by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-20-2024

 The Uvalde CISD Board or Trustees met for over 6 hours at the Monday, November 18th regular board meeting with approximately 2 1/2 hours spent in a closed executive session.

Nearly all the seats in the audience were filled with several standing in the back of the Benson Board Room.

Following the opening preliminaries were held. Superintendent Ashley Chohlis’ introduced Chief Academic Officer Amy Graeber who reported on A. DOMAIN 1: High Quality Curriculum and Effective Instruction and B. DOMAIN 2: Effective, Well Supported Staff

  Earlier this year during the Spring, the Board of Trustees voted to approve using Open Education Resources/ Conceptual Teaching which was implemented for the 2024-225 school year. Graeber reported the implementation of the new curriculum and at what level each of the teachers were at in terms of mastering the delivery of the instruction. Graeber discussed the Success Criteria Breakdown on measuring teacher’s success age effectiveness on teaching a new curriculum on a phase scale measuring how teachers are progressing through the learning curve.

   Superintendent Ashley Chohlis said, “I’m less concerned about test scores as I am about student achievement.”

“Every kid should come prepared for the grade level (they are entering). The STARR test is important but it’s not the best all end all. said Chohlis (paraphrased)

  Uvalde CISD Teacher/Resource Officer Nicole Ogborn spoke during the Citizen’s Comments portion of the board meeting voiced her concerns about district’s approach to implementing the new curriculum “Our teaching style has been taking from us: our craft,” Ogborn said.

 

Uvalde CISD Teacher and Resource Officer Nicole Ogburn address the Board.Chohlis  spoke on Domain 3, C. DOMAIN 3: Positive School Culture and Safety and Security 

  Toy weapons also called Look-A Like Weapons

   According to Chohlis, the District has listed those items in the code of Conduct as being not allowed and students caught with such items can be assigned to DAEP/ (discretionary placement). The State of Texas does not have the same weapon definitions and State Laws apply. Trustee Jacklyn Gonzales brought up situations where students with those toy lookalike weapons can speak threats with those items.

 Gonzales also stated there are many Kids at Morales with PTSD and that an incident involving a potential threat perpetrated using a look-a-like toy weapon could further traumatize students already suffering with PTSD.

   Later in the meeting, the district voted to require clear backpacks at the Honey Bowl

Press Release from Southwest Texas College

Top Photo: Bonnie Clinebell-Esquivel ; received from SWTC

 

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-18-24

The Uvalde CISD Board of Trustees will meet tonight (Monday, November 18th) at 6 PM at the Benson Board room to canvas the results of the Tuesday November 5th election on the Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) which did not receive enough votes in the unofficial tally to pass. The district will also vote to select its nominations for the Uvalde County Appraisal District representatives at tonight’s meeting as well as consider and act on numerous other agenda items.

A livestream of the meeting can be viewed at the following link: (Uvalde CISD School Board Meetings – YouTube

See Agenda below: Use controls below the .pdf file to view all 3 pages.

Notice for Regular Meeting on 11.18.2024

Press Release from Southwest Texas College

11/13/24

Top Photo: Pictured (left to right): Alexis Moses, Gianna Adamek, Charles Causey, Parker Boyd, Victor Landin, Jorge Salinas.

UVALDE, TEXAS

  Students from Southwest Texas College’s Wildlife Management Program recently showcased their skills at the Texas Section Society for Range Management annual meeting in Victoria, TX, held October 15-16. Competing alongside peers from colleges across the state, these students participated in the collegiate plant identification competition and the Undergraduate Range Management Exam (URME), where they demonstrated their knowledge and passion for wildlife and range management.

  Notably, Parker Boyd placed 10th overall in the plant ID competition and earned 1st place in the community college division, while Charles Causey took home 1st place in the URME competition, also in the community college division.

  In addition to competing, students attended presentations on managing brush, cattle, and wildlife and toured local ranches to deepen their understanding of real-world range management practices. Congratulations to our dedicated students for their hard work and impressive achievements!

About Southwest Texas College
Southwest Texas College is a regional, “open door” institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border. Since 1946 SWTX has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The company’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of our diverse communities.

   To learn more about SWTX, visit swtjc.edu. For more information on this story, contact Ismael Martinez, SWTX Social Media/Public Relations Specialist at 830-591-2942 or imartinez@swtjc.edu

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-14-24

The Uvalde Police Department and a Texas Ranger Division has teamed up on an investigation involving the death of an infant, according to Uvalde Police Department’s

Public Information Officer Fernando Fernandez.

According to information obtained from a neighbor (which is currently unverified)  an infant was found dead Wednesday at a residence on Mill Street Wednesday, November 13th, 2024.

