A Few Changes To Note As SSISD Begins The 2021-2022 School Year Today
Sulphur Springs ISD Administrators went over a few changes this year that students, parents and staff will want to make note of, particularly those regarding school meals, corporal punishment, absences, one dress code change, School Health Advisory Council operations, final exams, leave for SSISD police officer and return to school plan basics.
School Meals
SSISD Child Nutrition Deparmtent, like those in most school districts this fall, has opted to participate in the Seamless Summer Option, made available through the United States Department of Agriculture. What that means for students is that a regular breakfast and lunch meal will be offered for all children enrolled in SSISD schools regardlss of family income,
No application or eligibility determination is required for SSISD students to receive free meals under the Seemless Summer Option this school year, income eligibility requirements will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year. Because of this likely outcome, Sulphur Springs ISD will process household applications during the school year 2021-2022 for Middle School and High School students only, as in years past. The online application can be completed using the Meal App Now. Pre-K through 5th grade will continue to be free campuses under the CEP program in the school year 2022-2023, Child Nurtrition Director Veronica Arnold reports.
Per the updated policy, however, a la carte (extras) menu items and snacks may be purchased, but cannot be charged this year. Students must have money in hand or in their Lunch Money Now student meal accounts to purchase extra items. Money may be added daily, weekly, or monthly in the cafeteria during the serving times with cash or check. Parents are reminded to NOT combine meal payments with other school purchases. If meal payment is made by check, the entire amount will be deposited into the student’s meal account.
Faculty and staff will be required to pre-pay for their meals, as they will not be allowed to charge this year either.
Also, the miniumum price for faculty and adult visitor lunches will be increasing a little bit. The price for lunches have increased to $4.25 while breakfast will continue to be $2.75 for faculty, staff and adult visitors, both of which SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody pointed out “is still a bargain.”
Students handbooks
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported changes to both elementary, middle and high school handbooks. Some policies the district is required by law to incorporate or change and others were items district administrators wanted to do differently this year.
The dress code has one change this year, and that is in regard to piercings. The policy removes any reference to male or female/boy or girls and simply states “students may wear earrings only. No other visible body piercings (jewelry or decorations) or gauges are allowed. Clear spacers are allowed. However, unacceptable are “mouth grills or other face decorations; oversized jewelry; exposed tattoos that are lewd, vulgar, morbid, slanderous, incitant, offensive, or that depict violence or illegal activity.”
This year, the School Health Advisory Council which includes staff, student, parent and community members will per law be required to have greater transparency. Notification of upcoming SHAC meetings must be posted at each campus’ administrative office at least 72 hours before the meeting. Notifications of upcoming meetings, meeting minutes and a recording of each meeting must also now be posted on the district website, by clicking the For Parents menu, then selecting Health Information and School Health Advisory Committee.
Parents/guardians are legally required to provide in writing the parent’s contact information, including
address, phone number, and email address. This information is required upon the students’ enrollment in the districct as well as 2 weeks after the start of each following school year while the student is enrolled in the district. If the parent contact information changes during the school year, the parent must provide a written update of information to the child’s campus no more than 2 weeks after the change.
The school periodically sends information by automated or pre-recorded message, text message, real-time phone or email communications, Parents who DO NOT wish to receive these notices should contact their child’s principal to let the school administrator know.
This year, the students handbook per legal requirements also incluces as an exception to the compulsory attendance polices for all grade levels “absences resulting from a serious or life-threatening illness or related treatment that makes a student’s attendance infeasible, with certification by a physician.”
Another exemption to the compulsory attendance policy that secondary students and their parents will want to take note of is the allowance of students 15 and older to be absent for one day to obtain their learner license and one day to obtain a driver’s license. While getting a learner driver’s license is allowed, the student must provide documentation of the visit to the driver’s license office for each absence in order for the absence to be excused; the student must also make up any work missed on that day.
Juniors and seniors can miss up to 2 days each school year to visit a college or university, provided the principal has approved the absence and follows campus procedures to verify the visit. The student must theen make up the work.
Students ages 6-18 “will be required to attend any assigned accelerated instruction program before or after school or during the summer if the student does not meet the passing standards on an applicable subject area state assessment.”
The parent of a student in grades 3, 5, or 8 who fails to perform satisfactorily on the math or reading assessment may request that the district consider assigning the student to a particular classroom teacher in the applicable subject area, if more than one classroom teacher is available; and file a grievance or complaint regarding the content or implementation of the ALC’s educational plan.
