Flags Lowered to Half-Staff Until Noon on Memorial Day
Across the United States and its territories this Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, the centennial anniversary of America’s entry into World War I will be commemorated, according to a Proclamation issued by President Donald J. Trump. He calls for the day to be a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace. In commemoration, the Hopkins County Marine Corps League will lower flags to half-staff until noon at the Veteran’s Memorial at Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs. In the Presidential Proclamation citizens are also asked to fly the flag at half-staff at their homes until the noon hour.
In World War I, more than 4.7million Americans served representing more than 25% of the American male population between the ages of 18 and 31 at the time. “We remember the more than 100,000 Americans who sacrificed their lives during ‘The War to End All Wars’ and who left behind countless family members and loved ones,” states the Proclamation.
On Memorial Day, the final resting places of the more than one million men and women who sacrificed their lives for our nation are decorated with the American Flag as generations have done since 1868.
In 1950, congress issued a joint resolution requesting the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating the period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southwestern Hopkins County
Sunday afternoon a severe Thunderstorm warning was issued for Southwestern Hopkins, Rains County, Northwestern Van Zandt and Southern Hunt Counties. At 3:18 pm a severe thunderstorm was located near Quinlan moving east at 40 mph. Quarter sized hail is possible. The warning is set to expire at 4:15 p.m.
Hopkins County Sheriff Establishes New Safe Exchange Zone
Lewis Tatum, Hopkins County Sheriff, saw the need for a safe place for the public to carry out business deals developed through e-commerce and for the exchange of children between divorced and separated parents. Cameras will view activities carried out in the designated parking places in front of the sheriff’s office at the Hopkins County jail. Signs at the spaces designate them for those purposes.
911 Connection Event
By Savannah Owens
The 911 Connection event was put on by the first responders to educate children and the public about safety.
“The city of Commerce has a fire education trailer and the Sulphur Springs firemen asked if we would bring the trailer over and teach the kids about fire safety. It’s important to get people used to practicing [their safety plans].” Myles Zimmerman a firefighter from Commerce said as he showed KSST the education trailer. The trailer is a simulator including a kitchen and a child’s bedroom. With fake smoke and flames, it’s used to show parents and kids about fire safety and the importance of having an exit plan. One of the methods used to teach fire safety is EDITH or Exit Drills In The House. Make sure you “memorize how to get out of the house, and have a back-up plan.” Zimmerman explained.
“And always having a meeting point-the big tree out front, the water hydrant, or the mailbox.” Jordan Strickland, Hopkins County Fireman, added. “Everyone always asks why do we need a meeting point? It’s because Mom knows where her kid’s rooms are, and where they’re supposed to meet, so if one of the kids is missing, she can say ‘their room is over here, and this is how they were supposed to get out’…It saves seconds so we can get them out faster. And if you’re in the house and you come across a room in flames, don’t go back, stay near the walls, and stick to your exit plan.” Zimmerman encourages parents to talk to their kids about fire safety. “A lot of times we bring kids into the simulator and they jump at the sound of the fire alarm. We want the fire alarm not to be a scary sound, they just need to know it’s time to get out of the house…It all starts with the parents educating their kids on what to do if there’s a fire.”
The Sulphur Springs Police Department made Kidprint ID’s. The cards have the child’s, name, picture, date of birth, address, and parent’s contact information. These IDs are a recommended precaution just in case something happens. “Some parents put them in lanyards, when they go to places like six flags.” SSPD Patrol officer, Josh Shufeldt said. “We also recommend renewing them yearly, since kids grow and change a lot in a year.” If you missed them on Saturday, don’t worry! “We go to a lot of functions around the community.” The police will also print them at the department Monday through Friday, just make sure to call ahead.
BooBoo SSFD’s Fire Safety Clown even made an appearance!
Sulphur Springs EMT’s were passing out goodie bags full of fun items at the event. “It’s all about supporting the community, coming out to educate and to have a good time…and to give out free stuff!” Kim Mullins said excitedly, as she handed kids frisbees, key-chains, chapstick and pens.
Flight for Life had a helicopter and prize wheel for kids and families to spin to win prizes. Founded in 1985, Flight for Life has been in existence for over 31 years. They have four helicopters, and one plane operating out of several cities such as: Tyler, Willis Point, and Mt. Pleasant. Flight for Life has 20 pilots, 26 paramedics, and 26 nurses on their team. Pilots tend to work 12 hour shifts, while nurses and paramedics work 24 hours. The transport radius is 100 miles from each base.
Having been working in the medical field for 37 years, Jim Speier, said he wasn’t always sure about his future. “I didn’t know what I wanted to as a kid, my dad was a pediatrician…I got into [the field] for the lights and sirens, but quickly realized that’s not what this is about….I’d be just as happy taking Grandma from her home to her doctor’s appointment. It doesn’t always have to be something major…I just love people and I see them on their worst days, but that’s okay, because it’s almost like a ministry.”
