2014 Winter - Moberly Public Schools

“Accredited with Distinction”
INSIDE
1. Supt.’s Letter
2. MATC/NCRS
3. MMS/MHS
4. GBE
5. NP/SP
6. District
7. Calendar
Spartan Newsletter
1
Letter from the Superintendent
Season’s Greetings!
The holiday season is upon us, and the spirit of giving and supporting
those in need is alive and well in Moberly Schools. Our school system
has a rich tradition of community support and service - not just
during the holidays - but throughout the year. Because as we all know,
need knows no season. Throughout the year, our students and staff
volunteer and support many causes and organizations in a variety of
ways, including leadership roles on community service committees
and boards and donations of their time, and talents. We recently
completed our annual United Way of Randolph County campaign. I
am pleased to report that Moberly School District students and staff donated more than
$6,650 to United Way. I am proud of their efforts and appreciate their willingness to
serve and give.
Winter is here and with it comes the possibility of weather that could prevent the
safe transportation of students to school. The Moberly School District would like to
address the factors regarding school cancellation. Every effort will be made to provide
cancellation notices as early as possible. As soon as a decision is made, local radio and
television stations are notified and a notice is posted on the school district’s web page
and sent via Text Caster Spartan Alerts. Please do not call radio and television stations.
Telephone lines must be kept open so that news media can receive special information
from schools and businesses regarding schedule changes.
Please listen to radio stations KRES 104.7 FM / KWIX 1230 AM/ KIRK 99.9 FM or KZZT
105.5 FM; KRES Radio website www.centralmoinfo.com or watch Channel 8 KOMU,
Channel 13 KRCG, or Channel 17 KMIZ for the latest weather-related announcements.
Here are a few reminders about inclement weather days.
You are always the best judge of your own situation and what is best for your child. The
district makes our decision on what is best for all students and staff and that decision
may not fit your individual situation.
Closing Due to Snow and Ice: The district reviews the weather conditions utilizing
various outlets. School district personnel drive bus routes to check firsthand on local
conditions. Conversations are then held with the bus transportation company, as well
as with individuals who live in various parts of the district and who must drive the roads
early in the morning. Safety is always our top priority. Whether or not the conditions will
be improving throughout the day is also considered.
Early Dismissal: Early dismissal is not an option we like to use unless conditions are
expected to get worse throughout the day. This is primarily due to the fact that many
parents work and the children are safer at school. Please try to have a plan in place to
handle late starts and early dismissals. It is helpful if your children are aware of the plan.
For every person who is happy with a weather-related decision, there is someone who
is unhappy. We appreciate your understanding of the difficulties and the timing of our
decisions. Your support in helping your child get to and from school safely on winter
days is sincerely appreciated.
I appreciate your interest in the District and encourage you to call or stop by my
office any time you have questions. I am honored and privileged to serve as your
Superintendent of Schools. My focus and attention will always be to ensure the success
and safety of the children of the Moberly community.
Sincerely,
Gena McCluskey,
Superintendent
Visit us online at www.moberly.k12.mo.us
Moberly School District
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
Spartan Newsletter
2
Best Dog-gone
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
CTE Student of the Year
Dog In the
O
n October 30th, two Moberly Area Technical Center
DECA students, Katy Cole and Lexie Brand, hosted a
pet costume contest in downtown Moberly. The public
voted by making a donation towards their favorite pet.
The pets who raised the most money were awarded
prizes. In first place was Mia owned by Mary Dwyer.
Second place was awarded to Charli owned by Hannah
Welker and third place went to Axel and Sawyer owned
by Bridgett Hunt. All of the donations that were collected
during this contest will be used to buy H.O.U.N.D.S dogs
and donate them to veterans in need of a companion.
Ergonomic Style
M
oberly Area Technical Center’s
Medical Technology student,
Alaina Nichols has been selected
as the 2014 MATC Career and
Technical Education Student of the
Year. She is the daughter of Mark
Nichols and Francine Nichols. Alaina
plans to attend the University of
Central Missouri at Warrensburg
and major in speech pathology.
T
hanks to a mini grant from the Moberly Public Schools Foundation, Inc., Mrs. Kelly’s
classes at the Moberly Area Technical Center are enjoying the classroom by using stability
balls instead of typical classroom chairs. Research has shown that the stability balls help
students with proper posture, strengthening muscles, staying focused and increasing
blood flow which leads to more alertness. Have we started a new trend for classrooms?
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
NCRS US History Projects
Our students at NCRS participated in Missouri Day this year by creating a
poster depicting important Missouri events, people, and places. Some of the
topics our students covered were the Civil War in Missouri, the Mizzou Tigers,
Cardinals, Blues, Chiefs, Royals, Yogi Berra, the state dinosaur, the Missouri
flag, the 3rd Missouri capitol, and the State Seal. Each of the participants
researched their topic using primary sources and created a picture or
diagram explaining that subject’s importance in Missouri history. All of the
participants received an extra break for their fine efforts. We are so proud of
the effort our young men and women are putting into their work.
