Tabernacle Baptist Church is Mission-Oriented…Local and Global
Pastor Mike Haun of Tabernacle Baptist Church at Pickton, Texas
Pastor Mike Haun and the congregation of Tabernacle Baptist Church believe in supporting the work of Christian missions. To name just one, they sponsor a Bible distribution and teaching ministry in Papua, New Guinea conducted by the Jason Brewer missionary family, originally of Sulphur Springs, Texas. And practically in their “own back yard” is the Holy Highway Girls Home which the Tabernacle Baptist Church family joyfully assists each Spring with a Fish Fry Fundraiser.
The public is invited to enjoy an all-you-can-eat fried catfish meal complete with homemade side items, iced tea and soft drinks on Saturday May 19 from 5-7 pm. It will be held inside the Family Life Center of Tabernacle Baptist Church on FM 269 North, just off Highway 11 at Pickton. You can reserve a table seating ten for a sponsor cost of $100. Individuals and families are welcome to eat by donation. For dessert, there will be homemade cakes and pies by the slice, many prepared by Holy Highway girls. An added feature of the event is the singing and testimonies by some of the students whose lives have benefited from the caring home-like atmosphere of the residential program. For details of the fundraiser, contact Pastor Haun at 972-754-6487 or the church office at 903-866-2315.
Holy Highway Girls Home is private Christian school on a working farm which assists girls ages 12-17 to overcome rebellion, substance abuse, personal abuse and emotional frustration. A Christian school education and Bible study is facilitated through The Academy, accredited through the National Association of Private Schools. The school depends on donations and tuition to maintain quality operation expenditures. If you would like to make a donation to the school, phone 903-866-3300 and find out more by visiting holyhighway.com.
Holy Highway Chapel
SSISD Board Celebrates Academic Accomplishments During May Meeting
Sulphur Springs School Board honored Peyton Dietze, Valedictorian of the Class of 2018 and Sarah Harper, Salutatorian of the Class, heard reports from various educational programs including Academic UIL achievements, reorganized the board, and conducted routine business during Tuesday night’s regular May session.
Incumbents Jason Dietze and Kerry Wright were given the oath of office for a three-year term. Neither candidate had an opponent for their place on the board. Robbin Vaughn was elected President, Robert Cody, Vice-President, and Clay Johnson, Secretary for the 2018-2019 year.
The board approved the purchase of a pickup for the SSISD Security Department and for equipment to update access control systems at Travis Primary and the Douglas campuses. They renewed contract service agreements with Region VIII Education Service Center and received a report on the 2018-2019 Head Start Self-Assessment Program Improvement Plan.
Updates on spring elementary, middle school, and high school Academic UIL and a presentation on Instructional Technology shared with the board gave an overview of the school year ending. Superintendent Michael Lamb presented the board a report on field trips during the current school year. The trips taken on all levels were primarily academic in nature although some field trips were rewards for student accomplishment.
Lamb’s report on the first round of 5th and 8th grad STAAR test scores showed improvement for the students over past STAAR tests. The comparison was made on previous scores by the same students at prior grade levels. The comparison of improvements was based on comparisons with state averages for the specific age group.
At the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), 232 students, which is 76% of Kindergarten and Transitional Fisrt Grade are reading .
SSISD Places Second in Elementary Academic UIL Competiton
SSISD’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students participated in an Elementary Academic UIL competition on Saturday, March 24th, 2018. The contest was hosted at Pine Tree Middle School in Longview, TX. Our team was represented by 120 students, 33 coaches, and our five campus coordinators. Our students competed in 27 events ranging from number sense to storytelling. Our SSISD team earned second place standing overall. This is SSISD’s third year in recent history to participate in elementary UIL. Last year, the SSISD team finished first in the meet, but this year, they were very narrowly defeated by Hallsville.
Administrators believe the Academic UIL competition in the lower grades will provide a catalyst to more invovement of students in the high school UIL program.
