3 Dozen Personnel Changes Approved for SSISD
Three dozen personnel changes were approved by Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday night, and term contract teachers who do not plan to return for the 2019-20 school year have only about 3 weeks to get their resignations in.
Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden announced that July 6 is the 45-day contract release deadline. That is the date, according to Texas Education Section 21.210 of Texas Education Code, that is the last day teachers on term contracts who do not plan to return for the school year can submit their written resignation to the proper school official in order to be released from their contracts with penalty.
Trustees did accept resignations from three teachers and three aides Tuesday night, and approved two summer contracts, recommendations for 19 new personnel and nine personnel changes. These staffing changes will impact seven campuses.
Resigning were Sulphur Springs Elementary fifth grade teacher Brandi Caddell, middle school physical education teacher and coach Adolphus (Duane) Davis and special education aide Dayton Gifford; and high school government teacher and coach Brandon DeLorge, and inclusion aides Lori Franklin and Dana Wallace.
Summer contracts approved due to mid-term hire dates were those of Laura Badgett, a kindergarten teacher at Barbara Bush Primary, and Beverly Mayo, Sulphur Springs High School nurse.
New personnel were approved as recommended for six different campuses.
Kelsie Moser was approved to join the faculty as a first grade math and science teacher at Barbara Bush Primary. Amanda Walker is to be a special education aide at Travis Primary.
Approved to work at SSES were Natosha Burns, Lori Green and Vicki Nugent, fourth grade math teachers; Melva Dunan, special education behavior aide; Kendra Fisher, fifth grade teacher; Angel Tavera, bilingual instructional aide; and Kristy Williams, special education self contained aide.
At SSMS, Barbara Bloodgood was approved as a special education aide, Kayla Gentry as a sixth grade math teacher and Zuleyma Miranda as an eighth grade math teacher.
New at SSHS will be Ashley Bagwell as a math teacher and possibly a coach, Sean Coleman and Bryan Jones as a social studies teachers and coaches, Austin Fleming as a special education teacher and coach, Heather Fretwell as an English teacher, and Deanna McCoy as a health science technology education teacher.
Erin Echols was also approved to become a special education aide at Austin Academic Center.
Nine additional personnel changes were also approved by SSISD trustees, some requiring classroom swaps, others campus swaps, and in most cases changes in positions.
Mariana Hernandez will remain at Travis Primary, but will change from second grade dual language Spanish language arts and reading/science and social studies teacher to bilingual literacy support staff.
Tawnette Ramsey will continue teaching at SSES, but will exchange a fifth grade classroom for a special education classroom.
Renee Johnson will then move from Sulphur Springs Elementary where she is a fifth grade teacher to fill the second grade dual language SLAR/science and social studies position.
Susana Sanchez too will remain at Travis, where she will switch from teaching first grade dual language math and science to bilingual special education teacher. Olga Tellez will remain in a first grade classroom at Travis, but instead of teaching dual language math and science will now be teaching dual language science and social studies. Kelly Robinson will move from Douglas Early Childhood Learning Center to Travis, switching from prekindergarten ESL teacher to first grade dual language math teacher.
Chris Owens will trade in duties as a social studies teacher to become a SAC teacher at SSHS, but will continue to coach. Physical education teacher and boys coach Kevin Hatcher will then move from SSHS to high school to teach history and coach.
Adriana Ortiz will remain at SSMS, but will trade duties as an at-risk class aide for those of special education aide.
3 Taken Into Custody At Adult Probation Office Tuesday
Two Sulphur Springs men were taken into custody at the adult probation office Tuesday on warrants. A woman was also allegedly found intoxicated at the adult probation office.
Jonathan Wayne Smith, 22, of Sulphur Springs was arrested at 3:56 p.m. Tuesday at the adult probation office on three warrants for controlled substance offenses and one for violating probation, according to arrest reports.
The Special Crimes Unit officer reportedly obtained three warrants following an investigation into the purchase, selling and possession of narcotics from and by Smith.
Aware of the charges, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt and SCU Sgt. Joe Scott took Smith into custody on the warrants at the adult probation office Tuesday afternoon, they noted in arrest reports.
Smith remained in jail at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center Wednesday afternoon. He bond was set at $40,000 on the possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge, $50,000 manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and $40,0000 on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. No bond was set for violation of probation, which he was on for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, according to jail reports.
Gerardo Arellano, 20, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Shing and Sgt. Kelly Wiser at 8:47 a.m. Tuesday for violation of probation, which he was on for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Arellano, identified in arrest reports by the last name Arellano-Saldana, remained in jail at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center Wednesday afternoon on the violation of probation charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Jameison Hawkins also reportedly responded to a report of a person on some form of intoxicant at adult probation office. The 46-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was determined to be intoxicated to the degree she could harm herself or others, resulting in her arrest on the misdemeanor charge of public intoxication, Hawkins alleged in the report. She was released from the county jail Wednesday, according to jail reports.
Tyler Man Arrested on Theft Warrant
Chadwick Arthur Simmons, 26, of Tyler was arrested at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday on a Grayson County warrant for theft of property valued at $1,500 or more but less than $20,000.
He was stopped by Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Rebekah Saathoff for speeding on FM 1870. He was to be issued a warning for the traffic violation, until a records check using his name and date of birth showed he didn’t have a valid driver’s license and that he was wanted on the Grayson County charge, according to arrest reports.
Simmons remained in the county jail Wednesday afternoon, June 12, on the warrant, according to jail reports.
Tira News For June 11, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Rodney Tucker. His funeral service was held at the Peerless Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 11 th under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Please remember the family in prayer.
Yvonne Weir reports, “Natalie, Dustin, and Everly visited Sunday.” She adds, “Joyce Dodd, Natalie, Everly, and I attended a baby shower for Kaitlyn Murray in Paris. We enjoyed seeing Mary Helen, Dana, and Kelly – Danny’s wife [Mary Helen’s daughter-in-law]. Kaitlyn, Dana’s daughter, is having a little boy.”
Mallory Padron, a friend of the Weirs, caught a 19-pound catfish at the spillway last week. Brenda Allen and Yvonne picked blueberries at Whitman on Friday. They each picked a gallon. Sounds like it’s time for some blueberry cobbler!
Joyce Dodd would like to let everyone know that the next Bible study at the Tira Methodist Church is coming up on June 18 th , at 1:00 p.m.
Joyce reports that their son, Michael McNiel, lives in Richardson and his area had a lot of storm damage over the weekend – large trees down, power lines down, roof damage, and a tree fell on a covered car port just a few cars down from his car. She comments, “He was very lucky to have no damage. He, also, still had electricity, even though just across the street from him it was a total blackout.”
Tanya and Matthew Dodd and Tanya’s oldest son and his family have just returned from spending several days at Disney World in Florida. They really enjoyed their trip.
The Joslin family had their annual reunion on Saturday. Malcolm Joslin, who has recently moved back to Tira, reported that there were about 75 people in attendance. They enjoyed visiting and sharing a covered dish lunch.
Chip and I were in San Antonio for the graduation of our great-niece, Madison Horn, on Friday evening. We drove to Hill Country Resort on Canyon Lake Thursday evening. We stopped in Waco on the way and met our son, Delayne, for a delicious Cajun meal at Walk-On’s Bistreaux. We drove around the lake area some on Friday. That afternoon we met Michael,
Tracy, Madison, and Lani Horn, Liz Steinsiek, and Tracy’s mother, Susan, at Garcia’s in Schertz for an early supper. We all went back to Michael and Tracy’s home for dessert and for Madison to open her presents, and then we went to Freeman Coliseum for the Samuel Clemens High School Graduation. Jordyn Horn, Madison’s sister, drove in from Tyler for the ceremony. Chip
and I returned to Tira on Saturday.
Minnie Hillis Reagor would like to remind everyone that the Hillis Family Reunion (and extended families) is coming up this Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Tira Community Center. She would like to encourage everyone to make an effort to attend. She says, “As our family ages, you never know who may not be with us in the future.” She adds, “Our family has gathered officially since 1960 (and a few before that)…let’s not lose the tradition!” She reminds everyone to bring their favorite food, cameras, pictures, games, “and most of all your families.”
