Key News
Harrisonville Schools E-newsletter - October 31, 2018
News & Notes
HHS to present The Pajama Game
Harrisonville High School will present its fall musical, The Pajama Game this week. Performances will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the HHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $7/adults and $5/students and senior citizens.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://www.onthestage.com/show/harrisonville-high-school-theatre/the-pajama-game-3232/?fbclid=IwAR3oket0MsBMmv5e8NuD5ZToJqxIiFUVn0eNYDYg4kkidpEgcVDvtPjnzUY
The Pajama Game story is this - employees of the Sleeptite Pajama Factory are looking for a whopping seven-and-a-half cent an hour pay increase, and they won't take no for an answer. Babe Williams is their feisty employee representative, but she may have found her match in the new shop superintendent, Sid Sorokin! The show features songs including "Hey There," "Steam Heat," and "I'll Never Be Lonely Again."
FFA members earn national recognition
Six Cass Career Center FFA members were recognized with the FFA’s highest honor, the American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention last week. Each year, only 0.5% of FFA members qualify for this degree. Members have to productively invest over $7500 in their Supervised Ag Experience project, show leadership through the FFA, and have a good scholastic record in high school. The Cass Career Center FFA members earning this honor were Zach Bolinger, Chase Bronson, Elizabeth Cowan, Spencer Proch, Jace Rutledge, and Alexis Taylor. Bolinger and Taylor are pictured below with FFA advisor Jason Dieckhoff.
Nine members of the Cass Career Center FFA Chapter attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Students attending were Britini Bronson, Caroline Campbell, Brent Craig, Hannah Dinges, Jared Ford, Michelle Marrs, Harley Sipple, Savannah Timmons, and Dylan Young (pictured below).
These students joined over 65,000 other FFA members throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Cass Career Center FFA members attended the first convention session on Thursday morning. This year’s convention theme was JUST ONE. FFA members learned the importance of transforming their local communities by being leaders in the agriculture industry. The session also had motivational speaker Kyle Scheele speak to students about never giving up on goals you have set for yourself.
Cass Career Center FFA members attended the National FFA Career Show Thursday afternoon. Over 450 national agribusinesses, colleges, and military divisions had booths where students could talk to industry leaders about their future, college, and career choices.
FFA members also toured Cummins High Performance Diesel Factory and the Louisville Slugger Factory on Friday.
Superintendent to present at Town Hall; offers opportunities for feedback
Superintendent of Schools Paul Mensching will present at a Town Hall meeting this Saturday, November 3 at 9 a.m. at the Harrisonville United Methodist Church. He will provide an overview of the district including academics, finance, enrollment/demographics, facilities, and safety. Following his presentation, there will be time for questions. The Town Hall is open to all.
If you're unable to attend the Town Hall on Saturday, the district will host a Community Conversation on Tuesday, November 13 in the Harrisonville High School cafeteria from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The district will begin hosting Community Conversations twice each year.
The event on Nov. 13 will include an overview of the district from Superintendent Mensching and then small group conversations about student achievement and culture.
Future Community Conversations will focus on specific areas such as facilities, school safety, and strategic planning.
This event is open to all. Please RSVP to Jill Filer at 380-2727, ext. 1224 or jill.filer@harrisonvilleschools.org for planning purposes.
The district is also hosting Listening Posts throughout the community gather input. These are one-hour, come-and-go events which provide an opportunity for guests to meet Superintendent Paul Mensching, ask questions, and provide feedback. Upcoming events include Monday, November 19 from 4:45-5:15 p.m. in the Harrisonville High School Commons (before the Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Banquet) and December 7 from 9-10 a.m. at the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce.
HATS students purchase solar charger with grant funds
Food drive wraps up Friday
Students and staff in the Harrisonville School District are in the midst of the annual food drive benefiting the local food pantry. This annual drive - Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat - is a joint effort between the HHS drama department and the district.
Donations will be collected through Friday morning.
All food will be given to the Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry sponsored by the Harrisonville Ministerial Alliance.
Foundation seeks nominations for Wall of Fame
The Harrisonville High School Distinguished Wall of Fame Selection Committee invites you to nominate candidates for the Harrisonville High School Distinguished Wall of Fame. This award honors and recognizes alumni who exemplify the values, the tradition, and the successes of HHS. Their accomplishments will inspire and encourage HHS students to do the same.
