The first round of STAAR testing begins April 1st. In just 35 school days, students in grades 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 will begin testing. Students in grades 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11 will take the writing tests. Students in grades 5 and 8 will take the Reading and Math tests. Students in grades 9 and 10 will also take the ELA Reading tests.

The 2011-2012 yearbooks are available for $25. See Krystal Butler to purchase one. Yearbooks may be purchased during normal school hour.

The Richland Springs’ 4H Club meets under the guidance of Valerie Gossett and Paula Miller. 4H is active at Richland Springs and usually has 20+ students at meetings. The 4H Club teaches citizenship skills. The students always enjoy camaraderie and refreshments at their meetings. The 4H students are always good stewards of our campus and always clean up our campus and keep it beautiful. Thanks 4H for your efforts!

Richland Springs hosted the District Cross X Debate meet on Thursday, January 31st. UIL academic coordinator Nelson Smith announced that the team of Thomas Fowler and Ty Mann won 1st place, and the team of Melanie Hedley and Jacob Cohn won 2nd place. Melanie Hedley also won 1st place in speaking points. The debate team from Rocksprings placed third.

Boys’ junior high basketball coach Shawn Rogers and the jh boys’ basketball team are 11-4 on the season (9-2 in district). The boys are tied for first place in the district race. The junior high boys also won Consolation in the Eden Junior High Basketball Tournament this past weekend. Girls’ junior high basketball coach Shawn Rogers and the jh girls’ basketball team are 15-1 on the season (9-1 in district). The girls won first place in the district race. The junior high girls also won first place in the Eden Junior High Basketball Tournament this past weekend Girls’ Varsity basketball coach Thomas Tipton and the Lady Coyotes are 11-10 (3-6 in district). Boys’ varsity basketball coach Michael Brand and the varsity boys’ are 1-6 (1-6 in district). The varsity teams traveled to Cherokee this Tuesday, and the boys’ team will travel to Eden on Friday. Come out and support our young athletes in UIL competition.

Senior basketball players are recognized each year at the last home game. Last Friday night was Senior Night at Coyote Gym. Seniors recognized were Chance Bush, Thomas Fowler, Ashlyn Grady, Gunner Mann, Brooklyn McGinty, Cheyenne Tharp, and Trevor Tinney.

It’s great to see our community supporting students in their efforts to achieve. We have a great community, students, teachers and staff. It takes everyone working together to achieve success.

Community involvement is the key to success.