News

By: Lauren Barnes Northeast Texas Coalition Against Substance Abuse

The Texas Education Agency announced the schools that have been designated on the Public Education Grant list. The PEG list is one measure the state uses to identify struggling campuses.
Of the more than 8,300 public schools in Texas, 1,532 of them were placed on the current list. The number eclipses the 1,119 schools on last year’s list by more than four hundred.
In 1995, the Texas Legislature created the Public Education Grant (PEG) program (TEC §§29.201 - 29.205). The PEG program permits parents whose children attend schools on the PEG list to request that their children transfer to schools in other districts. A list of PEG-designated schools is provided to districts annually.

The Texas Education
Agency has announced
that nominations and
applications for the 2016
Presidential Awards for
Excellence in
Mathematics and Science
Teaching (PAEMST) are
now being accepted.
Administered by the
National Science
Foundation on the behalf
of the White House
Office of Science and
Technology Policy,
PAEMST is the highest
recognition a mathematics
or science teacher
may receive for outstanding
teaching in the
United States. This year,
the PAEMST program
will honor mathematics
and science teachers in
kindergarten - grade 6.
Teachers may be nominated
for the award or
may sign up to apply
themselves. Principals,
teachers, parents, or
other members of the
general public are
encouraged to nominate
outstanding teachers.
Applicants must meet the

The Daingerfield
Chamber of Commerce
elected officers for the
upcoming year at their first
2016 meeting. They also
set the date for the upcoming
Chamber awards banquet.
After approving the minutes
and financial statement
from the December
meeting, Board President
Rocky announced the
results of the director elections.
Serving one year
terms on the Board of
Directors will be Penni
Connor, Courtney Harris,
Tracey Climer, Keitha
Nilsson, and Rocky
Thomasson. Tolita
Teddleton will serve a one
year term on the board of
diretors. Then, the board
held elections for 2016 officers.
Officers will remain
the same as the previous
year, with Thomasson
being re-elected as
Chamber president.
Nilsson will remain as
vice-president, and Cresta
LeFevre will be returning
as secretary/treasurer.

This week, we will revisit the major events of 205 that occurred in the last half of the year. July After 34 years of service to Hughes Springs Independent School District in various positions, Rick Ogden retired from his post as Superintendent of schools. The District worked rather quickly, naming former Hughes Springs employee Sarah Dildine as Ogden’s replacement. Dildine had previously been employed by HSISD as an assistant junior high principal (where Ogden was her direct supervisor) and as the Director of Curriculum and Technology. Daingerfield High also employed new leadership, following the retirement of principal Larry Miears at the completion of the 2014-2015 school year. Ryan Carroll came to Daingerfield from Foster Middle School, where he served as the assistant principal. Carroll was approached by his good friend Bruce Harris, who teaches fifth grade at Daingerfield’s South Elementary.

Workforce Solutions East Texas announces a reduction in the days of operation at six local Workforce centers. Effective on Jan. 4th, the following Workforce Solutions centers will go from a five day a week schedule, to a split schedule, sharing staff at the centers which are close in proximity: The local offices effected by this change are the Pittsburg and Gilmer offices. The Gilmer office will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Pittsburg office will be open on Thursdays and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board approved these operational changes at its meeting on December 10th in order to balance the budget due to rising facility costs. This realignment of services will allow Workforce Solutions Eat Texas to maintain a presence in all 14 counties.

Former Daingerfield resident and 1979 graduate of Daingerfield High School, Marlene Nesselrode Mezo, received her bachelors of science degree in social work during the 139th annual commencement ceremony held Dec, 19, at Southern Illinois University, located in Carbondale, Illinois. While at SIU, Marlene worked in the Non- Traditional Student Services Office and completed her practicum in the university’s Center for Inclusive Excellence. To continue reading this article, purchase the December 31st edition of the Steel Country Bee, or go to our online e-edition at: http://www.etypeservices.com/Daingerfield%20BeeID312/default.aspx

Many people make New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, exercise more, and be healthier. The “First Day Hike” at the Daingerfield State Park can offer a jumpstart on those resolutions. The purpose of the hike is to help those who want to start the New Year off on the right foot, so to speak. It offers a crisp, fresh start to the year, with a two-mile hike around Lake Daingerfield. The hike is open to anyone who is physically able to walk the trail. The hike will begin at the trailhead, and will be led by a Park Ranger. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, and to bring bottled water and a buddy

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there are currently bans on fish consumption from two popular area fishing holes. Although both bans are over ten years old, there has been no written notice rescinding the orders, so fisherman should be wary when consuming fish from Daingerfield Lake and Ellison Creek Reservoir. The advisory for Lake Daingerfield, located in Daingerfield State Park, affects only the largemouth bass in the area. In 2002, largemouth bass from the lake indicated the presence of mercury “at levels that may pose a threat to human health if consumed,” according to the notice posted on the Texas Department of State Health Services website. The advisory suggests that adults limit consumption of largemouth bass from Lake Daingerfield to two eightounce meals per month. Children should eat no more than two four-ounce meals per month of largemouth bass from that lake.

(StatePoint) Millions of Americans will make the resolution this New Year to lose weight. But goal setting is the easy part. Staying on the weight loss track and maintaining that weight loss is where the challenges begin. Here are 10 tips to help you stick with your weight loss resolution this New Year and beyond. • Drink up: Hunger and thirst can often be confused, so stay hydrated. But remember, beverages are not a place to splurge on a ton of calories. Drink water. For a flavor boost, add fresh fruit slices or mint leaves. • Snack mindfully: It is all too easy to derail an otherwise flawless diet by binging at snack time. Be mindful of your snacks, and make sure they offer nutritional value and are designed to keep you satisfied until your next meal. • Sleep: Studies show a link between sleep deprivation and excess pounds. While there are many theories as to why this is, at the very least, getting enough sleep will promote clearheaded, healthful choices throughout the day.