School’s Back: Equip Your Child By Johanna Hicks
School’s Back! Equip Your Child
With the start of school, many students are looking forward to seeing their friends, meeting their new teachers, and getting back into a daily routine. Equip your student to have a successful year. Also, teach your child to be a buddy, not a bully.
Do you remember the school bully who went around teasing and threatening you or your classmates? Remember how you felt? Remember how you wished he would just go away? Ever wondered what happened to someone who was teased or bullied or what became of the bully himself?
Teasing and bullying is an ongoing problem for many of our children. Those who are the victims of teasing and bullying can experience long-term consequences. Victims of bullying may suffer from anxiety, fear, and low self-esteem. They may avoid peers, school, and social activities where they may be exposed to teasing or bullying. In some cases, children may drop out of school to avoid being harassed or attacked.
According to my colleague, Dr. Rick Peterson, Assistant Professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Parenting Specialist, negative consequences for those who bully have been demonstrated as well. He states that childhood bullies have school attendance and performance problems. Those who bully tend to become aggressive adults and are more likely to become involved in criminal activities.
Parents and adults should not expect children to deal with bullies on their own. Children need to be taught that bullying is an unacceptable behavior. Children must be taught useful strategies to help them cope with teasing and bullying. Teasing and bullying cannot be totally prevented, but children can be taught to control their own reactions. Parents can teach their children some simple strategies to empower them and help them cope with their feelings and sometimes helplessness. Some strategies parents and caregivers can teach their children include:
1) Self -talk. Give children things they can say to themselves when they are being teased or bullied, which can counteract the negative remarks or behaviors. A child can say to herself,“Even though I don’t like being teased, I can handle it.”Oftentimes,the teasing is not a true reflection of the child, and the child should question himself by asking, “Is the teasing true?”In addition, the child should remind himself that his opinion of himself is more important than the teaser’s opinion.
2) Ignore the teasing. Children should practice ignoring the teaser sincere acting with anger or tears may invite more teasing.Parents should monitor the teasing, particularly if it turns into bullying and/or harassment, and be willing to intervene.
3) “I messages” are a way for children to express their feelings and ask to be treated differently. For example, a child could say, “I feel upset when you make fun of my clothes. I would like you to stop.” This strategy may work best in a classroom or daycare setting, where adult supervision is present.
4) Using humor is another way to cope with teasing. By the child laughing at the hurtful comments or put-downs, it shows that the teasing has little effect on them. Another way to show indifference is for the child to respond to the teasing with, “So.” Responding with “so” indicates that the teasing doesn’t matter. Children find this simple reply to be an effective response to teasing.
5) Asking for help at times is necessary if the child is having trouble with the above strategies or if the teasing turns to bullying. Children can handle most types of teasing. However, if the teasing is repeated or occurs for a prolonged period of time, it becomes bullying and may call for an intervention by parents, teachers, and caregivers.
If your child is the one doing the teasing or bullying, parental involvement is crucial. A country-Western song by Luke Bryan makes the comment that he believes most people are good. Teach your child to be a good student, a good friend, and a good person.
Twogether in Texas – Last Call
In last week’s column, I did not put the date for this event, so here it is – Saturday, August 25. That is the date for the final Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop for 2018. As of this writing, six couples are signed up, which is a great group – but I still have room for more! Topics will include marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. This workshop is beneficial for marriage couples, seriously dating couples, and engaged couples. Perhaps those who benefit the most are engaged couples. Upon completion of the workshop, a certificate to save $60 (state portion) of the marriage license fee will be provided.
The workshop is free and an added bonus is that coffee, water, morning and afternoon refreshments, and lunch will be provided. No strings attached! I’m not selling anything, and have nothing to benefit from except the satisfaction of knowing that couples have received excellent information for a firm foundation for their marriage. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up so adequate preparations can be made.
Closing Thought
The most successful people in life are generally those who have the best information – Benjamin Disraeli
Certification Test At End of Summer Term for PJC-Sulphur Springs Welding Class
Wildcat Football: Inside Linebackers
In another in our series of visits with Wildcats football assistants and the players they coach, I talked with defensive assistant coach Bruce Silman at practice Wednesday (August 15). Coach Silman is in his thirteenth year as an assistant for the Wildcats, mainly on offense. He has spent the past two years as a defensive assistant. He is coaching inside linebackers in the Wildcats base 3-4 formation this season.
