Bulldog Bytes
A Newsletter for Employees of the Mexico59 11/18/15
Dear Mexico 59 Staff:
With Holiday Season fast approaching, and this being the last edition of Bulldog Bytes before Thanksgiving, I had thoughts about writing a letter of thanks to you. Before I set to writing, this gem appeared in my inbox from author Seth Godin (my favorite book of his is Tribes). There is no way I could say anything better. So please, read on. Enjoy. Have a great Thanksgiving next week! --Kevin
In ten days, just about everyone in the United States will celebrate the best holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. I’m hoping that this year, you and your family will help me start a new holiday tradition.
At its best, this is a holiday about gratitude, about family and about possibility. It brings people together to not only celebrate the end of the harvest, but to look one in another in the eye and share something magical.
In a digital age, one where humanity has been corrupted by commerce at every turn, there are very few Thanksgiving piñatas stuffed with coins, no huge market in Thanksgiving wrapping paper, no rush to the stores. We mostly save that for the next day, when the retail-industrial establishment kicks into high gear.
I’m delighted to point you to the Thanksgiving Reader . The file you'll find there is free, it’s printable, it’s sharable and it might give us something universal and personal to do this Thanksgiving.
The idea is simple: At your Thanksgiving celebration (and yes, it’s okay to use it outside the US!), consider going around the table and having each person read a section aloud.
During these ten or fifteen minutes, millions of people will all be reading the same words, thinking about the same issues, connecting with each other over the essence of what we celebrate. After all the travel and the cooking and the hassle, for these ten or fifteen minutes, perhaps we can all breathe the same air and think hard about what we’re thankful for.
It’s free to download and share. I hope you’ll let some people in your life know about it and incorporate it in your celebration this year. There’s no commercial element involved—after all, it’s Thanksgiving.
Please share. And we're happy to hear your suggestions.
Thank you for everything you do, and for the difference you make to your family and the people who care about you.
[and for international readers...]
Wherever you are, you could celebrate Thanksgiving today. Or any day.
Not the Thanksgiving of a bountiful Massachusetts harvest before the long winter, the holiday of pilgrims and pie. That's a holiday of scarcity averted. I'm imagining something else...
A modern Thanksgiving would celebrate two things:
The people in our lives who give us the support and love we need to make a difference, and...
The opportunity to build something bigger than ourselves, something worth contributing to. The ability to make connections, to lend a hand, to invent and create.
There are more of both now than there have ever been before. For me, for you, for just about all of us. Thank you.
Deadwood Dick or the Game of Gold
Everyone is invited to attend the MHS Theatre Department's Production of "Deadwood Dick or the Game of Gold"
Friday night and Saturday night 7pm
Sunday 2:30 pm.
Adults $10
Students $5 k-12
Doors open 30 minutes before.
Board of Education Meeting 11/17/15 Recap
Board of Education Meeting - November 2015
Superintendent’s Notes: Remember to view the agenda or any of the associated documents or reports, click on the board meeting link above or go to the district homepage, to the very bottom of the page, where it says “eBoard paperless board meetings.”
Prior to the board meeting, some of the board members met with the administration to discuss the study authored in 2000 about effective school board/superintendent team behaviors entitled The Lighthouse Inquiry: School Board/Superintendent team behaviors in school districts with extreme differences in student achievement.
Board meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance recited.
Agenda was then adopted.
Staff & Patron Input included recognition of four support staff retirees:
--Randy Baclesse - Custodian, 34-years of service
--Roberta Cooley - Playground Aide/Office Aide, 5-years of service
--Junior David - Maintenance Worker, 30-years of service
--Warren "Randy" Williams - Custodian, 26-years of service
Thank you each for your years of service to MPS. You will be missed!
The November 2015 MSBA Board Report was then viewed. This included information about:
--Crisis communications
--Family and community engagement
--Filing for April board elections
--Video contest winner Branson HS
President's Comments is a time in the agenda when each of the board members comments on some aspect of the district and/or time of year that they have found to be good. Congratulations, and exhortations for achievement and success are always mentioned. Tonight, the recent world events were mentioned and how important our job is educating children in this day and age.
Dr. Perll recognized the following donations to the district:
Per Board Policy KH: All gifts accepted will be reported to the Board of Education, publicly announced and appropriately acknowledged. The donor will be officially thanked in the district's name.
John and Wanda Pratt donated $300.00 to the Betty Baker Scholarship Fund.
James Baker donated $500.00 to the Betty Baker Scholarship Fund.
