Key News
Harrisonville Schools E-newsletter - November 20
Senior citizens invited to Thanksgiving banquet; donors still welcome
Local senior citizens are invited to the annual Senior Citizens’ Thanksgiving Banquet on Monday, Nov. 25 hosted by the Harrisonville High School Student Council.
The banquet will take place in the HHS gymnasium beginning at 5:30 p.m. After the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, entertainment will be provided by the HHS Jazz band and the show choir, Music Makers.
There is no RSVP needed for this event.
Transportation will be provided for those who need it. Contact Emily Terwilliger at 380-3273, ext. 6850.
Local businesses and community members make this event possible. Donations are being accepted at three levels - $20/turkey, $50/dinner, and $100/event. Donations should be made payable to HHS Student Council, 1504 E. Elm, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
If you have questions, contact Emily Terwilliger at 380-3273, ext. 6850 or emily.terwilliger@harrisonvilleschools.org
HMS honors veterans at annual assembly
Harrisonville Middle School honored veterans with a special assembly which was attended by the entire student body on Friday, November 8. All local veterans were invited to the event.
The keynote address was provided by 2013 HHS graduate and Marine Corps Reserve veteran Jacob Davis who spoke to the students about courage.
The event also included remarks by HMS principal Chris Grantham; performances by the school’s audition choir, the Wildcat Chorale; and the National Anthem performed by the HMS 8th grade band.
During the assembly, veterans were thanked for their service and each stood during the choir’s performance of a military song medley. The Wildcat Chorale also performed the song, In Flander’s Field, while a PowerPoint was played which included pictures submitted by students and staff of their relatives who have or are serving.
The Color Guard at the event was made of up Boy Scouts.
The event closed with the playing of “Taps” by HMS band student Callie Shoemaker.
Guests at the assembly were welcomed by a flag display around the front driveway of the school provided by the Patriot Guard.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a reception in the school’s cafeteria with refreshments provided by the school’s Family and Consumer Science students.
Also during the event, HMS principal Chris Grantham challenged the students to raise $1,000 for the Veteran’s Community Project during a coin collection next week. The Veteran’s Community Project is an organization building a tiny house community in Kansas City for homeless veterans. HMS has supported the organization for several years.
District food drive brings in 5,500 lbs for local pantry
Students, staff, and school partners throughout the Harrisonville School District collected nearly 5,500 pounds of food for the local food pantry during a recent food drive.
The drive is co-sponsored by the Harrisonville High School Drama Department as part of the Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat program. Each building in the district collected food items. Food items were also collected in the Bright Futures blue barrels around town.
The HHS Drama Club collected donations at the Trunk-or-Treat on the Square event on October 27 and during a special trick-or-treating night after musical rehearsal.
All donations are given to the Shepherd's Staff Food Pantry sponsored by the Harrisonville Ministerial Alliance.
Foundation presents fall teacher grants
Teachers and students in the Harrisonville School District recently received more than $4,700 in grants from the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.
Throughout the 17 years of the teacher grant program, more than $101,000 has been presented to teachers. The goal of the program is to enhance the education of Harrisonville students by encouraging and recognizing new educational approaches and concepts that are not currently funded by the district.
Teacher grants were awarded to the following:
David May, Cass Career Center EMT, for a childbirth simulator. This obstetrical manikin will allow students to train in preparation for emergency childbirth in the pre-hospital setting. Students will receive hands-on training in multiple childbirth emergency scenarios. The students will become proficient in handling these emergencies and will be ready to assist an expectant mother in an emergency situation.
Emily Schaeffer, Harrisonville Middle School/Harrisonville High School instrumental music, for a classroom set of percussion equipment including practice pads for the percussion program.
Susan Michon, Harrisonville High School foreign language, for headphones to more easily utilize Chromebooks to improve student listening skills. The headphones provided by the grant are compatible with student Chromebooks, ensuring that all students can access authentic audio-visual resources in French and Spanish.
Alyssa Holsten, McEowen Elementary music, for a classroom set of ukuleles. Students will have the opportunity to learn a new instrument and work together as a ukulele ensemble deepening their knowledge of reading music and reading chords. This grant was funded through Cade Filer Memorial Teacher Grant Endowment. (Pictured below)
Kathy DeVore, McEowen Elementary special education, for wobble stools. The wobble stool is a special stool that allows rocking side to side and front to back for 360-degree movement which is great for those who are restless, fidgety, ADHD, ADD, or have sensory needs. The wobble stool provides sensory input that allow students the ability to concentrate during a lesson. This will allow for less distractions during class. This grant was funded through the Velma Stephens Teacher Grant Endowment.
