Maries Co. R 2 Newsletter
December 2021
November Board of Education Meeting
The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was held on November 23, 2021 in the Board Room. The meeting started at 7:09 following the recognition of Students of the Month, High School State Qualifiers for Cross Country and the Middle School Girls Basketball team for their 16-0 season. All Board of Education Members were present.
Resignations were accepted from Deanna Graves (paraprofessional), Amy Holland (paraprofessional) and Kim Daughtery (Assistant Softball Coach).
Test to Stay: The board approved a Test to Stay option for students exposed to COVID outside the household. The Department of Education and Department of Health have approved a new method for COVID exposure in the school setting. Test to Stay is a strategy that enables a close contact to continue activities during the quarantine period through participation in frequent testing. The Test to Stay Option provides LPHAs and LEAs an additional option to consider for persons who do not meet current options for staying in school following exposures to SARS-CoV-2 virus in the K-12 setting.
(Test to Stay): Quarantine outside of school setting is recommended. Stay in school and participate in extracurricular activities. –Students, teachers, and staff identified as close contacts can continue to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities, if the following test to stay criteria are met:
•The close contact does not include household exposures (i.e., exposures among persons who live in the same household). There may be other similar higher-risk exposures where test to stay would not be recommended. The final decision regarding the inclusion in Test to Stay is at the discretion of the LPHA based on findings of the case investigation.
•Does not develop symptoms of COVID-19 throughout the full duration of the quarantine period (14 days past the last date of exposure to the case).
•Wears a mask consistently and correctly in school at all times during their quarantine period (14 days past the last date of exposure to the case), other than when eating or drinking. When these individuals cannot be masked (i.e., when eating or drinking) they should maintain 6 feet of distance from other individuals to the extent feasible.
•Receive a minimum of three rapid antigen tests (e.g., BinaxNOW) during the first seven days of the quarantine period per the following:
*Test One: Upon identification as a close contact (unless already participating in a screening testing program);
*Tests Two and Three: A minimum of two additional rapid antigen tests, preferably on two non-consecutive school days within the first seven days of the quarantine period. For example: contact identified as a close contact on day 2 of quarantine would be tested on day 2 (Wednesday); day 4 (Friday) and day 7 (Monday);
*The testing is conducted upon entry to school and negative results received prior to return to the K-12 setting.
*For participation in extracurricular activities, daily testing is recommended, though at a minimum, an additional rapid antigen test is to be taken on the day of participation throughout the duration of the 14 day quarantine period. The testing should be completed and a negative result received prior to participation in the event. This includes testing on days when the event occurs during weekends, holidays, or other days when schools are not in session (see additional guidance below regarding testing and participation in extracurricular activities).
•Receive negative test results from COVID-19 testing conducted throughout the duration of the 14-day quarantine period.
Open Bids for Surplus Property: The board accepted a bid from Wes Moore for the Lincoln welder.
Revision of Board Policy GCBDA/DGBDA. The board approved a revision to the leave policy for all employees. The revision changed the policy to reflect number of hours of leave rather than days of leave to match the current procedures since the district moved from a 5 day school week to a 4 day school week. The policy was not changed other than days to hours.
Approval of Revised Board Policies: Based on legislative and judicial changes, the Board approved a revised policy for Audio and Visual Recording procedures (KKB), Political Campaigns (DCB), and School Board Elections (BBB). All of these policies will be updated on the district website for review.
Budget Amendment: The board approved amendments to the 2021-2022 Fiscal Budget. The amendments reflected current assessment information, salary updates, and actual expenditures per date.
Gifted Program Review: Per Board Policy IM, programs will be evaluated by the board every two years.
Building Trades Project Proposals: The board approved a proposal from Randy and Dawn Hicks to build a shed on their property. The board approved a proposal from Garret and Danica Bialczyk to finish a house (interior) being built on their property. Anyone interested in submitting a proposal to the Building Trades Program, should contact Bryce Gehlert at bgehlert@mariesr2.org.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on December 21, 2021 at 7:00 in the District Administration Building.
Funding Received from DHSS
Maries R 2 will be using the additional funds to assist with COVID tracking, testing and supplies. Testing will be available soon at the school's nurses office for COVID testing for both Test to Stay (students and staff). The district will have the testing supplies on site (once they are received). The district received approximately $185,000 in additional funding to assist with COVID tracking and prevention strategies.
