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High school debaters excel in national competition
June 30, 2008
Four Springfield public high schools excelled in this month’s National Forensic League National Speech Tournament in Las Vegas.
Parkview High School's speech and debate squad placed sixth in the nation in cumulative rounds of competition. Parkview’s Cassidy Miller placed 10th nationally in original oratory. At least one Parkview student has placed within the top 10 of the tournament in seven of the past nine years.
Four students from Central High School were among 25 in the nation named to the NFL’s “All American” list. Nick Ramsey, Lindsey Zhang, Daniel Phillip Schultz and Evan Dorshorst ranked No. 4, 6, 9, and 12, respectively.
Other district results from this year’s competition are as follows:
Central High School
Samantha Maerz and Brian McGarry tied for 17th in public forum debate.
Tucker May and Lauren Schriver ranked 29th in duo interpretation.
Nick Ramsey ranked in the top 40 in commentary.
Evan Dorshorst ranked in the top 40 in expository speaking.
Lindsey Zhang ranked 10th in expository speaking.
Parkview High School
Thomas Andrews ranked in the top 36 nationally in extemporaneous commentary.
Jeremy Eutsler ranked in the top 60 nationally in dramatic interpretation.
Alex Ndikum ranked in the top 70 nationally in extemporaneous commentary.
Glendale High School
Allyson Strickland and Thomas Fritts ranked in the top 16 in public forum debate.
Kickapoo High School
Bonnie Lyons placed 6th in the nation in expository speaking and ranked in the top 60 in original oratory expository speaking.
Beth Anne Hendrickson placed in the top 15 nationally in expository speaking.
Kevin Satzinger placed in the top 30 in international extemporaneous speaking.
Board seeks more input on future bond
June 18, 2008
The Springfield school board wants more public input over the next several months before deciding whether to ask voters to support another bond initiative as early as April 2009.
At a June 17 school board retreat, board members received new survey information that showed strong support for air conditioning remaining district sites, renovating and rebuilding some older middle schools and renovating some older elementary schools. The survey also gave the district improved marks for managing the 2006 bond initiative and showed strong overall satisfaction with the district.
Conducted in April and May, the survey represents opinions of 400 frequent voters in recent school elections. Results were viewed overall as very good.
When considering whether to move forward with another bond election, board members were cautious in part due to the troubled economy.
The district has established a timeline for completing air-conditioning projects and the public likely expects an election in 2009, said Gerry Lee, board vice president. Board President Kris Callen added that the decision will also hinge in part on completing the current $96.5 million bond initiative on time and on budget.
The board was presented a list of bond funding scenarios to consider and a three-tiered list of proposed building priorities.
Also at the retreat:
The board discussed ways to improve its monthly study session and regular board meeting.
Beginning in August, study sessions will be used to present information items only and to discuss strategic planning. The board encouraged administration to reduce last-minute items presented for board consideration and to eliminate unnecessary PowerPoint presentations.
Future bond initiative to be discussed at board retreat
June 17, 2008
The Springfield Board of Education will discuss a possible future bond initiative and improvements to the board operating system during a retreat from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, in the Drury University President’s Dining Room in Findlay Student Center.
Board members will receive information on bond funding options and new survey results regarding community support for a future bond election. The board will also examine facility needs as identified through previous stakeholder input. View a list of proposed priorities. A discussion of next steps in gathering stakeholder input for a future bond initiative will follow.
The meeting is open to the public. See agenda.
SPS student attendance improves over previous year
June 10, 2008
Springfield Public Schools student attendance increased this year over the previous year as 30 out of 50 schools (60 percent) saw improved attendance.
“This year saw a tremendous partnership between the district and many community organizations and businesses to promote attendance awareness,” said Becky Morgan, SPS attendance coordinator. “The BN SCHL initiative was reinforced to educate our youth, their parents, and the community that education is a priority in our city. The BN SCHL logo has become identifiable with improving attendance. It is working and we will continue this approach next school year.”
For the year ending May 30, district average daily attendance was 93.91 percent, an increase of .06 percent over the previous year’s 93.85 percent. The goal under the district’s strategic plan is to reach 95 percent average daily attendance by 2011.
For the third straight year, Pleasant View Elementary School had the highest average daily attendance in the district at 96.23 percent. Pipkin Middle School showed the greatest year-to-year improvement among schools. Attendance there increased 1.81 percent this year.
Dr. Julie Steiger , Pleasant View principal, said her school’s continued strong attendance reflects a sense of “strong family values and strong ties to Pleasant View. Education is very important to our families and I think that’s reflected in our attendance.”
At the elementary level, 22 out of 35 schools (63 percent) improved attendance this year; four out of 10 middle schools (40 percent) improved attendance and four of the district’s five high schools (80 percent) improved attendance.
Overall enrollment at the end of the school year was 23,211. Additional details are included below:
Summer School under way
June 4, 2008
Springfield Public Schools’ “Fifth Quarter Summer School” began Wednesday, June 4, and offers a variety of courses for students of all ages.
Offerings include basic skills, enrichment and special education classes in the areas of language arts, math, science, music, social studies, technology and physical education. Students may also enroll in the popular ARTWORKS program, which begins June 16.
For a complete list of courses, visit the Summer School Web page. Parents should register their children at the school site where they wish to attend. District summer school sites include Delaware, Field, McBride, McGregor, Pittman, Watkins and Weller elementary schools; Carver and Pipkin middle schools; and Central and Kickapoo high schools.
For more information on summer school, call 523-0005 or 523-0011 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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