SPS summer school registration begins April 12
March 30, 2010
Students may register beginning April 12 for Springfield Public Schools Fifth Quarter and Artworks summer school classes. District summer school classes will be held June 7-July 2 Monday through Friday at the following sites:
Elementary schools, 7:30 a.m. to noon
Cowden, Delaware, Field, McBride, McGregor and Weaver
Middle schools, 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m
Cherokee and Study
High schools, 8 a.m. to 2:30p.m.
Central and Kickapoo
The summer school catalog, which lists descriptions of courses offered, is now available online at www.springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org. It will also be distributed April 4 in the local newspaper and be available at every Springfield school.
For the 28th year, the Artworks program is available to students in grades 4-8. The program allows students to study with professional artists and art teachers in the visual media and performing arts for 10 days. Classes will be held Monday through Friday June 14-25 and June 28-July 9 at Sequiota Elementary School. Morning sessions will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and afternoon sessions from noon to 3 p.m.
Twelve schools will offer site-based summer classes open only to students enrolled at their school. They are Boyd, Campbell and Portland elementary schools, Jarrett, Pershing, Pipkin and Reed middle schools and Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo and Parkview high schools. Contact the individual school office to register for these offerings and go to the main summer school page on the district Web site for more general information about registration and courses.
Central IB students' fine arts collaboration to be featured at Creamery April 2
March 30, 2010
Central High School will host a fine arts night featuring the work of International Baccalaureate (IB) students at the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway, Friday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during First Friday Art Walk.
Central IB students in drama, visual art, media and creative writing classes will showcase a collaborative project inspired by fortune cookies. The IB creative writing class began the project by developing poetry based on the fortune from a cookie. Media students then used student poems as inspiration to create a short film and visual art students based art projects on the student-produced film. Finally drama students have written a play inspired by the student art.
The complete work of these IB classes will be on display and performed live Friday evening and the visual art exhibit will remain on display through the month of April.
Students began taking MAP test this week
March 30, 2010
Springfield Public Schools students will take Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests between March 29 and April 16.
MAP testing is mandated by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993 to identify the knowledge, skills, and competencies Missouri students should acquire by the time they complete high school. The MAP evaluates student progress toward those academic standards.
This spring’s MAP includes the following assessments:
- Communication arts tests for grades 3–8.
- Mathematics tests for grades 3–8.
- Science tests for grades 5 and 8.
Each assessment takes three to five hours and may include any of three types of test items: selected-response items, constructed-response items, or performance events (including writing prompts).
Many district schools are preparing students for the MAP with a variety of learning activities designed to build enthusiasm for the tests and assure students perform at their best.
Parents should also do their part to assure their child’s success with the MAP. Here are some suggestions:
- Keep the lines of communication open with your child and the school. Find out what you can do at home to support your child.
- Always encourage a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast on the day of your child’s test. Studies show that a well-rested, well-nourished child learns better.
- Be encouraging and positive and show your child that you are confident in his or her abilities.
- Try to make studying fun for your child and take breaks when needed. Encourage your child to get some exercise during breaks. Just like eating and sleeping well, studies show that physical activity stimulates the brain for learning.
Field fifth-graders hosted PYP exhibition March 18
March 17, 2010
Fifth-grade Primary Years Programme (PYP) students at Field Elementary School hosted an exhibition Thursday, March 18 from 2-2:30 p.m. and from 4-4:30 p.m. at the school, 2120 E. Barataria St.
The exhibit will consist of the results of collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiries where students have identified, investigated and offered solutions to real-life issues or problems. Student teams will give presentations on their exhibits.
The exhibition gives students the chance to showcase what they have learned through their years attending Field.
Three new elementary school principals announced
March 17, 2010
Springfield Public Schools has named three new principals to fill vacancies at elementary schools for the 2010-2011 school year.
Joe Dye will be principal at Bowerman Elementary School where he is currently a fifth-grade teacher. Dye began his career as an educator in 1993 with Branson School District where he taught sixth grade. In 2006, Joe joined SPS as a fourth-grade teacher at Bowerman. He has served as lead teacher at Bowerman for the past three years. Dye earned his Master of Science in Elementary Education – Educational Administration degree from Missouri State University and is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership at Lindenwood University.
Janine Forrester will become principal at Watkins Elementary School. She is currently assistant principal at Pleasant View K-8 School. Forrester began her career with SPS in 1998 as a math teacher at Pleasant View. While teaching there, she was recognized as Teacher of the Month three times and was a Teacher of the Year finalist in 2003-2004. Forrester has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Evangel University.
