Registration For SSISD Dual Language Enrichment Program Ends Friday
Registration for next year’s kindergartners in Sulphur Springs Independent School District’s Two-Way Dual Language Enrichment Program is ongoing through Friday, May 17.
The enrichment program is designed to teach children a second language in a natural way through subject content instruction and everyday classroom conversation.
In the two-way dual language program native English-speaking students and native Spanish-speaking students are paired together to learn to speak and read in both languages.
Students develop oral and cognitive academic language in both English and Spanish, while mastering grade-level knowledge and skills in all content areas. Students will initially learn to read and write in their first language with formal literacy instruction in the second language in grades 2-5.
Students receive Spanish and English instruction in language arts and reading according to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum requirements. Science and social studies are taught in Spanish and mathematics it taught in English. The program is based on the Gomez and Gomez Dual Language Enrichment Model.
Potential students must also complete a basic screening process. Parents will be notified if their child has been accepted into the program, then must sign a contract agreeing to the terms and keeping their student in the program through fifth grade.
The 2019-2020 kindergarten class was expected to have 30-35 seats for English speaking students; the exact number will depend on the number of native Spanish speakers enrolled in the program. As of Monday, 27 seats had already been filled. The program is a six year commitment; students enroll in kindergarten and continue in the program through fifth grade.
Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their kindergartners in the Spanish immersion program for the 2019-20 school year may stop by SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St., or Travis Primary, 130 Garrison St., to complete an application.
For additional program information, view the program video or contact the Dual Language/ESL Department at 903-885-2153, ext. 1148.
SSISD Opts For Buses Without Seat Belts Due to Budget Constraints
Sulphur Springs Independent School District moving forward will purchase school buses without seat belts for general bus routes, district trustees decided this week. Pre-kindergarten and Head Start buses will still have the safety devices required by law, but all other new buses will not have seat belts for students.
Superintendent Michael Lamb cited budget constraints as the prime reason for his recommendation of buses without seat belts, when presenting the proposal to SSISD Board of Trustees. He explained that after the legislative session 2 years ago some laws were passed which allow school districts that are unable to handle in their budgets the costs of converting to buses with seat belts to formally make that decision in a board meeting.
“Basically, the way the wording is, it says ‘if you feel like your budget can’t handle it.’ This time last year, we didn’t go this route because I felt like for the most part we have the finances to buy a bus. What we’ve discovered in a year’s time is that it’s really bigger than that,” Lamb said.
Converting to buses with seat belts would mean one less person per bus seat. That would necessitate the purchase of about 20 additional buses to have enough seats for all bus students. That would increase the bus fleet from 60 to 80 buses, because only two students can sit per seat in school buses with seat belts as opposed to potentially three per seat without seat belts.
SSISD cannot afford purchasing that many more buses, nor hire additional drivers to drive them.
“Right now, we are running about two or three bus drivers short all the time. We have a hard time finishing that staff. Well, if we go to 80, we certainly will,” Lamb told trustees at their regular May meeting Monday. “We truly, truly, truly – and we didn’t feel like we could say this last year — cannot afford this transition. We can’t afford what we’d need to pay to get more drivers, we probably cannot afford to maintain an 80 bus fleet, at least not under the current circumstances. … To catch up and do the things we really need to do, we just can’t.”
He noted that Assistant Superintendents Josh Williams and Rusty Harden are doing a lot of substitute bus driving of late, to make up for the shortage in bus drivers.
“Do we have any in our fleet that do have seat belts?” Jason Dietze asked.
Lamb said SSISD did purchase a bus with seat belts last year, and it can still be used, he recommended for field trips.
Lamb acknowledged that seat belts on buses can be a controversial topic that raises safety questions.
“Typically, we feel like the impact of a bus wreck – because the bus is so large, the seats are covered, etc. – students are generally safe,” Lamb said.
He said in his research, he found concerns have been expressed that seat belts on a bus could actually be more detrimental to smaller children’s health in that they might prevent younger students from being able to quickly and safely exit a bus in an emergency situation such as a bus fire or a bus overturning into a ditch with water.
“I think in reading through the literature on the design of buses, the intent of the way they are structured, they have a design to prevent things that would happen,” board member John Prickette said, noting information referred to them by Lamb regarding school bus safety and seat belts.
“I know it’s not necessarily an easy thing to come up with or decide, but it is the recommendation I’m making that we be allowed to buy buses from this day forward that do not have seat belts. That’s the request of the administration at this time,” Lamb said.
Trustees gave approval for the purchase of two school buses without seat belts this year according to the regular maintenance and replacement schedule, as recommended by Lamb, at their regular May board meeting Monday.
Gabby Idzi, Kavan Smith Recognized As Top Miller Grove 8th Graders
Gabby Idzi and Kavan Smith have been announced as the top 8th graders at Miller Grove Junior High this year.
Gabby Idzi, daughter of Robert and Michele Idzi, is the MGJHs valedictorian.
She is a member of Awana’s Youth Group at Brashear Baptist Church and helps her mom and dad around the house as much as possible.
