Teams close fall season with 'top four' finishes
Nov. 30, 2008
Congratulations to six Springfield Public Schools athletic teams that advanced to state Final Four competitions this fall. Kickapoo and Glendale high schools both brought home Top Four honors from state championships.
| Kickapoo – Girls | Cross Country | 4th |
| Kickapoo – Girls | Golf | 2nd |
| Glendale – Boys | Soccer | 2nd |
| Kickapoo – Boys | Swimming | 2nd |
| Kickapoo – Girls | Tennis | 2nd |
| Glendale – Girls | Volleyball | 4th |
Field's Holiday Days of Sharing begin Dec. 1
Nov. 25, 2008
Field Elementary School’s holiday days of sharing will be Dec. 1-15 with a host of giving events that benefit families throughout the district, Ozarks Food Harvest clients and participants in the Field “soul food” backpack program. For more information call Field volunteer Ann Howard at 868-8123.
Supreme Court Justice Mary R. Russell to visit Boyd
Nov. 25, 2008
Missouri Supreme Court Justice Mary R. Russell will speak to Boyd Elementary School fourth-grade students about the judicial system during a visit to the school at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1. Her visit is associated with the fourth-graders’ recent study of government. For more information call Boyd principal James Grandon at 523-1500.
PTA Council hosts legislative rally
Nov. 25, 2008
The Springfield Council of PTAs and Missouri PTA will host a Kids First Rally with area legislators at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Jeffries Elementary School, 4051 S. Scenic Ave.
Attending legislators will respond to questions on topics including tax credits and vouchers, teen drivers and cell phones, child abuse reporting and tobacco settlement funds.
Boyd Elementary School celebrates centennial
Nov. 25, 2008
Boyd Elementary School will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, as part of the Midtown Neighborhood Association’s 17th Annual Victorian Christmas Homes Tour.
The event will include walking tours of the school at 1409 N. Washington Ave. Each class will be fashioned to represent a decade of the school’s history.
Friday tours are from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday tours are from noon-5 p.m. The Boyd tour is free. Tickets to view participating Midtown homes are $10 in advance or $12 on the day of the event. For more information call Boyd principal James Grandon at 523-1500.
More than $150,000 in ' Back to School' grants awarded
Nov. 25, 2008
The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools culminated its 2008-2009 Back to School with the Foundation campaign Nov. 25 by awarding more than $150,000 in grants and School Improvement Plan funding to district schools.
Foundation staff, board members and volunteers fanned out across the district to award grant applicants in 33 schools. The foundation provided more than $100,000 for 21 technology grants such as SmartBoards, 22 grants for equipment such as books and computer software, and 19 grants for special projects such as field trips.
The foundation will divide another $47,000 in School Improvement Plan funding among all district schools.
For eight years the Back to School with the Foundation has provided grants to teachers around the district. During that time, the foundation has awarded over $500,000 in grants and school improvement plan funding to support Springfield Public Schools.
For more information about the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools visit www.foundation4sps.org or call 523-0144.
District signs tentative contract to purchase KSPR building
Nov. 21, 2008
Springfield Public Schools Board of Education on Nov. 18 authorized entering into a contract to purchase the KSPR building, located at 1359 E. St. Louis St. The contract includes a 90-day contingency for due diligence, allowing the district to withdraw for any reason from purchasing the building during that timeframe.
“In the next few months, we will engage in a public dialogue about this potential purchase,” said Superintendent Norm Ridder. “Several entities had expressed an interest in the KSPR building so we felt it was prudent to sign a contract, locking in a purchase price, prior to making a public announcement about our intentions to purchase the building.”
During the past year, the district has been very open about its need for an alternative location for administrative offices and communicated with stakeholders that it was evaluating potential sites including Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, Willowbrook Foods and KSPR.
Kraft Administrative Center, which currently houses district administrative offices at 940 N. Jefferson Ave., is in need of costly repairs to maintain occupancy. This spring, it was determined a minimum investment of $600,000 would be required to repair the boiler. Unanticipated repairs to the building’s elevator were required this fall.
“Addressing the many other inadequacies of our existing building could cost an additional $2 million,” Ridder explained. “Rather than making costly repairs and upgrades to a building with little or no market value, we could invest in KSPR, which would provide adequate administrative office space and possibly create future green space for Central High School if we were to vacate KAC.”
According to the terms of the transaction, if Springfield Public Schools decides to purchase the building it will pay $2,175,000, which was the appraised value of the property. At any time within 90 days of signing the contract, the district may withdraw its offer and receive a complete refund of the $25,000 in earnest money.
“We believe this building offers a number of advantages as a future administrative facility and we look forward to hearing input from our stakeholders about this important decision,” Ridder said.
School board president Kris Callen anticipates discussion at the board table to continue in January and encourages the public to be involved.
