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Students won’t make up for Thursday early dismissal
January 31, 2008
Springfield Public Schools students were able to complete more than half their school day Thursday and so they will not have to make up the snow day, district officials announced.
Schools dismissed two hours early in preparation for a winter storm that was forecast for the day.
With the continuing prediction of 4-7 inches of snow by Friday, district officials plan to survey road conditions well before sunrise and make any cancellation announcement by 5 a.m. Friday.
For the latest information check our Web site, call the district school closing line at 523-0110, tune in to Mediacom channel 25, or check local media.
CHS principal Everett Isaacs announces retirement
January 30, 2008
Long-time Central High School Principal Everett Isaacs announced today that he will retire at the end of this school year.
Isaacs has been with the district since 1978 when he came on as a teacher at Study Junior High School.
He taught at Parkview High School from 1980-87 before becoming an assistant principal at Central and Hillcrest high schools from 1987-1998. In 1998 he was named Central principal where he oversaw the growth and success of the International Baccalaureate Program, Middle Years Scholars Program, and a major renovation at the school from 2000-03. During his time at Central, enrollment increased from 950 to 1,525 students.
“When I arrived here in 1998 I told my staff that we would develop a vision together and dream the dream for our students and community,” Isaacs said. “We did that and indeed, a renaissance has occurred at Central. My retirement is bittersweet, but this will allow my family to do the things we’ve never had time to do in the past and find whatever other adventures await us.”
Added Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder: “He’s done a phenomenal job, he’s an awesome leader. I suspect he’s not done working with kids.”
Study remembers Holocaust victims
January 29, 2008
On a blustery morning, Study Middle School eighth-graders gathered Tuesday to honor victims of the Holocaust by laying clay “Remembrance Stones” in their school courtyard.
Inscribed with the names of Holocaust victims and phrases such as “Never Again,” the stones were created by students in Mary Nottingham’s eighth-grade English class to coincide with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27. It marked the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
“Today we gather to remember some of those victims,” Nottingham said to the gathering. “They were denied the simple things we take for granted; family and friends to celebrate our lives and mourn our deaths. In this small way, we hope to give a name to a few of those victims, and by naming them, to give them back their humanity.”
As the ceremony ended, each student spoke the name engraved on their stone and placed it in a courtyard flower bed.
Study students will honor Holocaust victims Tuesday
January 28, 2008
Study Middle School eighth-graders will honor victims of the Holocaust at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, during a special ceremony in the school courtyard.
Students have made “Remembrance Stones” out of clay and engraved them with a name of a Holocaust victim. During the ceremony, students will place the stones in the courtyard and read some of their original writings.
Study communications arts teacher Mary Nottingham planned the ceremony to coincide with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was Jan. 27 and marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
“We read The Diary of Anne Frank and the students were very effected by that,” said Nottingham. “This is a way to personalize the Holocaust, by finding the name of someone who died and was not given a proper burial.”
Study Middle School is located at 2343 W. Olive St.
McBride fourth-graders to present living museum
January 28, 2008
More than 120 fourth-grade students at McBride Elementary School will present a “Famous Missourian Living Museum” from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the school.
The museum will feature exhibits of about 40 famous Missourians ranging from Samuel Clemens and Edwin Hubble to Lucas Grabeel. Each will be portrayed by McBride students, who will come to life and tell their stories at the touch of a button.
“The living museum is a great interactive way for students to learn about and appreciate the accomplishments of individuals from our state,” said fourth-grade teacher Roxie McQuarry. “I want the history of Missouri to come alive for my students and when they become that person, you can’t get more engaged than that.”
The museum will be on display in the McBride gymnasium at 5005 S. Farm Road 135.
‘HTV Magazine’ brings home four awards from STN
January 25, 2008
Hillcrest High School’s “HTV Magazine” student-produced television program brought home four awards from their recent trip to the Students Television Network (STN) National Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
Competing against more than 50 schools, HTV won its fourth consecutive “STN Excellence Award” and is the only high school in the nation to receive this award four times.
For the second year in a row the HTV staff placed first in the “STN Sweet 16” contest that challenges student broadcasters to shoot and edit an entire show in 16 hours. The show must be based on a one-word theme. Hillcrest students won with a show on the word “adjusting.”
