Youth empowerment conference features national speaker
Sept. 25, 2008
Horacio Sanchez, a national award-winning educator, whose “Resiliency Education Program” has been the National Education Association’s preferred model for closing the achievement gap, will be the keynote speaker during the sixth annual NAACP Youth Empowerment Conference for African American Students.
The conference is Thursday, Oct. 2, at Plaster Student Union on the campus of Missouri State University.
Sanchez will be the keynote speaker at 9:15 a.m. before presenting to students on the “The Secret of Success.” He will present to adults from Springfield Public Schools and MSU from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
View the complete conference agenda
Annual regional college and career fair is Oct. 7
Sept. 25, 2008
Springfield Public Schools will partner with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce to host this year’s Springfield Regional College and Career Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at University Plaza Convention Center.
Representatives from 125 colleges and universities, trade and technical schools, the military and financial aid organizations will be present to help students and parents with important decisions involved in selecting a post secondary education.
The chamber will be represented by about 25 exhibitors providing students with information about specific career options in manufacturing, construction, health care and business.
Students and parents may also attend a presentation, “Planning and Preparing for College,” conducted by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. The workshop will provide current information about financial aid, including the latest information about student grants and loans. Sessions are at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Illinois/Colorado Room at University Plaza Hotel.
The annual fair is open to high school students from throughout Southwest Missouri and is hosted by SPS high school guidance counselors. For more information call Rhonda Mammen at 523-0063.
HHS, CHS broadcast students capture national honors
Sept. 25, 2008
Hillcrest and Central high school broadcast students won national reporting honors from the National Scholastic Press Association, it was announced this week. Hillcrest students Rachel Miles and Kendra Weatherford won first place in broadcast news for the “HTV Magazine” story “Easy Access” that exposed on-line alcohol sales to teens.
Nick Balla and Breanna King, two members of last year’s “Central Intelligence,” received third place in broadcast news for a story on problems that can be caused by heavy backpacks.
HTV Magazine is also a finalist for the NSPA Broadcast Pacemaker award. Hillcrest students have received the award nine times, more than any school in the country. The honor is presented to the best high school shows each year, as judged by professional journalists and collegiate broadcast instructors. Winners will be announced in mid-November at the NSPA national convention.
Workshop scheduled for student testing
Sept. 19, 2008
Springfield Public Schools’ Office of Cultural Diversity will sponsor a workshop at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, to help parents understand and help their child with Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing and other school assessments.
The workshop is at the Midtown Carnegie branch library, 397 E. Central St. For more information call Dr. Nate Quinn, SPS cultural diversity coordinator, at 523-0064.
Students sell Popsicles for hurricane relief
Sept. 19, 2008
Rountree Elementary School fourth-grade students hope to raise more than $200 this week for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund by selling Popsicles. The effort is part of the new “Rountree Cares” program designed to raise awareness this school year of different charities.
As of Friday, both fourth-grade classes had raised $176. The final amount will be given to local Red Cross officials during an upcoming Character Ed assembly.
PHS celebrates new look at open house
Sept. 17, 2008
With the second phase of construction nearly complete, Parkview High School has a brand new look. On Thursday, Sept. 18, the public is invited to tour the new school during an open house and dedication ceremony at 7 p.m.
School board member Bruce Renner – a former Parkview counselor – will speak during the ceremony in the school auditorium. A reception and tour of the new school will follow at 7:30 p.m. Visitors should park on the north and west sides of the school.
The $10 million phase II construction project was funded by voter approval in 2006 of a $96.5 million bond initiative that allowed the district to provide air-conditioning, renovations and other improvements to 24 district schools and build a new school in the southwest part of the district.
Completion of the Parkview phase II project will replace the old south wing with new classrooms and science labs, a kitchen and cafeteria, and a media center.
The project will be complete about three years after the first phase of construction – also a $10 million project - was completed on the north side of the school. That project was funded by voter approval of a $30 million bond issue in 2003.
Teachers' paintings displayed at Hammons Hall
Sept. 17, 2008
An exhibit of recent paintings by five Springfield public high school visual arts teachers is on display through the end of September at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts on the campus of Missouri State University.
The works of Susan Brown and Kevin Kloppenburg (Central), Heather Ireland (Hillcrest), Cynthia Bylander (Kickapoo), and Stephanie Rieser (Parkview) are part of an exhibit called “Larger Than Life.” The free exhibit is open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Six seniors named national merit semi-finalists
Sept. 11, 2008
Six Springfield public high school seniors have been named semi-finalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Named from Central High School: Alice W. Barber, Erez Bosch, Ruolin Hou and Robert T. Jones. Named from Glendale High School: Natalie S. Pak and Lindsey K. Steinberg.
These academically talented students are eligible to complete for about 8,200 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $35 million to be awarded next spring. More than 1.5 million high school juniors in over 21,000 high schools entered the national merit program by taking a qualifying test. Scholarship winners are chosen based on their academic skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
The pool of semi-finalists represents less than one percent all high school seniors in the country. About 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance as finalists.
Rountree recipient of '11-on-11' initiative
Sept. 11, 2008
Volunteers from University Heights Baptist Church will paint the interior entry area at Rountree Elementary School on Saturday, Sept. 13, as part of the nationwide Baptist initiative called “11-on-11” that started a few years ago to create something positive from the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.
