TAMUC Alum Designs Cranial Prosthesis With Cornell University Team
COMMERCE, TX—In the two years since graduating from Texas A&M University-Commerce, Karli Thornton has been busy changing the world. She has worked internationally, earned her master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell University in New York and designed a patent-pending cranial prosthesis device that can potentially help millions of patients.
None of her success would be possible, she says, without the foundation she built at A&M-Commerce. “I have a lot of love and Lion pride in my heart,” she said.
Thornton transferred from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, in 2016 to play volleyball for A&M-Commerce.
“I pretty much came to A&M-Commerce solely for volleyball,” she said. “And, oh my gosh, it turned into the best engineering experience of my life.”
She wanted to pursue a pre-med track but switched to industrial engineering after meeting Andrea Graham, Ph.D., who is head of the Department of Engineering and Technology.
“Dr. Graham said, ‘If you’re interested in medicine, you can be an industrial engineer,’” Thornton recalled.
Thornton was initially hesitant, but she soon discovered that industrial engineers are often employed in high-level administrative positions at hospitals where they work on process improvement, emergency room flow optimization and more.
During her time in the industrial engineering program, she worked with several professors who played big roles in her academic preparation.
She met former assistant professor Marty Yaqub, Ph.D., who encouraged her to consider a Master of Engineering degree after completing her bachelor’s degree. She also worked on several projects with Perry Moler, Ph.D., assistant professor of engineering and technology, who introduced her to SolidWorks, a computer-aided design and engineering software.
“A&M-Commerce provided a different skill set and mentality,” Thornton explained. “I learned to view a problem for its possibilities, not its constraints.”
The dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Brent Donham, Ed.D., said he isn’t surprised at Thornton’s success.
“We are very proud of Karli and her achievements. She was a highly motivated self-starter and a strong leader during her time at A&M-Commerce,” Donham said. “Karli is a shining example of the quality graduates that come from the College of Science and Engineering.”
After graduating in fall 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering, Thornton wasn’t quite ready to pursue her master’s degree. She wanted an internship and she longed to see Israel. She found both opportunities as a biomedical intern at Medinol, a maker of cardiovascular stents based in Tel Aviv. The job also matched well with her growing interest in biomedical engineering.
“They taught me amazing engineering skill sets and completely shifted my view on building a product and the device itself,” she said of her yearlong experience at Medinol.
While in Israel, she spent a day at a coffee shop in Tel Aviv where she applied to eight schools that offered Master of Engineering degrees in biomedical engineering. She was surprised to get accepted by seven of the schools, including Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Thornton chose Cornell and began her master’s studies in fall 2020. Along with a year of study, the program required her to complete a biomedical engineering project. She was assigned to a team tasked with designing a cranial prosthesis for craniectomy patients.
A craniectomy is surgery to remove a portion of bone from the skull—often called a bone flap—to release pressure resulting from brain trauma. Doctors have an increased chance of stopping the swelling and reducing post-surgery complications by leaving the bone flap out for longer periods of time instead of replacing it during surgery.
Thornton said there are several internal options for replacing a bone flap during surgery but not many external options for protecting the brain when the bone flap is removed for an extended period, or even permanently.
A neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Susan Panullo, requested help engineering a new cranial prosthesis. She envisioned an external device that would protect the brain from additional trauma and allow patients to live fuller lives.
Thornton’s team set out to design a device that would be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The device also needed to pass through TSA security checkpoints. And, since each craniectomy is unique, the design needed to be customizable for each patient.
They spent a year working on the device, from conceptualization to completed product.
As the only member of the team with 3D modeling experience, Thornton became the project manager and device designer.
“A big reason I was so integral in this project is because I learned so much at A&M-Commerce about project management and 3D modeling,” Thornton reports.
She collaborated with Moler to learn Fusion 360, the modeling software used at Cornell. Although he wasn’t involved in the actual product design, Moler was an integral part of the 3D modeling process.
“He was there every step of the way; I could not have done it without him,” she said.
Moler was happy to help on the project.
“When Karli reached out for assistance, I didn’t hesitate because I know that any project she works on is going to have a positive impact on society,” Moler said.
The project expanded to collaborate with a neurosurgery clinic in Tanzania where thousands are killed or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents each year, resulting in large numbers of neurosurgery patients. This global expansion meant that the team’s cranial prosthesis needed to be cost-effective so that large numbers of the device could be sent to non-profits around the world.
The final product consists of a device with interconnecting joints. Multiple pieces can be joined together to form one protective device, making it customizable to the wearer. The team has secured a provisional patent and Thornton is optimistic that the device will eventually be FDA approved due to its thorough design, material composition and construction.
