Rountree students collect school supplies for children in Iraq
April 27, 2009
As part of the monthly “Project Rountree Cares,” Rountree Elementary School students are partnering with Convoy of Hope to provide school supplies to about 120 children in Baghdad, Iraq.
On Wednesday, April 29, Rountree and Parkview High School students will package the supplies (including pencils, erasers, rulers, crayons and notebooks) from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. before they are collected by Convoy of Hope April 30.
Convoy of Hope mobilizes resources and trains groups to conduct community outreach, respond to disasters, and direct other compassion initiatives in the United States and around the world. A military chaplain in Baghdad recently asked Convoy of Hope to help the children of Iraq as they struggle in their war-torn country.
For more information, call Helen Williams at 523-4900.
Fremont environmental club collects cans, bottles for recycling
April 27, 2009
Fremont Elementary School environmental club will conclude a month-long can and bottle recycling effort at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the school.
As part of the Doubletree Hotels “Teaching Kids to Care” program, volunteers from the Springfield hotel teamed up this month with 20 environmental club students in grades 3-5 to teach all Fremont students to reduce, reuse and recycle cans and bottles. The environmental club will use money collected from the redeemed recyclables for further environmental activities. The school is also eligible for a $2,500 Doubletree grant for school supplies. An announcement is expected in mid-May.
During April, the 20 students talked with teachers and classmates about recycling. Students learned how recycling reduces waste, consumption of raw materials, energy use, and air and water pollution.
“Teaching Kids to Care allows our team members to connect with kids and impact the way they view the environment,” said Brian Sims, general manager of the Doubletree Hotel in Springfield. “We hope that encouraging kids to collect cans and bottles for school supplies will inspire them to help the environment now and in the future.”
Big Smith donates performance to Jarrett
April 27, 2009
Students at Jarrett Middle School will broaden their fine arts education Thursday, April 30, when Big Smith visits their school to perform.
Band member Jody Bilyeu is a resident of the Jarrett neighborhood. He and the rest of Big Smith agreed to donate a performance to the school as an enrichment to their classroom learning.
“We are so fortunate to be able to expose our students to nationally renowned, professional musicians,” said Nancy Allen, Jarrett PTA president. “Particularly in these times of economic recession our opportunities to enjoy performing arts are limited. This is a tremendous gift from Big Smith.”
Hillcrest, Kickapoo officially designated A+ schools
April 27, 2009
The State Board of Education officially designated Hillcrest and Kickapoo high schools as A+ schools on April 23, clearing the way for eligible students to receive state-paid tuition assistance to attend a community college or technical school beginning next fall. The schools’ principals and program coordinators have been invited to the May 5 school board meeting to celebrate the announcement.
The A+ program was created by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993 as an incentive to improve Missouri high schools. Glendale, Parkview and Central currently offer A+, which provides students with a variety of opportunities to prepare for the workplace, post-secondary vocational/technical training or college.
To qualify, high school graduates must attend an A+ school for at least three years, have a grade-point average of at least 2.5 on a 4-point scale, maintain a 95 percent attendance record, and perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring in the school district.
High school students advance to national FBLA conference
April 27, 2009
Seventeen students from four Springfield public high schools recently advanced to the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference June 25-28 in Anaheim, Calif.
The students qualified in competitions ranging from marketing to entrepreneurship to desktop publishing.
FBLA is a career and technical student organization for high school students in business programs.
SPS’ energy efficiency featured at upcoming ONE Conference
April 27, 2009
Springfield Public Schools has annually saved more than $300,000 and reduced its electricity consumption by about 19 percent through an energy-efficient lighting upgrade.
The success of the initiative will be featured during a session of the Ozarks New Energy Conference: Solutions for Energy Independence to be held at Missouri State University April 30-May 1. SPS will be featured during a breakout session from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. May 1.
Study students roll up their sleeves for Earth Day
April 23, 2009
About 75 Study Middle School students will clean up a city park and mulch walking trails between 9 a.m. and noon Thursday, April 23, as part of Earth Day activities.
Students representing student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Junior Honor Society and other student organizations will engage in Earth Day activities near Study, at Fassnight Park and the Springfield Nature Center.
Caring Communities is participating in the project. For more information, call Mary Nottingham at 523-6400.
Middle College student receives Breaking Traditions award
April 23, 2009
Middle College student Victor Stewart will be honored Friday, April 24, at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City after winning the Missouri Breaking Traditions award for nontraditional career studies.
In this case, nontraditional means study in a field in which individuals from one gender make up less than 25 percent of individuals employed in that field. Stewart, who attended Central High School last year, hopes to have a career working with children and music.
Stewart is studying early childhood development at Middle College, a collaborative program between Springfield Public Schools and Ozarks Technical Community College. This is the first year of Middle College, which helps students who struggle in conventional high school find an alternative path to graduation and higher education.