HTV also received top honors in an on-site music video production competition among 80 teams; each was given eight hours to complete their video. Hillcrest senior Lauren Bishop won second place among 45 entries in the Broadcast News Writing contest.
“We were thrilled to do so well among the best broadcasters in the nation,” said HTV adviser Dave Davis. “The Excellence Award is the only contest we target, so it was very special to see the kids win that one again.”
About 1,400 students from 126 schools competed at this years STN convention.
School Board Recognition Week
January 25, 2008
The week of January 27 through February 2, 2008, has been designated School Board Recognition Week by the Missouri School Boards' Association. Local school board members are dedicated citizens who carry out the truest form of representative government -- volunteer public service. Their service ensures that decisions about our public schools are made as close to the needs of our children and communities as possible.
Olympic bronze medal winner to teach P.E. at Jeffries
January 24, 2008
Lori Endicott-Vandersnick, U.S. Olympic volleyball bronze medal winner, will teach fourth- and fifth-grade physical education at Jeffries Elementary School Jan. 28-Feb. 1 as part of Springfield’s Community Olympic Development Program (CODP).
Endicott-Vandersnick played eight years on the United States national volleyball team and competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. At the 1992 games in Barcelona, Spain, her team won the bronze medal; she was named “Best Setter” in the world.
The CODP is a national program organized by the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1996 to develop community-based Olympic sports programs and provide young athletes with access to the best facilities, programs and coaches to enhance their ability to compete in Olympic sports. Funded by private donations, the program began in Springfield in 2003 under the direction of former Missouri State University Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Linda Dollar. The CODP partners with the Springfield-Greene County Parks Board and St. John’s HealthTracks to utilize their facilities.
“We’re introducing the youth of Springfield to an opportunity to participate and learn about Olympic sports and to encourage some type of physical activity,” said Dollar.
Endicott-Vandersnick will teach volleyball and other games at Jeffries from 9-11 a.m. Jan. 28-30 and at 9 a.m. on Feb. 1. Jeffries is located at 4051 S. Scenic Ave.
Calendar is set for 2008-09
January 24, 2008
The Springfield School Board approved next year’s 2008-09 calendar during its Jan. 22 meeting.
The complete calendar is available on the Calendar page.
Notable dates for next year:
- First day of school is Aug. 25
- Winter break is Dec. 24-Jan.4
- Spring break is March 23-27
- Last day of school is June 5, but could be as early as May 29, depending on the number of snow days.
School board extends Dr. Ridder’s contract
January 24, 2008
The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education recently completed its annual performance review of Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder and has extended his contract through the 2010-11 school year.
The review was based on Dr. Ridder’s performance in seven “performance excellence” categories identified as critical for high performing systems: 1: leadership, 2: strategic planning, 3: stakeholder and market focus, 4: measurement, analysis, and knowledge management, 5: human resources, 6: process management, and 7: performance results.
“Dr. Ridder’s commitment to our community’s desire to provide academic excellence for all our students is reflected in his work, both within the district and in the community,” said school board president Kris Callen. “His focus on continual evaluation and improvement is helping our community improve the work we do on behalf of our students and staff. We are pleased he will continue to lead our successful team of administrators, teachers, staff, and students.”
Three district music ensembles to perform at state convention
January 17, 2008
Three Springfield Public Schools music ensembles have been invited to perform Jan. 24 and 25 at the Missouri Music Educators Association State Convention at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.
The Glendale High School Chamber Choir will perform at 2:45 p.m. Jan. 24; the Central High School Concert Band will perform at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 25 and the Pershing Middle School Orchestra will perform Jan. 25 at 3:30 p.m. The groups are directed by Kevin Hawkins, Chris Rohrbaugh and Elizabeth Johnston, respectively.
Bands and orchestras from across the state compete for a chance to perform at the convention, which is attended by several thousand teachers, parents and students.
District wins budget excellence award for third straight year
January 17, 2008
For the third straight year, Springfield Public Schools has received the International Award for Budget Excellence.
The Meritorious Budget Awards Program is presented by The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) to recognize school business administrators for excellence in budget presentation. The program helps school systems build a strong foundation in developing, analyzing and presenting a budget.
