Hear ye, Hear ye:
The Big Sandy Administration Team met today to discuss our approach to the closure of our school district. We have decided on several items that we want to share with you all.
1. At-Home Instructional Resources- We will use both high tech and low tech approaches to provide resources to our children during our closure.
---High tech approaches involve on-line programs, on-line software, etc. You can access the Big Sandy Website for more information about these topics.
---Low tech approach is to provide packets of educational materials to each child in our school. Teachers will work to gather materials to send home to each child. These packets will be mailed to the address that we have for each child.
2. The Big Sandy ISD will serve a "grab-and-go" lunch to each child, each day. These lunches need to be requested at this link: https://forms.gle/j3J3qUZaBiEPS1Tv9
There are instructions in the link for pick-up.
3. Due to the social isolation aspect of this COVID-19 outbreak, we will maintain a skeleton staff during the closure, and only those individuals that are required to be here will be. You may experience delays in return calls or you may trouble reaching someone on campus or in the Business Office. Please be patient with us during this time of closure.
4. The Texas Education Agency has cancelled all state testing for the 2019-2020 school year, so there will be no STAAR or EOC exams to be taken. The TEA is waiting on an answer from the Federal Govt on a waiver for the TELPAS exam (test for English language learners).
5. There is no organized practice whatsoever for the week of March 16-20. A decision will be made toward the end of this week for future practice times.
6. Our School Board will consider adopting a resolution to pay our employees during this time of closure. We are thankful to have a School Board that truly cares about our staff and does not want to see the staff pay affected by this emergency closure.
7. Re-opening School decisions will be made in the coming weeks. There are several considerations we have been given to take note of before we make a decision to re-open.
8. PROM WILL NOT BE CANCELLED, but it may be postponed. We are going to have a Prom for our kids, no matter what. We will have to decide what is going to be available to us at the time of the Prom. Right now, the Prom is still on as scheduled, but we may receive information in the coming days that forces us to change our date or venue. Please be patient as we work through all of these challenges.
We understand the burden that this closure has placed on our families and community, but please know that we are in uncharted territory and are doing the best we can.
Information will be shared with you daily, so that you can stay abreast with what we are dealing with in your child's school district. Communication is the key to all of being on the same page and understanding the decisions that are being made.
Go Wildcats!
Attention Big Sandy ISD Community:
In effort to continue to provide for our students and families, Big Sandy ISD will be providing lunch for all children under 18 years of age regardless of enrollment or economic status.
Starting Tuesday and running all week, a "grab and go" lunch will be provided, free of charge, from 11:30am-1:00pm, at the back of the school, at the bus drop off area. Thank you for letting us serve the community during this challenging time.
If you would like to have a meal prepared for your children, we have created a form just for planning purposes. Please click the following link: https://forms.gle/j3J3qUZaBiEPS1Tv9
Go Wildcats!
Its a great day to be a Wildcat!
Hey Big Sandy Wildcats Basketball Fans:
The First Round of the State Championship Basketball Playoffs for our Wildcats will take place on Monday, February 24th, at 6:00 pm, in Spring Hill High School Gymnasium, vs Linden-Kildare!
We are the HOME Team! We are also the first game of a doubleheader!
Go Wildcats!
And just like that, the Varsity Wildcats beat Beckville, 72-38, and WIN THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP!
Go Wildcats!
Hey Big Sandy:
The Junior High Dance is tonight, Friday, February 14, 2020, from 5-7:30, in the Student Center. The cost of admission is $4.00. Concessions will be available, with all items costing $1.00.
This is a joint fundraiser between Junior High Cheerleaders and the National Junior Honor Society.
Go Wildcats!
Hey Everybody:
We are holding a blood drive with Carter Blood Care today, in the Main Gym Foyer, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please consider giving blood, as every drop can be used to save a life! Everyone is welcomed to give!
Go Wildcats!
Thank you! Thank you! To you, our students, and our staff! Our unannounced Lockdown Drill went perfect!
We are back to regular business at the school! Our kids did an amazing job!
It is unfortunate that we have to practice drills such as these, but we are thankful to work in a community that helps us keep our students and staff safe!
Go Wildcats!
