oberly chool istrict - Moberly Public Schools

Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
Spartan Newsletter
1
Letter from the Superintendent
“Accredited with Distinction”
INSIDE
1. Supt.’s Letter
2. MATC/NCRS
3. MMS/MHS
4. GBE
5. NP/SP
6. District
7. Calendar
As we reflect on the 2013-2014 school year, our students, parents,
and community members should be proud of the achievements
made over the past nine months in schools throughout the Moberly
School District (MSD). Our students and staff have worked all year at
achieving the necessary skills to make them college and career ready
upon graduation. This continual progression toward a goal requires a
vision and focus from all stakeholders, and we are in line to accomplish
just that. We currently have 95% of all of our students taking a college
and career readiness test before graduation.
The Moberly School District has seen many fantastic changes this past school year.
The addition of the JROTC program is certainly one to highlight. The program has
seen a solid beginning and one that is certain to grow and provide many wonderful
opportunities for our students. The District has also seen the completion of the new
Moberly High School facility which is serving our needs well. We are currently working on
breaking ground for a Link to connect MHS and MATC, as well as construction of a new
facility for our youngest learners, our pre-school students. These additions will enhance
the educational experience we are able to offer the students, parents, and community of
Moberly School District.
I want to congratulate the Moberly High School Class of 2014 for the many group
and individual accomplishments they have earned while attending the Moberly School
District. Whether those accomplishments were in the area of academics, performing arts,
speech and debate, or athletics, they have made all of us proud to be Spartans. At the
Senior Awards Ceremony, the graduating class of 2014 was awarded an approximate
total of $775,000 in local, college, military, and A+ scholarships. These accomplishments
did not happen by chance. The Class of 2014 has demonstrated a commitment to pursue
excellence, and we certainly wish them the best in their future endeavors. They are the
“final product” of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of their parents and families,
their teachers, support staff, and administration, and most importantly the graduates
themselves.
As most parents do, I find the summer months are a great opportunity for fun and
relaxation for our children. However, I also know the break can cause students to lose
learning momentum before returning to school in the fall. One way to combat that loss
is to promote reading throughout the summer months. Reading is essential to student
success. It helps children, both young and old, keep their minds active in the learning
process. Research tells us that students who do not read during the summer may lose
a month or more of the reading progress they made in school. When this happens, the
progress teachers are able to make at the beginning of the new school year is slowed by
unnecessary review. As a school partner, parents can help alleviate this by working with
their student’s teacher to create a list of summer reads, encouraging their student to
explore books on subjects that interest them, and ensuring that your student sets some
time aside each week to read.
It has been a great year, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in August. Be
safe, enjoy, and soak up some memories.
Sincerely,
Gena McCluskey,
Superintendent
Visit us online at www.moberly.k12.mo.us
M oberly S chool D istrict
Dear Patrons of the Moberly Community,
6
Spartan Newsletter
Families 4 Families Awards
Maggie Crist,
Jadyn Ayers, and
Brianna Gimsley
earned 1000
Reading Counts
points this year.
F
amilies 4 Families: MO Families 4 Families
held their 7th Annual Children’s Mental
Health Week Award Ceremony on Saturday,
April 5th in Jefferson City with one hundred
families and professionals in attendance from
across the state. Those attending heard families
share stories of success on how their children/
youth overcame challenges. They heard how
others support contributed to the success of
the children and youth. The Ceremony was
followed with a reception to honor those
receiving awards and to network together.
Awesome Readers at GBE!
A
wesome readers at GBE get a special lunch.
Students that earn 250 or 750 Reading
Counts points get to enjoy lunch with Mrs.
Andrea Ambroson and principal, Dr. Della Bell.
Students that earn 1000 Reading Counts points
get to go to Central Office and enjoy lunch
in the office with the superintendent, Gena
McCluskey! We are very proud of our readers!!
Several students
earned 250 or
750 Reading
Counts points
Award recipients from Moberly were Jayce Petre with
teacher, Julie Wood and Caroline Nuhn, both of GBE.
Follow The Torch
O
n May 20, several Moberly students participated
in the local Law Enforcement Torch Run. There
were 18 current students and several former students,
faculty, staff, parents, and local patrons there to
support them along the way. All of our students
look forward to the fun trip every year!
Special
thanks to the Moberly Correctional Center for
putting it together and putting joy on our kids’ faces!
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
Relay For Life Team At GBE
Earned Some Sweet Dough
G
ratz Brown Elementary raised money to
support the Randolph County Relay for Life.
Staff members who raised the most money in votes
took a pie in the face. Within each grade level,
the person with the second highest votes was
given the honor of delivering the pie in the face
to the first place winners. Mrs. Propst took a pie
from Mrs. Dusenberry. Miss Patton enjoyed giving
Mr. Laffoon a whipped cream pie in the face. Mr.
Burris was covered in pie by Mrs. Haverstick. Mrs.
Schirmer and Miss Hunt gave each other a pie! This
sweet fun raised $580 to help find a cure for cancer!