Berry and Jo Ann Azdell donated $50.00 to the Betty Baker Scholarship Fund.
Anne Baker donated $250.00 to the Betty Baker Scholarship Fund.
Consent Agenda was approved.
Minutes - October 20, 2015 Regular Session
Reading of Bills (except agenda item 6)
Declare Items No Longer Needed For Educational Purposes
Bills - See Itemized List - approved (remember there are sometimes bills that one or more board members must abstain from the vote)
Reports & Presentations
--Each of the building administrators prepares a written report for the board. These can be viewed in the board agenda at the link above.
--Construction Report is also a written report available in the agenda
Attendance Report for the month of October showed 95.18% ADA and 87.73% MSIP (90/90).
--Parent Teacher Conference Report showed attendance overall for the district at 84% “in person” conferences.
--Special Education Report - Mrs. Schmidt gives an annual written report on the status of Special Education in the district.
--MSTA/MNEA Staff Count - this count is given annually to the board as in informational item.
Unfinished Business
--Tuition Reimbursement - board approved the proposed tuition reimbursement policy. The first semester of eligible coursework will be the coming Jan 2016 semester. Reimbursement will not be made for courses in administration. Emphasis on MA, SC, SS and ELA along with Reading is desired. But other areas will be considered. Prior superintendent approval is required. Reimbursement will happen after transcripts/grades have been submitted. A “B” or better is required.
--Investment of Scholarship Money - board approved moving the district's scholarship monies to the Mexico Area Community Foundation, pending a judge's/legal approval of the move. The district is very limited in investments by statute and at current rates, and cannot earn sufficient interest to support most of the smaller scholarships. The MACF, while still being conservative in investments, will be able to earn more interest. No changes will be made to any scholarships or procedures currently in place.
New Business
--Treasurer's Report was approved. Balance percentage for October is 17%. This represents approximately 3.8 million dollars, which sounds like a lot until one considers we spend about 1.5 million a month to operate the district. Our low balance point is always in December before we get local taxes from the county.
--Progress Mexico - the board voted to remain a member of Progress Mexico. Progress Mexico is an arm of the Chamber that focuses on bringing new business and people to Mexico and Audrain County.
--2015C Policy Updates - First Reading - a variety of policies are being updated by the Missouri School Boards Association. Second reading/ approval, will be considered next month.
--RFP - Copiers - copier bid for 11 machines was awarded to ImageQuest, A Xerox Company. These will be installed over Christmas break and replace the oldest machines in the district, the Ricoh machines.
--2014-2015 Audit - audit document was presented to board. Auditor will be here in December. Audit was excellent. The only finding is one knowns as “segregation of duties.” This finding is present every year and essentially means we do not have enough personnel to totally and completely separate all aspects of business office function to eliminate the possibility of fraud.
--2016-2017 School Calendar - proposed similar to this year's calendar was approved by the board. We will get a draft out to you ASAP. You can see it in the board agenda.
--Track - Dr. Rice is proposing to name the track for long-time coach Ron Whittaker.
Christmas Reception/Pioneer Awards (Tuesday, December 15, 2015 3:30 - 5:30 pm, 4:30 pm Pioneer Awards) 6:00 pm Board Meeting
Board Candidate Filing (December 15, 2015 - January 19, 2016)
Next Month's Agenda - presented as information only.
Adjournment to Executive Session - the board discussed personnel in closed session. No action was taken.
FREE Technology Nights @ Hart Career Center
The Next Step will not meet Thanksgiving week.
MHS Key Club raises funds and
Sunday, 11/15/15, they held their annual Rake and Run. They raked the leaves for those who needed help or are elderly. They filled about 50 bags full of leaves and spent two hours raking.
Dress Like a Storybook Character
Pirates at Reading Night at Eugene Field
Veterans Day at McMillan
Veterans Day at Eugene Field
Youth in Government
Advisors were: Lori Brandow, Cheryl Bledsoe, Brendan Webber, Leslie Nichols and Garry Hagedorn.
Achievements:
-Jackie Calaluce received the Outstanding Statesman Award in the Novice House
-Ryan Shopher was elected Video Editor for next year
-Elizabeth Finck was elected Assistant Editor of Print Press next year
-Emily Jones was elected Editor in Chief of Print Press for next year
-Rachel Owings was the recipient of the Elizabeth You Memorial Scholarship
-5 Novice bills were signed into Law by the Youth Governor. Authors were: Jackie Calaluce, Helena Fairchild, Betsey Pascoe & Haylee Allen, Cole Whalen & Tom Calaluce, Taylor Bledsoe & Jake Sims
-The Novice house voted to override the Governor's veto on Zach Quinlan, and Ansel Hererra's bill, and it became law. This is the first time ever that a veto of a Novice House bill has been successfully overriden.
