Game Day: Basketball, Soccer; Wildcats at Lindale Against North Forney Next Tuesday
There is Wildcats’ basketball and Wildcats and Lady Cats’ soccer on this rainy, Tuesday game day. The Wildcats’ basketball team will wrap up district play at Hallsville Tuesday night. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m., then a JV game at around 6:15 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at around 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats’ varsity is 9-2 in district play. They will end up in second place. Their playoff bi-district information has been firmed up. They will play North Forney next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Lindale. The Wildcats are 24-6 for the season.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats’ soccer team will be at home against Greenville. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with a varsity match to follow at around 7:15 p.m. Both games will be at the high school Track Complex. The Lady Cats’ varsity is 3-1 in district play and 8-4-2 overall. We will bring you Lady Cats’ soccer Tuesday night at around 7:15 p.m. live from the SSHS Track Complex. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
The Wildcats’ soccer team will be playing at Greenville. They will have a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with a varsity match to follow at around 7 p.m. In district play, the Wildcats have one win, two outright losses and a shootout loss. They are 8-3-2 for the season.
March 6-10 SSISD Public Schools Week: Power of Public
Power of Public is the theme for Public Schools Week, March 6-10 in the Sulphur Springs ISD. The school board approved dates and times for Public School Week during their February Session.
Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk presented the schools, dates, and times:
- Monday, March 6—Early Childhood Learning Center, 5:30 p.m.; Douglas Intermediate, 6 p.m.; High School, 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 7—Middle School, 5:30 p.m.; Elementary School, 6 p.m.
- Thursday, March 9—All Primary School Campuses.
“Updated” Community Calendar February 2017
The AARP-sponsored Tax Aide Program provides free income tax preparation to persons who qualify. You do not have to be a senior citizen to qualify. Certified volunteer tax preparers can give assistance for individual returns and for simple, small-business tax returns. They are open Tuesdays and Saturdays during tax season, from 9am until 1pm, in the gym at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. Bring last year’s return if you have it, and your income tax documents.
Hopkins County youth planning to exhibit projects in the 2017 NETLA Show are invited to send photos of their animal projects to KSST, and we will post them on ksstradio.com. Send photos to [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you February 23-25 in the Civic Center arena at the Jr. Market Livestock Show and Sale.
Food Connection Week, a celebration sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau, marks the week that most Americans have already earned enough to pay for their food all year. Food Connection Week 2017 is February 13-17. KSST will offer trivia and giveaways for listeners.
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet is set for Thursday February 16 at 6:15pm in the Civic Center conference hall. Tickets and tables are available at the Chamber, call 903-885-6515 or go to 300 Connally Street. The theme of the business-casual event is “An Evening in the Woods”.
The Texas A and M “Singing Cadets” will appear in Sulphur Springs on Friday February 17 at Central Baptist Church at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 each at City National Bank and Alliance Bank or from any Aggie Mom’s Club member. The choral group was founded in 1893 and remains the busiest collegiate choral group in the U.S.
Kadie Lynn, a 14-year-old singer/songwriter from Kemp, Texas will be in concert at the Reilly Springs Jamboree on Saturday February 18 at 7pm. Tickets are $10 each. Kadie will also make an appearance on the KSST Morning Show and for Sulphur Springs school students on Friday February 17. Kadie was a semi-finalist in America’s Got Talent in 2016 and is a part-time songwriter for a Nashville-based music company.
Shannon Oaks will hold an “Under the Oaks” stew, chili and gumbo fundraiser on Saturday February 18 starting at 4:30pm, with live entertainment and auction.
The public is invited to attend a program and testimony by decorated Marine Corps Veteran Tim Lee on Sunday February 26 at First Baptist Church. Three sessions will be held: 8:30am, 11am and 6pm. This is a free event and the public is invited.
All ladies 60 years of age and older are invited to compete in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant on June 19, 2017. Contestants will be judged in four categories: Judges, Philosophy of Life, Evening Gown and Talent. Winner of the 2017 title will advance to the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant. To enter, contact Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661.
Career and Technology Education at SSHS Recognized During February Board Meeting
February is Career and Technical Education Month and in Sulphur Springs High School, the programs continue to grow and to achieve according to reports by students from the various organizations under the CTE umbrella. Students representing Business Professionals of America, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Health Occupations Students of America, and Future Farmers of America addressed the SSISD Board of Trustees Monday night during their February meeting.
Business Professionals of America (BPA) creates professionals out of students for the community. Currently 54 students are members of the organization. Of that number, 30 competed and 11 qualified for state competitions in various categories of business life. The organization is planning a scholarship party for juniors and seniors to assist their high school peers in applying for scholarships. The board was told that counselors and English teachers will be assisting BPA members as they help students apply.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) currently has 101 student members. Those students are participating in occupational training and are hearing various members of the community involved in the health field.
FFA has 301 student members and carries on a tradition of involvement in various levels of agri-life leadership and community functions. Competitions on the local, regional, state, and national level continue to occupy the time of energy of students involved in the various event.
SSISD Appoints Planning Committee to Seek Proposed District of Innovation
Under House Bill 1842 passed during the 84th Texas legislative session, Texas public school districts have an opportunity to be designated at a District of Innovation. In a recent session of the SSISD board, the local district voted to become a school of innovation. A number of other schools in the area are also taking the step. Specific qualifiers, having attained the accountability rating of “Met Standard”, allow a district to become a district of innovation.
