Over the last two weeks, we’ve had several businesses and community members donate to our students and teachers. We’ve received school supplies, items for our seniors and back to school teacher gifts! We are so excited about what this year holds and just want to say thank you!
Thank you to Mrs. Theresa Crosby, Shelby Frazier with Canyon Moon Photography, 515 Nutrition, Katrina Wright with American Real Estate, Mrs. Sandra Holcomb, and Mr. Pete Baker. Your kindness and thoughtfulness will not be forgotten! #PiratePride
Good Luck to the State Champion Forestry Team they started national competition today.
Strong Start 2021
Return to Learn and Continuity of Services Plan
The conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually evolving, therefore the District’s Return to Learn and Continuity of Services Plan will be constantly evaluated and adapted as needed. Key points are included below. To review the entire detailed plan, please visit the District website at.
1. Spurger ISD will abide by all current Texas Governor Orders and guidance provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Currently Texas is under Executive Order GA-36 issued on 5/18/21, which prohibits governmental entities and officials from mandating face coverings. Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear masks or face coverings but are not required to do so.
2. Spurger will continue to implement infection control measures including, but not limited to, frequent cleaning and increased sanitation measures by custodians/transportation/maintenance staff, student/staff access to disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer throughout the school day, use of air scrubbers in campus buildings, social distancing when possible, use of personal water bottles versus water fountains, etc.
3. Students and staff are expected to self-screen for COVID and other contagious illnesses each morning before coming onto campus. If sick or experiencing symptoms, students and staff should notify their appropriate campus, remain home and/or seek medical care. The District will continue to implement isolation and sanitization protocols for student and staff who become sick or experience symptoms at school.
4. Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID will follow District protocols for isolation as indicated on the back of this letter. The District will notify individuals determined to be in “close contact” with confirmed cases, however quarantining for close contact is no longer required. Parents/Guardians/Staff have the option to quarantine for close contact if they choose to do so.
5. As of the end of the Texas Legislative Session on May 31, 2021, the Texas Legislature has not approved funding for remote learning of any kind. Therefore remote learning options will NOT be offered at Spurger ISD for the 2021-2022 school year.
6. As the Texas Legislature did not provide funding for remote learning, students who must isolate due to confirmed COVID or who choose to quarantine for close contact, will be considered “absent” from school and must comply with District procedures for missed instruction and make-up work. While considered an excused absence, state compulsory attendance guidelines must still be met for credit and grade-level promotion.
7. Staff members who must isolate due to confirmed COVID or who choose to quarantine for close contact will use state and/or local leave days as designated by the District.
8. Spurger ISD will start the year restricting visitor access during the school day to only those essential for school operations. As the year progresses, we are hoping to be able to remove restrictions and begin providing limited access for special activities and events on the campuses during the school day.
9. Students who ride the bus will be picked up/dropped off at their designated location only. No other students will be allowed to ride the bus to and from school (i.e. friends going home with another student, etc.)
Please feel free to contact the appropriate campus administrator if you have any additional questions or concerns after reviewing the detailed District Strong Start Plan for 2021-2022 on the District website.
Please take note of some of the procedural changes for the High School. We can’t wait to see you all!
Spurger Elementary will be open for Meet the Teachers on Friday, August 6th, from 1-3.
Here's another familiar face! Welcome aboard Mr. Caleb LeBouef! He will be teaching our chemistry and physics classes. He shares, “I returned to my hometown of Spurger a few years ago with my wife and our dog Beaux. 2020 was a difficult year but I consider myself blessed because it was last year that my wife and I welcomed our daughter Charlotte to our family. During my time at Spurger High School, I have worked as a paraprofessional and coach. I am excited to begin my teaching journey at my alma mater, and look forward to a great year.”
Welcome aboard Mrs. Tracy Graves! Mrs. Graves will be teaching our JH history classes! She writes, "I am a graduate of Lamar University and have been teaching for over 20 years. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 28 years and together we have raised two amazing children. I love to travel, read and convince students that history is fun!" We are so happy to have you!