We are very excited to be able to offer this service to parents/families and hope that it reduces the amount of time that students are quarantined in their homes.
December Events
December 1st-15th - Elementary Middle of the Year i-Ready Diagnostic
December 2nd - Missouri Author Night in the Cafeteria-Sunshine Shanks 6:00
December 4th - Christmas with Santa, HS Craft Fair, Seatbelt Safety
December 7-10 High School Homecoming Week
December 8-10 High School Class Changes for Second Semester
December 9 - Winter Band Concert at Middle School 6:30
December 10 - Homecoming Game
December 14 - HS/Elem Picture Retakes
December 14 - High School Band Concert 5:30
December 14th - Elementary Christmas Program 6:30
December 17th - End of 1st Semester
December 21- Christmas Break Begins
December 21 - December Board of Education Meeting 7:00
State Cross Country
Middle School Girls Basketball
Mrs. Moore's class made a carnival
Maries R 2 Gifted Program Evaluation
There are currently thirty students being served in the Gifted Program. There are three who are identified but have elected not to participate. There are five students who will be tested in December.
Students are referred by teachers, parents and other students for testing. I also look through test scores such as IReady and MAP. When students are referred, they are screened using the K-Bit test of intelligence. If they score 117 or higher on the KBit, they proceed to the WISC IV Test of Intelligence. Students must score 124 on the WISC IV to qualify for the Gifted Program. Students remain in the program through eighth grade unless they choose not to participate. DESE requires each identified student be served a minimum of 150 minutes per week by a certified gifted instructor. All qualified students are served this time by a pull-out program.
The Gifted Program is evaluated by a survey every two years. Students and parents complete the survey indicating what they see as strengths and weaknesses of the program. They may also make suggestions for improvements. Students are required to maintain a “C” average while participating in the Gifted Program. If grades fall below this criteria, students are on probation for a quarter. If grades do not improve, the student will no longer be served in the program until the following school year.
The highlights of the Gifted Program are the many projects the students complete. Second graders study the “Continents of the World'' creating maps, foods, art work and researching the animals from the seven continents. Third graders embark on the Corps of Discovery studying life on the trail with Lewis and Clark. 4th graders build and research carnival rides and foods while fifth graders build a “Backyard Getaway” then study the “Human Body”. Sixth through eighth graders began this year with a Mythology study and are now working on projects for the National History Day competition. These students compete in the Regional competition at Missouri S & T and hopefully continue on to the state competition in April. Each year we continue to sell, bake and bag almost 1,000 “Monster” cookies for our annual fundraiser. The Gifted students look forward to attending “Gifted Day” at our Missouri state capitol each year in February.
It is my privilege and honor to continue to guide these bright students on their educational journey. It is not a job; it is an adventure!
Carole Moore
Gifted Specialist
Board of Education Election
Are you interested in running for a seat on the Maries Co. R 2 School District Board of Education? The district encourages qualified persons interested in running for a position on the School Board to file to be a candidate in the April 5, 2022 election. Interested persons may file at the District Administration Building at 503 W. Third Street, Belle, MO. The district will elect two (2) board of education members for a term of three (3) years on the municipal election day of April 5, 2022.
The filing period has changed this year. Filing will begin December 7, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. and end on December 28, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. No filings will be accepted on days the district office/schools are closed for inclement weather, closure due to COVID 19 or when the offices are scheduled closed. The ballot placement will be by order of filing. The office will be open on December 28 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm to allow for last day filing.
Under the provisions of Missouri Statute Section 115.124, if the number of candidates who file is equal to the number of positions to be filled by the election (two), no election will be held. However, if the number of candidates filing exceeds the number of positions, the annual school board election will be held on April 5, 2022.
Terms that expire in 2022:
Joey Butler
Dawn Hicks
Qualifications include: A school board member must be a US Citizen, a resident taxpayer of the district, a resident of Missouri for at least one year and at least 24 years of age. Candidates must also be current on state and local taxes, have not been found guilty or pled guilty to a felony under Missouri or federal law; are not registered or required to register as a sex offender; and have filed required campaign documents for all previous campaigns, if any. Additional information can be found at https://www.mosba.org/board-candidate-videos/
Join us for Homecoming on December 10
STEAM Day
Thanksgiving Parade Floats
Turkey Catapults
Thanksgiving Parade Floats
Elementary Report
Hard Work and Positive Attitudes Equal Success!