Thornton said she felt empowered by the process because she and her teammates—Stacey Kim, Shwetha Sairam and Tyler Webb—designed a viable, cost-efficient device that can help millions of people. She said they had a wonderful experience working directly with Panullo, who served as the team’s product advisor and sponsor.
“Dr. Panullo is one of the most positive and encouraging people I’ve ever worked with, and she’s so successful in an elite environment,” Thornton said.
The team competed at the Cornell Biomedical Engineering Design Project Showcase earlier this year against more than a dozen other teams that also designed devices and mechanical processes.
They placed first in the design category and won the showcase’s pitch competition, similar to the “Shark Tank” television show in which inventors and entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to would-be investors. The team also placed third in the Fusion 360 3D Modeling Software Device Drawing competition.
Thornton graduated from Cornell with her Master of Engineering in biomedical engineering in May of this year. She reflects often on the academic and experiential foundation she built at A&M-Commerce, which she said prepared her well for the success she’s experienced so far.
“I’ve worked internationally and in New York, which might as well be international,” Thornton quipped. “I can say that I’ve never once felt unprepared. While dealing with big Ivy League people and working in a different country, I did just fine—all thanks to A&M-Commerce!”
Learn more about engineering and technology programs at A&M-Commerce.
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About Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with a dedicated mission to Educate. Discover. Achieve. With an enrollment of 11,624 students, the university is the third-largest member of The Texas A&M University System. The 2,100-acre Commerce campus provides many opportunities for students to learn and grow. The university offers more than 130 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A vibrant student experience includes 14 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a thriving Greek system and more than 120 student-led organizations. Classes are delivered on-site in Commerce, Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco and Mesquite. In November 2021, the university will open A&M-Commerce at Dallas, located at 8750 North Central Expressway.
Contact: Michael Johnson
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
903.886.5128
Free Sports Injury Clinic Now Open Saturdays by Dr. Meltsakos, CHRISTUS Orthopedic Surgeon/Sports Medicine
As Fall begins, so does the school sports season. The team of CHRISTUS specialty practitioners in Sulphur Springs includes Dr. Chris Meltsakos at Trinity Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at 103B Medical Circle. In addition to seeing and treating patients of all ages with bone fractures, joint and other orthopedic issues, Meltsakos also heads up a free Sports Injury Clinic held on Saturday mornings at his clinic.
The free Sports Injury Clinic is a Saturday morning walk-in clinic for student athletes 7th grade-12th grade who are part of Middle and High school sports programs in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County and surrounding areas. Local collegiate student athletes may also attend. It is conducted Saturdays from 9am til 11am on a first-come, first-served basis starting August 21, 2021 through Saturday November 13, 2021. Student athletes with injuries are welcome to take advantage of the clinic which offers free exam, consultation, X-ray or other imaging, with same-day results in most cases.
According to Dr. Meltsakos, his training as an orthopedic surgeon also includes a sub-specialty in Sports Medicine. Along with clinic staffers PA Christopher Lutz and Athletic Trainer/Clinic Coordinator Kyle LeMarr, his team is often found on the sidelines of scrimmages and games in 2A-5A schools around the local region of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
For the ‘older athletes’ in the area, Dr. Meltsakos addresses arthritis and joint issues and performs arthroscopic and other surgeries necessary for knee, hip and shoulder treatments and replacements. His office is equipped with the Mako robotic assist which is operated by Dr. Meltsakos in some surgical procedures. With any questions about Trinity Orthopedic and Sports Injury Clinic, you can phone the office at 903-885-6688.
· Dr. Meltsakos is a board eligible orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in Sports Medicine. He is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College. Dr. Meltsakos completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He later completed his subspecialty training in Sports Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He and his wife and family are happy to be making their home in Sulphur Springs.
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Local Hotel Remodel Hits Low Income Families Hard
Though remodeling a hotel or any business is never an easy task, a local hotel, who’s guests were mainly low income earners, has put a strain on them and on local assistance agencies.
Approximately 2 months ago, The Ferrari Inn began issuing notices to all it’s residents. The eviction notice was essential due to the extent of construction and remodel that needed to take place. This coincided with a massive nationwide housing shortage and a concurrent hike in rent.
CANHelp executive director Shanna Martin has seen an increase in individuals needing housing assistance. “We have seen an increase housing requests, and people have nowhere to go. Most of the clients we are seeing are low wage earners or on disability, and the amount they receive will not cover rent, even when they find an available place. Hotels are available, but are not a permanent solution, and are even more expensive than rent.” said Martin.
