CSD Connections
A Bi-Weekly Clinton Schools Community Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 6, November 17, 2017
TOP 10 CARDINAL CELEBRATIONS
1. Shout-out to ALL of our Cardinals who took part in this year's annual district-wide food drive. We collected over 4,000 items to donate to the Samaritan Center's "Project Christmas Cheer"!
2. The Clinton Technical School's student leadership organization, SkillsUSA, took 100 members to the West Central District Leadership Conference in KCMO last week!
3. This week was American Education Week. Thanks to Mayor Greg Lowe who stopped by Henry Elementary this week to sign a proclamation to commemorate and recognize the importance of public schools and the educators that are making a difference everyday in the lives of our Cardinals! Find pictures of Mayor Lowe's visit here.
4. Congratulations to CMS student, Brandy Glass, who designed the winning Red Ribbon Week t-shirt! Thanks to Transcontinental for sponsoring the project and printing Brandy's design on a shirt for her and her Cardinal Time classmates. Find pictures of Brandy's design here.
5. Thanks to CHS marketing students, Carson Dody and Khrisa Hobson, for choosing to focus their market research project on school attendance. Carson and Khrisa conducted focus groups this week with students and staff members, and will be reaching out to parents soon!
6. Winter athletes were introduced to our community yesterday evening at the Winter Meet the Cards event! Winter sports officially kick off next week! Check out the district calendar below to find out when you can come out and support our Cardinals!
7. Thanks to the Clinton Literacy Council for arranging guest readers to visit all of the classrooms at CECC, Henry and CIS this week in honor Family Literacy Month!
8. Congrats to CHS students Chloe Marler, Makenzie Hard, Olivia Dawson and Kali Lindsay who were chosen to attend the Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics and Computer Science Day at UCM this week. Students participated in workshops, contests and heard from women working in the computer and mathematics fields.
9. Congratulations to CMS students, Riley Lawson and Cauy Collins, who were recognized this week by the Mid-Day Optimist Club for their leadership roles at CMS.
10. Congratulations to FFA student, Brooke LaFavor who recently competed in the Area VII FFA Sheep Producers speaking competition. Brooke won this contest with a speech titled "Where Would We Be Without The Sheep Industry?". Brooke went on to place 2nd in the Central District speaking contest!
KING'S KORNER
Dr. Joana King, Assistant Superintendent
In her book The Gratitude Diaries, author Janice Kaplan shares her story of embracing a lifestyle of gratitude for one year and the effects on her mental and physical well-being. She includes research from a number of experts including a psychologist, fellow authors, a “gratitude guru” as well as a medical doctor on the topic of gratitude and living a life in which one reframes negative situations to find the positive. She calls it her “gratitude diet”. Other topics in the book include teaching kindness and empathy to children and the power of positive thinking. Kaplan writes, “on the off chance you won’t live forever, maybe you should try being happy now.” For some reason that line stuck with me.
Public schools have come under a great deal of scrutiny lately. Critics are quick to point out all the negative aspects. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to express my gratitude for public schools by acknowledging all that is right within the Clinton School District. Clinton has a lot to be grateful for in regards to our school system.
Teachers-Teachers are here because they genuinely care. They believe in children. Teachers in Clinton became teachers because they felt a calling and a desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
Community-Clinton is blessed with beautiful facilities and understands the importance of our school system in sustaining the future. Schools are the first place children learn the importance of community and teamwork.
School Staff-In Clinton, it truly is a team effort. Everyone employed by the district plays an important part in the education of children. Every adult’s number one job is to keep students safe.
Bright Futures-The connections made between the school and the community because of this organization are far-reaching. Children are able to achieve at a higher rate due to the relationships and channeling of resources.
Parents-We understand that parents are the single most important key to the success of our students and the school. In Clinton we welcome parental involvement at every level. We are all richer when we pull together.
Parents as Teachers-Clinton is blessed with 3 parent educators who equip parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their child for a stronger start in life and success in school.
My list could go on, but you get the idea. Stop for a moment today and express your gratitude to a public school employee for all he or she does for the community! Happy Thanksgiving and I pray blessings and gratitude for you and your family.
PARENT REMINDERS AND IMPORTANT INFO
Holiday Mart-The CIS ready to Play committee is hosting a Holiday Craft/Vendor Fair to help raise money for new playground equipment. Stop by CIS TOMORROW, November 18th between 9-3, to find a variety of vendors/craftors, a silent auction, concessions, quilt raffle and wrapping station for the gifts that you purchase! Perrymann's "Kickin Chicken" will also be available. Find a list of vendors here.
Thanksgiving Break-School will not be in session Wednesday, November 22nd-Friday November 24th.
District Calendar Nov 17-Dec 7
Only events that appear on the district calendar are listed here. As always, a calendar for each individual building can be found on the district website.
