Get Thee Behind Me Refugio

That's right - the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports Skidmore has leapfrogged Refugio in the rankings: Small-school shuffle in polls. Nope, we're not ranked number one. Refugio appears to have dropped to 4th and George West 5th. "We're number 3" isn't much of a battle cry but I guess we'll take what we can get until the players and coaches prove otherwise. Go Cats, movin' on up!

Skidmore-Tynan Schools Strike Gold with State Awards

Skidmore-Tynan students continue to thrive academically as two of their schools received Gold Performance Acknowledgement Awards from the Texas Education Agency last week.

Skidmore-Tynan High School received Gold Performance acknowledgements in three areas. In the Comparable Improvement category the school received Gold Performance in Reading/ELA (2006 testing) and in Mathematics (2006 testing). This means that the students’ average Growth Index from the prior year in these subject areas is in the top quartile of schools statewide with similar demographics.

Gold Performance acknowledgement was also attained by the graduating class of 2005. In order to receive this acknowledgement, at least 70% of all student groups must have graduated in the recommended High School Program or with a Distinguished Achievement diploma. One hundred percent of the District’s students did this in 2005.

Skidmore-Tynan Junior High received Gold Performance recognition in two areas: Student groups were commended on Reading/English Language Arts (2006 testing) and 7th grade Writing (2006 testing). In order to receive acknowledgment in these categories, 20% or greater of students tested had to achieve a top statewide score.

The Secret Letter from Iraq

A Marine's letter home from Iraq tells it like it is: The Secret Letter From Iraq courtesy of TIME/CNN.

Fun & Prizes at Annual Skidmore-Tynan Fall Festival

The S-T ISD Elementary and High School Fall Festival was, as usual, a big hit with students and families. From the fishing pond and ring toss, to bingo and the cake walk, just about everyone came out a winner in the annual October festival. Click here for Fall Fest photos at Shutterfly.com


The wolf (Jesse Pearce), Cinderella (Allison Porter), and the evil stepmother (Starlina Meritt) in "Once Upon a Wolf," by Steph DeFerie, produced by drama instructor Pamela Keeton.

Bouncing Bobcats!

The Victoria Advocate has a brief write-up on Friday's upset win over Refugio: S-T bounces Refugio in 2nd quarter.

UPSET! Skidmore-Tynan 24, Refugio 21

Victory!

Wow! What a game! The Skidmore-Tynan Bobcats racked up an impressive 24 unanswered points in the first half of Friday's varsity football game versus top-ranked Refugio. Refugio rebounded strongly in the second half with a "hail mary" air-attack but fell short in their attempt at a comeback.

Outstanding plays of the game included a Garrett Vandever touchdown pass to Jeremy Johnson, a key interception by John Boscamp, a field goal by Adam Aguilar, and the recovery of a deflected S-T punt by Richard Torres.

Click here for game photos at Shutterfly.com or more high quality shots courtesy of Rob's Digital Photography

County Judge to Sue Bee-Picayune

The Signal passes on the following information without comment:

Oct. 27, 2006 Letter - via email:

Bee County Judge Jimmy Martinez To Sue Beeville Bee Picayune For Falsehood

For years the Beeville Bee Picayune has attacked and harassed minority public servants who have been elected to various offices in Beeville and Bee County. This pattern of harassment and attacks crossed the line on Friday, October 27, 2006. In recent articles published by the Beeville Bee Picayune the local newspaper knowingly and recklessly printed material falsehoods about Bee County Judge Jimmy Martinez who is the Democratic candidate up for reelection in the November 7, 2006 General election.

While the Beeville Bee Picayune is known for the slanted one-sided stories it prints, and which is protected under the first amendment, it can not knowingly or recklessly print material falsehoods. “This is exactly what they have done,” states Bee County Judge Jimmy Martinez. “I emphatically deny that I have ever taken a bribe, or gift for political or personal gain.”

Friday’s article is just the latest and perhaps the most serious example of misrepresentations of facts and the telling of half-truths, and he believes that the paper’s repeated presentation of “facts” in such a slanted manner has crossed not only the boundaries of journalistic integrity, ethics and professionalism, it also is actionable.

Judge Martinez is further consulting counsel to see if Friday’s article does not actually constitute free advertising for the benefit of his opponent and a political contribution to his opponent by a corporation. If so, the Bee Picayune’s actions may constitute a felony and Judge Martinez will request the appropriate authorities to investigate further.

