Crosstown Trails Update: Work at Pavilion and Kid’s Kingdom
As work continues on the Cross Town Trails project, funded by a grant from TxDOT and matching funds from the city, work is focused on Kid’s Kingdom. A new sign that will include names of those involved in the Kid’s Kingdom project, sidewalks, 15 trees, a number of flowers and other plants will beautify the area. Cross Town Trail will connect Coleman Park to Celebration Plaza in a walk that will take one from Coleman Park to Peavine Pinion Pond, to Kid’s Kingdom to the Civic Center and on to downtown along Connally Street. City workers were busy Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Kid’s Kingdom.
The Oaks Bed and Breakfast Hosts SS Area Retired School Personnel Program
Vice President Marilyn Powers introduces presenter Ragan Dennis
Ragan Dennis, Case Manager and Prevention Awareness Sponsor for SAFE-T presented a program during the April meeting of the Sulphur Springs Area Retired School Personnel at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast. About three dozen retired school personnel attended.
Ragan described her job duties which include public information about SAFE-T’s hotline, outreach services, residential services and educational programs for schools. She related basic information about SAFE-T (Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas) and it’s services which include on-call advocacy at hospitals, sheriff or police department for cases of sexual assault, and the SAFE-T shelter. The agency’s shelter is for women and children dealing with domestic violence of sexual assault. SAFE-T serves eight counties in Northeast Texas, is headquartered in Mt Pleasant, Texas and operates an office in Sulphur Springs. You can reach the local office by calling 903-439-0325.
If you wish to become a member or attend meetings of the Sulphur Springs Area Retired School Personnel, you can contact chapter President Tommy Long at 903-438-6069 or visit the website. Sulphur Springs Area Retired School Personnel is a service organization that works to protect and improve your TRS benefits and promote the well-being of its members. Local Unit Meetings are held on the second Tuesday, September thru May @ 10:00 am hosted by The Oaks Bed & Breakfast, 516 Oak Avenue, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
SSISD Board Honors Sapaugh; New Hires; Explores Programs
Don Sapaugh, honored for his 11 years of service to Sulphur Springs Independent School District, hiring a new head band director and a new transportation director, along with presentations by the district math and science programs and the middle school robotics team highlighted the April meeting of the SSID Board Monday night, April 9, 2018.
During Public forum, Superintendent of Schools Michael Lamb presented Sapaugh with a plaque honoring his years of service on the board. Lamb pointed out that Sapaugh stepped down to allow Sapaugh’s wife to pursue her passion in teaching.
SSISD Board Hired an experienced Transportation Director Robert Huizinga (left), who currently serves the Chapel Hill ISD at Mt Pleasant and Spencer Emmert (right) as new Head Band Director.
Spencer Emmert was presented to the board as the Superintendent’s recommendation for the district’s new head band director. Lamb noted Emmert’s great energy. Emmert, who served for 12 years as an assistant in the local program and who is the current band director at Winnsboro High School, will fill the vacancy created in the death of Charles McCauley. While director of the Winnsboro band, his bands have won a number of honors on the area and state level. As Middle School band director in Sulphur Springs, Emmert had built the program into a successful program that attracted larger numbers of students to the band. He stated that he is thankful for the trust placed in him. His wife, Christi, currently teaches music on the elementary level in SSISD and four of their five children are in local schools. The fifth child begins school next year.
Superintendent Lamb also presented the new Transportation Director, Robert Huizinga. Huizinga is currently the Transportation Director for Chapel Hill Schools in Mt Pleasant. His experience as a transportation director and his diesel mechanic background made him a good fit for the position according to Lamb. Huizinga’s wife, Susan, is an Elementary Science Consultant at Region VIII Education Service Center.
The board approved resolutions nominating Superintendent Lamb for Superintendent of the Year in Texas. Lamb’s nomination begins at the regional level where he will be interviewed and recommendations will be assessed.
The board voted to purchase playground equipment. The equipment will cost $175,000 and an application for a $150,000 Head Start grant for the equipment at the Douglas ECLC campus was also approved by the board. Money from the grant would be utilized in the purchase. Superintendent Lamb noted that the change of campus for ECLC and Douglas would lead to improvements at each campus. Drainage issues at the current ECLC building will be addressed and an expansion of the parking lot at Douglas is on tap.
New laminate will replace problems created by moisture damage at the Middle School. The new laminate, purchased from 3T Building Materials, will be used for counter tops replacement and will cost just under $85,000. Money from the settlement between the school and contractor will pay for the upgrade. According to Dan Froneburger, District Maintenance Director, much of the laminate would arrive pre-cut and would be installed by school maintenance employees.
Carmen Hammack presented a report on the district math programs that encourage students to think math. The district science report was presented by video featuring Karen Phillips who gave an overview of the program.
