SSISD Elementary and Intermediate Academic UIL Team Scores First Place Victory
SSISD Elementary and Intermediate Academic UIL Team Scores First Place Victory
Celebrations for SSISD competitors in Elementary Academic UIL April 24th at both Douglas Intermediate and Sulphur Springs Elementary School will highlight the overall first place finish for the local students in a Academic UIL competition. This is the second year for SSISD second through fifth grade students to compete.
Last year the local elementary students finished third but this year they scored a total point first place finish with 686 points. Hallsville finished second with 631 points and Pine Tree was third with 433.
The SSISD team was composed of 115 students with 33 coaches and five campus coordinators. The students competed in 27 events ranging from number sense to storytelling. The competition was hosted by Parkway Elementary School in Longview.
The celebrations of victory will be pep rally style with SSHS cheerleaders and band performing. Both competing students and those who practiced but were unable to travel with the team will be honored. Local administrators expect the elementary UIL program to generate enthusiasm for academic UIL and increase student participation as they reach the middle school and high school programs. The district seeks to increase SSISD’s statewide competitiveness at the high school level.
SSISD Now A District of Innovation; Title I Funding to be Used for Teacher Training
SSISD Now A District of Innovation; Title I Funding to be Used for Teacher Training
With Title I Federal Funds available to fund the training, 150 Sulphur Springs ISD teachers in kindergarten through second grade will receive “Capturing Kids Hearts” training following a vote by the Sulphur Springs ISD board of trustees Monday night. The board also approved the final step to become a District of Innovation and approved the calendar of school days for students and teacher workdays for the next school year.
According to Superintendent Michael Lamb, 30 SSISD teachers received “Capturing Kids Hearts” training before the current school year began. Those teachers returned with an enthusiasm for their peers to receive the training. At a cost of $63,000, three groups of 50 teachers K-2nd grade will now receive the training before the start of school for the 2017-2018 school year. In following years teachers in other grades will receive the training. The board agreed to the training, noting in a motion by Don Sapaugh, after being assured that no local budget money would be used to pay for the training. Lamb noted that the “Capturing Kids Hearts” program had been introduced to local teachers over the past four years.
Sulphur Springs ISD is now a District of Innovation as defined by guidelines set by the state following the vote of the board. Now the TAB will be informed of the vote. The vote following several months of specific steps taken within the district that led to Monday’s action. As a District of Innovation, the local district will benefit from two specific opportunities now available. An earlier start to the school year will allow the district to accomplish specific purposes in minutes in the classroom for students and make available teacher workdays at intervals desired. The designation will also allow the district to have greater flexibility in hiring as a shortage of teachers continues to plague schools across the state. The district will be able to hire based on certification, experience, and knowledge that an individual has acquired through industrial/business experience that may not fit the normal demand for a degree. Although one is hired without teacher certification, they must begin working toward that certification. Under the District of Innovation structure they would have up to five years to accomplish the needed teacher certification. It was noted that the need for teachers in various technical fields could be filled with greater ease under the program.
Thunderstorms Rumble Across Area Creating Flooded Streets and Roadways
Thunderstorms rumbled across Hopkins County Monday evening and into early Tuesday morning bringing heavy rains and creating flood warnings for county roads and city streets. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued at 5:15 p.m. Monday and expired at 11 p.m. even though lightning and thunders continued until around 2 a.m. Tuesday. Only one severe thunderstorm warning was issued as the potential of 60 mph wind gusts and one inch diameter hail was noted by radar. The county was under the severe warning until 6:30 p.m.
Stalled autos were found at various locations on city streets as heavy rains drenched the city at locations familiar to local drivers.
Over 3-inches of rain fell across the area according to rainfall measured at the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. The possibility of thunderstorms extends into Tuesday morning and decreases during the day. Thunderstorms during the day Tuesday are not expected to be severe.
Lady Cats Seek 21st Win of Season
The Lady Cats’ softball team recorded their 20th win of the season last Friday as they defeated Pine Tree, 7-1 at Lady Cat Park. The Lady Cats improved to 7-2 in district play and they are 20-6 for the season.
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said 20 wins is still a landmark. He said it means things are going well. Coach Carrillo added the win over Pine Tree was a big one. The Lady Pirates are one of the top teams in the district and at one time were tied with the Lady Cats for second place. The Lady Pirates also defeated the Lady Cats at home, 5-3 during the first half of district play. Coach Carrillo is still hoping for a district championship.
Texas High has a two game lead so the Lady Cats will need help from someone. Coach Carrillo said his team does control their destiny for the second seed in the district. He said Bailey Haggerty pitched a good game for the Lady Cats against Pine Tree. She allowed only 1 run by scattering 8 hits and she walked only 1 batter. The Lady Cats made some solid defensive plays behind Haggerty. Catcher Macee Hollins threw out a Lady Pirate trying to steal in the first inning. Second baseman Hannah Crowson started a double play by tagging out a base runner before throwing to first. Center fielder Alyssa Abron ran down a ball in the gap and made the catch. Shortstop Kelsey Wallace fielded a ball in shallow left field and threw out a runner trying to go from second to third. Brinklee Driver and Sadie Stroud provided big home runs. Stroud hit a 2-run homer to give the Lady Cats a 4-1 lead. Driver’s three run shot made the score 7-1.
The Lady Cats play at Marshall Tuesday night. Then they have their showdown with Texas High at Lady Cat Park Thursday evening. That’s senior night and the Lady Cats will honor Kristen Allen, Jaye Doughtie and Hannah Crowson.