Strong attendance can earn students a new bike
January 16, 2008
Strong school attendance this quarter could win two students from Williams, Robberson or Bissett elementary schools a new bike.
Local Horace Mann Insurance agent Julie Kudrna is sponsoring the Perfect Attendance Program at the schools during the third quarter, which began Monday Jan. 14 and ends Friday, March 14.
One boy and one girl with perfect attendance during the quarter and who attend the school with the most improved overall attendance during the quarter will win a new bike. A random drawing - to be scheduled at the end of the quarter - will choose the two winners.
Horace Mann is a Partner in Education with Springfield Public Schools and sponsor of the district’s Starcatcher award.
Pipkin raises $450 for underprivileged in Nicaragua
January 16, 2008
Pipkin Middle School recently collected $450 for Heifer International through the Pirates Without Borders service project. Students voted to purchase and donate goats, sheep, chickens and geese for 280 underprivileged women in Nicaragua as part of the “Food Security: Women, Environment and Development of Four Communities in Boaco” project. The project’s main goal is to provide food security for women and children. Heifer International is an organization that works to end world-wide hunger and poverty.
The students raised the money by buying about 400, foot-long strips of duct tape for 25 cents each. They used the tape recently to tape assistant principal Tim Zeigler to a cafeteria wall in an effort to “hang up hunger.”
It's National Mentoring Month
January 16, 2008
January is national mentoring month and Jan. 24 is “Thank Your Mentor Day.” Springfield Public Schools works with Big Brothers/Big Sisters to offer mentoring programs in 16 district schools. For more information on the program call Laurie Soulsby at 889-9136.
McGregor receives 'Food For Thought' grant
January 15, 2008
McGregor Elementary School students will receive a grant from their Partner in Education, Chase Card Services, to add 30 more students to the school’s “Food For Thought” backpack program. The program currently serves 24 McGregor students.
The Ozarks Food Harvest program provides at-risk students in 25 area schools with a backpack filled with nutritious child-friendly foods to take home on weekends when they might otherwise go hungry. Last year more than 7,800 backpacks were filled.
McGregor will receive $6,000 over the remainder of this school year. Chase Card Services employees will also volunteer time filling backpacks or doing other related tasks at McGregor.
PHS MARKETING TEACHER RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
January 15, 2008
Parkview High School marketing teacher Cindy Shannon was selected by Freedoms Foundation to receive a Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education for her “Cookies Gone Crazy” project.
“Cookies Gone Crazy” is a cookie baking business managed and operated by Parkview marketing students and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) members. Shannon started the program seven years ago to teach the concepts of the American private enterprise system and raise funds for student DECA activities.
Freedoms Foundation awards Americans who go above and beyond in their efforts to educate their communities about the values of good citizenship. Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education are given to full time educators who demonstrate an innovative way of teaching America’s private enterprise system. Shannon’s “Cookies Gone Crazy” project was among nine projects selected in the nation.
Shannon will attend an awards ceremony March 6-9 at Valley Forge, Pa. where she will be awarded $7,500 and a commemorative plaque. She will also present her project to fellow recipients and area educators that weekend.
DONNA HARRIS DAVIS IS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
January 15, 2008
Springfield Public Schools Police Officer Donna Harris Davis was recently named School Public Safety Officer of the Year for 2006-07.
Davis has worked in the Police Services Department for three years. She serves the Pershing Middle School attendance area.
Officers are nominated by principals and staff and scored by district employees not affiliated with police services. The award has been presented for 10 years. Davis received a plaque; her name will also be added to a plaque with other past recipients on display in the police services office lobby.
Twain, Pipkin, Central United Way champs
January 15, 2008
For the second year in a row, employees of Twain Elementary School made the largest contribution per person to Springfield Public Schools’ United Way campaign. On Friday, Jan. 18, Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder will recognize them for their generosity.
During a celebration luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Ridder will present principal Janell Bagwell and her staff with a traveling trophy awarded each year to the school with the highest per person contribution to United Way. Twain staff contributed an average of $89.01 per person this year and donated $3,827 in total.
Central High School and Pipkin Middle School also earned contribution honors for the second consecutive year. Central staff made the largest contribution among all five district high schools, donating $4,848. Pipkin donated the most among district middle schools with a contribution of $3,971.
