ALL HEAR THIS!!!IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Starting on August 1, 2009 all club enrollment (member, manager, & volunteer) will be done online using the "4-H Connect" Management System. Membership forms will no longer be necessary unless the member, manager or volunteer does not have access to the internet.

This system is fairly self explanatory and is generally easy to navigate. All club managers are encouraged to attend the PALS meeting where they will have the opportunity to familiarize them selves with the system.

Every family should download and print the 6 Page system manual for reference in accomplishing their enrollment for the 2009-2010 4-H Year. Select the link below to download the manual.

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/4hconnect/4H_CONNECT_For_New_Families_3_09.pdf

2010 State Goat Validation for Major Shows

Be aware that State Goat/Lamb validation tag orders are due to the county extension office August 28th.


This means that if you are planning to show a goat in Houston, Ft. Worth, San Angelo, etc... then you need to contact the County 4-H Office to request the appropriate number of tags.

Each tag will cost $7.00.

Late tags will be available for order until October 22nd at a cost of $10.00 per tag. No orders will be taken after this date

Gardening and Canning Workshop

If you, or someone you know is interested in growing your own groceries and/or canning fruits fresh fruits and vegetables then we have the Lunch-N-Learn Workshop for you.

---Admission is free to the public ---

Please contact Rene McCracken
or Wendi Green for more information at (903) 683-5416.

Cherokee County Vet. Science Program

Anyone interested in enrolling in the Cherokee County Vet Science Program???

Their will be a Program Orientation held on June 2nd at 6PM in the Cherokee County Extension Office in Rusk.

For more information contact, Willie Arnwine at (903) 683-5416 or via email at wrarnwine@ag.tamu.edu.

PALS MEETING

THE CHEROKEE COUNTY PARENT AND ADULT LEADERS ASSOCIATION will meet in the Community Room of the Cherokee County Electric Co-Op Building on May 20th at 6 PM.

Some of what's on the agenda,

1. Concession Stand Up-date.
2. Possible future fund-raisers.
3. Summer Club Officer Trip and Training
4. State 4-H Roundup.
5. SHOOTING SPORTS PROGRAM KICKOFF!!
6. Science Camp Support?

4-H Summer Camps

As you all know, 4-H offers something for everyone and it's summer camp facility in Brownwood, Texas is no different. Please follow the link below to see a whole smorgasbord of camping opportunities for just about every age and interest. These camps are open state-wide so just think about the friends that you can make from just about every region of Texas. If you have any question or desire more personalized information, feel free to call the County 4-H Agent, Willie Arnwine at (903) 683-5416 or send him an email at wrarnwine@ag.tamu.edu.

UPCOMING SUMMER 4-H SUMMER CAMPS

Local Summer Day Camp

Classic 4-H, under the direction of County Extension Agent Rene McCracken, will hold their first annual Summer Day Camp at Shawnee Creek Ranch in Dialville on May 30th. See the flier at the link below. For more information contact Rene McCracken at lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu or via telephone at (903) 683-5416.


CLASSIC 4-H CLUB SUMMER DAY CAMP

Your UIL Eligibility & The County Show Explained

I apologize for the delay in getting this information out but I wanted to make sure that the information was correct before I released it.

As many of you are aware, the timing of this year's show is causing a good bit of concern for some regarding UIL eligibility status. I have finally been able to ascertain a definitive answer on how all of this is going to work. Our situation was only complicated by the facts that schools started earlier this year and spring break has fallen a week later than it usually does.

I have spent the majority of the last two days either reading the online 2008-2009 TEA-UIL Policy Manual or on the phone talking to various representatives of UIL and/or Local School Administrations.

THE FOLLOWING WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM:

THE 2008-2009 School Superintendent's UIL Orientation Package

"A student who receives a grade below 70 at the end of any grading period (after the first six weeks of the school year) in any academic class (other than an advanced class) or a student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) may not participate in the extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks. An ineligible may practice or rehearse, however. The student regains eligibility when the principal and the teachers determine that he or she has: (1) earned a passing grade (70 or above) in all academic classes, other than advanced placement classes, and (2) completed the three weeks of ineligibility and a seven calendar day waiting period. "

Ordinarily this would mean that if your student failed a class as of the end of the 4th six weeks grading period (Feb 20th), then after your child completed three weeks of ineligibility (Mar 13th) and a seven calendar day waiting period (Mar. 20th), then your student could regain eligibility at 3:15 on March 20th, provided that he or she was passing the class in question.

However:

Since spring break is a seven consecutive day school holiday, it will not count as the one week waiting period.

THE FOLLOWING WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM:

THE UIL POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION WEB SITE REGARDING HOLIDAYS found online at: http://www.uil.utexas.edu/policy/holiday_elig_schedule.html (cut and paste this into your browser)

Spring Break example:

Grading period ends Friday, March 13. Students are on holiday from the end of school on the 13th until school resumes Monday, March 23. All students are academically eligible during a school holiday period consisting of at least seven consecutive calendar days. The seven-calendar day grace period begins on Monday, March 23 and the student’s lose/regain eligibility on Monday, March 30 at the time the school day normally ends.

So what does all of this mean?

