WELCOMING A NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Transcription

1 Smithton R-VI School District Back to School 2015, Volume 15, Issue 1 NEW SCHOOL HOURS 7:55am-2:51pm The school day begins at 7:55 am each day. At that time, all doors are locked and entry to the building will be through the High School entrance only (entrance on Myrtle Street). NO PARKING Please remember NO PARKING on the East side of Myrtle from Coombs to Smith Street from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. SCHOOL SUPPLIES School Supply lists for grades PS 8 are available on the school web page. Check out the ALL NEW Smithton Elementary Facebook page. Follow the district superintendent on Twitter DrMattTeeter WELCOMING A NEW SCHOOL YEAR OPEN HOUSE - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 Smithton School will welcome the new school year with Open House on Wednesday, August 19 th from 3:30 6:30 pm. A hot dog dinner will be provided from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the cafeteria. Teachers will be available in their rooms. Grades 7-12 schedules will be available outside the counselor s office. Also beginning at 3:30 pm you will be able to visit the informational tables in the multi as follows: BUS ROUTES The route schedules for this school year will be approximately the same as last year. All bus drivers will be available at Open House in the multi with updated schedules. If you have questions concerning your child's route, contact the superintendent's office. HEALTH INFORMATION Mindy Beebe, the school nurse, will be available in the multi during Open House for all health related information. SCHOOL LUNCH INFORMATION/PARENT PORTAL ACCESS Kenda Maples and Linda Barnes will be available to check meal account balances, collect lunch money and distribute information forms in the multi. You may also sign up for the parent portal which allows parents to access their student's information including grades, meal account balances, and deposit money in student meal accounts or pay for club fees, t-shirts, and misc. fines and fees on-line. PayPal does charge a small fee to make the payments on-line. Access to the portal will also allow parents to submit family data changes through the parent portal. You may submit changes such as address, phone number, work information and emergency contacts for your students. You can do this by clicking on the "Home" tab and choose "family data". The screen will refresh and you click on the edit button and fill in your information to change and then click on the "Submit changes for school to update their records."

2 A NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT DR. MATT TEETER Thank you to the Smithton R-VI School Board for giving me the opportunity to serve as the district s Superintendent. This opportunity is an honor and a privilege. I am looking forward to continuing to provide excellent leadership and good stewardship to support our cause of Educating, Engaging, and Encouraging! The pride in this community is evident and as we have made this our home, we recognize that the people are what make Smithton R-VI School District so special. The purpose of this plan is to provide each of you with a road map on how I want to successfully transition into this essential leadership role. The transition plan is based off of multiple conversations, observations, and best practices. You will recognize that much of this transition plan emphasizes listening, learning from others, and being a presence at multiple school functions. This will allow us to learn and grow together. My expectation is that partnerships will be formed, which will benefit our district. Matt Teeter, Ed. D. It is a true blessing to be a Tiger and to wear the Black and Gold! These past several months have been amazing. I am truly excited to support the efforts of those who have gone before us and come alongside those providing their best to support our students to learn and grow. EDUCATE ENGAGE ENCOURAGE

3 The entry plan has three distinct phases: Phase I: Pre-Entry Activities to assist for a smooth transition into Superintendent Role Phases Phase II: Entry Activities to ensure a successful start as Superintendent Phase III: Post- Entry Development of summary report and strategic plan updates Goals Outcomes 1. To ensure a smooth transition into the role of Superintendent 2. To gain an understanding of the districts culture, values, and traditions 3. To be visible, accessible, and responsive 4. Use existing data and feedback to assist with the districts goals to Educate, Engage, and Encourage 5. To familiarize myself with policies, systems, programs, and structures that support Smithton R-VI Connect with the community Begin developing trust with students, parents, staff, board members, and community members of the Smithton R-VI School District Become well informed about the district academically and culturally The ability to support the learning process as quick as possible on my arrival