District-wide, employees contributed $72,842 to the United Way during its 2007-2008 campaign.
Missouri author coming to Robberson elementary Jan. 17
January 15, 2008
Missouri author Judy Young will visit Robberson Elementary School on Thursday, Jan. 17 to present her “Playday with an Author” to students in kindergarten through 2nd grade and her “Show Me Missouri” program to students in 3rd through 5th grade.
Young will be at the school from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a break for lunch.
Among her works, Young has written “R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet” – which was a 2006 National Parenting Publications Honor Award winner and a 2006 Missouri Writer’s Guild Best Juvenile Book Award winner.
Her appearance is part of a continuing series of author visits at Robberson this year designed as part of its school School Improvement Plan to help students see themselves as authors. Previously this year the school hosted authors David Harrison, Sondra Gray, and Lyle Strickland.
Young’s visit is funded through the ECHO grant by Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Teacher of the Year nominations being accepted
January 10, 2008
Nominations are being accepted for Springfield Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2008-09. Teachers can be nominated by a student, a parent, a fellow teacher, a principal or they can be self-nominated.
This year’s Teacher of the Year will be named at the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet set for Monday, April 21, at the University Plaza. The selected teacher will receive $2,000 for their personal use and their school will receive another $2,000 for educational enhancements, courtesy of the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.
The winner will be eligible to be named Missouri’s Teacher of the Year.
To nominate a teacher, please request a copy of the nomination form from their school or contact the district Public Information Office at 523-0050. Applications should be submitted by Friday, Feb. 8, to the SPS Human Resources Office at 940 N. Jefferson Ave., Springfield MO, 65802.
The following state criteria must be met by all applicants:
- Candidate is willing to model effective teaching practices and be videotaped.
- Candidate is willing to complete a state application packet.
- Candidate has at least four years teaching experience in Springfield Public Schools.
- Candidate is willing to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the district through public speaking.
Fund established for James Gangwes’ funeral expenses
Guaranty Bank has established a fund to help James Gangwes’ family pay for his funeral expenses.
Donations can be sent “In memory of James Gangwes” to Guaranty Bank at 1341 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, MO, 65807, or call the bank at 520-4333.
James was one of four district students killed Saturday in a one-car crash east of Springfield. He was a student at Kickapoo High School.
Funeral arrangements announced for students
January 8, 2008
Springfield Public Schools officials received funeral service information Tuesday for James Gangwes, one of four district students killed Saturday in a one-car crash east of Springfield.
Gangwes’ funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3540 E. Seminole St. There will be no visitation. Gangwes was a student at Kickapoo High School.
Funeral and visitation details on the other three victims (previously released):
Zachary Whittet (Kickapoo) – Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at Walnut Lawn Funeral home at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, 2001 W. Walnut Lawn. The funeral is Friday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W. Republic Road.
A memorial fund has been established at First Home Savings Bank, 2655 S. Campbell Ave. Donations go to Camp Re-NEW-All.
Young Kim (Glendale) – Visitation is today from 6-8 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3540 E. Seminole St. The funeral is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
James Robinson (Glendale) – Visitation is Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole St. The funeral is Thursday, Jan. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
District buildings, vehicles damaged in overnight storms
January 8, 2007
More than two dozen Springfield Public School buildings were damaged during repeated rounds of wind, rain and tornados that pounded the Ozarks Monday night and early Tuesday.
No injuries were reported at any district site and all schools opened on time. But the General Services Center, 1458 E. Chestnut Expressway, received significant damage, particularly to the vehicle fleet outside. Nearly all of the center’s more than 60 vans, cars and pickup trucks had windows blown out as a wave of wind lashed center-city just before 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Schools throughout the district were impacted by the storms. Building officials reported lost shingles, fascia and soffit damage, leaks and temporary power outages. A dollar-damage estimate remains underway.
“I want to thank all the dedicated district employees who responded with enthusiasm to ensure the schools were open and fully operational today,” said Interim Facilities Director Dave Bishop.
PTA ‘Reflections Showcase’
January 8, 2008
The annual Springfield Council of PTAs “Reflections Showcase” student art show was Sunday, Jan. 6, from 12-4 p.m. at Battlefield Mall.