Kelly Shutt and Middle School students presented the Robotics Program at the Middle School. The young program has already placed on the state level. 
A demonstration of the robots built and programmed by the students drew the students and board into conversations regarding steps taken, lessons learned, and planning for future robotic program activity.
Deborah Cody presented the required Head Start training on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Governing Board to board members.
PERSONNEL
Contracts
2018-2019 professional employment contracts (teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses)
Retirement
Cathy Bonner MTA/ELAR Teacher Middle School
Resignations
Brandi Brunson Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
Amber Wilson Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
Cassie Fleming Grade 2 Teacher Bowie
Brandy Griffin Grade 1 Teacher Bowie
Theresa Anderson Strings Teacher Middle School
William Giles Government Teacher High School
Tracy Stewart Business Teacher High School
New Personnel
Robert Huizinga Transportation Director Admin. Bldg.
Tanya Bain English Teacher Middle School
Dayton Gifford SpEd Aide Middle School
Kevin Hatcher PE/Coach Middle School
Lauren Robinson English Teacher Middle School
Teri Triplett English Teacher Middle School
Spencer Emmert Head Band Director High School
Personnel Changes New Position/Campus Former Position/Campus
Cindy Welch Pt-time Fine Arts Coord./ Pt-time Band Secretary/
High School (New position) High School
Susan Cook Grade 5 Math Interventionist/ Math Teacher/
SSES Middle School
Young Eagles Flight Rally is Saturday April 14 at SS Municipal Airport
For youngsters with an interest in flying, parents can help them take advantage of a free world-wide program coming to Sulphur Springs called the Young Eagles Flight Rally. It is organized through the Experimental Aircraft Association and sanctioned by the Civil Air Patrol. Local EAA chapter #1094 is also called the Sulphur Springs Sport Aviation Organization, and is part of the global membership.
Local EAA Young Eagles Flight Rally coordinator Ben Scarborough
According to local program coordinator Ben Scarborough, on Saturday April 14, 2018, youngsters age 9-17 will be invited to take a free flight with a local certified pilot, as well as attend a “ground school” safety briefing prior to the flight. After your child’s flight lands, he or she will have a photo made with the pilot and aircraft and also receive a Flight Logbook with an entry for that day’s flight, signed by the pilot. This logbook can be used for future Young Eagles Rally flights that your child makes until he or she ages out of the program. Cities with airports all over Texas sponsor this project, so there are numerous opportunities for your child to learn more about flying. 2018 marks the twentieth year that Sulphur Springs, Texas has sponsored the Young Eagles rally.
First of all, participants must have a parent or guardian with them, who will remain in the terminal while the child takes the flight. Participants should arrive between 9am and 11am to register and attend a brief ground school training. There will be around 50 volunteers helping with Saturday’s event and about 15 pilots and planes. The program is absolutely free. With questions, contact co-ordinator Ben Scarborough at 903-850-8113. You can find out more by visiting the websites eaa.org or youngeagles.org
North Hopkins Shuts Out Sulphur Bluff 12-0
In a game postponed Friday and finished up Monday afternoon, the North Hopkins Panthers shut out Sulphur Buff, 12-0. Wyatt Wharton pitched the shutout allowing only two hits while striking out thirteen and walking none over five innings. North Hopkins had thirteen hits and they made no errors. Wharton was also four for four at the plate with three RBIs. Victor Rojo was four for four with three RBI’s, two runs scored and two doubles. Caleb Wyatt was two for three with an RBI and two runs scored. Geoffrey Stewart had two RBIs and he scored a run.
Lady Cats Defeat Lady Pirates 16-1; Host Marshall Tuesday
The Lady Cats’ softball team did not fool around against the Pine Tree Lady Pirates Monday. The Lady Cats scored in five straight innings and overwhelmed the Lady Pirates, 16-1 in Pine Tree in a game rescheduled on Monday after a rain out Friday night. The game was called after five inning due to the ten run rule.
Lady Cats Coach David Carrillo gave pitcher Bailey Haggerty the night off. He started Tessa Holt and she responded by allowing only two hits and one earned run.
The Lady Cats had 14 hits. Brinklee Driver hit a two-run home run. Sierra Smith had three hits in three at bats including two doubles and she knocked in three runs and scored three more. Kelsey Wallace was three for four driving in two runs, scoring one run and stealing two bases. Nylah Lindley drove home four runs including three on a bases clearing double in a five-run second inning. Macee Hollins was two for three with an RBI, two runs scored and a double. Alyssa Abron was two for three with two runs scored and a stolen base. Sadie Stroud and Alli Fite hit run scoring sacrifice flies. After a run in the first matched by Pine Tree, the Lady Cats had five runs in the second, two runs in the third and four runs each in the fourth and fifth innings.
