Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 25, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 18, 1998 Page: 1 of 8
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
June 18, 1998
85th Year, No. 25
25 cents
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ICS accreditation status announced
Immaculatc Conception School Principal Sister Helen Rottier, C'SJ, at left, is shown making a presentation of the
Certificate of Accreditation at a recent assembly Being congratulated arc, 1-r, steering committee members,
Martha Gaitan, Christina Maync, and Omclinda Leal, and the school's Pastor, Father Ignacio Luna. ICS was
notified recently by the Texas Catholic Conference Accreditation Commission that the school is accredited for
the next 10 years. Sister Helen stated that it is a great honor for the school to continue its longtime accreditation
status, which has been a symbol of its commitment to excellence in education in Starr County.
ICS accredited status
continued for next 10 years
Immaculate Conception School
was notified recently of their
accreditation status by the lexas
Catholic Conference Accreditation
Commission. Following a visit by
an accreditation team during the
school year, it was confirmed that
the school is accredited for the next
ten years.
I he certificate, displayed in the
front office of the historic building
on Britton Avenue, states "The
Accreditation Commission of the
Texas Catholic Conference certifies
that Immaculate Conception School
in Rio Grande City has fulfilled all
of the requirements for accreditation
and is hereby designated as an
Accredited School."
The formal presentation of the
certificate was made at an end of the
year assembly to the school's Pastor,
Father Ignacio Luna, by Principal
Sister Helen Rottier, CSJ, who
recognized steering committee
members Martha Gaitan, Christina
Mayne, and Omelinda Leal.
Sister Helen stated that it is a
great honor for the school to
continue its longstanding
accreditation status which has been
a symbol of its commitment to
excellence in education. "The
accreditation acknowledges the
dedication and haid work ui the
faculty and staff, as well as the
commitment of the pastor and the
parents of Immaculate Conception
School. It serves as a pledge to
continue the high academic
standards and Christian
environment for all students who
attend the school. I.C.S. will
continue to be an important part of
the community and the Immaculate
Conception Church parish, which
has been such a strong source of
support for the school."
The following commendations
and recommendations were
identified by the Accreditation
Commission as being of primary
importance: Domain I, Philosophy,
"The school's philosophy is clearly
articulated and communicated
within the community." Domain II,
Community, "The school is visible
within the local community through
service projects and local
newspapers. Students actively
participate in liturgies and retreats
as part of the school/parish
com m u n i t y.
Domain III, Governance,
Administration, and Management,
There is collaborative team work
evidenced through long range
planning to address both fiscal and
academic needs. Domain IV,
Instructional Leadership, The
principal's leadership is consultative
and collaborative with the ability to
assess needs first and then respond.
(See ACCREDITED, Page 7)
Commissioners vote to keep
current insurance provider
A' their continued regular
meeting on Friday morning, the
County Commissioners decided
after detailed discussion to renew for
one year with the present provider
of health and dental insurance for
county employees.
Federal/State Programs
Coordinator Elisa Bcas led off the
discussion by telling the
commissioners, "Increases were
brought down to 15 and 10 percent
There were some increases in co-
pay and deductibles."
Precinct One Commissioner Jose
Maria "Chcma" Alvarez contended,
"I feel the employees and county
would be losing money. I don't
know why they're going so high.
The other company has the fault of
requiring only one doctor. For the
first company, it would be an
additional $35 per month for
employee and dependent."
Alvarez insisted, "I'm not
satisfied with either company. I
think something should be worked
out on a reasonable schedule."
Precinct Three Commissioner
Floy Garza suggested, "1 think we
should consider NylCare (the
present provider) for another year. I
think it's wrong to require only one
doctor. I agree with Mr. Alvarez
that we shouldn't go three years."
TXDOT plans Roma
meeting on street conversion
The Texas Department of
Transportation (TXDOT) will
conduct a public meeting to discuss
the proposed conversion of U.S. 83
and Garcia Street in Roma to a one-
way pair system.
The meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, June 24 starting at 6:30
p.m. at the ALAS Campus
Auditorium located on the corner of
Juarez ami Garcia Street in Roma.
The meeting agenda includes the
discussion of the proposed widening
and reconstructing of Garcia Street,
the repaving and restriping of U.S.
83, and converting both into a one-
way pair system.
Roadway improvements will
include a storm drainage system
with curb and gutter. Project
implementation will require
additional right-of-way and
displacement of residents may
occur.
All interested citizens are invited
to attend this meting to express
their views. Accommodations for
persons with special
communication needs will be made
available at the public meting.
For more information, contact
Mr. Mario Jorge, Pharr Area
F.ngineer, at (956) 702 6250.
Beas indicated, "Under the 10
percent, the deductible would go
from $300 to S500." County Judge
J.M. Martinez, Jr., asked, "Would
we be locked into the same rate for
three years?" Bcas replied, "It would
depend on the claims."
Martinez commented, "I'm in
favor of keeping the S300
deductible at 15 percent" A motion
was offered to keep NylCare as the
present health and dental provider
with a 15 percent premium increase
and the same $300 deductible. The
motion passed 3-2 with
Commissioners Eloy Garza and
Abel Gonzalez voting yes and Judge
Martinez casting the tie-breaking
yes vote. Commissioners Alvarez
and Adrian Gonzalez voted to
oppose the motion.
Beas later noted, "We had four
large claims (in the past year). The
county pays 100 percent individuals
(premiums), one-half of family
premiums."
Concerning a drainage project in
the Las Lomas area, Bcas indicated,
"The city wants their engineer to
review the plans of our engineer.
For that reason, the project is
delayed." Commissioner Garza
contended, "I don't feci they've done
anything in that part of the city
(las Lomas)."
Bcas later indicated, "This is part
of the Self-Help Program. Drainage
problems have been severe. To deal
with the problem, we decidcd to
lower the main road. To do that,
(See INSURANCE, Page 6)
Martinez letter requests
disaster declaration
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
recently wrote a letter to the State
Coordinator, Division of
Emergency Management requesting
an emergency disaster declaration
for Starr County due to the extreme
drought and oppressive heat wave.
The last few days have brought
extreme and virtually unprecedented
heat to Starr County. High
temperatures soared past 110
degrees on both Sunday and
Monday afternoons. A bank
thermometer in Rio Grande City
revealed a reading of 116 degrees in
the middle of Monday afternoon.
Thunderstorms began to roll
through the western half of Starr
County late Monday afternoon.
Most of Rio Grande City received
only sprinkles, but up to 3.5 inches
of rain fell in a small, isolated area
northwest of Roma, according to
the McAllen Monitor. The June 16
Monitor also indicated that up to
six inches of rain fell in an isolated
area near Hebbronville.
Shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday
morning, thunderstorms again
visited Starr County, bringing
much thunder and lightning. The
Rio Grande City fire station
registered .37 of an inch of rainfall,
the heaviest rain in the Rio Grande
City area since late February, but
far short of the moisture needed to
bring significant relief from the
drought
Martinez told The Rio Grande
Herald on Tuesday, June 16, "I
would say it is the worst situation
that I have memory of. It is
certainly hotter than 1 can remember
at any other time. The ultimate
remedy would be a good rain. A
disaster declaration would basically
be a bandaid on a severe wound."
Martinez contended, "Rain even
now would be too late for dryland
crops such as corn, milo and
cotton. I feel we'll have a
catastrophic situation if we don't
have significant rain by the end of
August. It (the drought) is
devastating to every aspect of the
economy."
