Basketball: Lady Cats 2019 Season Ends With 24-8 Record
Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell said she has to give credit to Jacksonville for the way they played in a 57-46 bi-district win Monday night (February 11) at Winona.
Coach Tisdell said the Maidens were extremely athletic and appeared much taller in person than they looked on tape. She said they were taller at every position than the Lady Cats. Coach Tisdell said they hit a lot of their shots and played a great game. She thought the Lady Cats did a pretty good job of denying the Maidens three-point baskets. Jacksonville loves the three-point shot but managed to hit only four all night. Both starting guards hit two.
Coach Tisdell said the offensive rebounding by Jacksonville turned out to be a game killer for the Lady Cats. She said the Lady Cats shots just would not fall. Coach Tisdell said the Lady Cats did not play their best game. She said the Jacksonville players were a good young group and were respectful of the Lady Cats after the win.
Coach Tisdell told her team that not many teams get to end their season 24-8. She encouraged them to remember the good season they had.
Tran Takes First at Van Zandt Golf Tournament
Lady Cat sophomore golfer Mariam Tran took first place at a tournament at the Van Zandt Country Club Tuesday (February 12). Tran shot an 80 and Lady Cats Coach Whitney Spigener said the round included an eagle that Tran made when her 68 yard shot went in the hole. Coach Spigener said it was Tran’s first eagle in competition.
Lady Cat Charleigh Potts shot 112 to finish in eleventh place. Coach Spigener said the Lady Cats battled high winds and cold temperatures. The Lady Cats play next on Monday and Tuesday in a regional site preview at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
Two Lady Cats on Powerlifting Team
Wildcats Powerlifting Coach Casey Jeter said he is building a Lady Cats’ powerlifting team. Right now it has two lifters: freshman Addyson Lamb and Sable Edemeyer.
Coach Jeter said he took the girls to a meet in Honey Grove last weekend. Edemeyer, in the 165 pound weight class, placed fifth at the meet. Lamb, in the 123 pound weight class set personal records with a 235 pound dead lift and a 205 pound squat. Coach Jeter said both might qualify for the regional meet.
He said the pair will also lift at a Commerce meet Friday, the last day to qualify for the girls regional meet in Pine Tree. Top lifters there can go to the state girls meet.
Wildcat Golfers Play With Perseverance at Rockwall and Longview
The Wildcats’ golf team had to take on the weather as well as two golf courses during two tournaments over the weekend (February 8-9) and on Monday (February 11).
The Wildcats only got 9 holes of golf in on Friday in Rockwall. Wildcats Golf Coach Chris Owens said the weather Saturday in Rockwall was as bad and you could probably have. He called it freezing cold. Coach Owens credited his players with perseverance. With the temperature in the 30’s, rain began falling about halfway through the Wildcats’ round Saturday. Due to ACT testing and other activities, Coach Owens said he only took three golfers to Rockwall. Carter Lewis managed to shoot 79. Kip Childress carded a 90 and Grant Mohesky shot 91.
The Wildcats, as a full team, played a tournament at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview Monday. This time Coach Owens said the Wildcats got lucky. After being rained on all the way over to Longview, Coach Owens said it quit when the Wildcats arrived. He said rain stayed away until the Wildcats were playing their last couple of holes. Coach Owens said it was overcast with temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s. He said the Wildcats ended up tied for third in the tournament that featured a strong field. Lewis shot 75. Colton Bench fired 77. Childress shot 82. Andrew Escobar shot 90. Mohesky came in with a 91. Despite a very wet course, Coach Owen said his team played well overall. After a break, the Wildcats will play in the Twisted 54 Golf Tournament at two Longview golf courses in early March. The Wildcats will play 54 holes of golf over two days.
Game Day: Basketball, Soccer, Golf
This Tuesday (February 12) is a busy game day with basketball, soccer and golf.
The #4 ranked Wildcats’ basketball team wraps district play at Lindale. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m. A JV contest follows at 6:15 p.m. The varsity match up takes place at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats are 9-0 in district play and 23-8 for the season.
The Wildcats’ soccer team opens district play as they host Greenville at Gerald Prim Stadium. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity match to begin at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are 5-5-2 for the season. We will bring you Wildcats and Lions soccer from The Prim live on KSST Radio and with video streaming on YouTube. There is also a video link at ksstradio.com. We will also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats’ soccer team opens district play at Greenville. They too will have a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. The varsity match starts at 7 p.m. The Lady Cats are 1-10-3 for the season.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats’ golf team will be battling the wind as they play at a tournament at Van Zandt Country Club sponsored by Canton.