The designation allows the district to be exempt from certain sections of the Texas Education Code that inhibits the goals of the district. The designation has only a five year life span. Among those options offered are:
- Innovative curriculum, instructional methods, and provisions regarding community participation, campus governance, and parental involvement.
- Modifications to the school day or year.
- Provisions regarding the district budget and sustainable program funding.
- Accountability and assessment measures that exceed the requirements of state and federal law.
- Any other innovations prescribed by the Board of Trustees.
The proposal provides a proposed timeline for plan development and approval through notifying the commissioner of education on April 11 of this year. In order to meet that timeline, a 26-member Planning Committee was elected that is composed of the Superintendent, all Principals, six elementary teachers, two secondary teachers, two parent and two business representatives and a community representative along with select specific staff.
Capital Construction and Remodel Projects Increase SSISD General Fund Expenditure Budget
A General Fund expenditure budget of $35,090,686 was approved in August by the Sulphur Springs School Board. However, due to capital construction and remodel projects that are ongoing, that budge has been increased by $994,239 following a vote of the board of trustees Monday February 13, 2017, during their regular session. The expenditure budget is now $36,084,925.
The rebuild of Prim Stadium has cost $93,000 through January. Of that the demolition of the stadium cost $25,000, far lower than it would have cost had not inmate labor from Hopkins County Jail carried out much of the work. Of that $25,000, sale of scrap materials from the project repaid $13,000 of the cost. The county jail also gained useful materials for the county farm.
The softball field has been remodeled at a cost of $238,000. The baseball stadium is under construction and will cost more than $300,000, and the PJC building on the campus of Sulphur Springs High School has been purchased. 
Contract Extension for Superintendent Lamb; Fenton Named ECLC Principal; Personnel Changes
SSISD Superintendent Michael Lamb had an additional year added to his three year contract and Amanda Fenton was named Principal at the Early Childhood Learning Center during the Monday night meeting of the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Fenton, who at this time is the Academic Specialist at Lamar Primary School, will begin her work as principal following the retirement of current Principal Sherry Finney. Finney will retire at the end of the school year.
For Lamb, the extension will mean business as usual as he leads the district into the future which could prove challenging with educational changes at the federal and state level. Lamb has provided stability and a well ordered growth during his five years at the helm of SSISD. He begins year six on May 1st.
Other personnel changes include:
Early Notification of Retirement:
Phyllis Flemens Maintenance Secretary Admin
Jean Davis Officer Clerk ECLC
Anita Godbolt Pre-K Teacher ECLC
Vicki Newsom Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
New Personnel
Candice Lamb SpEd Aide Middle School
Aggie Mom’s Club Brings Texas A&M Singing Cadets
Former Singing Cadets member Ace Hamner of Sulphur Springs told KSST about the upcoming concert by the Singing Cadets during a Morning Show interview.
America’s busiest collegiate choral group will be in Sulphur Springs on Friday February 17 in a concert at Central Baptist Church. Internationally known as the “Voice of Aggieland”, the Singing Cadets are Texas A&M University’s premier men’s chorus. Founded in 1893, the Singing Cadets have a rich history that is full of tradition. The 50-member group appears all over the world sharing show tunes, patriotic and inspirational music and takes tremendous pride in spreading the great name of Texas A&M University wherever they go! Tickets are $5 each at City National Bank and Alliance Bank, or at the door. The concert is at 7pm Friday February 17, 2017 at Central Baptist Church. For information, contact Juli Wooley, Aggie Mom’s Club President at 512-755-4925.
Farm Bureau’s “Food Connection Week” Feb 13-17
Each year, Farm Bureau recognizes the week that most Americans have already earned enough money to pay for their food for the year by proclaiming “Food Connection Week”. This year’s special week is February 13-17. According to Don Smith, Hopkins/Rains County Farm Bureau will sponsor trivia giveaways of five Brookshire’s gift cards worth $25 each. Listen to the KSST Morning Show about 7:15am for the trivia contest.
DON SMITH, FARM BUREAU 
Farm Bureau works year-round to promote agriculture, ranching and farming. Because of this this industry, America has an abundant fresh food supply. At any time of day, Americans can purchase affordably-priced foods from fully-stocked grocery shelves. This may not not true for scores of people living in other countries around the world. Along with Food Connection Week, Farm Bureau also applauds the next generation of farmers and ranchers, who as youth are participating in this month in the Hopkins County Junior Market’s NETLA Show and Sale. Over 260 FFA and 4-H students will be showing livestock projects. Join Farm Bureau officers and members at the three-day event in the Civic Center arena February 23-25, 2017 and congratulate a future farmer.
2017 KSST Nice People Awards a Success!
Thanks to everyone who made the 2017 KSST Nice People Awards so memorable. Following a long KSST Valentine season tradition, the Nice People Awards was held during the Morning Show with Enola Gay February 7-14. Each morning, a box of Whitman’s chocolates provided by Walgreen’s was awarded to two different “nice people” selected from nominations received here at KSST. Although the candy is a delicious thank you, the most gratifying part of the annual feature is finding out about the kind and caring acts done from the heart by local individuals in their neighborhoods, schools and community.
Recipients are:
Feb. 7 Liz McKinley, also Buddy and Ina Gore
Feb. 8 the AARP Tax-Aid Volunteers, also Wilfred Pobursky
Feb 9 Leeta Mattison, also Beth Harry
Feb 10 Joyce Nixon of Winnsboro, also Linda and Andy Crouch
Feb 13 Mrs. Nita Cason, also Charlie and Charlotte Leigh-Manwell
Feb 14 Tommy Allison, also Angela Roberts of Commerce
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE NOMINATIONS!
