Rabies Clinic Saturday

The Skidmore Fire Department will host its annual rabies clinic Saturday, May 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Athletic Banquet Postponed

The S-T ISD Athletics Banquet, originally scheduled Monday, May 4, has been postponed to a later date. The move is necessary due to adjustments to the UIL schedule related to the recent Swine Flu outbreak.

Swine Flu Facts

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

For extensive information on Swine Flu and how to protect yourself and loved ones, visit the Center for Disease Control website: Swine Influenza and You

UIL Schedules Altered Due to Swine Flu Outbreak

The University Interscholastic League is altering its schedule of events due to the outbreak of the swine flu in Texas. Effective immediately, all UIL interscholastic competition is suspended until May 11.

“The health and safety of our student activity participants is of the utmost importance,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “Taking every possible precaution to prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of our great state, and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants safe.”

As this is a fluid situation, the UIL tentatively releases the following schedule for UIL Regional and state events affected by this situation.

Academic State Meet
The UIL Academic State Meet, originally scheduled for May 7-9, will be rescheduled at a later date. The Conference 4A and 5A One-Act Play competition will continue as reviously scheduled on May 15-16. All other conferences competing in One-Act Play will be rescheduled. A schedule of the Academic State Meet, including One-Act Play, will be posted on the UIL web site once finalized.

Regional Track Meets
All UIL regional track meets originally scheduled for this weekend, May 1-2, have been cancelled. The state track and field meet will be extended to a three-day format to include semifinal heats. The meet is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 14-16. Semifinal qualifiers will be based on the district track meet results. Each region will be represented at the state meet by the top four performances in each event for all conferences. Hand-held times will be converted to fully automatic times as defined by the National Federation of State High School Association rules. A revised track and field state meet schedule will be posted on the UIL web site no later than Friday, May 1. Qualifiers to the UIL state track and field meet will be posted on the UIL web site on Wednesday, May 6.

Golf State Tournament
The UIL golf state tournament will take place at the previously scheduled times beginning May 11.

Tennis State Tournament
The UIL tennis state tournament will take place at the previously scheduled times beginning May 11.

Preventing the Flu

Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Courtesy of the Center for Disease Control.

Join the Booster Club

The S-T ISD Booster Club will meet Monday, April 27th at the S-T ISD annex where the club will elect officers for the 2009-2010 school year. All Junior High and High School parents are are encouraged to join the booster club and help support our outstanding student athletes.

Elementary 5th Six Weeks Honor Roll

First Grade: Nathaniel Gutierrez, Tres Ortiz, Caleb Vickery, Madison Gonzales, Avea Gonzalez, Noemi Gonzalez, Drayden Haggard, Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennet, Conner Favre, Callie Jernigen, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donovon Perez

Second Grade: Jesse Sabala, Megan Haggard, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Matthew Carnes, Madeline Dougherty, Kayla Rutkowski, Alyssa Arroyo, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson, Daniel Tyrone

Third Grade: McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf, Katriena Ables, Mackenzie Clark, Jonathan Serrano, Catrina Soto, Kennon Wishert

Fourth Grade: Felicia Ortiz, Kylie Wallace, Jonathan Carrillo, Casen Conn, Chase Conn, Vincent Flores, Randi Pace, Grace Calvert, Alexandria Hinds, Cullen Hughes, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna

Fifth Grade: Sydney Baker, Trenton Dragon, Melanie Martinez, Nicholas Rayburn, Mercedes Aguilar, Sarah Colle, Kati Stroman, Juan Luna

Mark Your Calendars for the S-T Athletics Banquet

S-T ISD Athletics Director Adam Arroyo announces the annual Athletic Banquet will be held Monday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets will be $7 at the door and include a catered meal.

Don't Miss Thursday's Encore OAP Production

If you missed the first showing of "Leading Ladies," don't miss your second opportunity to see the S-T Drama Club's hilarious production. A repeat public performance is scheduled Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 p.m.

OAP Advances to Regionals

The S-TISD production of "Leading Ladies" advanced from Area competition and is among 24 Texas 2A schools one step away from state. The Regional OAP competition will be in San Antonio at MacArthur High School on Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 pm.

Register Your Child for Kindergarten

Skidmore-Tynan Elementary will hold registration for Kindergarten age students at the Skidmore-Tynan Elementary Office on Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The following guidelines are followed for students registering for Kindergarten:
1. Children must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2009.

Parents of students registering must provide the district with the following information:
1. Original Birth Certificate
2. Immunization Record - Current
3. Original of Student’s Social Security Card
4. Legal guardianship papers if child does not reside with parent(s)
5. Proof of Residency: electric bill, phone bill

Please note that under 25.085 (c), compulsory attendance also applies to students below the age for compulsory attendance during any period that the student is voluntarily enrolled in kindergarten. Additionally, the Texas Education Code 25.092 states, “…a student may not be given credit for a class/program of instruction unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the program of instruction is offered.”

Questions regarding registration may be directed to the office of Elementary Principal Emilia Dominguez at 361-287-3426, ext. 4000.

Junior High Offers Algebra 1 Option

Skidmore-Tynan ISD has set up two testing dates for students interested in taking Algebra I during their 8th grade year for the 2009-2010 school year. Algebra I for 8th graders is considered an accelerated course which will enable your child to receive a high school math credit upon completion. The preliminary criteria required for testing includes:

1. Having a 90% or above final average in 7th Grade Math and passing the 7th Grade Math TAKS Test - or - having an 85% or above final average in 7th Grade Math and obtaining commended performance on the 7th Grade Math TAKS Test.

2. Taking an 8th grade level end of course math test and passing it with a 90% or better.

3. Teacher recommendation

The first testing date will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. The second testing date will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Any student meeting the preliminary criteria and interested in taking Algebra I should contact Mrs. Garza at 361-287-3426 ext. 5002.

S-T accepting G/T Nominations

Nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program grades 3 through 8 are being accepted at the Skidmore-Tynan Elementary & Jr. High Schools. Students must be nominated and tested prior to joining the G/T program. Nominations may be made by a parent, teacher, or anyone with knowledge of the nominee’s abilities. Nominations will be accepted through April 24, 2009. For additional information please contact Judy Garza at 287-3426, ext 5002.

Water Board Mediates Lawsuits

On Wednesday, the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) arrived at a mediated settlement with Ram II Construction in the lawsuit and countersuit between the two entities. The settlement agreement requires the contractor to upgrade lift stations and manholes to the specifications originally provided by the project engineer in return for the release of retainage funds and a final accounting and closeout of all projects as required by the Texas Water Development Board. The agreed upon settlement has no impact on the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation's bottom line and will not affect the water and wastewater rates of SWSC members.

All School Reunion Coming this Fall

The 2009 Skidmore-Tynan All-School Reunion will be held the Saturday following the homecoming game (date to be announced). The event will be held at the Tynan Recreation Hall.

A Reunion planning meeting will be held soon. The date will be posted at Papa's Market in Skidmore and the Bee County Coop in Tynan. All S-T Graduates are welcome to attend the meeting and help with the planning. Discussion items include reunion supplies, a possible silent auction, an auction of "?" by Felix Fojtik, school photos, and other S-T ISD memorabilia for display.

Please help spread the word to other S-T ISD grads by phone, email, letters, or old fashioned "Word of Mouth."

For more information or to join the planning committee, contact one of the following Reunion committee members: Robert Sugarek 287-3845, Gerald & Jo Ann Holubec 547-9926, Larry Wallek 449-7644, or Keith Petrus 354-1064. Join the S-T All School Reunion Facebook Group