- Results (Points) by School / Grade
| School | 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | Total Points |
| Sulphur Springs | 49 | 149 | 216.5 | 298 | 712.5 |
| Hallsville | 98 | 130 | 155.5 | 354 | 737.5 |
| Pine Tree | 36 | 50 | 103 | 93 | 282 |
- Results by Grade / Event
- 2nd Grade (Campus Coordinators – Rachel Kistler, Chandra Crawford, Ana Ramirez)
| Event | Coach | Student(s) | Result |
| Music Memory | Alma Ramirez, Yadira Preciado, Anna Hicks | Julieth Tellez, Anika Fiock, Mitch Emmert | 1st Place, 3rd Place, 6th Place |
| Music Memory (Team) | Alma Ramirez, Yadira Preciado, Anna Hicks | Jocey Porter, Maximiliano Hernandez, Lily Morris, Mitch Emmert, Julieth Tellez, Anika Fiock | 2nd Place |
| Creative Writing | Cassie Fleming, Mariana Hernandez, Amy Tanton | Brielle Garing, Presley Smith | 1st Place, 2nd Place |
| Chess Puzzle | Lyndsay McCoy, Michelle Wallace, Justin Wilkerson | Caleb Tiemeyer | 4th Place |
| Chess Puzzle (Team) | Lyndsay McCoy, Michelle Wallace, Justin Wilkerson | Caleb Tiemeyer, Gabriel Castro, Dakota Gilpin, Brody Darrow | 3rd Place |
| Story Telling | Carla Brown, Monica Hernandez, Nikole Brown | Zoe Beall, Chloe Jenkins | 5th Place, 6th Place |
- 3rd Grade (Campus Coordinator – Sasha Posey)
| Event | Coach | Student(s) | Result |
| Music Memory | Danette Lovelady | Tray Smith, Colby Mayfield, Bailey Winn | 1st Place, 2nd Place, 4th Place |
| Music Memory (Team) | Danette Lovelady | Bailey Winn, Alexa Mendez, Kaylie Resendiz, Tray Smith, Colby Mayfield | 2nd Place |
| Ready Writing | Angela Grimes | Jessica Reed, Ian Townsend, Kiley Vaughan | 2nd Place, 3rd Place, 5th Place |
| Chess Puzzle | DaMarcus Johnson | Cooper Thesing, Piper Lilley, Zackary Young | 1st Place, 3rd Place, 5th Place |
| Chess Puzzle (Team) | DaMarcus Johnson | Piper Lilley, Cooper Thesing, Zackary Young, Jackson Lundell | 1st Place |
| Spelling | Shelby Gibson | Cameron Endsley, Kenzi White | 4th Place, 5th Place |
| Spelling (Team) | Shelby Gibson | Caemeron Endsley, Kenzi White, Vennie Perez, Gilbert Martinez | 1st Place |
| Story Telling | Brittany Hicks | Keely Montgomery, Adrian Salas, Aylaen Burrell | 3rd Place, 5th Place, 6th Place |
- 4th Grade (Campus Coordinator – Sasha Posey)
| Event | Coach | Student(s) | Result |
| Music Memory | Danette Lovelady | Anthony Small, Ben Lovelady, Nathan Bilyeu, Cason Walls | 1st Place, 3rd Place, 4th Place, 5th Place |
| Music Memory (Team) | Danette Lovelady | Anthony Small, Ben Lovelady, Nathan Bilyeu, Cara Batterton, Cason Walls | 1st Place |
| Spelling | Carolyn Rowe | Brooks Burgin, Brooklyn Person, Abigail Bautista, Jaxson Haire | 1st Place, 3rd Place, 4th Place, 5th Place |
| Spelling (Team) | Carolyn Rowe | Brooks Burgin, Brooklyn Person, Jaxson Haire, Abigail Bautista | 1st Place |
| Art | Charlotte Wilson | Kannon Gibson, Kendrie Roberts | 3rd Place, 4th Place |
| Art (Team) | Charlotte Wilson | Kendrie Roberts, Anderson Grimes, Edilyne Resendiz, Kannon Gibson, Chelsea Stribling | 3rd Place |
| Number Sense | Cynthia Taylor | Griff Arms, Addy Fenton, Dane Oud | 1st Place, 3rd Place, 5th Place |
| Number Sense (Team) | Cynthia Taylor | Addy Fenton, Tripp Townsend, Dane Oud, Griff Arms | 1st Place |
| Chess Puzzle | DaMarcus Johnson | Amber Elliott | 5th Place |
| Chess Puzzle (Team) | DaMarcus Johnson | Tate Young, Lucy McKenzie, Luke White, Amber Elliott | 3rd Place |
| Ready Writing | Jessica Gilbert | Amerson Boles, Tatum Thompson | 2nd Place, 4th Place |
| Oral Reading | Rachel Tubb | Hattie Thompson, Emma Boatman, Nathan Bilyeu | 1st Place, 2nd Place, 5th Place |
- 5th Grade (Campus Coordinator – Sandy Stidham)
| Event | Coach | Student(s) | Result |
| Art | Megan Wiggins | Ty Holt, McCaulin Rollison, Jackie Banda, Aidia Goldsmith | 1st Place, 1st Place (Tied), 3rd Place, 4th Place |
