Fulton Focus
For the parents and patrons of the Fulton School District
August 4, 2017
Be a Volunteer on August 21!!!
Here's where you come in! Volunteer to help us keep all our students safe on August 21.
Please fill out the background check/volunteer form found here:
https://goo.gl/VTQadb and return to your building of attendance or Central Office as quickly as possible!
Thank you in advance for your help!
Total Eclipse of the Heartland---Information and Opt Out form
Solar Eclipse Viewing Information
August 21, 2017
On August 21, 2017 the Fulton School District will be in the path of a solar eclipse. This event is being called “The Great American Solar Eclipse,” because it is the first time since 1442 a total solar eclipse has cut across the continental U.S. Callaway County is one of the few counties in the region that is in the path of totality.
Our students can experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. Red Cross Pharmacy has donated eclipse-safe viewing glasses for all students and staff. Safety is our number one priority. We will take precautionary measures to make this experience safe and enjoyable. All students will receive direct instruction from classroom teachers on proper use of the safety glasses. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Students will only be allowed to use the provided ISO safety approved glasses. For more information regarding the safety certification of the special viewing glasses, please visit: www.eclipseglasses.com/pages/safety.
Students will be instructed:
*On the proper use of glasses
*Not to look directly at the sun
*On appropriate behavior while participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event
All students will be participating in a variety of eclipse related academic activities. Parents are able to opt their student out of outside viewing activities by completing the attached opt out form.
Parent volunteers are welcome to help ensure the safety of the students. Please fill out a volunteer form and background check form. These forms can be found at: https://goo.gl/DDNC1H or at Open House at your building of attendance or Central Office.
Eclipse Viewing Opt Out
__________________________________ may NOT participate in Eclipse viewing activities outside of the school building. (Please include student's first AND last name in the blank)
Grade________________________________
Building_____________________________
Parent/Guardian Name_____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number__________________________________________________________
Date__________________________________
To ensure adequate supervision for those not participating in outside activities, please return this form to your building of attendance no later than Friday, August 18th.
A message from the Superintendent
Dear Parents and Patrons,
Welcome to the new school year! Your faculty and staff anticipate an exciting year which will begin with all students participating in activities surrounding the total eclipse which has not been seen in Fulton since 1869; perhaps a memorable experience.
Faculty will begin their work the week of August 7, 2017 in preparation for your student(s) on the first day of school, August 16, 2017. Building schedules including start times, schedule pick up, various back to school meetings, activities and individual building start times are listed on www.fulton58.org home page, Quick Links, ‘Back to School Information’ and below. For students eligible for school bus service those letters are being mailed, August 4, 2017.
The FPS APP has been updated with current faculty information; however, some new faculty pictures will be added soon. All buildings and activities are expected to maintain calendars on the FPS web site and APP.
Planned communications will continue. Your FPS web site will continue to provide current district information. The Focus continues to be published biweekly and as needed in emergency situations. The School Messenger text notification system will continue to be used; which assumes you have allowed the district to send text messages. (If you haven't and would like to opt in to receive text messages, text Y or Yes to 67587 on your mobile device.) As a parent, you may track your student(s) progress through use of the Parent Portal. Finally, faculty is expected to communicate each student’s progress.
In addition to building/student information, the FPS web site is the repository for Board of Education information. Monthly Board of Education meeting agendas, support materials and minutes are available for your review. Historic financial information has always been included in the Board of Education materials; however, a Financial Information button is being added to the web site for easier access to the District’s monthly financial status.
A major immediate challenge is securing an adequate number of bus drivers. If you are interested or know of anyone, please contact Mr. Bryan Abbott, Director of Transportation at 573.590.8020
As previously stated, we are looking forward to a great school year! Thank you for sending great kids to work with.
My very best regards,
Jacque A. Cowherd, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Meet Dr. Ty Crain, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Crain completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agricultural Education at the University of Missouri. In 2001, he moved to Monroe City, MO as an Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor. In 2007, Ty became the principal of the middle school and earned his Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from the University of Missouri. His family moved to Union, MO in 2012 where he became the middle school principal for the Union R-XI School District. In 2015 he earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri. Ty has served on the Show-Me Curriculum Administrators Association Board of Directors since 2007 and is currently serving as the Past President. He was recognized by his peers as Middle School Principal of the year in 2011 for the Northeast District and 2015 for the South Central District of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals.