4 Activity Individual(s) Result Date Staff Meet and Greet All Smithton Staff Met most staff members. Dec. 11, All day in the school Administration Snow, McNeeley, Petersen, Team building and Dec. 31, 2014 Team Collaboration and Wallace insight on the district. Book Study Drive Administration Team Team Learning Dec. 31-Apr. 17 Science Night PTO Carnival Board Reception Board of Education Meeting Prom Phase I: Pre-Entry Activities to assist for a smooth transition into Superintendent Role Activities Completed Prior to July 1 st Many students, staff, and community members Many students, staff, and community members Several staff and community members BOE Members, teachers, and a couple community members Students, Mercer, Tyree, Brown, and Frazee Excellent night for the community and met multiple individuals. Excellent night for the community and met multiple individuals. Spoke with BOE, staff, and community members. Saw the new induction of BOE members and observed the meeting. Fantastic job on decorations. Talked briefly with individuals. PD Leaders Mercer and Tyree Discussed PD committee history and future. Graduation Seniors and Families Learned the traditions of graduation and enjoyed a big celebration. HS Academic Awards Alumni Reunion HS Students and Parents Mr. Petersen 200+ Alumnus -Mr. Page invited me Met several families. Provided a speech and celebrated with families. Met many alumnus. Provided a speech. Sang the school song. Mar. 12, 2015 Mar. 14, 2015 Mar. 17, 2015 April 17, 2015 April 25, 2015 April 26, 2015 May 15, 2015 May 21, 2015 May 23, 2015 Conference Supt. Conference Discussed conference May 28, 2015 Meeting Superintendent activities. NEE Training s Admin. Team Support Admin for Evals June 2, 2015

5 Phase II: Entry Activities to ensure a successful start as Superintendent Activities Completed between July-October Activity Individual(s) Result Date BOE 1-on-1 BOE Members Information Gathering June-July 2015 BOE Retreat BOE Members Team building, insight July 2, 2015 on the district, and development of goals. Professional Learning Plan -New Supt. Conf. -Finance Session -State Admin Meeting -Mentor -Meet with District Attorney -Attend Conf. Supt. Meetings Teeter Jason Hoffman, JCPS CFO Dr. Kleinsmith, Nixa Supt. Mickes Kaysinger Conf. Supts. Learn and develop into an effective Supt. July 2015 July 8 & 9 July 23 July July-June 2015 July or Aug Once per month Staff Interaction Certified and Non-Certified Learning about district. July-Sept Community PTO, Boosters, City Learning about district. July-Oct Interaction Officials Development of All Activities Visible in the August 2015 Calendar community. Contact each family of Parents of Students in the Connection with parents July-Sept Smithton R-VI Develop Back-to- School Schedule Data Analysis -Achievement Data -Finance Data -Qualitative Data -Communication -Human Resource -District Processes district Staff Barnes, Maples, Admin Team, Watkins, and other staff with in Smithton R-VI. Celebration, Team Building, and Vision Sharing Share info w/ BOE. Develop steps based upon findings. Develop process if needed. August 2015 July-Sept. 2015

6 Phase III: Post Entry Development of Summary Report June 2016 Board Meeting Summary Report: The entry plan culminates with the development and presentation of a summary report in June 2016, outlining the superintendent s findings, observations, and analysis of the district happenings. The goal will be to collaborate with the Board of Education regarding next steps. Engage Educate Encourage

7 A NOTE FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL... MR. JONATHAN PETERSEN Welcome Back!! As it always does, the summer went by way too fast. Sometimes I think the summer is busier than the school year but I am sure I won t be thinking that for long as several activities have already started up. Smithton is a GREAT school! That is the response I continue to get every time I tell someone that I work in the Smithton school district. It makes me extremely proud to be a part of that reputation. I am very excited about my fourth year at Smithton R-VI as High School Principal and I am looking forward to the students returning on August 24th. I can already tell, it is going to be another great year. The walls have received a new coat of paint and the floors have been waxed. Many interior and exterior doors have been replaced and upgraded. Our maintenance staff deserves congratulations for their hard work this summer as the building looks amazing. We only have a few new staff members this year. I hope you can come extend a warm welcome to them and a welcome back to the returning faculty at the open house on August 19th. The format will be a little different this year as it will simply be an informal come and go style. Once again students will be receiving their class schedules, locker numbers, and planners at open house in order to have more opportunities to meet with their specific teachers and become familiar with their new daily routine. Lastly, I encourage every parent/guardian to explore SIS and it s capabilities as the district is always finding new ways to put the technology to use in effort to make everyone s lives more convenient. Examples of available information include: student s grades, lunch balance, fines/fees, discipline records and attendance. Parents even have the choice to pay for lunches and other fees by using Paypal online. I want to thank all of the parents and community for the support they show to our school. You are an important part of student success and happiness. When the school and parents can work together and have the same goals, the students will almost always have fewer problems and enjoy greater success. Once again, with your help I expect to have another wonderful school year. GO TIGERS! Jonathan Petersen