Fernandez stated the department will release updates when they becomes available.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Photos by Diana Olvedo-Karau

11-13-24

 Uvalde County Commissioners voted in favor of swearing-in Roland Sanchez for the unexpired term for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 Seat at the Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 court proceedings. 

 Nieto Luna who was the previous Justice of the Peace for Precinct died on April 6th this year during his term. Following Nieto’s passing, the Uvalde County Commissioners Court decided not to fill the unexpired term until after the 2024 November 5th election. 

 According to Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell, the appointment was only for the unexpired term which will come to an end December 31st, 2024.  

 On November 5th, 2024, the Uvalde County Elections Office released the unofficial results of the J.P.  Precinct 6 race where Sanchez received 807 votes edging out Mario Valdez who had 807 votes. Write-in Candidate Claudia Rodriguez received 204 votes. 

 The Commissioner’s Court’s decision to swear-in Roland Sanchez did not happen without controversy.

“There are still over two hundred provisional ballots that have not been counted and reviewed, there are possibly military ballots. There are also some mail-in ballots. The election has not been certified, can’t be certified until all of the ballots have been counted,” Diana Olvedo-Karau said. 

 As pointed out by Diana Olvedo-Karau speaking on the topic at Tuesday’s court meeting, she asked why Commissioners would choose to fill the unexpired term now when previously, the Court voted not to appoint someone to fill the position after Nieto’s death but rather wait until the November 5th election. 

“Does the statute allow for an appointment now after the fact?” Diana Karau said. 

  Mitchell said that the term is only being filled until December 31st.

  Also questioned at the meeting by Emma Trimble who also spoke at the meeting was the legality of appointing Sanchez to the seat for the unexpired term before the votes were canvassed and the results became official. 

 ” Seeing this in the paper (the Uvalde Leader-News) was quite disturbing and the fact that it actually says that you will be swearing in J.P. 6 is certainly is against election code: number 1.  Secondly it is highly disrespectful to the other candidates. How do we just decide that we’re going to circumvent the code and just swear Mr. Sanchez?” Trimble said.

Trimble continued stating, “The agenda item here is that you are circumventing election code.”

Commissioner Yeackle said, ” I concede that the newspaper article was a bit confusing.”

Mitchell stated that he doesn’t write the newspaper and said, “Take it up with the press.”

Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian
11-11-24

Top Image by Csaba Nagy from Pixabay

The Uvalde Hesperian met with Super Jones last week who is an Army Veteran who serves as a private duty nurse and lives in San Antonio.

He has skated and ridden for many miles promoting such charities as the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

It was after the death of his son in 2020. that Mr. Jones decided to become Super Jones, “the Original Real Life Super Hero.”
“I lost my baby, but the world gained a real-life superhero,” Jones said.

Like Superman, he is hesitant to reveal his true identity, although the Hesperian found him to be as mild mannered and as humble as the Daily Planet Reporter Clark Kent.

After losing his son, Jones made the decision, as Super Jones, to serve others through his love for in-line skating. Jones also likes cycling. He said one day a patient of his told Jones he had a cycle he didn’t use anymore. Jones told his patent he loved to skate long distances for charities and a good quality bike needed to have miles put on it. Jone’s patient told him, “Then the bike is yours.”

Jones in-line skates and rides his bicycle for charities.

Jones is planning on skating from San Antonio to Uvalde on Saturday, November 16th to honor the people who lost family members on May 24th during the Robb School Tragedy.

According to a statement provided by Jones, it says, “I shall begin the journey in the A.M. of November 16th at Johnson High School in San Antonio and I shall finish at Uvalde High School. Estimated time for the mission is 10 hours if I feel my absolute worst. If I am feeling my best the estimated time is 7-8.5 hours. Either way, includes estimated rest periods when restroom breaks may be needed.

I am not asking for donations for this mission. However, if people want to give donations to buy dinner for the people who drive along for safety, it would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. If any school, church or other worthwhile organization wants to piggyback on these affords to raise funds for their worthwhile causes. I am wide open for suggestions. ”

Jones can be reached at superskate238@sbcglobal.net

By Michael Robinson

11-09-23

Approximately 54 lady golfers are competing at this weekend’s Northside ISD High School Girls Golf Tournament held annually at the Frio Valley Ranch Golf Course in Concan. Parents and coaches have accompanied the various girl’s teams.

The two-day tournament began Friday, November 8th with golfers playing in cooler temperatures and through intermittent rainfall throughout the day.

About NISD

The tournament concludes this afternoon, Saturday, November 9th at 3 PM.