ENews:Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Superintendent Hiring Timeline:

• Stakeholder Survey Open: Tuesday, October 24 - Tuesday, October 31

• Application deadline: November 13, 2023

• Interviews: November/December 2023

• Date of Board action for employment: December 2023

• Contract beginning date: July 1, 2024

Picture retake day is Wednesday, November 1 in the morning.

Retakes: For families that have already ordered a photo package.

If your child would like to have their picture retaken, you'll need to send the complete original picture package back to school with your child. New packages will be sent to the school in a few weeks.

Retakes: For families that would like their child’s picture to be retaken and order a package.

If your child would like to have their picture retaken so you can order a photo package for the first time, please order online at www.inter-state.com/order. Please use the codes below for ordering.

• Primary: 78972D
• Intermediate: 79000K
• Middle: 78976Z
• High: 78980D

Make-Up Pictures: For families whose child was absent on picture day or new to the school district.

All students that were absent on picture day or new to the school district after picture day will need to have their photo taken for our yearbook and student ID badges. You can order photo packages online at www.inter-state.com/order. Please use the codes below for ordering.

• Primary: 78972D
• Intermediate: 79000K
• Middle: 78976Z
• High: 78980D

The Hallsville Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations for the 2023 Educator of the Year. Nominations are due by Friday, October 27. If you want to nominate a teacher from our district who displays dedication, motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment, please submit your online nomination here. The Chamber is also accepting nominations for Business and Citizen of the Year. You can use the form above to submit nominations.

Hallsville Primary School Breakfast

• Doors Open 8:15 a.m.
• Breakfast Served 8:30 a.m.
• Elementary Program 9:00 a.m.

Veterans and their guests are invited to a complimentary breakfast and Veterans Day program at Hallsville Primary School. No RSVP is required. Transportation to the high school is provided.

Hallsville High School District-Wide Assembly

• Program begins 9:30 am.
• Recognition of Veterans
• Guest Speaker

Veterans and their guests are invited to a District-Wide Assembly at Hallsville High School. Veterans will be recognized. Transportation back to Hallsville Primary School is provided at the conclusion of the program.

We would also like to include our Veterans and active-duty alumni in art projects around campus. Please send a picture, name, and any additional information to communications@hallsville.org. Please pass along information about this special day to any Veteran you may know.

We hope to see you at the Veterans Day program on Friday, November 10.

SMWilson provided the sixth monthly progress report for review at the September Board of Education meeting.

Progress Report #6: October Monthly Update

Athletic Complex: The field crew wrapped up the installation on 9/25, and synthetic turf impact testing was completed on 9/27. Hydroseeding on the disturbed topsoil areas outside the track was completed on 10/2. Perimeter fencing is approximately 90% complete. The fence contractor will be back onsite the week of 10/16 to install the permanent gates, fence on top of the retaining wall, and the guardrail along the road. The added sidewalk in front of the grandstand has been poured, and the crew will continue on the section with the integral curb the week of 10/23.

Anticipated Milestone Activities:

• Structural Spray Matting on Track - Anticipate Start Week of 10/30

• Complete Sidewalk North of Grandstand - Start after football season

• Black Interior Fence - Once Visitor Grandstands are removed

• Track Resurfacing - Start after football season

Middle School: The second slab section on grade was poured on 9/28. Demolition of openings along the west wall of the existing building was completed so the masonry contractor could complete the west wall. The Masonry contractor then topped out the section half of the north wall, completed the east wall, and moved over to the south wall. They will leave a section out of the south wall and move to the interior walls, working their way out of the building. The electrical contractor is roughing in electrical boxes inside the CMU walls as they are laid and is setting up a temp power panel near the transformer.

Anticipated Milestone Activities:

• Masonry CMU Install South Wall - Week of 10/16

• Slab on Grade Pour at Mechanical Room & Corridor - Week of 10/16

• Masonry CMU Install Interior Walls - Week of 10/23 (duration 3 to 4 weeks)

• Plumbing & Electrical Wall Rough-in Block - Ongoing

• CMU Complete - Anticipate by Thanksgiving

• Steel Header Beam Install - Anticipate 11/27

Save the date for Hallsville High School’s fall production of Spamalot School Edition!

“Spamalot” is a highly comical musical adaptation of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, a famous movie by a British comedy troupe released in 1975. The show parodies the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the round table on their quest for the Holy Grail. Spamalot School Edition is slightly reworked version of the original, but still includes all the classic scenes from the original Broadway script.

Local businesses and families are invited to buy an ad in the program to help support the Fine Arts Department. Families and community members can support the HHS Drama Program by placing an ad in their program. Business ads and personal messages are welcome! Email Paige Blakenship if you would like to purchase an ad: pblakenship@hallsville.org.

Ad Sales:

• 1/4 Page: $10
• 1/2 Page: $20
• Full Page: $30

Performance Dates:

• Thursday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Location: Hallsville Baptist Church

Tickets are $2 for students and $3 for adults.