The Lady Cats are now 8-1 in district play and their season record is 21-5. The Lady Cats play host to Marshall Tuesday night at Lady Cat Park. There will be a JV contest at 4:30 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 6 p.m.
Wildcats Defeat Pirates Monday; Host Marshal Tuesday
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack teaches History and perhaps some of the battles he tells students about didn’t take as long as it took his Wildcats to defeat Pine Tree in district play. The game started at around 5 p.m.Friday in Pine Tree and after a postponement due to rain, it finally wrapped up shortly after 4:30 p.m. Monday in Pine Tree. The Wildcats defeated the Pirates, 8-4.
The Wildcats led after four innings, 7-4 when lightning flashed and rain poured down. During the 30 minute conclusion Monday afternoon, the Wildcats added a run in the top of the fifth and then pitcher Jaxon Chaney shut down the Pirates allowing no runs or hits while striking out four. Friday the Wildcats opened the game with a five run first. Pine Tree counter punched with three runs and and five hits in the bottom of the first to make it a 5-3 game after one. The Pirates closed the gap to 5-4 with a one run in the bottom of the third. The Wildcats got some breathing room with two runs in the top of the fourth. Triston McCormick started for the Wildcats but lasted only two-thirds of an inning allowing three earned runs on four hits. Tyler Armstrong got the pitching win working the next three and one-third innings giving up one earned run on four hits. Chaney finished things up Monday. The Wildcats played error free ball while the Pirates made four errors. The Wildcats had five hits. Gavin Millsap led the Wildcats at the plate with two hits in three at bats with two RBIs and a run scored. McCormick also drove home two runs and he had a hit and a run. Dawson Draper had a RBI, a hit and a run scored. Austin Dodd had an RBI. Kaden Argenbright had a hit and a run. Ryan Humphries, Chaney, Armstrong and Jace Thompson all scored a run.
The Wildcats are now 6-1 in district play and they improved their season record to 13-8. The Wildcats play Marshall at Wildcat Park Tuesday night. There will be a JV contest at 4 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at 7 p.m. Ryan Humphries is expected to pitch for the Wildcats.
Two A & M-Commerce Students Recognized for Research Presentations
COMMERCE, TX—Two A&M-Commerce students were recognized for their research presentations at the 2018 Federation of North Texas Area Universities Graduate Student Research Symposium held at Texas Women’s University on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Agribusiness student Armine Poghosayan was awarded the second place prize of $250 for her presentation, “Identifying Factors Impacting Households’ Demand for Organic and Conventional Flour in the United States.” Business Analytics student Ajogu Adoko-Akoh was awarded the third place prize of $100 for his presentation, “Competency-Based Education: Saving Students Time and Money.”
“The Federation Symposium provides an excellent opportunity for our top graduate students to present their research results in a friendly regional meeting, and to meet and interact with the faculty and graduate students of UNT and TWU,” said Dr. Matt A. Wood, Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.
The Federation of North Texas Area Universities celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, and consists of member universities A&M-Commerce, University of North Texas, and Texas Woman’s University.
“Participation in the Federation Symposium provides our students with an opportunity to present their research to peers in a scholarly environment without having to incur travel expenses associated with national or regional conferences, while still having a top-notch presentation experience,” said Dr. Jennifer Schroeder, Associate Dean of the Graduate School. “The fact that our students won awards at this year’s symposium is a testament to the outstanding work that is being done at A&M-Commerce.”
Since 2010, the Federation has hosted the annual symposium, where students participate in poster presentation competitions on education, humanities, social sciences, business, science, technology, engineering, and math research.
Senior Center Brunch Focuses on Services for Senior Citizens
by Karen Weatherford
At the Senior Citizens Center on Monday, April 9th, CIMA Hospice, At Home Healthcare and Carriage House Manor hosted a Brunch focused on various services offered in caring for the senior adult.
Stacey Wetzel, from CIMA Hospice spoke about the Services they offer and the Advantages to being on Hospice.
Linda Mobley, from At Home Healthcare spoke about the Services that they offer and the Process of getting on Home Health and the difference between Home Health and Providers.
Charlotte Baxter from Carriage House Manor spoke about what Nursing Homes have to offer and Dana Gilbreath, Social Services Director from Carriage House Manor talked about the importance of having an Out of Hospital DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. A DNR is a form that needs to be filled out and then signed by your doctor. It should to be notarized and a copy should be in your car, your purse or wallet, on file at your doctor’s office and on file at your local Hospital. The form states your desires rgarding CPR, Transcutaneous cardiac pacing, defibrillation, advanced airway management or artificial ventilation. This enables you make life decisions for yourself prior to an emergency need or end of life decision and takes the burden off of your family, according to Karen Weatherford, Senior Citizens Center Director.