The 2019 inductees to the Harrisonville High School Distinguished Wall of Fame will be recognized during the annual Winter Homecoming festivities on February 15, 2019.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
The nominee must be a graduate of Harrisonville High School.
A period of ten years must have elapsed between graduation and nomination for induction.
Posthumous nominees will be accepted.
The nominee has displayed exemplary achievement in the nominee’s area of specialization; or received recognition, honors, and awards on the local, regional, national, or international level; or has demonstrated service in the community in which he/she lives.
A personal statement of 250 words or less by the nominator illuminating the nominee’s impact and contribution that warrant the nominee’s selection to the Wall of Fame.
Any supporting material such as newspaper articles, stories, letters of recommendation, etc. should be submitted with the nomination form. The selection committee will review only the information provided and will not do further research.
The committee will score the nominee’s main area of nomination (exemplary achievement, honors & awards, service to the community). Nominees will earn bonus points for work in areas beyond the primary nomination area.
Anyone may nominate a graduate for consideration. The nomination form is online at www.harrisonvilleschools.org/foundation. The nomination deadline is November 9.
A bit of seasonal fun from the HHS Broadcast Class
Opportunities
Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays
Bright Futures Harrisonville is looking for families, organizations, churches, and other groups interested in helping a family in need this holiday season. The Adopt-A-Family program which is in its ninth year, matches families with generous adopters in our community.
Groups who adopt a family will be provided with a wish list, along with clothing sizes. Adopted families will be asked to give two ideas in the following categories: Something You Want, Something You Need, Something to Wear, Something to Read & Something to Eat. Adopters will be asked to provide a minimum of one item from each category (within reason).
If you are interested in adopting a family, please email Paige Welhoff at paige.welhoff@harrisonvilleschools.org or call 380-2727, ext. 1221 and indicate the family size you would like to adopt (small: 1-2 children, medium: 3-4 children, large: 5 or more children) by Nov. 9.
Adopters will receive the family’s wish list by Thanksgiving and will be asked to deliver the presents the week of December 10.
Shout Outs
- to Lacey Domnick-Shelter Insurance & Schroeder Chiropractic for hosting our Bright Futures stop at the Trunk-or-Treat event.
- to students at the Wildcat Academy for helping with our backpack program. They are our October Student Ambassadors.
- to the donors who donated a French horn and trumpet to the Katie Rios Instrument Closet.
- to those who volunteered their time on Saturday to help at Station 42.
- to Harrisonville Rotarian Jason Winter, and his daughter, Jocelyn, who helped with a class auction as part of the McEowen Classroom Partners Program.
- to Brick House Coffee for hosting Bright Futures Day on Oct. 23 and all who visited to support us and enjoy a yummy treat. The next Bright Futures Day at Brick House is Feb. 26.
Points of Pride
- Congrats to HHS sophomore Conner Blixt (11th) and HHS junior Kaylee Harp (3rd) for qualifying for state in Cross Country. It is Blixt's first state appearance and Harp's third! Harrisonville sends both a boys and girls runner to state for only the third time in school history. Harp becomes only the sixth runner in school history to qualify for state three times in her career and Blixt is the fourth boy in school history to qualify for the state cross country meet. He is the 10th athlete to qualify for state in cross country from Harrisonville. State is this Saturday in Jefferson City.
- Congratulations to the Wildcat soccer team who ended the regular season as undefeated conference champs! The team also won the first round of districts and will play in the District Championship tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Raytown South High School.
- Congratulations to the Royal Regiment on earning 1st place in their division at the Odessa Marching Festival on Oct. 20.
- The Cass Career Center FFA Trap Team completed their Fall Trap League on October 17th. The team placed 6th out of 16 schools. Ethan Inman (second from left) placed 1st out of 96 individuals in the league. The league consisted of five competitions held at Settle's Ford near Adrian, MO. Other members of the team included Trey Hoeper, Clint Howser, Dylan Young, and Brent Craig.