| Art (Team) | Megan Wiggins | Jackie Banda, Ty Holt, McCaulin Rollison, Jayden McDonald, Aidia Goldsmith, Tori Gutierrez | 1st Place |
| Listening | Amy Peters | Danielle Voyles | 3rd Place |
| Listening (Team) | Amy Peters | Danielle Voyles, Emerson Thompson, Jaden Allen, Kadin Lappin | 3rd Place |
| Dictionary Skills | Mellissa Fouse | Tracy Smithers, Sadie Barnett | 4th Place, 6th Place |
| Dictionary Skills (Team) | Melissa Fouse | Kaden Mitchell, Sadie Barnett, Tracy Smithers, Tatum Story | 2nd Place |
| Chess Puzzle | Pam Ash | Barrett Thesing, Brody Emmert, Levi Barnes, Gage Williams | 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place |
| Chess Puzzle (Team) | Pam Ash | Barrett Thesing, Brody Emmert, Levi Barnes, Gage Williams | 1st Place |
| Number Sense | Karen Moreland | Barrett Thesing | 3rd Place |
| Number Sense (Team) | Karen Moreland | Barrett Thesing, Miguel Correa, Jose Salas, Eddie Resendiz | 3rd Place |
| Music Memory | Deana Spraggins | Gavin Sills, Graham Mayo | 1st Place, 3rd Place |
| Music Memory (Team) | Deana Spraggins | Graham Mayo, Jayden McDonald, Ty Holt, Alexis Nickerson, Braylon Savage, Gavin Sills | 2nd Place |
| Oral Reading | Melissa Johnson | Zoe Reed, Coryn Young, Aspen Mayhew, Lauren Dittrich | 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, 5th Place |
| Maps, Graphs, and Charts | Leesha Hartley | Sedon McCollom, Hanna Brewer | 4th Place, 6th Place |
| Maps, Graphs, and Charts (Team) | Leesah Hartley | Sedon McCollom, Hannah Brewer, Kaydence Ross, Gage Norman | 2nd Place |
| Spelling | Stephanie Ross | Andrew Richey, Sadie Barnett | 3rd Place, 5th Place |
| Spelling (Team) | Stephanie Ross | Sadie Barnett, Andrew Richey, Justin Debase, Abigail Tate | 2nd Place |
| Ready Writing | Nichole Petty | Reese Malone, Mackenzie Posey | 5th Place, 6th Place |
| Social Studies | Jairo Ramirez | Kaylyne Harper, Braylen Savage, Andrew Resendiz | 3rd Place, 5th Place, 6th Place |
| Social Studies (Team) | Jairo Ramirez | McKenna Meskimen, Kaylyne Harper, Braylen Savage, Andrew Resendiz | 2nd Place |
Early Voting Begins in Primary Runoff; 170 Ballots Cast on First Day
Early vote for the first day of the Primary Runoff Monday, May 14, 163 Republican and seven (7) Democrats cast ballots. A number of ballot by mail have also been sent out to those over 65 years of age who made the request, according to Hopkins County Clerk Debbie Shirley.
Early voting in the Primary Runoff Election continues 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day through Friday, May 18th. Early voting takes place at the Justice of the Peace Courtroom, 128 Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
Tuesday, May 22 is Primary Runoff Election Day with voting places open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Hopkins County registered voters may cast ballots at any of the voting places on that day. Voting places will include the Lutheran Church on Texas Street, the Courthouse downtown, Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on Fuller Street, and League Street Church of Christ., and Como-Pickton CISD on State Highway 11E.
Republicans are voting for nominees for Hopkins County Treasurer and Commissioner Precinct 2. Since there are not Democrat challengers, those who receive the nomination will be the only ones for those offices on the ballot in November. Democrats are voting in state runoff races only.
Steven Proctor Retires and Other End of School Year Personnel Changes in SSISD
During Tuesday night’s School Board meeting, personnel changes were approved. As the school year ends, several changes will be made.
One of those changes that ends an era of dedicated service is the retirement of Steve Proctor. Mr. Proctor has been a director in the Sulphur Springs ISD band program 33 years and has been in education for 39 years.
