Wildcat News

Welcome to the April edition of our Wildcat News! Wow, April...You came in like a wrecking ball and haven't slowed down a bit!

During all this craziness and hecticness, we certainly needed self-control, but also lots and lots of Patience!

Patience allows you to remain calm and collected, even when things are moving quickly or seem overwhelming. With patience, you can think more clearly, make better decisions, and navigate through challenges with greater ease. It's like having a steady anchor in the storm of busyness. So, yes, when life gets hectic, patience is not just helpful—it's essential.

And with that, I'm going to close this short and sweet message because there is more to be done as we close out April!

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday, May 1st for our "All in One" night (details below!)

Mrs. Hickman

HS/JH Principal

• We will have GRIT and perseverance to work hard when faced with adversity and challenges.

• We will build positive RELATIONSHIPS with students, teachers, and staff.

• We will be ENGAGED in the classroom and be an active participant in learning.

• We will hold ourselves ACCOUNTABLE for our choices and actions. You control your attitude and effort.

• We will work together as a TEAM by trusting each other and being reliable in our words and actions.

This month, Ms. Amaro passed the "Trophy of Awesomeness" to Ms. Waldo. Ms. Amaro said that Ms. Waldo wears many hats by not only being the band and choir director, but also the PD and mentor chair, and sponsor of the Tri-M club. She has also worked really hard in our credit recovery program and our other online courses. We appreciate Ms. Waldo and are so thankful to have her part of our Billings School!

Here is the updated EOC/MAP schedule for JH/HS because of the missed school days for the water boil order advisory.

Scheduling: Incoming 7th-12th graders

Along with your parents, you will be learning about ICAPS (Individual Career and Academic Plans), going over courses for next year and signing up for summer school! Incoming 7th graders will also receive an Orientation to JH! Students and parents will only to attend one session either at 4:30pm, 5:15pm , or 6:00pm and will meet in your student's homeroom advisory. We are excited to have parents involved in this important process.

Dinner:

Let seniors treat you to a spaghetti dinner as a fundraiser for project grad! Suggested donation amount is $5/plate. Dinner will be available anytime between 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Fine Arts:

K-12 Billings Art Show - Artwork from your K-12 students will be lining the hallways, cafeteria and the gym. As you are here for scheduling and dinner, enjoy the artwork of our students. This is available to look at anytime starting at 4:30pm until the end of the evening.

Spring Band Concert - End your evening by listening to the sounds of our bands and choir! Music from the 5th and 6th graders, JH/HS Band and JH Choir all begins at 7:00pm in the HS gym.

Come for Scheduling, Stay for Dinner, and Enjoy some Fine Arts!

Summer School 2024 will begin on Wednesday, May 29th - Friday, June 21st (including Mondays). Doors will be open at 7:30am, with summer school hours from 8:00am - 3:00pm. Students will have the opportunity to take a morning class and afternoon class. For students who did not pass any courses during the school year, credit recovery will be available to make up credits. Additionally, we are excited to be able to offer Driver's Education again this summer! Students must be at least 15 years old to take Driver's Education. New this summer also, incoming juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to earn elective credit by enrolling in our School Flex Program. Students must have a job or internship that aligns with their ICAP and will be required to submit time logs or paystubs. Students will be able to earn 1/2 elective credit for 60+ hours of work and 1 elective credit for 120+ hours of work.

Sign-up registration link and more details available during Scheduling Night.

Here are some important information and dates for seniors:

Tuesday, May 7th - Senior Decision Day Assembly at 2:00pm

Friday, May 10th - Senior Finals

Tuesday, May 14th - Senior Finals

Wednesday, May 15th - Academic Awards/Scholarship Night at 6:30pm

Thursday, May 16th - Seniors Last Day (including Graduation practice, school checkout and lunch)

Friday, May 17th - Senior Baccalaureate at Billings Assembly of God at 7:00pm

Sunday, May 19th - Senior Graduation at 2:00pm

Sunday, May 19th & Monday, May 20th - Senior Project Graduation 9:00pm - 5:00am

Graduation Flowers: The seniors will have the opportunity to pass out flowers to important people to them during the graduation ceremony. We are collecting money for these right now, and would like to have the number of flowers completed by Friday 4/26. The cost is $1 per flower. Students have been told this as well and will be reminded this week. If you have not purchased your flowers, please see Ms. Holmgren or Ms. Amaro ASAP.

Graduation Pictures: Inter-State will be at Graduation to take pictures. You will be able to order these online by going to "inter-state.com/order". To order Cap/Gown pictures, you will use order #86479H. To order Live Graduation Pictures, you will use order #86479C.

8th Grade Graduation has been set for Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30pm. The last day of school for 8th graders will be on Thursday, May 23rd. We will have them clean out lockers, practice for graduation, etc. 8th grade students will not need to attend school on Friday, May 24th and will be excused!