Holland elementary hosts green picnic and community sale
April 23, 2009
Holland Elementary School will host a green picnic and community sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the school, 2403 S. Holland Ave.
The event is funded through a Partnership for Sustainability grant received by the school from Community Foundation of the Ozarks. It will raise funds for Holland's outdoor classroom, which includes compost bins, a rain garden, a fossil dig site, an experimental soil site, and plots for Missouri annual and perennial plants.
The picnic will encourage participating families to recycle and reuse household items, spend more time walking and biking to school and in the neighborhood, and share other earth-friendly practices.
Items for sale will include baked goods and plants.
Future Central students join high school mentoring program
April 20, 2009
Study Middle School students will visit their future high school on Tuesday, April 21, as part of a new mentoring program at Central High School.
The CHS Mentoring Program will match 25 Study students with 25 Central mentors. The students will stay in contact throughout the summer and the beginning of next school year.
Study students will meet their assigned mentors on Tuesday and spend the day with them attending classes and asking questions. The program was organized by the Central student council. For more information, contact Ken Kabonic at 523-9600.
Rountree second graders join Great Mail Race
April 20, 2009
Second graders at Rountree Elementary School will mail 50 letters Tuesday in hopes of generating responses from students throughout the United States.
The activity is part of the Great Mail Race, which encourages students to use their communication arts and geography skills to engage students in other states. The 42 Rountree students were prompted to join the race upon receiving a letter from a student in Kansas, which asked for information about Springfield and Rountree.
“Each student wrote at least one letter to send to a school in one of the 50 states,” explained second-grade teacher Megan Rustvold. “As we receive responses we will be mapping them and using the information for other learning activities.”
Gray students celebrate end of MAP with silly scrimmage
April 20, 2009
Third-grade and fourth-grade students at Wanda Gray Elementary School will play basketball against teachers and staff Thursday, April 23, as a reward for their strong performance during recent Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests.
The MAP celebration will include prizes, food and a fun basketball scrimmage for students to watch or participate in following a stressful, but positive MAP testing experience April 2-15.
Third-grade students will play at 1 p.m.; fourth-grade students will play at 2 p.m. For more information, call Gray counselor Chase Petree at 523-4000.
Glendale yearbook and news magazine win national awards
April 20, 2009
The Glendale High School Falcon Yearbook and Quill Magazine both placed fifth in best of show categories during the National Scholastic Press Association’s National Spring High School Journalism Convention last week in Phoenix.
Student Will Marrs won a superior award in news writing - a first for the school. Zack Lee won an honorable mention award in sports writing – another first at Glendale. For more information, call Lisa Wingo at 523-8900.
Nurse Lee Ann Neill receives Starcatcher Award
April 16, 2009
Lee Ann Neill, school nurse at Delaware Elementary School, received a district Starcatcher Award April 16 from Superintendent Norm Ridder. The Starcatcher Award is presented several times each school year to employees who demonstrate a commitment to the mission, belief and vision of the district.
Neill began her career with Springfield Public Schools in 1995 at Campbell Elementary School. She has also worked at York Elementary School and Hickory Hills School prior to coming to Delaware where she has been the nurse for the past 10 years.
"She goes above and beyond for students and staff every day and is truly deserving of this award," said Delaware principal Donna Prouty.
"Lee Ann is a pure example of health advocacy in motion," said district Health Services Coordinator Jean Grabeel. "She serves as a cohesive link between the school and community to provide health resources and services for all children in need."
Starcatcher winners receive an exclusive Starcatcher pin in honor of long-time district educator Dr. Wanda Gray, a framed certificate and a $50 gift card from award sponsor Horace Mann Insurance.All Starcatcher Award recipients for the year will be recognized on April 20 at the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet.
Starcatcher to be announced Thursday
April 15, 2009
Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Norm Ridder will present a Starcatcher Award at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at Delaware Elementary School, 1505 S. Delaware Ave.
The Starcatcher Award is presented to an SPS employee who demonstrates a commitment to the mission, belief and vision of the district. The award is typically given three times per school year.
Starcatcher winners receive an exclusive Starcatcher pin in honor of long-time district educator Dr. Wanda Gray, a framed certificate and a $50 gift card from award sponsor Horace Mann Insurance.
New assistant principals named
April 15, 2009
Springfield Public Schools has announced four new assistant principals for the 2009-2010 school year.
Brandon Clark will be the new assistant principal and athletic director at Kickapoo High School. For the past two years, Clark has served as coordinator of site interventions at Central High School. Previously, he taught mathematics at Central and served as an assistant coach for football and girl’s basketball. He holds a master’s degree in education from Drury University and a second master’s degree in educational leadership from Evangel University.
Jill Palmer will be the new assistant principal at Pipkin Middle School. She has served as the Middle Years Programme coordinator for the International Baccalaureate Programme at Pipkin and Central High School for the past three years. Palmer started her career at Cabool High School before coming to Springfield in 2001 as a science teacher at Kickapoo High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and her master’s and specialist’s degrees in educational administration from William Woods University.