“During the budget process this past year we thoroughly discussed our administrative facility needs, even allocating some funds in the current budget for repairs or the purchase of a building,” Callen said. “The KSPR building provides a positive solution to this critical facility need.”
If the district proceeds with the purchase, it expects to move into the new building in early 2010.
IB pre-diploma meeting set for Nov. 20 at Central
Nov. 19, 2008
Central High School will hold its annual International Baccalaureate pre-diploma informational meeting for incoming freshmen and their parents at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in the CHS auditorium.
The meeting is for current 8th grade students and their parents to learn about the pre-diploma IB program at Central. Applications and transfer request forms will be available at the meeting.
The IB Diploma Program, which requires study in foreign language and technology, is open to all qualified district students in grades 11-12. Participating students take rigorous honors courses specifically designed to meet the examination requirements set by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
For more information call Melissa Morgan, IB diploma program coordinator, at 523-9605.
CHS wins 'best of show' at journalism convention
Nov. 19, 2008
Central High School’s “Central Intelligence” staff won the “Overall Best In Show” award at the National Scholastic Press Association and Journalism Education Association annual national convention and contest last weekend in St. Louis.
These Central students took home the following individual awards, the most among all participating schools:
1st in broadcast feature - Drew Sampson and Nicole Young.
2nd in broadcast commentary - Andy Wolff.
2nd in broadcast news - Felix Chang and Destiny Pettus.
2nd in broadcast package – M.K. Byrne and Will Pearson.
2nd in broadcast sports - Pazsley Looney and Halli Bruton.
2nd in in-camera feature- Brittany Donnellan and Nate Fairbank.
2nd in short documentary - Kalee Burgess, Natalia Allen and Taylor Luttrell.
2nd in videography- Evan Melgren.
3rd in podcasting- Sarah Smith and Drew Mittman.
3rd in broadcast commercial - Jackie Moad and Lydia Berns.
Honorable mention in review writing - Mitchell Trafford.
Honorable mention in feature writing - David Langdon.
Hillcrest's HTV wins unprecedented 10th Pacemaker
Nov. 19, 2008
Hillcrest High School’s "HTV Magazine" recently won its unprecedented 10th Broadcast Pacemaker Award in 12 years from the National Scholastic Press Association.
Hillcrest was among three national Pacemaker recipients this year. Judges praised the high school journalism program for its “emphasis on the fundamentals of ground-breaking reporting, solid writing, and enhanced story telling through video and sound.” For more information view this link.
"We are thrilled to receive the Pacemaker,” said HTV advisor Dave Davis. “More than anything, it speaks to the consistency of our show, and the effort the kids put into it through the years."
HTV staff will hold a reception at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the HTV classroom/studio.
Jo Baggett is first Starcatcher for 2008-2009 year
Nov. 13, 2008
Jo Baggett, a paraprofessional for English as a second language students at McGregor Elementary School, received a district Starcatcher Award Nov. 13 by Superintendent Norm Ridder.
The Starcatcher Award is presented three times each school year to an employee who demonstrates a commitment to the mission, belief and vision of the district.
Baggett started with the district in 1996 as an instructional aide at Weaver Elementary School. She moved to Portland in 2002 as a paraprofessional and then to McGregor in 2003. She is now in her 12th 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 the award sponsor, Horace Mann Insurance. The next Starcatcher will be awarded in January.
Parkview student chosen for state DECA team
Nov. 13, 2008
Parkview High School senior Alex Ndikum will represent District 11 DECA at the state level after he was named to the Missouri DECA State Action Team. Alex was chosen after taking a writing test on the principles of marketing and the history of DECA (an association of marketing students). He was also interviewed by a panel of business people and made a campaign speech to district DECA representatives.
Alex is now responsible for all district DECA activities, the central region leadership conference Nov. 21-23 in Kansas City, and the state DECA career development conference. For more information call Cindy Shannon, at Parkview, 523-9312.
Pittman students could make cup stacking history
Nov. 12, 2008
Students from Pittman Elementary School will join students from around the world in attempting to set a Guinness world record in cup stacking on Thursday, Nov. 13. About 225 Pittman students in grades 1-5 will participate in the third annual World Sport Stacking Association “Stack Up.” Guinness officials are billing it as the world’s largest sport stacking event. It is hoped more than 175,000 stackers will participate in this one-day event. Pittman students will be stacking cups from 8:30-9 a.m. at the school.
Soldiers visit Sequiota for Veterans Day Event
Nov. 7, 2008
Sequiota Elementary School will have some special guests during a Veterans Day assembly on Monday, Nov. 10, at the school.
Marine Major Larry Jenkins and retired Air Force officer Glenn Brown will address the students at 9:30 a.m. Jenkins is currently working with Disney Elementary School students to create a movie about his experiences introducing ice hockey in Turkey.
