Game Day: Lady Cats Begin District; Team Tennis Host Marshall
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team and the Wildcats’ team tennis squad are in action on this Tuesday game day. Both have district matches.
For the Lady Cats, they will be opening district play Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. in Texarkana against Texas High. The Lady Cats enter district play with a 17-10 record in pre-district play. In their last game before district play last Friday, the Lady Cats defeated Pleasant Grove 3-1 at home. Before the varsity match Tuesday night, there will be a freshman game at 4:30 p.m. and a JV match at 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ team tennis squad will be facing Marshall at the Wildcat Tennis Complex at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The match is considered a very important one in district play since the Wildcats and Mavericks are expected to compete for a playoff spot. The Wildcats are 0-1 after losing to Hallsville at home last week.
SSISD Board Hears Security Audit
Students from Douglas Intermediate School showcased the Flipgrid app for Sulphur Springs School Board members Monday night during their regular session. The 5th grade students displayed the app with the assistance of Mrs. Shelley Burton to demonstrate one of the many things taking place to develop learning at the Intermediate School. The board also heard a report on accountability ratings and campus security audits.
Superintendent Michael Lamb reported to the board that the district and campuses met standards established by the Texas Education Agency.
Rusty Hardin, Assistant Superintendent, presented the security audit. The audit of the district facilities with a focus on security is conducted at least once every three years. Members of the community as well as school staff serve on the audit committees on each campus. Those serving on this audit were:
Team One – Travis Primary, SS Elementary, Austin Academic Center
Jason Ricketson, Vickie Vaughan, Shawn Sinclair, and Andy Endsley
Team Two – Early Childhood Learning Center, Douglas Intermediate
Mike Horne, Kristin Monk, Stan Kent, and David James
Team Three – Lamar Primary, SS Middle School
Brent Smith, Rodney White, Lisa Robinson, and Corey Weatherford
Team Four – Bowie Primary, SS High School
Tommy Panter, Josh Williams, Mitch Griggs, and Cody Stewart
Each team conducted an entrance interview, intruder assessment, risk factor checklist and a comprehensive electronic audit utilizing a toolkit they had been trained to use. Each team submitted commendations and recommendations for each campus. Their recommendations were both district wide and for each campus. Their commendations and recommendations included:
District Wide
Commendations:
- Campus Go Kits reflect best practices.
- The District’s Emergency Operation Plan has been updated and procedures are aligned to the plan.
- All staff and administrators have current Emergency Preparedness Guides.
- A police presence throughout the district provides a sense of safety for students, staff and community.
- Safety drills are documented and reported throughout the district.
Recommendations:
- SSHS is still a pretty wide open campus. Measures need to be taken to tighten up that campus.
- Bus Barn and Maintenance Shop need to be more secure.
- Administration Building needs a focal point of entrance and a receptionist to direct people as they enter the building.
Early Childhood Learning Center
Commendations:
This school does a great job with their security being low key. When you are on campus it does not feel like there is any security present to the students and parents but when needed all the proper protocols are being followed so that the students and faculty are safe.
Recommendations:
- Address parking concerns. When large events like the first day of school and Meet the Teacher happen there is a large safety concern because of the lack of paved parking. Parents park in the grass and there is not any order to the way they park.
- Also, there needs to be better lighting in the teacher parking lots especially when day light savings changes in the fall and it gets dark earlier.
Bowie Primary School
Commendations:
- Mock intruder was stopped immediately by campus staff. Campus policies were followed.
- Upon triggering exterior door alarm, faculty response was immediate and appropriate.
- The principal was well versed in her security procedures / plan.
Recommendations:
- Review fencing adequacy in the playground area.
- Consider purchase of additional radios.
- Consider augmentation of parking lot lighting and cameras.
- Review ADA interior signage requirements.
Lamar Primary School
Commendations:
- Staff was organized.
- Staff was courteous.
- Staff was knowledgeable of policies and procedures.
