The Bird Call
News and Notes from Clever High School
Woodworking
Honor Choir
See You at the Pole
It's a Learning Experience
Do you ever wonder what our students and staff members worry about? Through countless conversations with individuals at CHS, I have a running list of issues that cause stress on a daily basis. Things such as:
- Grades
- Family
- Friends
- Peer Pressure
- The Future
- Money
- Lack of Sleep
This is only the tip of the iceberg though. And, the level to which each factor affects an individual varies based on other circumstances. While we all carry a unique set of burdens, there is one issue that is on everyone's list: school safety.
There is nothing more important to me than creating a safe and secure environment where our students and staff can attend without fear. To say it is a priority is an understatement - it is the foundation of everything we do.
Given recent events that have impacted us here at CHS, I wanted to take a few moments to help reassure you that our team is constantly evaluating, training, and adjusting when it comes to safety procedures. While it is impossible to fully prepare for a worst-case scenario, we have developed specific plans for how we will respond should a crisis arise. The staff is trained and students are reassured and reminded that should a situation take place, the expectation will always be to remain as calm as possible and listen to their teacher or other staff members.
Rather than expand on what our plans are or the physical measures we have in place to ensure the well-being of everyone here, I believe this time would be best spent emphasizing the need for all stakeholders to take an active role in crisis prevention. By staying aware of our surroundings and taking the steps to report suspicious or out of character behavior, we can all be proactive in deterring a crisis. Parents and family members often ask how they can help in the area of school safety, and the simple answer is that during a crisis there is very little you can do. Where we unconditionally need you and your support is in identifying potential issues before it is too late so that school safety is never in question.
The state of Missouri recently launched its Courage2Report initiative. I encourage everyone who reads this to look through this site and have conversations with your student(s) on the importance of taking an active role in keeping our school safe. The mindset needs to shift toward a common practice of: "see something, say something". Crisis prevention can only take place through intervention and planning. Knowing what suspicious behavior is and when/how to report it is critical.
In addition to the Courage2Report resources, please know that every adult at CHS is a willing and caring listener. A simple email to a teacher, principal, SRO, or other trusted adult can be the difference between a positive outcome and a worst-case scenario. Together, we can make a difference and keep our students - your sons, daughters, grandchildren, friends, etc.- safe.
Hickman's Happenings
Character Education in the HS
Our character word of the month for October is Citizenship. A Clever Bluejay Displaying Good Citizenship follows all school rules including in the parking lot, shows kindness and compassion to all, volunteers and gives back to the school and community, and helps to maintain a safe and clean school by reporting safety concerns, picking up trash, and recycling. Our positive referrals for the year has reached 50! Keep up the positivity and kindness Bluejays!
A+ News:
A new change to the A+ requirements allows for students who have attended a designated A+ school for two years prior to graduation to receive A+ benefits. Previously, students were required to attend three years prior to graduation.
The next ACT date is Saturday, December 14th and the deadline to register is November 8th. To sign up, go to www.act.org and follow the instructions. If you have not registered previously, you will need to complete a profile first. It is best to use an email address other than your school email address in order to receive important information and your admission ticket from ACT.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available as of October 1st. The earlier the FAFSA is filed, the better!
Students and parents should first set up a FSA ID: https://fsaid.ed.gov
File the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is a free website - beware of other sites which may charge a fee!!
If you need help filling out the FAFSA, you can check out a “Journey to College: FAFSA Frenzy” event. https://journeytocollege.mo.gov/pay/file-a-fafsa/fafsa-frenzy/public-fafsa-frenzy-events/
Picture Days
Picture order forms are available in the main office. Have your student stop by and pick one up or feel free to come by the office between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.
Please join us!
Students of the Month
Counselor's Corner
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Friday, October 18th, Clever schools wore Blue to show support for National prevention month. See the picture below! #jaysgoblue
Juniors will be taking the ASVAB test on November 12th. This test is a good practice for the ACT and will give your student a great resource for strengths and interests. We will be completing an interest survey for career planning after the test results are returned. Please encourage them to do their best on this test.