Please Welcome Amy Crane, McIntire Elementary Interim Principal
Amy Crane was recently appointed as the Interim Principal at McIntire Elementary. She is a “Fultonian” and a graduate of Fulton High School and Westminster College. Amy completed student teaching and her first year as a first grade teacher at McIntire. She and her husband, David, relocated to the St. Louis area, where she taught first grade in the Mehlville School District. While in St. Louis, Amy earned her Master of Education degree with a Special Reading Certificate from University of Missouri - St. Louis. Since returning to Fulton 20 years ago, she has taught 1st grade, second grade, was a stay at home mom for several years, then returned to full time teaching as a reading specialist. Amy completed her Education Specialist in Administration Degree and has an Initial Administrator Certificate for grades K-8. When Amy was a stay at home mom, she kept herself busy playing with her boys and by owning and operating a children's clothing and gift store in downtown Fulton. During that time she was also involved in many community organizations and events. David and Amy have two sons, Trask and Mason. Trask is 18 and will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin - Madison this fall. Mason is 14 and will be a freshman at Fulton High School when school resumes in August.
New Assistant Principals
Meet Ms. Erica Hogan
Ms. Erica Hogan was born and raised in Fulton, MO. She attended McIntire Elementary, Fulton Middle School and graduated from Fulton High School. After high school, Ms. Hogan went on to get her degree in Elementary Education from William Woods University. She student taught at Bush Elementary, and spent 5 years teaching 3rd and 5th grade at Bartley Elementary. While teaching, Ms. Hogan was inspired by the work of many administrators in her life and went on to pursue her Masters in Administration and Specialist in Curriculum Leadership. In her free time she loves to play golf, laugh with friends, and cheer on the Fulton Hornets, Mizzou Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals. Ms. Hogan is excited to join the team at FMS and work collaboratively with students, parents, staff, and the community to ensure education is engaging and empowering for ALL!
Meet Mrs. Kacie James
Kacie has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with emphasis in Human Resource Management, a Masters in Elementary Education, and a Masters in Elementary Administration. In her free time (which isn't a lot--see below), Kacie enjoys reading, slow pitch softball, and family time.
Kacie is the mother of two boys ages 3 and 6, and identical twin girls age 1.
Important Back to School Information
Important: Online Registration
Go to goo.gl/uHLM4f to log into your Parent Portal to register your child(ren) for the 2017-18 School Year. If you have forgotten your username and password, please call the Technology Office at 573-590-8040 or email helpdesk@fulton58.org for assistance.
In addition, your Fulton 58 Web Store has a new look! You will now be able to log on to the Web Store https://fulton58.revtrak.net/ from any mobile device and make a payment. There is no need to download an app, just visit the Web Store through the Internet browser on your mobile device. It’s that easy.
You will enjoy the following features with the new update:
- Quick, two-step checkout process
- Convenient login window
- User-friendly design
- And more!
Why Do I Need a Background Check?
For those of you who wish to attend or help with a class function during school hours, you will need to fill out a Volunteer Application. You can find it on our website by clicking here, or by asking for one at Central Office or any building
Please be sure to fill out the application completely. The items indicated with arrows are necessary in order to run the background check.
Application FAQs:
I filled one out last year. Do I still need to do this?
Applications are required on a yearly basis. Even if you filled one out last year, you will need to fill a new one out for the 2017-18 school year.
How long does it take to process my application?
Applications take 7 days to process, so the sooner you get yours filled out, the better! Please do not wait until a couple days before a field trip/class party to submit your application. Get it done now so the office does not have to turn you away on the day of the event.
Will I be notified once my application has been approved?
You will only be notified if something was flagged on your background check that prevents you from attending events during school hours. However, once you have waited the 7 days for processing time, you may call your building of attendance to verify that your application has been approved!
I have kids in multiple schools within the district. Do I need to fill one out for each school?
No. One application can be used district-wide!
Why do I need to fill out a background check?
The safety of our students is a top priority here at Fulton Public Schools. We require background checks to ensure our students will be safe with any of our volunteers. If you have further questions about this matter, you may contact our Central Office (573) 590-8000.
Written by April Gray, Bush Elementary
Important Dates
Board of Education Meeting - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 FHS Library
Eclipse 2017 - Monday, August 21 Partial phase start: 11:46:28 AM
No School - Labor Day - Monday, September 4, 2017
No School - Teacher Professional Development - Monday, September 11, 2017
Fall Homecoming - Friday, September 29, 2017
No School - Teacher Professional Development - Monday, October 13, 2017
Fulton Public Schools
Email: ksnethen@fulton58.org
Website: www.fulton58.org
Location: 2 Hornet Drive, Fulton, MO 65251
Phone: 573-590-8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fulton-Public-Schools-298183414812/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @FPSHornets