Recommendations:
- Build an enclosed walkway between main building and gym
- Install a higher fence around the playground
- Remove dead oak tree from the playground
- Install emergency backup lighting in the main building and gym
- Install more security cameras
- More radios for staff
- Check on the requirements for fire lanes around the school
Travis Primary School
Commendations:
- Visitor and Deliveries were very well monitored and documented.
- Some good fencing around play areas. (need to address some)
- Students monitored and supervised during bus loading.
Recommendations:
- Need better lighting in the parking lot.
- Parking decals for staff.
- Low fence on playground needs to be higher. It is very low in places.
- Electrical breakers have dummy locks on them. Lock them.
Sulphur Springs Elementary School
Commendations:
- Visitors and deliveries were very well monitored and documented.
- Students leaving classrooms were also monitored well.
- Good fencing around play areas.
- Back parking lot fenced in.
- Students monitored and supervised during bus loading.
Recommendations:
- Front door of school opens into classroom hallway. Needs to be more secure.
Douglas Intermediate School
Commendations:
- SSISD is lucky to have a principal like Holly Folmar. Multiple staff member complemented her as a principal.
- Officer Gattis does a great job helping in all aspects and really goes above and beyond protecting the school and the students.
- Douglas does a great job with their morning kid drop off. Our team was very impressed.
Recommendations:
- Playground safety training for the teachers. It was mentioned that there is occasional disturbances from some residents that live near the playground.
- Add additional cameras in the teacher parking lot.
- Add an additional set of secured double doors to prevent an intruder from being able to pass up the office and get to the classrooms from the cafeteria.
Sulphur Springs Middle School
Commendations:
- Strong planning.
- Good communication.
- Staff was knowledgeable of policies and procedures
Recommendations:
- Remove keys from buses when parked
- Make sure all fire lanes are identified and have “No Parking” painted on the curb
- Install newer security cameras that show more detail.
- Check to make sure all electrical outlets in Science labs close to sinks are GFCI.
Sulphur Springs High School
Commendations:
- Debbie Stribling intercepted our intruder in a timely fashion. She followed campus policy.
- Administration and staff are cognizant of policy and strive to see it enforced.
- The campus employs 2 police officers, 2 nurses, and 2 athletic trainers.
- The building and grounds were clean and well kept.
Recommendations:
- Update the security plan for the newly acquired tech center facility.
- Improve signage to clearly indicate proper building entrances for students and community members.
- Research the need for interior signage (ADA Compliance).
- Have faculty monitor east entrance at the end of the school day.
- Upgrade first-aid kids in the CTE lab and shop areas.
Austin Academic Center:
Commendations:
- School is very secure.
- All doors automatically lock.
- Students are checked in at one location.
Recommendations:
- Windows in classroom face out to busy road.
- Could use more fencing around west side of campus.
Administration:
Commendations:
- Doors are labeled well with proper signage.
- Have designated area for package drop off.
Recommendation:
- Building could be more secure. Maybe a main entrance with a receptionist to direct visitors.
- Have a better plan for people with limited mobility.
Special Services:
Commendations:
- Building is locked down extremely well.
Transportation:
Commendations:
- Gates are locked after hours and grounds are secure with high protective fencing.
- All busses are equipped with cameras.
- Panter has done a great job of cleaning up the shop and office areas.
Recommendations:
- Secure the property. The Bus Barn is open to all visitors. No formal way for them to check in. The
Administrative Assistant cannot see who is coming onto the property or entering the building.
Maintenance
Commendations:
- Building is locked when no one is present.
Recommendations:
- Building area is old and looks outdated.
The board approved the Quarterly Investment Report, Organizational Flow Charts for the Head Start program and Early Childhood Learning Center, and the Head Start personnel policy summary.
PERSONNEL
Resignations
Chelsea Jordan SpEd Aide SS Elementary
New Personnel
Jimmy Marr Technology Aide SS Elementary
AMBUS Team Returns; Presented Report to Hospital District Board Monday
Hopkins County EMS AMBUS and the six paramedics that were deployed to South Texas to assist in medical care and transport during Hurricane Harvey have returned. Monday night, Brent Smith and Jeff Sanderson presented a report of their activities to the Hopkins County Hospital District Board during their monthly meeting. The team served in Victoria, Rockport, and Beaumont.