Volunteers will meet at the church about 9 a.m. before beginning work at the school shortly thereafter. The church, located at 1010 S. National Ave., is a Partner in Education with Rountree, located at 1333 E. Grand St. This is the second year UHBC has participated with Rountree in 11-on-11. The event is held on a Saturday closest to Sept. 11.
Rountree considered for district PYP school
Sept. 10, 2008
Rountree Elementary School could become the third district elementary school to adopt the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
On Sept. 9, the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education was asked to approve the implementation of the Rountree PYP beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.
PYP is an inquiry-based learning approach with a proven track record in meeting student needs within existing district PYP programs. Boyd and Field elementary schools currently offer the PYP to their students. Enrollment trends at both those schools show strong community support for the program.
Rountree staff researched potential SPS Choice options for two years before proposing PYP. Implementation would require $15,000 for the current budget year. The money was approved by the board in June for possible Choice training or research.
The program would also require ongoing annual costs of $125,720 beginning in fiscal 2009.
In other board action on Sept. 9:
*The board postponed until next month an administrative proposal to create a teacher advisory team that allows teachers to be involved in the process of improving their working conditions and compensation.
In 2007 the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that teachers and other public employees have a Constitutional right to engage in collective bargaining. The Chief Justice stated it was up to school districts to establish a framework that allows teachers to exercise their bargaining rights.
The Springfield National Education Association wants to hold an election to choose an exclusive bargaining agent to represent all teachers. The Missouri State Teachers Association proposes a negotiation team with equal representation by both organizations. Administration recommends the team consist of equal numbers of representatives from both teacher groups.
* The board was asked to revise the district strategic plan, SP5, adopted a year ago. SP5 was designed to be flexible and responsive to stakeholder input and administrative review. Marc Maness, community relations/strategic planning director, suggested revisions that would remove duplication among current performance indicators and measures to sharpen the focus on the three primary district goals.
* The board received a demonstration of the new parent notification system AlertNOW.
Eight schools to dismiss early Sept. 9 for Tour of Missouri
Sept. 9, 2008
The 2008 Tour of Missouri cycling race will cruise into Springfield on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The race route will put riders in close proximity to eight Springfield public schools requiring some road and intersection closures. In an effort to assure school dismissals do not interfere with the race, students will be dismissed early Sept. 9 at the following eight schools and at Cox North:
Weaver - 2 p.m.
Boyd - 12 noon
Phelps – 2 p.m. for middle school students; 2:15 p.m. for elementary students.
Bissett - 2:30 p.m.
Pipkin - 11:45 a.m.
Jarrett - 2:15 p.m.
Central - 2:15 p.m.
Parkview - 2:15 p.m.
BASE (Business Associated Student Education) Program – Cox North 2:55 p.m.
Schools to commemorate Sept. 11 attacks
September 5, 2008
Four Springfield public schools will honor the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America in various ways on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Hillcrest High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) will hold its seventh consecutive memorial ceremony beginning at 7:15 a.m. at the flagpole in front of the school. The 15-minute ceremony will include the presentation of colors, an address by the student cadet battalion commander and the senior army instructor, a song, the “Prayer for Our Nation” and “Taps.”
Mark Twain Elementary School does an annual “freedom walk” where students and staff walk around the track during physical education and recess in support of those who died as a result of the 9-11 attacks and those who fight for our freedoms. The event will be held throughout the day (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) as classes and recesses are scheduled.
Study Middle School will hold a tribute to the victims of Sept. 11 with singing by the Study Middle School Choir and a video tribute. The event is at 8:15 a.m. in the Study auditorium and will include the presentation of the colors of the American flag.
Truman Elementary School will celebrate Patriot Day on Sept. 11 with a 2 p.m. assembly followed by the landing of a Blackhawk helicopter on the school grounds at 2:30 p.m. Students will receive a guided tour of the aircraft and can have their picture taken in the helicopter. During the assembly, students and staff will sing the national anthem and students will read essays on being patriotic. Truman school is the home of the Patriots.
PHS's Cindy Shannon named marketing educator of year
September 5, 2008
Cindy Shannon, a marketing teacher and DECA advisor and business department chair at Parkview High School, was named Marketing Educator of the Year by the Missouri Marketing and Cooperative Education Association at its annual professional development conference this summer.
The award recognizes educators who manage outstanding marketing education programs. Each year, one recipient is recognized for significant contributions toward quality programs which improve and promote marketing education in their communities and through professional association activities and leadership.
Shannon’s proven ability to effectively integrate DECA activities into her classroom instruction and work-based experiences was key to her selection for this honor. Individuals recognized for the award must have made significant contributions to marketing education through a combination of activities that may include program development, student activities, professional association activities, civic and community involvement.
Shannon will represent MCEA as its nominee for the Missouri Association of Career and Technical Association Educator of the Year which will be named in July 2009 at its annual conference in Springfield.
Pleasant View school, zoo team up to go green
September 5, 2008
Pleasant View school has formed a partnership with Dickerson Park Zoo that will support the school’s theme this year of ‘Go Green, Year of the Frog.” Zoo officials are working with the school and will provide bags, a frog sticker and recycling information to each student.
Pleasant View students, staff and parents are exploring new ways to be environmentally friendly in school and at home. With help from the zoo, the school will recycle aluminum cans. Money collected will be donated to the Amphibian Ark, a global conservation movement working to ensure the survival of amphibians and generate public awareness of the amphibian extinction crisis.
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