Approved personnel changes include:
Retirement
Steven Proctor Band Director Middle School/High School
Resignations
Kara Ballard Head Start Mental Health/ ECLC
Disabilities Specialist
Alejandra Hernandez Pre-K Aide ECLC
Lisa Johnson SpEd Teacher ECLC
Arlett Monrreal Title I Aide ECLC
Alexa Thomas Grade 2 Teacher Lamar
Alison Thompson Grade 1 Teacher Lamar
Justin Wilkerson PE Teacher Lamar
Kylie Wyly Library Aide Lamar
Shelby Harrelson Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Alyssa Payne Grade 4 Teacher SS Elementary
Tiffany Walker Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Stephanie Buchanan SpEd Aide Douglas
Kristin McKinney Grade 5 Teacher Douglas
Melissa Peugh English Teacher Middle School
New Personnel
Janelle Safford Elementary Instruct. Tech. Spec. Administration
Kelly Herriage Grade 1 Math & Science Teacher Former ECLC
Nicole Olson Kingergarten ELAR Teacher Former ECLC
Chelsea Adams Grade 3 Math Teacher Bowie
Summer Ball Grade 1 Teacher Bowie
Chasity Nottingham Grade 3 ELAR Teacher Bowie
Lisa Lantz Elementary Counselor Lamar
Kaci Smith Kindergarten Teacher Lamar
Aleesa Morris Grade 3 ELAR Teacher Travis
Hayley Brock Grade 5 ELAR Teacher SS Elementary
Joseph Boedigheimer Instruct. Tech. Spec. Middle School
Cassidy McClure Math Teacher Middle School
Troy Emerson Auto Tech Teacher High School
Mariela Fitzsimmons Spanish Teacher High School
Personnel Changes New position/campus Former position/campus
Rachel Kistler Special Prog. Specialist/ Acad. Spec./Bowie
Special Services
Miki Koon Mental Health&Disabilities Spec./ Kindergarten/Former ECLC
Douglas ECLC
Jovona Schmidt Grade 1 ELAR/Former ECLC Grade 3 ELAR/SS Elem
Esmeralda Aguilar Title I Aide/Bowie Receptionist/ECLC
Lesli Ray Dyslexia Therapist/Bowie Grade 1 ELAR/Bowie
Denise Bybee P.E. Teacher/Lamar Grade 1 Bilingual/Travis
Sofia Sosa Bilingual Aide/Travis SpEd Aide/Lamar
Abigail Godina Grade 5 Bilingual/SS Elem. Bilingual Aide/SS Elem.
Amanda Thompson Dyslexia Therapist/SSMS & Lamar Grade 1 Teacher/Bowie
County Commissioners Approve Exception to Plat Requirements; Appoint Bartley to Water Planning Group
Hopkins County Commissioners Court heard a report on county use and services at the Sulphur Springs Public Library, approved the appointment of Wade Bartley to the North East Texas Regional Water Planning Group, and approved an amendment to the Hopkins County Platting Procedures and Subdivision Regulations.
Exceptions to plat requirements include: An owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality who divides the tract into two (2) parts is not required to have a plat of the subdivision prepared if: 1) all lots in the subdivision are two (2) acres or more in area; 2) the owner does not lay out a part of the tract described in Section 232.001 (a)(3) of the Local Government Code; and 3) each lot has at least 200 feet of frontage on a public road to be used for access only by that tract alone. This provision does not exempt sham transactions staged to avoid the platting requirements.
Bartley will be voting member of the North East Texas Regional Water Planning Group.
The North East Texas Regional Water Planning Area encompasses all or parts of 19 counties. The planning area overlaps large portions of the Red, Sulphur, Cypress, and Sabine river basins and smaller parts of the Trinity and Neches river basins. The North East Texas Region’s main economic base is agribusiness, including a variety of crops, as well as cattle and poultry production. Timber, oil and gas, and mining are significant industries in the eastern portion of the region. In the western portion of the region, many residents are employed in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The group serves to plan the future of fresh water development for the area and works with State of Texas planning groups to enable water availability to the all in Texas.
Dinner Bell Menu For May 16th, 2018
DINNER BELL MENU
May 16, 2018
Community Partner
The Presbyterian Church
Menu:
Herb Crusted Pork Loin Roast
Rice Pilaf
Bacon Infused Green Beans
Garden Salad
Hot Rolls and Butter
Assorted Cookies
Gelatin with Pears (no sugar added dessert)
Same time (11:45 a.m.). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church).