As we are are in the winter season, I want to go over information and school expectations should we have inclement weather and need to use an AMI (Alternative Methods of Instruction) day. Please click the green button below and read the newsletter as it will contain all the details you need in regards to an AMI day.

The main thing you need to know is that each of your student's classes will have an assignment for them to complete. Attendance will be tracked by their completion of the assignments. During AMI days, they will need to check Google Classroom for assignments and communication from their teacher. Students will be encouraged to bring home their Chromebooks each day in case of inclement weather. Hotspots are available on a limited basis if your family needs Internet at home. Please make arrangements with the front office in advance to inclement weather.

Yearbooks are on sale for $40. Order online (click button below) or see Ms. Bauer!

• • EOC/MAP Testing for JH/HS will begin April 23rd- May 3rd. Here is an EOC/MAP Parent Newsletter with information about testing for parents and students.

  • Mrs. Biri is working hard to complete the schedule and work with students on their ICAPS for our scheduling night.

Mrs. Biri

Billings K-12 Counselor

biris@billings.k12.mo.us

417.744.2551 ext. 28

• The quarter/semester and school year are winding down! Seniors are finishing up local scholarship and job applications and making their final plans for after graduation. Mrs. Datema continues to meet one on one with seniors on their postsecondary plans and also with A+ students on completing their requirements for that scholarship.

• The Missouri State University rep visited on April 2 to touch base with seniors planning to attend next fall and went over next steps, such as housing and registering for SOAR (Student Orientation and Registration) during the summer.

• Students attending OTC next year attended an Orientation and Registration for fall classes at the Republic campus on April 4.

• We had a rep from Missouri Welding Institute come talk to students about their programs and job opportunities in welding on April 11.

• We are planning our Decision Day on May 7 which will be a school day assembly to celebrate and recognize the seniors’ postsecondary decisions/pathways. Scott Tech Awards Night will also be May 7 at 7 p.m. at Monett and the Health Occupations Awards will be May 14 at 7 p.m. A Crowder College rep plans to visit on May 10. High School Awards/Scholarship Night will be on May 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Mrs. Datema

RootEd Advisor

datemam@billings.k12.mo.us

(417) 744-2551, ext. 29

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• High School/Junior High/Elementary Archery: We are taking 8 kids to compete in the National Tournament in Kentucky on May 9th.

• High School Softball: Softball is currently 7-9 on the year. We are a young team with zero seniors and lots of underclassmen playing important roles. They have grown fundamentally in the short time they’ve been practicing.

• High School Baseball: Baseball is currently 9-10 on the year. We have been in most of the games going into the final innings and have just fallen short. Along with softball, baseball is playing a lot of underclassmen in important roles. JV Baseball is currently 4-0

• Middle School Baseball: Middle School Baseball will be wrapping up their season in the upcoming weeks with the SWCL tournament. A team record is 3-5, B team is 5-2.

• High School Track & Field: We currently have an athlete who is ranked #1 in class 1 in the 100 meter as well as a top ranked 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.

• April 27th: SWCL Art Show

• May 1st: Scheduling Night and Senior Spaghetti Fundraiser, 4:30pm, 5:15pm, and 6:00pm

• May 1st: Spring Band Concert 7:00pm

• May 1st: K-12 Billings Art Show

• May 7th: Senior Decision Day Assembly 2:00pm

• May 7th: SRTC Recognition Night

• May 10th: Senior Finals

• May 13th: FFA Chapter Banquet 6:30pm

• May 14th: Senior Finals

• May 14th: SRTC Health Pinning

• May 15th: HS Awards Night

• May 16th: Seniors Last Day (Graduation Practice and Check-out)

• May 17th: Baccalaureate 7:00pm

• May 19th: Graduation at 2:00pm

• May 21st: Athletic Banquet 6:30pm

• May 22nd: 7th-11th Grade Finals

• May 23rd: 7th-11th Grade Finals

• May 23rd: 8th Grade Awards and Graduation 6:30pm

• May 24th: Last Day of School (½ Day)

LUNCH/BREAKFAST PRICES

Full Price:

HS/JH Breakfast: $2.30 HS/JH Lunch: $3.10

Reduced:

HS/JH Breakfast: $0.30 HS/JH Lunch: $0.40

Extra Milk: $0.60

Mrs. Hickman: HS/JH Principal - hickmana@billings.k12.mo.us

Mrs. Cheryl: HS/JH Secretary - thorntonc@billings.k12.mo.us

Mrs. Biri: K-12 Counselor - biris@billings.k12.mo.us

Coach Armstrong: AD - armstrongb@billings.k12.mo.us

Website: www.billings.k12.mo.us
Location: 118 W Mt Vernon Rd, Billings, MO, USA
Phone: 417-744-2551