Laura McCray-Batson has been named principal of Pittman Elementary School. Since 2007, she has served as assistant principal at Hickory Hills K-8 School. She began her career with SPS in 2002 as a fourth-grade teacher at Cowden Elementary School. Beginning in 2003, she taught at Fairbanks Elementary School until returning to Cowden as a fifth-grade teacher in 2005. McCray-Batson served as a summer school principal in 2006 at Pittman and in 2007 at Disney Elementary School. She has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Evangel University.
Long-time Cherokee teacher is Starcatcher
March 17, 2010
Gerry Buyan, seventh-grade social studies teacher at Cherokee Middle School, received the district’s Starcatcher Award March 17 from Superintendent Norm Ridder during a morning class.
Buyan began working at Springfield Public Schools in 1971. He has taught social studies at Cherokee Middle School for 39 years and has been student council advisor for over 20 years. Buyan not only organizes dances and family fun nights at the school but he attends and works the concession stand at most sports events. Buyan plans to retire this year.
"If you grew up in south Springfield, you probably had Mr. Buyan for a teacher or knew him by association with Cherokee," said Kerri McLain, Cherokee teacher.
"Some people call him "Mr. Cherokee"," said principal Bill Powers."He is a great selection for this recognition."
The Starcatcher Award is presented typically three 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 the award sponsor, Horace Mann Insurance.
'Donate My Dress' charity formal sale to be March 20
March 17, 2010
The "Donate My Dress" initiative and will host a charity dress sale at Central High School March 20 to benefit the Family Violence Center of Springfield. Kickapoo High School senior Jennifer Collins and freshman sister Allie Collins developed the “Donate My Dress” initiative to help girls purchase gently used formal dresses for their prom.
The Collins sisters, along with friends and community support, have been collecting dresses since late January. The dresses are valued between $50 and $450 retail prices and have been dry cleaned. They will be resold for $5 to $20 each.
The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the band room at Central High School, 423 E. Central St. For more information, find the Donate My Dress page on Facebook or go to http://donatemydress.weebly.com/.
Kickapoo's PN Media named 2010 Online Pacemaker finalist
March 17, 2010
Kickapoo High School online/print journalism program, PN Media, was named one of only eight finalists in the nation for the 2010 Online Pacemaker Award.
The program's Web site, www.khsprairienews.com, managed by junior Chase Snider, is in its first year. All Prairie News staffers contribute to the content on the site.
The winner of the 2010 Online Pacemaker Award will be announced in April at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Portland, Ore.
Wilder to host 2nd annual Lean Green Running Machine 5K Run/Walk
March 17, 2010
Wilder Elementary School will host its 2nd annual Lean Green Running Machine 5K Run/Walk April 17 at 8 a.m.
Last year, this was the first ever GREEN race in Springfield. Wilder minimized the waste and reduced the carbon footprint of the race by completing the online application, using a GREEN printer for all print advertising materials used to promote the race, on-site recycling, recyclable or compostable water and food containers used, organic race day t-shirts were made, organic food and reusable race day bags.
The event will also feature an Environmental Expo with interactive exhibits provided by local non-profit organizations like The Nature Center, The James River Basin Partnership and the City of Springfield. Live music will also be provided local youth rock band Supercharge.
All proceeds of the event will benefit Springfield Council of PTAs Clothing Bank and individual school PTAs. Participants may designate a portion of their race registration fee to go back to their own home school PTA.
Spring break to be March 22-26
March 15, 2010
Springfield Public Schools students will have no classes March 22-26 due to spring break. District offices will be open March 22-25 and the entire school system will be closed March 26.
Classes will resume Monday, March 29. View the district calendar.
Starcatcher to be recognized March 17
March 15, 2010
Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder will present a Starcatcher Award at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, at Cherokee Middle School, 420 E. Farm Road 182.
The Starcatcher Award is typically presented three times per school year to an SPS employee who demonstrates 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 sponsor Horace Mann Insurance.
Due to the economic recession, Dr. Ridder will award one Starcatcher Award per month through May 2010. Nomination letters can be submitted to the superintendent via e-mail.
Media are advised to check in at the Cherokee office prior to 10 a.m. Wednesday.
SPS orchestra students performed at Fine Arts Education Day March 16
March 15, 2010
Several Springfield Public Schools musical groups performed in Jefferson City at the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, March 16 for Fine Arts Education Day.
Representative Bob Dixon invited Springfield students to attend the event and perform after hearing the Glendale High School Chamber Orchestra perform at the Show-Me-Arts Summit in January. Glendale orchestra director Andy Johnston will also accompany fifth-grade orchestra students from Field, Pershing, Rountree, Sequiota and Wilder elementary schools to perform for legislators.
