It was another interactive night for the Sulphur Springs School Board as 6-year old students from Barbara Bush Primary, assisted by Janelle Safford, presented App Smashing using the Chatter Pix and See Saw apps. Students showed board members how to create in one app by drawing and coloring a turkey and moving the finished creation to the second app. In other action, the board heard the Financial Accountability Rating for 2017-2018 and heard reports on elementary and secondary programs and activities. They also approved action items.
Sherry McGraw conducted a public meeting regarding the Financial Accountability Rating. She noted that once again, the district received a Superior Rating. The board was told that more requirements are being placed on financial reporting for all school districts in the state. However, the local district continues to receive a high rating thanks to accurate reporting.
The board approved the 2018-2019 agreement between Sulphur Springs Country Club and the district. The agreement allows the high school golf team to use the course for practice and tournament play. The cost remains the same as the past two years.
The board approved the renewal of membership in the Walsh Gallegeos’ retainer program. The membership allows the district to have an attorney on call every day for any legal matter pertaining to public education laws in the state.
The Campus and District Improvement plans were also approved. Those plans are posted on SSISD.org as of Tuesday, November 13, 2018. The updated plans replace the previous plans found online. The plans call for continued steps in improving local public education programming.
An activities update for elementary education was presented by Kristin Monk, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and Learner Services. Activities at each school includes:
Douglass ECLC · Each student at Douglass ECLC received complimentary face painting from parent volunteers for Wildcat Spirit Day, Friday, November 2. · Parent Fair, Tuesday, November 13, 5:30-6:30 pm · Donuts with Dad, November 14, 8:00 am, Head Start 3 and PreK · Donuts with Dad, November 15, 8:00 am, Head Start 4 · Handicapable Rodeo, November 16, both PPCD classes are going, Edwards is going also · Head Start 4 and PreK students go to the Public Library, and the Head Start 3s will begin in the spring.
Bush Primary · Bush Book Buddies Program has started and have 44 of our 166 students paired with Buddies from Grocery Supply Company and League Street Church of Christ. · Will host Career Day Friday, November 9 for the District’s Kindergarten students. · The “Play it Safe” program will start after Thanksgiving. Play it Safe teaches our students about safe touches and how to ask for help. · Kindergarten classes will be going on a field trip to the Children’s Museum in Commerce. Stations will be set up to allow for hands-on experiences with Kindergarten Science TEKS. · Bush will participate in the Canned Food Drive sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.
Bowie Primary · The 1st annual Creative pumpkin contest between all classrooms was a huge success. Each classroom had to create a pumpkin character and develop a story about their character. Winners are as follows: 3 rd place: Mrs. Slaughter and Mrs. Smith’s 2nd grade classes; 2 nd place: Mrs. Clayton’s 1st grade class; 1 st place: Mrs. Hicks’ 3rd grade class (with the help of Mrs. Owens) · A Recycling club for students at Bowie is in the developmental stages. The club will begin in January. · Third grade students will present a patriotic concert Tuesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Lamar Primary · In an effort to build school/community relations, campus students and their families, along with the entire community was invited to our “Incredible” Family-Community Movie Night @ Celebration Plaza on November 6 th . · The Lamar Canned Food Drive has kicked off and we are working to teach our students about compassion and caring for others. 9 2 Lamar Primary, continued · Veterans were honored November 9th with a student performance of songs and recitations, along with the creation of a Veteran’s wall of honor. · Students enjoyed Bleacher Creature Night at the Wildcat football game and a field trip to the SOC Pumpkin Patch.
Travis Primary · Family Literacy Night was Tuesday, October 30th and was well attended. · Students are enjoying reading with their Book Buddies. · Red Ribbon Week was a blast and students and staff had fun participating in dress-up days. · The Key Club Book Parade was a hit! Students loved getting to read with a Key Club buddy. · Travis students enjoyed sharing Thanksgiving lunch with their parents November 8th.
SSES · Robotics is an exciting addition to SSES. Approximately 55 students are participating. · Gentlemen’s League has been a big hit and their Christmas party is coming up in December; league members will be served a formal dinner at the SS Country Club. · Student Council is working hard to do fun things at school (making posters, running the school store and the PTO Penny War for Jocelyn). · UIL practices are underway and teams are in the process of being selected. · Student assessment data is being analyzed to drive individualized instruction for students, who are making lots of progress as evidenced by data generated from each unit assessment!
Josh Williams, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Secondary Update. Activities at SSHS and SSMS include:
Sulphur Springs High School · UIL Academics o November 8 UIL Congress o Continue to Participate Successfully in Practice Meets – Lindale, Princeton, North Lamar, White House o Robotics – Fist Every Competitions; Great Start · Band – Hosted UIL Marching Contest (Earned Straight 1’s in Contest) · Theater – “The Three Musketeers” – November 8, 10, and 11. · Choir – TMEA Auditions · Cross Country — Boys District Champions o Girls Third Place o Landon Thornton Qualified for State Meet – 95th Place · Volleyball – Completed District Play · Football – Playoff Bound · Basketball – Practices and Scrimmages Have Begun · NHS – Inducted 51 New Members · Fiesta De Wildcats · Veterans Day Assembly – November 9 · Senior Pep Rally – November 2…Silly String Everywhere! · Senior Night – SSISD v. Kaufman · Forensics Mini Crime Scene in the Conference Center · Physics – Trebuchets · Key Club Book Parades – Elementary Schools · Attendance Reward Lunches 11
Sulphur Springs Middle School · Science Fair and Science Family Night · Band o Clarinets Participated in a Clinic with Dr. Coad — 6 th Grade – Great Showing at Beginning Band Showcase — 7 th and 8th – 10 Students Made All Region at TMEA Competition · Choir — 15 Students Will Participate in TMEA Clinic and Concert · Strings — Several Members Made TMEA Orchestra and Will Perform in Lindale December 1 · Theater o SSMS OAP Coming December 7 – “Wild Strawberries” · Volleyball – Final Stats o A Team 12-4 B Team 10-3 · Football – Final Stats o A Team 6-3 B Team 3-6
Personnel changes approved include:
Resignations
Amanda Woods Nurse Travis/Bowie Primary
Amy Voss SpEd Aide SS Elementary
Chuck King History Teacher High School
New personnel
Nikki Flecker Nurse Travis/Bowie Primary