Kip Mathew, Harrisonville High School vocal music, to purchase music and access to a music literacy website. The grant will be used to help students learn to read music at a higher level which will increase their enjoyment of music and produce better choirs.
Natalie Johnson, McEowen Elementary School 4th grade, for document cameras for use in the classroom. Document cameras provide a tool to project student work, textbook pages, science experiments, math manipulatives, and more for full class discussion and viewing.
Chandra Kelly, Cass Career Center Criminal Justice/CSI, for industry-specific training manuals which will be used in conjunction with practical exercises to increase practice in preparation for post-secondary assessments while further developing 21st century soft skills. The manuals are currently being utilized in all police academies across Missouri.
The Harrisonville Public School Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established to support the educational activities and programs of the Harrisonville School District. To learn more about the Foundation, contact Executive Director Jill Filer at 380-2727, ext. 1224.
FFA members attend, receive honors at National Convention
Eleven members of the Cass Career Center FFA Chapter recently returned from the 92nd National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis, IN October 30th – November 2nd.
Students joined over 70,000 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. FFA members learned the importance of transforming their local communities by being leaders in the agriculture industry. The session also had motivational speaker Bob Goff 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 toured Shaffer’s Gold Rush Hog Farm and Good’s Candy Factory on Friday.
On Saturday, FFA members attended the final Convention Session, watching over 3,000 members receive the FFA’s highest honor, the American FFA Degree. The Cass Career Center FFA Chapter had three members achieve this degree this year: Slater Helt, Nick McCleave, and Andrew White.
New layer of safety added thanks to partnership
The departments donated sections of old fire hose, which would normally be recycled after being taken out of everyday use, that had been repurposed into door-sleeve devices used to prevent intruders from entering classrooms.
Each device uses a 12-inch piece of fire hose. The sleeves are slipped over the door hinge so the door cannot open.
After a brief demonstration of the devices, Emergency Services staff teamed up with the HES Life Skills class to hand out the devices to each of the school’s classrooms and educate teachers about how to use them.
HHS students named to casts of one-acts written by fellow students; performances set for Dec. 11
Harrisonville High School recently announced the cast and directors for its one-act plays. A new addition to this year’s performance is the fact that the one-acts were written by HHS creative writing students.
The one-acts include Lost in Transit written by Parker Rowland, directed by Breezy Semler, featuring Caleb Baker, Lydia Newman, Micah Cheek, Kinsley Brannon, and Halle Keeney; The Parody of Julius Ceaser written by Landen Laizure, directed by Mattew Hasenyager, featuring Clinton Howser, Elizabeth Allen, Virgil Shaddox, Micah Cheek, and Landen Laizure; Voices written by Libby East, directed by Michael Schuhler, featuring Emily Garrido-Calva, Lydia Newman, Rosalee Chartier, Brooklyn Fools, and Tabi Davis; All His Friends written by Mycah Akin, directed by Caitlyn Costner, featuring Amber Tabor, Caroline Ocheskey, Libby East, Gael Rios, Tabi Davis, Gabi Bratcher, Micah Cheek, and Clinton Howser; The Trial written by Coby Knoblauch, directed by Addie Howser, Lauren Burlingame, Dawson Carr, Katie Semler, Sophia Sparks, Caroline Ocheskey, and Jo-E Shopper.
The one-acts will be performed in the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Winter Weather Communication Reminders
Be a Breakfast Buddy
#My42 shirts on sale now
Shirts can be ordered by calling Paige at 380-2727, ext. 1224 or emailing her at paige.welhoff@harrisonvilleschools.org. Shirts are only $10/each.
We've been challenged! Bright Futures Berryville (AR) who also celebrates #My42 Days each month has issued a friendly challenge. We're going to see which community has the most Bright Futures support based on photos submitted of people wearing our shirts on the January 28th #My42 Day. If you do not have a shirt, be sure to order one today so that you're ready for our January event!