The 911 connection was educational and fun as well! Other activities included the Kona Shaved Ice truck, Bounce houses, Smoked BBQ, face painting, and on the splash pad at Celebration Plaza. Kids and Parents learned about safety while having fun in the process! Make plans to attend next year!
Who Did We Spot At The Saturday Morning Farmers Market?
Saturday’s Morning Market was bustling with people and vendors on the northwest corner just off Celebration plaza on square. The market covered the entire street between Alliance Bank and City National.
Chad Bourquin and his nephew were selling fresh vegetables and fruits. “I’ll be honest with you about my produce. You can trust the quality, I threw out cherries that I got just because they didn’t taste the way I wanted them to. I wouldn’t serve you anything I wouldn’t put on my own table.” Chad said proudly as customers looked at his variety of vegetables which included tomatoes, onions, and squash. He also had a bunch of fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, watermelons, and cherries.
Barrett (5th grader) and Cooper (3rd grader) Thesing were there selling fresh herbs and hand-squeezed lemonade. “The rosemary is from my garden at home, the sage and everything else is from my grandfather’s farm…We water [the herbs and vegetables] every day, and we’re going to just start with [herbs] and then we might branch out into vegetables. We grew these little tomatoes and tiny carrots, they don’t look right, but they taste amazing.”
Nancy Ferguson sold antique newspapers from World War II. “I bought these in an antique store in North Carolina, a whole stack of them. They were the original Stars and Stripes paper from World War II. Someone probably collected them, and brought them home after the war. I probably have 80 or so at home, and I thought I’d sell some sine it’s Memorial Day weekend…Anyone who remembers the war would enjoy them. It’s just WWII history you can even take them out of the frame and read them.”
Inmates from the Hopkins County Jail were there selling produce from the trustee farm. Giant, as well as regular zucchini, Italian zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and onions were sold. They also offered a mix and match option where you could purchase a variety of vegetables. Proceeds fund the garden.
Bobby Carpenter, a licensed canner, from Midway Farms was also at the morning market. Over the course of four days, she canned 153 jars of jam. “We raise 90% of what we can, and all our vegetables are grown locally. About 75% maybe 80% of what we canned this week was pickles. My daughter-in-law cuts them and I stuffed the jars.” She makes fresh bread too, and is even thinking about baking fried pies.
The market will be open next Saturday and through the summer, for people to buy fresh produce and enjoy the morning market!
Lil 4’s Plants Garden
Lil 4’s is a nonprofit organization that helps get kids off the streets. They provide food, motivation, and mentorship for kids ages 2 to 18. This Saturday morning, participants learn more about responsibility and nature, the Lil 4’s helped the Thesing family plant a garden. The garden is completely for the Lil 4’s, allowing them to grow their own vegetables that the kids eat as part of their meals.
“I want to teach [the kids] good values. When they get into the world, nature is the key to life. We always see bad stuff on the news and I want to show them that there’s not just bad stuff out there, and there’s more they can do to help. I love all of them like they’re my own kids.” Letitia Conliffe, founder and president of Lil 4’s, said. “My house is always full. They’re always coming over. Sometimes I have five, other times I have 12. I always say a family that prays together stays together, and this group is more like a family.”
“I thank God for Letitia, some of the things she does, she doesn’t have to do. She makes sure the kids are happy, and she never complains. She works from her heart…She’s just an awesome person.” Sandra Cummings, Vice President of Lil Fours, commented. “Letitia started this organization, helping kids, doing school supply drives, and feeding them. Most of the funds come from her own pocket.” That’s just how dedicated the entire team is.
“It’s amazing what these kids can do. They help each other with homework, and the older kids really are good examples for the younger ones.” Ben Thesing, coordinator for the project, said as he supervised a group of kids in the garden. “I first heard about it on KSST and we decided we wanted to help. We re-do houses and Latitia said they were looking for things to do outside.”
“We ask the community for help to support this cause of keeping the kids off the streets.” Letitia stated. Sandra added: “We have to get them out of their environment,” to show them the possibilities for a brighter future. This year’s goal for the organization is to raise enough money to take the kids to Memphis, Tennessee. The organization plans to teach the kids about diversity and let the kids reunite with their heritage-Native American, Black, White, Latino, or Mixed, Memphis is a culture site, which has a wide variety of historical information about different cultures.
The kids really enjoy being in the Lil 4’s; if it wasn’t evident from their smiling faces, here’s a bit of what they think:
“I really like the Lil 4’s because we help each other out and the community. It’s a great place and feels like your home. It teaches kids how to be someone and a better person in life.” said Kelsie Conliffe.
“We get to learn a lot, and be ourselves. We learn more about each other and have amazing mentors.” said Zachariah Goobson.
Devon Hamilton said his favorite part of the Lil 4’s was “playing, eating, and having fun and watching movies.” The experienced gardener mentioned he also helped with gardens at Travis Elem. and at ECLC.