Dana Powers will be the new assistant principal at Reed Middle School. She has taught 7th grade communication arts at Reed the past two years, and she served a previous stint at Reed as a special education teacher from 1998 to 2003. Powers taught special education at Delaware Elementary School during the 2006-2007 school year. From 2003 to 2006, she taught special education and communication arts in Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri State University.
Andrea Fraser will be the new assistant to the principal at Wilson’s Creek Intermediate School. She has taught at Phelps Center for the Gifted since 2001. Fraser earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University, a master’s degree in gifted education from Drury University, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri State University.
Wild game will be on the menu for WOLF students Thursday
April 15, 2009
Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF) students will get a taste of wild game Thursday when Missouri Department of Conservation staff comes to cook for them. The menu will include waterfowl, upland game, bison, and fish.
MDC protection agents and staff from the Andy Dalton Shooting Range will set up a specially equipped trailer outside the school, located at 720 W. Sunshine, and will talk to students about how to prepare and cook wild game. They will then demonstrate the process and allow students to sample the food.
This demonstration will reinforce what students have been learning about food chains, habitats, and animal behavior in the forest, in addition to the concept that hunting and fishing is a large part of the Ozarks heritage.
SPS Teacher of the Year finalists announced
April 6, 2009
Five Springfield Public Schools teachers have been named finalists for 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year. Selected from a pool of 42 nominees, the finalists will be recognized by the Board of Education at the April 14 school board meeting.
A selection committee will interview the finalists and choose the Teacher of the Year, who will be named Monday, April 20, during the Teacher Appreciation Banquet at University Plaza Convention Center.
The finalists are:
- Julia Armstrong, social studies teacher, Pipkin Middle School;
- Dave Davis, language arts/communication arts teacher and HTV Magazine adviser, Hillcrest High School;
- Steve Fielding, art teacher, Kickapoo High School;
- Lisa Lilley, Spanish teacher, Central High School; and
- Fred Romaine, third-grade teacher, Robberson Elementary School
Hillcrest ‘HTV’ captures fifth straight STN Excellence Award
Hillcrest High School “HTV Magazine” won its fifth consecutive Student Television Network Excellence Award for best monthly newscast in the nation at the STN national convention last month in Orlando, Fla.
The winning program was the January edition of “HTV Magazine” that featured eight segments, including stories on the anniversary of the tragic auto crash in 2008 that killed four district high school students, a small-town athlete preparing for Division I football, and the life of a young stand-up comedian.
The Excellence Award was established in 2004 to honor the best high school broadcast programs in the nation. STN is made up of more than 600 schools nationwide. This and the NSPA Pacemaker Award, which “HTV” earned last November, are considered the most prestigious awards presented for student-produced programs.
For more information, contact Dave Davis, “HTV” adviser, at 523-8000.
District teams forming for Relay For Life
Springfield Public Schools students are forming teams to participate in the All-Youth Relay For Life on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, at Central High School’s Harrison Stadium. Sixty-two teams are currently registered for the event. The relay begins at 7 p.m. Friday and ends at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Last year’s All-Youth event raised more than $125,000 and was the highest netting high school event in its six-state division.
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity, offering the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. During the event, teams camp at a local high school and take turns walking or running around a track. Each team has a representative on the track at all times during the event.
Hillcrest High School will host Relay For Life of Springfield from 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, until 9 a.m. Saturday, May 16. At least 11 teams representing Hillcrest and Parkview high schools, Study Middle School and Williams Elementary School have signed up to participate. The goal is to raise $550,000, each dollar representing one person who will die from cancer in 2009.
For more information, contact Allison Kraft at 447-1474.
Save A Life Tour stops at Glendale for message on alcohol awareness
The Save A Life Tour is coming to Glendale High School Wednesday, April 15, with a high-impact alcohol awareness program for students.
Using large projection screens, graphics and realistic drunk-driving simulators, the Save A Life Tour provides students with a realistic sense of what happens when a person drives drunk and the devastating impact it can have on people’s lives.
The Glendale event is sponsored by the Missouri Eye Institute and hosted by the Glendale PTSA. For more information, call Ann Vincel at 343-1569.
Glendale is once again an MSHSAA Leadership School
For the second consecutive year, Glendale High School has been named a Missouri State High School Activities Association Leadership School. The award is given to schools that demonstrate excellence in promoting citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, and scholarship through interscholastic programs. Glendale has 27 such programs.
A school qualifies as a MSHSAA Leadership School when it accumulates at least 85 of a possible 100 checklist points during a school year. Glendale scored 110 points. The checklist includes a school leadership team; programs to develop leadership, citizenship and sportsmanship; preseason meetings with coaches, students and parents to discuss expectations; and a code of conduct for students.
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