As the school year comes to a close, it is important to reflect on the experiences of the past ten months. The 2021-22 school year saw numerous unique challenges along with many successes. Throughout it all, I have been grateful to work with a staff who truly cares about the well-being of the kids and families they serve. I am grateful to be a part of a community that has supported our students and teachers throughout this year. Thank you to everyone for all pulling together to make this year meaningful for our students. I wish you all a happy and healthy summer break and I am looking forward to us being back together in August for another great school year.

Rolla Public Schools Marks 20 Years of Full-Day Kindergarten

The Rolla 31 School District first introduced full-day kindergarten in the 2002-03 school year, making this the 20th year of the program expansion. Sacsha Harrison recounts her memories of joining the Kindergarten team that year: “Six kindergarten teachers were hired to fill those positions. Jackie Job and I joined Connie Schweiss, Derith Hurst, and Becky Hoffman at Truman. Kristi Nakanishi and April Palmer joined Wanda Lucian, Laura Brown, and Jennifer Heberlie at Mark Twain. The four kindergarten classrooms at Wyman rounded out the program: Gerry Brunton, Tracy James, Marcia McCash, and Nora Sandquist. Kristi [Nakanishi] and Becky [Hoffman] have remained in Kindergarten all those years, Laura is heading all of our early childhood programs, and I've found my way back to pre-k. Such great memories! We were one of the last schools in our area to make the move to a full-day program, and that first batch of full-day kinders are now 25 and 26 years old. In fact, I have the children of two of my first kindergarten students in my pre-k class this year. Talk about full circle!”

Over the years, the Kindergarten program at Rolla Public Schools has become a foundation for early childhood learning in the district, and it paved the way for the Pre-K (PUPS/PEERS) program which was implemented in 2017. There are currently 16 kindergarten classrooms district-wide; 6 at Mark Twain Elementary, 5 at Truman Elementary, and 5 at Wyman Elementary. A huge thank you goes out to all who have dedicated their time and efforts to 20 years of successful kindergarten learning, and to all who have supported early childhood learning in our community.

Classes dismiss for the 2021-22 School Year this Thursday, May 26th at 1 pm. Summer School Courses throughout the district will begin June 2nd.

Please visit our website at the following link to view the 2022-23 school year calendar: https://bit.ly/R31Calendar2223

Join our team and make a difference every day! Rolla Public Schools are a great place to work! We have several positions open for immediate hire in these areas:

Teachers

Coaches

Nurses (RN)

Administrative Professionals

Food Services

Custodial Services

Paraprofessionals

Bus & Trip Drivers and Aides

Substitute Teachers (see below)

View details here and apply today: https://www.applitrack.com/rolla/onlineapp/default.aspx