The letter from Judge Martinez to
Tom Milwec, dated June 8, reads as
follows:
"Please let this letter serve as a
formal request for an Emergency
Declaration for Starr County. The
drought that has plagued almost the
entire state has been particularly
hard on the agribusiness in our
county. The severe drought
conditions and the bleak weather
and market forecasts have placed tin:
local farmers and ranchers on the
verge of economic disaster. Dryland
farmers have all but given up any
hopes for a crop this year. Hay
supplies are about to run out Water
storage at Falcon Dam is at an all-
time low and irrigated farming is in
the same predicament as our dryland
farmers. The cattle market is going
down and many ranchers will wind
up bankrupt and out of the business
because they cannot afford to feed
cattle when the cost of feed and the
price of cattle are so out of balance.
"The existing conditions do not
only pose a disastrous threat to the
agribusiness in the area, but also to
the overall economy of Starr
County since the county depends
heavily on agriculture for its
economic stability.
"I would appreciate it if you
would ask the County Committee
for a Damage Assessment Report at
the earliest possible time. I have no
doubt that a DAR by the County
Committee would justify a disaster
declaration for Starr County.
"If this letter looks familiar, it is
because it is almost a carbon copy
of our request two years ago, but
conditions are even worse this
year."
RGCCISD students enjoy
GT summer school classes
Nearly 100 students are enjoying
summer school in the Rio Grande
City school district.
Besides its regular summer
school offerings, the district is also
offering six classes under the Gifted
and Talented Program, directed by
Edna Gonzalez.
Ninety GT students are enrolled
in classes such as computers,
creative writing, art, guitar, science
and math and reading and math,
which is for first-graders only.
The other GT classes are for
students who'll be in grades 1-6.
Classes are held at Ringgold
Elementary School at Fort
Ringgold, said Christopher Bush,
RGCCISD public information
officer.
The GT classes are more for
advancing the students' knowledge
in subjects for fun — such as
guitar — or for accelerated
learning.
The atmosphere is different for
the students, too, than from regular
school
"It's a lot more calmer, a lot
more peaceful," said guitar
instructor Oscar Gonzalez.
Even Ihe instructors feel the
difference.
"We'rereally enjoying it a lot,"
he said. "It's great; it's real
peaceful. No other worries, we're
enjoying it a lot."
The relaxed atmosphere is
conducive to learning, he said.
"We get more things done ITie
kids arc concentrating on just one
area, instead of being spread out
like when there are so many things
happening throughout the year. So
there's a big difference, the kids are
steadier," said Oscar, a 1992
graduate of Rio Grande City High
School.
Oscar, who is an assistant kind
director at Rio High and Ringgold
Middle School during the regular
year, has 13 students, divided into
two classes, on1' with six students
and the other with seven
"They are all beginners," he said.
The students in the guitar class
are shown how to play the musical
instrument from the very basics.
"I basically start them at the top,
with the parts of the guitar, what
are the frets, how to tune the
guitar.
"And then I went on to each
string, its name and how each
string sounds. And then we went
on to chords, playing one finger at
a time, and then to strumming
until we got to play one song on
one chord and then one song on
two chords, and so on until we
finally reached the final product,
which is compleiing a whole
song."
Oscar said the students are now
able to play "Yo Quiero Amigos"
and "Give a I ntle Love" on the
guitar.
The classes are short and students
are given 15 minute breaks.
Though the guitar class is not for
credit, students are checked for
progress.
"We do pick up grades, but they
are not really necessary," the third-
year teacher and Texas A&M-
Kingsville grad said.
How about TAAS testing for
guitars.
"No, 1 don't think so," he said,
chuckling.
Gifted/Talented Summer School Program
Rio Grande City school district first grader Fred Lopez (left) receives help reading some musical notes from
guitar teacher Oscar Gonzalez as part of the Gifted/Talented Dcpt.'s Summer School , < n Some >0 students
are involved in guitar, computers, art, creative writing, reading, science and math this stinimei at Fori Ringgold.
(RGCCISD photo)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 25, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 18, 1998, newspaper, June 18, 1998; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195657/m1/1/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.