The Christian high holiday, Resurrection Sunday, is upon us.
STAAR testing has begun and will shape the next three weeks.
Now it’s a matter of will the students remember the skills and subject matter that teachers have worked to instill. I have said for years we need to have a marker test to see how our students statewide are doing. I just don’t know if they have produced an efficient way to accomplish that goal.
I’m gathering information from the school board candidates to present to our community. I thought it might be easy, but I was wrong. Since I know the candidates, I will give you a preview of the men and women in the race. I’ll follow next week with a more formal biography. Two current members, Nick Taylor and Kendra Oldham, are seeking reelection. Between the two of them, they have five children attending classes. They have served faithfully on our school board. Two past members are seeking to return to the board, Jason Lewis and Sally Gossett. Sally has gifted us with a rising young teaching star and of course, Jason is the face of our community although he has no children attending at present. In the past, they also served faithfully and well. It’s impressive to have a wealth of honest people who are willing to serve our students. School board members receive no salary, but they work extremely hard to help our administration, teachers and students efficiently run our school.
I’ve been remiss in not introducing our new administrator, Jeff Kirby, and our new principal, Amy Wilson. It’s not that I haven’t remembered, but both Jeff and Amy have hit the ground running. Neither has had much time to sit down and chat about themselves. I will do my best to correct that error.
Spring sports are done, and all we have left is the push to the end of the school year. The students tend to think if the testing is done, so are they. That is not the case. I don’t know what other teachers do, but I save the chapters in the book that are rarely assessed for the month of May. They should be taught but can wait until May. I doubt that is the case for math but could be a working theory for science. May was always egg drop, science fair and other messy labs that could be done outside. High school tends to focus on end-of-school activities and fundraising for class funds. Seniors should be working hard on grants and scholarships. Mrs. Starr and Mrs. Farris are the motivating forces behind reluctant seniors. Life is good right now. Halls are quiet, students are responding well to Mrs. Wilson, and teachers are working well with the requests from Mrs. Wilson. Things are looking good.
If you see Jason Lewis, congratulate him on another outstanding Trade Days. There were around 90 vendors including at least four food vendors. Plus, the Feedlot was available to those who wanted to eat there. The musicians were moved indoors this year, which I’m sure was much better for them. Thank you, Jason, for a wonderful event.
Please pray that those school positions that are open can be filled with qualified caring teachers. Please pray for rain. I was looking at my oak trees. I thought all was well, but now that the leaves are on, I can see the leaves are very sparse. Our community has lost two members, Charlie Tharp and Kim Jones. We also mourn with San Saba on the loss of their officer. We have many others sick and needing healing. Please pray for our country, government, President, and Congress. We need more empathy, civility, and debate from all of us. Hate and violence accomplishes little by way of cooperation. Hang on for a wild ride to the end of school.
God bless you all.