It’s a great day to be a Dillo! For many schools in larger areas this is their students’ first opportunity back to school. Many schools have very limited face-to-face offerings. Currently, we have over 90% of our students attending face-to-face instruction. The first grading period is fast approaching, and that opens another window for those parents who wish to switch their students from remote to face-to-face instruction can do so. If your child is participating in remote instruction and is doing well, we are glad it is working for you. If you are remote and not participating, there is a chance your child could fail the first six weeks of instruction, and we highly encourage you to enroll your children in face-to-face learning. Vaccinations are still required even if your child is remote. We want your kids here. I still believe that San Saba ISD is the safest, healthiest environment for our children no matter the current situation of our society.
The Commissioner of Education is still planning on giving the STAAR test and administer A-F grades for school districts. Whether you agree with STAAR testing or not, our commissioner is passionate about testing our kids. There seems to be a collective sigh of “unfair” because of the educational gap that has been created due to COVID. Our kids are behind, but the educational standards and timelines have not changed. It is like being the fourth leg on a relay race and our kids get the baton a lap behind trying to catch up to TEA. TEA wins the race, but our kids suffer.
We have our first big awaygame this week with Mason. It has been a long time since our two teams have paired up in a football game. The home team gets to set the protocols for ticket price and availability. We know that not everybody will be able to attend, and the “unfair” word comes up again. We have done our best to make it as fair as we can. Please be kind. The gate workers at home- and away-games are taking some verbal abuse from unhappy fans. People who only make a little bit of money for manning a gate should not be the recipient of other people’s unhappiness. Happiness is a choice not a privilege. I say get happy or go home. Live streaming is happening, and you can watch free of charge from your device. If you are one of the unfortunate few who forgot your mask or left your ticket at home, we are sorry for your loss, but that is what it takes to get into an athletic event in COVID 2020. Tomorrow is 9/11, and as we consider the momentary inconveniences of our current struggles, let us not forget the sacrifices made. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. As we travel this week to Mason, let’s be and happy, show our rivals what good sportsmanship looks like.
Go Dillos!