In any sporting event there is one team that loses and one that wins. We all hope our team will be the victor, but for the Coyotes Saturday the win slipped away. Two goal line fumbles would have tied the game, some uncalled fouls, and a very skilled opponent left us on the short end of the score. That does not detract from an outstanding season. Coach Rogers worked with less staff as Coach Ethridge was gone. The rest of our coaching staff is young, enthusiastic, but still earning their stripes. They have nothing of which to be ashamed. We had an awesome season. Not only were we predicted to be left behind at district, but the haters were smelling the scent of blood with our coaching situation. That in and of itself is sad, but our motto is “Coyotes fight…never die.” Next year is waiting. The illusive number 10 will be won. Hold your heads high Coyotes; we are proud of you.
Students completed benchmarks last week. I’m confused about the online STAAR testing required by TEA. I do understand that grading is much easier when a computer grades as you complete. My concern is with the internet issues. When you put a whole school of students on one system, especially in what the state considers troubled as far as internet connectivity, why make everyone do it online? Some students need to see and feel a paper copy.
Apparently, that doesn’t bother the powers that be. We haven’t covered the entire course, so not all questions could be answered, but I’m happy with our results. There is still much work to be done.
Hopefully, we will be able to hire a full-time teacher to get these precious young people through the school year.
The coyotes are howling up a storm tonight. Their voices carry a long distance in this clear air. Some nights I feel like they are in my backyard. I’m glad I don’t have an outside dog for them to lure away. I don’t have any babies on the ground either, so I don’t have that issue either. Like most landowners around here, I do have pigs. They are so destructive.
Basketball is in full swing. Junior high boys have a game Monday, junior varsity and varsity boys have a game Tuesday; the girls have another tournament Thursday through Saturday. Tuesday we will host the UIL Academic competition for grades 2-4 and then next week we will host the 5-8th competition. Mrs. Starr is overseeing the snacks and food for the visiting teachers. Mrs. Melanie Smith has done her usual magnificent job of training our speaking student events. We miss Mrs. Barker and Mrs. Miller when it comes to art smart and music memory. They were instrumental in bringing home the gold for many years. Please keep our students in your prayers.
I have just a few more weeks to spend with our amazing students. I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed spending time with them and hopefully inspiring them to work harder, appreciate their history, good or bad, and most of all appreciate this marvelous experiment that has lasted over 200 years. This government for the people by the people. Learning history without understanding the basic reasoning for successes and failures is not valuable. The ability to think for yourself, reason wisely and seek your own judgements without blindly following the crowd or even a teacher. I would like them to know and understand this great country. I hope and pray that they will be able to live in a free country. There are forces around us that seek the destruction of this experiment because it allows everyone to have a voice. Too many people want to steal that voice and keep it for a select few. God has blessed this country because it was based on sound Christian principles. I pray that will continue.
I forgot to mention the downtown pep rally organized by Shannon Sutherland. It was a super sendoff for the boys. Hot cocoa and candy was supplied by Chrissy from Shoppe 1910, the Coyote Store provided gift certificates for a drawing as did Shoppe 1910 and The Feedlot. I’m not sure if anyone else contributed to the draw.
Don’t forget to shop locally. RS BoHo has toys for Christmas and many other delightful goodies. Skelton’s has cut down on groceries, but still sells milk. The Coyote Store has some groceries and delicious lunches. I think we only have one intown hair salon, Hair It IS, although we have several local stylists who work in San Saba. The Garden House is getting ready for spring opening. Bobby and Chrissy have some plants for sale in the Shoppe 1910. None of these stores can stay open if people don’t stop and shop. Let’s make our stores happy.
Please don’t forget that holidays are often trying for those who are ill, shut-in, or have lost a loved one. Keep them in your prayers and spend some time with them. For those needing food, the food bank at the First Baptist Church is open from 5:30 – 6:30 the first and third Mondays of the month. Johnny Reeves reported that his most recent chemo treatment went better than usual. We continue to pray for his complete healing. There are at least twenty people on the prayer list, many of which are serious. On the upside, prayer works and prayers are appreciated. Please pray for Israel and the hostages held by the terrorists of Hamas. The freed hostages suffered greatly at the hands of those animals. Pray for the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian needs in both countries. Most of all pray for our precious troops and their families.