Deployed to the staging center in San Antonio, their work began in Victoria, Texas, where team members moved eight patients from a long term nursing facility. However, it was not long before they were in Rockport, where Harvey’s damage was heavy. The team assisted in moving people from a Rockport school that served as a shelter but had numerous roof leaks after the storm passed to a shelter in Austin. Passenger buses and two ambulances transported the people while the AMBUS and team remained in Rockport. Using food from the school and other food and cooking equipment donated, the team fed over 100 people. They also acquired shoes from the county jail and socks from various sources to give to people who needed them.
Everyone who had survived the hurricane’s fury had a story to tell about their experiences, according to Sanderson. He told stories of some of those that just came by to talk. Scenes from the storm damage and pictures of those who were helped were presented in a power point presentation. Among the pictures, the destruction of the Ingleside Airport and a picture of the team with Governor Greg Abbott who stopped by to thank them for their service.
In Beaumont, the team and the AMBUS found a more difficult service. Getting into Beaumont was difficult due to the water level on roadways and the traffic problems created by accidents. Also, the AMBUS can only travel in water that is 2 feet deep because the air intake is under the motor of the AMBUS. They were stationed at Jack Brooks Field where a tent hospital was being set up. While awaiting the full service of the make-shift hospital, the team set up with a military doctor and nurses and teams from Nevada and Indiana. As they cared for patients, the military doctor confiscated a C-130 to fly four patients to San Antonio due to their conditions. When the field hospital was established, the team turned their attention to evacuating patients from Beaumont Baptist Hospital. The hospital had no water thanks to the heavy rains and storms that had created water issues for the area. Those patients were taken to Louisiana and other Texas hospitals. It took two days to evacuate the hospital. The only way out was by air. Helicopters and medical plane transport were used.
Corrected Story: Love’s to Build Travel Center on West Side of Sulphur Springs
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores will establish a new location on State Highway 19/South Hillcrest Dr., across the street from the Pilot Travel Center. The 20-acre land transaction had hinged on an agreement regarding signage, according to sources.
The Waite Family Trust, owner of the remaining 67 acres of Old Tyler Estate had the property rezoned about 15 years ago. The Trust will continue to manage the remaining 47 acres of the original 180 plus acres Tyler Family farm. The original farm included land in all four corners of the intersection.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, founded in 1964, is headquartered in Oklahoma City and has more than 410 locations in 40 states. They currently have a location in Mt Vernon, Paris and in Rockwall.
Work on the local Love’s is expected to begin in 60 days.
“Birds of a Feather” Quilt Show’s Many Features Brings Pride to Sulphur Springs
Judge Robert Newsome, Mayor John Sellers and former Mayor Lydia Bryant will have a hand in this year’s Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild’s annual Quilt Show by naming their choice of “Pride of County”, “Pride of Downtown”, and “Best Use of Color” from the over 120 quilts entered in the show. The quilts will be hung for display inside The Roc, 115 Putman Street, on Friday September 15 from 9-5 and Saturday September 16 from 9-3. Admission to the show is $5 person with children age 12 and under admitted free. You will want to bring the kids because there’s a special activities section designed just for them, with instructor Melissa Bonser.
In addition to perusing the rows of hanging quilts, and special exhibits, please include time to hear speakers Lisa Erlandson and Trish Stuart and to participate in a Silent Auction with proceeds to Hurricane Harvey victims. You’ll also want to visit the Trinkets and Treasures Quilt Store and view the Raffle Quilt “Feathers in My Jelly” an original design created and quilted by guild members, which someone will take home at the conclusion of the show.
The Sulphur Springs annual show is “on the circuit” of judged quilt shows around Northeast Texas, attracting visitors from several states who like to see quilts, have entered quilts or are learning the craft. The local quilt guild takes pride in being one of the only “small towns” with a heritage of shows on this scale. According to Standbridge, it’s success is due in part to the cash prizes sponsored by generous local merchants and business people. This year’s visitor turnout is expected to be even larger due to the first annual Brick Street Vintage Market downtown Saturday on Main and Connally Streets, as well as the 17 restaurants and specialty food stores plus wineries, galleries, antiques, boutiques and gourmet shops within a half-block walking distance of the square. Quilt Show visitors will be encouraged to shop and eat in the downtown district.