Attorneys for Judge Martinez will be filing a lawsuit in the Bee County District Clerk’s Office.

JIMMY MARTINEZ
Bee County Judge

Signal Events Calendar

Sports Pics - JV Football vs Refugio

David Flores powers through the Refugio defensive line.

The Junior Varsity Bobcats traveled to Refugio Thursday to take on their Bobcat counterparts. It was a hard fought game but our Cats emerged victorious in the end. Final score: 22-14.

Click here for game photos at Shutterfly.com

Never Pay for Another Paperback?

Avid readers may be interested in a new book trading website paperbackswap.com. Here's how it works as described on their website:

1. List at least 9 or more books in the system to become an active member and receive 3 free credits to get you started trading. List as many books as possible to be more successful in trading. 2. Browse our online list of books posted by club members, and use your credits to order books. 3. Selected books are delivered right to your mailbox, for free! 4. When other members order books that you’ve listed, you mail them from your mailbox and you pay the postage (usually $1.59). 5. You get one credit (good for one book) for every book you mail when it is received by the club member who requested it. 6. List as many books as you like. The more books you mail to other members, the more credits you'll receive.

In Memoriam: Efriam "Jr." Lopez

Efriam "Jr." Lopez, of Skidmore, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 at age 40.

Mr. Lopez was born October 21, 1966, to the late Efriam Lopez and Victoria Cardona Lopez of Skidmore. He was a 1985 graduate of Skidmore-Tynan High School and worked at the Valero Refinery in Three Rivers.

Mr. Lopez is survived by his wife, Deborah Ann Salinas Lopez; daughters, Victoria Delfina and Marina Elena Lopez, both of Skidmore; and sisters, Delma Lopez, Irma Lopez, Nora Lopez Castillo and Andrea Lopez, all of Lockhart.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 24, at Trevino Funeral Home in Beeville. Funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Skidmore with Rev. Sebastian V. Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Skidmore's Evergreen Cemetery.

Crime Stoppers Seeks Reward Donations

Bee County Crime Stoppers representative Cathey Brown reminds the Signal that criminal activity in the area has been up for the past few months. Crime Stoppers has contacted several local businesses in an effort to collect funds to be used as reward money. The State does not fund Crime Stoppers. Reward money is gathered solely through donations or fund raisers. If your business is interested in contributing to the rewards fund, please send your donation to Beeville Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 1568, Beeville, Texas 78104-1568. Contributors may specify that reward money go for tips on crimes committed in the Skidmore-Papalote-Tynan area.

If you have information about a crime committed in Bee County, call the *Bee County Tips Line at 597-0206.

*The tip line does not have caller ID, and no numbers are on the printout of the phone bill. No one, not even Crime Stoppers or law enforcement, will ever know the name of the tipster.

Say No to Antibacterial Soap

"In 2005, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel concluded that there is “no added benefit” from using antimicrobial products over plain soap and water." In fact, the cancer-causing antibacterial ingredients actually increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics and leach into our groundwater and food supply. Read more about Why You Don't Need "Antibacterial" Soap.

Mother Earth News offers other helpful life tips delivered straight to your email inbox. Click here to subscribe to Mother Earth Living. It's free.

Sports Pics - Volleyball vs Bloomington

Click here to view more grainy, slightly out of focus photos at Shutterfly.com -- For nice crisp photos of past volleyball games, see Rob's Digital Photography.

S-T ISD Trustees Uphold Level III Grievances

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD was held October 9, 2006, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Skidmore-Tynan School District Event Center Board Room.

Trustees recognized elementary teachers Kandy Henning, Debbie Lopez, Robin Pate, and Junior High teacher Debbie Adamez for receiving 100% in Writing on TAKS testing. Also receiving recognition for an excellent safety record were bus drivers Delmon Butler, Deborah Haley, Patricia Hartman, Linda Henkhaus, Olga Salinas, and Patricia Thorndike.

Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez informed Trustees that he and High School Principal Patricia Holubec traveled to George West to personally apologize to the GW Superintendent and Athletic Director for the homecoming game theft of personal items from the visitor locker room.

Action items in Monday's meeting included:

• Consideration and Possible Approval of Contract for Detailed Energy Audit. This item was approved.
  
• Consideration and Possible Approval of Personnel Recommendation(s). Trustees approved the hiring of Mr. Hilario A. Garcia for the position of 6th & 7th grade History Teacher. Mr. Garcia will also teach 7th grade Science.
  