If a student in grades 3–8 is enrolled in a class or course intended for students above his or her current grade level in which the student will be administered a state-mandated assessment, the student will be required to take an applicable state-mandated assessment only for the course in which he or she is enrolled, unless otherwise required to do so by federal law.
For a student receiving special education services, the student’s IEP developed by the student’s ARD committee would determine a plan for that student.
As required by law, during the 2021–22 school year, a parent may request in writing that a student repeat a course taken for high school credit that a student took and received credit for during the 2020-21 school year. Before granting the request, the district may convene a retention committee to meet and discuss the request and will invite the parent to participate.
Also, parents can request in writing that a student repeat prekindergarten, kindergarten, or grade 1, 2, or 3. For the 2021–22 school year only, a parent may request in writing that a student repeat grade 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 that the student was enrolled in during the 2020-21 school year. Before granting a request, the district may convene a retention committee to meet and discuss the request and will invite the parent to participate.
If a student does not perform satisfactorily on an End Of Course exam, the district will provide accelerated instruction. Failure of a student to attend accelerated instruction may result in violations of required school attendance.
The high school administrators too this year, Williams said when introducting proposed handbook changes to district trustees at the August school board meeting. plan to require all students to take exams during the fall semester, but allowing them to be exempt from spring exams if the student has had no more than the 8 allowable excused absences for the eyar and have a grade of 80 or better for that class exam.
Students, unless a parent notifies the district otherwise, can be admiminstered certain over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, pain or discomfort; antibiotic ointment; antifungal cream; aticeptic, soap, peroxide or Benadryl/diphenhydramine for mild to moderate allergic reactions; benzocaine, lidocaine or medicaine; Blistex, Carmex or lip moisturizer; calcium carbonate or Tums; Calamine or Caladryl; Camphophenique or camphor; hydrocortisone cream or rubbing alcohol; Ora-Gel; and saline salution, aritficial tears or eye lubricant, as appropriate.
Student Code Of Conduct
SSISD Board of Trustees earlier this month approved a policy update for FO(local) policy regarding changes to the standard for corporal punishment, spanking or paddling of a student. Essentially, the law now requires a parent who agrees their student can receive corporal punishment to send a signed letter to the school principal letting the school know it is not to be allowed as an appropriate punishment if a student is subject to discipline, Williams explained.
To make it easier, parents of SSISD students are asked to complete and return a signed form if they agree and have not already signed one. Details, such as any questions regarding the number of licks, type of instrument used, or what corporal punishment would garner corporal punishment, should be worked out ahead of time to make sure the parents and administrators are on the same page. Corporal punishment will not be considered unless the annual form is reutrned to the school.
Parents can at any time change their mind and revoke or allow permission for use of corporal punishment by submitting a signed statement in writing to the principal.
Students who are in the temporary or permanent custody of the state will not be administered corporal punishment, even if the student’s caregivers or caseworker hasn’t submitted the required paperwork prohibiting use.
When corporal punishment is used, the student must be told why they are receiving it as punishment, it is administered by the principal and in the presence of another district professional employee in a designated place out of view of other students. The student’s disciplinary record will then include the person who administered it, witness, date and time of corporal punishment and type administered.
Employee Handbook
Most of the changes to the employee handbook this year involved shuffling from one location to another, including moving school policy to employee handbook, with one prime exception, inclusion of leave for peace officers.
Per DEC (Local) policy, district administrators indicated in the information presented to trustees recently, SSISD policy now includes among potential acceptable causes for leave of peace officers without deduction in compensation “mental health” leave for officers who experience a traumatic event in the scope of employment. The policy defines what would be considered a traumatic event and stipulates that a peace officer who does experience a traumatic event as defined would be entitled to a maximum of five days of paid leave per event, provided a written request for mental health leave is field with the human resources department within 10 working days of the event. The employee then would be notified in writing if the request is approved or denied based on policy.
Quarantine leave too will be grated to SSISD Police Officers if they are ordered to isolate or quarantine because of known exposure to a communicable disease (like COVID-19) while on duty. To qualify for this, the order must come from either the Local Health Authority, the SSPSD Chief of Police or Superintendent. Certificationfrom the LHA to validate the need for leave must also be attained. During the quarantine leave, the officer would receive all employment benefits and compensation, including leave accrual and other benefits. If ordered by the superintendent of police chief, a district form must be submitted to human resources.