Bright Futures to host Holiday Store on Dec. 7
Bright Futures will sponsor the annual Holiday Store in conjunction with the Christmas on the Square event on Saturday, December 7. The store will offer children the opportunity to “buy” a gift for a parent, teacher, or family member.
Bright Futures is looking for donations to help stock the store. Suggested items include trinkets, sports memorabilia, knick-knacks, candles, mugs, ties, holiday decor, wallets, tool sets, coasters, and figurines. Donations are being accepted at any Bright Futures Blue Barrel locations - Commerce Bank, Community Bank of Harrisonville, Cass County Public Library, Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene, Harrisonville United Methodist Church, Cornerstone Community Church, Harrisonville Community Center (Senior Center), Hawthorn Bank, Heartland Baptist Church, Brick House Coffee Bar and Eatery, Quality Auto Service & Repair, Schroeder Chiropractic, The Vault, Family Center, and all district schools.
The Holiday Store will be open from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, December 7 at Harrisonville Middle School. Tickets to shop in the store are 25 cents each.
Points of Pride
- Congratulations to the HHS Students of the Month for November - Maddie Hoffman & Keigan Rowe. Read more about them by following this link - https://www.harrisonvilleschools.org/domain/29.
- Congratulations to the 31 new members of the Harrisonville High School National Honor Society who were inducted during a ceremony on Tuesday, November 5. The 2019 inductees included Hunter Baker, Hannah Bentley, Elizabeth Bostic, Lauren Burlingame, Trevor Campbell, Ethan Danner, Nathanael DeVenney, LaNae Eggers, George Frees, Landon George, Natalie Gibbs, Emily Gray, Kaelin Holden, Walker Holden, Grace Kirkemo, Kara Lemmer, Riley Mathew, Kyle Mensching, Selah Norman, Colleen O´Reilly, Mary O´Reilly, Hannah Reynolds, Dalton Schrock, Monte Schroeder, Alexis Sites, Rylee Smalley, James Tieman, Savannah Timmons, Olivia Tribble, Alyssa Wilson, and Hattie Wilson.
- Congratulations to the 14 Harrisonville High School students who were selected to All District bands. Four HHS musicians were selected to the All-District Jazz Band - Landen Laizure, Trumpet; Michael Dahn, Trombone; Mary O'Reilly, Piano; and Brad Cox, Drum Set Alternate. The HHS musicians selected for the All-District Honor Band include Selah Norman, Flute; Kenna Hawley, Tenor Sax; Parker Rowland, Trumpet; Landen Laizure, Trumpet; Ryan Anderson, Trumpet; and Alex Sheldrake; Tuba. Those students selected to the All-District Honorable Mention Band include Kaitlin Sheldrake, Clarinet; Savannah Timmons, Bassoon; Michael Dahn, Trombone; Dillon Pippin, Horn Alternate; Jackson Hayes, Trombone Alternate; and Walker Holden, Drum Set Alternate. The jazz band and honor band students also qualify to audition for All-State groups in December.
- Congratulations to our Wildcat Cross Country athletes who competed at State on November 9! Senior Kaylee Harp earned 19th; junior Conner Blixt took 53rd; freshman Allie Grimes got 100th and Alex Barta finished 125th.
- Congratulations to Harrisonville High School head volleyball coach Cheyanne Lyons who has been named as a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 High School Awards. The overall Thirty Under 30 Award was created in 2009 to honor up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport, and in 2016 it was expanded for exclusively high school coaches.
- Congratulations to Cass Career Center FFA members who had a successful night at the District Fall Speech Contest. Josie Moore placed 3rd in Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives, Hannah Dinges placed 1st in Missouri Quarter Horse Association, and Emma Wernex placed 1st in Missouri Institute of Cooperatives. Dinges will compete in January at the Missouri Quarter Horse State Convention and Wernex will compete in March at the Missouri Institute of Cooperative State Meeting.
