At times I have wondered if the end of the year was ever going to get here, and then there have been days when I was dizzy with the speed the year was maintaining. I don’t know about the STAAR results, but I know my class has worked hard to make up for all the down time we had during Covid.
Friday night, the school staff and community members turned out to give Mr. Fowler a tremendous send off. What a wonderful evening full of funny memories and praise for a man who has guided this school through many difficult days. He has been supportive and strong for all of us. He will be sorely missed. We joined together to encourage Mr. Fowler to enjoy his retirement and do some of the things he has been unable to do while guiding this little ship of learning.
Saturday morning, the school board members were meeting with the top two candidates and their families. This is a difficult task; replacing an administrator in a small school requires some serious recruiting skills. We need a person like Mr. Fowler, but also one possessing their own unique personality. We are fairly set in our ways, and teachers are not much better than children when it comes to change.
Everyone likes being comfortable. It’s an exciting time in Richland Springs.
The Baccalaureate ceremony is in the history books. Our 2021 seniors are one step closer to ending the year. This ceremony is personal and touching, especially in a small school. Our seniors are given the blessings of the area churches. Pastors from three of the area churches speak their thoughts, and the seniors are gifted with a memento of the occasions from the Christian Church leaders. Our little community choir was led by Kristie Perry, and members of the different churches sang “Let There Be Peace” and “I’m Gonna Live.” I did see some toe tapping on the second song.
This next week is going to be a little crazy. I hope we will get some STAAR news in before school is out. Wednesday 1st-5th is headed to Putters and Gutters in Lampasas for the annual AR field trip under the leadership of Mrs. Barker. We have early release Thursday so that 8th grade can prepare for their graduation and early release on Friday for senior graduation. Graduation will be held at the First Baptist Church. I am encouraging all my students to maintain a healthy summer reading program. We have made great gains, but we are not on target yet. I don’t want to take any backward steps.
My tank is full. We had to repair the road so that the teachers could get to the house Monday, but I can put up with that when it is caused by glorious rain. I had my two sons-in-law on hand, with tractors, to fill in the holes with rock, and the road is safe again. I want to thank the folks who donated food for the teacher brunch. The weather is not the best, but the rain is still wonderful. The teachers paused to honor Mrs. Hall. She will be missed, but we all get to a point where the bones get a little old.
Kristie and Chris Perry returned from San Angelo around midnight. The journey was a little wet. Kristie said she held her breath as they came to Hooten Hollow because she could see the water over the road.
Since they were in the big truck, Chris decided to go through. When he realized how deep the water was, he sprang into action and worked with Mondo to put up barriers and cones. Chris said a car would not have made it through the water. Thank you, gentlemen, for looking after our citizens.
Please try to keep your children in school even though we are not doing hard work. We have classes to clean, books to scrap, and school supplies to tidy.
Praise God for the rain. Please continue to pray for our country, our President, and our congress. I pray we can get some unity in Congress so that we the people can live in peace. Pray for our police officers, our sick, and our first responders. Most of all pray for our precious troops and their families.