You can donate to CANHelp via their website.
The Ferrari Inn did not respond to our phone calls or messages via social media. The structure is currently vacant except for a few construction workers. KSST has learned that the remodel will provide a more ‘apartment’ like environment than the existing hotel. The completion of the remodel can not come soon enough for some Hopkins County residents.
Donna Man, Point Woman Sentenced In District Court
A 32-year-old Donna, Texas man and 48-year-old Point woman were sentenced this week in district court, according to the district attorney’s office.
Bolivar Herrera Cavazos arranged to plead true before the court Tuesday, Aug. 17, on a possessin of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance with intent to deliver. The Donna, Texas man was sentenced to 8 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on the charge.
The 32-year-old has been in custody in Hopkins County jail since June 25, 2021, on a warrant for violation of probation on the Penalty Group 2 charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop on Interstate 30 east of Sulphur Springs on Nov. 16, 2018 by a state trooper. Signs of criminal activity were evident to the trooper. When Cavazos refused to let the trooper search the car, a canine was used to conduct a sniff search around the vehicle. The dog alerted, giving the highway patrol cause to search it. He alleged finding 19 pounds of marijuana and 2,300 grams of THC in e-cigarette cartridges and about 600 grams of prescription codeine in the car and was arrested not only only on a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, but also for possesion of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance and possession of 5 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds of marijuana. He was released from Hopkins County jail Nov. 17, 2018, on $50,000 in bonds, $20,000 on the Penalty Group 2 charge and $15,000 each on the Penalty Group 3 and marijuana charges.
Cavazos, who is also known by Boli Cavazos and Bolivar Mascoro Cavazos, was indicted in September 2019 for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance with intent in connection with the incident.
Jana Christine Combs arranged to plead guilty before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Aug. 17, 2021, to an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. The 48-year-old Point woman acknowledged her guilt on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substyance charge, which was dismissed pursuant to 12.45 of Texas Penal Code.
A 12.45 agreement or plea refers to Section 12.45 of Texas Penal Code which allows a defendant to admit during a sentencing hearing to guilt of one or more unadjudicated offenses and request the court to take each into account in determining sentence for the offense or offenses of which the defendant stands adjudged guilty. While considered the unadjudicated offenses are dismissed.
Combs was placed on 10 years deferred adjudication community supervision on the firearm charge and fined $1,000. As a condition of her probation, she must successfully complete the drug rehabilitation program at Morgan’s Mercy Mansion, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The charges stem from a late night traffic stop on State Highway 19 north on Oct. 3, 2020. Combs was a passenger in the vehicle and claimed ownership of a firearm found in a case in the vehicle. A records check showed a prior felony conviction, which prohibited her from having a firearm. She was placed into custody and put in a deputy’s patrol vehicle, where she allegedly began making furtive movements. When removed from the car, sheriff’s deputies said they saw her trying to discard a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, resulting in the controlled substance charge.
Combs, who is also known as Jana Christine Gillard Combs and Jana Tribe, was booked into Hopkins County jail Oct. 4, 2020 and remained there until her release the next day on $20,000 in bonds, $10,000 per charge. She was indicted in February of 2021 on the controlled substance charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Next Weekend The Toughest Sport On Dirt Heads To Dickies Arena!
Forty men will compete, but only one can be the Iron Cowboy. Don’t miss your chance to see history in the making! Get your tickets today for the PBR Iron cowboy at Dickies Arena.
Thursday Game day Features Wildcats Football and Lady Cats Volleyball
While most game days during the school year are Tuesday and Friday, this week features a Thursday game day.
The first team in action on this Thursday game day on Aug. 19 is Lady Cats volleyball.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats will be participating in their second tournament of their fall 2021 season.
Last weekend the volleyball team travelled out to the DFW metroplex to participate in the Garland tournament, whereas this weekend they’ll stay put in East Texas when they take part in the Wills Point tournament.
The schedule for today’s games are first at 9 A.M. versus Kaufman, immediately followed by a contest with Caddo Mills at 10 A.M.
The last contest of the day for Sulphur Springs will be against Rains at 1 P.M.
On Friday the Lady Cats volleyball team will be at Rains at 4:30 P.M. and will be back in the Wills Point Tournament on Saturday.
Moving over to football, Coach Owens and his staff enjoyed their first scrimmage of the year last Friday, beating Liberty Eylau in Texarkana 9-7 on Aug. 13.
This week his program shifted their focus to Pleasant Grove, who will be ready to take on the Wildcats tonight at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7 P.M.
According to Wildcats offensive coordinator Matt Young, Pleasant Grove will be a top-10 program come fall.