Retiree--Randy Baclesse
For more than 34 Years Randy Baclesse has served the Mexico School District with commitment and loyalty. Randy started out in 1980 at the Mexico High School as a
custodian.
Randy has worked at several of the buildings. Randy worked as a custodian at the High School and Hawthorne. Randy also worked at Central Office as the Food Service/Delivery person. His last 8 years have been served at MMS as the custodian. When asked to perform
a task he does so with a smile on his face.
His quiet steady service has provided the Mexico Middle School with a healthy stable work
environment. Every morning, rain, shine, sleet, or snow he ensures that buses have a safe thoroughfare in the circle drive. Randy makes sure that the building is clean and in working order. Mexico Middle School is a better place due to his tenure there. We are grateful to Randy and thank him for his heart felt commitment to the Mexico Public Schools.
Retiree--Roberta Cooley
On Thursday, October 29th, staff and students at Hawthorne Elementary School sadly said goodbye to Playground Aide, Roberta J. Cooley (Miss Bobbi). Miss Bobbi touched many hearts during the five years that she worked as Hawthorne’s Playground Aide/Office Helper. Many smiles, and even tears, appeared on students’ faces as they wished Miss Bobbi happiness as she ventured into retirement.
On the morning of Bobbi’s last day, a fifth grade student ran to the office and asked where Miss Bobbi was. The student told the office staff that she had written a letter to Miss Bobbi because Miss Bobbi had been special to her for so many years. She said, “When I am older and think of Hawthorne, I will always think of Miss Bobbi’s smiling face. Miss Bobbi made me feel happy inside.”
A first grader happily said, “Miss Bobbi made me have a smile on my face when I went outside every day.”
When asked what her favorite things were about her job, Miss Bobbi said she loved watching the children play outside. She said that she would miss the students’ smiles and hugs. Watching the students grow and change from year to year was also something that Bobbi cherished. Miss Bobbi said that she noticed a change in students’ behavior during weather changes and whenever there was a full moon.
Bobbi and her husband, Randy, have been married for 23 years. They have one son, Travis, and daughter-in-law, Kim. Bobbi enjoys spending time with her 6-year-old granddaughter, Aly, and her 1-year-old grandson, Dominic.
Prior to working at Hawthorne Elementary, Bobbie worked at the Department of Corrections as the Food Service Warehouse Manager.
Miss Bobbi enjoys camping, reading, playing the guitar and piano, singing, crocheting, and quilting.
The staff and students at Hawthorne Elementary and the District, thank Miss Bobbi for her years of dedication and hard work. Enjoy this new chapter of your life!
Retiree--Randy Williams
Mr. Randy Williams has been with the Mexico School District for 26 years. During those 26 years of loyalty and dedication, we are sure he has seen and heard many things from our Mexico Bulldogs! As an ode to Mr. Williams, Ms. Moppin asked several students (3) important questions...
How long has Mr. Williams been taking care of our school?
“I think for, uh, 50 years” said Drake (3rd Grade). He added that he wants Mr. Williams to know he’s awesome and McMillan couldn’t agree more. There is also a big difference in time when Brandon (1st Grade) was asked the same question, his response was, “Um...10 years...and that’s a whole lot!” Mr. Williams has continued to be a steady face to look for in the Mexico School District for thousands of students over the years.
What do you think Mr. Williams will do when he doesn’t have to get up and come to work anymore?
“Sleep in” thinks Jenna (1st Grade) Apparently, the students at McMillan have high hopes for Mr. Williams during retirement because Addison (3rd Grade) believes that Mr. Williams will “Sleep alllll day!” Regardless of what Mr. Williams does during retirement, his hard work ethic will be missed greatly.
What does Mr. Williams do all day at McMillan?
“He cleans up after all of us!”and after a small pause, “Teachers too!” replies Paige (Kindergarten). Messes are a big part of Mr. Williams day at McMillan! Tristan (1st Grade), agrees by saying “He cleans up the messes” but Tristan cuts the faculty and staff some slack and thinks they don’t make messes, just the kids. Mr. Williams is always quick to come to the aid, whatever that may be...except snakes, they know he doesn’t hunt snakes in the shed but that’s okay...McMillan loves him, will miss him and wish him the very best that retirement can bring him.
Thank you for your years of dedication to the Mexico Public School District.