This means that if your child received a failing grade on his or her report card for the grading period ending on February 20th, then he or she will be ineligible to show during the County Show.

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Willie Arnwine in the County 4-H Office at (903) 683-5416 or you can call the State UIL Policy Director, Bonnie Northcutt in Austin at (512) 471-5883.

County Entomology Contest Registration Extension

The county 4-H Entomology Contest has been rescheduled for March 12th at 6PM here in the County Extension Office. The deadline to enter this contest is set for 5PM on March 5th.

To register, please send an email to the 4-H Agent at wrarnwine@ag.tamu.edu. Please be sure to list the following information in the email:

1. name
2. age (as of 9/1/08)
3. club name
4. Team Name (if competing as a team)

Please check the entomology blog for updated information at http://cherokeebugs.blogspot.com/.


Contact Brenda Rempfer
for more information.

Check your Calendars...

Fashion Show Deadline is fast approaching - February 2, 2009 5PM


For more details:

http://cherokeefashion.blogspot.com/

The Cherokee County Stock Show and Exposition Center has released the information on the 2009 Agriculture Scholarship Application. If you or your child is a graduating senior with two or more years experience as an exhibitor in the Cherokee County Jr. Stock Show, Please check this out.

Mind the Deadline...February 28, 2009

http://cherokee-tx.tamu.edu/publications/Cherokee%20County%20Ag%20Scholarship%20Form.pdf

Shooting Sports Meeting has been Called!!!

Calling ALL parents that have children interested in participating in Shooting Sports. There will be a meeting to dicuss this project, how it will affect the growth of 4H in our county, and to decide on an adult represenative to take the shooting sports course in February.

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND!!!

CHEROKEE COUNTY SHOOTING SPORTS MEETING
JANUARY 26, 2009 @ 7PM

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PALS MEETING

AT THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IN RUSK

Shooting Sports Training in the East Region!!!!

Finally a Shooting Sports Coaches Training Workshop offered in the East Region. Please select the following link for more in formation.

http://cherokee-co.tamu.edu/publications/Flyer&Registration.pdf

The current plan is to offer training in all disciplines of shooting sports; however, this will depend on actual registration numbers.

see the following for hotel accomodations:

A. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Greenville - www.hiexpress.com - (877) 863-4780 - 3 reviews

B. Econo Lodge Inn & Suites - www.econolodge.com - (903) 455-7700 - 7 reviews

C. Super 8 Greenville - www.super8.com - (903) 454-3736 - 9 reviews

D. Quality Inn - www.qualityinn.com - (903) 454-7000 - 5 reviews

E. La Quinta Inn & Suites - 841.lq.com - (903) 454-3700 - 9 reviews

F. Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville, TX - www.hamptoninn.com - (903) 457-9200 - 7 reviews

G. Economy Inn - www.economyinngreenville.com - (903) 455-8808 - 3 reviews

H. Greenville Inn - www.ci.greenville.tx.us - (903) 454-1792 - 4 reviews

I. Motel 6 Greenville, TX - www.motel6.com - (903) 455-0515 - 2 reviews

J. Motel 6 - www.motel6.com - (903) 455-0515 - 1 review

ATTENTION: IMPORTANT POULTRY INFO >>>

FFA AND 4H LEADERS

FOR YEARS PILGRIMS PRIDE HAS GRACIOUSLY DONATED THE CHICKS FOR THE POULTRY CLASS. HOWEVER, IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT PILGRAMS PRIDE IS NOT ABLE TO DONATE THE POULTRY CHICKS FOR THE 2009 CHEROKEE COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW. DUE TO THIS, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $10.00 PER ENTRY WHICH IS DUE PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 1, 2009. IF THIS FEE IS NOT RECEIVED BEFORE THIS DATE, THE CHICKS WILL NOT BE ORDERED FOR THAT EXHIBITOR.

PLEASE MAIL YOUR PAYMENT TO:

CHEROKEE COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW

PO.BOX 705

JACKSONVILLE TEXAS 75766

2009 CHEROKEE COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW CHICK DAY

THIS YEARS CHICK DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2009

LOCATION AND PICK UP TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

WELLS HIGH SCHOOL 9:30 am

ALTO HIGH SCHOOL 10:00 am

RUSK HIGH SCHOOL 10:30 am

JACKSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 11:00 am

NEW SUMMERFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 11:30 am

TROUP HIGH SCHOOL 12:00 pm

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT ME AT 903-589-4616.

THANK YOU,

STEVE HUTSON

2009 SHOW CHAIRMAN

PLEASE READ THE CALENDAR

There have been a few phone calls asking permission to enter various competitions after the entry deadlines have passed. Please note that all entry deadlines were published in the 4-H Calendar. Late entries cause complications and confusion not to mention if allowed they undermine the very purpose of the deadline itself.

Therefore the deadlines have to stand firm. In the past late entries have been permitted....However, from this point forward there will be no late entries of any kind for 4-H county events.

In circumstances that affect the entire county( ice storm, tornado, etc...) the deadlines may be postponed by the project leader, committee, or county agent overseeing the event.

- Willie Arnwine CEA 4-H & Youth Development