ALWAYS REFER TO THE DISTRICT WEBSITE CALENDAR, FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE LIST OF EVENTS. ALSO STAY UP TO DATE WITH CANCELLATIONS BY FOLLOWING US ON TWITTER @CLINTONMOCARDS
*11/20 Girls Basketball vs. Pleasant Hill, 4:30
*11/21 Boys Basketball vs. Knob Noster, 5:00
*11/22-24 No School, Thanksgiving Break
*11/27 Girls Basketball @ Oak Grove, 4:30
*11/27 Board of Education Meeting @ CMS Media Center, 6:00
*11/28 Wrestling @ Sherwood, 5:00
*11/28 Girls Basketball @ Bolivar, 6:00
*11/28 Boys Basketball (Freshman) @ Bolivar, 7:30
*12/1 Boys Basketball vs Holden, 5:00
*12/1-2 Wrestling @ Pleasant Hill
*12/4 Boys Basketball @ Butler, 6:00
*12/5 Boys Basketball vs. Nevada, 4:30
*12/5 Girls Basketball @ Nevada, 4:30
*12/5 PTO @ CIS, 6:30
*12/6 National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony @ CHS PAC, 6:00
*12/7 Wrestling vs. Knob Noster/El Dorado Springs, 6:00
*12/7 PTO @ CMS, 6:30
"IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A CARDINAL" ARTICLES
The Importance of Giving Back
Submitted by: Sherri Swope, Henry Elementary Principal
At Henry Elementary, we believe that our students can learn so much both academically and emotionally by going out into our community and giving back. The community of Clinton continues to love on and support our Cardinals, and it's important for our students to know that even though they are young, they can make an impact on our community too!
Students at Henry Elementary have been learning about acts of kindness and helping others in their weekly Guidance classes with school counselor, Mrs. Conner. Mrs. Conner has helped students think about ways they can help those in need and ways that they can be kind to each other and those in our community. To go along with these lessons, students have also been given several opportunities to show kindness to those in our community.
In October, 2nd graders made fall decorations for patients at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare. The students made these in hopes of spreading cheer and brightening patients' rooms.
In honor of Veteran's Day our students were given several opportunities to give back to the community. Kindergarten students made a flag picture to honor local Veterans and that picture is displayed at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare. Last Friday, 2nd graders traveled to GVMH to hand-deliver Veteran’s Day letters they had written for employees that are veterans. The letters thanked them for their service, protection, and all of their hard work. The students were met with several hugs, a few tears, and a lot of appreciation!
Another ongoing service learning project focuses on teaching our students about community relations and relationships between the elderly and our youth. Several times a month, a group of students are visiting Jefferson Gardens and spending time and playing games with their residents. Before these field trips, students read books about listening, interacting positively with others, and the proper way to introduce themselves. These trips give our students the opportunity to practice their skills while also serving a sector of our community that can oftentimes feel isolated and alone.
This week, students are participating in the annual district-wide food drive, Project Christmas Cheer. Students at Henry Elementary have been collecting Ramen Noodles to donate to the Samaritan Center to help provide food for needy families in our community. In just a week, our students have brought in over 3,000 packages!
Our 1st grade students visited our school neighbors in the Fox Run Estates this week and helped clear their yards of fallen leaves. Students worked together to fill enough garbage bags to fill 2 trucks! The neighbors appreciated the help and enjoyed seeing our Cardinals out and about!
Thankful at CIS
Submitted by: Jarrod Boyles, Clinton Intermediate School Principal
With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, this is a perfect opportunity to share a few thoughts about the things that I am thankful for at CIS. First, I am thankful for all of the wonderful, caring, and dedicated faculty and staff members that work in this building. They continuously fill the halls and classrooms with a sense of pride and commitment in making the educational experience exceedingly positive for every one of our students. I am very fortunate to serve such a strong group of educators that work day in and day out to challenge our students and each other to become better learners every day.
Second, I would like to express how amazing the CIS student body is. We have so many talented and energetic students that never cease to impress. On any given day as I walk the building, I observe hundreds of students working diligently on their school work. This serves as a great reminder of the value each student at CIS places on their respective education. I also notice the eagerness, anticipation and excitement on the faces of our learners as they master a new or difficult concept in class. Moments like those are the reason that educators cherish their roles in the lives of our young people. While it may seem like such a small accomplishment to master a difficult concept to some, it’s those small victories that make this profession so rewarding.
Finally, I personally think it goes without saying, that our parents and volunteers that donate their precious time to CIS are some of the most important reasons for the overwhelming successes experienced in this building. We are blessed to have so many wonderful community partners that give selflessly to our students on a regular basis. In kind, I want to extend a sincere thank you to each of the CIS parents that volunteer their time in helping out with classroom needs on a daily basis. With all of the additional support and resources from these volunteers it makes our days at CIS a breeze. If you would like to volunteer to work with our students please feel free to contact the front office and we would love to help arrange a time.
From all of us at CIS, we would like to wish you a happy holiday season.
Go Cards!
About Us
Email: alawson@clintoncardinals.org
Website: http://clintoncardinals.org
Location: 701 South 8th Street, Clinton, MO, United States
Phone: 660-885-5585
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinton-Schools-257810614245734/?fref=ts
Twitter: @ClintonMoCards