Safe Return, Continuity of Services Plan
Williams also noted the district’s safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services plan is fairly simple, only 4 pages long as opposed the plan adopted last summer for the 2020-2021 school that spanned a dozen pages.
SSISD, per the Governor’s mandate, will not be requiring those on campus to wear masks nor will COVID vaccinations be required. However, those who wish to wear masks are welcome to do so, Williams reported. COVID accinations are available for ages 12 and older, and those students with parental consent who wish to get the vaccine are certainly allowed to do so.
SSISD will follow Texas Education Agency guidance regarding COVID-19 protocols and response.
In general, if a student, employee or vistor to campus is COVID sick, that student is to remain at home. Those who test positive for coronavirus must stay at home until a doctor releases them to return to school. If the infected person does not have a doctor overseeing care, the indiviudal should work with a SSISD nurse to determine using CDC guidelines when the individual is eligible to return to school
While the district will notify Texas Department of State Health Services via a submitted form if someone on campus tests positive for the virus, the district will not in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations, There will be no contact tracing conducted by the school, so those who think they have had extended exposure to a COVID positive individual should take personal responsibility
SSISD administrators said as of Aug. 9 they were aware of at least four district employees known to have COVID-19 they should take “personal responsibility” as appropriate, keeing in mind they are allowed up to 8 absences each year.
Hand sanitizer will be provided in classrooms, offices and other areas. Handwashing is encouraged and available in restrooms, breakrooms and kitchens. Handwashing stations with hot water will be cleaned and equipped with soap approved by the CDC.
The district is prepared, if necessary to return to remote instruction this school year. Either way, academic, social, emotionaland mental health services and other needs will continue to be met by the district. The food service department will even continue providing meals for those in need, if the district has to return to vitual learning.
The district wills till provide hand sanitizer, soap or handwashing, supplement traditional cleaning by disinfecting surfaces frequently touched four times a day. Restrooms too are to be cleanes four times daily and a special shield antimicrobial surface protector will be administered on all distirct buses every 30 days.
All other activities such as athletics, band, extracurricular and cocurricular activities, assemblies, pep rallies, field trips and school carnivals will resumenormally.
The full plan can be viewed at by clicking here.
Wildcats Team Tennis Emerges Victorious Yesterday at Tyler High Before Rain Forced Early End to Match
It has been a busy two weeks for Wildcats team tennis. Even though school started today, Aug. 18, the squad led by Coach Tony Martinez yesterday participated in their fourth contest since Aug. 9.
Wildcats team tennis went 4-3 in doubles versus Tyler High yesterday before being rained out, giving Coach Martinez’s squad the win.
Last Monday, on Aug. 9, the team travelled to the DFW metroplex to take on Mesquite Poteet HS.
Wildcats team tennis ended up pulling out the victory versus the Pirates. Coach Martinez called the contest a good match.
He said the victory was a team effort that day, adding that it meant a good deal to his team to get out to the metroplex and take on a DFW school that is not from the area nor in the Wildcats’ district.
Coach Martinez said he was impressed with his student athletes’ determination to fight and their tenacity demonstrated when playing their first contest during the day-time.
He said he saw good things from everybody, especially from his freshman group. The team tennis coach said he is elated about his freshman’s progress.
After that the Wildcats travelled to Tyler to take on Bullard on Wednesday, which did not go as well as the contest at Mesquite Poteet.
Coach Martinez said his team got beat, calling Bullard a really tough team here in East Texas.
While calling it an eye-opening experience for his squad, he said that his squad still performed really well. The team tennis coach believed the afternoon heat got to his squad a bit that day.
Moving over to the Greenville match held at the Tennis Center last Thursday, Coach Martinez said his team performed well against the Lions.
The Wildcats came in to that contest with their team at half-strength; the tennis coach said they did not play their top four boys or girls against Greenville. Coach Martinez said this move was intentional as he wanted his freshman to get playing time, adding in the fact the Lions brought only two girls and six to seven boys to play versus the Wildcats.
While Sulphur Springs did end up losing the match versus the Lions, Coach Martinez said that he did not play his seniors or juniors to again give his freshman some real playing time.
And last but certainly not least is the match the Wildcats had at Tyler High yesterday. The team tennis coach said that particular match was one his team had been waiting for, sporting a full crew for the contest.