Wildcats Ranked #13 in State Class 5A Baseball
According to one high school baseball poll, the Wildcats are ranked #13 in the state in Class 5A. After a 5-4 win over Pine Tree last Friday night, the Wildcats are 7-0 in district play and 13-5-1 for the season. Two of the Wildcats losses came to Forney, #5 in the poll, and to Waxahachie, #16 in the poll.
Hallsville, who the Wildcats beat in district play, are ranked #15. Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack talked about the Pine Tree win on KSST Radio and Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show. He was a little concerned with his team’s demeanor during the game. Instead of the usual free and easy approach with smiles on their faces, Coach Hammack said the team seemed to have a monkey on their backs, perhaps realizing that they were unbeaten in district play. He said it was Pine Tree that came in relaxed and playing free and easy. They came in after a big win at Texas High feeling they were in position to challenge for a playoff spot. Still the Wildcats figured out a way to win. They came back from 1-0 and 4-2 deficits. The Wildcats won in walk-off fashion with a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Coach Hammack said the Wildcats have shown this year that they feel they are never out of a game. They came back against Sanger in a tournament. Three of the Wildcats’ wins have been by a single run. This week is a big one for the Wildcats, one game up on second place Hallsville in the district race. The Wildcats play at Marshall Tuesday night. The Mavericks were picked to finish second in the district and they are currently in third place at 4-3. Then Texas High comes to Eagle Stadium Thursday night. Texas High is in fourth place with a 3-4 record.
Hopkins County and North Central Texas Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 11 p.m.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 32 COUNTIES:
IN CENTRAL TEXAS:
ANDERSON BELL BOSQUE
CORYELL FALLS FREESTONE
HAMILTON HENDERSON HILL
LAMPASAS LEON LIMESTONE
MCLENNAN MILAM MILLS
ROBERTSON
IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS:
COLLIN DALLAS DELTA
ELLIS FANNIN HOPKINS
HUNT JOHNSON KAUFMAN
LAMAR NAVARRO RAINS
ROCKWALL SOMERVELL TARRANT
VAN ZANDT
Wildcats, Lady Cats At District Meet Monday, Wednesday
This year’s district track meet for the Wildcats and Lady Cats is a two-day event at Pine Tree in Longview with prelims on Monday and finals on Wednesday. Athletes will be trying to finish in the top four in their events to qualify for the area track meet on April 20 at Lovejoy.
Lady Cats Track Coach Triston Abron said he’s excited to think about what could happen. His team has had several strong showings at previous meets this season. Coach Abron said the goal for his team is to win the district meet. He said if the team keeps progressing as they have been doing, they will give themselves a chance to win. Coach Abron said he has seen some other teams in district and he said winning won’t be easy. He said if his team takes care of their business, they will have a shot. Coach Abron said each Lady Cat has to have a goal of finishing in the top four in their event to qualify for the area meet.
Wildcats Track Coach Matt Young has more modest goals especially with the injury bug possibly sidelining several key athletes. He said he expected his team to score 80 points if the injured athletes compete. Without them, Coach Young said over 50 points would be good. He said he is hoping one or two throwers, one or two distance runners and some hurdlers will qualify for the area meet. Coach Young said Ryan Humphries also has a chance in the 100-meter dash. He added it could be better but other athletes have to perform at Pine Tree. Coach Young said last year’s district winner Pine Tree is thought to be the frontrunner. He said they specialize in middle distance runners. He said Texas High features sprinters, Hallsville shines in field events and hurdlers, Marshall has speed and good relay teams and Mt. Pleasant features good throwers. Greenville also has some good athletes.
Sigma Theta Tau International Induction
By Liliana Vasquez
COMMERCE, TX— Ten students from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Texas A&M University-Commerce were inducted into the Iota Nu Chapter at Large of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
STTI membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing.
Baccalaureate students must have completed at least 50 percent of their nursing program with a B average to be considered, with only the top 30 percent of those students receiving invitations.
Students pictured are Jose Daniel Colin, Monterrio Jones Jr., Brittany Perryman, Tiffney Darrow, Courtney Goldsmith, McKenna Sims, Cheyenne Bryant, Katelyn Sims, Sara Christopher, and Shanna Spurr.
Sigma Theta Tau International has over 135,000 active members from more than 90 countries worldwide whose mission is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership and service.
The faculty of the A&M-Commerce Nursing Department are all active members with several holding leadership positions on the Iota Nu Board of Directors.
About Texas A&M University-Commerce: Founded in 1889, Texas A&M University-Commerce is a member of The Texas A&M University System. Located in Northeast Texas, A&M-Commerce is home to more than 12,000 students, four academic colleges, a thriving graduate school, and more than 140 degree programs. As the region’s focal point of higher education, A&M-Commerce offers students facilities ranging from the world-class Keith D. McFarland Science Building and University Planetarium to the Sam Rayburn Student Center, to a fully equipped recreational facility and music hall. The university also has convenient locations in Corsicana, downtown Dallas, Midlothian, McKinney, Mesquite and Rockwall.
About the A&M System: The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 150,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $946 million in FY 2015 and helped drive the state’s economy.
Annual Relay For Life Survivor Dinner Set For April 22nd
The Annual Relay For Life Survivor Dinner is set for Saturday, April 22nd at 6 pm. Any Hopkins County cancer survivor or caregiver is invited to the League Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall to celebrate and honor cancer survivors. The event includes dinner, entertainment, and fun free of charge. The 2017 Relay For Life will be held on May 12th with “Game Over Cancer” as the theme.
