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Office of Education Technology recognizes Joplin Schools as one of nine Future Ready districts nationwide 
Last spring, a film crew with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Technology spent time observing and documenting Joplin Schools' use of technology throughout its classrooms. They were gathering the footage and interviews for a video series they produced to serve as an online tool for districts throughout the United States. Joplin Schools is one of only nine districts nationwide to be named a Future Ready School by the Office of Technology. The nine districts, chosen from hundreds of applications, were recognized for meeting several priorities including providing personalized learning through technology, having collaborative leadership, offering teacher training and professional learning opportunities, and for their robust technology infrastructure. 

The trailer for the video series was recently released and features some of our schools. Future videos will be shared in this publication. Check it out! 


Learn more about Future Ready.
Board of Education October regular meeting highlights
 
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Joplin Schools Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Memorial Education Center. 


Highlights from the meeting include:
  • An update regarding data collection that will be used to inform the strategic plan. Key areas of data collection include student achievement, staff information, school finance, demographic information, and stakeholder feedback. Comparison data from area school districts, similar school districts in size and demographics, and Missouri's top-performing district will also be included. Once data collection is complete, it will be prioritized and analyzed with help from board representatives and student, teacher, and parent forum participants. The final data will be presented to the Board of Education at the Dec. 15 regular meeting. The data will also be shared with district staff and the community.  
  • A presentation on student behavior and Annual Performance Report information. Overall, the district's APR has improved, and the district remains fully accredited. 

View the full presentation including individual building performance.

  • A presentation regarding Bright Futures Joplin financials and a request by the Bright Futures Advisory Board to move Bright Futures Joplin funds from the district to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Several questions were raised regarding legal obligations of the district. More research will be conducted and a recommendation will be made to the board at their November meeting. 

View the Bright Futures Joplin financial presentation.

 

Read the request from the Bright Futures Advisory Board to the BOE to move BFJ funds out of the district.

  • Approval by the Board of Education of goals for Interim Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder.

View the 2015/2016 Mission/Goals for the Interim Superintendent.

 

Watch the Oct. 27 Board of Education meeting:

 
Joplin High School's FBLA club donates pajamas to help hospitalized children

Inspired by a story they saw on the local news, students in the Future Business Leaders of America club at Joplin High School decided to hold a pajama drive to help support local student Easton Murdoch's Operation Jammies fundraiser. Easton started the fundraiser to help provide pajamas to hospitalized children. Easton, who has spent time in the hospital in St. Louis, wants to make sure these kids have comfortable clothes to wear during their treatments. The FBLA, under the direction of JHS students Emma Thompson and Matt McMullen and with the help of several JHS clubs, presented more than 60 pairs of pajamas to Easton and his mom on Wednesday!   


This is just one of several fun, budget-friendly classes offered by FTC Community Education. Find a complete list of upcoming classes.
Irving Elementary hosts creative fall festival to highlight literacy and physical fitness
 
In a creative twist on Halloween celebrations, Irving Elementary held its annual fall festival on Friday, Oct. 30, with a special focus on literacy and physical fitness. During the event, students visited activity stations inspired by award-winning children's books. After touring the stations, students met with trainers from Altered Physique Fitness to learn a routine set to Michael Jackson's famous hit "Thriller."

This is the third year in a row that Susan Flowers, Irving P.E. teacher, has collaborated with the school's literacy teachers to plan this event. "We wanted to create an event that connects the benefits of literacy with physical fitness," said Flowers. "It's also a way for our students to discover great children's books while participating in physical activities."  
JHS Theatre to present fall play "Leading Ladies" Nov. 12-14
 
Joplin High School's Theatre Department will present its fall play at 7 p.m. Nov. 12-14, in the Coulter Auditorium at the JHS Performing Arts Center, 2104 Indiana Ave. Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $7 for adults.

Set in the 1950s, "Leading Ladies" by Ken Ludwig focuses on two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, who find their careers in a rut. They are currently performing "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in York, Pa. is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, the actors resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. Hilarity ensues when it turns out the relatives are actually nieces and not nephews. Things get even more complicated when Leo falls madly in love with the old lady's vivacious niece, Meg, who's engaged to the local minister.
Meet Joplin Schools' Eagle of the Week

This weekly honor recognizes Joplin Schools' employees who demonstrate the qualities and behaviors that benefit the day-to-day operations of the district and promote student success. Joplin Schools' employees, parents, and community members can nominate a Joplin Schools' staff member for this recognition.  
Joplin Schools Eagle Minute brought to you by:
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 2
No classes - Teacher Professional Development Day

Nov. 12-14
JHS Fall Play "Leading Ladies"
7 p.m.
JHS Performing Art Center

Nov. 24
Board of Education Regular Meeting
7 p.m.
Memorial Education Center

Nov. 25-27
No classes - Thanksgiving Break
We hope you enjoyed this issue of the Eagle Minute. If there are specific topics you would like to see covered, please email your suggestions to webmaster@joplinschools.org.