Gabby participated in many UIL events and has gained many awards. This year she placed second in calculator, fifth in editorial writing, first in math, and second in number sense.
Her future plans include graduating with her Associate’s Degree the same year she graduates from high school.
Gabby Idzi, MGJHS valedictorian 
Kavan Smith, MGJHS salutatorian
Kavan Smith is this year’s MGJH salutatorian.
He offers thanks to his parents, Jimmi and Marcella Hayden, and his mom, Melanie Hayden, for always being supportive and pushing him to be his best.
This year, he worked hard in his academics which helped him in UIL. He participated in number sense; social studies; maps, graphs and charts; spelling; impromptu speaking and dictionary skills. He placed fifth in dictionary skills and impromptu speaking.
His future plans include taking college classes through high school, and to continue to participate in baseball, basketball, track and UIL events.
Police Arrest Man Following Disturbance Complaint
Sulphur Springs Police responding to a disturbance complaint late Tuesday night found one man “foaming at the mouth” in the street, according to arrest reports.
Police were dispatched about 11:45 p.m. May 14 to Como Street at Freeman Street , where two males were reported to be in the street, having some sort of altercation, possibly fighting.
Upon arrival, officer reported seeing a 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man “acting very erratically.” In arrest reports, the arresting officer alleged the man was “foaming at the mouth, covered in sweat, and making very erratic movements.” The man allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana. The officer, in the arrest reports, said he believed the man “was not in a stable condition to be left in a public place.”
The other man involved in the disturbance allegedly claimed the 26-year-old wouldn’t leave him alone. He claimed the other man had been walking behind him, following him down the street in an attempt to provoke a physical fight, and he’d been unsuccessful in getting away from him, police noted in arrest reports.
The arresting officer, in arrest reports, said he believed the 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man to be a danger to himself and/or others and took him to jail for public intoxication. He had been released from custody by Wednesday afternoon, according to jail reports.
Winnsboro Woman Jailed On Lamar County Warrants Following Criminal Trespass Complaint
A criminal trespassing complaint lead police Tuesday to a woman wanted on Lamar County charges, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs police officers were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to East Loop 301 at Shannon Road to issue several criminal trespass warnings. Upon arrival, officers reported seeing three people walking away from the area and contacted them.
A records check of all three people showed Kasie Malia Skirvin, 38, of Winnsboro to be wanted in Lamar County for credit or debit card abuse and theft of $100 worth or more but less than $750 worth of property. Consequently, Skirvin was jailed on the Lamar charges, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt alleged in reports.
She remained in the county jail Wednesday. Her bond was set at $1,000 on the theft charge and $10,000 on the other, according to jail reports.
SSHS Spring Football Wraps Up
Wildcats Varsity and JV Take on Gilmer in 7 on 7 Football Tuesday Night
The Wildcats’ 7 on 7 football teams, JV and Varsity, took on Gilmer Tuesday evening (May 14) in the Multipurpose Building. Both teams got in two games with the Buckeyes. In the first Varsity game, the Wildcats and Buckeyes tied, 35-35 with Gilmer scoring a touchdown right as the horn went off signaling the end of the game. Quarterback Noe Ponce led the Wildcats to their first two scores throwing TD passes to Aidan Walker and to Chase Haney. Quarterback Kaden Wallace threw the last three touchdowns in game one finding Da’Korian Chock Sims, Brycen Lacy and Detrick Clayton. Neither team threw an interception. Game two for the Varsity against Gilmer turned out to be a nightmare. Wildcats quarterbacks threw five interceptions. Wildcats defenders intercepted Gilmer twice. Teams get three points per interception. The Buckeyes managed 3 touchdowns to none for the Wildcats in the 36-6 game. For the JV Wildcats, they topped the Gilmer JV, 20-13 in game one. Both teams threw two interceptions. Both JV quarterbacks, Matthew Sherman and Ty Stroud, had one TD pass each. In JV game two, both teams scored four touchdowns and there were no interceptions in the 28-28 tie. Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said it was great to have talented Gilmer in town. He said they provide a different look and challenge you with their speed. He said things that may work for us against us in practice may not work against Gilmer so players have to adapt. Coach Young said the second varsity game did not go as planned. He said coaches would look at the game tape to figure out why. He said there were drops by receivers and he said the quarterbacks may have been forcing some things. Coach Young said he expects growing pains with the young team. He said JV quarterbacks Sherman and Stroud looked like they had improved dramatically. Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said 7 on 7 football helps defenders with their zone drops and man coverage. He said it helps young defenders go against fast guys. Coach Guerra said he likes the competition and added 7 on 7 helps young guys learn to get to the spots where they need to be on defense. He added he’s ready for some real 11 on 11 football at the Wildcats Spring Game that marks the end of spring football Friday at 6 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium
With Temperatures Rising, Motorists Are Reminded Not To Leave Pets In Cars
As the mercury rises, so typically do the number of calls to authorities regarding animals left alone in parked cars in the heat. This spring is no exception.
“Do not leave dogs in cars. We’ve had several calls already,” said Sulphur Springs Animal Control Supervisor Barbi Blanch.
