What a fun week I had last week! You could say I was in the

pink, (I dyed my hair pink for my students.) You could also say I was standing on end, (my hair was glued into a Mohawk,) both of those statements would have been correct. I did take it down for the Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, but Friday was the last required day for my unusual looks. I shall have to do a little repair work this week. That stiffening stuff really makes a mess of one’s hair!

Another commitment that I completed was taking the 7th graders to Hurricane Harbor on Saturday. You might remember that our last trip was rained out. We were all a little nervous that we might travel all that distance and have something else happen, but we were in the pink!

The park was wide open and to our delight there were only about 400 people there. We parked right up near the entrance and rode every ride many times. There was no waiting period, just walk up those long steps and scream your way down. Well not everyone screamed, but I’m pretty sure I heard some loud yelling from some of those folks. Our two favorite rides were the Black Hole and the

Tornado. We tried the Mega Wedgie because it’s on all the commercials but it wasn’t near as exciting as the Tornado.

My youngest granddaughter Sarah came with us as well. William King, Storm Teel and Robert Bess joined the group headed for Dallas. I think I can say that everyone had a great time. Had you asked any of the boys on the trip home I’m afraid you wouldn’t have received an answer. Can you believe they slept almost all the way home? William tried to stay awake to keep me company on the long drive but he bit the dust after

about an hour. I didn’t mind since it did make for a quiet trip home after a long entertaining day!

I’m off to San Angelo Monday for a workshop on the new CSCOPE Science program. Districts around the state have adopted this new teaching format, but it is extremely busy. We are all stretched to get the required work completed. I hope this is one plan that brings success for our kids, instead of another one of those think tank things that everyone reviews and throws out! All I know is we are working extra hard to make our kids successful!

Mr. Isbell is the senior sponsor this year and he is collecting

cans for his kids. They were out there Friday between periods smashing cans. He also sells popcorn between classes for those students who like to munch. His sponsorship of the Junior Senior Prom last year was exceptional. To be fair to other sponsors, he also has great parents who helped last year. After saying that, I also have to be fair to classes who have working parents that can’t be there to help all the time. Mr. Fowler is trying to get more parental involvement in the school. We have found the kids and the school do better if everyone is on the same page.

Speaking of school issues, I know from past experience that all

schools have dress issues. My grandchildren in Dallas wear uniforms because of those issues. Each year committees and school boards review dress code policies and decide what rules will be adopted. They don’t check with the ”fashionistas” or stores for the latest styles; they just adopt a common sense program. Once that is done, it is up to the teachers and the principal to enforce the dress code. They don’t want to fight with students and parents every day. Believe it or not, we are not in the fashion fascist business. Dallas officials got tired of fighting parents, hence the uniforms. The issue has come up in meetings here, especially after angry parents, and frustrated students vent their frustrations with the rules. The rules here are much simpler than in many schools. Come to school looking clean and neat. No wild hairdos, (unless you're Mrs. Ransom), no rude or suggestive shirts, no torn, unpatched jeans, and shoes must protect your feet. Yet every day, we are faced with students who don’t want to abide by simple rules. Not only do they not want to abide by dress rules, they are

rude when corrected. I’m not sure what they say to their parents when they go home, but sometimes an angry parent shows up to talk to Mr. Fowler. I heard one of the commentators on TV say that we have become an uncivil society. I’ve written that many times in this article. We have a right to express our opinions, but we have a responsibility to do it in a civil way. There are responsibilities with our rights. Students do not have a right to an opinion. They are there to learn, not to teach the adults childish ways. If the adults have done their job right, the professionals that were hired to teach your children, will treat them properly. If you have hired bad teachers and administration, then it’s time to confront the school board, and you the adult, demand answers. When I say confront; I still mean with decency, respect, and logical facts. I just want parents to think like adults. Rules can be changed, but that means adults must approach the school board.

According to the minutes and the talk, one parent did address the school board. As a result, a meeting was held to address the issue of the new look in jeans. I’m not sure why you would pay big bucks for torn jeans, but hey, I remember some of my goofy fashion trends! Does anyone remember the big bangs of the 80’s? Bottom line is this; we want our school to reflect our community values. You as parents are needed to assist with those values. That’s why they have board meetings and city council meetings. So we the people can vote to set the standards for people to follow. All council meetings and school board meetings are public information available. That means if you can’t attend, you may write and get a copy of the meeting

minutes. Stay informed and involved. Your community needs you.

The Site Based Committee at the school is working on a flyer to

clarify the vote in November. The wording on the ballot is confusing. Isn’t that what happens in Washington? You should be getting a note about the ballot. Hopefully it will make things a little clearer. I believe in simple rules or laws. This issue comes down to staying with the present tax rate,

which is a yes vote, or voting no and rolling the tax rate back to the

pre-Katrina rate. A no vote will result in a small savings for the taxpayer, but will be costly for our school district. Remember that if you are 65 or older your rate on your homestead stays the same no matter what.

The memorial service for Harold Brand was held Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Richland Springs. A wonderful video presentation of his life was

shown to the guests. From my vantage point, I saw a loving man with a great outlook on life that was reflected in the faces of his family. Members of the Arena Committee and the church talked of his and Gayle’s generosity over the years. Our community is a little less vibrant with his passing. Our prayers go to his wife Gayle and his boys.

The Christmas cantata is coming along like a house on fire. I do

believe we sound better than good. I am looking forward to the treat our community will face when this is presented! It’s not too late for you to come and join the music!

The Bible study and quilting is working hard on their log cabin

quilts. What Happens When Women Pray is our book of study. Billie George is working overtime. She is making the quilt, helping Arlene Stratton and making a second quilt for the booster club raffle. That woman is a wonder! If I didn’t like her so much, I might not talk to her! If you have a special prayer request let one of the quilters know, and we’ll put it on our prayer list.

I hope everyone has a great week. Please pray for our government, our President and our precious troops. We have many sick in the community. If you are a prayer warrior and want a copy of the list, please call Ginger or me. We’ll be glad to pass one to you. Better yet, come to church, and the list is on the back of the bulletin. We have three fine churches here in Richland. Why not bless them with your presence? Smile,

life’s too short to stay cross.