Just a reminder about the Tira Homecoming, which is coming up on Sunday, July 7 th . Make plans to come to the Tira Methodist Church for the program at 11:00, and then stay for a pot-luck lunch and visiting afterward.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or janvaughn73@gmail.com.
Johanna Hicks: Taking Aim at Snacking Myths
By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
TAKING AIM AT SNACKING MYTHS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Community Health Agent
Hopkins County
P.O. Box 518
1200-B W. Houston
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443
jshicks@ag.tamu.edu
Who snacks? Just about everyone! A nutritious snack can give you an energy boost when you need it. A planned snack can prevent overeating and actually can be healthy when replacing empty calories. Empty calories (those lacking nutrients) include soft drinks, sugary beverages, candy, sweets, some chips, and other high-calorie, high-fat foods.
Here’s a quiz to see if you need to plan your snacks a little better:
- Do you reach for anything close at hand to eat when you are stressed?
- Do you know exactly what is in the vending machines at work?
- Do you seldom have time to sit and eat a meal?
- Have you eaten three or more “empty calorie” snacks, such as cake, candy, or soft drink this week?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these, a little snack planning may be in order!
Many people can benefit from eating snacks. Growing children with tiny appetites may not be able to fulfill their energy needs with only three meals a day. Snacks can provide what may be missing from their meals. Teens are well know for their snack attacks, because they have high energy and nutrient needs to support their growing bodies. Carefully chosen snacks can help fuel their growth. Older adults who can eat only small portions of food at a time my find it easier to maintain their health by eating snacks in addition to their meals. Athletes of all ages have increased energy demands. They especially need energy in the form of carbohydrates, which help power exercising muscles. Snacks such as sandwiches, cereals, pasta, fruit and milk can help give athletes the additional energy they need.
Snacks can offer some disadvantages as well. This depends on the types and amounts of nutrients they contain. Mindless nibbling can lead to trouble in the form of unwanted calories. Some snacks, such as potato chips, candy, and other sweets, can add a lot of fat. A high-fat diet is clearly linked with chronic diseases such as heart disease and some cancers.
Despite the benefits that snacks can offer, many people think of snacks as something extra they should not eat. Here are five common myths:
Myth: Snacks are fattening.
Fact: Eating a snack during a long stretch between meals can take the edge off hunger. Of course, specific snack food choices will make a difference.
Myth: Snacks spoil your appetite before meals.
Fact: Eating a small amount of food (a piece of fruit, for example) two or three hours before a meal will not spoil your appetite. By eating a snack, you can be more in control of your food choices and less inclined to overeat at your next meal.
Myth: Snacking can cause cavities.
Fact: While smacks expose the teeth to food and decay-producing bacteria more often, choosing foods that are not sticky and rinsing your mouth afterward can help prevent cavities. Better yet, brush after snacking, if you can.
Myth: Snacking is the same as eating junk food.
Fact: Making better choices can help fill in the gaps in meals to complete a healthy diet.
Myth: Healthy snacking means that I can never eat potato chips again.
Fact: It is possible to eat un foods and still follow a diet that is low in fat, but it requires a little planning. If you have a high-fat shack, you need to balance that out with lower-fat choices at other meals.
Remember, one snack, one meal, or one day of eating cannot make or break your health. It is what you eat consistently over time that counts.
Here are some on-the-go portable snacks to consider to fit a hectic schedule:
- Fruit – apples, pears, etc.
- Carrots
- Juice boxes (make sure it is 100% juice, and not “juice beverage”)
- Pretzels
- Popcorn (avoid high butter, high salt)
- GORP – good old raisins and peanuts! Use whatever combo sounds goods to you – dried fruits, seeds, nuts, cereals, etc.