Brianna Conliffe enjoys “Doing new stuff every day.”
Diamone Gotcher, member of 2 years, couldn’t pick a favorite reason for being in the Lil 4’s. “There’s a lot of things.” He said smiling.
Trinity Hamilton likes getting “to know more people, and getting to do things.”
Zariyah Kates said she likes gardening and “the seeds” were the best part of helping out.
If you would like more information on how to get involved with the Lil 4’s, visit their office at 200 Fuller St or visit their Facebook page .
Sulphur Springs High School Graduation
On Friday May 26th, 275 Seniors graduated from Sulphur Springs High School.
The Salutatorian, Tori Mattison, thanked her classmates for “supplying me with memories that will last a lifetime.” She encouraged her fellow graduates saying they were “not at the end of our story but the end beginning…Wherever we each may go from here, may we each strive for greatness.”
The Valedictorian, Lydia Burleson, had a particularly moving speech, praising the teachers saying “without the dedication of the teachers of Sulphur Springs I would not be here,” or attending Yale. “Class of 2017, let’s show the world who we can become…The future is not something way in front of us, it is right here. And with a degree, we are better able to grab that future…We cannot just sit back and watch…we must do more…I challenge [the underclassmen] to do more…” She explained the symbolism from “handing us our diplomas is handing us our future.”
KSST interviewed some of the graduating seniors.
Jquiten Gasaway said after graduating, he plans on going to the military, with the National Guard. His favorite subject in school was Math. His favorite part of high school was graduation. His favorite teacher was Ms. Newsome.
Jaspyn Johnson plans to attend PJC, then A&M at Commerce for Early Childhood Development. Her favorite school subject was English, and she was on the tennis team. Her favorite teacher was Ms. Herman. She wanted to thank her parents and her best friend Madison.
Jason Ponce is planning on going into the marines. His favorite subject was Government, and he was in the drumline in the band. His favorite part of highschool was graduation and his favorite teacher was Ms. Newsome.
Lamier Pryor plans on going to College Station and majoring in Psychology/ sociology to become a mental health counselor. Her favorite school subject was Chemistry. Her favorite parts of high school would be Prom and going to Wataburger with her mom. She’d like to thank her mom, and tell her she loves her.
Easton Suman said after graduation he plans to attend A&M at Commerce so he can major in Criminal Justice to become a Game Warden. He enjoys hunting white-tail deer. He was the mid linebacker on the school football team, and the 2nd baseman on the baseball team. He is looking forward to having fun in life. His favorite teacher was Ms. Bailey.
Cheyenne Thompson plans to attend Connections, a cooking school. She hopes to be a chef, and her favorite dish to make is spaghetti. Her favorite class was IPET, the pre-teaching class. Her favorite teacher was Ms. Stribling.
Malarie White plans to go to TJC (Tyler Junior College) for medical school. She enjoyed being in NHS and participating in the blood drive. She was nervous and excited for graduation.
Kadrie Davis had some proud family in the crowd, specifically 3 year old cousin, Jaaron Williams who was cheering and said “I love you.”
Congratulations to all the SSHS graduates and good luck to you all in the future!
SSISD Special Meeting Friday Focused on Personnel
A special meeting of the Sulphur Springs ISD school board was held on Friday, May 26, 2017. The only item of business for the board focused on personnel changes.
Resignations
Omie Penny Pre-K Aide ECLC
Kayla Bohannon Grade 4 Teacher SS Elementary
Misty Abron English Teacher Middle School
New Personnel
Sarah Graham Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
Marcos Garza Athletic Trainer Middle School
Bailey Bohlken Math Teacher/Coach High School
Cassie Reeder HSTE/Trainer High School
SSISD Kindergarten Registration is Online May 30-June 2, 2017
Registration for Sulphur Springs ISD Kindergarten has a process that is different for the new school year.
Sulphur Springs ISD Parents: The 2017-2018 Kindergarten Roundup is Tuesday–Friday, May 30-June 2, 2017. The district now uses online registration through Skyward Family Access which can be completed at home or, if one needs access to a computer, in the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) Parent Center, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. If parents are planning to register a kindergarten student for school, please do so during this week, so that your child will be included in the current count
Only a parent or legal guardian may register a child. Online registration must be filled out completely. All documentation listed below will be needed to complete the registration process. Parents may be deliver these items to the ECLC Front Office through Thursday, June 15.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE REQUIRED TO VERIFY STUDENT INFORMATION FROM ONLINE REGISTRATION:
1 Proof of Residency (such as electric, water, or gas bill, etc.)
(You must reside in the Sulphur Springs Independent School District.)
Parent or Legal Guardian’s Photo ID
Child’s Official Birth Certificate
Child’s Social Security Card
Child’s Up-to-Date Immunization Record
Dr.’s Notes Concerning Allergy/Health Needs
Custodial Documents or Court Orders, if applicable
Call 903-439-6170, extension 6111 or 6112, or go to www.ssisd.net for more information.