Reflections Showcase highlights Springfield students’ talents in visual arts, literature, photography, musical composition, and dance choreography and film production. All entries must use the theme “I can make a difference by…” All students from Springfield Public Schools and Greenwood Laboratory School in kindergarten through 12th grade may enter.
Student entries were displayed at the J.C. Penney East Court. An awards ceremony was at 3 p.m. The top three winners and honorable mention entries received a certificate and ribbon. All individual winners advance to state and may advance to the national contest.
The Reflections Showcase program was started in 1969 to encourage students across the country to explore their artistic talents.
3rd Place Intermediate Photography
Finals postponed, arrangements announced in aftermath of fatal crash
January 7, 2008
Springfield Public Schools officials received visitation and funeral service information for three of four Glendale and Kickapoo high school students killed Saturday in a one-car crash east of Springfield.
Zachary Whittet (Kickapoo) – Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at Walnut Lawn Funeral home at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, 2001 W. Walnut Lawn. The funeral is Friday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W. Republic Road.
A memorial fund has been established at First Home Savings Bank, 2655 S. Campbell Ave. Donations go to Camp Re-NEW-All.
Young Kim (Glendale) – Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole St. The funeral is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
James Robinson (Glendale) – Visitation is Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole St. The funeral is Thursday, Jan. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
James Gangwes (Kickapoo) – No arrangements were announced Monday.
Also Monday:
In an effort to be responsive to student and staff needs during this difficult time, principals at both schools announced that final exams scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of this week were postponed until Monday and Tuesday of next week. Second semester classes at both schools will start Wednesday, Jan. 16.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Dan Bracker urged people to stay away from the scene of the wreck to avoid the potential of additional traffic accidents.
Kickapoo, Glendale respond to tragic auto wreck
January 7, 2008
Students and staff from Glendale and Kickapoo high schools responded somberly Monday morning to the weekend deaths of four students. James Gangwes and Zachary Whittet from Kickapoo, and Young Kim and James Robinson from Glendale were killed Saturday in a one-car crash east of Springfield.
At 3:30 p.m. today, representative students and teachers will meet with reporters to share information on how both schools are responding to the tragedy. The meeting will be in the Kickapoo library at 3710 S. Jefferson Ave. Media are asked to check in at the front office.
Crisis counselors were in both schools early Monday to support students and staff, and officials from both schools have worked together to deal with the grief both schools share.
Pipkin assistant principal taped to wall to fight world hunger
January 4, 2008
Pipkin Middle School Assistant Principal Tim Zeigler will be duct taped to a cafeteria wall on Tuesday, Jan. 8 in a school effort to “Hang Up Hunger.” Media interested in covering the event should arrive by 11:15 a.m.
Pipkin students have raised money for the program by buying about 400, foot-long strips of duct tape for 25 cents each. It is part of their participation in a monthly “Pirates Without Borders” service learning class that focuses on international issues. Pipkin hosts the school district’s only International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program candidate school.
The students will donate the money raised to Heifer International, an organization that works to end world-wide hunger and poverty. The program allows Heifer International to partner with schools and other groups to provide sustainable nutrition such as cows, chickens, sheep or goats for third world villagers.
Central renames gymnasium on ‘Alumni Night’
January 4, 2008
Central High School will rename its gymnasium after former coach and teacher Jim Ball during the school’s annual Alumni Night on Tuesday, Jan. 8. The ceremony for the “James Ball Gymnasium” will take place between the junior varsity and varsity boy’s basketball games. The junior varsity game begins at 6 p.m.
Jim Ball taught and coached boy’s basketball at Central from 1951 to 1981. He holds the record for the most career wins (603) of any Springfield high school basketball coach. Ball was known to emphasize the importance of discipline, respect and caring for students that went beyond the school day.
A group of Central alumni and boy’s basketball booster club members proposed renaming the gymnasium in remembrance of coach Ball. The school board approved the change Dec. 11.
“I think it’s long over due,” said Springfield City Councilman Denny Whayne. “We’re honoring a legend. Coach Ball was not only a coach but a mentor to many young men.”
Alumni Night is an annual celebration for Central past and present students and staff sponsored by the boy’s basketball booster club. The junior varsity game will begin at 6 p.m.
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