He said his team was ready for the match.
Tyler High beat Dennison 10-9 earlier this season, and just like the Lions, the Wildcats beat Dennison 10-9 on Aug. 2. Coach Martinez and his program knew it would be a good match for Sulphur Springs.
Before the rain came down on Aug. 17 during the match versus Tyler High, the match was fairly even; the Lions won the first set in three matches, followed by the Wildcats who won the first set in three matches.
Sulphur Springs lead 4-3 after doubles heading into singles matches before the rain came down in Tyler.
Both staffs and teams waited an hour for the rain to clear before finally the contest was called, giving Wildcats Team Tennis a 4-3 win over Tyler High.
Next up, Coach Martinez and his program will take something of a breather before preparing for their next foe, Mt. Pleasant, in their first district contest of the season.
The Wildcats head in to district play beginning next week sporting a 3-3 overall record.
Sulphur Springs vs. Mt Pleasant is set to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 4 P.M. at the Tennis Center located in the SSISD Athletic Complex and will feature both varsity and JV.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Jury Duty Cancelled for Today, August 18th, 2021
Jury duty for today, 08/18/2021 at 1:30 PM, for the Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct Two, is canceled.
There is no need for any potential jurors to appear or contact the court.
For questions or concerns, please contact the JP, Pct. No. Two, court at 903-438-4036.
Miller Grove Robotics Team Receives Medals From World Championship
Members of the 2020-2021 Miller Grove Junior High Robotics Teams today received medals awarded for their participation in a different kind of robotics global world championship.
“In April of last school year, these students were strong competitors in the VEX State Robotics competition and, as a result, qualified to compete in the VEX World Competition held virtually in May. They are receiving medals today from VEX for competing in the 2021 Live Remote World Championship,” Coaches Davey Moseley, Laura Smith and Robert Smith noted Wednesday morning, Aug. 18, 2021.
Recognized are MGISD students who participated include Alessandro Alvarez, Kaden Hiller, Yahir Santana, Sebastian Tovar.
The VEX Robotics Competitions feature competitors from schools ranging in size from 1A to 6A, as well as home school teams. The Junior High teams all compete together and against each other at competitions, not dividing into grade levels until state.
The MGJH teams ranked third and seventh in state in the robotics skills competition and qualified for the Junior High State Competition. Both teams competed virtually in the state skills competition and judges’ interviews. The MGJH teams won the Build Award and the Amaze Award from the judges’ interviews, which qualified them for the Global VEX Robotics Competition.
Junior high robotics students include Alessandro Alvarez, Blanca Culbertson, Kaden Hiller, Yahir Santana and Sebastian Tovar.
Both Junior High Teams had their judges interviews virtually with a panel of judges from across the world, then in May were scheduled for a skills competition.
The Miller Grove High School Robtics Team also did well last year, qualifying for and competed in their second State Tournament. The high school team, unfortunately, did not advance to the world championship. That team included George Back, Aiden Yudell and Hannah Nalls.
Do You Have The Annual 4-H Achievement Banquet, Fall Events On Your Calendar?
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
Annual 4-H Achievement Banquet Approaching
The 2020-2021 4-H year wrapped up with nearly 200 4-H members in Hopkins County. A highlight of the year is the annual 4-H Achievement Banquet where we recognize accomplishments of our 4-H members. This year’s banquet is slated for Saturday, August 21, and we have a great line-up for the evening.
Sgt. Major Patrick Johnson of J-S.T.A.R. will be our guest speaker on the ABCs of Success. He has a passion for reaching youth with the message of encouragement, responsibility, and determination. I had the privilege of hearing him speak at a conference recently, and he has graciously agreed to be our speaker for the banquet.
Other highlights of the banquet will be recognition of 4-H supporters who provide encouragement and financial support. Also on the agenda will be recognition of 4-H members who have submitted project completion forms and 4-H record books. Year pins will be awarded to those who took the extra step to fill out an application and complete certain requirements.
The pinnacle of the banquet will be the announcement and recognition of the Outstanding 4-H Leader of the Year, Outstanding Intermediate 4-H member, and 4-H Gold Star. The Gold Star award is given to a senior 4-H member who has submitted a record book, and participated in project work, community service, and leadership activities. Officers for the 2021-2022 County 4-H Council will be installed.