Red Ribbon Week for the high school is October 28th - 31st. Students will be learning about staying drug-free. Monday is Wake up Drug-Free: wear pajamas; Tuesday is Black Out Drugs: wear all black; Wednesday is Be out of this World, don't do drugs: Aliens vs Astronaut day; Thursday is Drugs are a Trick not a Treat: Wear a Halloween Costume.
High School Parent 101 - Tips and Tricks
Here is a great resource that can help you navigate the waters. Smart Social provides relevant information and can help parents understand the benefits and dangers of the apps that influence today's youth.
Click the button below to access the comprehensive "App Reviews" available through Smart Social. This quick review of dozens of popular apps is updated regularly, easy to navigate, and provides valuable insight that saves time and energy.
Clubs and Organizations
Future Teachers of America - Mrs. Neely
Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Coach Jones
Science History Club - Mr. Burry
Clever Student Alliance - Mrs. Money
Art Club - Mr. Schmidt
Future Business Leaders of America - Mrs. Lumpkin
National Honor Society - Ms. Lathem
Future Farmers of America - Ms. Miller
Student Council - Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Waisner
Yearbook - Mr. Boyles
Speech and Debate - Mrs. Scheibe and Mrs. Money
Academic Team - Mr. Walker and Mr. McGarry
Spirit Squad - Mrs. Neely
Theatre - Mrs. Scheibe
Math Club - Mr. McGarry
Upcoming Events
October
24th: FFA Area Barnwarming
26th: Neewollah Marching Band Festival
27th: Senior Parking Spot Painting
29th: 31st - National FFA Convention
29th: Eligibility Check
29th - 1st: National FFA Convention
30th: Apollo 11 Night
31st: Community Halloween Event
November
1st: No School
3rd: Daylight Savings Time Ends
12th: ASVAB Testing for Juniors
12th: School Board Meeting
12th: Senior Composite Pictures
12th: Winter Sports Parent Meeting
13th: School Pictures and Senior Composite Make-up
15th: FFA Labor Auction and Chili Cook-Off
20th: Eligibility Check
22nd - 24th: Fall Musical
26th: Zenith Climbing Center Attendance Reward
27th - 29th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
Alumni Spotlight
Name: Mark Warren
Graduation Year: 2004
Hobbies and interests: Coaching, sports, traveling, teaching, mentoring kids with no fathers in our church, researching social issues in sports, tailgating at all SEC stadiums, cooking, and food, bicycling for charities, trying to complete visits to all MLB stadiums, walks in our neighborhood as a family
Family: Parents still reside in Clever - Kim and Craig King
wife- Charlotte Warren
twin sons (13 months old)- Myles and Ryker Warren
Current Job: Basketball Coach
College or Career Training after CHS: MSU 2009, Naval Operational Medical Institute 2010, University of Georgia 2019
Degree/Certificate Earned: BS in Community Health and Minor in Political Science and MS in Sport Management and Policy
Extracurricular activities you participated in at CHS: FCA, FTA, Science History Club Basketball and Golf Teams
Favorite class at CHS: My favorite was Mrs. Mooneyham's American Government. She did an excellent job of making us think for ourselves and never pushed an agenda on the class. HOWEVER, the most practical and helpful class to this day was Mrs. Little's family and consumer science. She had us dress up and dine in a business setting interview. This was, and still is to this day, some of the reasons why I have been hired and also have sealed commitments to recruits as a college basketball coach. Kudos Mrs. Little!
Advice to current CHS students: First, I would thank you all for being the future. Thank you for the years of effort that have gotten you to where you are right now. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to becoming all that you will be. With that comes the responsibility to follow your dreams, embrace all the opportunities and challenges that come with the next phase of your life. Embrace diversity, learn new cultures and leave the world in a better place by becoming leaders who care about people. Leadership is more about taking care of people who are in your charge verse about just being in charge. When you view yourself just as a boss you become complacent, lazy, and care only about results that you won’t get due to no interest in creating relationships. Results are identically matched with relationships. Good relationships result in success. And always know your parents are 1 phone call away!
Clever High School
Email: caseyj@cleverbluejays.org
Website: www.cleverbluejays.org
Location: 6800 W. Veterans Blvd, Clever, MO 65631
Phone: (417) 743-4830
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clever-High-School-107961380555502/
Twitter: @CleverJays