- Harrisonville Schools recently recognized the monthly Kudos to Cats recipients. The new Kudos to Cats program is a way for anyone to express gratitude to any Harrisonville Schools staff member who goes above and beyond what is expected. The November recipients were Alisha Schutz, Allison Willson, Amanda Ledington, Amy Schroeder, Amy Wilson, Ashley Shrout, Barb Quick, Ben Johnson, Beth Bullock, Beth Stout, Bill Kay, Brian Bliss, BryAnn Middleton, Cassie Diehl, Catherine Miller, Catie Compton, Dan Coleman, Dave Hix, Chris Norris, Dena Cooper, Emily Schaeffer, Eric DeVenney, Gunnar Person, Jacob McKinnis, Jake Kohl, James Lumpkin, Jamie Garrison, Jason Dieckhoff, Jauna Weber, Jeff Langhrer, Jesse Larcom, Jessica Shelman, Jill Bartmess, John Magoffin, Josh Bebout, Julie Jeselnik-Eagan, Justin Sharp, Kathy Eckert, Kelly Melzer, Kim Eccles, Lanagayle Kirkemo, Lisa Mitchell, Maria Derner, Megan Bathgate, Katie Thurman, Melina Thomas, Melanie Dearing, Mike Johnson, Molly Witherspoon, Nicole Potter, Pam Joseph, Rachel Brown, Rebecca Steinbrook, Robbin Garrett, Shannon Lineberry, Stacey Rice, Teri Whiting, Virginia DeVenney, Kyle Crutchfield, and Don Dickerson. Nominations for Kudos to Cats recognition are open on an ongoing basis and staff will be honored monthly. To nominate a staff member, go to this link - https://forms.gle/MkaXH7CAwnNzDTfz9.
Congratulations to the cast of HHS's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream! The cast includes Brooklyn Fools as Cobweb; Garrett Brown as Demetrius; Clinton Howser as Egeus; Virgil Shaddox as Francis Flute; Caitlyn Costner as Helena; Breezy Semler as Hermia; Halle Keeney as Hippolyta; Caleb Baker as Lysander; Libby East as Moth; Cathy Wade as Mustardseed; Noah Collins as Nick Bottom; Michael Schuhler as Oberon; Sophia Sparks as Peasblossom; Lydia Newman as Peter Quince; Dawson Carr as Philostrate; Gael Rios as Puck (Robin Goodfellow); Lauren Burlingame as Robin Starveling; Micah Cheek as Snug; Jacob Allen as Theseus; Kinsley Brannon as Titania; Jacob Miller as Tom Snout; Cody Carson, Morgan Kampe, Kal Landstrom, Kylie McGee, Vaelen Taylor as the Court Attendants; Alexis Balducci, Laney Brown, Shari Cook, Katie Fitzgerald, Katie Semler, Amber Taber, Victoria Wise as the Fairy Court. Performance dates are Jan. 23-25 at 7 p.m.
Congratulations to the HES award winners for October. Read more about the here.
Congrats to Cass Career Center November Young Professional of the Month, a junior from Harrisonville Schools, Jagar Carter! The award is sponsored by the Harrisonville Rotary Club.
- Each week, HHS students and coaches/sponsors are featured on the Sonic Locker Room Radio Show. The show airs on Mondays at 4:45 p.m. on 1030 AM or you can listen to archived shows online at www.soniclockerroom.com. This week's show features HHS Student Council.
- The district's Art in our Community program seeks to recognize our students for outstanding work in the visual arts. Several area businesses are participating in this program including 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). Artwork is rotated monthly and is posted on the district Facebook page - www.facebook.com/HarrisonvilleSchools.
HHS broadcast students once again partner with HPD
https://www.facebook.com/HarrisonvillePD/videos/1732617640203963/
Stay tuned to the Harrisonville Schools and Harrisonville Police Department's Facebook pages for more fun videos.
Photos from Around the District
Key Club gives back
Blue Springs School of Economics
Honor Run
The Harrisonville Wrestling team did a Veteran’s honor run on Saturday. The wrestlers and coaches ran to a memorial on the Harrisonville square and Coach Jennings, a veteran himself, talked about sacrifice to the wrestlers. They then ran back to the high school & discussed what sacrifices they will make this season.
Kindness Tuesdays
I am Kind
Local Agribusiness Tour
Fire Dynamics and Extinguishment Skills Day
Board of Education
November Board of Education Meeting
The Board held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the district's Administrative Offices, 503 S. Lexington. Agenda items included:
- Recognition of the HHS Students of the Month for November
- Recognition of HMS students Maddy Hubbard, Austin Eng, Alden Davis, Eli Norman, Gabby Vaughn, & Eden Thayer for a variety of reasons including their work ethic, creativity, kindness, & academics
- Approval of 2020-21 school calendar (see below) or go to https://www.harrisonvilleschools.org/Page/2 and scroll to bottom for printable version.