This year students at NCRS were invited to participate in a short Pearl Harbor
Remembrance activity. Several students came to Mrs. Turner’s room to learn
about the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on Dec. 7th, 1941. The students
were then given a map exercise in which they were to draw the West coast of
the United States and the east coast of Asia. In the Pacific Ocean they were to
label the islands and territories which were attacked by Japan, precipitating the
United States’ entrance in to World War II. Students pictured to the right are:
Wyatt Moffitt, Nick Stone, Shayla Chapman, Kelsey Coonce, and Courtney Roe
MATC / East Park
Moberly School District
Land
Spartan Newsletter
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
Perfect Attendance
3
Career Day
Praised With Pizza
MMS / MHS
MHS students that had at least 90% attendance in their
Agoge class were rewarded with pizza on Nov 8th and
Dec 9th. As you can see, several students received the
pizza both dates! Great job Spartans!
rs. Canaday was very
excited to tell Mrs.
Glenn’s students all about
what it’s like to work at a
funeral home. Mrs. Canaday
is an undertaker and funeral
director at Cater Funeral
Home. She spoke about the
responsibilities and skills
necessary to do what she
does. She also discussed
all of the pros and cons of
working as a mortician.
MMS Bands
Perform
Winter
Concert
Moberly School District
M
The MMS Bands performed
their winter concert for family
and friends on December 8.
Each band did an awesome
job and we can’t wait to hear
them in the Spring!
To the
Mat
S
aturday December 6, 2014 was the
annual Moberly Middle School wrestling
tournament. Spartan Coaches Paul Shriver
and Luke Kirkendoll were pleased with
the turnout as 13 teams and over 200
wrestlers attended the annual event held
at Moberly High School. Many matches
were watched by a large crowd of Spartan
fans. Moberly had several grapplers earn
top finishes. These top finishes were first
place Chance Richards, second place
Trystan Morris, and third place Kamryn
Price, Camron Lowry and DeShawn Smith.
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
Take ‘em
Spartan Newsletter
4
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
Jamie Ancell, Taelynn Barnett, Rory
Clark, Abigail Crowley, Andrew Flood,
Shelby Fox, Lana Gladbach, Nevaeh
Harms, McKenzie Hultz, Aaralyn Ivy,
Destiney Kelly, Olivia Kelsall, Katelyn
Kingery, Jacob Lindsey, Noah Lucas,
Willa McCormick, Lillie Norbury,
Christena Redburn, Abigail Richardson,
Laine Ross, Betheny Scrogin, Rylie Snell
and Jazlyn Sportsman
C
ongratulations to the members of the Gratz Brown Elementary Spartan Chorale! This select group of
students have been practicing every Thursday morning to perform Holiday music to Moberly businesses
this month and perform the National Anthem prior to Spartan Basketball games led by Mrs. Sarah Lewis.
Spartans On The Move
Baby It’s
Running Club
Cold Outside
O
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
GBE continues to offer Spartans on the Move
Running Club to all students. Approximately 125
students participate in a running program where
the focus in on posture, pacing, endurance and
breathing. Gratz Brown staff members volunteer
time to coach these students to become more
active. In the spring students will have the
opportunity to participate in a 5K or Fun Run.
n Tuesday, December 9, GBE hosted Frosty the
Snowman day to get students into the winter
spirit. Students and staff were able to dress up in
hats, scarves, gloves and winter gear to enjoy the
theme of the day. During lunch, students were
served hot chocolate to “warm up” from the cold
winter’s day. GBE also invited guest readers into
the building to read to every class. Some guests
included Superintendent McCluskey, Assistant
Superintendent Roling, South Park principal Dr. Roth,
Officer Hopper, Athletic/Activities Director Kenny
Seifert and MHS Assistant Principal Kenya Fuemmeler.
A Feast Fit
For Kings
and Queens
G
ratz Brown Elementary invited parents
and guests to dine in for the annual OPAA
Thanksgiving feast. Students and teachers
hosted lunches in the classroom and cafeteria
with parents, grandparents, or a friend. Both
students and guests enjoyed a special meal
and activities during this great event. We
hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.
Gratz Brown Elementar y
Moberly School District
Fa la la la laaa... la la la la!
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
Spartan Newsletter
5
Know It ~ Let It Show
Ms. Huber’s Class
C
Ms. Porting’s Class
hildren experience a wide range of emotions just
like adults. However, children often have a hard
time identifying the emotion they are experiencing
and expressing it in an appropriate way. Many
children express anger by hitting. We want children
to know that it is okay to feel angry, but it is not okay to
hit someone. You may not always be able to control
your emotions, but you can control your actions.