This year’s theme is “4-H Barbeque Picnic” and attendees will enjoy a barbeque meal with all the trimmings. Watch next week’s column for announcements of 4-H award recipients!
Fall Events Are Looking Good
The Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show, Creative Arts Contest, parade, Kids’ Zone, petting zoo, and carnival are shaping up for October. Applications for the Arts & Crafts Show are now available and numerous responses have been received. If you know someone who like to sell their hand-made, hand-crafted items, give my office a call and we’ll send you the information. As a reminder, the Arts & Crafts Show will be held in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria and north entrance on Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23. This is a great opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping for one-of-a kind items!
The Creative Arts Contest is for Hopkins County residents who wish to enter items for judging (sort of like a mini State Fairy of Texas Creative Arts Contest.) Several categories are available and there is division for every age. A full list and description of categories are available at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. The contest will be held in the Sulphur Springs High School conference room, with registration beginning on Thursday, October 21, and continuing through Friday morning, October 22. Following judging, entries will be on display to the public on Friday afternoon, October 22 and Saturday, October 23.
Another exciting event is the annual “Christmas Joys” holiday program. This event has been hugely popular and was started by Janie Crump 48 years ago. I have kept the tradition going, and thoroughly enjoy the enthusiasm shown by participants! The date for the 48th Annual Christmas Joys holiday program is Monday, November 8, at the Southwest Dairy Museum. Two presentations will be offered to accommodate participant schedules, so pick the one that works best for you – 1:30 or 5:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person payable at the door, but attendees must reserve a seat by calling and leaving a name and phone number. We need a name for each reserved seat. Please call 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat.
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Closing Thought
Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you
– Walt Whitman
3 COVID-19 Deaths, 25 New Cases & 27 Recoveries Reported Aug. 17, 2021, For Hopkins County
The number of COVID-19 cases continues to swell in Hopkins County, with 25 new COVID-19 cases reported Aug. 17, three additional deaths and 27 recoveries reported on Tuesday, 2021. That leaves 244 active COVID-19 cases among Hopkins County residents on Aug. 17. Also across the region, only 1 ICU hospital bed was available on Monday.
COVID-19 Deaths
Across the state, only 96 new COVID-19 fatalities were recorded by Texas Department of State Health Services on Aug. 17. Unfortunately, three are confirmed by death certificate to be Hopkins County residents who died as a direct result of COVID-19: two on Aug. 10 and one on Aug. 11. That’s five Hopkins County residents who have died this month from COVID-19, and a total of 119 since July 2020 – when the county’s first COVID-19 death was recorded.
| County | COVID Deaths | % Fatlity to Positive Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Hopkins | 119 | 5.37 |
| Franklin | 26 | 4.08 |
| Delta | 14 | 5.88 |
| Rains | 30 | 5.93 |
| Lamar | 162 | 5.73 |
| Red River | 38 | 7.30 |
| Wood | 134 | 5.55 |
| Titus | 85 | 3.16 |
| Hunt | 185 | 3.02 |
More COVID-19 fatalities were recorded for Hopkins County Aug. 1-17 than during the months of May, June and July combined. Four Hopkins County residents died in May from COVID; four Hopkins County residents died from COVID-19 in May, and none were reported to have occurred in either June or July. In fact, the last time Hopkins County had five COVID deaths in a single month was February, a month with a composite of 269 new COVID cases.
That means that while 5.98 percent of the population of Hopkins County has contracted the virus, 5.37 percent of the county residents who received lab-confirmed positive molecular test results have died from the virus.
Of the 8 counties immediately surrounding Hopkins, more COVID deaths have been reported in three counties, which each have a larger population than Hopkins.
In Lamar County, 162 residents have died from COVID-19, including one one Aug. 5. Hunt County has had 185 total COVID-19 deaths, including three this month, one Aug. 3 and two on Aug. 5, A total of 134 Wood County residents have died as a result of COVID, the latest on Aug. 5, 2021.
Only one of the five other nearby counties has had more than 50 fatalities. Titus County, the closest in population to Hopkins County with about 4,300 less residents, has had 85 residents die from COVID-19, including one on Aug. 4, according to the Aug. 17, 2021, Texas COVID-19 Fatalities County Data by County report.
