As we complete the last 27 days until our seniors walk across the graduation stage, I reflect on the amazing work our teachers and staff have accomplished this year. Each day, our wonderful staff equips all of our Cougars to be their best while preparing them to be positive contributing members of society. In other words, each of you live out our mission.

We began the year not knowing if we would even have school due to the ever-present strain covid has caused on our educational system. Through it all, we've not only educated students, but closed large educational gaps and regained a sense of normalcy for every student. Thank you for being the best team of educators in the state of Texas. Your incredible work this year has been an inspiration to witness and is the reason why so many people want to work and live in the Small Town with a Big Heart!

Let's finish the year strong and remember our WHY.

• Elementary TOY--Tara Johnson
• Junior High TOY-- Dean McCarty
• High School TOY-- Teri Wolfe

• Elementary ROY--Stacy Moore
• Junior High ROY--Jennifer Jolivette
• High School ROY--Katelyn Herrin

• Elementary Para of the Year--Colinda Church
• Junior High Para of the Year--Karen Wison
• High School Para of the Year--Rhonda Cadenhead

Governor Abbott, Texas State Leadership Announce Allocation Of $435 Million In COVID-19 Relief To TRS-ActiveCare

April 28, 2022 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman, and House Appropriations Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen today announced the allocation of $435 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to offset healthcare costs related to COVID-19. This funding, combined with previous legislative appropriations during the third special session, will be applied to the TRS-ActiveCare healthcare plan to offset insurance premium increases. By providing these funds, teachers will now see an average 0% increase–or even decrease–on healthcare premiums.

"Our teachers are fundamental in building brighter futures for the next generation of Texans, and it is imperative that they have access to healthcare so they can continue developing our state's most valuable asset: our kids," said Governor Abbott. "Thank you to my partners in the legislature for helping allocate this excess funding that will be used to offset rising healthcare premiums associated with COVID-19 and continue giving our teachers access to quality, affordable healthcare."

"I am happy to support this initiative so healthcare premiums for our active teachers do not increase," said Lieutenant Governor Patrick. "Other than a parent, no person is more important to the development of a child than a teacher, and I will continue to stand with Texas teachers for that reason."

"Texas teachers play one of the most vital roles to our kids and shouldn’t have to bear the burden of rising healthcare costs associated with COVID-19," said Speaker Phelan. "Without this allocation, teachers in my district would have seen some of the largest increases to health care premiums in the state. Today’s announcement is welcome news for House District 21 and the rest of Texas."

"With rising health-care costs and inflation soaring to a 40-year high, I am thrilled that we are able to allocate additional federal COVID-19 funding to TRS-ActiveCare to prevent health-care premiums from increasing," said Senator Huffman, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

"Continuing with efforts made by the Legislature to provide necessary support to our teachers, this investment will maintain healthcare premiums for the active teacher workforce," said Dr. Bonnen, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "Given the rising cost of health care and current inflationary environment, it is imperative that the State utilize all available resources to ensure costs to our hard working teachers stay as low as possible."

• The level of questioning has increased drastically. Teachers are asking individual students questions in order to gauge that specific learners understanding.

• Bell-Ringers and Exit Tickets are used with fidelity.

• Small grouping has increased. Teachers are allowing more time for collaborative groups to discover solutions and brainstorm problems. I've noticed a great deal of facilitation versus stand and deliver.

• Kyler Stark-Long & Triple Jump
• Jacob Johnson-Long Jump, 100
• Keegan Curry-4X100 relay
• Dylan Rogalski-4X100, 4X200 relay
• Kavin Cheathan-4X100, 4X200 relay
• Derrick Watts-4X200 relay
• Logan Moss-4X200 relay
• Brent Fry-110 Hurdles
• Reese Sherman-400 meter dash
• Kenady Dawson-Pole vault
• Chloe Whipps-Discuss
• Jayce Castile-Long Jump, Triple Jump, 200

The Baseball team clinched the #2 seed in the playoffs and will face off against Huntington next Friday in Jasper for a best of 3 series. Game 1 begins at 7 PM.