The Springtown Epigraph

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Thursday, May 1, 2014

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SHS duo qualifies for state track meet after regional in Lubbock

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For the love of Siri

Volume 51, Number 02

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Springtown, Texas 76082

McPherson named new SHS principal BY NATALIE GENTRY consistently walks the halls getting to The Springtown Independent School know the students, and better identifyDistrict (SISD) board of Trustees has ing areas where teachers can improve, selected Scott McPherson as the new while setting the tone for practices to be emulated throughout the building,” Springtown High School principal. “We had an outstanding group of he said. “I am willing to make tough applicants from several states, and decisions associated with addressing narrowed the fi eld to around a dozen campus and student needs. “This requires meeting problems current administrators during early March,” said SISD Superintendent, head on with a positive attitude,” Mike Kelley. “I made my recommen- McPherson continued. “When hiring dation after several months of weigh- new staff, I will go to great efforts to ing options and only after securing a hire educators that align best with the lot of input from some people I have vision of the school and have the student’s best interest at heart.” great trust and confidence in. He noted that in an age where tech“I asked a district-level team to meet the diffi cult challenge of narrowing nology is at the forefront of most isour fi eld from fi ve applicants to only sues the most important element in two and a team of campus-level lead- education is still the people. ers conducted the two fi nal interviews “The human factor will be an exlast week,” Kelley continued. “Their tremely important factor to continue producing a quality school,” McPherfeedback led us to Mr. McPherson.” After visiting with applicants from son said. “How we smile, say hello, several states and schools of all sizes, and engage in conversations all are the district ended up selecting a leader important factors in setting a positive who has been a part of the community tone. “As principal of SHS, I will build for more than 20 years. “Being selected as principal of a vision based on student need, as Springtown High School ranks as well the implementation of the newly one of the top opportunities an edu- formed House Bill 5,” he continued. cator can desire.” McPherson said. “I will lead a learning community by “Having the opportunity to lead such utilizing data, and monitoring curricua quality school promises to give me lum and instruction.” It is McPherson’s goal to create a the challenge of leading top educators and students into areas we have only positive culture by establishing high expectations and adhering to a pracdreamed of previously.” McPherson is a hands-on adminis- tice of respect and positive attitudes trator who will be very visible to fac- by all. “Students and faculty will be held ulty and students alike. “I will be the type of principal that PLEASE SEE PRINCIPAL, PAGE 3A.

She’s making a ‘bald’ statement Springtown woman shaving head in support of cancer awareness BY NATALIE GENTRY By this time next week, Springtown resident Heather Williams will be bald. She is participating in the Fifth Annual One Mission Kid’s Cancer BuzzOff this Sunday, May 4 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This is the fi rst year the foundation will host an event in Texas and more than 180 “buzzees” have registered. One Mission is an organization founded by Ari and Ashley Haseotes, parents of a child who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia at 7 months old but today is cancer-free. One of the most devastating occurrences for cancer patients – besides the initial diagnosis – is the loss of their hair as a result of chemotherapy. The Buzz-off lets patients know of the legions of support felt by the buzzees.

Workers roll up sections of the deteriorating turf at Porcupine Stadium April 29.

Photo by Mark K. Campbell

Field turf going long (gone) Company replacing stadium surface BY MARK K. CAMPBELL They tried to save it – removing rubber pellets, exposing more fi bers, and even dousing it in “sunscreen” last summer. But the artifi cial turf covering the Porcupine Stadium gridiron is now officially dead.

It’s being replaced. Free, since it’s under warranty. Springtown ISD superintendent Mike Kelley said the process to fi x the field has been amicable. “The company – FieldTurf – replacing the turf at our stadium has been very good to us,” he said.

That’s despite FieldTurf being involved in a lawsuit with the manufacturer of the fi bers that make up the fake grass. Kelley said he was initially concerned that drawn-out litigation might PLEASE SEE COMPANY, PAGE 2A.

Couple leaves child in car outside Reno bar BY NATALIE GENTRY An Azle couple was arrested outside a bar in Reno on Friday, April 18 for leaving their 12-year-old son in the car while they were inside. According to Parker County Jail records, both Brandon Matthew Murphy, 35, and Tracy Jane Murphy, 33, of Azle, were arrested on charges of abandoning or endangering a child and public intoxication. While completing a security check of the 11200 block of FM 730 around 11:30 p.m., a Reno police offi cer found a boy sitting in the driver’s seat of a PT Cruiser parked outside the bar. Tracy Jane Murphy According to police, the

boy told the offi cer he had been left outside for about 30 minutes while his parents were inside. The arresting offi cer wrote in the complaint Brandon Matthew Murphy that when the boy’s parPhotos courtesy of the Parker County Jail ents emerged from the bar, they showed signs of intoxication including smelling of alcohol, staggering while walking, and slurring their speech. While Brandon Murphy told police a family member was supposed to give the family a ride, Tracy Murphy admitted that the couple had intended to drive themselves home. Both parents were arrested, and the boy was released to a family member. Brandon and Tracy Murphy both posted $5,500 bonds and were released from the Parker County Jail the following morning.

“I’m super excited to go bald to show my support for these kids, but I’m also a little nervous because I will be bald,” Williams said with a laugh. “But I know how thankful I would be if someone would do something like this to help me or my children.” In the four previous years the BuzzOff events have raised nearly $2 million to help provide hope, support, and care to over 2,000 pediatric cancer patients and their parents, explains the organizations website at www.buzzforkids.org. This year’s goal is to raise an additional $1.6 million. Williams decided to participate in the Buzz-Off this year in remembrance of her mother, who died of leukemia in 2010. “I’m so proud to do this to honor my mom and to help the kids and families who are fi ghting cancer now,” Williams said. “I’m also buzzing for Collin Christian, whom I’ve known since he was born 13 years ago, and prayed for since his diagnosis of leukemia in March of 2011.” The One Mission Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off is an event where – just like many other charity fundraisers – buzzees raise money by asking family and friends to sponsor their participation in return for their promise to shave their heads. Proceeds from the Dallas BuzzOff will benefi t programs at the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas to help ease the fi nancial and emotional burden of all those affected by pediatric cancer. To donate to Heather’s fundraising efforts, visit her personal Heather Williams, of Springtown, will shave her head this Buzz-Off webpage here: http:// Crew members from the Springtown Parks, Roads, and Maintenance Departments worked to erect a Saturday at the Fifth Annual One m y. e 2 r m . c o m / P e r s o n a l P a g e . new limestone sign in front of the War Memorial. City offi cials wanted to ensure that the stone is in Mission Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off. aspx?registrationID=2198037. place in time for the annual Memorial Day program scheduled for 9 a.m. May 24. Photo by Natalie Gentry

Set in Stone

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