Coach Silman said he has a great group of solid performers including several who made contributions last year. Bryce McQueen returns. He played seven games last year and had a total of eight tackles and assists. Coach Silman said McQueen may also be called upon to play some offense. Other players Coach Silman has at inside linebacker include Hunter Sonntag, Daniel Moreno, Kaleb Mills, George Greenway and Kaden Davis. Coach Silman said the players are getting lots of reps and are getting better every day.
He said inside linebackers tend to make a lot of tackles by design as they attempt to stop the ran and clog things up for offenses Coach Silman said inside linebackers aid the pass defense by dropping back into coverages. He said his guys are working hard and he added he’s seeing a lot of retention from things learned during the spring.
Active Day For Wildcat Extra-Curricular Activities: Band, Football, Team Tennis
It’s a big day (August 16) for the Wildcats Marching Band. Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. they are having their annual Exhibition and Squad Off competition at Gerald Prim Stadium. Parents and other Band Boosters usually attend this event in large numbers. This will be the first Squad Off for new Wildcats Marching Band Director Spencer Emmert. The band usually performs the complete first song for this season’s band show featuring electronic music.
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad will be playing Marshall at the Wildcat Tennis Complex beginning at 2 p.m. Coach Martinez decided to treat it like an exhibition match when he learned that the Mavericks’ coach would be bringing only five or six players to town.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ football team will have their fourth workout of the season from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday inside and outside the Multipurpose Building. Wednesday the Wildcats were able to wear pads but they were restricted from hitting each other. They were able to strike padded objects. Hitting each other in pads will start Saturday. Despite the hot weather Wednesday, the Wildcats practiced outside from 5 p.m. to around 8 p.m. A good breeze helped them out. The Wildcats finished up with an hour inside the Multipurpose Building lifting weights and working on kick offs and receiving them.
Cross Country Team Prepares for First Meet
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said his teams would be having a three-mile time trial at Coleman Park on Saturday (August 18). He said the event would determine the top seven on each team that will run as varsity members at the first meet of the season. The first meet is the Tiger Invitational at Commerce High School on August 25.
Coach Hicks said he wants the runners to enjoy the event. Parents will be invited to attend. Coach Hicks said a lot of his runners have been running during the summer. He has encouraged them to run more days during the week during August.
There are two senior Lady Cats runners: Caitlyn Ferrell and Bailey Arrington. Also returning are juniors Sydney Washburn and Ashley Noe.
Coach Hicks said he has seven senior Wildcats returning. Among runners he expects to count on are Landon Thornton, Eli Sellers, Andrew Escobar, Felipe Alba, Rhett Reid, Christian Palomino and brothers Nabian and A.J. Ramirez.
TxDOT Reminds to “Plan While You Can” For Labor Day
AUSTIN – Laura Gonzalez celebrates her birthday every Labor Day weekend, commemorating the start of a new year and the end of summer alongside friends and family. Her husband Rico, however, will forever be absent from these celebrations as he was killed when he was hit head-on by a drunk driver, leaving behind his wife of less than a year and countless other family members and friends.
“We were just starting our lives together,” Laura said. “We had everything to look forward to — our careers, a home of our own, starting a family. All of those hopes were ruined in an instant. The life we dreamed of for our family would only remain a dream. A drunk driver took all of that away from us.”
Laura now shares her story through the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign to communicate the devastating consequences of drinking and driving. The goal is to save lives and decrease alcohol-related crashes, with special emphasis during holidays when alcohol consumption is more prevalent.
As a combined result of the “Plan While You Can” campaign and the efforts of many state and local community partners, including law enforcement, Texas experienced a 23-percent decrease in alcohol-related crashes over the 2017 Labor Day weekend* compared to the 2016 holiday weekend. Still, during last year’s Labor Day weekend, there were 264 alcohol-related crashes in Texas, resulting in 14 fatalities and 19 serious injuries.
“It’s completely irresponsible and absolutely inexcusable to drink and drive,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Finding a sober ride is easy, and it can save you from being arrested or from injuring or killing yourself or others. Make an effort to plan ahead for a sober ride this Labor Day weekend. You owe it to yourself and everyone else on the road.”