For more ideas on snacking, go to www.bmbhc.org (“Snack Attack! Take Action!”) or www.nutrition.com (“Snack Attacks or OK”)
Upcoming Events
- Diabetes Support Group: 4th Tuesday of each month, noon, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Hopkins County Office (next meeting is June 25)
- Skills Camp: Monday thru Thursday, July 29 thru August 1 (we still have a few openings) Hopkins County Extension Office, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
- Back-to-School Fair: Friday, August 9, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., Civic Center
- Get a Taste for Reducing Food Waste series: Monday and Thursday, August 12 & 15, 10:00 a.m., Hopkins County Extension Office
- Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop: Saturday, August 24, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hopkins County Extension Office
For more information on all these events, call 903-885-3443.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Tomorrow is the longest day of the week. It has to be because of all the things we are going to do – anonymous
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Camo Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ripe avocados
- 2 ripe bananas
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup milk (can substitute almond “milk”)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon extract
Directions:
- In food processor or blender, mix all ingredients until the consistency is smooth and velvety.
- Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. Serve topped with fresh bananas or berries.
Nutrition information: (1/4 recipe)
210 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat, 34 g carbohydrate, 7 g dietary fiber, 3 g protein
Source: Dinner Tonight Healthy Cooking School
SS Wildcat Athletic Booster Club is Seeking Members for Next School Year
The Sulphur Springs Wildcat Athletic Booster Club is seeking new and renewing members so they can continue to support Wildcats and Lady Cats athletic teams. The Booster Club is made up strictly of volunteers and 100% of your support is spent directly on the students and their activities. The top level of support is the State Champ Wildcat at $200 and above and includes a reserved parking place at Gerald Prim Stadium. Other levels are Regional Final Wildcat at $150 to $199, the District Champ Wildcat at $100 to $149, the All-District Wildcat at $50 to $99, the Code Blue Wildcat at $25 to $49 and Team Wildcat at $10. Those that join or renew by July 10 will have their contribution acknowledged in th 2019 Football Program. Any membership dues over $10 are considered a donation. Wildcat Booster Club President Stacy Cody said the organization needs your support to assist Wildcat athletics in meeting the tradition of excellence that they have enjoyed. Booster Club checks can be sent to Wildcat Athletic Booster Club
P.O. Box 1594
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483
Wanted Man Runs From Police To Avoid Arrest
A 20-year-old man added to his troubles by running when police tried to arrest him on warrants Tuesday.
Todrick Zyquince Cork was reportedly first contacted at Pacific Park at 12:13 p.m. June 11 regarding a wanted person. He allegedly initially gave officers a false name, but then provided his correct information.
A records check showed him to be wanted on a Lamar County evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and on Paris unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana charges. As the officer attempted to place him into custody, he fled on foot, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
The officer reportedly chased after the man, who failed several times to comply with his orders for him to stop. As the officer gained ground, the man stopped, got on the ground on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at W.A. Street, and was arrested on all three warrants as well as evading arrest or detention, the officer alleged in arrest reports.
Cork remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday afternoon. His bond was set at $10,000 on the evading arrest with a vehicle charge, and $2,000 each on the three other charges, according to jail reports.
Update: 1 Dead Following Officer Involved Shooting
A 61-year-old Hopkins County man was pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon in what was reported as an officer involved shooting in Como.
The deceased was identified by authorities as Jimmy De Odell, 61.
According to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum, deputies were dispatched to the Como area around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to look for Odell, after receiving information the man might be disgruntled.
Officers continued to patrol in the area until they located Odell during the noon hour. When they attempted to make contact with him on Bethel Road in Como, Odell was alleged to have brandished a weapon. Shots were fired. Odell was pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace B.J. Teer, Tatum said.
“The officer is currently on leave and will be allowed more time if needed,” Tatum said Wednesday.
The investigation into the shooting is being handled by the Texas Rangers, Tatum said.
Odell was known to local authorities from prior dealings, which included being booked into the county jail on at least six different occasion between July 2, 2017 and May 17, 2018.
Odell was reported to have recently been released from prison. He was sentenced May 17, 2018, to 10 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice after his probation was revoked on a stalking charge and transferred from Hopkins County jail to a state facility on June 28, 2018, according to jail and court records. He was released from TDCJ April 18, 2019 according to officials.