Around the District
M oberly S chool D istrict
Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
Spartan Newsletter
3
When One Door Closes, Another Shall Open
First Salutatorian of
2014 Megan Carlin
Second Salutatorian of
2014 Camille Steward
Student Body
President of 2014
Justas Miles
MMS / MHS
State Science Fair
M
MS students Abby Lindsey, Tessa Jackson, Olivia McCarter, and Ashley Lewis attended the
Missouri Academy of Science Junior Division competition held at the University of Central
Missouri at Warrensburg, Missouri on April 25th. Ashley Lewis presented her research over the Effects
of Environmental Factors on Asian Carp Activity, received a highly superior rating, and qualified to
compete in the final round of presentations. Ashley also received an award for Exemplary Middle School
Paper in the Field of Biological Sciences, as well as the Amy and Beth Lawson Microbiology Award. Olivia
McCarter presented her research over the Effect of Bridge Design on Holding Capacity. Olivia received a
superior rating for her project. Tessa Jackson and Abby Lindsey presented their research over the Effect
of Different Materials When Placed in a Vacuum Chamber and received an excellent rating for their
research. Students competed against other middle school students from all over the state of Missouri.
Drain Mapping Our Neighborhood
M oberly S chool D istrict
Valedictorian of 2014
Colton Downing
O
On April 22nd and 23rd,
the students in Mrs.
Burkhart and Ms. Reilly’s
ecology class stenciled
6 drains in Quail Haven
and 4 in Fox Run. The
kids really were proud of
the work that they were
able to do. The students
received recognition at
the city council meeting
on Monday, May 5th.
Both MMS Bands Receive Top Rating
The MMS 7th and 8th Grade
bands traveled to the Macon
Music Festival on April
26th. Both bands received
a 1 rating and the 8th Grade
band also stole the show with
a “Best Band of The Day”
rating. Congratulations to
Jordan Perry, Tessa Friedman,
and our MMS Bands!
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
ne of the lessons in the Missouri’s Aquatic
Ecosystems curriculum covers storm drain
stenciling while discussing watersheds and human
activity. We noticed on a clean up walk that the
storm drains were not stenciled. We mapped the
neighborhoods and contacted Geri Blakey at the City
of Moberly. She came to the classroom and discussed
how to safely stencil the drains, and she provided a
great demonstration of where storm water moves and
what can be done to keep it cleaner. The intent is to
keep people from draining motor oil, grass clippings,
trash and other waste into the storm drains. Ms.
Blakey prepped all the storm drains with white paint
and the students did the stencil work while wearing
safety vests to help prevent accidents and injuries.
4
Spartan Newsletter
March Madness
M oberly S chool D istrict
BE hosted a reading incentive in
March capitalizing on interest in
basketball. Students and teachers
who met or encouraged reading goals
were invited to shoot hoops during
the morning assembly to win a prize.
Mr. Laffoon, fourth grade teacher, really showed his
enthusiasm for March Madness when taking his shots.
New Reading Record
Hayley Wallis,
Elizabeth Latson,
and Antonio
Rivera earned
2,500 Reading
Counts points
while at GBE and
earned a plaque.
Biography Museum
Guest Reader
F
R
epresentative John Wright read to
students in Mr. Burris’s third grade
class at Gratz Brown Elementary. He
asked the students questions about
what they knew about Missouri’s
capitol and Missouri’s government
as well as answered questions
that the students had developed
ifth grade students at Gratz Brown Elementary conducted
research on a famous person and wrote a biography sharing
the selected individual’s life story from childhood through
adulthood.
Significant achievements were highlighted
throughout the biography. Students then assumed the identity
of the person that he or she researched, dressed as that person,
and shared that individual’s biography orally. Antonio Rivera
shared the story of Alexander Graham Bell. Claire Billington
told the story of Sally Ride. Mickey Wilkerson was the resident
expert on Walt Disney. Shaun Coonce took on the persona
of John Chapman, who is also known as Johnny Appleseed.
Central Missouri Travelers
T
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
he students at GBE have been traveling
around Missouri for some educational class
trips. The third graders recently went to Kirksville
for a conservation based field trip. Students
enjoyed fishing, hiking, and learning through
lessons led by conservation department officials.
T
he fourth graders traveled to our state capitol,
Jefferson City. There they toured the capitol
building, explored the historical museum, enjoyed
the gift shop, and met Representative John Wright.
Pictured top left: Students listen to the story of Missouri in a
variety of settings, including the Grand Staircase. Pictured
top right: Students enjoying the House of Representatives’
Gallery. Pictured bottom left: Students joined
Representative Wright for a group photo. Pictured bottom
right: Darras Bell, Thomas Winingear, and Johnathan
Everhart worked together to learn about Missouri’s history.
Pictured left:
Chase Nelson, third
grader, enjoyed
being a model
of a beaver and
shared the special
adaptations of this
animal.