Student Enrollment: 284 Students PreK-4
Student Attendance: _94.7%
Student of the Month: Brantley Francis
Recent Events
November was a terrific month at Belle Elementary! Parent/Teacher Conferences were held on Monday, November 8th. The percentage of family attendance was 91 % with seven classes having 100% attendance!
The MRPC presented to students the importance of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety. The presentation was given to all students in preschool - fourth grade. The safety clinic was held in the elementary library and the practice portion of the seminar was held on the track.
This month's Tigeriffic Trait is “Be a Tough Worker”. Each month students are taught and recognized for a new character trait. These character traits are a part of the PBIS program.
First quarter Good Citizen’s were recognized this month. Each quarter two students from each classroom are recognized for this award.
Middle School Report
#BlandBest
Bland Middle School Principal's Report
23 November 2021 Board Meeting
Student Attendance: 91.94%
Enrollment: 216
#BlandBest Shout Outs:
BMS Technology Team developed a BMS 1 to 1 Chromebook Smart Goal to be implemented on 11/30/21. We are on track to meet the starting date deadline. -
Our BMS/RPDC PBIS consultants conducted walk-throughs and were impressed with what our students and teachers were doing. They left feedback post it notes on the doors!!
BMS is participating in a School-Wide Community Service Project. Scholastic Book Clubs is sponsoring their 12th Annual Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive during the month of November. Spearheaded by Jennipher Adams, we will be collecting new pajamas. For every pair of pajamas donated, Scholastic Book Clubs will donate a brand-new book to the Pajama Program to give to a child facing adversity. If we meet or succeed our goal of 100 pajamas. Building will be able to celebrate by wearing pajamas to school on December 1st.
4 students made the Jr High All District Band
6th Grade students received extra outdoor time to celebrate their 2nd month of receiving the lowest amount of Lumen Disciplines!!!
Give the Kids a Break From iReady Day!!! This is an activity suggested by the Leadership Team to be done twice a quarter. The Goal? To do activities to build stronger relationships between teachers- their students- and each other. The only restriction provided: The activities should be done in the teacher's classrooms (the gym or outside isn’t an option) Friday Nov 19th was the first opportunity for our students.
Spotlight Student of the Month: Lilian Le Starge, 7th Grade
This month’s student attribute was selecting students whom teachers are thankful for. Here’s what Coach Fisher had to say about Lillian. She is always prepared for class, has a good attitude, is respectful to myself and my peers. Lillian works hard in class even if she has a tough time with the activities we are doing. Lillian is a great example of our mission: Building Eager Academically Responsible Students!!
High School Report
Belle High School
Principal Report November 2021
Hard Work and Positive Attitudes Equal Success!
Student Enrollment: _247_ Students
Student Attendance: _92.54_%
Recent Events
November Student Spotlight - Alaina Bledsoe. Alaina works really hard, is always courteous, and seems to always be in the best mood, no matter what. She is an absolute pleasure to teach and have in class! Keep it up, Alaina!
Oct. 29th - Art Club and FCCLA hosted a haunted house. Students had a great time preparing and hosting. We had about 100 or so participants.
Oct. 30th- Cross Country District. We had two runners move on to the state meet.
Congratulations to Baylar Smith and Cory McDaniel.
Nov. 8th - Parent Teacher Conferences. We had a slightly lower turnout than normal, but good to see families back in the building!
Nov. 8th - FAFSA Night. Mr. Feeler arranges East Central Financial Aid department to come in and help seniors and senior families begin the FAFSA process.
Nov. 11th - Veterans Day Assembly. Thank you to all the veterans who were in attendance and thank you to Mrs. Berkelman for organizing a wonderful event.
Nov 16th - End of Quarter 2 Mid-Terms.
Nov 17th - Mid-Terms sent home.
Safe to Return to School Plan Revision
Link to Safe to Return To School Plan (December 2021): https://5il.co/12j6t
Please email lbasham@mariesr2.org for additional questions or concerns about the revision of the document before December 17, 2021.
Maries Co. R 2 Schools
Email: socialmedia@mariesr2.org
Website: mariesr2.org
Location: 503 3rd Street, Belle, MO, USA
Phone: 573-859-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/mariescor2