Finally this note from Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack. He says the Wildcats planned Tuesday evening scrimmage against Hallsville has been changed to Thursday evening at Wildcat Park. It will start at 5 p.m.
SSHS FCCLA Students Advance to State
Several Sulphur Springs High School students in FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), advanced to state competition at the Region III FCCLA Meeting in Waco this past weekend. Twenty-three students took part in the competition.
State qualifiers include Zoe Wilson who took second place in Career Investigation and Mia Hicks who was first in Career Investigation, Senior Division.
In Culinary competition, the team of Ana Cortes, Michael Mercer and Lina Pacheco placed second, the team of Jessi Booth, Sydney Kuiper and Caleb Yanez took third place, the team of Madison Clark, Robert Koch and Kenny Perez and the team of Kelsey Conliffe, Valerie Lindsey and Ellie Thompson both competed very well. FCCLA Sponsor Debbie Stribling said the Culinary competition featured a lot of teams and was very intensive. In Cupcake Battle, Ms. Stribling said Samantha Medina-Powell and Carolyn Escobedo competed well in tough competition. In Food Innovation, Senior Division, Zachariah Goodson and Ariyana Whitfield placed second.
In Job Interview, Senior Division, Caitlyn Williams was second. In Recycle Redesign, Macy Moore was first.
In Toys That Teach, Emily Bocanegra and Breeanna Conliffe were second. Ms. Stribling said the Culinary team also took a cake to a Skills USA competition across town and took first place to advance to state competition.
Ms. Stribling said SSHS FCCLA also nominated SSISD College, Career Readiness Director Jenny Arledge for honorary membership at the Regional Level in FCCLA. FCCLA state competition will take place April 6-8 in Dallas.
Como-Pickton SkillsUSA Competes in District 5, Qualifies for State
Como-Pickton SkillsUSA members competed in the District 5 competition at TSTC Waco, February 8-9th.
CP SkillUSA members Katie Morgan and Summer Gilbreath competed in the Construction Trades Tool Identification contest, with Summer received a gold metal, placing 1st and Katie placed 4th overall. Both will advance to the state contest. (Pictured Summer Gilbreath.)
Katie and Summer also exhibited an Epoxy River End Table and received a blue ribbon and score of 93/100. They will be advancing to state. (pictured; Summer Gilbreath and Katie Morgan)
Jesus Gonzalez and Maci Wright competed in the Construction Materials Identification identification contest as a team and received a silver metal, placing 2nd overall and will advance to the state competition. (Pictured; Maci Wright receiving the team’s Silver Medal.)
Maci Wright aslo exhibited an Art Deco Coffee Table, which received a score of 95/100 and a blue ribbon. Maci will Advance to state.
(Pictured: Maci Wright and her Art Deco Coffee Table)
Sydnee Neal and Chloe Romero competed in the Prepared Public Speaking Contest. Chloe brought home 4th place and Sydnee received a Gold Medal placing 1st in the contest. Sydnee Neal will advance to state. (pictured; Sydnee Neal, 1st place, Prepared Speech.)
Jackson Monk, Nolan Brown, Sydnee Neal, and Chloe Romero exhibited an epoxy dining table and chairs at the district 5 contest. The table received 97/100 points in addition to a blue ribbon and “Best of Show” in its division. They will advance to state. (Pictured L-R; Sydnee Neal, Nolan Brown, Jackson Monk, & Chloe Romero.)
Garbiel Garcia, Nolan Brown, and Jackson Monk competed in the Metal Fabrication Team contest and placed 9th.
Jesus Gonzalez and Gabriel Garcia exhibited an Epoxy River End table and received a score of 92/100, in addition to a blue ribbon. They will advance to state.
(Pictured: Jesus and Gabriel with their Epoxy River End Table)
SSISD Board Tours Career Technology Classrooms; Hear Reports on Schools, Legislative Funding and Policies; Set March 11-15 as Public School Week; Make Personnel Changes
February is Career and Technology Education Month. Sulphur Spring School Board celebrated the event with a tour of the career and technology courses taught at Sulphur Springs High School as well as conducting the regular business of hearing reports and taking action on various items.
