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SPS Teacher of the Year finalists announced
March 28, 2008
Six teachers have been named as finalists for Springfield Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2008. Typically, five finalists are chosen. But because of the quality of applicants this year, judges found it impossible to pare the field of finalists down to five.
The finalists are:
- Stephanie Blake, science teacher, Parkview High School.
- Tracy Bruton, art teacher, Glendale High School.
- Phil Hockensmith, social studies teacher, Kickapoo High School.
- Beth Nickle, communication arts/drama teacher, Bailey Alternative School.
- Troy Kuchta, fourth grade teacher, Boyd Elementary School.
- Alberta Smith, vocal music teacher, Central High School.
The finalists will be interviewed Thursday, April 3, by a team of nine judges representing the district and community. The winner will be announced at this year’s annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Monday, April 21 at University Plaza Convention Center.
The banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. A reception is from 5-6:15 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools at 523-0144.
Twain’s Janell Bagwell named ‘Outstanding New Principal’
March 27, 2008
Mark Twain Elementary School Principal Janell Bagwell was recently honored by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals as one of 13 Outstanding New Principals in Missouri.
The award was presented to Bagwell at a banquet on Monday, March 10 at Tan-Tar-A Resort. Bagwell’s selection was made through letters of recommendation from colleagues in the Springfield school district.
Recipients of the award are required to have served as principal for at least one year but no more than three years. Bagwell has been at Twain for two years.
This is the first year for the MAESP Outstanding New Principal award. It will now become an annual honor.
KHS nurse receives state ‘outstanding services’ award
March 26, 2008
Kickapoo High School nurse Tammy Holley was recently chosen by the Missouri Association of School Nurses (MASN) as its Outstanding Services of a School Nurse award winner.
Holley will be honored at MASN’s spring conference luncheon April 12 in St. Joseph.
Holley has been a school nurse for 17 years and has been employed at five SPS schools. She has been at Kickapoo for 11 years.
District names new security director and PV principal
March 26, 2008
Springfield Public Schools announced today that Thomas Tucker will be the new director of district police services and Dr. Julie Steiger will be the new principal of Pleasant View Elementary and Middle School.
Tucker has been with the police services department since 2002 and been a field supervisor since 2007. Prior to that, he worked 25 years with the federal bureau of prisons before retiring in 2001 as a senior department head with the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield. During that time he was education program manager and served as acting associate warden of programs.
Steiger began her career with Springfield Public Schools in 1984 as the remedial math teacher at Pipkin Middle School. She taught math at either Pipkin or Glendale High School for nine years. In 1993, she became a Pleasant View counselor and held that position for 11 years.
In 2004, Steiger was named assistant principal at Kickapoo High School where she remained until 2007. She is currently assistant principal at Hillcrest High School. Steiger begins her new job July 1.
Steiger received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Kansas in 1982 and a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling from Southwest Missouri State University in 1988. She received a Specialist in Education Administration from St. Louis University in 2005 and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University in 2007.
Annual ROSE Banquet is March 27
March 24, 2008
Springfield Public Schools’ 23rd Annual ROSE Banquet, a celebration of top high school graduates, is set for Thursday, March 27.
The ROSE (Recognition of Scholastic Excellence) Banquet honors top graduates from all five district high schools based on grade point average.
The banquet begins at 6 p.m. in the Findlay Student Center on the campus of Drury University.
Schools send students to state Science Olympiad competition
March 14, 2008
Students from Study and Cherokee middle schools and Glendale and Central high schools will represent Springfield Public Schools at the state Science Olympiad tournament Saturday, March 15 in Columbia.
School teams qualified for the state tournament based on their finishes at the Southwest Regional Science Olympiad competition in February at Missouri State University.
Study qualified for the sixth year in a row. Cherokee is making its first state trip in at least six years. Central qualified for the second straight year and this will be Glendale’s first trip to state.
Teachers and students put in many hours on their projects – both during and after the school day. This year’s state competition will feature demonstrations of catapults, gliders and robotics. It includes studies in oceanography, meteorology, astronomy and biology.
District psychologist Anne Gardner receives state recognition
March 14, 2008
Dr. Anne Gardner was named “Missouri School Psychologist of the Year” during the recent Missouri Association of School Psychologists conference in Columbia.
