The spring season is a busy time of year for students, teachers and staff. TAKS testing begins in earnest next week. On Wednesday, March 3, students in grades 4 and 7 will have writing TAKS. Also on March 3, grade 9 students will have Reading TAKS, and students in grades 10 and 11 will have ELA TAKS testing. On Thursday, March 4, the Exit Level Math Retest is administered. On Friday, March 5, the Exit Level Science Retest is administered. Parents should encourage their students to get a good night’s sleep on the night before the test and to eat a hearty breakfast on the day of testing.

Junior high track practice is underway as well as high school tennis practice. Sue Ransom is high school tennis coach this year. Thanks to Mrs. Ransom for sharing of her time and expertise. One Act Play is also underway under the direction of Patsy Hall. According to Mrs. Hall, it is tough getting all students to rehearsal. The One Act Play cast and crew traveled to Bangs ISD this past Wednesday for a OAP clinic.

Richland Springs’ students continue to do well at major stock shows. Bralei Lewis-Vogel had a 7th place goat and a 10th place Southdown lamb at the San Angelo Stock Show. Bralei received premium monies for both of her animals.

The District 29 champion Richland Springs Coyotes are 18-1 and have secured the top seed from the district and a bye into the area round of the playoffs. The Coyotes chalked up two more victories last week in games with Rochelle and Blackwell. The Coyotes played their last warm-up game with May this past Tuesday. The area playoff is Feb. 26th at a site and time yet-to-be-determined against the winner of the Tilden-Utopia match-up. Come out and support our young athletes in UIL competition.

The band under the direction of Dwayne Bishop attended a band rehearsal at Howard Payne University. The band students were introduced to a college-level rehearsal. In another field trip, the Lady Coyotes basketball team was invited to Texas A & M University on Saturday to watch the Texas and Texas A & M women’s game. The girls were introduced to college-level competition. Hopefully, these field trips will help positively influence the band and the girls’ basketball programs.

Spring is approaching and tornadoes become a possibility. Richland Springs ISD participated in a tornado drill on February 25 in conjunction with the National Weather Service broadcast.

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

Community involvement is the key to our success!