Check out the school supply list for the JH/HS. If a class isn't listed, they will receive their list during the first week of school! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pk1W0Mm0Z7kCCXmOiFIxNeNiAAWptS3JUqr-UyRk-70/edit?usp=sharing
Please take note of the updated dress code for the 21-22 school year.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q02O_6vpZe8kt13YIfKrFZVAzS7yBXtS/view?usp=sharing
Ahoy!! Welcome to Ms. Pamela Carpenter! Ms. Carpenter joins us at the JH and will be teaching 7th grade math and will provide some of our STAAR support! Ms. Carpenter states, "I’ve worn many hats during my 22+ years in education, and have had the opportunity to teach in several content areas across a number of grade levels. Regardless of my role, my goal has always remained the same – to connect with my students and help them realize their full potential as life-long learners. I’m excited to be a part of the Spurger ISD team, and I look forward to building positive relationships in the classroom, the district, and the community." Welcome aboard!
Next on our is list of new crew members is someone that may look a little familiar to you! Welcome aboard Mrs. Amy Shumake! We are excited to have her in our ELA dept at the junior high. Here is what Mrs. Shumake shares, "My life is full and blessed with 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren (and one on the way!!). I have taught reading for 22 years, and I am excited to return to Spurger ISD to continue teaching reading to great kids. I’m looking forward to 2021-2022!" Help me welcome Mrs. Shumake!
We are so excited here at Spurger High School! We are getting a few new faces joining our Pirate Crew and we will be introducing them to you throughout the next few weeks! I'd like to start with introducing you to Mrs. Chesney Wright. She will be joining us to teach our business/financial math classes here at Spurger High School. She writes, "My name is Chesney Wright and I have been a teacher for 8 years. I am a wife and a mother to two teenage daughters. Prior to teaching I was an accountant, but I always had a desire to teach since I was a little girl. I love to cook, paint, work in my yard, Bible journaling, and am always looking for a reason to use my glue gun or glitter something! I love Elvis, Jimmy Buffett, music from the 70s and 80s, old movies, the ID Channel, Christmas and dogs! I am a sinner saved by God's grace and a proud Texan. Also, I am so excited to be a part of the Spurger Pirate Family and am looking forward to this new journey!" Please help me welcome Mrs. Wright to our crew!
The 21-22 school year is upon us! Spurger JH/HS running start will be held on August 6th, so please make plans to attend. Also, please make sure you complete your online registration before you attend on this day to help things run more smoothly. We look forward to seeing you there!
Spurger ISD will be hosting a Substitute Teacher Class on July 27, 2021 from 9:00-12:00 in the Joseph Fisher Media Center. This class will certify you to be able to substitute at Spurger ISD. Please contact Cheryl Spangler at 409-429-3464 ext. 2230 if you are interested in attending.
Jr. High and HS cheerleaders finished their week of cheer camp. :)
Parents and Families: The application for P-EBT benefits is now open until Aug. 13. P-EBT provides food
benefits to families with eligible children who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price meals
during the 2020–21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information:
website: hhs.texas.gov/pebt
Phone #: 833-442-1255
View 2021-22 School Supply lists at the Spurger Elementary Page. https://www.spurgerisd.org/page/elementary
The full list of supplies for all Elementary can be found at the link above or the following direct link.
https://5il.co/tl6x
Congratulations to our big attendance winners!! Three winners either received a TV or one of two Nintendo Switches for having perfect attendance for the 4th nine week cycle!! Door prizes were given for attending today, and one lucky winner won a 42 inch smart TV. Multiple other prizes were given during the drawing as well. 😊
And that's a wrap!!! Elementary students enjoyed their Summer Bash, as they eagerly awaited for the final bell of the year to ring. We hope you all have a fun and safe summer. Thanks for a great year. We love you all! 😊
The Spurger Pirate Class of 21, along with Elementary classes, posed for pictures today. Sign Gypsies from Jasper set up the beautiful yard sign for our district. 😊