Below are highlights of items discussed during the open session on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Board of Education Meeting. You can read the full highlights of the meeting here.

RECOGNITIONS

SMWilson Project Managers John Dohle, Richard Graves, and John Neyens from Klingner were recognized for their contributions during the stadium construction. Their management of the construction and the subcontractors allowed the project to be completed on time.

HMS Counselor Kayla Lewis was recognized for the counseling department earning the Gysbers Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program Award,

Racheal Nichols was recognized for asking Board members to attend the Title I Literacy Night and for being the LETRS administrator.

Brad Blakemore for his commitment to helping oversee the construction at the athletic complex and preparing the site to host the first home football game last week. There is a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that the facility is ready, as well as coordination of officials and other workers.

Hallsville Intermediate and Dr. Morris were recognized for their efforts in hosting the first annual Family Fun Fest at Hallsville Intermediate School. The event had a large turnout and was a great way for families to come together.

Rachel Sides was recognized for arranging a visit for interested Hallsville High School students to visit Mizzou for the day.

Kari Yeagy was recognized for helping organize the MSBA Regional dinner.

The Board would like to recognize the community members who assisted with the clean-up at the athletic complex.

HHS Cheerleaders were recognized for hosting their annual Light of My Life dance.

CITIZENS COMMUNICATION

Crystal Wilson, John Botkins, Blair Crosby, and Kami Griffith spoke on the topic of bringing soccer to the Hallsville School District.

READING SUCCESS PLANS

The Missouri Read, Lead, Exceed initiative is an effort by DESE to enhance literacy education throughout the state of Missouri. One element of this initiative is the implementation of Reading Success Plans. During the first quarter, teams teachers from both the Primary School – Sarah Bradshaw, Whitney Myers, and Leigh Pemberton – and the Intermediate School – Mindy Demsich, Holly East, and Desiree Pezely – collaborated to develop Reading Success Plan documents, parent letters, and an information sheet for parents. They will continue to create additional resources to support teachers in implementing these plans. Parents of students who meet the criteria for an RSP will receive letters at the end of the first quarter, which will provide them with details about the plan. They will also continue to receive quarterly updates and suggestions for activities to assist their children at home.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: LETRS TRAINING

The October PLC date marks the first of four full-day LETRS training dates for our K-5 teachers. In preparation for each in-person training, teachers complete roughly ten hours of online training and reading. We have ten teachers who completed Volume 1 training last year and are enrolled in Volume 2 training. We have 37 teachers enrolled in Volume 1 training this year. Additionally, districts can send one representative to participate in the 50+ hour administrator training. We are grateful for that opportunity and are excited to have Rachael Nichols attend on behalf of our administrator team.

The Hallsville School District has immediate support staff openings in our Transporation Department. Please reach out to our Director of Operations Billy Roberts at wroberts@hallsville.org or call 573-696-5512 ext. 7001.

IMMEDIATE NEED: FULL-TIME BUS DRIVER

• Pay begins at $43.75 per route.
• Paid training is available, and the district provides 100% paid medical and life insurance and offers retirement matching. Staff members are also offered paid time off and paid holidays.

IMMEDIATE NEED: FULL-TIME SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVER

• Pay begins at $43.75 per route.
• Paid training is available, and the district provides 100% paid medical and life insurance and offers retirement matching. Staff members are also offered paid time off and paid holidays

IMMEDIATE NEED: 4-5 SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVERS

• Pay begins at $43.75 per route.
  

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Odyssey

Launch the Close the Gap Grant Program

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Odyssey, a platform that helps states connect families to public funding and education services, announced the launch of the Missouri Close the Gap Grant program. This is a one-time grant of up to $1,500 for parents/guardians who reside in Missouri to use for allowable education expenses. Applications are now open and must be submitted by October 25, 2023.

To be eligible for the grant, students must be a Missouri resident and be enrolled in grades K-12 in a Missouri public school district or charter school. Per state statute, the distribution of funds will be prioritized for families whose income is below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. If sufficient funds are available after those below 185 percent of the federal poverty level receive funds, families at or above that poverty level may receive funds.

Close the Gap Grant applications will be administered on Odyssey's website, where families can access both the application and the Odyssey Marketplace. Listed below are additional program details and allowable educational expenses.

Program Details:

• Parents/guardians will need to create an Odyssey account to submit an application.
• If the system is unable to verify income level or residency through an automated process, parents/guardians will be requested to submit additional information.

Allowable educational expenses include

• Instructional resource materials;
• Tutoring;
• Academic day or summer camps;
• Computer equipment;
• Internet connectivity;
• Before- and afterschool educational programs;
• Course fees and textbooks;
• Online access for an academic app or subscription;
• Education, learning, or study skills services;
• Arts-related day or summer camps; and
• Art enrichment.