Many folks think that the University Interscholastic League (UIL) predominantly provides guidance and rule making only for sports. But, what most people do not understand is the rule making authority they have when it comes to academics. Most people know that the UIL requires students to be "eligible" to play sports; this is also known as "no pass, no play". Students must pass their class work to be able to compete in any UIL activity, athletic or academic. Perhaps the biggest academic part the UIL has jurisdiction over is the UIL academic contests between school districts. San Saba Middle School is about to experience this UIL academic "sport" in full fashion.

San Saba Middle School is the host to all 8 school districts in our competitive 6AA UIL district. What does this mean for San Saba ISD and the City of San Saba? Well, this means that approximately 550 students will descend upon our school and our community to compete against each other on December 9. On this date, the high school facility and the middle school facility will be changed in to an academic arena where students and schools will be vying for academic honors.

Putting on an event such as this takes much planning and patience. The contest mangers, Leslie McIntosh and Vicki Key have worked diligently to make sure every fine detail is covered so the event will go well. Coordinating the wishes, schedule and perspective of 8 schools is no easy task. San Saba patrons need to know too that a portion of Commerce Street will be closed on this day so that we can ensure the safety of the great number of students that will be on campus. Our students generally watch crossing Commerce Street but students from the other schools are less familiar with our arrangements. Please try to avoid the portion of Commerce Street that runs from the band hall and the red brick gym to the end of the block where the Middle School building begins. The City of San Saba graciously allowed us to block this off on this day, so please be careful. Another big logistical undertaking is how to feed all of these students? It is not an easy task. The cafeteria staff is ready to take on this challenge, but we anticipate schools too, walking to restaurants that are in close proximity to the campus, so please keep your eye out for these kiddos. Remember these are students in grades 6, 7, and 8 so please watch out for them closely.

What type of contests do these young people come to compete in with such enthusiasm? The events that will have already taken place prior to 12/9 include one act play, ready writing and spelling. The events that will be held on Thursday, 12/9 include music memory, mathematics, art, oral reading, maps, graphs and charts, impromptu speaking, dictionary skills, number sense, social studies, modern oratory, calculator, science, and listening skills. These students are judged, scored and awarded by outside judges. Most schools bring staff to help, but we are in desperate need of volunteers to help keep students going where they need to go and to keep time for the events and just plain assist where we are short handed. If you would like to help us on this day for an hour or 8 hours, please come by the central office and sign up. You don’t need any special skill, just a desire to help us help the kiddos.

Just as in athletics, academic competition has a district champion. Each and everyone of these kiddos and the schools they represent want to be the district champion and a champion in academics is what it is all about. Locally, parents help their kiddos prepare, so ask your child’s teacher what team they are on and how you can best help them prepare. It would be great as local hosts if we could also be the district champion.

Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD. As well, don’t forget to sign up for the "alerts" available from the website, and don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for the Parent Portal giving parents access to grades and attendance. Parents, let us know how we can help you the first day of school all the way until the last day of school!! If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net . We are San Saba! We are together!