The scrimmage tonight versus the Hawks is the second and final scrimmage for Wildcats football before the regular season gets underway next week versus Frisco Wakeland.
The regular-season home-opener is set to kick-off next Friday, Aug. 27 at Gerald Prim stadium at 7:30 P.M.
One thing is for sure: sports teams are picking up steam quickly as teams start to break in to their fall schedules.
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.
Cooper Lake State Park Hires Two New Park Rangers
Steve Killian, Park Complex Superintendent
This is a record year for attendance at Cooper Lake State Park and many other Texas State Parks! We couldn’t maintain our high standards meeting the needs of the visiting public without a highly professional staff. This press release highlights two new Park Rangers who are ready to serve the citizens of Texas.
News Release
Media Contact: Steve Killian, [email protected], 903-916-0211
August 18th, 2021
Cooper Lake State Park Hires Two New Park Rangers
Cooper, TX— Cooper Lake State Park is a destination for well over 150,000 visitors annually. The park requires a professional staff of park rangers to operate effectively and efficiently. Hiring the right candidate to fill our positions is our most important job. You can think of a state park as a small town. Anything that happens in a small town happens at a state park. We have positions that equate to mayors, teachers, office workers, city maintenance crews, police, water and wastewater operators, etc. – We strive to always hire the best.
The hirings that Cooper Lake State Park just completed filled two important positions, one in maintenance / safety operations and one in educational services. Our newest employee is Chris Hayner. Chris is our Maintenance / Safety Ranger. He is re-joining our team after his first stint in the position from 2018-2020. Chris is a true American hero serving our country in the U.S. Army. Chris retired in 2015 from the U.S. Army as a Light Infantry First Sergeant (1SG) after serving 20 years, which included deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13 (Afghanistan). He is a 2016 graduate of Texas A&M Commerce with a BAAS in Organizational Leadership. Chris enjoys working on his small ranch in Klondike, hunting, teaching his sons the value of hard work, and coaching youth sports. Chris resides in Klondike, Texas with his wife Kimberly and two sons (Bo & Cole).
Education is a cornerstone of what we do at a Texas state park. Teaching the public about the values inherent in protecting and enjoying the natural world in an ecologically friendly manner is our overarching mission. Running point for this program is our newly hired educator, Alicia O’Connor. Alicia has been a schoolteacher and coach for the past twelve years. She has now found another path for educating others in our “classroom of nature.” One day soon, she hopes to see the spark of knowledge glow in our visitors’ eyes. Her favorite quote is from Freeman Tilden, “the interpreter’s (educator’s) duty is not merely to point out something for visitors to look at, but rather to give them something to wonder about.” Her love and passion about and for the natural and cultural resources of Texas – will ignite a spark of natural wonder in children and adults alike. Alicia is married to her husband Chris, and they are from Longview, Texas. They have one daughter, Valerie. Alicia’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, and traveling with her family. One of her all-time favorite activities is teaching others about archery. Alicia has had the distinct pleasure of coaching many successful archers in the National Archery in the Schools Program in a competitive tournament format.
Note: School teachers looking to enhance your science curriculum, please contact Alicia for a school visit or book a session at the park (either South Sulphur or Doctors Creek Units).
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120th COVID-19 Fatality, 35 New Cases, 6 Recoveries, 270 Active Cases Reported For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday announced the 120th COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County, along with 35 new cases, 270 active cases and 6 recoveries on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021.
COVID-19 Fatalties
Wednesday marked consecutive two consecutive days this week and the fourth time in 10 days that DSHS has reported another Hopkins County resident has died as a result of COVID-19. That makes six coronavirus deaths so far this month, 30 so far in 2021, an 120 cumulatively since March of 2020 when the virus began spreading across the world. The latest Hopkins County COVID-19 death occurred on Aug. 13; two Hopkisn County residents on Aug. 6 and Aug. 10, and one on Aug. 11, 2021 as well.
Across the state, 174 new fatalities were reported Aug. 18, 2021, which is 78 more than on Tuesday.
COVID Case Counts
Prior to August 2021, Hopkins County seemed to be on a better track, with less than 100 lab-confirmed COVID cases reported in each of the last 2 months and no deaths since May. The latest on Aug. 13, two each on Aug. 6 and Aug. 10, and one on Aug. 11.
| COVID-19 Category | New Aug. 18 | 17 Month Total |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed Cases | 23 | 2,239 |
| Probable Cases | 12 | 1,832 |
| Active Cases | 270 | – |
| Fatalities | 1 | 120 |
| Recoveries | 6 | 3,682 |
| Cumulative Cases | 25 | 4,071 |
As has been the case across the state and country, COVID-19 cases have soared this month. As of Wednesday, August of 2021 is officially worse than February in terms of deaths and new COVID cases. For the entire month of February, 269 new COVID-19 cases (135 lab-confirmed and 134 probable) and five fatalities were reported for Hopkins County. A total of 296 new COVID cases (218 lab-confirmed and 78 probable cases) and five coronavirus deaths had been reported for Hopkins County through Aug. 18, 2021.