Gardner “fills a niche on our team of school psychologists that could be filled by no one else,” said her supervisor, Stephanie Davison. “She brings a scholarly perspective to the team.”
Previous experience as a classroom teacher provides Gardner with a deep understanding of the issues teachers face daily in the classroom. This influences how she designs interventions, works with staff and prepares for professional development and presentations.
Dr. Ron Snodgrass named new Central High School principal
March 14, 2008
Pleasant View Elementary and Middle School Principal Dr. Ron Snodgrass has been named the new principal at Central High School. He begins the job next school year, replacing Everett Isaacs, who is retiring.
Snodgrass has been with the district 22 years. He spent his first nine years at Pleasant View teaching science and physical education.
He was assistant principal at Jarrett Middle School from 1995-1999, and assistant principal at Hillcrest High School from 1999-2001. He has been Pleasant View’s principal since 2001.
Snodgrass received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri State University in 1986, a Master of Science in Education from SMSU in 1991, an Educational Specialist in Administration from SMSU in 1996, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003.
District psychologist Anne Gardner receives state recognition
March 14, 2008
Dr. Anne Gardner was named “Missouri School Psychologist of the Year” during the recent Missouri Association of School Psychologists conference in Columbia.
Gardner “fills a niche on our team of school psychologists that could be filled by no one else,” said her supervisor, Stephanie Davison. “She brings a scholarly perspective to the team.”
Previous experience as a classroom teacher provides Gardner with a deep understanding of the issues teachers face daily in the classroom. This influences how she designs interventions, works with staff and prepares for professional development and presentations.
Budget taking shape for 2008-09
March 13, 2008
The Springfield School Board got its first look Thursday at a proposed $198 million operating budget for 2008-09.
During a 7:30 a.m. budget study session, Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder told the board there is still room for flexibility in creating next year’s fiscal budget, which reflects the commitment to place resources close to the needs of students and align spending with district goals and the strategic plan.
In particular, the district is requesting a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase and additional teachers to help the district meet the public’s desire of having the area’s highest-paid teachers and reduced class sizes.
Here is a detailed look at the proposed budget, which must be approved by the end of June.
Also Thursday:
The board approved the base bid plus alternates for the Kickapoo High School renovation and expansion. The $6,925,000 project will include 12 science labs, a new library and other renovations. Construction begins soon and should be substantially complete by July of 2009.
The board approved the combined base bids plus alternates, totaling $2,542,300 for air conditioning projects at Bingham and Mann elementary schools. The projects should be substantially complete by November 2008.
The board also approved the base bid and alternates totaling $621,590 for the Portland Elementary School air conditioning project. The project should be substantially complete by November 2008.
All four projects are funded by voter approval of a $96.5 million bond initiative in April 2006.
Bowerman creates lunch period ‘open mic’ reading event
March 13, 2008
In celebration of the Read Across America program, Bowerman Elementary School will hold an “open mic” reading event on March 14 and 28.
Open mic will be from 10:45 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 2148 N. Douglas Ave. Teachers, staff, students and special guests are invited to read from their favorite book and dress up in costume if they wish.
HILLCREST STUDENTS CHOSEN TO ATTEND GIRLS STATE
March 13, 2008
Hillcrest High School juniors Carolyn Brown and Dominica Pigford will attend Girls State at the University of Central Missouri from June 22-28.
Brown and Pigford were chosen to represent the Kirby Wilcox Bicentennial Unit 676 American Legion Auxiliary.
PHS BASKETBALL SQUAD HONORED FOR SPORTSMANSHIP
March 13, 2008
The boys of the Parkview High School basketball squad were selected as the Springfield Tip-Off Club’s Sportsmen of the Year.
The award was presented to Coach Bill Brown and the team’s senior players.
Brown is in his sixth year as Parkview’s head coach.
FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AWARDED $2,000 GRANT
March 13, 2008
Springfield Public Schools’ food service department recently received a $2,000 grant from the Midwest Dairy Council to continue expanding its innovative school breakfast program.
Springfield Public Schools was awarded 2nd place in the Expanding Breakfast Award competition.
The award program was launched this year to call attention to the importance of school breakfast options. The district’s food service program is administered by ARAMARK.