Harrisonville Middle School has recently announced the cast for its musical, Mary Poppins. Performances will take place March 7-9, 2019 in the HMS cafeteria. Cast members include Bella Tracy, Mary Poppins; Drew Wright, Bert; Luke Burroughs, George Banks, Miranda Fisher, Winifred Banks; Ryley Wood, Jane Banks; Cooper Elifrits, Michael Banks; Piper Coppedge, Mrs. Brill; Cort DeVenney, Robertson Ay; Amber Taber, Kate Nana/Park Stroller/Crowd/Customer; Gael Rios, Neleus/Chimney Sweep/Clerk; Kinsley Brannon, Bird Woman/Kite Flyer; Ayllita Khieu, Miss Smythe/Kite Flyer/Park Stroller/Crowd/Customer; Zander Mason, Chairman/Chimney Sweep; Micah Cheek, Von Hussler/Park Stroller/Crowd; Lucas DeVenney, John N/Chimney Sweep/Park Stroller/Crowd; Makayla Stewart, MRs. Corry/Honeybee/Kite Flyer; Arianna Darling, Mrs. Andrew/Park Stroller/Crowd/Customer; Amarah Stratton, Kylee Hastings, Steve Overbay, Quincy Carter, Maddie Lalman, and Riley Minsky, Clerk/Chimney Sweep; Sydney Ballard, Police Officer/Honeybee/Customer; Kenzie Meeks, Messenger/Honeybee/Customer; Kayla Mason and Scarlett Tracy, Honeybee/Customer; Carley Cornelson and Reese Tilghman, Statues/Kite Flyers. The student directors for the musical are Elizabeth Allen and Katie Semler. Lights & props will be done by Charli Crouser.
- Harrisonville is once again part of the Sonic Locker Room Radio Show. Each week, a district activity is spotlighted on the show which airs at 4:45 p.m. on Monday on 1030 AM. All shows are also archived online at www.soniclockerroom.com for the year. This week's show features cast members from the HHS production of The Pajama Game.
- Our students' artwork is displayed each month through the Art in the Community program. The artwork can be viewed at Country Club Bank (S. Commercial location), the Cass County Public Library, Community Bank of Harrisonville (291 Hwy), Commerce Bank, Brick House Coffee Bar & Eatery, Schroeder Chiropractic, the Chamber of Commerce, and the District’s Administrative Office Lobby and Board of Education Room (503 S. Lexington).
Odessa Marching Festival
Trapshoot Team
Sonic Locker Room Radio Show
Not their Halloween Costumes
Storybook Pumpkins
Trunk-or-Treat
Red Ribbon Week
McEowen Poster Contest
HMS Door Decs
As part of Red Ribbon Week activities at Harrisonville Middle School, students decorated doors with an anti-drug theme. The doors were judged on originality, craftsmanship/neatness, creativity, and theme. Winners included Mrs. Bales’ class, first place (pictured); Mrs. Foerschler’s class, second place; and Mrs. Thayer’s class, third place.
SADD events at HHS
As part of Red Ribbon Week's activities, Harrisonville High School students attended an assembly addressing the importance of making right choices. The keynote speaker was Joey Russell who shared his personal experience of making a poor choice 14 years ago when he chose to drink and drive. Because of his poor choice as the driver, his vehicle crashed and his friend's life was lost. He has had to live each day knowing his choice took a life. The second speaker was Avis Lowe with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) who shared her experience of losing her son to a drunk driver.
They also conducted a seatbelt check. Eighty-seven percent of drivers had their seat belts on and 73% of passengers wore theirs. (pictured)
SADD wrapped up the week with an assembly that featured the premiere of the video below.
High Five Friday
On Friday, McEowen Elementary Wildcats enjoyed "High Five/Fist Bump" Friday with the Wildcat soccer team. Once a month, the Bright Futures Harrisonville council at the school hosts the event to bring positive role models into the school.
CCC Advisory Committees
Cass Career Center, the area’s career and technical school, hosted its Fall Advisory Committee meetings on October 23. The Advisory Committees meet once in the fall and once in the spring. Members provide the CCC staff with input from industry and the community in order to ensure programs remain relevant. Programs that host advisory meetings include Agriculture, Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Marketing/Business, Engineering, Fire/EMT, Welding, and Construction Technology. The next committee meeting is Tuesday, March 12, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at Cass Career Center, 1600 E. Elm, and includes dinner. Please contact Linda Highley at 380-3253, ext. 7222 if you would like to volunteer.
Wildcats Give Back
Members of the Cass Career Center DECA chapter spent time volunteering at Harvesters on October 23.