Franklin County, one of the first in the area to report a COVID fatality on March 11, 2020, has had 26 total COVID-19 deaths, and none since March 2, 2021. Delta County has had only 14 fatalities, the last reported to have occurred on July 4, 2021. Thirty Rains County residents have died from COVID-19, the latest on July 23, 2021. Red River County has lost 39 residents to the coronavirus, the most recent on Aug. 8, 2021.
COVID-19 Case Counts
August has almost matched February in total new COVID-19 cases. From Aug. 1-17, 2021, 268 new COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County, just one shy of February’s total. Overall, that’s 268 new COVID-19 cases reported during the first 17 days of August 2021, which is 80 more COVID-19 cases reported so far this month than during the entire month of 2020. So far, only December (483 cases) and January (400 cases) have had more COVID-19 cases, but at the current pace August could very well match or exceed those monthly totals in terms of new COVID cases. (The state did not begin keeping track of and daily reporting probable cases until Dec. 11, so only lab-confirmed case counts are available before that date.) Cumulatively, 4,036 Hopkins County COVID cases have been reported to DSHS since March of 2021.
Of the 20,123 new cases lab-confirmed by molecular testing across the state Tuesday, including 21 Hopkins County cases. That’s 25 lab-confirmed cases this week, 76 the first week and 94 last week for at total of 195 confirmed so far during the month of August, bringing the cumulative total for Hopkins County since the pandemic began to 2,216 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 17, 2021. That means 11 more confirmed cases were recorded last month than the 83 confirmed during the entire month of July and 14 more than the combined total of all new cases reported for Hopkins County during the month of June (63 confirmed and 27 probable) and five more than in May. The 94 confirmed cases reported Aug. 8-14 was also 38 more than all of April, when 32 confirmed and 24 probable cases were recorded.
At this time last year, 220 Hopkins County residents had received positive molecular test results; at that time probable cases were tracked by Texas Department of State Health Services. That means 1,996 additional Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed COVID-19 tests results over the last 365 days.
Four of the 4,299 new probable cases reported for Texas reside have Hopkins County addresses. That’s seven new probable cases this week, three today and four Monday, combined with the 22 reported the first week and 66 44 reported the second week of August, that’s 73 new probable cases recorded for Hopkins County so far this week, including three Monday, four Tuesday, 22 the first week and 44 the second week of the month, according to DHS COVID-19 Case Counts dashboards.
That leaves 244 Hopkins County residents reported to still have coronavirus on Aug. 17, two less than on Monday, when seven new COVID-19 cases were reported, and five more than on Aug. 14, when 38 new COVID cases were recorded. That’s 138 more active cases reported for Hopkins County on Aug. 17 than on Aug. 1. The most active cases reported for July 2021 was 100 on the 31st, while June’s high was 43 on the first and 41 on May 29 and 31. The most active cases on any one day in February was 220 the day after Valentine’s Day. The most active cases reported for Hopkins County during December was 273 on the 14th.
Hospital Reports
Lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients accounted for 12,227 or 24.05 percent of all hospitalizations in Texas hospitals, and 19.48 percent of the total hospital capacity (62,782 beds), leaving 7,803 beds available in Texas hospitals on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Overall, 8,840 of the 50,845 occupied general hospital beds in Texas hospitals were occupiend by lab-confirmed COVID patients, and accounted for 3,186 of the 7,174 ICU beds occupiend in Texas hospitals on Monday.
In Region F Trauma Service Center, which includes all hospitals in Northeast Texas from Bowie to Hopkins County, 179 lab-confirmed COVID patients were hospitalized, accounting for 21.62 percent of the the total hospital capacity (828) and 29.78 percent of total hospitalizations. In TSA F, 59 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in 82 of the occupied ICUs as well as in 120 of the 600 general beds occupied on Aug. 16. That left only 1 unocuppied ICU hospital bed available on Monday. In fact, Aug. 16 marked the seventh consecutive day in which fewer than 10 ICU beds available across TSA F, and the third day in the last week that only one ICU beds was available in TSA F.
At CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs, the patient count in the COVID-19 unit rose from 12 on Monday to 21 on Tuesday, Aug. 16, according to Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management reports. That’s the largest number of COVID-19 patients reported since January, when the COVID unit housed as many as 32 COVID patients on Jan. 6-7. In fact on only 5 days did the patient count drop below 21 in January: 18 Jan. 27-28, 19 on the 25th, 20 each on the 22nd and 29th. In fact, at one point the COVID unit was reported to have continued to have a single digit patient census consistently for several months, and on April 5 city officials reported the COVID unit had no patients at all.
| Hospital Area Covered | Aug. 16 COVID patients | % Of Hospital Capacity | COVID Patients In General Beds | COVID Patients In ICU Beds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total from all Texas Hospitals | 12,227 | 19.48 | 8,840 | 3,186 |
| Trauma Serivice Area F | 179 | 21.62 | 120 | 59 |
| CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs | 12 | 21.88 | Unknown | Unknown |
Lady Cats Volleyball Drops Three Set Thriller to Greenville
The Lady Cats volleyball team came in to the Lion Den on Tuesday, Aug. 17 hoping not to drop a second straight game for the first time this season.
Unfortunately for Sulphur Springs fans, Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats came out on the wrong end of a three-set thriller to Greenville on Tuesday night.
The match between the two teams began as a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading points and tying it up several times.
Greenville took the lead mid-set at 15-14 after both teams traded blows before taking control the rest of the way for a 25-17 set one win.
Set two was another close one, with ties at 4-4, 5-5 and 8-8 before Greenville went on a scoring run to lead the visiting Lady Cats 14-9 heading in to a Sulphur Springs time-out.
It would be all Lady Lions all the time from there though as they scored 11 of the next 19 points en route to another 25-17 set win over Sulphur Springs.
The Lady Cats, staring down the barrel of defeat for the second straight game, came out on a tear in set three. Coach Dorner’s squad scored eight of the first 11 points in the set, before the Lady Lions came roaring back to tie the set for the first time at 9-9.
From there, it was a heavyweight boxing match for the ages; both teams went blow-for-blow, tying it up 11 times after Greenville was able to type it up at nine-all.
Sulphur Springs fought until the very end, tying set three at 25-25 before the Lady Lions scored two straight to win set three and complete the sweep of the Lady Cats.
Set three showed incredible poise and character from both teams, and Brooklyn Burnside played with a fierce tenacity getting several kills and successful blocks to put her team in a chance to win the set.
The loss to Greenville dropped Lady Cats’ volleyball season record to 4-4 overall.
Next up, Coach Dorner and her squad will be participating in the Wills Point Tournament on Thursday and Saturday. Not only that, but on Friday the Lady Cats will be at Rains at 4:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Chamber Connection – August 18.
By Butch Burney
Lunch and Learn
The Texas State Legislature has been in the national news, and you will have a chance to get the inside scoop when State Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Bryan Slaton will be in town for a Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15. Registration forms are on our website, so sign up to learn how laws passed (and not passed) by the Texas Legislature will affect your business. Lunch will be provided at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. Thanks for Atmos Energy and Oncor for sponsoring this important luncheon.
All About Stew!
We are currently accepting applications for stew cooks for the 52nd Annual World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest on Saturday, Oct. 23. Letters to past cooks were mailed out a couple of weeks ago.
Come by the chamber office or send us an email and we will get the registration form to you. We are expecting a big turnout for this year’s event, so be sure and get your spot.
We have also opened up our sponsor call for businesses that would like to sponsor some of the winning stew pots.
Stew Fest Market Vendor Call
The Chamber is excited to announce our vendor call for the Stew Fest Market! The Chamber is currently accepting vendors for the Stew Fest Market, which will be located on the south side of Buford Park during Friday night and Saturday Stew Contest activities. This is a great opportunity to sell goods or to promote your business to 7,000 people who attend the Stew Contest annually. Vendors may rent booth space to sell goods or distribute information about their business. Booths will be assigned on a first-paid basis. Access to electricity is not guaranteed. Generators are permitted. Vendors who are interested in purchasing booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515 email us at [email protected]
All Stew Contest Drink Sales
Every year, the Chamber allows a non-profit organization to sell drinks at the Stew Contest. If you are interested in placing your organization’s name in the hat, please call the Chamber. You will be asked to come in and sign an understanding agreement in regard to rules and expectations. The deadline is Aug. 31. Once we have all our volunteers in place, we will literally pick one out of a hat and award drink sales to that organization. Please call if you have any questions.
Photography Contest
It’s time for the 6th Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2019 and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from August 2 to August 31. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Postcards are in!
People ask about Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County postcards, and now the Chamber has them in. We have five different postcards featuring the landmarks and events of the county.
Come in, they are for purchase for $2 each.