8 Dear Smithton Middle School Families, A NOTE FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL... MR. BRANDON WALLACE I am very excited to announce we are beginning our first school year as an official middle school. I am honored to officially begin work in the capacity of middle school principal. Having this new designation allows us to work within our own identity and make decisions on policies and procedures based on a middle school concept. It also gives us the chance to narrow our focus to base instruction and interventions on strictly middle school students. I am very excited for this opportunity to grow and develop into a high achieving middle school. For our 5 th and 6 th grade, our car rider dismissal process has changed. Instead of lining up behind the buses, cars will line up in a single-file line on COOMBS STREET (beside the playground/practice field) headed WEST. The first car in line should stop at the gate as that is where the students will be loaded. We will begin dismissing car riders at approximately 2:55 pm. Please stay in your car and our staff will assist your child into your vehicle. The process of loading students on the bus will be the same. For the safety of our walkers, following the dismissal of the car riders, students that walk home will be dismissed through the high school or the elementary school doors (depending upon where they live). Older siblings that walk younger sibling(s) home will meet them at the appropriate door to walk home (either the High School door or the Elementary School door). If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. I look forward to meeting you on August 19 th at our Open House. Our hours will be from 3:30-6:30 pm. We will not have a formal teacher presentation that evening. Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to get their class schedules/planners, meet their teachers and have a hot dog in the cafeteria. Feel free to bring school supplies to drop off in your locker. Once again, I am very excited to be your principal this year. Please contact me with any questions you may have. Every new school year brings excitement and nervousness. We are here to make this a great place to learn. As a staff we are committed to the philosophy that every student can achieve at a high level. With your help, we will make this a great school year!! Yours in education, Brandon Wallace CAFETERIA PRICES Breakfast... $1.40 Elementary Lunch (K-4) Middle School Lunch (5-8) High School Lunch (9-12) Snack/Extra Milk Smithton R-VI School District participates in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program and we encourage families to complete an application. Applications for these programs will be available at open house, students will have one included in their back to school packet, and the form is also available online at The application approval process can take up to 10 days to complete. You will receive a letter indicating the results of the application. Smithton student s lunch status at the end of the school year will be in effect for the first 30 days.

9 Dear Smithton Elementary Families, A NOTE FROM THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL MRS. DAWN MCNEELEY We hope you have had a fun and restful summer so far and are gearing up for another great school year! Thank you for your support in fundraising during the school year in our Push for Technology! We are excited to announce that we were able to purchase 20 Chromebooks for our PK-6th grades to use beginning this year! We are very fortunate to have such an involved and supportive community! THANK YOU for providing us this opportunity! Did you know the Elementary School has a Facebook page? We will be sharing all of the exciting happenings and events throughout the year on this page as well as our district website. If you are on Facebook, please like us at Smithton Elementary. Our car rider dismissal process has changed. Instead of lining up behind the buses, cars will line up in a single-file line on COOMBS STREET (beside the playground/practice field) headed WEST. The first car in line should stop at the gate as that is where the students will be loaded. We will begin dismissing car riders at approximately 2:55 pm. The process of loading students will be the same. Please stay in your car and our staff will assist your child into your vehicle. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. As in the past, for the safety of our walkers, students that walk home will be dismissed after the car riders out either the High School or the Elementary School doors (depending on where they live). Older siblings that walk their younger sibling home will meet them at the appropriate door to walk home (either the High School door or the Elementary School door). Our theme this year is Go for the Gold! We look forward to a great year! Open House is August 19th from 3:30 6:30 pm with hot dogs being served from 4:00-5:00 pm. The first day of school is August 24th. Can t wait to see everyone! Yours in education, Dawn McNeeley

10 Smithton R-VI School District 505 South Myrtle Avenue Smithton, MO Phone: Fax: First Day of School August 24, SMITHTON R-VI SCHOOL CALENDAR FIRST QUARTER OPEN HOUSE... AUGUST 19 SFCC-CTC/ITV CLASSES BEGIN... AUGUST 24 FIRST DAY OF CLASS... AUGUST 24 NO SCHOOL/TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY... SEPTEMBER 4 NO SCHOOL/LABOR DAY... SEPTEMBER 7 EARLY OUT (TEACHER IN-SERVICE) DISMISS 12:42 PM... OCTOBER 7 END 1 ST QUARTER... OCTOBER 20 PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES (1:00 TO 7:00 PM)/EARLY OUT (12:42 PM)... OCTOBER 29 NO SCHOOL... OCTOBER 30