Jenny Arledge, Career and Technology Director, introduced various technology classes and introduced students who spoke regarding their related field of study. Increases in student enrollment in each area and accomplishments at regional competitions were noted. Among those areas represented: Business and Professionals of America; Family, career and Community Leaders of America; Future Farmers of America; Health Occupation programs; Skills USA which includes Culinary Arts, Robotics, and Construction; and Texas Association of Future Educators.
The annual report of Education Performance required by the Texas Education Code was presented to the board by Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams. The seven elements that provide the requirements for rating each school system and the results of the report can be found on the SSISD website (ssisd.net/accountability). The school district did receive a higher rating in the area of special education and is above state average in a number of areas including math. The local school drop out rate is lower than the state average and graduation rate is higher than state numbers. Other items are noted on the website report.
A legislative update presented by Williams noted that 41 legal policies are being reviewed and 15 new policies will be voted on by the board in their March session. The new policies will update local policy to reflect state mandates. Policies include training Freshmen students how to interact with law enforcement, the requirements for credit by examination, and grievance policies for parents when asked to leave campus.
Superintendent Michael Lamb reported on Commission of Public School Finance. Lamb stated that an optimistic attitude toward increased funding for public schools seemed to highlight the attitude of members of the commission. He stated that the commission is a good mix of legislators, school personnel, and the public sector. He observed that the biggest concern for educators is basing financial considerations for teachers based on test scores or merit pay.
Public School Week, March 11-15, 2019. The Schedule for Open House for SSISD schools includes: Monday, March 11 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sulphur Springs Elementary School Grades 4 – 5 Sulphur Springs Middle School Grades 6 – 8 Tuesday, March 12 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Bowie Primary Kindergarten (K) – Grade 3 Bush Primary Kindergarten (K) – Grade 3 Lamar Primary Kindergarten (K) – Grade 3 Travis Primary Kindergarten (K) – Grade 3 Thursday, March 14 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Douglass ECLC Head Start 3, Head Start 4, and Pre-K Sulphur Springs High School Grades 9 – 12.
Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk presented the Elementary Education Summary for the previous month. Activities at various schools include:
Douglass ECLC: Latino Literacy Night saw over 100 participants · Head Start Self-Assessment team meetings have been happening and include parents, community members and district personnel · Celebrating Black History Month
Bowie Primary · Served 500+ donuts for Donuts with Dad · Celebrated 100th day of school with lots of fun activities
Bush Primary: Donuts with Dads was a success; great turnout · Beginning Jump Rope for Heart · Wrapping up all MOY testing · Kinder and 1 st grade went to the planetarium at TAMU-Commerce to view the Sun, Moon, Stars; have been learning about this in science classes · 100th day of school fun counting and creating to 100 · Growing readers; mastering Bubble Gum Words and moving up reading levels · Lots of teaching and learning
Lamar Primary: First Grade has been prepping for our PTO Program, Bugs. · Second grade has begun exploring classical music through the musical fairy tale “Peter and the Wolf” · Black History is observed each morning during morning announcements and carries over with activities in the classrooms · This year instead of Muffins with Mom or Donuts with Dad, we are having “Pastries with Parents”. Each year some children are sad because they didn’t have a mom or dad come eat with them. Having Pastries with Parents will open the door for either or both parents/ guardians to come and enjoy this time with their children · Preparing for an educational night with our families as we have our Math and Literacy Night on Feb. 19th. What a fun night of learning we are planning! · Finalists are preparing for UIL. · Read Across America during Dr. Seuss Week. (Week of Feb. 25th)
Travis Primary · Celebrated 100th Day of School–We are 100 days smarter! Kinder held a fashion show for their 100- day shirts, students had to use 100 items on them somehow. Very creative group! · Looking forward to UIL meet next Friday · Excited to see reading levels moving up in all grade levels · Teachers are conducting mid-year parent conferences · Planning for Family Math Night February 19th
Sulphur Springs Elementary School · We just completed the 5th grade STAAR Math and Reading Simulation – When comparing the 4th grade STAAR to the 5th grade simulation for each child, the 5th grade simulation shows growth in approaches, meets and masters in both grade levels!! · Student Council is selling Valentine Candy Grams and is having great success. Kids are in charge of selling and they love it. · KLTV Meteorologist will be presenting to both grade levels on Monday, February 11. · Valentine Parties – Feb. 14 · UIL – Feb. 15 – lots of practice sessions before and after school.
