I set this theme for the school year back in August when the staff returned from summer break and so far, the Armadillos are meeting the challenge. As our varsity cross country teams head off to do battle at the regional meet, our band has posted the highest ratings in the history of the band and our football team prepares to enter the playoffs for the fourth straight year, I realize that our kids and our staff are meeting the challenge we set forth at the beginning of the school year. In sports and in band it is easy to see the accomplishments, but what about the accomplishments in the classroom and in our other programs such as career and technology? I am proud to say our teachers are meeting the challenge in the classroom, too. They have increased the rigor of the course work to better prepare our students for the more difficult state assessment, and more importantly for what they will face in the world after they graduate. Students are meeting the challenge in AP classes, in the AVID requirements, and in citizenship through their work on behalf of the food drives, cancer fundraising, and volunteering at the nursing home and women’s shelter. Our program leaders are leading our students to become productive and responsible citizens and highly performing students. It’s hard for parents to understand the increased rigor and requirements on students. But, when students meet the expectation and perform well in all areas of academic and student life, the parents, students and the school are all winners.Good luck to our Cross Country team as they go to Arlington to compete for regional greatness. SSISD is on the verge of greatness because we have the best staff instructing and leading the best kids in the state of Texas. It’s great to be an Armadillo. Please join us on facebook or look at the events calendar on the SSISD website. You can keep up with all the school happenings by being in tune to the two resources. Parents, let us know how we can help you the first day of school all the way until the last day of school!! Please check the website at www.san-saba.net for school information and follow us on Facebook, too! If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3771 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net .