Weaver to hold grand opening celebration Aug. 24
August 20, 2009
Weaver Elementary School is scheduled to have a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate the completion of its new addition and renovations.
Construction began on the new addition on the west side of the existing facility in fall 2007. Along with new classrooms, the addition includes a new kitchen and cafeteria, computer lab, art and music rooms and administrative offices.
The celebration will include tours of the new addition, games and refreshments. Guest speakers and the ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m.
Weaver Elementary School is located at 1461 N. Douglas Ave.
SPS seniors continue to outperform others on ACT
August 20, 2009
Springfield Public Schools' 2009 graduating class has outperformed state and national average composite scores on ACT exams. Springfield's average composite score was 22.5, compared with a state average of 21.6 and a national average of 21.1.
In comparing 2009 district averages to those of 2008, there was a slight decline in district scores in all areas of testing. Last year, Springfield seniors scored a composite score of 22.9, the highest average students had scored in eight previous years. The largest decline from 2008 to 2009 was by five-tenths of 1 percent in both math, going from 22.0 in math to a 21.5, and in reading from 23.8 to 23.3. The state also suffered a one-tenth of 1 percent decline in math for 2009, scoring an average of 20.9 compared with 21.0 in 2008.
Kickapoo High School had a one-tenth of 1 percent increase in its composite score, going from 22.5 percent in 2008 to 22.6 percent in 2009.
"We are pleased to see that our performance continues to be above state and national averages," said Dr. Matt Goodman director of quality improvement and accountability.
Out of 1,673 graduates, 62.7 percent took the ACT in 2008-2009 compared with 64.2 percent who were tested in 2007-2008. Statewide there were about 300 fewer graduates taking the exam than the previous year, resulting in only 67 percent of the 2009 graduating class completing the test.
The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, mathematics, reading and science designed to measure skills needed to succeed in first-year college coursework.
ACT results for 2009 graduates
David Harrison Elementary School ribbon cutting set for Aug. 26
August 20, 2009
The newest addition to Springfield Public Schools, David Harrison Elementary School, will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m.
The 59,000 square-foot school sits on 72 acres of property southwest of Springfield and holds 20 classrooms and a spacious library and media center. Harrison will offer the district's only tuition-based junior kindergarten program.
Springfield author and school's namesake David Harrison will speak at the ceremony. Harrison's publisher, Kent Brown of Boyds Mills Press and owner of Highlights Magazine, will also be in attendance. The ceremony will also include a special flag presentation by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
David Harrison Elementary School is located at 3055 W. Kildee Lane.
District announces preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress results
Aug. 12, 2009
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today released preliminary 2009 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 requires all schools, districts and states to show that students are making AYP by meeting annual targets in communication arts, mathematics, attendance and graduation rate.
Overall, Springfield Public Schools students continued to perform well above the state average on Missouri’s mandated assessment tests in 2009. However, performance in identified subgroups prevented the district from meeting AYP this year. At the school level, 19 of 50 Springfield schools met AYP overall. View a report detailing individual schools' AYP performance.
Of 553 school districts in Missouri, only 26 percent made AYP in 2009. SPS was among 409 school districts statewide that did not meet AYP.
A notable achievement for SPS in 2009 was the increased percent of students scoring proficient and advanced (including growth) in both communication arts and mathematics. All subgroups, including total students, showed improvement in the percent of students who scored proficient and advanced.
Other highlights of SPS AYP results include:
- 25 schools increased the percent of students who scored proficient and advanced in communication arts between 2008 and 2009. This is an increase of 10 schools from 2008.
- 25 schools increased the percent of students who scored proficient and advanced in mathematics between 2008 and 2009.
- 24 of 50 schools met AYP in communication arts.
- 30 of 50 schools met AYP in mathematics.
- 5 schools that did not meet AYP in 2008 achieved AYP in 2009. They are Bissett, Robberson and Sequiota elementary schools; Carver Middle School; and Kickapoo High School.
- 44 out of 45 elementary and middle schools met AYP for the attendance indicator.
A key objective of NCLB is that 100 percent of students be proficient in communication arts and math by 2014. Meantime, annual AYP targets have been established to track schools’ progress. This year, targets increased 8.2 percent in communication arts and 9.1 percent in mathematics.
For 2009, schools must have 59.2 percent of students performing proficient or above in communications arts; 54.1 percent must be proficient or better in math. In 2010, those requirements will increase to 67.4 percent and 63.3 percent, respectively.
This school year, for the first time, Missouri high schools administered end-of-course exams rather than MAP tests for 11th grade communication arts and 10th grade mathematics and science. End-of-course assessments were given in English II, Algebra I and Biology I.
SPS performed above the state average in all three subject areas. In Algebra I, SPS had 19 percent more of its students score advanced and proficient than the state average.
For a second year, school districts benefited from the AYP Growth Model, which takes into account individual student growth over time. The Growth Model allows for students who may not currently be proficient, but who are “on track” to achieve proficiency in four years, to be counted toward AYP.
The Growth Model allowed Springfield Public Schools to count an additional 1,043 students in the area of communication arts and an additional 768 students in the area of mathematics because their performance increased enough to be considered on track to proficiency for AYP.