Gratz Brown Elementar y
G
Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
Spartan Newsletter
Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
S
outh Park kindergarten students had a great
experience this year watching eggs from Randolph
County 4-H hatch in the classrooms. Each class was given
11 eggs for their incubators. The students helped turn the
eggs three times a day just like the mother hen would
do in the nest. After the chicks hatched, the students
were able to help feed and water the chicks each day and
even see the chicks begin to develop their adult feathers.
Cluck!
South Park Second
Graders Are Writing
Up A Storm
M
rs. Holcomb’s 2nd grade class had a successful Author’s Luncheon at the end of April. Many
parents, relatives, and faculty members were able to come see the 2nd graders’ writing
from throughout the year. Students enjoyed sharing their published pieces with a variety of
people. Visitors signed their autograph sheet and wrote nice comments about the writing they
heard. After sharing, many enjoyed eating their lunch in the gym with their family members.
Rootin’, Tootin’ Good Time
M oberly S chool D istrict
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
North Park / South Park
Cluck!
5
North Park students, families, faculty, and staff all recently enjoyed the annual school
carnival. This year’s theme was “Wild West”. Fun was had by all who attended.
Spartan Newsletter
2
Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
DECA State Finalists Move On To International
Abby Taylor and Brittany
Kroner received medals
and certificates for top 10
in their category. They are
pictured above with MATC
Instructor, Sam Richardson.
edalists and trophy winners advancing to the International Career
Development Conference were: Dustin Ketchem, Restaurant and
Food Service Management, 3rd Place; Wes Luntsford, Automotive Services
Marketing, 7th Place (bumped to 6th); Becca Burkhart, Entrepreneurship
Participating Independent Business, 1st Place; Brittany Kroner and
Abby Taylor, Financial Literacy Promotion Plan, 2nd Place; Magdalena
Myles, Quick Serve Restaurant Management Marketing, 2nd Place;
and Katy Cole, Business Finance Marketing Management, 6th Place.
R
ecently, the seven MATC DECA students that won at the state level
as mentioned above, represented our school, our DECA District,
and the state of Missouri at the International Career Development
Conference held in Atlanta, GA, May 2-7th. The DECA International
Career Development Conference (ICDC) is the highlight of the DECA year.
Sixteen thousand high school students, advisors, businesspersons, and
alumni gather for several days of DECA excitement. The top competitors
in each event are recognized for their outstanding achievements.
In addition to the competitive events, many students and advisors
participate in a variety of leadership and career advancing academies.
Skills USA State Competition
M
oberly Area Technical Center’s SkillsUSA
organization recently attended the SkillsUSA
state competition held on the campus of Linn
State Technical College in Linn, MO from April
3-5, 2014. The contests are held in conjunction
with the Missouri SkillsUSA Leadership and
Skills Conference attended by more than 2,500
students, teachers, and representatives of
business, industry, education, and government.
During their stay, students compete in their field
of study, participate as voting delegates for their
chapters, elect state officers, conduct the business
of the organization, meet with business and
industry representatives, and hear from officials!
Kale Spry - 1st place Architectural Drafting; Katie
Smith - 1st place Auto Refinish; Deanna Gunnerson
- 2nd place First Aid /CPR, 3rd place Medical
Terminology; Trevin Guthrie - 2nd place Auto Refinish;
and Derek Sneller - 3rd place Technical Drafting. Katie
Smith and Kale Spry advance to the SkillsUSA National
Competition that will be held in Kansas City in June.
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
E
ast Park School was chosen by the Historical
Preservation Commission as a “Designated
Historic Property”, along with three other buildings
in Moberly. The recognition ceremony took place on
May 19, 2014 at City Hall in Moberly. School Board
Member Lisa Vanderburg, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Tim Roling, East Park Director Debbie Young, and
current East Park (North Central Regional School)
teacher Amy Turner, were there to accept the plaque
to be placed on the building. Former principal Ron
Self spoke about his memories of the building.
T
he original East Park school was built in 1873 on East
Rollins. The current East Park building was constructed
in 1930. It housed various elementary students until
2000, when primary age students moved to the North
Park building. East Park then became the home to North
Central Regional Middle and High Schools, Parents As
Teachers, Early Childhood Programs, Off-Site Alternative
Academic Education and the MO Options Program.
Little Piece of History
Greg Carroll, an icon
at Moberly School
District, North Central
Regional Middle School
paraprofessional, retired
at the end of the year. Mr.
Carroll has been a positive
impact on students and
staff for 20 years.
MATC / NCRS
M oberly S chool D istrict
M
Issue #4 of 4
Summer 2014
Spartan Newsletter
7
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
Class of 2014
M oberly S chool D istrict
Watch for future issues and view prior issues on our website.
Moberly School District
Spartan Newsletter
Issue #4 of 4
Summer
2014
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Visit us online at www.moberly.k12.mo.us
North Park
South Park
Middle School High School
MATC
East Park
Moberly School District
926 KWIX Road
Moberly, MO 65270
Gratz Brown