Blanch said she hopes the reminder will prevent situations such as one Sulphur Springs Animal Control officers encountered two years ago. A dog had been left in the car in a store parking lot while the owner went in to get a new chain. The temperature in the car had reached 104 when animal control became aware of the situation. The window of the car was busted out to get the canine out. The dog was then rushed to a local veterinarian, where it was put on ice and given fluids to help it re-hydrate.
“People don’t realize how hot the inside of a car can get even with cracked windows. Keep cars running with the air conditioner on; that’s the only time the dog should be in a car, even for 5 minutes,” Blanch said. “Dogs already have a higher body temperature, plus fur.”
“Especially with temps going up, it takes about 5 minutes before temps go up in cars,” said Annie Patridge, who added that no pet should be left in a hot car. “Cats have a higher tolerance than dogs. Don’t leave them in the car either.”
Leaving a pet in a hot car, Blanch said, can not only result in death or serious injury to animals, but it can also result in jail time.
“It is cruelty to animals unless the car is running,” Branch said. “Charges can be filed if we have to pull a pet out.”
“Cruelty to animals is a Class A misdemeanor. If the animal dies it could be felony,” said Patridge.
Downtown Business Alliance Members: Partners in Promoting Local Business
Meeting in the luxurious surroundings of Hope Smith Interior Designs at 115 Gilmer Street, the 20-plus persons attending the Downtown Business Alliance gathering on Tuesday May 14, 2019 represented a vibrant cross-section of individuals and interests. Several were new in town or involved in a new business. Increasing membership is proving that DBA is a continued boon for the merchants in our town. President Billie Ruth Standbridge presided as several committee reports were heard. She gave encouragement to downtown merchants about effective signage on their storefronts. Standbridge observed, “your business signs are visible during daytime hours, but are they easily seen by night time visitors? Having a light on your signs, as well as having signage hung perpendicular to the sidewalk, are good goals to have as we seek to attract and serve the visitors to our district. Locals as well as out-of-towners who arrive and walk in our downtown at night may only see the restaurants and storefronts that are well lit up. That may give a false view of the abundance of eateries, shops and attractions we actually have in our district”.
Standbridge also announced that the Sulphur Springs Downtown district is listed as a finalist in the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA), a national urban design award that seeks to promote innovative thinking. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, RBA is a biennial design award recognizing transformative places that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social vitality of American cities. Seventy-eight projects in 27 states have been honored since its founding. City of Sulphur Springs Downtown was nominated this year in the category of ‘renewal of a rural, small-town civic plaza and main street’. Early on, the Downtown Business Alliance led in promoting the revitalization of the downtown area.
Among committee reports were Jason Tully,chairman for the Car Show set for Saturday November 2, 2019 on The Plaza. As a local event, the Car Show has a 13-year successful history, and is being organized this year by a special committee. Judy Heilman spoke as chairman for the Brick Street Vintage Market, a rain-or-shine outdoor event planned for Saturday, September 21 downtown along Main Street, Connally Street and The Plaza. Vendor spaces are now available for arts/crafts, vintage and homemade items. No outside food vendors will be included, as the Vintage Market supports primarily the local eating establishments. Vintage Market will be held on the Saturday of the Quilt Guild’s annual 2-day Quilt Show, which will be displayed inside The Roc. Treasurer Lynda Hager also reminded everyone that the Hopkins County Dairy Festival is set for June 7-15 with a theme of “Over the Moon in Dairyland”. Marketing Volunteer Lynn Chianese gave a report on additions to the DBA website.
Members and interested persons are invited to attend DBA meetings, scheduled monthly on the second Tuesday at 5:30 pm at a designated downtown location. You do not have to be a downtown business merchant to become a member. Find out more at sulphurspringsdba.com. The purpose of the Downtown Business Alliance is:
To develop and maintain a working partnership with city and county governments as well as other advisory boards dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Sulphur Springs.
To provide support for all merchants and property owners and to encourage community pride in the Downtown Area.
To recreate the charm and relaxed atmosphere of yesteryear, allowing our local citizens and visitors an enjoyable and diverse place to shop, dine and conduct business.
I-30 Traffic Stop Results In 2 Controlled Substance Arrests
Eddie Malone 
Stephanie Lynn Padron
Sulphur Springs Police arrested a Sulphur Springs man and woman found in possession of 8.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop.
Stephanie Lynn Padron, 50, and Eddie Dale Malone, 60, both of Sulphur Springs, were arrested at 12:39 p.m. Tuesday by Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Eddie Moon and Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance with intent to distribute, a second degree felony offense, according to arrest and jail reports.
Malone was reportedly stopped at mile marker 125 on on Interstate 30 east for driving a Saturn Relay in the left lane and not passing other vehicles. A search revealed about 8.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, Moon and Estes alleged in arrest reports.
After initial interviews, the officers believed there to be probable cause that the pair collaborated and had an interest in the purchase and possession of the substance, thus, both were charged with the offense, police noted in arrest reports.
Malone and Padron remained in the county jail Wednesday morning; bond was set at $30,000 each on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
