Students and Parents, the time is almost here! The start of another school year! On August 25, students of San Saba ISD will begin another great year of school. Much has changed at San Saba ISD. One of the most evident changes that must be noted is the new start and end time for the school day. At all campuses, the first bell will ring at 7:50 am. The school day will begin at 7:55 am. New as well is the 3:37 pm school day end time. Passing periods have been shorted at San Saba High School and San Saba Middle School in order to maximize time during the instructional day.

Students on all campuses will have access to a no-pay breakfast. Students at San Saba High and Middle Schools will be provided breakfast as part of their morning break. Elementary students will have the opportunity to have a no-pay breakfast at the start of their school day. The no-pay school breakfast program allows the District to provide students with a healthy breakfast or snack at break time while supporting the food service program by meeting a reimbursable meal. Meal prices in the cafeterias will see a slight increase: $2.00 in grades PK – 4 and $2.25 in grades 5 – 12.

A big change that will impact both San Saba High School students and the community is the new parking arrangement for high school students. Please be aware that students will be parking in assigned parking spaces located at Armadillo Arena. Staff will be on hand in the morning, at noon and at the end of the day to provide safe crossing at Wallace Street. Please help us keep the kiddos safe by keeping a good eye out at school intersections. This new parking arrangement should provide better supervision of students during the day, provide for safer crossing and traffic control on Commerce Street and should clear student vehicles from in front of homes located near the school buildings.

Students will meet 13 new staff members at the various campuses. At San Saba High School students will meet Linda Brozo (family career sciences), Mike Easterwood (science/coaching),Shay Easterwood (social studies/coaching), Joel Gotcher(social studies/coaching), KayCee Thiebaud (registrar/secretary), Amber Kennedy (English) and Rachel Dawson (para professional); San Saba Middle School students will meet custodians, Veronica Correa and Rosalba Jimenez, Brandi Easterwood (5/6 math) and Kara Stowe (special education); staff new to San Saba Elementary School include: Abigail Martinez(custodian), Deborah Gotcher (ESL) and Dena Vasquez (para professional) and new to Food Services is Dianne Hernandez.

Early during the summer, a new dress code and cell phone policy was published. Parents please pay close attention to these policies when your student brings home the student handbook and student code of conduct. Please be aware too, this handbook is available if your handbook becomes misplaced, on the new San Saba ISD Website at www.san-saba.net. This website will become a great source of information for parents, students and community members throughout the school year.

Parents - we encourage you to turn in your free and reduced school lunch program form. The District needs the form back from each and every student even if you are electing not to seek qualification in the program. The National School Lunch Program provides a wealth of opportunities for the District outside of the school lunch program. The school receives opportunities for grant programs based on the number of students participating in the free and reduced lunch program. Please help us secure these opportunities by sending in your form. Food service staff will be contacting you to help remind you of this service and assist you in qualifying, if appropriate.

Students are certain to have a great 2008-2009 school year. Please get involved and support San Saba ISD and the students who work so hard to achieve great things! Please call the campus where your child attends school if you have any questions about the information in this article or any concern involving your child. Go ‘Dillos!