11 kids returning to in-person classes
SALTILLO—Elementary Principal Tim Lane opened Saltillo’s school board meeting Thursday by bragging on a few of his teachers who have made a huge difference over the first six weeks of school. One-by-one, the board met with teachers Debby Brewer, Crystal Stillwagoner and Stacie Shearer via Zoom to show them recognition.
Brewer, who has been handling pre-K and kindergarten, was brought up first.
“We needed help, and she said whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it,” Lane said.
Stillwagoner, who had to transition her class to online during the second week of school due to a positive test from one of her students, wanted to thank the board in return.
“I just want to say thank you to you guys, because without the technology we have, that would’ve never been possible,” Stillwagoner said. “My class would’ve fallen behind eight days, without that stuff, I couldn’t have kept them going and on track.”
Shearer, who has been teaching all of the first and second grade online kids, was also thanked in the meeting.
“She’s been doing a great job, she’s been having fun doing it and has made a pretty bad situation fun for the kids,” Lane said.
After that, the board discussed how many kids are expected to be online to begin the second six weeks of school, which starts Monday. As of Thursday, they expect 25 students to be online, including five from the middle school and three high schoolers.
They are also expecting 11 students who were taking online classes to return to face-to-face classes.
“Kids that are coming back to face-to-face classes are all caught up on their work and should have no problem transitioning back,” Joli Maroney said.
Before breaking to executive session, the board discussed the athletic department, highlighting the junior high baseball team’s first win of the season. They defeated Yantis at home, 5-4, in their most recent game. They also acknowledged the junior high cross country teams for their strong performance in the Mineola meet last week. The boys team finished first overall, while the girls team finished seventh.
Superintendent David Stickels discussed their plans for selling tickets to upcoming games, informing the board that the plan is to sell tickets via the Team App.
“Unless something changes, that’s how we’re going to have to sell tickets,” Stickels said.
Finally, the board acknowledged the upcoming cross country meets, including the regional meet scheduled Nov. 9-10 and the state meet set Nov. 23- 24. The board will meet again on Thursday, Oct. 22 for their regular October meeting.