• Consideration and Possible Action for the Board of Trustees to Determine if the Board of Trustees will Entertain the Level 3 Grievance of Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares). A motion by Keith Petrus to deny the grievance hearing on lack of adherence to board policy failed for lack of a second. A motion by Mr. Daniel Gonzales to hear the grievance was seconded by Mr. Ysrael Salinas and passed by a 4-1 vote.
  
• Consideration and Possible Action on Employee Grievance: Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares). By a 3-1 vote, the board agreed to grant back-pay to Mrs. Trevino from the time of her dismissal to the end of the 2005/06 school year.
  
• "Discussion and Possible Action on Icons on the S-TISD web site that are Deemed Inapproptiate or for Profit" (Mr. Rick Olivares). Board President Rick Olivares expressed concern that the "Skidmore Signal" icon on the S-T ISD website could represent a conflict of interest. After much discussion, no action was taken on this item.
  
• "Discussion and Possible Action for the Board to Proceed and Hear the Level III Grievance from Rudolfo Salinas" (Mr. Rick Olivares). A motion to hear the grievance was made by Mr. Daniel Gonzales and seconded by Mr. Rick Olivares. The motion passed by a 3-1 vote with Keith Petrus dissenting.
  
• "Consideration and Possible Action on Level III Grievance from Rudolfo Salinas" (Mr. Rick Olivares). Trustees voted 3-1, with 2 abstaining, to grant the grievance.

The next meeting of the S-T ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Monday, November 13, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in S-T ISD Board Room.

Sports Pics - S-T Football vs Odem

Garrett Vandever on the quarterback keeper.

The Bobcats bounced back from last week's loss to George West with a 23 - 6 win over Odem Friday night. Click here for game photos at Shutterfly.com. The varsity will take a break this week in preparation to face top-ranked Refugio Friday, October 26th.

With Friday's win over George West, Refugio is the only District 31-2A team to remain undefeated this season. The Caller-Times has game details in: Refugio comes out on top in battle of unbeatens.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times website has complete game and season stats for Skidmore-Tynan Varsity Football.

Vendor Booths Available at Elementary Fall Festival

The Skidmore-Tynan Elementary School invites the public to rent booth space at this year's annual Fall Festival. Vendors may sell anything that is not a food product. The elementary festival is scheduled Saturday, October 28, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the High School festival to follow. Click here to download a Booth Application.

In Memoriam: Beatris T. Moreno

Beatris T. Moreno, of Tynan died October 7th, 2006 at age 99. Mrs. Moreno was a homemaker and member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Mrs. Moreno is survived by four daughters, Juanita Ramirez of Tynan, Anita Serrano of Sinton, Rosita Asevedo of Detroit, and Dora Ramirez of Skidmore; three sons, Mauricio and Eduardo Moreno, both of Sinton, and Pablo Moreno Jr. of San Antonio; and numerous descendants.

Mrs. Moreno was laid to rest in Tynan's Waldheim Cemetery.

SWSC Annual Meeting Tuesday

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, October 10th. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Skidmore Fire Station. The regular monthly SWSC board meeting has been moved to Wednesday, October 11th at 2:30 p.m. and will also be held at the Skidmore Fire Station.

Locker Room Thefts Reflect Poorly on Community

This is the kind of thing my father used to refer to as "a crying shame." George West wins game, loses wallets, cell phones. If anyone has information about this crime, please call the Bee County Crime Stoppers hotline at 597-0206. Crime Stoppers may also be contacted via email at bcrimestoppers@gmail.com.

Sports Pics - S-T Homecoming and Cross Country Meet

Rob's Digital Photography has been hard at work covering Skidmore-Tynan sports events. See photos of the George West game and Saturday's Cross Country meet at Rob's Digital Photography.

Bobcat Homecoming Heartbreaker

The Bobcats' winning streak came to an end in Friday's Homecoming loss to George West. The Cats were down just 21 to 14 going into the 3rd Quarter but George West continued to rack up points in the second half. Final: George West 41 - Bobcats 14

Update: The Corpus Christi Caller-Times has game details in: Runaway victory - Longhorns dominate on ground to remain undefeated.

S-T on Fire!

The community turned out in force to watch the annual "S-T" lighting as part of Homecoming week festivities. A George West t-shirt was symbolically torched along with the giant S-T (constructed by students in the ag department). The Junior class held a "hot dog sale" in conjunction with the event and I can confidently report the dogs were delicious. Click here for photos of the lighting ceremony at Shutterfly.com.

