409-296-BANK
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Volume 31, Issue 51
Area
50 cents
Merry Christmas From All of Us at The Hometown Press M a r c h i n g B a n d EC Trustees Reorganize Board
EC administrative assistant Christy Ridgaway(left) performs the swearing in ceremony to (from left to right, hands raised) Frank Abalos, Kelly Touchet, Taylor Wilcox, and Charlotte Edwards during the last EC ISD Board of Trustees meeting
  The Buccaneer Band competed in the UIL Area C marching contest at Longview HS. The EC band came out 8th in Area competition and made the Area Finalist. Drum
majors Gracie Moore and Harley Villejoin along with Senior Colorguard captain Juana Alvarez pictured with their UIL Awards!
More Educational Grants Awarded
These EC High School teachers, administrators, and EC Education Foundation members pose for a picture with certificates for their respective grants.
Wade Thibodeaux  The East Chambers ISD Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:00 pm. in the Administration Building located at 216 Champions Loop in Winnie, Texas. One of the first items of business was the swearing in of the newly elected and re elected board members. Frank Abalos, Kelly Touchet, Charlotte Edwards, and Taylor Wilcox were sworn in as trustees for the next four years. The board then reorganized with Scott Jones being elected President, Lisa Bauer was selected as Vice President,
and Taylor Wilcox was chosen as Secretary of the Board. The board had many items on the agenda and some of the highlights are the enrollment numbers holding steady at 1521. This represents literally no growth for the District as the Covid-19 situation has caused some shifting in the patterns of children and where they are attending school. The announcement was made that beginning with the return to school on January 5, 2021, remote instruction options would be ending and face to face instruction would be required for all students. The school has
sent information to the parents of the students and any questions should be directed to the administration. Another item that was discussed and approved was the issuance of maintenance tax notes to finance the rehabilitation of the restrooms and the entrance to the High School. The notes would be for $1.5 Million for a duration of 10 years at an interest rate of 1.42%. This influx of money would be used to completely renovate the restrooms at the High School with construction occurring this Summer and to install a covered drop off area in the front of the High
School. The new entrance would have a secure airlock compartment and the parking lot would be renovated to be concrete with a raised area in the drop off portion to allow for handicap access at the building floor level. The meeting contained a 54 minute executive session to receive the safety and security audit as well as discussions with the District's attorney. The next regular meeting of the East Chambers Board of Trustees will be Monday, January 11, 2021 at 6:00 pm. in the Administration Building located at 216 Champions Loop in Winnie, Texas.
Maryilyn Green, President of the organization along with the other officers and members of our W-S community are focused on positive action in our
community. Our mission is to improve the well being, educational, social equalities, and rights for our children and our community, by maintaining positive and strong engaging efforts. Since the organization establishment in July 2020, we have held multiple food drives, a school supply drive.., and assisted our neighbors to the east of us after devastating hurricanes. We are still on the move while using COVID--19 safety guidelines to protect everyone! WSPAC presented the donated Christmas gifts to Amy Stewart with the Arboretum in Winnie. With the proceeds (contd on page 3)
Winnie-Stowell Positive Action Committee Christmas Blessings
EC Junior High teachers, administrators, and EC Education Foundation members were proud of their grants awarded this year. Wade Thibodeaux   The East Chambers Education Foundation presented their annual prize party last week to the four campuses of the EC ISD. Even with limited fundraising opportunities this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, the foundation was able to award $41,752.00 for 19 grants throughout the District. The Primary Campus received four grants totalling $10,066.00 while the Elementary School received two grants worth $9,819.00. One of the Elementary grants was for a book vending machine in which students were able to earn tokens and then could use those tokens in the vending machine to "Purchase" a book just like they would have selected a bag of chips from a traditional
vending machine. The Junior High School was awarded six grants totalling $11,015.00 and the High School was awarded six grants totalling $10,852.00. One of the High School grants was a chance for students to experience what it feels like to go skydiving. Of course, math and physics will be involved as the students calculate wind force versus body mass and other measurements related to their own personal flight experience. The East Chambers Education Foundation has provided these grants for several years and it gives the teachers an extra edge as they work to provide education to the students in a fun filled environment. Congratulations to all those who received grants this year.
Wade Thibodeaux  The Winnie-Stowell Positive Action Committee-WSPAC, is still on the move with the help of anonymous
CONFIDENCE
donors and hard work by the group; bringing lots of love, joy and cheer to our community this Christmas/Holiday season.