Don't miss out on news and information from Joplin Schools!

JHS students earn awards at annual Southern Media Showcase competition

On Dec. 3, more than 325 students from several area school districts gathered at Missouri Southern State University for the annual Southern Media Showcase. The event, presented by Missouri Southern's Communications Department, recognizes outstanding work in print and video projects by high school students. Joplin High School's Spyglass staff earned numerous awards in the high school publications competition including first place awards for Katelyn Paris in sports photography, Rylee Hartwell in news writing, Devon Johnson in feature writing, Emma Thompson in feature photography, and Matt McMullen in information graphic and page one design. Spyglass also earned best overall publication (Editor Emma Thompson) and was the sweepstakes winner. JETHD students also earned several awards in the high school video competition including first place in the commercial/PSA category for Brendan Beck. Watch his winning entry here

We definitely have some talented students - congratulations!
Spyglass staff Spyglass staff and JHS teacher Mary Crane

JETHD students JETHD team, JETHD station manager Danny Craven and JHS teacher Nathan Ward

 
Board of Education candidate filing period starts Dec. 15

Joplin Schools encourages qualified persons interested in running for a position on the School Board to file to be a candidate in the April 5, 2016, election. Interested persons may file in the superintendent's office located at Joplin Schools Administration at Memorial Education Center, 310 West 8th Street, Joplin.

Filing will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. and will continue during the district's regular business hours Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Except for the first and last day of candidate filing, filing will not occur on days that the school district's offices are closed due to inclement weather. Filing will also not occur on the following dates when the school district's offices are closed: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.

Filing will end on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. Candidates filing on the first day of filing (Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015) will be listed on the ballot in random order. There are four board positions available: two positions with a three-year term, one position with a two-year term, and one position with a one-year term.

For more information contact Pat Waldo, Board Secretary, at (417) 625-5200 Ext. 2020.




Academy Sports donates bikes to McKinley Elementary students

On Wednesday, Dec. 9, 30 lucky McKinley Elementary students received bikes thanks to the generosity of Academy Sports in Joplin. During an assembly, the names of six winners were drawn, and they received their bikes with the help of representatives from Academy. Then, throughout the day, names were drawn from each grade level. To qualify for the drawing, students had to have at least 95% attendance. Many of the winners had never had a new bike before! This is not the first time or the first school in the district to receive bikes during the holiday season from Academy Sports. The area business has done this for several years. Thank you Academy Sports for caring about Joplin kids and making the awesome gift of a new bike possible.
    
South Middle School students donate toys to area kids in need

For South Middle School students, spare change collected over the last few weeks added up to a sizable donation to KOAM-TVs Toybox campaign, which provides new toys and gifts to area children in need. Seventh and eighth grade students at SMS who are part of the Principals' Advisory Council organized a Christmas Change Challenge. The PAC is made up of 26 students who have been nominated by teachers and staff based on their grades, effort, attitude, and behavior at school. In addition to organizing the event, PAC students collected and counted the change and shopped for the gifts. They chose toys that would fit many age ranges for boys and girls. With the help of their classmates, they raised $491.72 and purchased two carts full of toys. Participating classes celebrated with cookies, and the class in each grade that raised the most earned a pizza party. 

Amazing job South Middle School (and SMS teacher and advisor Dianne Schramm)! This is one of several service projects conducted by PAC students to benefit the community.
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
Dec. 11
JHS Jazz Ensemble
JHS Jazz Ensemble performance at Northpark Mall
6:30-8:30 p.m.
JC Penney Court

Dec. 12
Wizard of Oz interactive children's show
2 p.m.
JHS Performing Arts Center

Dec. 15
Board of Education Regular Meeting
7 p.m.
Memorial Education Center
JHS Winter Choir Performance
7 p.m.
JHS Performing Arts Center

Dec. 17
JHS Winter Orchestra Performance
7 p.m.
JHS Performing Arts Center

Dec. 18
Early Dismissal: 11:45 a.m. for elementary, 12:30 p.m. for middle and high schools

Dec. 21-Jan. 4
Christmas Break

Jan. 5
Classes resume

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 [email protected].