March 27, 2018

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DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2018

@universitystar | universitystar.com

Volume 107, Issue 24

Lead-off hitter's consistent numbers are key to team's early success

The future belongs to the youth

THERAPY DOG

SEE MAIN POINT PAGE 5

SEE POLICE PAGE 3

SEE BASEBALL PAGE 7

Local food banks see fewer donations, greater demand By Sawyer Click Assistant News Editor Local food banks report receiving fewer donations despite an increasing amount of food-insecure residents and

students. San Marcos has seen a spike in the number of participating residents in need of food. However, the Hays County Food Bank, San Marcos' primary distributor to food-insecure

residents, has faced a decrease in the amount of both monetary and food donations during the first quarter of 2018, according to Chief Executive Officer Denise Blok. "I think that donations are down

TEXAS STATE PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUTS

across the board for all non-profits," Blok said. "I don't have the exact number, but I estimate that it's at least 15 percent down from last year."

SEE FOOD PAGE 2

Hays County prepares for school shootings By Evelin Garcia News Reporter

Texas State students organized an anti-gun violence protest March 22 as part of a nation-wide movement to end gun violence. TXST #NeverAgain School Walkout brought students and other San Marcos community members to the Fighting Stallions around 10 a.m. in preparation to take the protest to the Hays County Courthouse on the San Marcos square. The crowd grew as students walked out of their Friday morning classes. Protestors chanted “Never again” and “we want change” for about 40 minutes while the crowd prepared to march. Go to universitystar.com for the full story. PHOTO BY GEOFF SLOAN

PR course promotes legalizing medical marijuana By Triston Giesie News Reporter A group of public relations students is hoping to change Texas residents' opinions about medical marijuana use through a campaign class this semester. Medical marijuana became legal in 28 states after California legalized it in 1996, prompting a group of public relations students to choose the topic for their

class' campaign project. Their objective is to garner solidified public support by spreading awareness about medical marijuana. Trenten Spilman, public relations senior and campaign member, said he felt motivated to work on this topic because of the wide variety of ailments or disabilities benefited by medical marijuana. “It can help treat people with epilepsy,

cancer; multiple cases are out there where medical marijuana could help ease the treatment for patients, if only it were available to them,” Spilman said. Spilman also referenced studies that concluded marijuana can have positive effects on people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.

SEE WEED PAGE 2

In response to the Parkland, Florida, school shooting Feb. 14, Hays County officials reminded the community of the Standard Response Protocol training that prepares all students in case of a shooting scenario and other emergencies. Laureen Chernow, Hays County communication manager, posted a press release on the Hays County website after the Parkland shooting to inform parents in the community of the Standard Response Protocol and its practice. The Standard Response Protocol was implemented in 2013 in every public and private school in Hays County. The training is based on the standard protocol of the I Love U Guys Foundation, according to the press release. To improve safety, the foundation has conducted research that allowed them to develop the Standard Response Protocol, a classroom response to any critical incident. The program is designed to ensure all first responders, school authorities and students understand what is being asked of them in any type of dangerous situation, including school shootings. The program is taught once a year in every school in Hays County and at Texas State.

SEE SCHOOL PAGE 2

SMCISD confirms the arrival of Texas State's Teacher Fellows Program By Brittlin Richardson News Reporter The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a program to benefit graduate students seeking real-world experience teaching in a classroom. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously Feb. 19 to implement Texas State's Teacher Fellows Program for the 2018-19 school year. The graduate program will give students a mentored classroom experience. The 15-month Teacher Fellows Program grants students pursuing their master's in education the opportunity to maintain a classroom and facilitate student learning. An exchange teacher in the district will mentor the student

One of the locations where Texas State student teachers will be able to teach in real classrooms. PHOTO BY CHELSEA YOHN

teachers. The program currently operates in Round Rock ISD, Hays ISD and Leander ISD. The program pays for all tuition and fees for the program, totaling 36 credit

hours. An $18,000 stipend is included, as well as the opportunity to receive health insurance through the Student Health Center. Willie Watson Jr., San Marcos CISD's

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assistant superintendent for human resources, presented the program to the Board of Trustees. Watson said Michael Cardona, San Marcos CISD's superintendent, has put an emphasis on furthering the connection between San Marcos CISD and Texas State. Currently, three fellows have been selected for the 2018 school year. "It's another great opportunity to strengthen our partnership with Texas State," Watson said. "This is a win-win for both organizations. We'll be able to have some embedded first-rate, firstclass professional development support for our three fellows. That level of support we just can't offer to our regular teachers."

SEE PROGRAM PAGE 2


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