Retiree--Junior David
Junior David has served the Mexico Public Schools District for the past 30 years. He started as a custodian in 1985. He then moved to the maintenance department in 1988 where he continued until retirement. Junior’s job was very versatile. He would have projects from water fountain repair to servicing the HVAC system. When given an assignment his standard reply was, “okey dokey” and the job got done.
Junior is not only a hard worker he is also a great coworker. A former coworker wrote that one day she arrived to work early in the morning and Junior was waiting on her. He had passed by Central Office and noticed the lights were on. He knew she arrived early and he was concerned there could possibly be a problem. He walked the coworker in and went to check out the building. That shows what a caring person Junior is.
The past few years Junior has organized and implemented our district wide locking system. You might say he is the KEY to the district. His dedication and love for the district will be missed.
Thank you for all of your hard work for the Mexico Public Schools.
Heather Burnett
Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa Jackson
Congratulations on your promotions
Jerry Curtis, promoted to Head Day Custodian, Mexico Middle School
All-District Clarinet awards go to Grace Troesser.
District Band Auditions were held at Moberly High School on Saturday. There were over 400 students auditioning for a spots in one of two bands (All-District or Honorable Mention), from all over Northeast Missouri. Only about 130 students were selected overall.
Mexico High School Band student Grace Troesser was selected ALL-DISTRICT clarinet, and will audition for ALL-STATE honors in Columbia on December 6.
Mexico School District Elementary Students are invited to participate in GO!St. Louis Read, Right and Run program.
Mexico School District Elementary Students are invited to participate in GO!St. Louis Read, Right and Run program.
This program combines three components of education, community service and wellness to give students a fun and challenging way to accomplish a goal.
In this program students are to:
READ 26 books
RIGHT the community by doing 26 good deeds/acts of service
RUN 26.2 miles individually to add up to a full marathon by April 9, 2016
Students who wish to participate will have to pay a fee of $8 and will receive a journal to keep track of all books, good deeds and miles ran.
The final event of the program is a marathon (run their last 1.2 miles) on April 9, 2016 in St. Louis.(transportation will be provided). Students will receive a t-shirt for this event.
Students have until April 9th to complete their goals.
Registration is due by December 11th, 2015
Information/registration forms will be sent home with students. For information, please call any of the elementary schools or email: McMillan families contact mloyd@mexico.k12.mo.us, Eugene Field Families contact kdukes@mexico.k12.mo.us, Hawthorne Families contact kcostley@mexico.k12.mo.us.
Adopt-A-Child for Christmas
CPR for MPS Staff
Monday, Dec 7, 2015, 05:00 PM
Mexico Middle School
Mexico School District 59 ended the United Way drive with 59% of the goal of $7400 by raising $4,339.23.
Support your Mexico Bulldogs wrestling team by ordering team clothing.
Wrestling t-shirt order forms are now available! Support your Mexico Bulldogs wrestling team by ordering team clothing. Orders are due by this Friday (which is pay day!) This year, we have a few new options to add to the order form:
- You can order everything online now. It is super simple. Just click the link here.
midmoshirtshack.com Go to SHOP, then click MEXICO
- We have added a polo shirt this year, so for those of you looking for professional dress, the polo option may be for you!
Click here for the order form.
This year will also be the first year we make the "argyle" pattern available for purchase. For the last few years, the pattern has been exclusive for just wrestlers and coaches.
Thanks for your continued support. We hope to see you all out in Gooch Gym on Jan. 21st for our first Varsity triangular against Fulton and St. Charles West. Keep your ears open for our Teacher Appreciation Night as well!
GO BULLDOGS!
Family Fun Night at the YMCA
Sunday, Jan 3, 2016, 06:00 PM
YMCA, Adams Street, Mexico, MO, United States
Mexico School District 59 Position Openings 2015-2016
CERTIFIED
Part-Time Evening welding
Speech Pathologist/Assistant (4)
SUPPORT STAFF
Custodian
Food Service Worker
Bus Drivers & Substitute Bus Drivers
Substitute Food Service Workers, Nurses, and Teachers
The following coaching/extra-duty positions are available for the 2015-2016 school year. Please contact Jeff Anderson x3008 at Mexico High School for additional information.
MHS
Assistant Track Coach - MHS
Bulldog Bytes
Email: jdiffenderfer@mexico.k12.mo.us
Website: www.MexicoSchools.net
Location: 2101 Lakeview Road, Mexico, MO, United States
Phone: 573.581.3773
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mexico-School-District-59/692521830775778
Twitter: @MexicoMoSchools