Billie Ruth and husband George Standbridge retired to her hometown of Sulphur Springs a number of years ago. Along with friend Deanna Hasten, Billie Ruth helped form the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild almost 20 years ago and was part of the momentum which established the Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance.
Billie Ruth Standbridge, Quilt Show Committee
Local Man Arrested for Possession of “Dope”
When Kyle Dayne Belz, 23, of Sulphur Springs told the Hopkins County Deputy that his vehicle broke down at the 7-Star parking lot and that he was walking southbound on Highway 19 to get to Birthright, the deputy told Belz that he was walking in the wrong direction.
The deputy knows Belz and asked if he had anything on his person that was illegal. Belz became nervous and began emptying his pockets without direction to do so. A small plastic straw-like tube containing a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine was observed falling from his pocket onto the ground. When asked what it was, Belz replied, “dope”.
Belz is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram, a state jail felony.
Mayhew’s “Esperanza” Named Reserve Champion in Breed at Fall Festival Livestock Show
Aspen Mayhew, Hopkins County 4-H member, proudly displays her reserve breed champion heifer “Esperanza” during the 2017 Fall Festival Livestock Show in Sulphur Springs last September 2, 2017 (photo credit: Nicole Mayhew).
SSHS Cross Country Teams Continue Strong Performances
The Wildcats’ cross country team finished fifth and the Lady Cats were eighth at the Tyler Lee XC Classic last Saturday at UT-Tyler. Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks says there was strong competition, good weather and lots of personal bests for his teams. Landon Thornton led the Wildcats with a seventh place finish. Coach Hicks says he ran perhaps his best race of his career with a time of 16:40.
Coach Hicks says the next six runners were all within about 35 seconds of each other. Peyton Vickery was the second Wildcat runner to finish followed by Eli Sellers, who was battling an upset stomach. Sophomore Christian Palomino was next followed by senior Ed Ramirez, who Coach Hicks calls Steady Ed.
Sophomore Sydney Washburn finished in the top ten to lead the Lady Cats. Coach Hicks says it seemed like every Lady Cats’ runner posted a personal best. Junior Bailey Arrington finished next in the mid-twenties for the Lady Cats. Freshman Landry McKinney was next followed by senior Hannah Dixon.
The Wildcats and Lady Cats compete next at the Hallsville XC Invitational on Friday at Lear Park in Longview.
Lady Cats Volleyball Open District Tuesday Night at Texas High
Instead of having an open date last Friday, the Lady Cats’ volleyball team ended up playing Pleasant Grove. It was all a part of Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness getting his team ready for district play, which begins this week. The Lady Cats defeated Pleasant Grove, 3-1 in a tough, hard fought match.
Coach Maness says he knew Pleasant Grove is a good defensive team and he wanted to see how the Lady Cats’ offense would fare against the Lady Hawks’ defense. Coach Maness has also created a tougher schedule this year to help get the Lady Cats ready for district play. Coach Maness says he was glad to see a couple of Lady Cats step up against Pleasant Grove. He says Erika VanBenthem had some big kills in set four and he adds Lexie Whisenhunt had a big kill to end the match. Coach Maness says Kaylee Jefferson was hitting the ball on kills with a lot of aggression and power.
He says the Lady Cats will need to be aggressive against Texas High in the district opener Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Texarkana. Coach Maness says he feels pretty good about where the Lady Cats are right now with district play beginning. He says the team still has some room to grow during district games. The Lady Cats also play last year’s district champ, Hallsville, this week. Game time in Wildcats Gym has been changed to 4 p.m. Friday to assure everyone can get to Homecoming activities before Friday night’s 7:30 p.m. football game. Five Lady Cats are included in the sixteen girls selected for this year’s Homecoming Court.