Student frog creations auctioned Nov. 7
Nov. 6, 2008
Hickory Hills and Glendale art students will display dozens of artistic frog creations during a frog art auction on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Creamery Arts Center in Jordan Valley Park. The First Friday Art Walk event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The auction is a partnership with Dickerson Park Zoo and is designed to bring awareness of amphibian conservation. Dickerson Park has recognized 2008 as the Year of the Frog. Proceeds from the auction will be divided between schools and the zoo.
Parkview holds Veterans Day assembly Nov. 6
Nov. 6, 2008
Parkview High School will hold a Veterans Day Assembly entitled “America…I Gave My Best to You,” from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in the south gymnasium. The program will include performances by the Parkview Viking band, choir and orchestra, a student council presentation and a video. Guests of honor include representatives from each branch of military service, veterans of peacetime and war and a keynote speech by a local military official.
This ceremony allows Parkview High School to pay a deserving tribute to the men and women who serve our country and who have served it in the past. The assembly is open to all Parkview alumni, friends and family.
District art teachers to exhibit at The Front Porch
Nov. 6, 2008
About 20 Springfield Public Schools art teachers will exhibit their work during First Friday Art Walk on Friday, Nov. 7, at The Front Porch, 310 S. Ave. Teachers will be on hand between 6:30-7 p.m.
The exhibit, which runs Oct. 30-Nov. 25, will feature recent artwork by teachers at all grade levels and reflect a variety of subjects in sculpture, paintings and drawings. For more information on times to view the exhibit call the Front Porch at 865 -2673.
KHS junior receives Congressional Bronze Medal
Nov. 6, 2008
Kickapoo High School junior Nigel Bembry received a Congressional Bronze Medal Oct. 29 from Congressman Roy Blunt for community service, charity work, physical fitness and personal development. This is Congress’ award for young Americans between the ages of 14 and 23.
In earning the medal, Nigel has contributed more than 100 hours of community service at the Missouri Rehabilitation Hospital in Mount Vernon. He has spent 10 hours a week learning to play guitar, walked to and from school (1.5 miles each way) for an entire school year. He also plans to stay in a Native American shelter to learn appreciation for that culture.
Nigel is currently pursuing his silver medal and may pursue a gold medal. That will require 400 hours of community service. Rep. Blunt has awarded only about a half dozen of these awards in southwest Missouri over the past five years.
District schedules two tests of the AlertNow system
Nov. 5, 2008
Springfield Public Schools will conduct two districtwide tests of the AlertNowParent Notification Service Nov. 18 and Nov. 25. These tests are to ensure accuracy of the system and the contact information in the AlertNow database.
Parents may expect students to bring home a letter from school prior to Nov. 6 explaining details of the scheduled tests:
- Tuesday, Nov. 18, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. an Informational Message will be sent to primary and secondary phone numbers listed on the AlertNow contact sheet.
- Tuesday, Nov. 25, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. a Priority Message will be sent to primary, secondary and emergency 1, 2, and 3 phone numbers listed on the contact sheet.
“Prior to these test dates, we encourage parents to communicate with individuals they have listed on their student’s contact sheet about these test messages so they will be expecting them,” said Marc Maness, director of community relations and strategic planning. “We also ask that they check with those same contacts after the tests to confirm that they received the proper message."
The district implemented AlertNow this school year for the first time as a tool to contact parents and staff via telephone with important announcements about school events or emergency situations.
There are two types of AlertNow messages that will be sent via telephone:
1. Informational Messages
These may be initiated either by a child’s school or by the district and will be sent only to the telephone numbers listed as primary and secondary phone numbers on the AlertNow Student Information Form. Some examples of Informational Messages include:
- Reminders about regularly scheduled early dismissals, days off and holiday breaks.
- School cancellations warranted by inclement weather or other unanticipated events. Note: Parents should not rely upon AlertNow as the sole source of notification. The district will continue to communicate about school cancellations via local news media, the district Web site and Channel 25 among other sources.
- Announcements about activities or events at your child’s school.
- Notifications about student absences.
2. Priority Messages
In the rare event a widespread threat poses imminent danger to the physical safety of students and/or staff requiring massive evacuations and/or relocations, a Priority Message will be sent. On these occasions, a Priority Message will be initiated by the district in consultation with individual school sites and will be sent to all telephone numbers listed on the AlertNow Student Information Form (primary, secondary and emergency 1, 2, and 3 phone numbers). Recipients will see “411” displayed on caller ID which denotes it as a Priority Message.
The success of AlertNow is dependent upon accurate contact information for each student. Parents must have completed a contact form and returned it to school to receive these messages. To obtain a contact form or additional information about AlertNow, go to www.springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org .
If the test indicates a child’s correct contacts were not called, parents should phone (417) 523-0111 or send an e-mail to alertnow@spsmail.org before Dec. 8.
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