Opinion

As our students return to the classroom, and with COVID-19 cases on the rise, my office has received numerous calls from parents requesting that the STAAR test not be used as a factor when determining academic promotion. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) worked with the Legislature to reduce the high-level nature of the test, instead opting to use the STAAR as a diagnostic tool to determine student’s academic standing. I am hopeful TEA will follow the same course of action in order to fairly assess the work of Texas students without punishing them for circumstances out of their control.

As we approach the month of September, I hope all of my fellow sportsmen and women are preparing for the start of dove season. That being said, I recommend taking advantage of and downloading the new Texas Parks & Wildlife Department app, Texas Outdoor Annual. This smartphone application allows you to purchase your license online, access information on hunting season dates and bag limits for each county, view game tagging instructions, and even provides a link to report your hunt harvest. For more information, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website at www.tpwd.texas.gov.

Illness and vaccines are on my mind. As a long-time school employee, I knew Texas required enrolling students to have received vaccinations for Diphtheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis, Polio, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Varicella. I never thought much about such requirements. I just thought we all agreed on wanting the children and general population healthy.

On August 19, the Texas House officially reached a quorum. With the required number of members now present to conduct business, committees can start meeting in committee to consider the critical items on Governor Abbott’s agenda. I look forward to taking swift action on items such as election integrity, bail reform, border security, and property tax reform so that members can get back home to hear from constituents.

Have you and your family received the COVID inoculation? Please, please reconsider... do this for yourself, do this for your family, do this for your neighbor, do this for your community...

For most East Texas school districts, a new school year has either just begun or is about to. Last year was as trying as any in recent history, particularly for our school teachers, faculty, and administrators. They deserve our utmost respect and appreciation, as they have worked tirelessly over the summer to prepare for our children to return to the classroom. Please don’t forget to thank our educators and administrators for all they do to prepare our students for a bright future.

I hope you recall that Musings now appears on behalf of both Madison County Museum and Madison County Historical Commission. The latter is aiming at publishing Volume 3 of Madison County History. To do so, we need stories from you. You may send by email to stories@madionchc.com or paper copies to Madison County Historical Commission, 101 N. Madison, #64, Madisonville, TX 77864.

On August 2, 1832, Texas settlers refused to surrender their arms to the Mexican Army in Nacogdoches, escalating into The Battle of Nacogdoches, which is often referred to as the opening salvo of the Texas Revolution. James Bowie marched with the Texian Militia and initialed a siege on the Mexican Garrison, eventually capturing the Old Stone Fort and other vital locations. The Mexican soldiers attempted to retreat to San Antonio, but a detachment of mounted Texians, including Bowie, ambushed them the next day after a running fight along the Angelina River. The Mexican battalion lost forty-seven men, and three Texans were killed.

Have you and your family received the COVID inoculation? Please, please reconsider... do this for yourself, do this for your family, do this for your neighbor, do this for your community...