Columns/Opinions

By Sue Ransom

Summer came back last week to remind us this is not New England, or Canada, but the state of Texas. So, once again we went back to sizzling temperatures. Russ and I sat out on the front porch Saturday, watching the blue birds hunt for bugs. Although the temperature was much warmer than last week, we both noticed that the breeze had just a little chill. This week is the official start of autumn, but our leaves won’t change for at least another month or two. What we desperately need is some rain. The grass crunches under my feet as I walk across the yard to the fish tank.

By Cathy Ledbetter

A Diving Expedition

Among the reasons I write this column is that it serves as a pressure relief valve for my brain. I have been told by more than one person that I think too much and by a few people that I do too much deep diving in my thinking. These tendencies are probably why my favorite job ever was being a professor. Being on a university campus and engaging with students every day made me feel like my brain functioned normally and gave me lots of opportunities to think too much and too deeply with other people who were doing the same. But for the past twelve years I have been here on the ranch with fewer outlets for all that thinking, thus I write. I thank you, Reader, for being so tolerant of my brain excursions and expeditions. Brace yourself for yet another.

By Sue Ransom

Goodness gracious I have been enjoying this cool weather. I know it will heat up again, but for now, I will enjoy. The official start of autumn is the 22nd of this month. We here in Central Texas know that is not always cool off time. I expect we will have a few more days or weeks of 90+ degrees. I wish some of the heavy rains that our neighbors to the south are experiencing would find their way here, but I am not complaining. We do need the rain for the crops and tanks.

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By Jo Price

Still no moisture for the dry conditions that we have around us. Just be thankful that we are not having to go through some of the stuff that the people in Houston, Florida and some of the other places that were hit by storms. Keep all those in your prayers.

These cool mornings make you think of Fall, but that will be changing soon, as the weather prediction is back to the 90’s next week.

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By Sue Ransom

Here I am on a beautiful Labor Day Weekend typing away in my classroom. This morning I tried to reach my son by Skype, but it didn’t work. That meant I would have to wait another week to speak with him. I didn’t understand the problem, but when I sat down to fix whatever was wrong I had no Internet connection. After using all the tricks up my proverbial sleeve, I called in the resident tech person. Russ informed me my modem was bad. So later we will go shopping for a new modem, but for now I am here at school working on this column.

By Cathy Ledbetter

The Next Right Step

It is a strange feeling to be a part of a funeral procession taking a beloved family member to be buried, looking around you at all the people going about their lives with no idea of the sorrow that is passing them. It has been strange this past week to turn on the TV and see news reports of the devastation along the coast followed by the latest celebrity gossip. Both of these situations are reminders that the world keeps turning and life goes on even when one person or a huge group of people are experiencing tragedy.

By Dr. Don Newbury

How’s That Again?...

“breaking news”--the kind that smacks us in the face on the front end of most newscasts. I felt faint--and my cell phone “clammy”--as my Uncle Mort’s words seared my brain.

“I’m going to be okay, nephew,” he said. “But Maude had to take me to the emergency clinic today, right after I rolled a joint.”

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By Cathy Ledbetter

Out and Back Again

I got back from my family/eclipse trip to Charleston this past Thursday morning, just in time for Hurricane Harvey. I got to see all but the totality of the eclipse as the clouds covered it up just before the moon fully covered the sun. We had crashed a party on Lake Moultrie in a lakeside community known as Short Stay. We did not know any of the people gathered in the back yard by the lake, but they invited us to fill up a plate with hamburgers and home-made goodies and find a place to sit and visit. I gave away a few pairs of my eclipse glasses to some people who had driven down from Western Pennsylvania to see the eclipse. I had a great time with these friendly strangers and invited them all to my house in 2024 to see the total eclipse that will pass over San Saba County.

by Sue Ransom 

Last Thursday the school staff were preparing for the first day of school and a dinner at the Fowler home when that big storm blew into town. It was one powerful event and many of us feared that dinner would have to be cancelled. We all look forward to spending time together right before the start of the school year.

It’s like the end of the year luncheon at my house…tradition. We had about 1.3 inches here at the house, but several others had closer to three inches. It was most definitely a blessing. I don’t know if you have thought about it very much, but it is August and our fields are green. That is not only unusual; it is awesome. I’m afraid Russ is going to have to cut the grass again. My new grass is enjoying this blessing.

Submitted by SSISD School Superintendent Michael Bohensky 

San Saba ISD Receives Distinction and Accountability Recognition at all Campuses and District 

San Saba ISD and all campuses received a “Met” Accountability Rating for the 2017 Ratings. Campuses must meet Index 1 or 2 and meet Index 3 and Index 4.

There are three measures on state accountability assessments — Approaches= Passed; Meets=Postsecondary Readiness; Mastered=Advanced Academic Achievement

Index 1 = Student Performance for STAAR results at each campus – this includes all assessments for all student groups meeting at least a 60% “Approaches” (passing) standard

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