Any school failing to meet AYP two years in a row is identified for school improvement. According to the preliminary data, 10 Springfield schools were identified for school improvement this year:
Title I Schools in School Improvement Level 1
Boyd Elementary School
Weller Elementary School
Title I Schools in School Improvement Level 2, Delayed
Bissett Elementary School
Title I Schools in School Improvement Level 2
Pipkin Middle School
Study Middle School
Westport Elementary School
Williams Elementary School
York Elementary School
Title I Schools in School Improvement Level 3
McGregor Elementary School
Title I Schools in School Improvement Level 4
Reed Middle School
Children who attend a school identified for school improvement are eligible to transfer to another Springfield school. For information to assist in making a decision about whether to transfer to another school, please click here. Supplemental educational services are also available to eligible students. Read more.
"As a district it is always our goal to meet or exceed accountability measures," said Dr. Norm Ridder, superintendent of schools."We continue to demonstrate that Springfield studentsperform better than most students in Missouri. However,the Adequate Yearly Progress measurement places unrealistic expectations on our schools that 100 percent ofstudentsbe proficient. We do not rely solely on AYP to measure student achievement. We will continue to monitora variety ofindicators to measure our students' progress andto demonstrate their continued academic success."
Supply center manager receives Starcatcher Award
August 7, 2009
Steve Pekarek, Springfield Public Schools supply center manager, received a district Starcatcher Award Aug. 6 from Superintendent Norm Ridder at an annual district leadership meeting.
Pekarek began his career as manager of the SPS supply center in 2000 at the district's General Services Center.
"The secret to success is surprisingly simple—give people more than they expect and do so cheerfully. Steve Pekarek is a living example of this statement," said Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Anita Kissinger.
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. 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 sponsors, Julie Kudrna and Horace Mann Insurance.
Springfield Public Schools will be back in session Aug. 25
August 7, 2009
Springfield Public Schools students will begin the 2009-2010 school year Tuesday, Aug. 25. To help parents and students prepare, important information about back-to-school events, school supplies and enrollment is featured on the district Web site at http://springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org/back-to-school.htm.
Elementary student registration and sixth grade orientation at all SPS elementary and middle schools is Tuesday, Aug. 11. Freshman orientation will be Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Glendale High School from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and at Hillcrest High School at 1 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 13, freshman orientation will be held at Central High School at 9 a.m., Kickapoo High School at 7 p.m. and Parkview High School at 6:30 p.m.
The district's annual Parent's Guide, which includes district highlights and information about enrollment, programs and services, and SPS Choice programs, will be available at the following locations free of charge beginning Monday, Aug. 10:
Battlefield Mall, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave.
Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road
CVS Pharmacy, 1735 S. Glenstone Ave.
Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage St.
Downtown YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave.
Incredible Pizza, 2850 S. Campbell Ave.
Kmart, 3700 S. Campbell Ave.
Kmart, 1930 E. Kearney St.
Kmart, 3101 S. Glenstone Ave.
Office Depot, 311 S. Glenstone Ave.
Southside YMCA, 1901 E. Republic Road
Staples, 2636 N. Kansas Expressway
Wal-Mart, 3315 S. Campbell Ave.
Wal-Mart, 2825 N. Kansas Expressway
Wal-Mart, 1923 E. Kearney St.
Wal-Mart, 2021 E. Independence St.
Wal-Mart, 3520 W. Sunshine Ave.
The guides will also be available at all SPS schools throughout the year.
Sherwood to benefit from 700 James River Assembly volunteers
August 7, 2009
Sherwood Elementary School, 1813 S. Scenic Ave., will be the focus of James River Assembly’s 11th annual Project Partnership Public School Workday Saturday, August 8.
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, more than 700 volunteers will work to improve Sherwood Elementary School and a Republic elementary school. Volunteers will do extensive painting, landscaping, renovation, cleaning and repair in preparation for the upcoming school year.
One special project they will be completing is to construct a 12-foot pole from which an old school bell, formerly used at Sherwood, will be mounted.
For more information, please contact project coordinator Mark Wright at (417) 581-5433.
KY3 and Ashley Furniture partner for school supply drive
August 7, 2009
KY3 TV and Ashley Furniture are making a joint effort to collect school supplies Aug. 7-9 to benefit Springfield Public Schools' students.
An SPS bus will be parked in the lot at Ashley Furniture, 1715 E. Independence, where school supply donations can be made for underprivileged children attending Springfield Public Schools.
Items needed are backpacks, scissors, erasers, rulers, pocket folders with and without brads, pencils, protractors and trapper style binders for middle and high school students. The district Web site also has a general supply list posted at http://springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org/ParentsTab/SupplyList.pdf.
East Grand Church of Christ to host Bingham Back-to-School Bash
August 7, 2009
East Grand Church of Christ Community Services, in conjunction with Bingham Elementary School PTA, will host a Back-to-School Bash for Bingham families Aug. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the church, located at 2220 E. Grand Ave.
The event will include fun activities for kids and adults, giveaways, free hair cuts and food. Each student may also choose a free backpack filled with appropriate grade-level school supplies.
Parents attending this event may obtain information about Bingham PTA, East Grand's before- and after-school program, Angel Food Ministry and other community service organizations.
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