Charter bus transportation has been arranged for the group's travel and is being paid for by the GHS Orchestra Booster Club, Springfield Music, Missouri Alliance for Arts in Education, Hoover Music and an anonymous donor.
Kindergarten early registration March 15-19
March 15, 2010
Springfield Public Schools had early registration for kindergarteners for the 2010-2011 school year March 15-19.
Any child residing within the SPS district who will be 5 years of age BEFORE August 1, 2010, must register with their home school and receive a developmental screening. To enroll, parents will need to provide their child's immunization record, social security card or number, birth certificate and proof of residence. If a child has been previously enrolled in Wonder Years, Early Childhood Special Education, Integrated Classroom, Head Start or Junior Kindergarten, their screenings will be conducted in your child's classroom.
For more information and site specific dates and times to register, see the complete list at the district Web site.
CHS to host National Geographic's Inside North Korea March 15
March 11, 2010
Central High School will host a screening of the National Geographic documentary Inside North Korea Monday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.
The film is being presented by the LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) organization dedicated to the current human rights and refugee crisis in North Korea. The documentary will be followed by a question and answer session led by the LiNK Nomads, a team of representatives traveling North America to educate students on one of today's most overlooked humanitarian crises.
The aim of the presentation is to engage students to think globally and become active participants in human rights issues. The screening will be available to all Central International Baccalaureate students and other interested students and teachers. For more information about the screening, contact Melissa Morgan, IB coordinator, at 523-9605.
Parents As Teachers celebrate 25th Anniversary March 14
March 11, 2010
Springfield Public Schools Parents As Teachers program celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Dickerson Park Zoo on Sunday, March 14, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
All past and current Parents As Teachers families, parent educators and advisory board members are welcome to attend the celebration. All guests will receive a special group rate admission cost and there will be special recognitions, a proclamation and story time at 2 p.m. at the zoo amphitheatre.
The Dickerson Park Zoo is located at 1401 W. Norton Road. For more information, contact the Parents As Teachers office at 523-1160.
ROSE Banquet March 11
March 11, 2010
The 25th ROSE (Recognition of Scholastic Excellence) Banquet was Thursday, March 11 at Crusader Hall at Evangel University at 6 p.m.
This is an annual recognition of the top performing students from Springfield's five public high schools based on grade-point average.
Central student is Poetry Out Loud state champ
March 11, 2010
Central High School student Nicole Andrews was named Missouri's 2010 State Poetry Out Loud Champion March 3 at the state competition in Jefferson City.
Andrews defeated nine other statewide school finalists and will proceed to the national competition in Washington D.C. Her winning performance included "The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost; "I Am!," by John Clare, and "My Grandmother's Love Letters," by Hart Crane.
Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest for high school students conducted in all 50 states by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information go to the Poetry Out Loud Web site at www.poetryoutloud.org.
Middle College students win big at SkillsUSA district contest
March 11, 2010
Springfield Public Schools Middle College students won big at a district SkillsUSA competition held at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.
Middle College is an SPS Choice program that was introduced in 2008 as a partnership between Springfield Public Schools and Ozarks Technical Community College to help students pursue education and career goals while gaining work experience and income.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. More than 300,000 students and instructors join SkillsUSA annually. The nationwide program includes local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. Annually, more than 5,000 students compete in 91 skill areas.
Awards at the 2010 district competition are as follows:
1st Place: Austin Shaffer - Job Skill Demonstration
1st Place: Karl Wolfe - Essay Writing
1st Place: Racheal Hawthorne - Early Childhood Written Exam
Honorable Mention: Middle College Health Knowledge Bowl Team - Austin Cobb, Anna Luce, Nick Parrott, Amy Underwood and Micky Dimas
PN Media to broadcast state basketball finals
March 10, 2010
Springfield Public Schools has two high school basketball teams headed to state competition Thursday, March 11, in Columbia. Kickapoo High School girls will play Blue Springs at 5:10 p.m. and Hillcrest High School boys will play Park Hill South at 8:30 p.m. Kickapoo High School's student journalism program, PN Media, will provide live coverage of both games during the 2010 MSHAA Show Me Showdown Finals Competition. To view the coverage simply log on to khsprairienews.com. The site will be reformatted on Saturday to meet the needs of the live coverage. The broadcast will be sanctioned by MSHAA and is a PN Media exclusive. Kickapoo basketball player Alex Brown will provide play-by-play commentary for the event with executive producer Chase Snider overseeing the broadcast. PN Media will also host a live action sports blog.