Christmas Ornaments
Our annual Christmas ornaments are for sale for $40 at the Chamber office. They feature the City Hall at Christmastime, and are the fourth in our series of ornaments featuring county scenes
Ribbon Cuttings
Nunez Roofing hosted a ribbon cutting at 1121 Loop 301 at noon Wednesday, Aug. 11.
CDC: Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Recommended For Moderately & Severely Immunocompromised Individuals Only
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Thank you for your patience!
Due to a sharp increase in Emergency Room visits as a result of the spike in COVID-19, please expect longer wait times than normal. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to provide high quality care in a timely manner. Thank you in advance for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs, while extending grace to our staff.
COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning from 9am to 11am in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older), Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, ages 18 and older), Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
COVID Vaccine Updates
News from the Texas Department of State Health Services:
“On Aug. 12, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization fact sheets to include guidance on administering an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people whose immune system are moderately to severely compromised receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after an initial two-dose mRNA series (Pfizer or Moderna).
ACIP’s recommendation includes people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advance or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others. A full list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.
The additional dose should be the same vaccine product as the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). If the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available, the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered. A person should not receive more than three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses.
It’s important to note that an additional dose is only recommended for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised — CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.
Currently, there are insufficient data to support the use of an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose after a single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccination series in immunocompromised people. FDA and CDC are actively working to provide guidance on this issue.
Immunocompromised individuals may discuss with their health care provider whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. If their health care provider is not at a site administering vaccines, these individuals can self-attest and receive the additional dose wherever vaccines are offered. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html.”
Carter BloodCare Blood Drive
The Carter BloodCare Bus will be parked in the front parking lot of our hospital in Sulphur Springs on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Our local blood supply is at an all-time low creating a serious supply issue.
To sign up to give blood, or for questions, please call Yeon Mi Kim at 903.438.4380 or call/text Carter Bloodcare at 800.366.2834. All donors will receive a free t-shirt.
Sports Medicine
FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for student athletes of all ages is here! Saturday sports clinic will be held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., on August 21 through November 13. Athletes will get an exam and free x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury. The location will be the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedic Office at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs.
For more information about our Sports Medicine program, or Orthopedic services, please call our office at 903.885.6688.
Please help us preserve our masks for our healthcare providers, and BRING YOUR OWN MASK
With COVID cases rapidly increasing in our community, the hospital requires all visitors to wear a mask while in the facility. There is no entry into the hospital without a mask. Visitors may wear a cloth or medical mask. Thank you for your continued support of the safety of our patients and associates.
Hospital Bed Availability
While some hospitals are on divert due to a “critical COVID surge,” CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital continues to serve patients, and has available hospital beds, both for COVID and non-COVID diagnoses.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines for hospital visitation:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only.
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person at a time – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band
- COVID unit visitor must remain the same throughout stay
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only
- All other patients may have 1 essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time).
Hours of Operation
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care – Sulphur Springs
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care hours of operation are as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours: Monday, 9-5; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Saturday, 9-5; Sunday, closed.
- Virtual Visit Hours: Monday-Friday, 8-5
- To schedule a virtual visit, please visit urgentcare.christushealth.org, then select your location and click “Virtual Visit”
The Urgent Care is located at 1339 S. Broadway, and the phone number to call is 903.951.1001.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs; the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler; CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital, a partner of Encompass Health; Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility; and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Game Day Tuesday Brings Tennis and Volleyball
The day before school starts brings more Wildcats sports in tennis and volleyball.
The first team up today, Tuesday Aug. 17 will be team tennis, coached by Tony Martinez. Wildcats team tennis has stayed busy since August began, playing in their fifth contest today since their first on Aug. 2.
Wildcats team tennis will be back in Tyler for the second time in a week when they play Tyler High today at 3 P.M.
Last week Team Tennis played Bullard High School in Tyler on Wednesday.
The other team prepped for action the day before school starts on Wednesday, Aug. 18 is volleyball.
Coach Bailey Dorner and her Lady Cats will be traveling out to Greenville later today when they take on the Lady Lions at 5:30 P.M.
Like team tennis, Coach Dorner’s squad has kept busy since the onset of August. They played their season-opening tri-match versus North Lamar and Sherman last Tuesday before participating in the Garland Tournament last weekend.
Lady Cats volleyball’s season record heading into the bout with Greenville tonight is 4-3 overall.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
