News from West Plains R-VII Schools

Council (ASBC), is celebrated on Valentine's Day and throughout February in school districts across the country as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 26 million school children to and from school each day. It is also an opportunity for parents and children to learn more about the safety and environmental benefits of school bus transportation.

"We want to honor the bus drivers that safely take the children in West Plains to school each day," said Robert Pekarek, Transportation Director for West Plains R-VII Schools. "Love the Bus is a great opportunity to thank the people that protect our most precious cargo-our children-and serve as role models on the 480,000 school buses that transport children to and from school each day across the country."

To help celebrate Love the Bus, parents, teachers and children are encouraged to visit the program's Web site,

www.LoveTheBus.com

WPMS Students of the Month
Congratulations to the January students of the Month!! 5^th Grade - Taylor Sands and Ryan Mardock 6^th Grade - Brooke Portincaso and Brandon Duke 7^th Grade - Amanda Favorite and Tyler Sands 8^th Grade - Kaitlin Reluz and Kevin Marquez

2010 Homecoming Date Set
The Homecoming date for Fall 2010 has been set. It will the weekend of Oct. 1^st and 2^nd. The game will be against Camdenton at 7:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 1^st and the dance on Sat. Oct. 2^nd.

The Annual All-Elementary Track Meet Has Been Rescheduled for the Following Dates:

Thursday, May 13^th - Grades K-3

Friday, May 14^th - Grades 4-6

Rain Dates - Monday, May 17^th and Tuesday, May 18^th

^{(Rain dates are not assigned to a specific grade level.)}

Please mark all of the above dates on your calendar.

ZizzerJackets On Sale
The West Plains High School Boys Tennis Team is gearing up for spring. To help raise funds for the tennis team, Zizzer jackets are on sale now. There are two jackets to choose from ranging in price from $25.00 to $30.00. If you would like to order or for more information, send an email to jkramer@zizzers.org

WPHS Speech and Debate Chili Supper

The WPHS Speech and Debate will host a Chili Supper on February 12th from 4:30 to 6:30 in the High School Cafeteria. The team will be serving chili, baked potatoes, hot dogs, and grilled cheese. Tickets are $5.00 in advance or $6.00 at the door and includes 2 entrees, dessert, and a drink. Tickets can be purchased from speech and debate students or in the upstairs office at the high school. Email or call Wendy Czerwonka for more information at 256-6150 or wczerwonka@zizzers.org.

Genesis Church Donates to West Plains Elementary School.
The West Plains Elementary received school supplies from the Genesis Church of West Plains. The church donated approximately 50 bags of school supplies. In addition to the school supplies, coats, socks and underwear were donated to the elementary nurse's office.

Happenings At South Fork
February 10th - "Coins for a Cause" for the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Now until April - Collecting soda tabs for Ronald McDonald House. February 11th - Student of the Month Assembly.

Teacher of the Year Nominations
It is time place your nominations for the West Plains School District Teacher of the Year. Anyone (parents, teachers, students, community members) can make a nomination. Nominations close February 24^th. The nominating form is on the district's website at www.zizzers.org.

WPMS Zizzer Productions News
WPMS Zizzer Productions News is now on-line at SchoolTube (http://www.schooltube.com keyword Zizzers or West Plains). For the latest update click on the the link below. http://got.im/cmw

South Central Career Center to Showcase Career and Technical Programs

South Central Career Center is set to host an evening dedicated to showcasing career and technical education programs offered locally on February 18th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at three of West Plains' South Central Career Center campuses.

Student demonstrations will be held at the various SCCC locations throughout the evening, highlighting several programs available at the school. All demonstrations will be continuous from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information about Showcase Night or the South Central Career Center, contact SCCC Director Brenda Smith or SCCC Assistant Director Josh Cotter at 417-256-6152, or visit the school's website at www.zizzers.org/sccc.

WP Elementary Participates in Jump Rope For Heart
West Plains Elementary participates annually in the Jump Rope for Heart and this year the elementary will be hosting the event all through the month of February and part of March during P.E. class time. The program raises money for the American Heart Association. For more info visit: www.americanheart.org/jump

West Plains Middle School Winter Honor Assembly
The West Plains Middle School Winter Honor Assembly will be Thursday, February 11^th at 1:45 in the gym. Any student that is on the 1^st semester honor roll, earned straight A's, top AR points, or took part in middle school sport teams will be recognized in the assembly. Parents are welcome to attend.

WPHS ZNN News
ZNN News is now available online at www.zizzers.org/znn.

The Week's WPHS Zizzer Events & Sports Schedule

Today, February 8th

All WPHS girls basketball games have been postponed until tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 9th

FFA Chapter Meeting at 3:30

9th, JV, & Varsity Boys Basketball at Lebanon at 5:00

Thursday, February 10th

9th, JV, & Varsity girls at Waynesville at 6:00

Friday, February 11th

Pep Rally at 10:25 in WPHS Gym

9th, JV, Varsity Boys basketball at home

Dismiss at 11:30am

Saturday, February 12th

Mid-Winter Dance in Gym 7:00 pm

9th grade boys basketball plays in Springfield Tourney (TBA)

West Plains Elementary 4H Zizz Kids Raise Money for Foster Children

The 4H Zizz Kids at West Plains Elementary have decided to raise money for foster children as their first community service project. They are challenging all students to bring in a quarter to donate to the effort. The students hope to raise at least $200.00. They have made banners for the hallways and placed a money jar in the elementary office. Please help encourage the 4H'ers with this charity drive.

SkillsUSA Upcoming Events:
February 12th - District Skills Contest at Waynesville Career Center. February 25th - District Leadership Contest & Awards at Lebanon's Cowen Center. March 25-27 - State Leadership Conference and Contest at Linn Tech Community Collage.

Purchase a T-Shirt From the West Plains Lady Zizzer Soccer Program and Help "Kick Cancer".

The West Plains Lady Zizzer Soccer Program and Camdenton Lady Lakes Soccer Program are joining forces to help "Kick Cancer." The hop

e is to raise awareness of cancer and to raise some money for the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer.

The programs have "challenged" each other and each team has set a goal to raise $1500 for the fight against cancer and it is up to each program to decide how they will raise the money. One way both programs will look to raise money will be through the sale of t-shirts in an attempt to "White Out" cancer. The t-shirts will be available soon for $10 each. If you would like to order in advance, send an email with the size you want to nschmitt@zizzers.org

Inclement Weather
Inclement weather is here! Do you need to update or add your phone number to ensure you receive the phone call when school is canceled? If you would like to be added to list, update your phone number or to unsubscribe, contact Lana Snodgras at 256-6155. Information will also be posted on the district website, Facebook, Twitter, and in the Zizzer Pride News in the event school is cancelled.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact lana.snodgras@zizzers.org Sincerely, Lana Snodgras, Communications and Community Relations Director West Plains R-VII Schools