S-T ISD Trustees Face Lengthy Monday Agenda

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Meeting to address potential changes in food service management, two Level 3 employee grievances, and removal of the "Skidmore Signal" link from the S-T ISD website.

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A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD will be held October 9, 2006, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Skidmore-Tynan School District Event Center Board Room.

Discussion items on the agenda include:

• Facilities Needs/Bond Program
  
• Update 78: Review Updated (LEGAL) Policies and Conduct First Reading on (LOCAL) Policies
  
• Food Service Management

Action items include:

• Consideration and Possible Approval of Contract for Detailed Energy Audit
  
• Consideration and Possible Approval of Personnel Recommendation(s)
  
• Consideration and Possible Action for the Board of Trustees to Determine if the Board of Trustees will Entertain the Level 3 Grievance of Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares)
  
• Consideration and Possible Action on Employee Grievance: Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares)
  
• "Discussion and Possible Action on Icons on the S-TISD web site that are Deemed Inapproptiate or for Profit"(Mr. Rick Olivares)
  
• "Discussion and Possible Action for the Board to Proceed and Hear the Level III Grievance from Rudolfo Salinas" (Mr. Rick Olivares)
  
• "Consideration and Possible Action on Level III Grievance from Rudolfo Salinas" (Mr. Rick Olivares)

The board will adjourn to closed session for the following items:

• Employee Level 3 Grievance Presentation: Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares)
  
• "If approved by the board to go to executive session and hear Level III grievance from Rudolfo Salinas" (Mr. Rick Olivares)

The full meeting agenda may be viewed online at Boardbook.

The next meeting of the S-T ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Monday, November 13, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in S-T ISD Board Room.

Trustees to Review FIRST Rating

A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD will be held October 9, 2006, beginning at 5:30 PM in the Skidmore-Tynan School District Event Center Board Room.

Discussion items include:

• Overview of School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas)
  
• Skidmore-Tynan ISD's Rating
  
• Public Comments on the Report

The October regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will follow at 6:00 p.m.

In Memoriam: Alma McGuill Bruchmiller

Alma McGuill Bruchmiller, of Refugio, died Monday, October 2, 2006, at age 93.

Mrs. Bruchmiller was born December 24, 1912 in Refugio County, to William P. and Mary Dorsey McGuill. She was a member of a Refugio County pioneer ranching family and taught school for many years in Skidmore and at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic School. She was a member of the Altar Society and Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church.

Mrs. Bruchmiller was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clarence P. McGuill and Marvin McGuill and one sister, Irene McGuill. She is survived by her husband, Joe P. Bruchmiller of Refugio; son, Patrick (Patricia) Bruchmiller of Goliad County, Texas; and granddaughter, Jennifer Bruchmiller.

Mrs. Bruchmiller was laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Refugio.

S-T Homecoming Week Events

Students and faculty at Skidmore-Tynan High School will enjoy week-long festivities associated with Friday's Bobcat Homecoming game vs. George West. The calendar of events for the week of October 2-6, 2006 follows:

Monday, Oct. 2

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Celebrity Day — “Bobcats Are True Stars” – dress up as your favorite celebrity

Tuesday, Oct. 3

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Crazy Hat Day — “Hats Off To The Bobcats” – wear your favorite crazy hat
5:00 p.m. — Volleyball vs. Refugio Away — F, JV, V

Wednesday, Oct. 4

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80’s Day — “86 The Longhorns!” — dress up like the 80’s
8:30 p.m. — Burning of the S-T and Junior Class Hot Dog Supper sale at Bobcat stadium.

Thursday, Oct. 5

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Pajama Day — “Put the Longhorns to Sleep” — wear pajamas that comply with dress code
7:30 p.m. — JV Football vs. George West Away

Friday, Oct. 6

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Purple & Gold — “PURPLE POWER” – wear your purple and gold.
Before school begins S-T Cheerleaders tie ribbons on cars arriving/dropping off at all campuses
12:30 p.m. — PALS “tattoo” the elementary students with Purple Paw Power
2:50 p.m. — Follow the drum line to Pep Rally
3:00 p.m. — Pep Rally in S-T Gym
5:00 p.m. — Volleyball vs. George West at Home — Varsity Only
7:30 p.m. — Varsity Football vs. George West at Home
Homecoming Court presented at half-time of Varsity Football Game
10:00 p.m. (after the game) — Homecoming Dance for High School Students Only