Poplar Bluff, Missouri - A student wrote a heartfelt essay about her school janitor and won $500 plus an all-expense paid trip for the pair to attend the Missouri High School Football Championship in St. Louis.
Poplar Bluff High School junior Katie Huskey and long-time custodian Jan Ethridge enjoyed the Fort Osage versus Chaminade game together on Saturday, Nov. 28, receiving on-the-field recognition and a behind-the-scenes tour of Edward Jones Dome.
Huskey said she chose Ethridge in the Missouri National Education Association-sponsored writing contest, Teacher Words Matter, because of the custodian’s welcoming smile and positive influence on the lives of cohorts of high schoolers
“It’s not big things that matter. She inspires us to do little things every day,” Huskey said of Ethridge. “Her job title is technically custodian, but that’s not why she comes to work every day.”
Ethridge, who has been employed by the R-I school district for 17 years, explained that students seem to confide in her, so she takes it upon herself to offer them some guidance.
“It’s me being a Christian. This is my training field,” Ethridge stated. “Just saying ‘Hi’ to a child, you would be surprised how it brightens their day.”
Top photo: Katie Huskey (left) is pictured in the counseling office with her inspiration, Jan Ethridge, affectionately known as Miss Jan. Bottom photo: One of ten contest winners, Katie Huskey (second from the right) gets recognized during halftime at the Edward Jones Dome.
Photos and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator of Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors Ava Schaefer with the Positive Office Referral certificate.
This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN at Southwest Elementary in Dexter.
Ava was nominated by her second grade teacher Mrs. Massey and her classmates. She also received a certificate, a golden loop, and a free taco from Taco Bell.
Mrs. Massey said, "Ava is always willing to help me or her peers out! She is a wonderful student."
Ava is the daughter of Adam and Nicole Schaefer.
Congratulations Ava Schaefer!
Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors Haleigh Parish with the Positive Office Referral certificate.
This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN at Southwest Elementary in Dexter.
Haleigh was nominated by her first grade teacher Mrs. Lambert and her classmates. She also received a certificate, a golden loop, and a free taco from Taco Bell.
Mrs. Lambert said, " Haleigh always, always does what she is supposed to do!"
Haleigh is the daughter of Rebecca Yarbrough.
Congratulations Haleigh Parish!
Essex, Missouri - Future Farmers of America at Richland R-1 School District held a toy drive for Toys for Tots during the final week of November and the first two weeks of December prior to their Christmas break.
The entire school, from preschool age students to senior level students were involved and raised 246 toys. The first grade students won with the highest toy to student ratio of 4.5 toys per student.
Jarrod Basler, Richland School FFA Advisor said, "It is fantastic to see the young kids rally around those in need this holiday season. We were able to reach out to multiple families and donate a great deal to the Stoddard County Children's Home. This is a true example of what the holiday season should be about, helping others."
Shown in the photo are members of Richland's FFA posing with some of their 246 toys donated. From left to right back row: Moriah McLard, Gerlynn Grossius, Luke Rhodes, Josh Shidler, Josh Boyet, and Shawn Knox. Front row, from left are: Laura Brown, Emily Blunt, Austin Elledge, Sara Tackett, and Aleena Robbins.
Photo by Megan Cullum / Richland School
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter School Board along with superintendent Mitch Wood met for a scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.
Miss. Irene Huang, State Beta Club President gave a brief speech thanking them for their continued support and shared some of her experiences over the past year as she had served as president.
4. Consent Agenda The (Amended) Consent Agenda was approved: the minutes of the November 17 meeting; the payment of bills, and a budget amendment. Motion carried 6-0.
5. Public Comments
CTA – CTA representative – Mrs. Simmons
Requests to address Board -- none
Correspondence – A thank you note was received from Cathy Sturgeon
Recognition of Guests – Mr. Wood recognized the MS Beta Club and told them how proud he was of how they represented the school and community.