Note to news media: Broadcasting rights for the event have been fully covered and released by MSHAA. PN Media will provide a web-based widget player to your news outlet toprovide the live stream. Please direct all immediate questions, both technical and related to stories, to csnider@khsprairienews.com.
Cat in the Hat to visit Robberson March 9
March 8, 2010
Robberson Elementary School has been selected as a "Read Across America" site by the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) and students will get a special visit from the Cat in the Hat on Tuesday, March 9 at 1 p.m.
Chris Guinther, MNEA president, will bring the Cat in the Hat to the Robberson gymnasium to an assembly for kindergarten, 1st- and 2nd-graders where she will lead a trivia game about Dr. Seuss books. The winning team will select which Dr. Seuss book the Cat in the Hat will read to the students.
Robberson is located at 1100 E. Kearney St.
Glendale students celebrate reading and vote for top author today
March 8, 2010
About 240 Glendale High School students will attend a celebration in honor of Gateway Readers in the school cafeteria Monday, March 8 at 2:15 p.m.
The Gateway Readers Award program is to promote literature and reading in Missouri high schools. The program recognizes authors and illustrators of books that are favorites of Missouri students. Each year, Missouri students in grades 9-12 vote for their favorite book from a list of nominated titles. The award is presented to the author of the winning book by the Missouri Association of School Librarians.
Glendale students will vote for their favorite book from this years nominees at the celebration. To participate in the vote for the best book, students must have read at least three of the books nominated for the award. At Glendale this year, over 650 students participated in the program by reading at least one of the titles selected.
The Front Porch to display SPS teachers' art throughout March
March 8, 2010
Art created by Springfield Public Schools art teachers will be on display for the public at The Front Porch, 310 S. Avenue, for the entire month of March.
SPS teachers contributing art are as follows:
Rita Bear
Sherri Bender
Cynthia Bylander
Sherrie Copenhaver
Pam Dickinson
Holli Dunn
Steve Fielding
Erin Hughes
Chris Mostyn
Lorin Ross
Kristin Sholtis
Jean Stewart
Jamie Thomas
Suzanne Thomas
Heather Ireland Weter
Buyer agrees to pay $4.45 million for former Hickory Hills building
March 8, 2010
Springfield Public Schools has signed a contract with a buyer for the former Hickory Hills School. Nixa-based Larino Properties, LLC, will pay $4,450,000 for the 102,609 square-foot building and accompanying 15.5 acres.
The buyer has 120 days from March 1 to conduct due diligence. Closing on the property could occur as early as July 2010.
Larino Properties has expressed interest in developing the site for retail use. The company has successfully developed other retail properties in Springfield including Chestnut Crossing and Wilson's Creek Marketplace.
"Since placing this property on the market in 2006, we believed it would be a prime location for retail development," said Superintendent Norm Ridder. "We are pleased that in addition to the sale price, the school district may also benefit from future sales tax and property tax revenue."
Located at 3429 E. Chestnut Expressway, the building was constructed in 1951 and used as a school until January 2010 when students moved into the new Hickory Hills School at 4650 E. State Highway YY.
Live streaming coverage planned for state quarterfinals
March 5, 2010
Kickapoo High School's journalism program, PN Media, will provide live coverage Saturday, March 6, of the 2010 MSHAA State Quarterfinals Competition in Rolla. To view the coverage, log on to khsprairienews.com. Two Springfield Public Schools basketball teams will compete. Kickapoo High School girls will play Rockbridge at 1 p.m. Hillcrest High School boys will play Holt at 2:45 p.m.
The live broadcast is sanctioned by MSHAA and is a PN Media exclusive. Student sports reporter Spencer Price and KHS basketball player Alex Brown will provide play-by-play commentary for the event with executive producer Chase Snider overseeing the broadcast. There will also be a live action sports blog hosted by PN Media.
Note to news media: Broadcasting rights for the event have been fully covered and released by MSHAA. A web-based widget video player is available to your news outlet to provide the live stream. Please direct all questions, both technical and news-related, to csnider@khsprairienews.com.
Harrison hosts first Literacy Night
March 4, 2010
David Harrison Elementary School will host its first Literacy Night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 4.
The theme of the event is Dr. Seuss and there will be literacy activities including games, crafts and writing a book. There will also be a special guest speaker David Harrison Elementary School is located at 3055 W. Kildee Lane.