Williams presented the Secondary Education summary including:
Sulphur Springs High School Girls Basketball, 3 rd Place Finish in District; Boys Basketball, Back-to-Back DISTRICT CHAMPIONS, 1 st Round Playoff Game February 19th (Tentative); Boys and Girls Soccer – District Begins; Softball and Baseball – Scrimmages Have Begun; Boys and Girls Golf – Tournaments Have Begun; Band – Hosted Regional Contest at SSFBC; Choir – Area Auditions; Blue Blazes – Drill Clinic and Spring Show Preparation; UIL Academics o Continue to Participate Successfully in Practice Meets – Lindale, Mount Pleasant, Hallsville, SSHS Team WON the Mount Pleasant Meet, SSHS to Host Invitational – February 23; FCCLA – Attended Competition in Waco; Assessment o TSI administered on SSHS Campus, SAT and ACT Administered
Sulphur Springs Middle School: Girls Basketball – District Co-Champions; Powerlifting – Every Lifter Placed at Last Meet; UIL – 2nd Place Sweepstakes at District Meet; Science Fair at Region 8, 6 Groups Attended, 3 Groups Earned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Overall; Family History Night – Coming in 2 Weeks, “Are You Smarter than a Middle Schooler?”
Austin Academic Center Program Overview: Discipline Setting 16 SEARCH / Reach 28 AAC has recently expanded its computer labs to accommodate growing numbers of at-risk students in need of credit recovery / graduation intervention; Graduation Watch for 2018 – 2019: AAC is anticipating 6 new graduates within the next month.
Personnel changes include:
Retirement Notices
Patricia Fields Music Teacher Barbara Bush Primary
Karen McCormack Librarian Middle School
Gene McKelroy Science Teacher Middle School
Gwen Panter ELAR/SpEd Teacher Middle School
Resignations
Lisa Wax Science Teacher Middle School
Melissa Evart Ag Science Teacher High School
Mary Jenkins Counselor High School
Personnel Change New Assignment/Campus Former Assignment/Campus
Misti Clark SpEd Aide/High School SpEd Aide/Douglass ECLC
Kiwanis Club Annual Fundraising Pancake Day is Saturday February 16, 2019
Perry Altenbaumer, a 20-year member of the Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club is inviting everyone who likes pancakes to attend the annual fundraising all-you-can-eat on Saturday February 16, 2019 at the Civic Center! In addition to stacks of piping hot, fresh pancakes, Perry and his fellow Kiwanians will also have bacon, sausage, coffee, milk and juice for all diners who attend. Cost is $7 per person, and there is no charge for children under age 6. Tickets can be purchased from any Kiwanis member or at the door on Saturday. Pancakes will be served from 7am til 2pm and there will be plenty of room for dining and visiting with friends you may meet there.
The Kiwanis Club puts on the annual Pancake Day to raise money for good causes in the community. Among local organizations which benefit from Kiwanis Club support are Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Help a Child Benefit, Shadow Ranch Equine Center, Li’l 4’s Club, Relay for Life, Bright Star Basketball, Special Olympics, the Sulphur Springs Soccer Association, Hopkins County Girls Softball and Boys Baseball Associations and others. They annually provide backpacks for the CANHelp Back to School Drive, provide and cook hot dogs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Buford Park, and assist in the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive through the local Brookshire’s store. During graduation time in May, the Kiwanis Club sponsors two $1500 scholarships for graduating seniors from schools within Hopkins County. Earlier this month, the club provided and cooked hot dogs for the Kids Fishing Day at Peavine Pinion Pool, put on by the Wild Turkey Federation. So, within a 12-month period, the Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club helps a lot of individuals!
Another fundraising effort by the club is their American Flag Display sponsorship. If you have seen the eye-catching display of American flags lining the major roadways in Sulphur Springs on 5 major flag-display holidays through the year, you have the Kiwanis Club and their flag display sponsors to thank. Sponsors pay $35 per year and the Kiwanis Club does the rest. Some of the display sponsors pay for ten or more flags to be displayed, assuring there is good coverage through town. Any individual or business along the display route can be part of this. Just contact any Kiwanis member, or Perry Altenbaumer at 903-885-9168 or leave a message at the Appliance Hospital at 903-885-1256.
Members are also needed in the Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club. If you are interested in membership, you can attend one of their weekly meetings held at noon on Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall of League Street Church of Christ to find out more!