Attention Big Sandy:
This is just a reminder that at some point this week, we will be conducting an unannounced Lockdown Drill here at the school.
We conduct these drills to help stay prepared and to train for the event of any situation that would require an actual Lockdown response. The Lockdown Drill will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and no one will be allowed into or out of the building during the drill.
Thank you for allowing us to train our staff and students on best practices to stay safe in all situations.
Go Wildcats!
Attention Big Sandy:
The Texas Education Code requires all school districts to perform Lockdown Drills, at least 2 times per school year. The Big Sandy ISD has already had one this school year, and now, it is time for us to have an unannounced Lockdown Drill, to see how well we are prepared if we ever have to go into a Lockdown for an actual threat on campus or in our area.
Next week, we are planning to have an unannounced Lockdown Drill. This will occur between Monday, February 10 and Friday, February 14. The Lockdown Drill typically takes about 30 minutes to complete.
We are proud of our kids and staff for taking these drills seriously and administration has very specific jobs to do during the Lockdown Drill.
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our kids and staff safe, each and every day.
Go Wildcats!
Hey Big Sandy:
On Friday, February 7th, 2020, starting at 7:30 am, the Big Sandy Elementary will be hosting the Annual 'Donuts with Dad' Event! This will be held in the Big Sandy Student Center, which is the area right outside the Auditorium! They will have donuts, coffee, and juice!
We hope to see you there!
Go Wildcats!
Hey Everybody:
Tonight, we have High School Basketball at HOME vs Harleton, with JV Girls starting at 4:00 pm, followed by JV Boys, then Varsity Girls, and ending with Varsity Boys!
Also, tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, 2020, at 7:00 pm, the Big Sandy PTO is once again putting on the Annual Big Sandy Coronation! Tickets at the door are $5. People will be allowed in just before 7:00 pm, in plenty of time for the show to start!
Go Wildcats!
Big Sandy ISD in Upshur County DOES HAVE SCHOOL TODAY, Friday, January 31st. Apparently, there is some confusion due to a news report for a Big Sandy ISD in another county. See you at school, Wildcats! Happy Friday
Hey Big Sandy Elementary Parents/Guardians:
We need your help. Just a friendly reminder- For the safety and security of all of our students, Big Sandy Elementary encourages parents to remain in their vehicles and pick up their child(ren) at the designated stop during afternoon "pick-up" time.
Student safety is our top priority. We would like to thank parents so much for their support and continued cooperation in helping keep our students safe.
Go Wildcats!
Attention:
We will be holding a Substitute Training Class on January 30, 2020, starting at 9:00 am, in the High School Gym Foyer. If you would like to substitute teach for the Big Sandy ISD, please consider attending this training session! If you attended in August 2019, you are not required to attend again for the 2019-2020 school year.
Call 903-636-5318 and ask to speak to Mrs. Tressa Ellis, if you have any questions prior to the training.
Go Wildcats Substitute Teachers!
Attention:
Bus 11D will run approximately 20-30 minutes late this morning. This is Coach Thompson’s route.
Come on out to Hawkins tonight, as the Ladycats and Wildcats take on the Hawks in Basketball!
Junior Varsity Girls start at 4:00, followed by Junior Varsity Boys, followed by Varsity Girls, followed by Varsity Boys!
KMOO Radio is broadcasting the games this evening! Show up, be loud, and be proud!
Go Ladycats and Wildcats!
Early School Release Information, Friday, January 10, 2020:
Due to the enhanced forecast of tornadoes and extreme weather, which has already begun in Oklahoma, we are releasing at 2:00 pm today.
Car-Rider pick-up at the Elementary will begin at 1:40 pm.
There are no after-school activities today.
Go Wildcats!
Basketball Update #2:
We have decided to move tonight's games vs. Carlisle to tomorrow evening, Saturday, January 11th, at HOME, starting at 5:00 pm with Varsity Girls, followed by Varsity Boys.
Go Wildcats!
Basketball Update, Friday, January 10, 2020:
This evening, we play Carlisle in Big Sandy. We will only play Varsity games this evening.
Varsity Girls will begin at 5:00 pm, immediately followed by Varsity Boys.
Go Wildcats!