PAT Blockfest
The Harrisonville Parents As Teachers program hosted an evening of family fun on October 23 with Blockfest. At this event families were able to explore with all different types of blocks. There were 11 stations set up with different activities for each type of block. Families were encouraged to explore on their own and with a little guidance.
Visiting the Library
Pumpkin Poppin'
Board of Education
November Meeting
Oct. 31 - ECC Assembly, 2:45 p.m.
Nov. 1 - PAT Playgroup, 9:15 a.m., ECC
Nov. 1-3 - HHS presents The Pajama Game, 7 p.m., HHS Performing Arts Center
Nov. 3 - Town Hall Meeting w/Harrisonville Schools, 9 a.m., United Methodist Church
Nov. 7 - 5th Grade Field Trip - Blue Springs School of Economics
Nov. 8 - PAT Playgroup, 9:15 a.m., ECC
Nov. 8 - HES Family Night, 5-7 p.m
Nov. 8 - Band Benefit Concert, 7 p.m., HHS
Nov. 9 - HMS Veteran's Day Assembly, 8 a.m.
Nov. 9 - ECC Breakfast with Books, 8:15 a.m.
Nov. 12-16 - HMS Book Fair
Nov. 12 - 5th Grade Field Trip - Blue Springs School of Economics
Nov. 13 - Community Conversation, 6:30 p.m., HHS
Nov. 15 - PAT Playgroup, 9:15 a.m., ECC
Nov. 16 - HES Fall Parties, 2:45 p.m.
Nov. 16 - McEowen Family Movie Night, 6 p.m.
Nov. 19 - Listening Post w/Supt. Mensching, 4:45-5:15 p.m., HHS Commons
Nov. 19 - Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Banquet, 5:30 p.m., HHS Gym
Nov. 20 - McEowen Fall Parties, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 - ECC Fall Parties, 2:45 p.m.
Nov. 20 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m., Admin Office
Nov. 21-26 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
Supporting Our Own
Foundation benefits from supporters' online shopping
The Harrisonville Public School Foundation supports district students and teachers through teacher grants, scholarships, advanced degree reimbursement, district grants and more!
Here's your chance to support the organization when you shop online! Choose the Foundation as your beneficiary at smile.amazon.com and a percent of your purchase comes back to the Foundation.
And this week only...Amazon has increased their donation so that support goes 10X as far!
Club/Organization Fundraisers & Events
Parents Night Out Sat. 11/7 5-9pm. A1 Sports Performance Raymore. $15 First Child/ $10 ea add.
Not So Scary Storytime - Cass Library Wed. 10/31 9:30 or 11:00am
Girls Scout Troops K & 1st grade now forming. K- Janis (816)-853-5814. 1st-Jess (816)-258-2525
9th Annual Give or Take Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church. Donate 11/29 4-9pm. Pick up 11/30,12/1,12/7
Good Neighbors Strong Community Sat. 11/17 9-3:30pm Ray-Pec High School
Harrisonville Spinners Mondays Dec. 3- Feb.25 4:15-5pm K-5th $50 due by Nov.14th
Young Rembrandts McE Tuesdays 11/6 - 12/11 4-5pm $50/6 weeks
Young Rembrandts HES Tuesdays 11/6 - 12/11 4:10-5:10pm $50/ 6 weeks
Wildcat Bracelets- $25 Kiwanis Fundraiser Contact- Kristie Fisher
Band Benefit Concert Thurs. Nov. 8th Raffle/Auction Preview 6pm- Concert 7pm. HHS PAC
Adaptin' to Dance -Saturdays 10/13;10/20;11/10;11/17. 9-9:45am. Raymore
Homes School Mom Hangout- Library Thursdays 9/13; 10/11; 11/8 6:30pm
Girls Who Code - Library Every Tues. 5-6:30pm Sept. 4 - Dec. 11
Story Times at Library Sept. - Nov. Tuesdays 11am. Wednesdays 9:30 & 11am
Girls Who Code, 6th-12th grade, Tues. @ 5 pm, 9/4-12/11, Library
Minecraft Club, Thursdays @ 5 pm, Sept-Nov, Ages 10-14, Library
About Us
Email: jill.filer@harrisonvilleschools.org
Website: www.harrisonvilleschools.org
Location: 503 South Lexington Street, Harrisonville, MO, USA
Phone: 8163802727
Facebook: facebook.com/HarrisonvilleSchools
Twitter: @HvilleSchools