6. Old Business
A. The Board approved MSBA Policies DL, GBCB and KKB that were discussed during the November meeting. Motion carried 6-0
7. New Business
A. The Board approved transfers from Fund One to Fund Two to eliminate any negative balances in Fund Two. Motion carried 6-0.
B. The Board approved the policy agreement with MSBA. Motion carried 6-0.
C. The Board approved a lease with the City of Dexter for the District to use the City’s Baseball field located in Dexter East Park for practices and games. The City and School District have agreed to do some upgrades to the field and split the cost with the City paying 60% and the District paying 40%. Improvements include: grass infield, new dug outs, brick/block façade with netting back stop, revamping bull pens, replacing some fencing and concrete pads around the seating area. Motion carried 6-0
D. The Board approved a resolution honoring Mrs. Peggy Currie who will be retiring on Dec. 18, 2015. Motion carried 6-0
E. The Board elected Nancy Mayer as the new Board Treasurer with the retirement of Peggy Currie. Motion carried 6-0
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
General Municipal Election Day -- April 5, 2015. Two candidates have registered to-date: Ron Glaus and Nancy Mayer.
A. Staff Appreciation Breakfast – Friday, November 20
B. 1st draft of the 2016-2017 school calendar. After meeting with the CTA, this will be brought to the January Board meeting for approval.
C. Policy / Procedure Amendment – Dr. Williams, Curriculum Director, discussed changing policy IKF to allow students to fulfill one unit of academic credit with district-approved career and technical education courses for any English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies unit required for high school graduation in any combination up to fulfilling one requirement in each of the four subject areas. This will be brought to the January Board meeting for approval.
D. National Honor Society – Mr. Pollock discussed having National Honor Society instead of the existing Dexter Honor Society. He stated that he felt this was a good move for the school district. Mr. Wood stated National Honor Society is more meaningful and students will have more scholarships available. This will be brought to the January Board meeting for approval.
E. High School Beta Club – Mr. Pollock discussed the highlights of having a Sr. Beta Club and stated he feels this would enhance Dexter High School and should strongly be considered for implementation. Mr. Wood also stated that Sr. Beta seems to be a natural progression with next years’ graduating class being the class that started MS Beta which has far exceeded the districts expectations. This will be brought to the January Board meeting for approval.
F. Mr. Wood reported the HS auditorium side and rear curtains have been ordered and the front Curtain will be professionally cleaned over Christmas Break.
G. The board approved L.J. Hart and Company to be the municipal bond underwriter. Motion carried 6-0
H. Mr. Wood gave an update on the football field Portico. He also discussed that a few city business men were discussing with Daktronics the possibility of a new Football scoreboard. The company will be sending out post cards to various businesses in the near future to see if the interest is there for making a 5-7 year advertisement agreement to sponsor the cost of the board. Mr. Wood stated this is the company that has done the exact same thing in nearby cities of Sikeston and Poplar Bluff.
I. Nurse’s Report. The monthly caseload was submitted by the high school nurse Linda Milam.
J. Principal’s Report – Building administrators from Southwest, Central, Middle School and High School gave a report on happenings in their building.
In closed session:
The Board approved the following additions to the Substitute Teacher list:
Brandi Meese, Sydney Graves, Maddison Baker, Sarah Ballance
The Board accepted the retirement notice effective at the end of the 2015 -2016 school year from Shannon Putnam, first grade teacher at SW Elementary School.
The Board accepted the resignation notice effective Dec. 17, 2015 from Sylvia Razor, bus aide.
The Board hired Tammy Mallard as a bus aide. She is currently a part time bus aide for the district.
The Board approve the transfer of kindergarten teacher Angela Pope to replace Debbie Thrower as title teacher for the 2016-2017 school year.
Evaluations of fall coaches in the MS and HS were discussed with the board.
The Superintendents evaluation was given to the board which will be discussed during the January meeting.