The agenda for the meeting will be posted the Friday before and full minutes from each meeting are available here.
Videos of past meetings are available at this link - https://www.harrisonvilleschools.org/Page/940.
Board of Education candidate filing
Filing for Harrisonville School Board of Education candidates begins Tuesday, December 17 at 8 a.m. at the Administrative Offices, 503 S. Lexington. Some of the requirements for candidates for the Board of Education are as follows: must be a citizen of the US, a resident taxpayer in the Harrisonville Cass R-IX School District, and at least 24 years of age. Candidates must have lived in Missouri for at least one year preceding the election. For a full list of candidate requirements, go to http://harrisonvilleschools.schoolwires.net/Page/98
Filing closes on January 21 at 5 p.m. Offices to be filled are three (3) three-year positions. Board members whose terms expire are Chris Bell, Bing Schimmelpfenning and Nancy Shelton.
The Board election is April 7, 2020.
Supporting Our Own
HHS Senior Mania will host a unique fundraiser o Saturday, Dec. 7. The Ford Drive seeks drivers over 18 to test drive a new Ford vehicle and Senior Mania will receive $20 for each test drive (one per household). The event begins in the student parking lot at HHS at 8 a.m. All you have to do is pre-register for this event by clicking this link: https://d4ur.com/Q4J4J (this will help keep your time spent at the event to a minimum), test drive a vehicle of your choice, and then complete the post drive survey.
Nov. 20 - HES Fall Feast, lunch shifts
Nov. 21 - Parents As Teachers Playgroup, 9:15 a.m.
Nov. 22 - Preschool Preview Day
Nov. 22 - McEowen Positive Action Assembly, 2 p.m.
Nov. 22 - McEowen Fall Parties, 3 p.m.
Nov. 25 - Senior Citizen's Thanksgiving Banquet, 5:30 p.m., HHS
Nov. 26 - ECC Fall Parties, 3 p.m.
Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 3 - ECC Terrific Citizens Assembly, 3 p.m.
Dec. 5 - Parents As Teachers Playgroup, 9:15 a.m.
Dec. 5 - Parents As Teachers Parents Night Out, 5-8 p.m.
Dec. 7 - All-State Band Auditions
Dec. 9 - HHS Winter Choir Concert, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 10 - HMS Winter Choir Concert, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 11 - 8th grade field trip to Cass Career Center
Dec. 11 - HHS presents one-acts, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 12 - Parents As Teachers Playgroup, 9:15 a.m.
Dec. 12 - HHS Winter Band Concert, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 13 - ECC Breakfast Buddies, 8:30 a.m.
Dec. 13 - HMS Dance, 2:45-4:45 p.m.
Dec. 13 - HMS Winter Band Concert, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 14 - ACT, HHS, 8 a.m.
Dec. 17 - HES 3rd Grade Music Program, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 17 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m., Admin Office
Dec. 19 - McEowen 4th grade winter program, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Dec. 19 - McEowen 5th grade winter program, 7 p.m, Performing Arts Center
Dec. 20 - 1/2 day for students
Dec. 20 - HES Awards Assembly, 10 a.m.
Dec. 23 - Jan. 6 - Winter Break
Jan. 7 - Classes Resume
Community Events & Flyers
Check out our Community Flyers page on the website - click here. This page is updated regularly and current flyers are linked below.
Dinovember! Dinosaur activities all through November! CCPL
Adulting 101. Public Speaking & Interview Skills. Thurs. Nov. 21 3:30-4:30. Teen Event at CCPL
Movie Time! The Land Before Time III. Sat. Nov. 23rd 2:00pm.
Gift Baskets For All Occasions. Tues. Dec. 3rd at 6:00pm. Pearson Hall CCPL. Reserve your seat today
CCAEOP Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair Sat. Dec. 7, 2019 9am-2pm Belton High School - Free Admission!
Harrisonville Spinners Sign Up Information. Registration due Nov. 14. Practices on Thursdays 4:15-5
10th Annual Give or Take Dec. 12-14 start 9am Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church. Donation day 12/11
Parenting 2nd Time Around - Oct. 9,16,30/ Nov. 6,20/ Dec.4,11,18 6-8pm MU Extension
Girls Who Code. 6th-12th Grade. Tuesdays 9/3 - 12/3 5-6:30pm CCPL
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