blazes will also raise funds by printing Homecoming shirts.
The big Spring Show is again on the calendar capping off another big year for the Blue Blazes.
Coach Owens Said The First Day Of Football Practice Monday Was A Good One
Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens said the Wildcats had a good first day of practice Monday, August 12, inside and outside the Multipurpose Building.
After some meetings, the Wildcats spent just a few minutes indoors before heading out to the practice field under a broiling sun with high nineties temperatures. Actually Coach Owens said things felt pretty good on the outside grass. A breeze helped.
Coach Owens said spring football was again good for the Wildcats as he said the retention level was good Monday. He especially liked the energy from the players Monday.
Coach Owens said the challenge now would be to stack another good day on top of the first one. He compared it to stacking bricks. Coach Owens said his staff is wanting players to be more mentally and physically tough.
Another a couple of days in shorts and jerseys, the Wildcats will wear shoulder pads Wednesday but, by UIL rules, can not hit each other. Coach Owens said players can begin to bump each other a little on Thursday and Friday. He said hitting could occur as soon as Saturday. Saturday is also Picture Day for the Wildcats.
Concerning the first day numbers, Coach Owens said there were 40 varsity players, 60 JV players and 30 freshmen. He said the conditioning level was pretty good Monday. He said Monday didn’t feature a lot of grueling work but he said Monday was a long day. By the time players finished required gasser tests Monday, it was past 9:30 p.m.
Coach Owens got these impressions from players Monday:
- he thought quarterback Kaden Wallace threw well,
- he said the running backs looked fresh, strong and explosive,
- he liked the play of outside linebackers Kylan Wade and Aiden Walker, also inside linebackers Ryan Carrillo and George Greenway,
- he said the defensive line looked good but lean,
- he liked the play of some receivers going one-on-one with defensive backs,
- he said Chase Haney looked good on both sides of the ball,
- he noticed the play of sophomore safety Korderrian Bull Turner and cornerback Dominique Simms.
The quote of the day came from Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra, working with outside linebackers. He said you’ve got to get the little things right.
The Wildcats will try to keep stacking bricks Tuesday night at a second practice.
Volleyball And Team Tennis Are On Tuesday Game Day
There is volleyball and team tennis on this Tuesday, Aug. 13, game day.
The Lady Cats will be on the road facing McKinney North. Freshmen and JV teams will play at 5 p.m. The Varsity Lady Cats are scheduled to start at around 6 p.m.
The Varsity Lady Cats come in with a record of 6-3. They were 4-3 last weekend at the Garland ISD Volleyball Tournament losing out in the final game of the Challenger Bracket to Carrollton Ranchview, 2-0. Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner says that playing good teams early will help the Lady Cats when district play begins.
The Wildcats Team Tennis squad has another two match day Tuesday with both competitions on the road. The Wildcats began play at Hallsville at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. A match at Spring Hill is set to start at around 2 p.m. The Wildcats are 1-4 so far this season against good competition.
Troup Woman Arrested In Cherokee County On Felony Hopkins County Warrant
A 33-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was arrested in Cherokee County on a Hopkins County warrant. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office staff was notified Jamie Lynn Musick was being held at the Cherokee County jail. Officer Melvin Jackson was dispatched to collect her.
Jackson took Musick into custody at the Cherokee County jail at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and transported her to Hopkins County jail, where she was held on the warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for a Nov. 1, 2017 third or more driving while intoxicated charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