The “Plan While You Can” campaign includes a statewide tour featuring an interactive dodgeball game where participants avoid incoming “dodgeballs” as virtual drinks are added to the screen. As more drinks are added, participants experience how drinking can slow their reaction times as on-screen avatars begin responding more slowly to their players’ movements.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol can face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
- Designating a sober driver or calling someone for a sober ride home
- Contacting a cab or ride-share service
- Using mass transit
- Spending the night
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Brings Highly Specialized Physician to the Sulphur Springs & Winnsboro
Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro TX – Patients seeking relief from gastrointestinal and liver ailment in the Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro areas will now have expert help with the addition of Mena Milad, M.D., to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs medical staff, and the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro medical staff.
“CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, Dr. Milad and the everyone on the Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs hospitals and clinics teams are dedicated to providing excellent, compassionate care to the people of this area,” said Kristi Stern, Administrative Director of Operations, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro. “Dr. Milad and team provide treatment of the full range of digestive and liver problems, offering a full scope of diagnostic and treatment options in a compassionate and caring environment.”
Dr. Milad joins CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic after completing his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University and received his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Scott and White Memorial Hospital /Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station. Dr. Milad is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a member of the Texas Medical Association; the American College of Physicians, Internal Medicine; American College of Gastroenterology; American Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy; and the Texas Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy.
“We have an outstanding team here, and Dr. Milad brings an outstanding attitude and incredible skill set to the patients and communities we serve,” said Stern. “He will be an invaluable asset to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and an important resource in offering the highest levels of care to our patients.”
“I’m very excited to work with the people of Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro and this community, and to be able to bring this needed specialty to our patients here,” said Dr. Milad. “Working with the incredible team on staff here and providing the care these patients need in their daily lives is my calling, and I’m ready to get to work!”
To schedule an appointment, please call 903-606-DOCS or for more information, visit christustrinityclinic.org.
Observing 150 Years at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor H.B. Nash Sr. and Church Mother Mary Ross shared some of the plans for the Sesquicentennial Celebration at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church during the KSST Good Morning Show. Celebration activities and special services will be held on Saturday August 18 and Sunday August 19, 2018, and the community is invited to share their joy.
The history of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church reveals that the church was established in 1868 the North Caney Community as Old Tarrant Church. In 1897 a new church building was erected and renamed Morning Chapel with relocation to Sulphur Springs at the corner of Fuller and Front Street, facing Front Street. Following a fire in the 1970’s and new construction, the church now faces the other street, at 208 Fuller Street.
The Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee Chairman is Sister Lillian Fralin. Chairman of the Finance Committee is deacon Lewis Charles Hawkins. They and many other committee members have worked tirelessly during 2018 to make the celebration memorable for the many will travel to attend this Homecoming. There will be a Saturday picnic with fun, food and fellowship. On Sunday at 11am, there will be Worship services and a message by Reverend Dennis Daniels of First Baptist Church in Houston, who is a native of Sulphur Springs and Morning Chapel. At noon there will be a luncheon, and then at 3pm, a special service for the community led by Reverend Eddie L. Jenkins of Good Street Baptist Church of Dallas, who is a grandson of church member Jasper Nash. Everyone is invited to attend. Expect to be be met with warm welcomes, hearty handshakes, exuberant music and heartfelt messages at all services of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
Church Mother Mary Ross joined the church in 1944 when their family of 18 moved to town from East Caney. She was raised in the church and attended BTU, or Baptist Training Union, and the youth of that organization received excellent mentorship and training that would guide many into Christian adulthood. In recent years, she succeeded Clara Bridges as Church Mother.
H.B. Nash was born in Sulphur Springs and raised in Morning Chapel Baptist Church. During high school, he was a member of KSST Radio Workshop which led to career opportunities for him in the Metroplex. He returned to Sulphur Springs and succeeded the late H.B. Montgomery as Pastor at Morning Chapel in 1995.
No Newspaper Monday; Local News-Telegram Adopts Three Day Publication Schedule
There will be no newspaper Monday, Wednesday, or Friday according to the new schedule for the Sulphur Springs News Telegram. According to sources, the News Telegram will begin printing only three (3) days per week beginning Monday, August 27, 2018.
The cutbacks will create new deadlines for news and other content. Much of the content must be submitted by 7 a.m. on the day before publication. Obituaries must be submitted prior to 4 p.m. on the day before publication. Publication days will be Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The three day publishing schedule had been rumored for some time with a start date for the new schedule on September 1 of this year.
Not only is the publication schedule changed but a rigid, uniform wording of specific segments of articles and a set number of articles by each writer has also been put in place.
