Walking the halls
By DR. DEAN MILLER

MAXINE MARX plays Catherine in rehearsals for the UIL one-act play Pippin, a story of family conflict and rivalry between the great leader Charlemagne and his sons.

I cannot believe that it is already February. It seems like we just started this school year, and now we are making plans for graduation. Report cards will be given to students on February 16th. There are only two six weeks left in the school year.

Basketball season is coming to an end. There is not much time left to see Jasper High School students competing in rodeo events. Golf is off to a good start. We have students competing in U.I.L. events. One Act Play rehearsals are going strong. Track, soccer, tennis, and baseball will begin soon. All of our students in academic and sporting events work incredibly hard to compete while doing well in the classroom.

The TAKS test for English Language Arts (ELA) is scheduled for February 20th. This important test for 9th - 11th grade students determines their schedules for next year. Passing the eleventh grade test is required for receiving a high school diploma. Tutorial sessions are scheduled for the eleventh grade students to ensure their readiness. Parents need to stress the importance of doing well.. This session, the Texas Legislature will be discussing if TAKS will continue or should it be changed to End of Course (EOC) exams. If you would like to track legislative bills that affect the schools, you can view prospective bills on the Texas Association of School Administrators' website (www.tasanet.org).

Soon all students except seniors will be choosing classes for next year. We base teacher schedules on course selection by students. We cannot make schedule changes after a certain date in the summer. Please discuss with your child their course selections before they turn in their request.

Students and teachers have plenty of work to do to finish this school year. There is no time to take a break because graduation will be here quicker that you think. We must stay focused.