D
Ms. Riviere’s Class
uring counselor time, we have been focusing on
identifying feelings and selecting appropriate
responses. Two lessons focused specifically on
10 things you could do instead of hitting. During
these lessons, students learned and practiced
strategies to help themselves calm down and make
respectful, responsible, and safe decisions. In
the picture students are holding the “Safe Hands”
that they created. Each finger has a cool down
strategy on it that we discussed during the lessons.
Spartan Party
Moberly School District
Orschelns Focus
On Education
D
enise Stewart and Kelsey
Henke received $200 each for
their classrooms from Orschlens.
They are pictured with Karina Mudd
and Macie Hess, their student
connections
with
Orschlens.
N
orth Park celebrated the great
behaviors of our students by
having a Spartan Head Party! This
celebration is to recognize behaviors
that go with our PBS mini lessons
about respect, responsibility and
treating others kindly. We had lots
of fun activities for the students that
included listening to a story, making a
craft and having relay races in the gym.
We are so proud of our little Spartans
for all of their accomplishments.
North Park
Teachers Support
Cystic Fibrosis
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
North Park / South Park
If Your Happy and You
Spartan Newsletter
6
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
Mini Grants Awarded
First row (left to right): Cathy Kelly, Angela St. Clair,
Sandy McKeown, Paula Burkhart, Aimee Swift, and April
Fadness; Second row: Dr. John O’Loughlin, Pam Joiner,
Emily Mullen, Julie Tucker, Brandy Hackett, Sarah Lewis
and Jared VanCleve . Not pictured: Beth Redding
he Moberly Public Schools Foundation
awarded their Fall 2014 Mini Grants at the
November Moberly Board of Education meeting.
The President of the Foundation, Dr. John
O’Loughlin was on hand for the presentation.
The grant money is used to enhance projects,
programs, or events. The Moberly School District
would like to say thank you for this opportunity.
Moooo’ving On To Be Healthy
P
eople who are physically active tend to live longer and have
lower risk for heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, depression,
and some cancers. Physical activity and better nutrition can also
help with weight control, reduction of stress, and lead to an overall
feeling of wellness. Simple recommendations for better health are to
limit sugar intake, eat at least 5 fruits and/or vegetables per day, and
increase moderate physical activity to at least 30 minutes per day.
S
outh Park Elementary Wellness Committee started their “Get Mooo’ving”
Staff Challenge on November 1st. Participants keep daily track of intake
of simple sugars (dessert), intake of 5 vegetables and/or fruit per day, and
activity level. Staff participating were encouraged to talk to their students
and advertise their involvement in healthier living, where kids can see
adults striving to make healthy choices and be role models for students.
Striking Fun For MMS Students
MMS Winter
Dance
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
Moberly Middle School student
council members turned the
middle school commons area
into a “Winter Wonderland” for
the 2014 Sadie Hawkins dance
held December 5, 2014.
M
oberly Middle School faculty felt as though our very best kids (and
there really are a lot of them) were not being praised enough for
the great job that they do on a daily basis. For this reason we decided
to implement a challenge to our students. The requirements were very
strict: 95% or better attendance (less than 3 days for the semester);
ZERO discipline referrals of any kind; NO D’s or F’s in any classes.
S
A
tudents that met ALL THREE criteria, earned a reward trip to
Memory Lanes Bowling alley. Many thanks to our Partner in
Education, P.K. Weis Agency, for helping with funding for this event.
lso, thanks to Memory Lanes, for their generosity by offering
discounted rates for the students and closing their business for the
afternoon to accommodate our large groups on three different days .
Around The District
Moberly School District
T
Spartan Newsletter
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
7
Dec. 22-Jan 2: January 19: February 10: February 16: March 10: March 17: March 19: March 20: April 3-6: April 15: May 17: May 22: May 22: May 26: Christmas Vacation
No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Mid-Quarter (Progress reports sent home Feb. 13)
No School - President’s Day
End of Third Quarter
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Early Out - Parent/Teacher Conferences
No School
Easter Break
Mid-Quarter (Grades sent home Apr. 17)
Commencement, 2:00 p.m.
NCRS Commencement, 7:00 p.m.
Early Out - Last Day of School - End of Fourth Quarter
Extended Contract Day for Staff - Grades distributed by 6/01
Inclement Weather Make-Up Days
Day 1: Built In Day 2: Built In Day 3: Built In Day 4: Built In
Day 5: April 6
Day 6: Feb. 16
Moberly School District
www.moberly.k12.mo.us
District Calendar
2014-2015
District Calendar At A Glance
Watch for future issues and view prior issues on our website.
Moberly School District
Issue #2 of 4
Fall 2014
Spartan Newsletter
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Snow Days, Game cancellations, Program
reminders and much more!
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