It’s hard to believe it is already the third week of school. Time seems to fly by once school starts. The school day starts at 8:00 and ends at 3:36. Please drive slowly through campus when picking-up or dropping-off schoolchildren. Drop-off and pick-up students in the lane between the cafetorium and the large oak tree. Parents may also park in the parking lot to help keep traffic flowing smoothly. Please do not drive to the gym to drop-off or pick-up students, as we restrict traffic flow where the busses load and unload students by the gym. The safety of our children is our #1 concern.

4 H sponsor Valerie Gossett hosted a 4- H meeting last Tuesday. The officers for the 2011-2012 school year were elected. The 4-H students are good stewards of our campus. Any student interested in becoming a 4 H member is encouraged to attend.

Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the nearly three thousand who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. School flags are normally flown at half mast and students observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m., marking the first plane crash on Sept 11, 2001. This year’s observance falls on a Sunday.

The junior varsity Coyotes lost a heartbreaker in their first game of the year, taking it on the chin with a 26-20 loss at Lometa. The varsity Coyotes were churning on all 8 cylinders on their way to a 70-8 victory over the Panther Creek Panthers last Friday night. The junior varsity Coyotes play Azle Christian junior varsity at Rising Star on Thursday, Sept 8 (game time TBA). The junior high Coyotes are still looking for a scheduled game this week. The varsity Coyotes play Austin Hill Country at 7:30 at Coyote field on Friday, September 9.

Richland Springs’ Homecoming is scheduled for September 16, 2011. Grades 10-12 have nominated their respective class sweethearts for homecoming queen honors. Miss DeAnna Grady is the sophomore class nominee, Miss Cheyenne Tharp is the junior class nominee, and Miss Sara Hedley is the senior class nominee. The 2011 Homecoming Queen will be announced at halftime ceremonies during the September 16

Recent budget cuts have affected all schools in Texas. Small schools like Richland Springs really feel the effects of fewer dollars, more so than larger school districts in Texas. Small schools, like Richland Springs, offer more individual attention to students. Our staff understands we are on a "Ramen Noodle" budget for this year. Richland Springs’ staff understands the budget challenge, not only to school districts, but to the state and national economy as well. Perhaps, but that’s what we’re here for. I think that’s what our whole staff is here for. We like that challenge; otherwise we wouldn’t be at Richland Springs. Our students’ success in all areas, academics, athletics, FFA, 4H, etc., is important to all staff. Parental and community financial support, outside the realm of tax dollars, will be necessary to adequately fund all student programs this year. Many individuals have already voiced their support of students. Thanks in advance for your support.

Richland Springs is a good place to live and raise a family. We have a great community, students, teachers and staff. It’s great to see our community supporting students in their efforts to achieve. It takes everyone working together to achieve success. Thanks for all you do!

Community involvement is the key to our success!

Come out and support the student athletes at the games, you won’t be disappointed! All students are invited to the 5th Quarter at the First Baptist Church after Friday’s game.th homecoming game against Fellowship Academy. The longstanding tradition of a homecoming bonfire has been put on hold for this year. The traditional bonfire has been cancelled due to the serious drought affecting this area.