My brain is fried from two weeks of vacation. I can only imagine how the students will feel Tuesday. Strangely, I’m in favor of year-round school with two to four week breaks throughout the year. There would still be learning losses if the students are gone for more than two weeks, but the losses would be less than the three-month break that we get over the summer. I realize parents of younger children would have to find childcare, but that must be done anyway. I realize change always brings confusion, but it’s my thought that after the initial period, it might work.
Everyone here in Richland Springs has been preparing for this horrid Arctic vortex that has descended upon us. I am not excited about seven to 10 days of freezing mornings. My sisters reminded me that 40 degrees is not that bad. I reminded them of the reason I left the frozen North for the sunny South. I recall spring in Canada. When the temperature climbed to somewhere between 40 and 50 degrees, we would take off our heavy coats and walk home from school in our long sleeves. We thought that winter was over. My mother would fuss and warn us we would catch pneumonia if we went around without our jackets. Naturally, we didn’t believe her. After all, we were young and strong, nothing could hurt us. I don’t feel that way anymore!
Although we have been on holidays for two weeks, the sports teams have been busy. Both boys and girls have participated in multiple tournaments. The web is full of pictures. I can see that Makayla Kubin is improving her photography skills. She was good before, but her latest photos show talent, growth, and perspective.
Congratulations to all teams on their successes. The athlete’s goal is to continue to improve.
Next Saturday, the 11th, will be the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at the First Baptist Church. It will be held in the basement of the church instead of in the Tabernacle. All men and their sons are welcome to attend this community event.
Kid’s Church will resume Wednesday the 15th.
This is a hectic time for our students. Basketball is in full swing, preparations for the UIL academic competition in March have begun, and the sword of STAAR hangs over everyone’s head. It will be slow slogging until early March and then the last rush to finish school will drive everyone crazy. It’s important to keep your student in school and make sure their work is being submitted to their teachers before they participate in extracurricular events.
Prayers are needed for the Magnum family. Several more community members have been diagnosed with cancer. I have two family members who are having to fight this terrible disease. I’m planning to go to Greece this summer with my family, God willing. My youngest sister has just been diagnosed with cancer. We are praying for her complete healing.
Please check on your neighbors during this cold spell, especially your elderly neighbors. Please remember the food pantry at the First Baptist Church has provisions if you need food.
Our country needs prayers, especially the people in Las Vegas and New Orleans. The hurricane victims in Tennessee, and North Carolina, as well as Florida, need our prayers. A new year brings new challenges; with prayer and patience, we can manage issues that come our way. God, bless America, and please send us some rain.