Coach Talk: Final Word on Wildcat Baseball, Lady Cat Softball; Taylor at State Track Meet
Hammack on Wildcats’ Season Ending Loss
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack expressed disappointment with his team’s Area loss to Prosper on Friday and Saturday. The Eagles won Friday, 7-4 at Rockwall and 9-6 Saturday at Rockwall. Coach Hammack said he felt going in the Wildcats could win the series. He said they matched up well with Prosper and competed hard. With the Prom Saturday night, Coach Hammack said his players left no doubt that they were there Saturday to win. The Wildcats got off to s good start with three runs in the first inning and two more in the second to take a 5-0 lead. Coach Hammack said the Wildcats had a bad bottom of the second inning and Prosper scored four runs to make it only a 5-4 Wildcat lead after two innings. The Eagles scored three runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the bottom of the fourth to go up 9-5 after four innings. The Wildcats were only able to score one more run, that one in the top of the fifth, to make it 9-6. Coach Hammack said for the second straight game, the Wildcats out hit Prosper but had trouble getting the big hit. The Wildcats left eight runners on base Saturday and Coach Hammack said the Wildcats twice left the bases loaded. He said the Wildcats had a couple of innings Saturday where pitching and the defense struggled. The same thing happened Friday night. Coach Hammack said that ultimately determined the outcome of both games in the series. Pacen Edwards started Saturday and got the pitching loss allowing six hits and seven runs, only four of them earned, over three innings. Jaxon Chaney threw the last three innings and allowed two runs and two hits. The Wildcats had twelve hits Saturday. Kaden Argenbright was 3 for 3 with a run, an RBI and a double. Austin Dodd was 2 for 3 with two runs, a walk and a stolen base. Chaney was 2 for 4 with a run, an RBI and a home run. Edwards was 1 for 3 with a run, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Ryan Humphries was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice and a double. Triston McCormick was 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Dawson Draper was 2 for 4. Gavin Millsap drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Wildcats end the season with an 18-15 record. For the second year in row, the Wildcats took part of the district championship. They were co-champs last year and tri-champs this year. Texas High and Hallsville are still playing. Coach Hammack said this year’s Wildcats were a great group with seniors who will be missed.
Carrillo on Lady Cats’ Season Ending Loss to Forney
Lady Cats’ Softball Coach David Carrillo knew the Forney Lady Rabbits were the real deal. He said their batting order, one through nine, was the best the Lady Cats had seen this season. After a 14-2 win at Forney Friday night, the Lady Rabbits wrapped up the Regional Quarterfinal Series with a 14-5 win at Lady Cat Park Saturday. Coach Carrillo said his team ran into a third round buzz saw. Nevertheless, Coach Carrillo said the Lady Cats did a lot of good things this season. He said there is no disgrace in being beaten by a potential state champion. Coach Carrillo said he wanted his team to play the best game Saturday that they could. Despite Prom Saturday night, he said the Lady Cats gave it all they had Saturday against Forney. When the Lady Rabbits started a pitcher other than their ace, Forney pulled her out when the Lady Cats got to within 10-4 and were threatening to score more. Coach Carrillo said the Lady Cats had a great year and went on a great journey. He said he wouldn’t trade his team for any other. Coach Carrillo said they bought in to the concept of We Over Me all year long. The Lady Cats ended the season with a 28-7 record. They won an outright district championship, Coach Carrillo’s first one in Sulphur Springs. He said he is losing four wonderful seniors. Coach Carrillo said they will go off and do great things. Three of them have softball college scholarships. Coach Carrillo is already looking forward to next season. He has an incredible junior class this year led by pitcher Bailey Haggerty, first baseball Brinklee Driver, second baseman Sierra Smith, shortstop Kelsey Wallace and left fielder Sadie Stroud. Coach Carrillo added sophomore Alli Fite really stepped up with her hitting this year. He also liked the way Tessa Holt pitched against powerful Forney Saturday. Coach Carrillo predicted the Lady Cats would be good next year also.
Coach Abron on Imani Taylor at State Track Meet
Lady Cats Track Coach Triston Abron said senior Imani Taylor, who finished seventh in long jump at the State Track Meet in Austin Friday, did a great job of representing Sulphur Springs and the Lady Cats’ track program. He said Taylor was in second place after her first jump Friday but he said she could not hang on. Still Coach Abron said he was pleased that Taylor got the chance to compete on the big stage. After three fruitless years at the Regional Track Meet for Taylor, she broke through this year on her fourth try. Taylor and Coach Abron were joined at the State Meet by Taylor’s position coach Kurt McCain and by Lady Cat sprinter Sadavia Porter. Coach Abron told Porter he expects her to return to the State Meet next year and not have to pay to get in. Porter went to the Regional Track Meet and competed in both the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and as a member of the Lady Cats’ 4 X 100-meter relay team.
