TIGER TIMES

Our annual 𝘼𝘾𝘼𝘿𝙀𝙈𝙄𝘾 𝘼𝙒𝘼𝙍𝘿𝙎 𝘾𝙀𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙔 to celebrate our K-12 students' classroom achievements is Tuesday, May 6. You can partner with us to host this great night as a sponsor at one of two levels.

Contact Mrs. Brittney McNiell at bmcniell@houston.k12.mo.us or 417-967-3024 by April 26.

Join us at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, for our third annual 𝘿𝙀𝘾𝙄𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝘿𝘼𝙔‼️

We'll be announcing and celebrating the post-graduation plans for each of our seniors - whether it be college, career training, workforce or military. We invite all families and community members to join us for this special day inside The Tiger Fieldhouse. This year's featured speaker is Mrs. Joleen Durham of Piney River Brewing Company.

We are excited to announce that the 2024-25 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 🐯📸 is now available to order! For just $20, you can have a copy of this keepsake of moments from this school year.

Yearbooks will include activities until the end of the
school year and will be delivered at the beginning of the 2025-26
school year. Email Mrs. Meier if you have any questions at
jmeier@houston.k12.mo.us.

DOWNLOAD ORDER FORM ➡️ https://bit.ly/42x8wvI

• Mrs. Jennifer Scheets and Mr. Jeff Gettys were sworn in as returning board members.
• The board reorganized with Jennifer Scheets as president; Darren ice as vice president; and Jeff Gettys as secretary/treasurer.
• Appointed Charlie Malam as MSBA delegate and Tressie Neugebauer as alternate; Tanya Bathon was reappointed as executive board secretary.
• The CCC Team (Culture, Climate and Compensation) presented data gathered through staff surveys and information gathering.
• Dr. Copley shared an update on improvements to the Piney River Technical Center.
• Dr. Copley provided a breakdown of the FY25 district budget.
• The board approved Administrative Procedure IGBH-AP1 and reviewed a MSBA 2024D update.
• Mrs. Theresa Hudson, H.A.L.O. coordinator, provided a quarterly update.
• It was shared about $18,000 was raised at the second annual CTE fundraiser.
• The board consensus was to continue a bus route for the 2025-26 school year to Southern Missouri Technical Institute (SMTI) in West Plains.
• Contracts were extended to: Veronica Douglas (elementary art club sponsor); Gina Freeman (preschool teacher); Leah Biddinger (elementary teacher); Wytney Steelman (curriculum, instruction and assessment/grant coordinator); Aaron Tomczyk (middle and high school band instructor); non-certified employees; and all extra duty coaches/sponsors.
• Resignations were accepted from: Jennifer Shelton (middle school assistant volleyball coach); Emily Cloud (elementary special education); Tory Wade (high school assistant softball coach - effective immediately); Tina Sutton (preschool teacher); Stephanie Skaggs (paraprofessional); Kathy Bradshaw (middle school communication arts); Sharon Englad (Exceptional Child Cooperative special education); Stuart Smith (high school student council and junior class sponsor); Jacob Threewit (midle school physical education/health teacher and assistant middle school boys basketball coach); Crystal Ford (community betterment sponsor); and Calley Rogers (elementary music teacher).

Would you like to 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙂𝙀𝘿 𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙞-𝙎𝙚𝙩? We host classes on our campus with Missouri State University-West Plains. There is no cost, but you must sign up in advance and attend orientation. The next round is May 12 and 14.

𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙪𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 ➡️ https://blogs.wp.missouristate.edu/ael/contact-us/

As you may know, there is the possibility of severe weather conditions during the spring in Missouri. Our top priority is the safety of our students and staff, and in these situations we will implement the plans we have in place. Below is our inclement weather communications process:

𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙄𝘽𝙄𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙀𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙇𝘿 𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆:

🔴 We have a full day of school. School operates as usual and buildings will implement severe weather procedures. Buses will run like normal. We practice and conduct drills regularly and will implement those plans.

🔴 We have an early dismissal. Students are released early in order to make sure students get home before severe weather hits.

🔴 We have a delayed dismissal. Students remain at school past regular dismissal time until the severe weather threat passes. Our schools are safe places to be in severe weather and we want to make sure our students stay safe.

🔴 Be flexible. As you know, the weather in Missouri can change very quickly from the original forecast. The safety of students and staff will be the top priority during decision making. We thank you, in advance, for your flexibility, patience, and understanding.

𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝙒𝙀 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝙇 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙐𝙉𝙄𝘾𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙒𝙄𝙏𝙃 𝙔𝙊𝙐 (𝙄𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙉𝙊𝙍𝙈𝘼𝙇 𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙄𝙎 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝘿):

🔴 Be prepared to receive PUSH NOTIFICATIONS from the district. If you have not downloaded our app, please follow this link: https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/app

🔴 Be prepared to receive text alerts. Families of students should already be in our system. If you are not, please contact communications@houston.k12.mo.us for assistance.

🔴 Follow us on social media. Along with Facebook, we are on X (Twitter) and Instagram with the same handle: @houstonmotigers

We will continue to monitor the forecast and provide you with any needed updates. Thank you.

• Reviewed the Safety Grant: monies spent and remaining.

• Discussed impact of city power outages on campus.

• Reviewed internal communication during inclement weather.

• Heard the district purchased a used lift bus, bringing the district total to two.

• The Raptor App has been successfully used in drills and the recent storms.

• Communication during the recent storms was discussed. Some families received text alerts 20-30 minutes late. The issue was determined to be with cell phone providers and not the district or its alert system, which delivered immediately.

Want to be part of an effort to 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚? We're seeking students, parents, business representatives, charitable groups and other members of the public to be part of our CSIP Committee.

Interested? Fill out this survey 👉 https://bit.ly/4erN2og

Need more info? Read details 👉 https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/article/1768648

We look forward to partnering with you on this journey to create a plan that will lead our district for years to come.

🟥 #𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 🟥

Speak up, save lives. Reporting school violence can make a difference. Report your concerns at www.courage2reportmo.com, via the mobile app: Courage2ReportMO, or by calling 866-748-7047. #StopSchoolViolence #SpeakUp

Houston Sports Passes 🐯🎟️ are available from the Houston Tiger Booster Club for admission to high school and middle school home games, excluding tournaments or postseason competitions. Passes are $25 (students), $50 (individuals) or $75 (family).

They are available by contacting Booster Club President Jessica Dzurick at 417-967-6781.

As announced earlier this summer, all enrolled students at Houston Schools will receive 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙁𝘼𝙎𝙏 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙇𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙃 for the upcoming school year. No application required.

Under the new Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) formula and with financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, Houston Schools will serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students this year. Families will not have to complete free meal applications to qualify.

𝙋𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀: The free meal applies to an entire reimbursable meal. Students will still have to pay for any à la cart or additional items they'd like to purchase.

Breakfast and lunch menus are posted daily on the free school app (https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/app) or the district's website at https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

In order to be compliant with the Missouri law known as the "Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act," the Houston District will conduct sampling and testing of all potential drinking water sources in the school. The results of the water testing, including any corrective actions and retesting needed, will be posted on our school website (www.houston.k12.mo.us) and placed in the districtwide and community newsletter, Tiger Times. The results are typically available 7-14 days after the water samples have been submitted to the lab.

READ THE LATEST RESULTS SUBMITTED 8/27/24: Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water Index.

Additional information and resources on the health effects of lead contamination are available here: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#health

HEF, the Houston Education Foundation, has a mission of promoting education excellence and opportunity beyond the scope of the Houston R-1 school system by generating financial resources from private funds to provide support for education programs.

READ MORE ABOUT HEF: https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/hef

GIVE TO THE HEF: https://donorbox.org/houston-education-foundation

Looking to make a difference in education? Want to join an amazing team? Desire to be part of a special community? We may have the opportunity for you! Houston Schools has positions available.

READ MORE AND APPLY https://bit.ly/3HXhdX3

From menus and events to news and everything in between, our school app is the absolute best way to stay connected to everything at Houston Schools.

Download it: App Store | Google Play

Last week, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched a new website: www.missouri988.org. The site provides information for anyone who may be experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis.

The newly designated 988 phone number went live nationwide on July 16, 2022. Since that time, it has routed thousands of individuals to local, trained crisis specialists at Missouri’s 988 centers. The 988 crisis line connects anyone experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis to compassionate, accessible care and support, available 24/7. Support is free and confidential.

The Houston R-I Board of Education recognizes that homeless students are particularly vulnerable and need special assistance to access and benefit from the education environment. Therefore, the district, in accordance with state and federal law and the Missouri state plan for education of the homeless, will give special attention to ensure that homeless students in the district are promptly identified and have access to a free and appropriate public education and related support services. (Click here for Board Policy)

Eligibility for Services

Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include the following:

1. Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.

1. Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

1. Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.

1. Migratory children who meet one of the above-described circumstances.

#houstonfutureready I #thebestwillbe I #thetigerway

Email: jcopley@houston.k12.mo.us
Website: www.houston.k12.mo.us
Location: 206 West Spruce Street, Houston, MO
Phone: (417)967-3024
Facebook: facebook.com/houstonmotigers
Twitter: @houstonmotigers