Last Friday ended the 3rd week of the 4th six-week grading period. Student notices of concern will be mailed this week. All parents are urged to contact teachers with any areas of concern about their students. Parent involvement in a child’s education helps ensure success.

As the hours of daylight increase, this means that spring sports are on the horizon. The tennis teams under the direction of Coach Sue Ransom will soon begin practice for upcoming tennis meets. Girls’ softball under the direction of Coach Sherri Ashworth and Coach Armondo Garcia will begin getting ready for the 2013 spring season. Coach Thomas Tipton will coach track athletes this spring. Coach Michael Brand will direct the district’s golf teams. If you have a chance, stop by and look at the improvements to the baseball field. Richland Springs ISD has a work program with TDCJ, and TDCJ personnel are working to improve the baseball field. It was nice to meet Warden Carter last week and welcome him to San Saba. Our thanks to TDCJ Warden Carter and the staff at TDCJ for enabling this partnership. The improvements to the baseball field will also benefit the Richland Springs Youth Sports Baseball program this spring. You seem to have some warm days for practice, but the first tennis meets, softball games, and track meets always seems to be cold days with blustery winds. Spring also brings high school UIL academic meets and travel for UIL One Act Play and other academic competitions. UIL athletics and UIL academics both play an important role for students. Students must pass all classes to be eligible to compete in either UIL athletic events or UIL academic events. Thanks to the parents for encouraging their children to participate in UIL.

Ag teacher Gerald McKee has students traveling to all major stock shows this spring. We wish them the best. Participating at San Antonio, Forth Worth, San Angelo, Austin, and Houston stock shows can be a rewarding experience.

OAP directors Patsy Hall and Krystal Butler are busy preparing drama students for success during after school rehearsals. High school UIL academic coordinator, Nelson Smith, will host the District Cross X Debate meet at Richland Springs on Thursday.

Boys’ junior high basketball coach Shawn Rogers and the jh boys’ basketball team are off to a red hot 9-2 start (8-1 in district). The boys are now in sole possession of first place in the district race. The junior high boys also won Consolation in the Brookesmith Junior High Basketball Tournament this past weekend. Girls’ junior high basketball coach Shawn Rogers and the jh girls’ basketball team are off to a red hot 10-1 start (8-1 in district). The girls are now in sole possession of first place in the district race. The junior high girls also won first place in the Brookesmith Junior High Basketball Tournament this past weekend. The junior high teams traveled to Cherokee on Monday, and will participate in the Eden Tournament on Jan. 31st and Feb. 2nd. Girls’ Varsity basketball coach Thomas Tipton and the Lady Coyotes are 11-8 (3-4 in district). Boys’ varsity basketball coach Michael Brand and the varsity boys’ are 0-4 (0-4 in district). The varsity teams traveled to Rochelle this Tuesday and will host Lohn at Coyote gym this Friday at 6:30 p.m. Come out and support our young athletes in UIL competition.

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

Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible.