January has been set aside by Gov. Perry as a special time for communities to say thanks to board members for caring so much about the future of every child enrolled in our public schools. A special thanks to our board members; Pres. Jason Lewis, V. Pres. Kay McKee, Secretary Tina Poe, Sally Gossett, Tana Lusty, Ann Reyes, and Rennie Mann.

Librarian Valerie Gossett is proud to announce that the following elementary students have met their A.R. Goals for the 3rd Goal Period and will be treated to ice cream, games, and prizes during lunch on Friday, Jan. 11 in the library. Congratulations to Ryleigh Bryant, Savannah Garcia, Carolina Greenwood, Dakota Luedecke, Gary Poole, Kelsey Stewart, Jacob Sweeney, Jessica Wright, Raegan Wright, Brandon Fey, Landon Fey, Tyler Grant, Wayne Greenwood, Keston Lusty, Brandon Stewart, Cohen Tharp, Jadeyn Bryant, Zane Capps, Mateo Faircloth, Lane Garcia, Cheyenne Tharp, Brandt Moore, Nick Nilson, Lanie Norris, Sierra Tharp, Nancy Valdez, Izaah Bessent, Landon Burkhart, Zachary Capps, Rebecca Faught, Chase Gossett, McKenzie Hill, and Madia Norris. These secondary students met their AR Goals for the 3rd Goal Period. They will be treated to pizza, brownies, and drinks on Thursday, Jan. 10 during lunch. Congratulations to Cameron Parham, Robbi Bennett, Adrienne Benson, Matthew Bivens, Jordan Burkhart, Courtney Grady, Chandler Lusty, Hutton Lusty, Paige Sloan, Brandon Tharp, Traven Day, Cody Maultsby, Cody Pardy, Nathan Allen, Hailee Ashworth, Elizabeth Avila, Nash Moore, B.B. Bradley, Melanie Hedley, Gracie Madrigal, Sophia Bultena, Nicole D’Spain, Brooklyn McGinty, Trevor Tinney, and Remy Wood. READERS ARE LEADERS!

STAAR math, reading and writing tests begin April 1, 2013. Parents are urged to contact their child’s teacher(s) to see how they can help their student be successful on this year’s state assessment tests.

Girls’ basketball coach Thomas Tipton and the Lady Coyotes are off to a 2-0 district start. Boys’ basketball coach is Michael Brand. The varsity boys will play their first district game at Richland Springs gym on Friday. Varsity action continues this Friday against Rochelle at Richland Springs. Games start at 6:30 p.m. The junior high teams travel to Menard on Thursday for a 6:00 p.m. start. Come out and support our young athletes in UIL competition.

Gerald McKee and the 4H and FFA students have been busy feeding, exercising, and shearing animals for the San Saba County Stock Show which begins Friday, January 18th. There will be an early release at 12:55 on Thursday, January 17, 2013, with no school on the 18th. We usually have a Blue Norther and cold weather occurring for stock show week. Bundle up and keep the home fires burning.

We have a great community, students, teachers and staff. It looks to be a great year at Richland Springs.