KHS HOSTS WINTER GUARD AND PERCUSSION FESTIVAL
March 13, 2008
Kickapoo High School will be the site of a winter guard and winter percussion festival beginning at noon on Saturday, March 15.
More than 30 guard and percussion units from throughout the area are expected to compete.
The Kickapoo “emulation” winter guard is currently ranked 13th in the country.
GHS STUDENT HELPS OTC CULINARY TEAM TO VICTORY
March 13, 2008
Glendale junior J.R. Reynolds, a member of the Pro Start Culinary Team at Ozarks Technical Community College, recently helped his team place first in a culinary competition against 27 other teams.
The team will compete at the national competition in San Diego in April.
PLEASANT VIEW STUDENTS RAISE ‘PENNIES FOR PATIENTS’
March 13, 2008
Pleasant View Elementary School raised $1,464 in February for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through a ‘Pennies for Patients’ event.
Students brought spare change to school to donate to the fundraiser.
Grants to assist with academics, attendance
March 12, 2008
Springfield Public Schools received two grants totaling $25,000 from Community Foundation of the Ozarks to support the district's goals of increasing academic achievement and the graduation rate by promoting student attendance.
An $11,000 grant will fund a program to increase student attendance at Reed Middle School by promoting positive skills for making the transition from elementary to middle school. The second grant of $14,000 will support the community-wide "BN SCHL" attendance initiative by funding direct mailings to parents and students, promotional banners and advertising and attendance incentives for seven Title I schools.
“Schools are responsible for teaching children but schools can’t accomplish this if students are absent,” explained Becky Morgan, SPS attendance coordinator. “A child who misses a day of school misses a day of learning.”
The district has set strategic goals of 95 percent student attendance and an 85 percent graduation rate. Last school year, 26 percent of district students attended school 95 percent of the time or less. Elementary attendance is of particular concern because those schools have experienced a four-year attendance decline, according to Morgan. “This is alarming because students develop these habits when they are young and carry them with them into higher grades and ultimately to their jobs,” she explained.
Other agencies also received foundation funding to support programs that will directly impact district students. Ozarks Technical Community College received $18,500 for Middle College. East Grand Community Services received $6,750 to provide after-school programs to students at Bingham and Pittman elementary schools. Drury University received $35,000 to provide career-planning opportunities for students at Pipkin Middle School and Central High School.
SPS high schools qualify 38 for state DECA competition
March 11, 2008
Springfield public high schools will be well represented at the Missouri state DECA meet March 16-18 at Lake of the Ozarks. Thirty-eight district students qualified.
Parkview High School has 22 qualifying students; Hillcrest has five qualifying students; Glendale has five qualifying students; Central has four qualifying students; Kickapoo has two qualifying students.
DECA, with more than 185,000 student members across 50 states, strives to enhance the co-curricular education of students with an interest in management, marketing and entrepreneurship.
The national DECA competition will be held in Atlanta in April.
Student art to be showcased in all-school exhibit
March 10, 2008
The Springfield Art Museum will display the works of Springfield Public Schools student artists during a special all-school art exhibit March 15 through April 20 at the 1111 Brookside Drive museum.
The museum will host two opening receptions honoring the student artists. The reception for middle school and high school students, parents and friends is 5 p.m. Friday, March 14. The reception for elementary students, parents and friends is 1 p.m. Sunday, March 16.
More than 1,000 works of art will be on display during the exhibit.
Dr. Bev Rohlf, coordinator of music and visual arts for Springfield Public Schools, says the benefits are great for students involved in art. “Students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident and better able to express their ideas,” she said.
Grabeel, Wistrom named 'Everyday Heroes'
March 7, 2008
Springfield Public Schools Health Services Coordinator Jean Grabeel and Parkview High School Principal Chance Wistrom are among 13 people from Southwest Missouri recently named Everyday Heroes.
All 13 will be honored during the annual Everyday Heroes Breakfast sponsored by the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross and KY-3. The breakfast is Wednesday, March 26, at the Oasis Inn and Convention Center, 2610 N. Glenstone Ave. Doors open at 7 a.m.
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Grabeel was named the “Medical Hero.” She has been district health services coordinator since 1992 and was singled out for working tirelessly to make sure that all students in the district have access to health care dental and vision. Wistrom was named the “Education Hero. He has been Parkview’s principal since 2006.
