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Thursday, February 19, 2015
www .spring town-epigr
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SHS duo qualifies for state wrestling tourney Page 6A
Volume 51, Number 44
Honoring the ‘Greatest’ Page 1B
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
SHS evacuated after suspicious device found Homemade fireworks-stuffed tube discovered in boys’ bathroom By Natalie Gentry Students at Springtown High School were evacuated at approximately noon Feb. 17 once Assistant Principal Kirt Shaw was notified of an unusual object in one of the boys’ restrooms. SISD Superintendent Mike Kelley said, “A student told Mr. Shaw there was something that looked like fireworks in the restroom.” After the discovery, administrators decided it was in everyone’s best interest to evacuate the school while a search was conducted. The object in question turned out to be homemade fireworks constructed with a paper towel roll and duct tape. K-9 units specializing in explosives detection were brought in by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives (ATF) as well as by Black Creek K-9 Services. The SISD had secured Black Creek’s services at the beginning of the school year for just such emergencies. The search revealed that no other Dance students and their adult “shadows” practice during a Joyful Movements class: (l-r) R.J. Clark, Art Price, Kennedy Reed, Ailisha Klaudt, Ansley Hornton, Sharae Womack, Savannah Daniels, and devices were present. Photo by Natalie Gentry Students were allowed back into the Brie Heimlich. school at approximately 1:30 p.m. While the search was in progress, several students came forward with information about the incident. The combination of accounts and video footage led administrators to identify the student responsible for the device. The student quickly acknowledged he brought the fireworks onto campus. District administration is working with the Springtown Police Department By Natalie Gentry students made a big impact at the loves not being in her chair.” to take appropriate actions in the case. The Upsee kits include a harness for Dance is the only art in which we event. “At the recital everyone was so sur- the child, which is attached to a belt ourselves are the stuff of which it’s made. – Ted Shawn prised,” Clark said. “We heard people worn by an adult to allow the child to saying things like ‘that was awesome,’ stand up. In addition, specially-engineered Dance is a fantastic form of self-ex- it was wonderful. The kids have besandals allow the adult and child to pression, exercise, and creativity, and come ambassadors of sorts.” Calla Daniels, the step simultaneously, many instructors will argue that the art mother of another stuleaving their hands form is basic to learning. free for other tasks, In fact, according to Dr. Reuven dent, Savannah, added such as playing or Feurstein – a world-renowned cog- that the pride the childancing. nitive psychologist, known for his dren felt at the recital “It was just a blessgroundbreaking research in cognitive was clearly evident. “They are so proud ing when we were modifiability – dance and the “Mindable to purchase a Body approach advocates activating of themselves at the couple of the Upthe body in order to more readily ac- recitals,” Daniels said. Ailisha Klaudt “You can see it in their sees,” Klaudt said. cess and focus the mind.” Class creator “When we found out The Joyful Movement dance class faces.” While the recitals about them, we just at Foot Works Performing Arts Center in Weatherford embraces this concept. are exciting for everyone, the parents knew we wanted to get a few.” The class meets on Fridays at 4:30 The idea that dance helps children all noted that simply interacting with interact with, learn from, and contrib- other kids has been the most impactful p.m. and typically lasts about an element of the class. hour. ute to the world around them. “The social interaction is so imporDuring that time, the instructors, stuThe class is designed for dance students with special needs and encour- tant,” said Leslie Price, mother of Joy- dents, and volunteer shadows stretch, ages them to participate at their own ful Movement student Kennedy Reed. work on body movements, and dance Robyn Horton agreed. to the routines. ability level. “Ansley (Horton’s daughter) gets “My work week ends with seeClass creator Ailisha Klaudt said the idea for the class came to her not long so much from being with the other ing them every Friday,” Klaudt said. kids,” she said. “The socialization is “These kids mean the world to me. I after she joined the studio. “I realized that there was not a pro- so important for her. She comes from love them just as they were my own.” “This program is a blessing,” she gram for these kids in the area after a small school where she is the only continued. “And God continues to do I had done some research.” Klaudt special needs child. “And the parents have been wonder- great things through us and the chilsaid “I suggested the class to Whitney ful for me as well.” dren.” Moore, the owner of the studio, and Price and Horton also praised For more information call Klaudt she told me to run with it.” Klaudt and class instructor Sharae at 678-232-4576 or email her at alAnd run with it she did. The class began in March of 2014, Womack for the addition of the Upsee lyklaudt@gmail.com. and by that summer the students were harnesses for their wheelchair- bound daughters. When you dance, your purpose is ready for their first recital. “I’ve never seen Ansley get so ex- not to get to a certain place on the Springtown resident Teal Clark – whose son R.J. is the lone boy in the cited as she has since we’ve gotten the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the – Wayne Dyer class – said that the Joyful Movement Upsees,” Horton said. “She absolutely way.
Special needs dance class a joy for everyone
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This
program is a blessing.
SHS Assistant Principal Kirt Shaw (left) walks through the hallways of the high school with Adam Black from Black Creek K-9 services after the building had been cleared. Photo by Natalie Gentry
City notifies residents of TCEQ violation It’s a quantity, not quality issue By Natalie Gentry Springtown residents received a letter dated Feb. 6 regarding a violation of the lead and copper monitoring as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). However, according to City Administrator Doug Hughes, the notice regards the frequency of water testing, not the quality of water. The letters, required by TCEQ, stated Springtown did not complete mandatory lead and copper testing between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2014. Hughes said during that time the
city’s contact operator did not conduct all required sampling. “We failed to take the appropriate lead and copper samples during the time frame,” Hughes said. “On Sept. 30 of 2014 we only sampled 10 locations instead of 20.” Historically, samples collected by the city have met or exceeded TCEQ water quality standards. “We will resolve this issue by collecting the required samples this summer,” Hughes said. Springtown is expected to return to compliance this year as soon as the results are reported to TCEQ.
VFD: A work of heart By Natalie Gentry assault. Felony convictions are another nonThe Parker County Emergency Services District is a blending of full-time starter. Once an applicant has been acceptpaid personnel and volunteers. ed as a volunteer, they are placed on a six month probation period. Willing to work “During this time they have to finAlthough the ESD rosters are curish the introductory training module,” rently robust, individuals interested in volunteering are always encouraged Pruitt said. This introductory period allows to fill out an application. In order to become a volunteer fire- each individual to become familiar fighter with the ESD, certain require- with the ESD’s procedures and equipment. ments must be met. Applications are available online at Applicants must be 18-year-old or older and in acceptable physical condition. “We prefer they be out of school,” Captain David Pruitt said. “Although a couple of departments offer a Junior Firefighter Program.” To participate in these programs students must maintain grades, stay out of trouble, and adhere to a curfew. A criminal background check is run on each volunteer applicant as well. Volunteer Fireman’s InsurThe ESD does not accept applicants ance Services of Texas with a history of theft, indecency, or
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Seventyeight percent of Texas firefighters are volunteers.
www.pcesd1.com/membership Road to certification In order to keep the volunteer’s training up to speed and ensure everyone’s safety each volunteer is required to work approximately 30 hours a month in order to stay an active member of the organization. This requirement also ensures $3,000-5,000 worth of equipment issued to each man or woman is being used. “We typically have other people interested,” said Pruitt. “If a volunteer isn’t going to be an active member, we can use that gear elsewhere.” The ESD ensures its volunteers stay up-to-date with free training funded by state grants filed with the forestry service. “The training through the state firefighters’ and fire marshals’ association helps our volunteers receive enough training to challenge the state test to become a certified firefighter,” Pruitt PLEASE SEE PC, PAGE 2A.
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