PN Media to provide live video coverage of district sectionals
March 3, 2010
Kickapoo High School's journalism program, PN Media, will provide live coverage tonight of the 2010 MSHAA District Sectional Competition from the campus of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. To view the coverage, log on to khsprairienews.com. Three Springfield Public Schools teams will be competing tonight. KHS and Hillcrest High School girls will face off at 6 p.m. HHS boys will play Nixa High School at 7:45 p.m.
The live broadcast is sanctioned by MSHAA and is a PN Media exclusive. Student sports reporter Sam Sherman and KHS basketball player Alex Brown will provide play-by-play commentary for the event with executive producer Chase Snider overseeing the broadcast. There will also be a live action sports blog hosted by PN Media.
"This is an excellent opportunity for our students to provide a service to all Springfield residents as well as learn real life broadcasting and online techniques, public relations, and advertising skills," said Leslie Orman, KHS journalism instructor. "We encourage local media to work with the students to make this content available to the largest number of viewers possible."
Note to news media: Broadcasting rights for the event have been fully covered and released by MSHAA. A web-based widget video player is available to your news outlet to provide the live stream. Please direct all questions, both technical and news-related, to csnider@khsprairienews.com.
Gary Tew is nominated as 'Distinguished Principal of the Year'
March 3, 2010
Gary Tew, Pittman Elementary School Principal, has been nominated as this year's "Distinguished Principal of the Year" by the Springfield Chapter of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP).
Tew began his 20-year career with Springfield Public Schools in 1990 teaching fourth grade at Holland Elementary School. He has since taught at Twain Elementary School and after one year as an administrative intern, became principal at Fairbanks Elementary School. He left Fairbanks to become principal at Pittman in 2002. Tew has served the students of Springfield now for 20 years.
"Gary was nominated for many reasons," said Springfield MAESP President, Christine Mendel. "Including his strong educational leadership, his dedication to the community, the positive relationships he has with staff, students, and parents, and his commitment to MAESP and to the National Association of Elementary School Principals."
Tew will be honored March 13 along with 13 other state Distinguished Principal nominees at the Missouri Distinguished Principals Banquet at the MAESP's annual spring conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort. One of the 14 nominees will be selected for the National Distinguished Principal Award and be honored in Washington, D.C. later in 2010.
Three schools to get new principals for 2010-2011
March 3, 2010
Springfield Public Schools has named three internal candidates to fill principal vacancies for the 2010-2011 school year.
Robert Reed, who is currently principal at Watkins Elementary School, will become principal at McBride Elementary School. He began his SPS career as a vocal music teacher at Pipkin Middle School in 1988. In 1994 he moved to Cherokee Middle School for one year, before spending the next 11 years as vocal music teacher at Pleasant View Middle School and Truman Elementary School. He holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Evangel University.
Jason Steingraber will replace Joe Callaway as principal at Wilder Elementary School. Callaway is retiring after 15 years with the district.
Steingraber began his career with SPS as a speech/language pathologist at Pershing Elementary School in 1998. He served in that capacity until 2005 when he became a process coordinator for the special education department. He has been principal of Bowerman Elementary School since 2007. He completed his master’s in Elementary Education Administration at Missouri State University and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from University of Missouri.
Gary Tew will become principal at Westport Elementary School after eight years as principal at Pittman Elementary School. He started his SPS career in 1990 as an elementary teacher at Holland Elementary School. He also served as administrative intern prior to becoming principal of Fairbanks Elementary School in 1998. This year, Tew was selected by his peers to serve as the Springfield Association of Elementary School Principals National Distinguished Principal nominee. He earned his Masters of Science in Educational Administration and Specialist in Educational Administration from Missouri State University.
The 25th annual ROSE Banquet is March 11
March 3, 2010
The 25th ROSE (Recognition of Scholastic Excellence) Banquet will be March 11 at Crusader Hall at Evangel University at 6 p.m.
This is an annual recognition of the top performing students from Springfield's five public high schools based on grade-point average.
For more information contact Teresa Bledsoe, district community relations manager, at 523-0117.
Holland Elementary to host community personalities as guest readers
March 1, 2010
In celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Week, Holland Elementary teachers and staff have planned a variety of literacy activities to motivate students to become life-long readers. Students will be encouraged to participate daily by answering trivia questions about Dr. Seuss’s life and achievements as well as dress up for themed spirit days connected to some of his most loved books.
On Wednesday and Thursday, March 3-4, Holland classrooms will host guest readers from the community. Readers will include members of the MSU Lady Bears; news, weather and sports anchors from KY3, FOX and KSPR; the Director of the Dickerson Park Zoo; Louie, the Springfield Cardinals' mascot and Andy Kuntz of Andy’s Frozen Custard.
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