Since that time, Parkview’s attendance has risen, dropouts have fallen and the overall spirit of Viking pride has swelled. Winners were selected in 11 categories from among 115 nominations submitted throughout Southwest Missouri .
This year’s heroes represent the mission of the Red Cross by either saving a life or going above and beyond normal daily life.
The breakfast is open to the public. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call 832-9500 ext. 109. Deadline for reservations is March 14.
Boyd elementary, Central Assembly hold pinewood derby
March 7, 2008
Boyd Elementary School and Central Assembly of God Church will host the school’s first-ever pinewood derby on Saturday, March 8, at the 1301 N. Boonville Ave. church.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and will include free food and games and free oil changes for widows, single mothers and wives of deployed soldiers.
“We’ve got teachers racing against kids and everyone’s really excited,” said Boyd principal James Grandon.”
With donations and volunteers pitching in from throughout the community, students sanded, primed, painted and helped assemble nearly 200 light-weight balsa wood cars for the derby.
In addition to the fun of the activity, students applied their talents in art, physics and math, Grandon said.
Central Assembly is Boyd’s Partner in Education. The partner program links businesses and community organizations with schools to develop activities, projects and incentives that enrich education.
Shady Dell encourages ‘building with a buddy’
March 7, 2008
Shady Dell Early Childhood Center invites all family members of attending children to a quarterly parental involvement event at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, in the Shady Dell cafeteria.
The March event, “building with a buddy,” will be a hands-on activity with materials, including wood craft kits and hammers, donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement on Norton Road.
Shady Dell officials hope parental involvement nights foster strong student-family relationships.
A free dinner will be provided. Shady Dell Early Childhood Center is located at 2757 E. Division St.
Westport celebrates Dr. Seuss with green eggs and ham
March 4, 2008
In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Sunday, March 2, Westport Elementary School librarian Teresa Young will serve green eggs and ham to kindergarten and 1st grade students on Thursday, March 6.
The 1st grade students will eat from 10 to 10:40 a.m.; kindergarten students will eat from 12:40 to 1:50 p.m.
Young, who will cook the green eggs and ham, says she hopes the hands-on activity helps make books come alive for Westport students.
The event will take place in Westport library, 415 S. Golden Ave.
Hickory Hills to host volleyball benefit for former student
March 4, 2008
Hickory Hills Middle School student council will host a staff vs. student charity volleyball game at 2 p.m. Friday, March 7, to benefit a former student who is now fighting brain cancer.
Queen Esta Lowe, a Glendale High School freshman, was Hickory Hills’ student council president last year. She is receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
Jessica Berghager, Hickory Hills’ student council sponsor, said the benefit will serve as an example to the community that Hickory Hills cares about its students, both past and present.
“Queen Esta Lowe was a wonderful student here and an outstanding student council president,” Berghager said. “We simply want to show her and her family support throughout this hardship.”
Tickets for the volleyball game are $2. T-shirts that read “Playing for a Queen” will be sold for $5. All proceeds will go to Lowe’s family.
Last day of school remains undecided
March 4, 2008
Springfield Public School officials are considering several options for determining the last day of school for this year.
Prior toTuesday’s snowfall, the last day of school was to be Friday, May 30. District Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder said the district will now consider lengthening one or more school days, holding Saturday classes or extending the year to Monday, June 2.
No decision will be made on a make-up day until it is certain there will be no more snow days.
WINGS students participate in ‘Day of Caring’ activities
March 3, 2008
Springfield Public Schools 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in the WINGS (Working with the Individual Needs of Gifted Students) program at Phelps Center for the Gifted will spend time this week serving the community in a number of settings.
Beginning Monday, March 3, and ending Thursday, March 6, students will volunteer at The Kitchen, Salvation Army, Victory Mission Warehouse, Ozarks Literacy Council, Kids Against Hunger and Convoy of Hope.
The students are volunteering as part of the Day of Caring program. Their effort is funded by a $450 grant from the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.
WINGS teacher Sherry Ray, who wrote the grant, said “I believe middle school students need to recognize there are many people in need in our community. This experience will help empower students to recognize they have the ability to make a difference.”
This is the first year for the event. Ray developed the idea, wrote the grant and contacted the charities to arrange this week’s volunteer schedule.
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