Since the first COVID-19 positive case was reported 17 months ago, only three other months had more confirmed COVID-19 cases:
- 323 in October, a month with 29 fatalities, 257 recoveries, and in which the most active cases on any day was 236 on the 28th;
- 290 in December, the month the state began daily reporting probable cases (from Dec. 11-Dec. 31, a total of 193 probable cases were reported), pushing the overall COVID-19 case count to 483, and during which 26 Hpokins county residents were confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19; and, finally,
- 247 confirmed cases in January, along with 153 probable cases, 363 recoveries, 15 COVID deaths and the active case count peaked at 261 on the 23rd.
During the first week of August, 76 Hopkins County residents received positive molecular test results, 22 new proable cases, 162 active cases, two COVID deaths and 33 recoveries were recorded. The second week of August 2021, 94 new confirmed cases, 44 probable cases and 4 COVID deaths were reported for Hopkins County.
On Wednesday, 23 county residents received positive molecular COVID results (twop more than on Tuesday), 12 others were listed as probable cases (8 more than on Tuesday). The cumulative total for the fisrt four days of this week is 48 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 19 new probable cases and 270 active cases, and 43 county residents also recovered from the virus (including 6 on Wednesday). That brings the total number of new COVID-19 cases reported in August to 296 (218 confirmed and 78 probable) cases, 6 deaths and 138 recoveries, with 13 days yet to go.
Overall, that’s 1,117 new confirmed cases reported in 2021 and 2,239 cumulative cases since March of 2020. Cumulatively, there have been 1,832 probable cases reported for Hopkisn County by DSHS, including 715 reported so far this year. That’s a total of 4,071 COVID cases since spring break of 2020, including 1,629 in 2021.
Hospital Reports
Across the state 12,402 lab confirmed COVID-19 patients were in hospitals Tuesday, including 174 in Trauma Service Area F, 19 of which were in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Wednesday.
While many areas across Texas are reporting overtaxed hospitals due to COVID-19, Hopkins County and Region F Trauma Service Area Hospitals had fewer COVID patients on Wednesday than on Tuesday. TSA F hospitals had 5 fewer COVID patients on Tuesday and CMFHSS had 2 less COVID patients on Aug. 17.
| Hospital Location | Aug. 16 | Aug. 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Hospitals | 12,227 | 12,402 |
| Trauma Service Area F | 179 | 174 |
| CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs | 21 | 19 |
Man Sentenced To 1 Year In The County Jail For Violating Probation On Assault Charge
A 52-year-old Pickton man was sentenced to 1 year in the county jail for violating probation, which he was on for a 2017 assault charge, according to arrest reports.
Paige Spencer Whitworth appeared in the 8th Judicial District Court Aug. 17, 2021 on a motion to revoke his pobation. He pled guilty and received the maximum sentence of 1 year in the county jail for violating probation on the aggravated assualt of a date, family or household member with a weapon charge.
Whitworth has been in Hopkins County jail since his arrest July 31 on a warrant for violation of probation on an assault causing bodily injury charge. He was originally jailed on March 3, 2018, after being sentenced to a three-day jail commitment on a family violence assault causing bodily injury charge. He was arrested Aprl 10, 2019 on a warrant for violating probation on the charge, then released later that day on a $5,000 bond. The man then had his bond revoked on the aggravated assault charge on May 22, 2019 and remained in Hopkins County jail until July 22, 2019.
The man was arrested on the original aggravated assault charge on May 30, 2017. Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a Pickton residence, where a man was first reported to be assaulting his girlfriend, then was said to have been threatening her at the location while in possession of a firearm. When deputies arrived, they reported the alleged victim seemed hesitant to speak and wasn’t very cooperative with them. Whitworth, they alleged in 2017, was verbally abusive and uncooperative with officers. Upon further investigation, officers determined the pair had become involved in an argument. The woman locked Whitworth out of the house. He then reportedly banged the door and walls with a handgun. Whitworth was arrested May 30, 2017 and remained in the county jail until Aug. 14, 2017, for aggravated assault. He was indicted on June 2017, for aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a weapon.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
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.
